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Capitals down Rangers

Dec 29, 2011 - 4:43 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Tomas Vokoun turned aside 31 shots to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers at Verizon Center.

Alexander Semin had two goals while Troy Brouwer and Marcus Johansson also scored for the Capitals, who snapped a two-game slide.

"We talked about getting the lead this morning and coming out to a good start," said Washington head coach Dale Hunter. "I think we did that here tonight and we played a full 60 minutes for once. It showed in the result."

Brandon Dubinsky scored the lone goal for the Rangers, who had a five-game winning streak stopped. Martin Biron was tagged for all four goals on just 23 shots in the loss.

"We made some brain dead plays at our blueline that led to a couple of their goals tonight," said New York head coach John Tortorella. "They're an opportunistic team and like to score goals. They did that and had all the momentum."

The first goal of the game went to Washington as Johanssen created a turnover near the blueline in his own end and skated the other way. He left a drop pass to Jeff Halpern, whose shot was stopped but the rebound was there for a charging Johanssen to snap into the net at the 8:18 mark of the first.

Later in the period, the Rangers tied the game as Ryan Callahan blocked a Caps shot in his own end, resulting in a 2-on-1 going the other way. Dubinsky opted to shoot and buried his chance with 2:44 left.

Halfway through the second, Washington took a 2-1 lead as a shot by John Carlson at the left point was deflected in by Brouwer.

Less than three minutes later, the Caps made it a 3-1 game after a turnover was picked up by Nicklas Backstrom in his own end and he fired a pass over to Semin at the right side of the Rangers' blueline. Semin charged into the offensive end down the right side and bulled his way to the net before scoring.

The only goal of the third went to Washington with 2:35 to play as Semin received a pass from Alex Ovechkin at the right circle, faked the slap and buried a high wrister.

New York nearly made it a one-goal game with under eight minutes to play, but a replay showed the Callahan kicked the puck in with his right skate and Vokoun finished the game by turning aside all 15 shots in the final period.

Game Notes

New York was 0-for-5 on the power play while Washington was 0- for-2...The Capitals host Buffalo on Friday and the Rangers play at Florida...New York had taken a 6-3 decision in Washington on November 25.