Kuznetsov's overtime winner lifts Caps over Rangers, 6-5

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored at 4:20 of overtime, just beating teammate Alex Ovechkin's stick to the puck, and the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 6-5 on Sunday in their return from their longest road trip this season.

Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist tried to block Kuznetsov's pass back to Ovechkin in front of the net.

But the puck trickled away from Lundqvist and right in front of the net, Ovechkin first attempted to knock it in before Kuznetsov guided it across the goal line.

Washington Capitals right wing Brett Connolly (10), center, falls into the New York Rangers bench with the help of Rangers left wing Connor Brickley, front right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Nicklas Backstrom scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season and the second-place Capitals moved within two points of the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Islanders. However the Capitals have played two more games.

Tom Wilson added his 17th goal, and Nic Dowd and Michal Kempny also scored for Washington. Pheonix Copley made 26 saves as the Capitals won a day after losing in Buffalo to finish their six-game trip at 3-3-0.

Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei scored multiple goals for the first time in his career, his second tying the game with 31 seconds remaining in regulation.

Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62), of Sweden, skates with the puck against New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Chris Kreider added his 26th, Jimmy Vesey contributed his 15th, and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for New York.

Lundqvist stopped 29 shots for New York, which is in rebuilding mode approaching the trade deadline on Monday.

The Rangers dealt forward Mats Zuccarello to Dallas on Saturday for a pair of draft picks. The Rangers sat forward Kevin Hayes and defenseman Adam McQuaid for a second straight game Sunday.

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19), of Sweden, celebrates his goal with defenseman John Carlson, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Backstrom hadn't scored in 12 games entering Sunday, but he gave Washington a 5-3 lead when he beat Lundqvist over his glove from in close early in the third for his second of the game.

Namestnikov redirected Neal Pionk's effort past Copley on a Rangers power play a few minutes later.

While the Capitals killed off another New York man advantage inside the final four minutes, Skjei's deflected shot forced overtime after the Rangers emptied their net.

Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

NOTES: Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen and Rangers forward Ryan Strome received fighting majors at 6:23 of the third, after Strome reacted to Niskanen's check into the boards. ... Newly acquired D Nick Jensen made his Capitals debut in a third defensive pairing alongside Brooks Orpik. ... Backup goalie Copley picked up his fourth straight victory.

UP NEXT

Rangers: Host Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Capitals: Host Ottawa on Tuesday.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

VADODARA, India (AP) — India captain Shubman Gill won the coin toss and opted to field first against New Zealand in the first one-day international cricket match on Sunday.

The Baroda Cricket Association is hosting its first-ever men’s ODI. Rajkot (Jan. 14) and Indore (Jan. 18) will host the second and third games of this three-match series.

Gill returned to the helm after missing the ODI series against South Africa in December.

India has opted for six bowlers – three pacers and two spin all-rounders along with wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also return to the international fold, after playing domestic List-A cricket.

Shreyas Iyer has recovered from a spleen injury sustained against Australia in October. He returns to the side after a two-month hiatus and will bat at number four.

Wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the series with an abdominal strain he sustained whilst playing for Delhi in domestic List-A cricket. Dhruv Jurel has been called up as his replacement.

For New Zealand, medium pacer Kristian Clarker makes his ODI debut, while 23-year-old wrist spinner Adithya Ashok is its lead spin bowler.

The Black Caps come into this series on the back of some good form – not losing a single ODI in 2025.

The pitch for the first-ever international game at the BCA Stadium should suit batters. It is a black soil pitch which could exhibit variable bounce through the day. Evening dew will aid the chasing side.

Line ups:

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell (captain), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's captan Michael Bracewell gestures during practice session ahead of first One Day International cricket match against India in Vadodara, India, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

India's captain Shubman Gill during a practice session ahead of the first One Day International cricket match against New Zealand in Vadodara, India, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)