NHL

Auld holds up well in Rangers debut

WASHINGTON — The Rangers are Alex Auld’s seventh NHL team. Last night, for the first time, the 29-year-old goaltender did not win his first start for a new team, though through no fault of his own.

“I felt anxious I guess all day,” the veteran goaltender said after the Blueshirts were blanked 2-0 by the Caps. “You have new teammates, a new coach, a new organization, and you want to help out.”

Auld, who faced 28 shots, was big in nets while staying square to shooters. He was also aggressive in coming out to play the puck, at times surprising teammates familiar with Henrik Lundqvist’s typically stay-at-home style.

“He’s good with the puck; he played very well,” Rangers coach John Tortorella said. “That’s the good news.”

Auld, who started 18 games for the Stars before being claimed by the Rangers on re-entry waivers last Saturday, last played on Jan. 31. He didn’t seem rusty.

“With the break, it’s tough to remember, but I feel ready to go,” Auld had said on Friday. “I feel I’ve been able to play with lots of rest before, so I’m not too worried about that.

“Practice, details and preparation are a big part of my game. I had a lot of opportunity for that the last few days [of practice].”

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Auld, who had played previously for Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix, Boston, Ottawa and Dallas, became the fifth Ranger to start in goal since the lockout. Lundqvist, Kevin Weekes, Steve Valiquette and Chad Johnson preceded him.

The first-overall Caps, 17-1-2 in their last 20 overall, have won 13 straight at home, where they are 25-3-3 on the year. Alex Ovechkin went scoreless for the sixth straight game.

The Rangers, still on the outside of the playoffs looking in, have 17 games remaining starting tonight at the Garden against Buffalo. The Blueshirts are 14-15-5 at home.

Blueshirts, who have been shut out six times, have lost 10 of the 37 games (27-6-4) in which they’ve limited their opponents to two goals or fewer. They have won six of the 36 (6-24-6) in which they have scored two or fewer.