Capitals beat Rangers to clinch Presidents' Trophy again

UPDATES SCORER OF GOAL, AFTER CHANGE IN SCORING - Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, celebrates a Capitals goal by Justin Williams with defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Washington. Ovechkin had an assist on the goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65), of Austria, chases the puck against New York Rangers right wing Pavel Buchnevich (89), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), of Sweden, stops the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored and the Washington Capitals wrapped up their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy with a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.

As Metropolitan Division champions, the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the team with the most points in the NHL, the Capitals wrapped up home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. It's their third Presidents' Trophy in the past eight seasons.

Ovechkin reclaimed the team lead in goals by scoring on the power play in the second period, beating Henrik Lundqvist from his trademark spot in the faceoff circle. Kuznetsov scored off the rush in the third period, and the best home team in the league beat the best road team thanks to a 24-save shutout from Vezina Trophy candidate Braden Holtby.

Lundqvist was in playoff form, making 23 saves in his fifth consecutive start since returning from a two-week injury absence.