Staal's return balanced the ice time out for the blue line. That and the bevy of power plays they got in the first half of the game played a role in the ice time allotted as well.

Stepan's a power play fixture plus the top line center now so it makes sense he got a huge portion of time.

If Powe can't go Wednesday and Clowe still isn't ready, one would think Kreider gets back in, right?
- MidnightMarauder

Clowe is going thru typical concussion recovery workouts. As long as he shows no symptoms he does a a little more. He skated real hard on Sunday in a non-contact. If he gets thru today's practice feeling good I'd expect him in the lineup. Too bad about Powe, I thought he was real active but he is replaceable. If Clowe can't go then Kreider will get another crack.

The best part about last nights game was the Rangers showed real resiliency. Yes, they got pinned too much in period 2 but I think they are ok with that and consider getting thru parts of games like that the way they play. It's maddening but it happened last season too especially against Ottawa. Given how period 2 went I thought many of us weren't sure if they'd survive. Truth is they dictated the play in the 3rd with their forecheck and play a strong game. I also liked the way they skated to Holtby before and even after each whistle. His hot dogging with his glove hand stopped as well. It's amazing how much better the PP looks when you shoot. Perfect? Not even close but they were good when they had to be. Girardi was an animal on that kill btw. Long way to go. Last night means nothing without a win tomorrow night.

Boyle played well on the wing with Brassard, I wouldn't mind seeing Miller back in as 4th line Center, we all know he's mentally ready for the pros

Very relieved that they pulled it out, soon after I was able to gain my breath and lower my heart rate, I'm sure when Richards took that bogus penalty we were all thinking the worst, Dorsett got called for diving and it wasn't quite the broadway production Ovi put on.

Win was the most important thing, now they have to figure out how to sustain pressure and turn it on Washington, they spent way too much time below our dots and they entered the zone with way too much ease, coaches have to show some sort ability to adjust, they can't be this inept and figuring out a solution

I'm too positive for this thread. I apologize.
- gkmkiller

Try and work on it Glen

Dare I say that DZ is turning into the Dubi of the blue line?

The Caps evidently don't believe in practice. Gave them the day off Sunday and today. At this time of year it might be overrated but, and this is a reach, but Holtby yesterday cited the Caps being very loose, almost giddy at the am skate yesterday, Hotlby's comments about not having to work hard on Saturday and they aren't going to spend any time trying to stay sharp and correct mistakes which is ok by me. Am I sensing a little overconfidence from the Caps? Its a reach I know....would love to set up a Game 5 in DC after the Caps blowing a 2-0 lead...same sitaution as 2010 but this time the Rangers need to finish!

The best part about last nights game was the Rangers showed real resiliency. Yes, they got pinned too much in period 2 but I think they are ok with that and consider getting thru parts of games like that the way they play. It's maddening but it happened last season too especially against Ottawa. Given how period 2 went I thought many of us weren't sure if they'd survive. Truth is they dictated the play in the 3rd with their forecheck and play a strong game. I also liked the way they skated to Holtby before and even after each whistle. His hot dogging with his glove hand stopped as well. It's amazing how much better the PP looks when you shoot. Perfect? Not even close but they were good when they had to be. Girardi was an animal on that kill btw. Long way to go. Last night means nothing without a win tomorrow night.
- Blueshirts4ever

If the Rangers continue to be more aggressive offensively, than the usual, they will have a chance to take this series.

They need to continue to press that average Capitals blue line. Capitals offense is deadly and the Rangers need to limit their time spent in the defensive zone. Rangers were hemmed in, multiple times, for a substantial amount of time per.

I still contend they should adjust their collapsing style on defense. Capitals like making those low to high plays and that room given, on the point, has created a lot of opportunities in this series thus far.

They won't adjust, they will continue to try and keep the Caps on the perimeter but they did a much better job of forechecking and had the puck more in the 3rd. I think adding Clowe possibly helps the forecheck immensely...I think if he gets thru practice today he is in....

Bet your hearts were in your throats last night with that game until it was over...up and down the whole time and a pretty good push by the Caps in the final minute. Rangers did a good job holding on -- Nice win.

Wow. Do you know who led this team in ice time tonight? It wasn't Girardi, McDonagh or even Staal. It was Derek freaking Stepan with 23:57. He had almost a minute more than Girardi (22:58) tonight. Given he is a forward and how heavily Torts relies on the top D, Step leading in ice is surprising to me.
- gkmkiller

And Brian Boyle had more minutes than Nash. And any amoutn of time Pyatt has on the ice is too much. This guy is awful.

Anyone see this controversey with Matt Harvey?

Anyone see this controversey with Matt Harvey?
- Slimtj100

yup, mountain out of a molehill

Sun shining a little brighter today, no?

Try and work on it Glen

Dare I say that DZ is turning into the Dubi of the blue line?
- cranford93

Moore is making DZ expendable.

Sun shining a little brighter today, no?
- airjan23

Its pretty overcast in Suffolk today but not in this Ranger fans world. Very gutsy win, gonna be another tough one tomorrow, no doubts!

Its pretty overcast in Suffolk today but not im this Ranger fans world. Very gutsy win, gonna be another tough one tomorrow, no doubts!
- B2B76

Last night is meaningless w/o being able to back it up tomorrow night...I am hoping Step and Nash loosen up and relax after combining for the winner. It helps to get scoring from other sources as their top players find themselves...

Last night is meaningless w/o being able to back it up tomorrow night...I am hoping Step and Nash loosen up and relax after combining for the winner. It helps to get scoring from other sources as their top players find themselves...
- Blueshirts4ever

We remember 2 years ago & how that series played out similar. Caps win first 2, Rangers get a gutty win, then in Gm 4 the roof falls in after that 3-0 lead. Sad too cause that was as loud the Garden ever was that night.

Last night is meaningless w/o being able to back it up tomorrow night...I am hoping Step and Nash loosen up and relax after combining for the winner. It helps to get scoring from other sources as their top players find themselves...
- Blueshirts4ever

They need Nash and Stepan to score if they are going to have a chance. No team can flourish without production from their top two regular season scorers.

It was a great pass from Nash and even better tip by Stepan.

John Moore continues to impress and so does Brassard. And while I am handing out compliments, full credit to Brian Boyle last night.

They need Nash and Stepan to score if they are going to have a chance. No team can flourish without production from their top two regular season scorers.

It was a great pass from Nash and even better tip by Stepan.

John Moore continues to impress and so does Brassard. And while I am handing out compliments, full credit to Brian Boyle last night.
- MidnightMarauder

Stralman has quietly had a great series....that check on Ovechkin early was an indication that he wasn't going to be given free ice. I think the Rangers have controlled Ovechkin pretty effectively, never going to shut him down completely but to this point I think they are doing a good job.

They need Nash and Stepan to score if they are going to have a chance. No team can flourish without production from their top two regular season scorers.

It was a great pass from Nash and even better tip by Stepan.

John Moore continues to impress and so does Brassard. And while I am handing out compliments, full credit to Brian Boyle last night.
- MidnightMarauder

That play saved the season so it should give them both some confidence hopefully

Stralman has quietly had a great series....that check on Ovechkin early was an indication that he wasn't going to be given free ice. I think the Rangers have controlled Ovechkin pretty effectively, never going to shut him down completely but to this point I think they are doing a good job.
- Blueshirts4ever

Stralman fumbled the puck a lot early on but got better. MDZ was horrible, main culprit for second goal, by waiting for puck to come to him instead of going to get it, creating forecheck opportunity. Will cover all this in the blog.

They need Nash and Stepan to score if they are going to have a chance. No team can flourish without production from their top two regular season scorers.

It was a great pass from Nash and even better tip by Stepan.

John Moore continues to impress and so does Brassard. And while I am handing out compliments, full credit to Brian Boyle last night.
- MidnightMarauder

When I look at the Eastern Conference this year, I see one great team, and seven teams that are all relatively equal in my mind. So, for as much as I b*tch and moan about the Rangers this year, I think opportunity exists for them to make a run to the ECF if they can just get hot and start playing better. They played better last night, and Game 4 is a huge, huge game. If they win that game, the series probably goes 7. If they lose, there is a good chance it's done in 5.

As I think Ottawa is going to bounce the Habs in the 1st round, thereby setting up the Rangers to avoid Pitt in the second round should they come back and advance, it would suck if the Rangers can't take advantage of that opportunity by beating the Caps.

I think the winner of tomorrow's night game wins the series.

That play saved the season so it should give them both some confidence hopefully
- Slimtj100

For now...need to keep it going, tomorow night is the season....until of course friday night rolls around

When I look at the Eastern Conference this year, I see one great team, and seven teams that are all relatively equal in my mind. So, for as much as I b*tch and moan about the Rangers this year, I think opportunity exists for them to make a run to the ECF if they can just get hot and start playing better. They played better last night, and Game 4 is a huge, huge game. If they win that game, the series probably goes 7. If they lose, there is a good chance it's done in 5.

As I think Ottawa is going to bounce the Habs in the 1st round, thereby setting up the Rangers to avoid Pitt in the second round should they come back and advance, it would suck if the Rangers can't take advantage of that opportunity by beating the Caps.

I think the winner of tomorrow's night game wins the series.
- Pete V

There is no doubt the Rangers were squeezing their sticks too tightly, I think the Boyle goal just relaxed everyone and they actually just played hockey. Yes, they once again had to absorb a big time surge in the 2nd but they really adjusted and executed their game in the 3rd...they just need to sustain pressure for a longer time and then the Caps will start doubting themselves. It wouldn't be the first time this core of Capitals has given back an early series lead...

When I look at the Eastern Conference this year, I see one great team, and seven teams that are all relatively equal in my mind. So, for as much as I b*tch and moan about the Rangers this year, I think opportunity exists for them to make a run to the ECF if they can just get hot and start playing better. They played better last night, and Game 4 is a huge, huge game. If they win that game, the series probably goes 7. If they lose, there is a good chance it's done in 5.

As I think Ottawa is going to bounce the Habs in the 1st round, thereby setting up the Rangers to avoid Pitt in the second round should they come back and advance, it would suck if the Rangers can't take advantage of that opportunity by beating the Caps.

I think the winner of tomorrow's night game wins the series.
- Pete V

That one great team--I'll assume you are referring to the Pens--has two areas of weakness: goaltending and defense.

Their forward units are downright silly but Fleury is vulnerable, especially in the postseason, and their defense is average at best.

They are an excellent team but they can be beaten. Not saying the Rangers would or will even have the chance to, but Pittsburgh is not invincible. The scrappy Isles will take them to at least six games in that series.

That one great team--I'll assume you are referring to the Pens--have two areas of weakness: goaltending and defense.

Their forward units are downright silly but Fleury is vulnerable, especially in the postseason, and their defense is average at best.

They are an excellent team but they can be beaten. Not saying the Rangers would or will even have the chance to, but Pittsburgh is not invincible. The scrappy Isles will take them to at least six games in that series.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, I am not saying the Pens don't have weaknesses, and can't be beat. What I'm saying is that the Pens are clearly the best team, IMO, and the other seven teams in the playoffs are relatively equal -- i.e., not a big difference between the 2nd seed, and 8th seed.