Let’s just say the Washington Capitals did not put their best foot forward to start their series against the New York Rangers.
After a scoreless first period, of course it was big weird Matt Rempe who started the scoring, taking a pass from Jimmy Vesey at the doorstep. Thirty-three seconds later, the Rangers struck again, this time from 120-point scorer Artemi Panarin. And just ninety seconds after that, Jimmy Vesey got a lucky bounce to make it 3-0 and to make me very sad.
Martin Fehervary redirected Tom Wilson’s shot to get the Caps on the board, leaving the Caps in a two-goal hole going into the third period. The Caps were lifeless in the third, then Chris Kreider scored on a breakaway.
Caps lose. Rangers lead the series 1-0.
- Even before the third goal, Madison Square Garden was already chanting “Charlie! Charlie!” at Charlie Lindgren. Nightmare scenario for how I wanted this series to begin.
- Matt Rempe has been trying to become the NHL’s main character since his debut in February. Today he committed a charging penalty on his very first shift, but then he got that lucky goal to save face.
- Vincent Iorio got two shifts in the first period. He played 1:50 total before an unlucky hit from Alexis Lefreniere sent him hard into the boards. (I don’t think it was a boarding penalty.) Iorio left the game. Given how little he’d been playing (and the tilt of the ice when he was on it), it wasn’t exactly a seismic shock to Washington’s blue line.
Vincent Iorio leaves Game One after hard hit into side boards by Alexis Lafrenière
- John Carlson was always going to play like 28 minutes in this one, regardless.
- My imagining on Washington’s chances in this series depended on staying out of the penalty box. They took three penalties in the first period. I’ll let you rip on those calls down in the commies, but the effects remains.
- I was baffled by the officiating. After watching Bruins-Leafs last night, I figure I understood the baseline for what would be called a penalty this postseason (i.e. little), but today’s game was the complete opposite. More than half of the first period was special teams.
- More of that time should have been with the Caps a man up. Max Pacioretty got baited into a cross-check after Lapierre drew a slash. I expect smarter conduct from a veteran like Pacioretty.
- But even when the Caps were on the power play, they had nothing going. Alex Ovechkin recorded zero shots on goal in nearly eight minutes of power-play time.
- Ian got me invested in the MSG music choices. Two cues in the third period: “Rollin’” by Limp Bizkit, and “Higher” by Creed. I spontaneously developed a tribal tattoo.
loffs. #joebsuitofthenight pic.twitter.com/T3KLT218mo
— RMNB (@rmnb) April 21, 2024
My problem with these Caps all along has been their allergy to offense. Down two goals in a third period with high stakes, it still took them 12 minutes to get their first shot on goal. When it finally came, it came from 82 feet away.
Did I grow a mustache for this?
I had low expectations, but damn. That was dismal. They could barely even gesture towards the enemy net. Disorganized, discouraged, dispirited. Sweep-class hockey. They need to get their act together before Tuesday. Strome was pretty good, I guess.
