Friday's hockey: Caps on verge of elimination; Canucks lead Predators 2-1

Washington — Nothing seems to be able to knock the New York Rangers off their game, certainly not giving up a fluky bounce goal five minutes in or having seven penalties called on them.

Again they responded to whatever the Washington Capitals threw at them, and now they're one win away from the second round.

Vincent Trocheck had a power-play goal and a short-handed assist, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the Rangers beat the Capitals 3-1 in Game 3 Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series. They can advance with a victory in Game 4 Sunday night.

“We play really good," Shesterkin said. "But we need to win one more game, and we focus on the next one.”

The Rangers scored goals at even-strength 5 on 5, up 5 on 4 and down 4 on 5 in a special teams showcase from the Presidents' Trophy winners who finished atop the NHL regular season in part because of their potent power play. Trocheck set up Barclay Goodrow short-handed and scored on the power play, while Chris Kreider tipped the puck in for his franchise-best 42nd career playoff goal.

At the other end of the rink, Shesterkin looked like his 2022 Vezina Trophy-winning self, robbing Max Pacioretty alone in front with a right pad stop and turning away Alex Ovechkin, who remains without a point this postseason. Shesterkin was perfect after allowing John Carlson to score on a fluttering shot off Mika Zibandjad's stick just over five minutes in.

“Shesty was obviously spectacular again,” Trocheck said. “He’s a spectacular goaltender. We need him to be the backbone of this team. He’s been doing it for years now.”

Washington, which was trying to keep play at 5 on 5 as much as possible to better even out a series New York had the chance to dominate, again failed to do so. Nearly a third of the game (18:31) was special teams, which plays into the Rangers' favor.

It also made life difficult on goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who despite a handful of crucial stops allowed three goals on 22 shots. Lindgren, who carried the Capitals into the playoffs by shouldering the load down the stretch, has been unable to get into any kind of a rhythm to perform the same heroics and make this a series.

“Throughout the series so far, they’ve come up with the big moments, whether that’s answering, whether that’s coming up with the next one, stuff like that,” said Washington defenseman John Carlson, who played a game-high 30 minutes and change. “It’s disappointing.”

Injuries haven't helped the Caps, who were again without two of their top four defensemen: Nick Jensen and Rasmus Sandin. They lost another midway through the first period when Trevor van Riemsdyk was hit up high by Rangers rookie Matt Rempe, who could face another disciplinary hearing six weeks after being suspended four games in March for an illegal check to the head.

“That was a dirty hit,” Capitals center Nic Dowd said. “I think a player took advantage of another player in a vulnerable spot. You’re obviously hoping Riems is all right.”

Vancouver 2, (at) Nashville 1: Backup goalie Casey DeSmith finally has his first postseason victory, and he helped the Vancouver Canucks take back home-ice advantage in the process.

DeSmith made 29 saves as the Canucks held off the Nashville Predators 2-1 Friday night for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series to open the NHL playoffs.

“It couldn’t come at a better time," DeSmith said of his first playoff victory. "I was really disappointed with how I played the other night. I thought the team played great the other night and didn’t get the result they deserved. And tonight I thought we really brought it. We earned that one. So it means a lot.”

This was DeSmith's second straight start and third all-time in the playoffs with Thatcher Demko out since the series opener with an injury. DeSmith gave up three goals on 15 shots as Vancouver lost Game 2.

“His demeanor is just great for that role,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said of DeSmith.

J.T. Miller had a power-play goal and an assist, and Brock Boeser's power-play goal wound up the game-winner. Quinn Hughes had two assists.

Game 4 is Sunday in Nashville.

Luke Evangelista helped Nashville avoid being shut out as he put a wrister top shelf with 3:12 remaining. Coach Andrew Brunette then took his timeout with 2:10 left and pulled goalie Juuse Saros. Nashville couldn't get the puck past DeSmith again.

Brunette said it was a fun game and credited the Canucks with defending well.

“Like I said, the whole series is going to be muddy,” Brunette said. "It’s going to be hard. And we still got to do a better job getting inside.”

The Canucks became the first team to win a playoff game with only 12 shots on goal since Pittsburgh beat Nashville in Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.

Eastern Conference playoff matchups

Rangers vs. Capitals

(Rangers lead 3-0)

▶ Game 1: Rangers 4-1

▶ Game 2: Rangers 4-3

▶ Game 3: Rangers 3-1

▶ Game 4: Sunday @ Washington, 8 p.m.

Bruins vs. Maple Leafs

(Bruins lead 2-1)

▶ Game 1: Bruins 5-1

▶ Game 2: Leafs 3-2

▶ Game 3: Bruins 4-2

▶ Game 4: Saturday @ Toronto, 8 p.m.

Panthers vs. Lightning

(Panthers lead 3-0)

▶ Game 1: Panthers 3-2

▶ Game 2: Panthers 3-2 (OT)

▶ Game 3: Panthers 5-3

▶ Game 4: Saturday @ Tampa Bay, 5 p.m.

Hurricanes vs. Islanders

(Hurricanes lead 3-0)

▶ Game 1: Hurricanes 3-1

▶ Game 2: Hurricanes 5-3

▶ Game 3: Hurricanes 3-2

▶ Game 4: Saturday @ N.Y. Islanders, 2 p.m.

Western Conference playoff matchups

Dallas vs. Vegas

(Golden Knights lead 2-0)

▶ Game 1: Vegas 4-3

▶ Game 2: Vegas 3-1

▶ Game 3: Saturday @ Vegas, 10:30 p.m.

▶ Game 4: Monday @ Vegas, TBD

Winnipeg vs. Colorado

(Series tied 1-1)

▶ Game 1: Jets 7-6

▶ Game 2: Avalanche 5-2

▶ Game 3: Friday @ Colorado, 10 p.m.

▶ Game 4: Sunday @ Colorado, 2:30 p.m.

Vancouver vs. Nashville

(Canucks lead 2-1)

▶ Game 1: Canucks 4-2

▶ Game 2: Predators 4-1

▶ Game 3: Canucks 2-1

▶ Game 4: Sunday @ Nashville, 5 p.m.

Edmonton vs. Los Angeles

(Series tied 1-1)

▶ Game 1: Oilers 7-4

▶ Game 2: Kings 5-4 (OT)

▶ Game 3: Friday @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

▶ Game 4: Sunday @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

Michigan-area hockey

Tuesday

▶ Saginaw 3, Sault Ste. Marie 1

Wednesday

▶ Toledo 6, Kalamazoo 2

Thursday

▶ NTDP U18s 9, Slovakia 0

Friday

▶ Toledo 4, Kalamazoo 2

▶ London 3, Saginaw 1

Saturday

▶ Rockford @ Grand Rapids, 7 (AHL)

▶ NTDP U18s vs. Norway, 10:30 a.m. (Hockey Network)

Sunday

▶ NTDP U18s vs. Latvia, 11 a.m. (Hockey Network)

American Hockey League playoffs

Central Division semifinal

(Best-of-five series)

▶ Game 1: Saturday @ Grand Rapids, 7

▶ Game 2: Wednesday @ Rockford, 7

▶ Game 3: Friday @ Rockford, 7

▶ Game 4: Sunday, May 5 @ Grand Rapids, 4

▶ Game 5: Friday, May 10 @ Rockford, 7

Central Division semifinal

(Best-of-five series)

▶ Milwaukee vs. winner of Texas-Manitoba

ECHL

Central Division Semifinal

(Best-of-seven series)

▶ Game 1: Toledo 3-2 (OT)

▶ Game 2: Toledo 5-2

▶ Game 3: Toledo 6-2

▶ Game 4: Toledo 4-2

Road to the Memorial Cup in Saginaw

(Saginaw hosts May 24-June 2)

▶ Friday, May 24: WHL vs. Saginaw, 7:30

▶ Saturday, May 25: OHL vs. QMJHL, 4

▶ Sunday, May 26: Saginaw vs. QMJHL, 7:30

▶ Monday, May 27: OHL vs. WHL, 7:30

▶ Tuesday, May 28: QMJHL vs. WHL, 7:30 

▶ Wednesday, May 29: Saginaw vs. OHL, 7:30 

▶ Thursday, May 30: Tie breaker (if necessary)

▶ Friday, May 31: Semifinal, 7:30

▶ Sunday, June 2: Final, 7:30

CHL playoffs in WHL, OHL, QMJHL

Western Hockey League

▶ Saskatoon Blades vs. Moose Jaw Warriors

▶ Prince George Cougars vs. Portland Winterhawks

Ontario Hockey League

▶ Oshawa Generals vs. North Bay Battalion

▶ London Knights vs. Saginaw

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

▶ Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs. Cape Breton Eagles

▶ Drummondville Voltigeurs vs. Victoriaville Tigres