Marty Biron stops 28 shots as Rangers crush Capitals

Washington, DC, United States (4E Sports) – Martin Biron made the most of a rare start, stopping 28 shots, as the New York Rangers got back on the winning track with a 4-1 triumph over the Washington Capitals Sunday at Verizon Center.

The Rangers (13-9-2), who lost to Ottawa at home Friday, got goals from Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards and two assists each from Carl Hagelin, Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash to win five of their last six assignments.

Rookie defenseman Steve Oleksy scored his first NHL goal for the Capitals (10-13-1), who dropped their second game in as many days after a 5-2 loss to the Islanders Saturday.

Braden Holtby tallied 16 saves but was pulled after allowing three goals. Michal Neuvirth stopped 10 of 11 shots in a relief appearance.

After a 1-1 tie in the first period, Boyle put New York in front midway through the second on a play in which Alex Ovechkin committed two separate penalties against Ryan Callahan (tripping) and Ryan McDonagh (holding).

Boyle, who was scratched from Friday’s loss and subsequently challenged to play better by Rangers coach John Tortorella, ended the sequence by beating Holtby for his first goal of the season at 10:53.

Callahan then put the Rangers ahead 3-1 by redirecting a shot that Nash took from the right circle. Nash’s five-game goal streak ended, but with two assists, he now has 11 points in six games since returning from injury.

Richards capped the scoring, beating Neuvirth with 1:12 left in the third.

Biron, who made just his fourth start of the season as Henrik Lundqvist got the day off, came up big in the second, making several key saves after Boyle took a holding penalty. Darroll Powe was later called for tripping, giving the Capitals a 5-on-3 for 31 seconds.

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