WASHINGTON — It was no surprise that in the club's two games against the Capitals' goalie, the only Ranger who could score from Charlie Lindgren was his younger brother defensive partner Adam Fox.
Perhaps Fox got inside information from Ryan Lindgren. Maybe the Foxes just broke out offensively.
Either way, the 25-year-old defenseman led all skaters with two goals in the Rangers' game against the Capitals on Saturday afternoon at Capital One Arena.
This was Fox's sixth or seventh goal of the season, having scored four points in the past four games.
“I don't know if I've ever felt defeated. [my offensive touch] Fox said after the Rangers lost their fourth straight game and fell to 25-13-2 on the season. “I think sometimes the puck bounces and goes your way. I think I tried to convey that to Micah today. [Zibanejad] And it comes right back and you put the puck in the net and it goes in. Of course, you see the end result in terms of goals and assists, but for me I think it's just trying to play the same way.
“I think sometimes they come and sometimes they don't. When you play good hockey, sometimes the puck bounces around.”
Charlie Lindgren stopped 25 of the 27 shots he saw Saturday afternoon, making him the only goaltender to shut out the Rangers this season since he did it on Dec. 9.
The Foxes scored their second lead of the game when the 2021 Norris Trophy winner sank his second goal at 13:23 of the first period following a blocked shot.
To break a 1-1 tie in the second period, Fox knocked the puck in from the top of the zone and the Rangers regained the lead.
Overall, it was a mixed performance for the Foxes, who lost in some aspect on both of the Capitals' last two goals.
Fox played his 21st game back on Saturday after missing 19 straight games on long-term injured reserve after suffering a lower-body injury in a foot-to-leg collision with Carolina forward Sebastian Aho.
But the Jericho, New York native is just starting to come into his own again on the offensive side of the puck.
Jonathan Quick stopped 18 of 21 shots against the Rangers on Saturday, making his 14th start of the season.
Anton Blei made his season debut and played for Rangers for the first time after being called up late on Friday.
The Rangers recalled Bligh as a precaution, as Zibanejad's continued illness makes it doubtful that he will play.
Zibanejad ended up playing, but so did Bligh, who replaced Jake Lecishin in the Rangers lineup. In the absence of Leshishin, Nick Bonino dropped to the middle of the fourth line between Bligh and Johnny Brodzinski.
Leshishin was reassigned to AHL Hartford after the game.
The Rangers acquired Brides in March 2023 in a trade with the Avalanche that sent Swedish forward Gustav Rydahl to Colorado.
Kaapo Kakko, who accompanied the Rangers on the two-game trip, did not wear a suit on Saturday.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette declined to say whether Kakko will be available for Sunday's rematch with the Capitals at Madison Square Garden.
