Capitals Vs Rangers February 17, 2013 Game Review

Rangers block Capitals path to fourth consecutive win in New York, NY on February 17, 2013.
Photo © Kathy Willens / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 1 Vs New York Rangers 2 = Road Game Loss

On Sunday - February 17, 2013, the Washington Capitals ended a three game winning streak, when they lost their game versus the New York Rangers. In what some may describe as a flat performance by both hockey teams, the goaltenders for both teams might be the only players deserving any praise.

Just over a minute into the game, Washington defenseman John Carlson scored the lone Capitals goal. New York had trouble clearing the puck from their end of the ice. Eventually, it ended up on the stick of winger Eric Fehr, who sent a pass out to Mike Rebeiro (C) from below the goal line. Rebeiro slid the puck over to Carlson at the point, who collected it, and then fired a slap shot into the back of the net. When your team scores that early in a game, it sometimes gives you false hope.

The Rangers scored one goal in each of the other two periods. Carl Hagelin (LW) just barely eluded defenseman Tom Poti, and deflected a shot in during the second period. Then, in the third, John Carlson totally missed his defensive assignment during a penalty kill. Center Derek Stepan was left sitting by the goal cage during the Rangers power-play, all by himself. The puck eventually came to him, while Braden Holtby (G) was protecting the opposite end of the goal mouth, and he easily deposited the puck.

Holtby might have been a tiny bit slow to react, but he was nearly perfect the rest of the game. Meanwhile, Henrik Lundqvist (G) wasn't making life easy for Washington at the other end of the ice. The Capitals, on the other hand, didn't make things as difficult for Lundqvist as the the Rangers were doing to Holtby.

Washington managed a few good scoring chances after their one goal, but couldn't finish, and were outshot 40 to 28. At the same time, their recently mildly powerful power-play was powerless. Meanwhile, some of the guys who have been producing offense for the Caps, spent some time in the penalty box instead. When you're a man down, it's hard to gain zone time and make shots.

Washington had better get back into another winning streak, and make that a real habit, real soon. They have the least amount of points in their conference, and the second least in the entire league. Other teams that had started off poorly, like the Capitals, are now staying ahead in the standings.

Game Highlights: Washington Capitals At New York Rangers February 17, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/17/13: Caps players Joel Ward, Troy Brouwer, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, Nicklas Backstrom and Wojtek Wolski address the media after a 2-1 loss against the New York Rangers.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/17/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 2-1 loss against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Washington Capitals Review: April 21 - 30, 2012

Capitals players celebrate EC Semifinal Game 2 win in New York on April 30, 2012.
Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

As the month of April 2012 came to an end, the Washington Capitals finished up their seven-game Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Boston Bruins. They got two days off following the first round victory before getting into round two of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their Semifinal series against the first place (regular season) New York Rangers.

Junior's Eyes supplies some game review links for these five playoff games in this post. Also included are highlights videos and one other Capitals related creation below, in reverse chronological order.


April 30, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Rangers 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Ovechkin made the most of his limited time, firing seven shots on net – the most of any skater on either side – and supplying the game-breaking and game-winning power play strike with 7:27 left in the third period. That goal gave the Caps a 3-2 win and enabled Washington to even the series at 1-1...


April 28, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Rangers 3, Capitals 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Familiar Territory – The New York Rangers took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between themselves and the Washington Capitals today, jumping out to a 1-0 series lead. This is right where Washington was after the first game of the first round, down a game on the road to a higher seed...


April 26, 2012

Most Interesting Cap On The Ice
By Dean Johnson via Twitter at @Dean_J6

@VogsCaps #MostInterestingCapOnTheIce pic.twitter.com/s5qaNinn

April 25, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Bruins 1, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Joel Ward’s goal at 2:57 of overtime gave the Caps a 2-1 win in the deciding Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the Capitals and the Bruins on Wednesday night in Boston...


April 22, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins 4, Capitals 3, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Tyler Seguin’s goal at 3:17 of overtime gave the Bruins a 4-3 win and evened the series at three games apiece, forcing a deciding Game 7 on the Bruins’ ice Wednesday night...


April 21, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 4, Bruins 3
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Troy Brouwer’s power-play goal with 1:27 left in the third gave the Capitals a 4-3 victory over the Bruins in Boston in Saturday’s Game 5...

Today's Tune: "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" By Black Sabbath

This is what I want to see after Game 7 on May 12, 2012!
Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images after Game 2 win on April 30, 2012.

There is a song that has played in my head many times since my NHL team, the Washington Capitals, made it into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think it fits the frame of mind that this team has right now, and I feel it too.

It's a Black Sabbath track titled "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" (1987). Clearly, the confidence and persistence that the Capitals have shown throughout the first two rounds, are proof that they are ready to win. They need one more (Game 7) win tonight against the New York Rangers to move on to round three, the Eastern Conference Finals. To have a chance at doing it, all they have to do is keep doing what they've been doing, and work together as a team.

Please enjoy this Hockey Music styled 'Today's Tune'. Dan, Jr., of Junior's Eyes, is anticipating that there are many more to come, yet.

Let's Go, Caps!



Black Sabbath - "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" (1987)



Black Sabbath - "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" Live (1987) Audio

Today's Tune: "Shot Me Down" By Nazareth

"Shot Me Down" (1977), by Scottish rockers Nazareth, is the 'Today's Tune' for this April 14th. I picked this song because it connects with two events. One a tragic incident that happened on this day 146 years ago, the other actually a happy spectacle from just last night.

The tragedy I refer to, is the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln. He was shot down by Bel Air, Maryland native and stage actor John Wilkes Booth, while trying to take in a play on April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. Lincoln, perhaps America's greatest president, died the following day.

The other story, which also took place in Washington, is last night's triumphant start to the first round of the NHL's 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, at least that's the way we fans of the Washington Capitals see it. After going 0 (goals) for 44 (shots) in all of last year's Quarterfinal series, Caps' elite Russian forward, Alexander Semin shot down goalie Henrik Lundqvist and his New York Rangers with an overtime goal in Game 1. Hopefully, that haunts Lundqvist throughout the rest of the best of seven series. He may only be able to think ...You "Shot Me Down", whenever Semin skates toward him, from now on.

Nazareth - "Shot Me Down" Studio (1977)

Rangers Vs Capitals 04/28/2009 EC Quarterfinal Game 7 Review

Sergei Fedorov celebrates winning goal with Alex Ovechkin and Viktor Kozlov.
April 28, 2009 photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo.

Rangers 1 - Capitals 2

The Washington Capitals advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1998, when they defeated the New York Rangers in Game 7 at home Tuesday night, April 28, 2009.

The Rangers, as expected, came out full of determination and played at their top level. The Capitals started off the game a lot weaker than their fans would ever want to see in a Game 7. New York's goalie Henrik Lundqvist was as sharp as ever and Washington's netminder Simeon Varlamov was just as good. It was Varlamov who was tested early, due to the sheepish play by most of the Capitals for the first several minutes.

The visitors scored the first goal at 5:35 in the first period. Alex Ovechkin was joined by defenseman John Erskine in clearing forward Brandon Dubinsky from the front of the Caps' net while Varlamov made a stick save on his shot, leaving a hole for the snap shot of Nik Antropov to find it's way into the net. The fact that the home team wins a Game 7 about 63% of the time was little comfort to the hometown fans who also remembered that the team that had scored first has won every game but the first of this series. About ten minutes later, worried fans got some relief when Washington's Alexander Semin evened up the score. Just out of the penalty box, Mike Green joined Semin and Nicklas Backstrom for a 3 on 2 odd man rush. Backstrom left a drop pass to Semin as they neared the goal. Semin's shot deflected off the stick of Ryan Callahan and fluttered into the far side of the cage.

Neither team scored in the second period. The Rangers continued to play strong, but there was also some improvement by the Capitals. Some nervous (and classless) fans with higher expectations, due to the accomplishments of the team over the past two seasons, booed their team anyway.

The team leaders, it has been reported, spoke a few words of probably both warning and encouragement before the start of the third period. That seemed to help an awful lot, and Washington came alive when they got back to the ice. Fans also added fuel to the fire by cheering on the team the rest of the way. From the reactions of the players, that made as big a difference as anything. The Capitals kept up the pressure on the Rangers, while New York seemed to be running out of gas. With about five minutes left in the game, 39 year old Sergei Fedorov scored the playoff game winning (12th of his career) and playoff series winning goal. Matt Bradley fed Feds from the sidewall in the Caps end. Fedorov skated up the ice and fired the puck in top shelf, giving him point number 172 in his 176th playoff game.

The first round playoff series between the Capitals and the Rangers probably shouldn't have taken seven games to decide, but we're not going to hang our heads down now, are we? Some important lessons have been taught by the older, more experienced players and learned by the younger players. All of Washington's players know more about what they are capable of, as a team and as far as individuals. The players, coaches and the entire organization has made us Washington Capitals fans very proud.

Capitals Vs Rangers 04/26/2009 EC Quarterfinal Game 6 Review

Tom Poti celebrates goal with David Steckel on April 26, 2009.
Photo by Getty Images

Capitals 5 - Rangers 3

The Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Playoff series between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers was evened up 3-3 yesterday, when the Capitals beat the Rangers in New York, after having been down by three games to one.

The Rangers' temporary bench boss was Assistant GM and interim coach Jim Schoenfeld. Schoenfeld took over the position for this game while Head Coach John Tortorella had a seat upstairs. Tortorella had been suspended for one game for throwing a water bottle at an unruly spectater in Washington at Game 5. The decision to suspend Torts was followed up by Rangers GM Glen Sather asking NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to punish the Capitals for what he thought was a lack of action by their security personnel. His request, which was full of fantasy about how well behaved the fans are in their arena, is just another desperate move by an organization that will stop at nothing to gain any advantage they can.

As far as the game itself, it was another display of the Capitals superiority over the Rangers. Simeon Varlamov didn't have to make very many spectacular saves in net for the Caps, but he was good when he needed to be. Washington's first three goals were all scored by defensemen. Milan Jurcina was first to light the lamp, putting the puck past goalie Henrik Lundqvist at 7:09 in the first period. Matt Bradley had blocked a clearing attempt and the puck ended up with David Steckel. Steckel's centering pass reached Brooks Laich, who dished it to Jurcina for the well screened shot. Uncharacteristically for the Rangers, they answered back with a power play goal by Scott Gomez about a minute later. The next power play opportunity belonged to the Capitals, and Mike Green banged in a rebound off of an Alexander Semin shot that was set up by defenseman Tom Poti. A few minutes later, Poti just got out of the penalty box for a puck over the glass delay of game call, when he found himself joining David Steckel and Boyd Gordon for a three on one odd man rush going into New York's end. It was a beautiful play that ended with Poti tipping in a cross ice pass from Steckel.

Halfway through the second period, Poti was involved in another Washington goal. Sergei Fedorov got the puck to Poti from behind the Caps net, and he sent an outlet pass to Viktor Kozlov. Kozlov skated the puck the rest of the way and ended up following the puck into the Rangers' net after his game winning shot. Poti would also be a part of a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin at 16:44. Nicklas Backstrom had control of the puck high in the slot. Under pressure, he sent it back to Poti at the point. Ovechkin purposefully deflected in Poti's slap shot.

As in Game 5, Steven Valiquette replaced Lundqvist to start the third period. At least one of the Rangers' two goals in the third shouldn't have happened, but they didn't change the outcome of the game anyway. After a couple really weak calls that sent defenseman John Erskine to the penalty box for holding and Backstrom for hooking, the Rangers scored their second goal during the 5 on 3. Shortly after getting back to even strength from a couple more bad calls, New York got their final meaningless goal just before time ran out.

Just as they did last season, Washington has come from seeming to be hopelessly behind in the series, to forcing a Game 7. Their talent and relentless determination has gotten them far, and should carry them past the Rangers in the final game of the series.

Rangers Vs Capitals 04/24/2009 EC Quarterfinal Game 5 Review

Matt Bradley scores first goal of Game 5 on April 24, 2009.
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo.

Rangers 0 - Capitals 4

The Washington Capitals extended their first round playoff series to at least a Game 6 by shutting out the New York Rangers 4-0 for the second time in the post season. The Rangers played hard, but the Capitals were at least a little better in every category.

Forward Matt Bradley scored the first goal of the game with the very first shot on goal, while the Caps were killing off their first penalty. It was only the second shorthanded goal in all of the 2009 Quarterfinals so far, and Bradley's first ever NHL level playoff goal. The primary assist came from Boyd Gordon, who cleared the puck from behind the Caps' net, sending it along the boards. Bradley collected the puck just inside the offensive zone, drove straight through the slot and slid it past goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Just 7:09 later and still in the first period, Bradley got his second goal of the game with a severe angle shot from the sidewall, near the goal line.

The other two goals came from Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin during the second period. Ovechkin's goal was another highlight reel spectacle, scored 29 seconds before the end of the period. He grabbed the puck at the Caps' blueline and skated it all the way up ice. After entering the Rangers' end, he plowed through New York forward Chris Drury as he went across the ice, slid the puck between the legs of defenseman Derek Morris and then headed right down the middle. He sent a backhander to the net as he fell to the ice, and Aaron Voros rode piggy back as Ovie slid to the end wall.

There were a lot of penalties called in this very physical game, with 11 of the 19 committed by the Rangers. That's not the best game plan fellas. There were a few more that could have been called, but this game probably was officiated a little bit better than in the previous contests. I would like to know why it always seems like the referees end up holding on to Washingtons' players at the end of fights, while the other guys get a few more punches in. Thankfully, we've got seriously tough guys like John Erskine and Donald Brashear, who can take some sucker punches. Our enforcers can also play hockey pretty well too, unlike New York's thug only Colton Orr.

If you're a Capitals fan, it's a time to be proud of your team. They did just about everything right, including chasing Henrik Lundqvist from between the pipes, by scoring four goals within their first 14 shots on net in the first two periods. He was replaced by Steven Valiquette at the start of the third. Valiqutte didn't give up any goals on the measly seven shots that made it to the net, but New York never got anything past Simeon Varlamov through all 60 minutes, earning him his second shutout of the series. Former Washington goalie Olie Kolzig is the only other Capital to have earned more than one shutout (4 in 1998) during a playoff series. The Caps also blocked 21 shots in this game, while the Rangers only blocked 11.

The Capitals will now head back to New York for Game 6 on Sunday afternoon. They must win that game to get a Game 7 back in Washington, DC. They must win both games to advance to the next round and avoid elimination.

Capitals Vs Rangers 04/22/2009 EC Quarterfinal Game 4 Review

Capitals players watch final minute of Game 4 from bench April 22, 2009.
Photo by Julie Jacobson / AP Photo.

Capitals 1 - Rangers 2

After seeming to have learned some important lessons in the first two games in round one of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Washington Capitals appeared to have lost their notes before last night's disappointing loss to the New York Rangers in Game 4.

If you watched the game, you know that both of New York's goals came with the help of a few incredibly lucky bounces. The game winner, scored by the essentially one handed (injured) Chris Drury, came about when Caps' netminder Simeon Varlamov had trouble closing his glove on the puck and eventually dropped it (Would have been a good time for one of those quick whistles, ref!). The puck bounced to Drury, who got another fortunate bounce off of Varlamov, on a shot from an almost impossible angle. The game could have turned out very differently if some of those pipe ringing shots by Washington had been the teensiest bit more accurate, or gotten some of those lucky bounces. However, leaving the what ifs behind and concentrating on the controllable things the Caps did and didn't do, shows where they went wrong.

They didn't win nearly as many of the faceoffs as they had been (Caps 33% - Rangers 67%). Some of them didn't refrain from using too many cutesy little moves instead of keeping it simple as in the previous game, which they won. Washington finally started putting a lot of traffic in front of Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist during that win, but there was almost never more than one guy anywhere near the opponent's net in last night's contest. They had a couple less giveaways (Caps 5 - Rangers 7) than New York , but they also had fewer takeaways (Caps 8 - Rangers 12).

Perhaps one of the biggest questions fans are asking is ... "What the hell is wrong with Mike Green ?". He had two assists in Game 1, but has faded into the background since then. He was on the ice for 29:52 last night, more than any other Washington Capital, but only managed two hits. Green just isn't playing like he did for most of the regular season, a level of play which earned him a spot as finalist for the Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenseman.

Lundqvist has been goaltending as well as he ever has, and that's freakin' great. But if Washington keeps firing tons of shots at him, some more are going to start to go in. They've got to keep the pressure on him as much as possible. To do that, they'll have to get through New York's defense, which has been great, but not unbeatable.

With the loss, the Capitals find themselves in the same spot they were in last year, down three games to one. If they were able to force a Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers in that series, surely they can do the same against the inferior New York Rangers in this one. They will have to win three straight to make it to the next round. To do that, they are going to have to get much more physical and start converting on their scoring chances. Alex Ovechkin scored the Caps only goal in this game, his first of this series, and that's a very good sign. He'll likely get on a hot streak now, but he's going to need some help.

Capitals Vs Rangers 04/20/2009 EC Quarterfinal Game 3 Review

Simeon Varlamov closes off goal mouth April 20, 2009.
Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images.

Capitals 4 - Rangers 0

The Washington Capitals turned things around in Game 3 of the Quarterfinals versus the New York Rangers. Down two games to none, they broke through the barriers to score four goals on netminder Henrik Lundqvist. Meanwhile, goalie Simeon Varlamov and the Caps held the Rangers scoreless.

Washington had done many things right in their two playoff loses, but they improved on the aspects that were lacking. The forwards drove to the net, with all four goals shot from close range (Alex Semin - 2 Goals, Brooks Laich - 1 PPG, Tom Poti - 1 PPG). Nicklas Backstom was brilliant in every facet, including two perfect passes that led to goals. The defensemen kept the level of traffic in front of the Capitals net under control. Forward Alex Ovechkin still hasn't scored a goal in the series, but he's lent a hand to defense by clearing some of that traffic himself, among other things. Washington players worked as a team in this one, and kept to simple play. They also only had one giveaway, after having been very genorous in that area the previous two games.

Goaltending is one of the areas that didn't need improvement, at least not since the second game. Simeon Varlamov who only allowed one goal in Game 2, the first in which he played, continued to breathe hope into the hearts of Caps fans. Since that one goal, Varlamov has stopped 55 consecutive shots on goal through over 112 minutes of play. He became only the fourth NHL goalie in history to shutout an opponent in the playoffs before the age of 21.

The future, both near and far off, looks very bright for this team. I'm confident they will go far in the playoffs this year and many years to come.

Rangers Vs Capitals 04/18/2009 EC Quarterfinal Game 2 Review

Matt Bradley attempts to score a goal in Game 2 on April 18, 2009.
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo.

Rangers 1 - Capitals 0

The Washington Capitals lost their second straight game, in round one of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Heavily outshooting the New York Rangers, as in Game 1, was not enough to get a win.

After suffering a 4-3 loss in the post season opener, which included a less than stellar performance in net by veteran goalie Jose Theodore, the Caps' Head Coach Bruce Boudreau went with rookie Simeon Varlamov in this afternoon's match. It's only the fourth time in the team's history, that they put a rookie in goal to start a playoff game.

Varlamov only played in six games at the NHL level during the 2008-2009 regular season, but he had done very well, with a 4-0-1 record. This 20 year old kid also did fairly well last year in the Russian Super League, falling just short of winning the title. He didn't face the number of shots that Henrik Lundqvist did while guarding the Rangers net, but he was very sharp throughout today's entire game. Only one of those shots got past him. Unfortunately, that was all it would take to lose this one.

So, what went wrong? Not that many things, really. But the things that did go wrong for the Capitals, were bad enough to lose them the game. They committed three times as many turnovers as the Rangers for a start. Even though they fired off more than 80 shots, 35 of which went on goal, 29 were blocked. Alex Ovechkin came closest to scoring, when the puck hit the cross bar of the goal on one of his shots in period three. The rest didn't get anywhere close to the goal. Far too many were launched from the perimeter. Washington had plenty of scoring chances, but if they can't get close enough to Lundqvist, those chances won't be of the right quality level.

Thankfully, the Caps are good at making comebacks these days. As a matter of fact, after falling behind in the first round last year, they ended up taking it to a Game 7. Washington lost that one in overtime. I'm sure that the memories of how that series played out and being two games down this time are going to be strong motivators, when they play Game 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Monday night.

Rangers Vs Capitals 11/08/2008 Review

Brent Johnson makes poke check save on Chris Drury penalty shot.
Photo from Associated Press

Rangers 1 - Capitals 3

Brent Johnson was absolutely brilliant in goal for the Washington Capitals again, as they outplayed the top team in the NHL's Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers.

It was the first start against the Rangers that Johnson has had since joining the team. Starts against New York had always been the job of former teammate, Olie Kolzig. The Caps scored two video reviewed goals in the first period of this hard fought game. Brooks Laich was given credit for the first, after the puck was knocked in following an odd bounce over the head Rangers' netminder Henrick Lundqvist. Just as odd as the bounce for Washington, was the fact that it came on the power play. Tom Poti scored the second goal off a Boyd Gordon rebound while following up the play. The review showed the goal had moved by being pushed by Lundqvist's right skate, and it never fully came off the peg.

Both goalies played well throughout the game. It wasn't until 6:47 in the third period that the Rangers got a goal, when Aaron Voros deflected the puck in. Brent Johnson easily poke checked away a penalty shot by Chris Drury later in the period. The final goal of the game was again scored by Alexander Semin. It was an empty netter, shot from a defensive zone face off circle. It went in with a mere 5.2 seconds left on the clock. He amazes in just about every game this season.

Other than the three goals, the Caps beat the Rangers with relentless forechecking, solid defense, and a #1 worthy netminder. They'll need to supply the same weapons Monday night, if they are going to defeat their old friend Olie Kolzig, who is scheduled to start for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Rangers Vs Capitals 12/12/2007 Review

Rangers 4 - Capitals 5 OT

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Tonight's "Eighties Night" game started off festive & ended very festive for Washington Capitals fans. I wonder if the New York Rangers knew they'd be traveling back in time before the red mulleted fans started pouring into the arena for this evening's contest. Maybe Henrick Lundqvist's save percentage was damaged while he was distracted by what was going on in the stands around him. The goal lights got a workout at both ends of the ice in this one.

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At 2:14 into the first period Protector Of The Realm Donald Brashear and Ranger's #1 Thug Colton Orr were awarded matching five minute majors for fighting. It was a beauty. Colton got in a few good rights, before Donald used his left to colorize Colton's face & blacken another eye as the Ranger went down hard. About a minute later, Olie Kolzig moving quickly from one side of the goal to the other, made a highlight reel save on a very good attempt by Martin Straka. And even though the final score doesn't reflect it, there would be a few more like that throughout the evening. At 12:10 though, it was the Rangers' Scott Gomez who scored the first goal off a Paul Mara pass. Less than two minutes later, Straka got that goal he was looking for earlier. It was a tic-tac-toe play that started with Brandon Dubinsky behind the net who sent the puck to Jaromir Jagr, who got it to the front of the net, where Straka was ready to launch it toward the net. The Rangers led 2-0. Shortly after that, play was stopped for a bit when Lundqvist stopped a hard Alexander Ovechkin shot with his nether regions. That slapping noise you heard at the time of impact, was every man in the arena slamming his "pads" together.

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Still in the first, Brashear pushed Dan Girardi off the puck & got it over to Brooks Laich, who passed it along to Joe Motzko. Motzko then sent it into the back of the net for his first goal as a Cap. At 18:12 Matt Pettinger thought he had tied it up. But, video review showed the puck riding along the goal line, never completely crossing it. The odd thing was that even though Referee Dan O'Rourke waived off the goal during play, he also blew his whistle, stopping play. If he could see the puck & it wasn't across the line, then there was no reason to stop play.

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About four minutes into the second, Ovechkin drove in toward the net & was taken down from behind in the crease, keeping him from scoring. Apparently, I was the only one who saw the take down. There was no call from the referee or announcers Joe Beninati & Craig Laughlin. Then, with about four minutes left in the period, Motzko got his second goal of the game. The middle stanza ended with the game tied 2-2.

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During the second intermission, as in the first, Comcast SportsNet presented some nice features in addition to the usual player interview. They have started showing a lot of old Caps game video footage between periods. Probably more so tonight, since it was Eighties Night. They also included some more Hershey Bears footage, which I really enjoyed.

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About four & a half minutes into the third period, Ovechkin redirected a Mike Green shot for his 22nd goal of the season. That put the Caps ahead by one & had a very excited Ovechkin jumping in the air. Right at the end of a Matt Bradley holding penalty, Straka took a pass from Brendan Shanahan & put it past Olie to tie it back up again. Then, at 9:31 Jeff Schultz got one in from between the blue line & the top of the face off circle. Caps ahead by one....at least for a little while. During a lot of traffic in Kolzig's crease, Olie thought he had the puck trapped with a leg pad. But, the puck squirted out. Instead of getting it back under Kolzig to freeze the puck & stop play, Nicklas Backstrom tried to clear the puck. The puck ended up on Shanahan's stick & he sent it behind a very surprised Olie Kolzig. There was no way he could have stopped that one. Olie was furious, none the less. Washington's Mike Green put on a puck contol clinic shortly before the third ended. He zig-zagged past a diving Shanahan & Gomez while driving to the net, but couldn't get the puck through Lundqvist. So at the end of regulation, all tied up at four apiece.

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In overtime, the Ranger's Chris Drury got his only real chance of the game. But once again, Olie mad a nice save. Then, future Hall Of Famer Brendon Shanahan stumbled while skating with the puck. Brooks Laich grabbed the puck with his stick & raced toward the other end of the ice. Mike Green caught up & Brooks passed the puck over to him. Green waisted no time & shot the puck into the net for the overtime game winner!

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That's three wins in a row now. The hopes & dreams of many Caps fans have no doubt been reignited. But they have not won three straight since they started off the season by winning their first three. They are going to have to have many more winning streaks of three or hopefully more to make it to the playoffs this season.

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