WASHINGTON — Truth be told, it probably was Marian Gaborik’s least impressive game as a Ranger, with the winger appearing a half-step behind all night, which is a most dangerous place to be against the Capitals.
But then, suddenly, it was the Caps and goaltender Jose Theodore who were in danger, for Gaborik scored on a pair of one-timers, at 8:09 and 10:42 of the third, to lift the Rangers from a 3-2 deficit to a 4-3 victory here last night.
“I definitely didn’t feel that great through the first two periods,” said Gaborik, who beat Theodore twice between the legs. “But we got a great effort from the team.”
Gaborik, who has four goals in four games, tied the score at even-strength by converting Vinny Prospal’s feed from the left boards. He got the winner on the power play by converting Michael Del Zotto’s headman feed up the middle. Both shots were launched from between the circles.
“The first one, I didn’t have a lot of time but I got good wood on it and I think I surprised [Theodore],” Gaborik said. “On the second, I told Del Zotto to get me the puck early, and he delivered it at the right time, when I found a seam.”
Gaborik, who scored 10 goals in his final 10 games for Minnesota last season after returning from hip surgery, admitted that he is well aware when a marquee player such as Alex Ovechkin skates for the other side.
“It’s a challenge. You have to bring your game to another level,” he said. “Not just me, but everybody.”
The Gaborik-Brandon Dubinsky-Prospal unit had trouble creating open ice and scoring chances most of the night. The Chris Drury-Ryan Callahan-Christopher Higgins unit applied more consistent pressure, while the Enver Lisin-Artem Anisimov-Ales Kotalik unit had its most impressive night, working well down low.
“I didn’t think [Gaborik] played that great, but that’s the difference when you have a game- breaker,” coach John Tortorella said. “That’s what he has to be about.
“There was inconsistency from that line, but when it’s the key time, your key players have to be there.”
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The Rangers were shorthanded nine times, including twice in third on penalties to Aaron Voros and Donald Brashear, who had a quiet game upon his return to D.C. Blueshirts killed eight of the nine, over 12:16 including two separate five-on-three’s accounting for 1:33.
“There were too many penalties, including two from our fourth line in the third period, but our penalty-killers did a hell of a job,” Tortorella said. “Too many undisciplined penalties are going to bite you.”
Said Henrik Lundqvist: “The penalty killing was the difference.”
On Monday in New Jersey, Tortorella used two forwards — centers Drury and Brian Boyle — and one defenseman to kill a two-man disadvantage. Last night, the coach used forwards Drury and Ryan Callahan in the first, and forwards Drury and Dubinsky in the second when down five-on-three. He used Drury and Dubinsky to kill a four-on-three.
Tortorella was asked if he uses two forwards, if not two centers, in order not to get caught in the faceoff circle in case one of his players is tossed.
” No,” he said. “That might be an advantage if it comes to that, but it’s our back end . . . I feel more comfortable with the forwards.”
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The Blueshirts were 1-for-5 in 5:15 of power-play time. Drury replaced Enver Lisin on the second unit during the first power play opportunity. . . . With Michal Rozsival benched for the final 31:13, Rangers had Matt Gilroy on with Wade Redden with 2:00 to go in the third . . . Blueshirts are home Sunday to face the Ducks. Sean Avery (knee) is expected to make his season debut.