Caps Beat Rangers in Overtime!
By Rodger M. Wood
Remembering last year’s first game loss against 8th seeded Montreal, the Caps came out strong, hitting everything in sight, and doing all the little things necessary to beat the New York Rangers 2-1 in overtime of the first game of the 2011 quarterfinals Stanley Cup playoffs.They played good defense, blocked opponent shots and waited for the right opportunity tocome back from a 1-0 deficit late in the third period.Ovie set the tone, crunching Rangers all over the ice, and his teammates soon followed suit with 17 hits in the first period and a total 35 hits for the game.Although the Rangers are notorious for keeping their offensive zone clean, Caps were the better of the two teams, blocking 32 shots to the Rangers’ game total of 28.The game was scoreless until Rangers Matt Gilroy scored on a slap shot from the slot at 1:56 mark of the third period.Sticking to the game plan, Alex Ovechkin crashed the nets to even the score up 1-1 with his first goal against the Rangers this season at the 13.44 mark of the third period.Both teams played cautiously until Alexander Semin broke into the open in front of the Rangers net to take a perfect pass from line mate, Jason Arnott and score the game winner at 18.53 of overtime.Throughout the game, Rangers veteran goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist dueled Capitals rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who in his first NHL playoff game, matched the old pro stopping 24 of 25 shots, many of which were taken from point blank range. The Caps 23-year old net minder made several unbelievable stops.Coming back from a concussion, defenseman Mike Green played 24:45 minutes and assisted on Alex O’s goal in the third period.The Caps take on the Rangers in the second game in 7:30 PM game at the Verizon Center Friday night.See you there!
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