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Capitals start slow again in 3-2 loss to Rangers Capitals start slow again in 3-2 loss to Rangers
(35 minutes later)
As has become routine recently, the Washington Capitals fell behind against the New York Rangers on Friday night and then clawed their way back into it. As has become routine recently, the Washington Capitals fell behind against the New York Rangers on Friday night and then clawed their way back into it. But another spirited rally couldn’t be completed with another comeback, as the Capitals lost to the New York Rangers, 3-2, at Verizon Center.
But another spirited rally couldn’t be completed with another comeback, as the Capitals lost to the New York Rangers, 3-2. The loss ended a 12-game streak with at least a point against Metropolitan Division opponents, and it was Washington’s third straight one-goal game. The loss ended a streak of 12 games with at least a point against Metropolitan Division opponents, and it was Washington’s third straight one-goal game.
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With the game tied entering the final frame, the Rangers pulled ahead just 17 seconds into the third period. Derek Stepan’s shot from the high slot deflected off Brooks Orpik, who was attempting to block the shot. Instead, the puck changed direction and skipped past goaltender Braden Holtby. That was the second Rangers goal of the game that Orpik and defense partner Dmitry Orlov had been on the ice for, a rough night for the duo.With the game tied entering the final frame, the Rangers pulled ahead just 17 seconds into the third period. Derek Stepan’s shot from the high slot deflected off Brooks Orpik, who was attempting to block the shot. Instead, the puck changed direction and skipped past goaltender Braden Holtby. That was the second Rangers goal of the game that Orpik and defense partner Dmitry Orlov had been on the ice for, a rough night for the duo.
The Capitals have been critical of themselves recently, especially frustrated with their string of poor starts. They’ve allowed the first goal of the game in nine of their last 11 games, and despite them winning the vast majority of those games, it’s not a habit the team wants to persist entering the playoffs. On Wednesday night, several players said there wasn’t enough emotion during the game. The Capitals have been critical of themselves recently, especially frustrated with their string of poor starts. They’ve allowed the first goal of the game in nine of their last 11 contests, and despite them winning the vast majority of those games, it’s not a habit the team wants to continue entering the playoffs. On Wednesday night, several players said there wasn’t enough emotion on the ice.
“I think we’re struggling a little bit to get mentally engaged, physically engaged in the game,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said on Tuesday. “The good thing is we respond and I think we show a lot of pride — pride in ourselves. We expect a lot of ourselves. I think we see that scoreboard and we’re down or we’re not playing well and I think as a group we take it personally. . . . But it seems like a trend lately where — I don’t know what it is — but we seem like we can’t get physically engaged soon enough in the game and then we have to climb back into the game.” “I think we’re struggling a little bit to get mentally engaged, physically engaged in the game,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said earlier this week. “The good thing is we respond and I think we show a lot of pride — pride in ourselves. We expect a lot of ourselves. I think we see that scoreboard and we’re down or we’re not playing well and I think as a group we take it personally. . . . But it seems like a trend lately where — I don’t know what it is — but we seem like we can’t get physically engaged soon enough in the game and then we have to climb back into the game.”
The Capitals again fell into an early deficit against the Rangers. Playing their third game in four nights, Washington allowed the first goal of the game less than six minutes in. Holtby played the puck, which led to a giveaway. With traffic in front of the net, the puck bounced around like it was in a pinball machine. [One week, three babies: Capitals family keeps growing]
The Capitals again fell into an early deficit against the Rangers. Playing their third game in four nights, Washington allowed the first goal of the game less than six minutes in . Holtby played the puck, which led to a giveaway. With traffic in front of the net, the puck bounced around like it was in a pinball machine.
Orpik tried to get his stick on it to clear it out of the Capitals’ zone, but he pushed it toward Jesper Fast, who punched it past Holtby.Orpik tried to get his stick on it to clear it out of the Capitals’ zone, but he pushed it toward Jesper Fast, who punched it past Holtby.
Washington got a power play after Marc Staal tripped Andre Burakovsky eight minutes into the period, but the Capitals wasted too much time trying to move the puck up the ice, struggling with zone entries. They didn’t get a shot on goal during the man-advantage.Washington got a power play after Marc Staal tripped Andre Burakovsky eight minutes into the period, but the Capitals wasted too much time trying to move the puck up the ice, struggling with zone entries. They didn’t get a shot on goal during the man-advantage.
Meantime, the Rangers scored on their lone power play of the period. Keith Yandle’s snap shot from the blue line weaved through bodies and into the net. Yandle skated out to center ice for a celebration, skating down to one knee and pumping a fist. With that tally, the Capitals were down 2-0 after the first period, the same deficit they had rallied from in a 3-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.Meantime, the Rangers scored on their lone power play of the period. Keith Yandle’s snap shot from the blue line weaved through bodies and into the net. Yandle skated out to center ice for a celebration, skating down to one knee and pumping a fist. With that tally, the Capitals were down 2-0 after the first period, the same deficit they had rallied from in a 3-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
Friday saw a similar comeback. Nearly 11 minutes into the period, Rangers goaltender Anti Raanta saved a Mike Richards shot, and defenseman Kevin Klein appeared to sweep the crease clean. But with the fourth line crashing the net, Jay Beagle got a second poke on the puck, and after a lengthy review, it was ruled that the puck completely crossed the goal line after Beagle’s second effort. Friday saw a similar comeback. Nearly 11 minutes into the period, Rangers goaltender Antti Raanta saved a Mike Richards shot, and defenseman Kevin Klein appeared to sweep the crease clean. But with the fourth line crashing the net, Jay Beagle got a second poke on the puck, and after a lengthy review, it was ruled that the puck completely crossed the goal line after Beagle’s second effort.
New York initiated a second review for goaltender interference, but it was still a good goal. The Capitals entered the game undefeated in regulation when Beagle has scored in his career (22-0-5), and this score came in just his fourth game back to the lineup after he broke his left hand and missed 24 games. The goal was also the first for the fourth line in nearly a month, an encouraging sign for a newly formed trio in just its second game together.New York initiated a second review for goaltender interference, but it was still a good goal. The Capitals entered the game undefeated in regulation when Beagle has scored in his career (22-0-5), and this score came in just his fourth game back to the lineup after he broke his left hand and missed 24 games. The goal was also the first for the fourth line in nearly a month, an encouraging sign for a newly formed trio in just its second game together.
The Capitals got a power play late in the period, and this time, they capitalized. Stepan had a shorthanded chance, but he missed the net, and the puck rimmed around the boards to T.J. Oshie. He got the puck in transition, an odd-man rush flying towards Raanta. Oshie stutter-stepped around Staal before scoring the equalizer.The Capitals got a power play late in the period, and this time, they capitalized. Stepan had a shorthanded chance, but he missed the net, and the puck rimmed around the boards to T.J. Oshie. He got the puck in transition, an odd-man rush flying towards Raanta. Oshie stutter-stepped around Staal before scoring the equalizer.