Holtby sparks Capitals

Braden Holtby made 30 saves Monday night for his second career playoff shutout and Jay Beagle scored his first goal of this postseason, giving the host Washington Capitals a 1-0 victory over the New York Rangers.

Washington has a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Alex Ovechkin was held without a goal for the first time in the series. It was one of the Capitals’ less-heralded players, Beagle, who put the puck past Henrik Lundqvist on a secondeffort, deflected shot. His goal came at 7 minutes 31 seconds into the second period.

Holtby was at his glove-catching best, including stopping Martin St. Louis on a breakaway six minutes after Beagle scored, and the crowd chanted the goalie’s last name at the final buzzer.

This was the type of nail-biter the Rangers play: They have participated in 10 consecutive playoff games decided by one goal, an NHL record.

And in seven of its eight games in this year’s playoffs, New York has allowed two goals or fewer.

But under first-year coach Barry Trotz, and with Holtby matching Lundqvist save for save, the Capitals are proving just as adept at this