What defensive battle?

A scoreless first period gave way to a six-goal second period as the New York Rangers lead the Washington Capitals 4-2.

Marian Gaborik put the Rangers up 1-0 at 3:37. A John Carlson turnover at the point gave Derek Stepan and Gaborik a 2-on-1 break. Jeff Schultz slid across the slot in an attempt to block the shot and while he got a piece of it, he didn't get enough as Gaborik was able to steady the puck and fire a slap shot past Michal Neuvirth for his 10th goal of the season.

About three minutes later, Artem Anisimov finished a passing sequence on the power play with a wrist shot that beat Neuvirth for his second goal of the season to make it 2-0. Ruslan Fedotenko added to the lead just 1:03 later when he converted Marcus Johansson's turnover to give New York a 3-0 cushion.

Brouwer's goal gave the Caps life 58 seconds later when he put Carlson's rebound past Henrik Lundqvist. Carlson atonded for his earlier sin at 12:52 when his slap shot on the power play beat Lundqvist up high for his fourth goal of the season.

Much to the Caps' chagrin, Brian Boyle took advantage of a loose rebound in front of Neuvirth to extend the Rangers' lead to 4-2 at 16:49.