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Ovechkin scores in return as Caps top Rangers

Bradley rebounds from first-period fight to notch game-winning goal

Image: OvechkinBruce Bennett / Getty Images
Washington's Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring in the first period against the Rangers on Tuesday. The Caps won 4-2.

Brian Pothier scored an empty-netter with 16.7 seconds left.

The Rangers were fortunate to be trailing by only a goal heading into the third as they were outshot 21-11 through 40 minutes. New York finished with 20 shots, tying its season low.

New York netted the equalizer when Gaborik scored from the goal line to Varlamov’s right, snapping in a shot from a difficult angle. The Rangers converted on the second of back-to-back penalties.

Washington went 4-2 while Ovechkin was out, then beat New York despite missing top forward Alexander Semin, who was sidelined by a sore right wrist. Varlamov got the start in place of No. 1 goalie Jose Theodore, who was home because of a personal reason.

Varlamov played well against the Rangers after replacing Theodore in the nets during the first round of last season’s playoffs and was a major reason why the Capitals erased a 3-1 series deficit and advanced.

Bradley made the difference this time.

“It’s amazing,” Boudreau said. “He got cut pretty good, came back and was instrumental in us winning. He’s got oodles of character.”

NOTES: Boudreau is 100-45-19. ... The Capitals recalled C Jay Beagle and G Michal Neuvirth from Hershey (AHL). Beagle replaced Semin in the lineup, and Neuvirth served as Varlamov’s backup. In his fourth NHL game, Beagle earned his first point with an assist on Bradley’s goal. ... The Rangers are 4-8-1 since their seven-game winning streak ended Oct. 17.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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