Ovechkin’s Capitals get jump on Rangers in Game 1,

WASHINGTON— Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals know they own the most effective power play in the NHL this season.

They also know it’s vital to convert chances against their first-round playoff opponent, the New York Rangers, who were whistled for the fewest penalties in the league.

So after starting 0-for-3 in extra-man situations in Game 1 on Thursday night and trailing — “We feel, like, a little bit maybe nervous,” Ovechkin explained afterward — the Capitals got a big boost when their captain put the puck in the net on their fourth power play.

Ovechkin’s franchise-record 31st career playoff goal got Washington started before less-heralded teammates Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera scored 46 seconds apart, Braden Holtby made 35 saves, and the Capitals came back to beat the Rangers 3-1. When Washington defenceman Mike Green sent the puck past the net nearly seven minutes into the second period, it ricocheted off the boards and right to a charging Ovechkin, who flipped it past Henrik Lundqvist to make it 1-1.

“Kind of a lucky bounce,” Ovechkin acknowledged, “but I’ll take it.”

Carl Hagelin had put sixth-seeded New York ahead 1-0 in the first period — the only puck that made it past Holtby.

“We kind of hung him out to dry once or twice,” Capitals forward Troy Brouwer said about the second-year goaltender, “and he helped us out with some huge stops.”

Game 2 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final is Saturday in Washington (12:30 p.m., NBC).