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Capitals hope to keep rolling versus Rangers

Feb 25, 2011 - 4:03 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals will shoot for their first three- game winning streak in nearly two months when they host the New York Rangers tonight at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals recently went 3-2-0 on a five-game road trip and ended the trek with consecutive victories in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Washington, which is three points behind Tampa Bay for first in the Southeast Division, hasn't recorded three straight wins since Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

Washington should be well-rested heading into tonight's tilt, as the Caps haven't played since recording a 1-0 win in Pittsburgh on Monday. Alex Ovechkin scored on a devastating slap shot and Michal Neuvirth made 39 saves to lift the Capitals to the close win.

Neuvirth stopped 18 shots in the first period, seven in the second and 14 in the final period for his third career shutout and his second against Pittsburgh.

"It's always fun to play against Pittsburgh," said Ovechkin, who scored the game's only goal at 3:22 of the second period. "It's always important to get two points, especially on the road."

Washington is also four points behind Pittsburgh for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Capitals are hoping to get defenseman Mike Green back tonight after he sat out the last five games with an inner ear issue. Green, who is tied for the team lead among defenseman with 24 points, hasn't played since Feb. 12 against Los Angeles and is questionable for tonight.

Washington centerman Nicklas Backstrom suffered a small fracture in his thumb during Monday's game, but he is expected to play in tonight's game. Backstrom is second on the Caps with 53 points this season.

The Caps have lost two straight and four out of five on home ice. They are 17-7-7 in D.C. this season.

New York ended a couple of streaks when it played Tuesday night in Carolina and earned a 4-3 shootout victory over the Hurricanes. The Rangers halted a two-game slide overall and also snapped a four-game road skid.

The Blueshirts, who are 18-13-1 as the road club this season, are currently running seventh in the conference playoff race. The recent victory over Carolina helped New York's playoff cause, as the Rangers are now three points ahead of the Hurricanes in the East standings.

Wojtek Wolski scored the game-winning goal in the shootout for the Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves for the win at RBC Center.

"That's the identity of our team, really. We work hard every night, we're never going to quit," Wolski said. "I think that's something that you need going into the playoffs, and definitely during the playoffs."

Brandon Prust, Ryan Callahan and Mike Sauer tallied for the Rangers in regulation.

New York played its first game without forward Marian Gaborik, who is sidelined indefinitely with a concussion suffered in Sunday's loss to rival Philadelphia.

Rangers defenseman Marc Staal suffered a knee injury against Carolina and is questionable for tonight's tilt.

New York has taken two of three from the Capitals this season and the Blueshirts can win the season series when the clubs meet for their final regular-season encounter.

The Rangers earned a shootout victory in D.C. when the clubs last met on Jan. 24. New York has won two straight after dropping its previous four contests against the Caps. The Rangers have still lost five of their last seven trips to D.C.