Gaborik nets two within two minutes of third, helps Rangers win, 4-3

Marian Gaborik scored two goals about 2 1/2 minutes apart in the third period, Henrik Lundqvist held Alex Ovechkin without a point, and the New York Rangers beat the Washington Capitals, 4-3, on Thursday night in a rematch of the teams’ wild playoff series.

Washington led, 3-2, in the third period after consecutive goals by Nicklas Backstrom, before Gaborik tied the game at the 8:09 mark. He then put New York ahead at 10:42 on the power play.

Ovechkin entered Thursday with five goals and four assists, but the two-time NHL MVP was kept in check by Lundqvist and the Rangers’ young defensemen.

New York has won three consecutive games since a season-opening loss at Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.

Ryan Callahan and Ales Kotalik scored for the Rangers on consecutive shots midway through the second period, before Gaborik took over.

Alexander Semin put the Capitals ahead 1-0 about nine minutes into the game, knocking in a cross-ice pass from defenseman Brian Pothier.

New York pulled even during a 4-on-4 about 8 1/2 minutes into the second period, when Callahan picked up Semin’s errant pass intended for Ovechkin. Callahan broke the other way and beat Jose Theodore with a backhander.