Cam Talbot finished with 28 saves and Martin St. Louis registered a key late insurance goal as the New York Rangers continued their recent stretch of sterling play, downing Washington by a 3-1 count at Verizon Center.
Carl Hagelin and J.T. Miller also tallied with Kevin Hayes adding a pair of assists for the Rangers, who vaulted over the idle Islanders to assume first place in the Metropolitan Division.
New York's 12-1-2 stretch also has it contending for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the entire NHL.
Alex Ovechkin's 45th goal of the season proved to be the sole offense for the Capitals, who had won three of four coming in.
Braden Holtby took the loss despite also stopping 28 shots.
Chris Kreider helped seal the victory by intercepting a pass inside his own zone, breaking up ice and then dishing across for a tap-in by St. Louis with 2:27 to play.
NHL Scoreboard
-----------------------
Toronto 4, Buffalo 3 (SO)
Calgary 6, Anaheim 3
Tonight the Blues host Philadelphia and the Blackhawks are in Arizona.
