The Rangers won Game 1 thanks to 5x5 play. Tuesday’s Game 2 victory was all about the special teams. A pair of power play tallies (Mika Zibanejad and Jack Roslovic) coupled with a short handed marker (K’Andre Miller) and one even-strength goal (Vincent Trocheck) were just enough to defeat a much more engaged Capitals team 4-3. New York practices today in Westchester before heading down to Washington for Game 3 on Friday.
Game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Capitals initial push - Washington came out strong and carried play. Unlike Game 1, where they did not get engaged for a while and never seemed to find a playoff gear, that was not the case Tuesday. New York got caught on their heels to start the game and at times throughout the contest. Post-game, the remarks from the players and coaches were that they expected this from Washington. While that may have been the case, the initial reaction in the ice belied that fact. The good news is they rebounded and found their stride during the victory. I would expect the Capitals to come out on fire the first five minutes of the game Friday to get the crowd engaged, get a lead and put New York on their heels.
2) End of game Tuesday- the Capitals pinned the Rangers in their own end the last several minutes of the game. New York survived, aided by one final save by Igor Shesterkin as the buzzer sounded. The good news, besides the win, was the Blueshirts maintained their composure. No panic resulting in a penalty took place, giving the Caps even more of an advantage.
The negative, obviously, was that the team couldn’t find a way to get the puck out of the zone and allow for a change in personnel. Jimmy Vesey iced the puck aiming for the empty net with just under three minutes left in the game. From then on, it was survive to the buzzer. One key moving forward will be to find a way to get the puck out of the zone if a similar situation arrives, but Tuesday’s struggles should build confidence in case that happens again.
One aspect to watch at practice today is if Adam Fox is on. Coach Peter Laviolette was asked in yesterday’s press conference if there was a reason why Fox did not play in the final 4:54 Tuesday. “I'm not sure we got a change in the last 2:40,’’ he said. “Our guys got stuck out there for quite a bit. And so, I wouldn't read into that We don't have anything to report on Adam.’’ Presuming this is accurate, Fox should be on the ice at practice.
3) Lineup - game 2’s lineup was the same as Game 1, which was expected. But we could see a change for Game 3. I don’t think Filip Chytil, who has been practicing and is close, gets in given the nature of the series so far and what I expect we will see Friday. What could happen though is Jonny Brodzinski gets in for Matt Rempe.
I know Rempe is somewhat of a deterrent and his presence helps balance out Tom Wilson etc. But Rempe had a tough game Tuesday in his 7:34 of ice time. Rempe was on ice for five high danger chances against with zero for and 15 shot attempts faced with just four generated. With Washington having the last change and close to desperation time for them, my concern is as much as Laviolette will try and shelter Rempe, he may not be to do so. Granted, Washington carried play for good stretches Tuesday and many didn’t have a great game, so I may be extrapolating here. But don’t be surprised if a change is made.
4) Zibanejad - I wanted to address all the comments in the prior blog. Zibanejad did not have a good year 5x5, saying that is not pure criticism but accurate. But limiting your opinion to that aspect of the game, which is vastly important, minimizing and ignores everything else Zib does for this team. He certainly was not the offensive weapon at even strength we have come to expect, that’s a fact. He would admit that himself.
Right now, that means nothing. All that matters is what happens in these games. If Zib plays well as he did in Games 1 and 2, and especially Tuesday when he was the best Ranger on the ice, then the regular season story will be forgotten and rightfully so. If he doesn’t, then bringing up the regular season issues is valid because those issues have carried forward to the postseason.
5) Oshie's high stick to Panarin and Panarin response to Oshie. Let me say I loved the response by Panarin. He didn’t try and retaliate right away but picked his spot and showed he wasn’t going to take any garbage. Between Fox showing more physicality and Panarin taking care of his own business, I view that as a really good sign moving forward.
No penalty for NYR Panarin after review. While there was head contact on the play, head was not main point of contact and WSH Oshie's lunge for the puck contributed to the head contact. pic.twitter.com/JXRyISvGZp
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