Rangers find their game late in the third but lose to the Capitals 5-4
The New York Rangers generated few offensive chances through two period and were in too deep of a hole to climb out. Still they battled to the end and gave the first place Capitals a scare. Four goals in the third period but they could not get the equalizer with the goalie pulled.
Rangers vs Capitals: A valiant comeback too little too late
This could’ve been a different game if Mika Zibanejad’s bank chance off the face of T.J. Oshie went in. Instead, Dmitry Orlov made a stick sweep save as the puck was just about to completely cross the line. It would’ve given the Blueshirts a 1-0 lead in the first period but it wasn’t meant to be.
Kaapo Kakko also had a glorious chance early in the game but was stick checked by Ilya Samsonov. Had Kakko opted to shoot instead of trying a deke, he may have had a goal. Then the wheels feel off the bus in a second period where the Rangers could not find their legs. Three games in four nights will do that to a team.
Three goals from the Caps including two by Tom Wilson had them in a big hole. Then Evgeny Kuznetsov scored to make it 4-0 and any sane person would’ve shut the game off there. Of course those who chose to missed a spirited comeback that just fell short.
Colin Blackwell scored twice to cut the lead in half. Unfortunately T.J. Oshie scored to make it 5-2 and it wound up being the game-winner. Goals by Alexis Lafrenière and Chris Kreider made it close, but once again the Rangers failed to tie a game late with the goalie pulled.
Keith Kinkaid was not sharp and had trouble seeing the puck through traffic. That was evident on Alexander Ovechkin’s goal where he was completely off his angle. It was a rough start for the goalie and was likely his worst since being called up to the roster.
The Rangers will face this team again on Tuesday at the Garden.
“Yeah, I just didn’t think we were sharp during that second period,” Quinn said. “We had some power plays that we didn’t get a lot from and then I just thought our inability to shoot pucks and get pucks on net and get some chances.”
NHL.com
Post Game Notes
- The Rangers tallied four goals in today’s game and recorded all four goals in the third period. The Blueshirts have registered three or more goals in four of the last five games (21 goals over the span) and seven of the last nine games.
- The Rangers were 1-for-4 on the power play in today’s contest. The Blueshirts have recorded at least one power play goal in each of the last four games (7-for-16; 43.8%) and in six of the last seven games (9-for-26; 34.6% over the span).
- The Rangers were 3-for-3 (6:00) on the penalty kill in today’s game and held Washington to only two shots on goal over the Capitals’ three power play opportunities.
The Rangers have a day off tomorrow.
Next Game: Tuesday, Mar. 30 vs. Washington (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)
Post Game Notes courtesy NYR
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