Braden Holtby stopped 30 shots as the Washington Capitals shut out the New York Rangers for a 1-0 win in the NHL's Stanley Cup play-offs on Monday.

It meant Jay Beagle's second-period goal was enough for the Capitals at the Verizon Center as they moved into a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-final series.

Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves for the Rangers, who had crucially won game two at their Madison Square Garden home.

Beagle's goal was his first of the 2015 play-offs and came somewhat against the run of play, seven minutes, 31 seconds into the second period.

The Rangers out-shot the Capitals 30-22 but were unable to get past Holtby.

Game four is at the Verizon Center on Wednesday.