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Capitals Look to Keep Playoff Push Alive Against Young Rangers
Washington aims to gain ground in crowded Eastern Conference race with visit to New York's rising rookies.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:18pm
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The Washington Capitals are surging late in the season, going 8-3-2 in their last 13 games to pull within one point of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. They'll look to continue their push on Sunday night against the New York Rangers, who have been boosted by the strong play of their young rookies in recent weeks.
Why it matters
The Capitals are in a tight race for the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with several teams bunched together. A win over the Rangers could be crucial in their playoff chase, while New York is playing for pride and development of its young talent down the stretch.
The details
Washington has scored 19 goals over its last five games, led by a balanced attack that saw three different players record a goal and an assist in their last outing. The Rangers, meanwhile, have also been finding the back of the net, with their rookie skaters accounting for 17 goals and 38 points since March 2.
- The Capitals and Rangers will face off on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
- Washington is 8-3-2 in its last 13 games, closing in on the final playoff spot.
- New York has won 4 of its last 5 games during a seven-game homestand.
The players
Washington Capitals
An NHL team based in Washington, D.C. that is currently in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
New York Rangers
An NHL team based in New York City that is playing out the string of the season but has been buoyed by the strong performances of its young rookie players.
Ryan Leonard
A forward for the Washington Capitals who discussed the team's focus on controlling what they can in the playoff race.
Gabe Perreault
A rookie forward for the New York Rangers who recorded his first career hat trick in the team's most recent game.
Jaroslav Chmelar
A first-year forward for the New York Rangers who also scored in the team's last game.
What they’re saying
“We can only control what we do out there for 60 minutes and we're just trying to do everything we can to stay alive and get ourselves in.”
— Ryan Leonard, Washington Capitals forward
“Means a lot. Teammates made some nice plays, so had a couple of easy ones tonight. But it definitely feels good to get the hat trick, but most importantly, get the win.”
— Gabe Perreault
What’s next
The Capitals will look to gain ground on the teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while the Rangers will continue developing their young talent over the final games of the season.
The takeaway
This late-season matchup between the Capitals and Rangers highlights the contrasting motivations of the two teams, with Washington fighting for a playoff spot and New York focused on the future. The performance of the Capitals' veterans and the Rangers' rookies could be the deciding factor in the outcome.
