After Game 1, it would have been easy to just completely give up on this Capitals team having any chance in this series. The Caps didn’t even play that badly overall, but simply looked outclassed and it showed in the final score. Last night, though, they showed the scrappy nature that got them here in the first place – and while the result was sadly still a loss, the effort was definitely there.
Do more of that (and stay out of the penalty box) and maybe the Caps can do what no one thought they’d do and can make this thing a series.
Three Takeaways:
- Game 1 was a display of the Rangers’ even strength dominance and their quick-strike abilities. Last night, it was (perhaps somewhat surprisingly) the Caps controlling things at five-on-five – particularly in the second period, where they outshot New York 7-1 and out-attempted them 17-10.
- The Caps did okay with the extra man, as well, potting two of their three goals on the power play…unfortunately, so did the Rangers, and then added a shorthanded goal as the eventual game-winner (off a horrific Alex Ovechkin turnover at his own blue line, which just cannot happen). Odd on both counts, really, considering how snakebitten both teams’ power plays were when facing each other in the regular season (the Caps went 0-for-10, the Rangers 1-for-12).
- Tough to say this, because he has been the team’s MVP this season, and he’s made some big saves through two games…but the Capitals need more from Charlie Lindgren. This team is simply not built to score 4+ goals a night, so they’re going to need their goalie to step it up and maybe steal a game, which he simply hasn’t. Not even close.
They Said It: