Rangers clip Capitals to grab big 3-0 series lead

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Rangers finally got it. 

The always-coveted and always-elusive 3-0 lead in a playoff series that has evaded them for years officially belongs to the Blueshirts, who marched into our nation’s capital and took a 3-1 victory over a determined Washington team in Game 3 of the first round at Capital One Arena Friday night. 

Showing the Capitals the first-round exit door that they walked through themselves just over a year ago, the Rangers need only to push the home team through on Sunday to complete their first postseason sweep in 17 years. 

This is what was expected of the 2024 Presidents’ Trophy winners, who were considered the heavy favorites against a Capitals team that snuck into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season.