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
