Goals 1st2nd3rdF
🗽 NYR 1113
🦅 WSH 1236

Rangers at Capitals

Capitals beat Rangers 6–3 at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2025.

🗓 📍 Capital One Arena, Washington 🏒 2025-26 🔁 Capitals lead the season series 2–1
⚔️ Head-to-head

⭐ Three stars

Best games by the box score
1st star 🦅 WSH
Tom Wilson
2 G, 1 A
4 shots · 19:26 TOI
2nd star 🦅 WSH
Justin Sourdif
2 G
2 shots · 18:46 TOI
3rd star 🦅 WSH
Aliaksei Protas
1 G, 1 A
1 shots · 15:07 TOI

🚨 Scoring

9 goals · in order
1st period
🦅 Anthony Beauvillier Go-ahead 1st · 12:27
0–1
🗽 Vincent Trocheck Tying 1st · 19:20
1–1
2nd period
🦅 Tom Wilson Go-ahead 2nd · 07:33
1–2
🦅 Justin Sourdif PP 2nd · 11:12
Assists: Alex Ovechkin · beat Jonathan Quick
1–3
🗽 Adam Fox PP 2nd · 15:17
2–3
3rd period
🦅 Aliaksei Protas 3rd · 13:34
2–4
🦅 Tom Wilson 3rd · 16:37
Assists: Connor McMichael · beat Jonathan Quick
2–5
🗽 Braden Schneider 3rd · 18:16
Assists: Gabe Perreault · beat Charlie Lindgren
3–5
🦅 Justin Sourdif Empty net 3rd · 19:11
3–6

📝 Game recap

AI

Capitals Take Down Rangers 6-3 in High-Scoring Affair

In an exciting clash on New Year's Eve, the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 6-3. The game was marked by a series of strong performances and key moments that ultimately decided the outcome.

Big Picture

The Capitals showcased their offensive depth, scoring six goals against a Rangers team that has struggled defensively this season. After exchanging goals in the first period, Washington took control of the game in the second, maintaining a steady lead into the third. Despite a late push from the Rangers, the Capitals' powerful offensive display was too much to overcome.

Turning Point

The turning point came midway through the second period when the Capitals scored their third unanswered goal. After Tom Wilson netted his first of the game to make it 2-1, Justin Sourdif extended the lead just moments later, pushing the score to 3-1. This quick sequence shifted the momentum firmly in favor of Washington, who kept piling on the pressure and capitalized on their scoring opportunities.

Standout Performances

Tom Wilson was instrumental for the Capitals, contributing two goals and an assist. His offensive presence was felt throughout the game, creating chances and providing crucial support. Connor McMichael also stood out, assisting on two of Wilson's goals while adding a playmaking dynamic to the team.

For the Rangers, Adam Fox made his mark by scoring and assisting, trying to spark a rally as he brought the Rangers within one goal following his team's second goal. However, it was not enough to turn the tide against the Capitals' relentless attack.

What It Means

This victory places the Capitals in a better position as they head into the New Year. Securing a win against a division rival like the Rangers boosts their confidence and momentum. Meanwhile, the Rangers will need to reassess their defensive strategy, as they showed clear vulnerabilities that the Capitals exploited.

Overall, the Capitals' win demonstrates their offensive capabilities, while the Rangers face questions about their consistency and resilience moving forward. The matchup served as an exciting way to ring in the New Year for Capitals fans, while the Rangers will look for redemption in their upcoming games.

🧩 Lines & pairings

Estimated from ice time
🗽Rangers
L1 Lafrenière · Trocheck · Zibanejad 21:01
L2 Panarin · Cuylle · Raddysh 18:08
L3 Brodzinski · Carrick · Perreault 11:47
L4 Sheary · Rempe · Laba 6:39
D1 Gavrikov · Fox 22:40
D2 Schneider · Borgen 20:45
D3 Robertson · Soucy 15:29
🦅Capitals
L1 McMichael · Wilson · Sourdif 19:26
L2 Ovechkin · Beauvillier · Strome 17:54
L3 Protas · Dowd · Leonard 15:05
L4 Frank · Lapierre · Duhaime 9:55
D1 Carlson · Chychrun 22:22
D2 Fehervary · Roy 19:46
D3 Sandin · McIlrath 14:55

📊 Team stats

Away left · home right
🗽NYR WSH🦅
25 Shots on goal 27
1/1 Power play (goals / chances) 1/3
21 Hits 21
27 Blocked shots 21
5 Takeaways 5
17 Giveaways 18
11 Penalty minutes 7
NYR shooting 12.0% (3/25) WSH shooting 22.2% (6/27)

🥅 Goaltending

Saves, shots faced and save percentage
🗽Rangers
21/26
.808 SV% · 5 GA · 59:10 TOI
🦅Capitals
22/25
.880 SV% · 3 GA · 59:35 TOI

🗺 Where the goals came from

9 of 9 goals located
Anthony Beauvillier · 1st 12:27 · 0–1 Vincent Trocheck · 1st 19:20 · 1–1 Tom Wilson · 2nd 07:33 · 1–2 Justin Sourdif · 2nd 11:12 · 1–3 Adam Fox · 2nd 15:17 · 2–3 Aliaksei Protas · 3rd 13:34 · 2–4 Tom Wilson · 3rd 16:37 · 2–5 Braden Schneider · 3rd 18:16 · 3–5 Justin Sourdif · 3rd 19:11 · 3–6
NYR WSH
The net is on the right for both teams. Hover a dot for the goal.

🔮 Period by period

AI
After 1st — 1–1
Rangers
Rangers — tied after 1st: 4-9-2 (27% win rate, 15 games)
Capitals
Capitals — tied after 1st: 4-5-2 (36% win rate, 11 games)
After 2nd — 2–3
Rangers
Rangers — trailing by 1 goal after 2nd: 2-7-2 (18% win rate, 11 games)
Capitals
Capitals — leading by 1 goal after 2nd: 8-1 (89% win rate, 9 games)
🔮 Ask Puckey

Got a question about Rangers vs Capitals?

Records, streaks, splits and player numbers, answered in seconds from real game results.

Try one

❓ NYR vs WSH, answered

Who won Rangers vs Capitals on December 31, 2025?

Capitals won 6–3. The final score was Rangers 3, Capitals 6.

Who scored for Rangers?

Adam Fox, Braden Schneider, Vincent Trocheck.

Who scored for Capitals?

Justin Sourdif (2), Tom Wilson (2), Aliaksei Protas, Anthony Beauvillier.

How did the Rangers goalie play?

Jonathan Quick made 21 saves on 26 shots (.808 save percentage).

How did the Capitals goalie play?

Charlie Lindgren made 22 saves on 25 shots (.880 save percentage).

Where is Rangers vs Capitals played?

At Capital One Arena in Washington, the Capitals home rink.

What is the Rangers vs Capitals season series?

Capitals lead the season series 2–1 after 3 games.

Have a different question? Ask the Oracle — it answers from real box scores.