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.

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.

Hey John Tortorella, Have A Drink On Me

Since New York's pesky little jerk Sean Avery was a healthy scratch for last night's Game 5 of the playoffs between the Washington Capitals and the Rangers, the in game entertainment had to come from somewhere else.

Apparently, some fans gave Rangers coach John Tortorella (Inset NHL / Rangers file photo to left) a hard time. At one point, Tortorella threw a water bottle into the stands. Later, he was threatening the fans behind New York's bench with a hockey stick. It looked like he was trying to jam the stick through the plexiglass that separates the bench area from the stands. One of the hecklers may have thrown or poured a beer on Torts. The fan didn't appear to be wearing red (Caps' team color), and may have in fact been an unhappy Rangers fan. The "gentleman" was eventually escorted out of the building.

AC/DC -"Have A Drink On Me"

It's Not The 'Kiss Of Death'

Alex Ovechkin reacts to hitting cross bar in third period of Game 2.
April 18, 2009 photo by Getty Images.

The Southeast Division Champion (2 consecutive seasons) Washington Capitals have fallen behind in the first round of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. They lost the first game at home last Wednesday, then were shut out on Saturday afternoon. But it's not over yet Caps' fans. Getting behind by two games isn't the 'Kiss Of Death'. They can still pull it off. It hasn't been done very often, but it has been done before. It will be done again, so why not now? Why not by the Washington Capitals? Below, you'll see some of my thoughts on the current situation.


This is not a time for the coach or the players to say ... "I don't know what else to do".

The fans shouldn't be praying or begging ... "Please don't let this happen".

Everyone should remember ..."Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".

After the Capitals come back from behind to win the series, John Tortorella and the New York Rangers will tell you ... "Red is my bad luck color. I ain't got nothin' to do with red".

To those inconsistent refs, I say ... be a "Man of honor". And no, I don't need you to ask ... "Do you want my hand on it or somethin'?".

To Washington's defensemen, when you're guarding your own net ... "The time has come for everyone to clean up their own backyard".

When I hear Torts complaining about the officials, I think to myself (Dan, Jr. of Junior's Eyes ) ... "This mother smells scared Junior".

All the Capitals players need to be thinking ... "I will do whatever I have to do to protect me and mine".

Hey Alex Ovechkin. If anybody that's asked about your chances of winning the Stanley Cup this year says ... "Now is not the time my man, but I'm gonna see you real soon", just answer back ... "See me now!".

'Kiss Of Death' movie trailer.

Lightning Hit Rock Bottom 2007-2008

This Poster shows how the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2007-2008 season is ending. How's the view from there Torts?

Thanks to Cherie for forwarding this poster from Linda.