Panarin, Lundqvist lead Rangers over Capitals

NEW YORK — Artemi Panarin scored twice, Henrik Lundqvist stopped 30 shots, and the New York Rangers beat the shorthanded Washington Capitals 41 Wednesday night.

Pavel Buchnevich had a goal and an assist, Brett Howden also scored, and Kaapo Kakko added two assists for the Rangers, who ended a twogame skid and improved to 631 in their last 10 games. Lundqvist earned his 454th win, tying Curtis Joseph for fifth on the NHL’s career list.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored and Braden Holtby made 27 saves for firstplace Washington, which lost in regulation for the second time in four games after an 1102 stretch. The Capitals failed to earn a point for only the fourth time in 24 games, including the second time in 13 on the road.

The Capitals played without right wing Garnet Hathaway and center Nicklas

Backstrom. Hathaway was suspended three games earlier in the day for spitting on Anaheim’s Erik Gudbranson on Monday night in response to a rabbit punch from Gudbranson, and Backstrom sat out due to an upper body injury.

Panarin made it 20 with his second powerplay goal of the night on a rebound of Kakko’s shot from the left side for his 11th at 3:57 of the third period.

While Panarin’s goal was being announced, Buchnevich beat Holtby on the right side off a crosscrease pass from Filip Chytil for his third just 23 seconds later.

Kuznetsov scored from the right circle on a power play to spoil Lundqvist’s shutout bid at 7:24. It was his 10th.

NOTES: Panarin has seven goals and 19 points during his streak. He also has eight goals and 12 points in 14 career games against Washington. … Lundqvist appeared in his 869th regular season game, breaking a tie with Grant Fuhr for 10th on the NHL’s career list.