The New York Rangers are on their heels after a dominating 3-1 loss against the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoffs first round series and the team is hoping for a bounce back performance on Saturday afternoon at the Verizon Center in the nation's capital.
The Rangers attacked early and struck first with a goal from Carl Hagelin, but the team couldn't muster up anything else on offense the rest of the game, as the Capitals scored three straight goals, including one from Alex Ovechkin in the Game 1 victory and goalie Braden Holtby was excellent in net after the early score, making 35 saves. The two teams know each other very well after playing for the third year in a row in the playoffs and the fourth time in the past five seasons.
Last year the Rangers won the series as the number one seed in seven games and this time the Capitals are off to a fast start that could give them the momentum to advance to next round. Both teams finished the season on hot streaks, with the Rangers going 9-3 while the Capitals rebounded from a very slow start, winning 27 games down the latter stretch of the lockout schedule after a losing streak. Ovechkin has been the primary scorer down the stretch and he took that momentum into game one with his 31st career goal. Ovechkin tied the game with his goal and he previously had scored 22 goals over the last 21 games and led the league in scoring for the third time.
Head coach Adam Oates worked on special teams and power play attacking during the latter part of the season and is has paid off for the Capitals, as they converted on a power play in Game 1. The Rangers lost their first game of the year in regulation when leading at the start of the second period and dealt with a number of injuries to the lineup, including Ryane Clowe, Brian Boyle and Marc Staal, who all missed the game.
The Montreal Canadiens tied up their series at 1-1 after a 3-1 victory over the Senators, scoring three goals in the second, while the Islanders tied up with the Penguins despite two goals from Sidney Crosby. The Blackhawks were dominant again with a 5-2 win on Friday, giving the team a 2-0 lead in their series, while the Sharks defeated the Canucks in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead despite starting off on the road. The Rangers and Capitals both feel like Game 2 as a must win, as New York needs to run things around after a disappointing start, while the Capitals will want to make quick work of the Rangers after last years lengthy series.
