NEW YORK, Oct 11: Sergei Gonchar scored two power-play goals and assisted on another in the opening 14 minutes as the Washington Capitals posted a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers and rookie goaltender Dan Blackburn on Wednesday.

Eighteen-year-old Blackburn became the fourth youngest goalie to start an NHL game.

With the New York offense virtually non-existent in the game’s early stages, Gonchar collected his second and third goals of the season in a 5:41 span.

Jaromir Jagr, who left with an undisclosed injury later in the first period, assisted on Gonchar’s first of the night and defenseman Sylvain Cote’s first of the season 13:53 into the contest.

Wednesday’s results (home team in CAPS):

Calgary 4 DETROIT 2

Ottawa 2 FLORIDA 0

NY Islanders 6 PITTSBURGH 3

BUFFALO 2 Philadelphia 1

Washington 5 NY RANGERS 2

MINNESOTA 2 Boston 1

—Reuters