Rangers vs. Capitals: Sometimes You Get Goalie'd
The Rangers did everything but score—again. A strong effort, a hot goalie, and a reminder that not all losses are created equal.
- Other than the final score, I don't know what's not to like about the New York Rangers' effort in that game. Okay, yeah, sure, a few things here and there, like Will Borgen just getting pick-pocketed and that turning into a grade-A scoring chance. But overall? That was a well played game where they just couldn't find a way to beat a goaltender who was playing out of his mind. It happens.
- And it's not like the home opener, where they essentially lost by the same score (just with two empty net goals added in) to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who they would turn around and manhandle two games later. In that game they played mediocre at best against a team pretty much everyone expects will be on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Rangers came out flat. Nearly every shot they took on Arturs Silovs went right into his chest protector. This effort was better in nearly every aspect of the game.
- After three games against two teams that we expect to be the dregs of the league this year in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, this was a good challenge. The Washington Capitals won the Metro last year with 111 points. And while I'm expecting them to take a step back this year (literally just one step back to second in the division) they are still a very good team. And the Rangers played them hard the whole game.
- What more can we say at this point about Noah Laba? He is noticeable in all the right ways, game after game. He's quickly coming to epitomize what I believe Mike Sullivan wants from this Rangers team. His effort is there. His compete is there. He had two points his the last game against the Penguins and could have had a couple more in this game if not for Charlie Lindgren, who we will get to in a moment.
