Its hard to fault the Rangers for the 2nd and 3rd periods.? Really they played damn good in that time, basically owning the play, but a stonewall effort by Olaf Kolzig led to yet another loss to a mediocre team.? The first period was of concern, but Henrik saved them after only giving up a single goal.? But he did repay the effort by giving up 2 softies in the 3rd, particularly Ovechkins goal which was a rather easy shot to save.?

But again, Olie was the story in this one stopping at least 21 shots (I think that was the final total) in the 3rd period, a dozen of which I would categorize as the spectacular variety.? The Rangers could have had this, actually SHOULD have had this, as they were just robbed by Kolzig.? Still though, when you dig yourself a hole, you have nobody to blame but yourself.

Uncharacteristically I dont plan to vilify the team tonight.? Frankly, its been a long week, a tough week, and they were due for a clunker.? Lets just hope they show up against the Devils, the team I absolutely ABHOR with every fiber of my being.? Also, lets not forget the refs absolutely hosed the Rangers tonight, letting the Caps get away with murder.? If you guys know me, I call it as I see it, even if the reffing benefits us.? So if you didnt catch the game, take it from me, it was very 1-sided.

So lets move on, forget about this one, and start another unbeaten streak Tuesday.

Rangers 3 Stars Of The Game:

1)Brendan Shanahan.? Had an assist, and could have easily had a goal and another assist.
2)Fedor Tyutin.? Thought he played spectacularly, not giving an inch, and playing sound defense in his own zone.
3)Henrik Lundqvist.? Hard to call a guy who gave up 2 softies a 3rd star, but if it werent for him, this would have been a blow out after the first period.

Final Score: Caps 3, Rangers 1?

-Inferno

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That was a bit better, but I think it had more to do with the calls evening out than anything else.? After giving the capitals the first 6 calls in this game, the refs decided their hosejob of the Rangers had gone on long enough and decided to even the calls out a bit, but not even close to my liking.? still the penalty minutes are overwhelmingly against the Rangers at a total of 17 minutes to 9 minutes for the Caps (counting the offsetting fighting majors).? The refs missed a blatant flying clothesline against Petr Prucha.? The refs were staring right at it and said nothing, even the Washington announcers were surprised nothing was called.? That would have put the Caps down 2 men with about 55 seconds to go on the Brashear penalty.

Still though, the energy and effort level was much higher in this one, and it was nice to see Renney try something new on the PP, putting Jagr with the Cullen and Prucha group to try to increase the pressure.

The shots on goal also evened out a bit more, as the Rangers outshot the Caps by 10 in the second to close the gap there to 23-21.

Henrik continues to play outstanding as he has simply been unbelievable.? The Rangers, if they manage to get a point or 2 out of this one, should buy Henrik a car or something, hes saving their collective butts.

-Inferno

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Yuck, I think a dinner of rotting roadkill would have left a better taste in my mouth than watching the first period against the Capitals.? As I warned and warned, the Rangers did just what I expected them to do.? Play down to the level of their opponent.? They played so flat even a mento couldnt rile them up.?

The unbalanced officiating isnt helping either.? Decidedly one sided after what I felt was a strong stretch dating back to the game against the ‘Yotes where it was either even, or favoring us.? Playing down a man for nearly half the period, the Rangers were on their heels and could get NOTHING done.? The Capitals feed which I get did not show a single replay of any of the infractions, leading me to believe they were either nonexistant, or so minor they werent worthy of a call.?

Really if not for some insanely spectacular goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers could be down by as many as 6 goals in the first period.

-Inferno

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