Caps hand Rangers fourth straight loss

WASHINGTON — Well on their way to ending a troubling skid, the New York Rangers again fell apart when the game was on the line.

They allowed a tying goal to Nic Dowd early in the third period and the go-ahead goal to T.J. Oshie 1:53 later, losing 3-2 to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The defeat is their fourth in a row and third consecutive in regulation, shrinking their lead atop the Metropolitan Division at the midway point of the NHL season.

“That was one that slipped away from us,” said defenseman Adam Fox, who scored twice and was on the ice for Washington’s two thirdperiod goals. “It’s a stretch that we’re kind of going through frustrating.”

Devils 4, Panthers 1: At Sunrise, Fla., Nico Daws stopped 35 shots, Jesper Bratt scored for the second straight game and New Jersey snapped Florida’s nine-game winning streak.

Bratt’s goal was his 16th of the season, tying Tyler Toffoli for the New Jersey lead this season. Alexander Holtz and Erik Haula each got their 10th goal of the season for the Devils, who have gotten 13 of a possible 18 points in their last nine games by going 6-2-1.

Senators 5, Sharks 4: Vladimir Tarasenko scored with five seconds remaining in the third period to give host Ottawa a victory.

it, and it is

Ottawa snapped a five-game losing streak with its first victory in 2024. Claude Giroux, Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson also scored for Ottawa, while Joonas Korpisalo turned away 14 shots.

Canucks 1, Sabres 0: Thatcher Demko made 26 saves to lead Vancouver to a win over host Buffalo.

It was Demko’s fourth shutout this season and the seventh shutout of his career. Sam Lafferty scored the only goal of the game. The Canucks have won five games in a row, all on the road.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 22 saves for Buffalo. It was the first time the Sabres were shutout since Dec. 16.