Recap: Charlie Lindgren Outduels Quick as Capitals Shutout Rangers 1-0

After getting their revenge on the Penguins in Pittsburgh last night, the New York Rangers traveled back home to take on last year's divisional winner, the Washington Capitals. There are several players making their season debut in tonight's game. Jonny Brodzinski is stepping in for Trocheck tonight instead of Parssinen, Matthew Robertson is getting his chance to impress after Soucy's injury last night, and last but not least Jonathan Quick is getting his first start of the season.

First Period

This was a fast paced uneventful period. It started off a bit scary for the Rangers as multiple defensive breakdowns led to high quality chances against but Jonathan Quick stood tall and kept the score tied at zero throughout the period.

As for the offensive side of the puck, the Rangers outshot the Capitals 13-9 in the period. JT Miller was noticeably a man on a mission as his line had several excellent shifts as he controlled the puck and maintained possession even after being double teamed leading to several great opportunities.

Another positive aspect of the first period that we've seen in a couple of games now, is Adam Fox's involvement in the offense. On multiple occasions, Fox was seen activating as a fourth forward and skating deep into the Capitals zone, at times even below the goal line, while Gavrikov remained at the blue line. But perhaps the best part about these situations wasn't even Fox's specific impact, but Gavrikov's consistent contributions to cycling and puck possession. While playing the role of defending the blue line, he was able to keep the puck in the zone, make crisp passes and help shift and cycle the Rangers' formation around the Capitals zone, leading to a few excellent chances for the Rangers. It's early in the year, but the partnership between Fox and Gavrikov is working out wonderfully so far. Gavrikov has been as advertised: defensively sound, while simultaneously not being an offensive black hole like some of Fox's previous partners.

Second Period

The second frame started off with both teams pressing but unable to get good chances on net until Lindgren's highway robbery on Zibanejad. Just about 5 minutes into the period, Lafrenière made a savvy play holding onto the puck until Panarin could get open in the neutral zone, he chipped it past the Capitals defense and sprung Panarin and Zibanejad on a two on one. Panarin waited and made the perfect pass to Zibanejad, who wasted no time getting the puck exactly where he wanted it on net, but Lindgren, anticipating the cross play stretched wide, and the right catching goalie snagged the puck out of mid air to everyone watching's disbelief. The score was still tied at zero.

After the halfway point of the second, the Rangers had multiple lines dominate their shifts. JT Miller and Cuylle interrupted the Capitals with their forceful forechecking and got a dangerous shot on net. Next Edstrom used his size to get the puck to the front of the net as all three forwards converged on Lindgren, and then Panarin stutter stepping all around the blue line as he and Lafrenière kept skating the puck up and down their wings. After the Capitals controlled a juicy rebound from Lindgren, they got the puck out of the zone, Schneider tried to corral the puck but skated into double coverage and lost the puck. The Capitals pressed into the offensive zone and what felt like a harmless play when Ovechkin threw the puck at the net was masterfully deflected by Anthony Beauvillier right over Quick's shoulder for the first goal of the game. Shortly after this, MSG had a graphic of Beauvillier's career performance against the Rangers, in 35 games he has 14 goals and 27 points.

The Rangers got the game's first power play late in the second period. Their first power play unit spent almost the full two minutes on the ice. They had a lot of great looks and controlled the puck throughout the offensive zone. Zibanejad got a shot off in the slot that Lindgren just got a piece of to keep the puck out of the net. Lindgren stood on his head, making several other excellent saves to keep the Capitals ahead. Just as the Capitals killed off the penalty, the Rangers drew another, but this time the power play would have the second unit on the ice for over a minute. While this unit, led by Cuylle, Laba, and Schneider, kept the puck in the offensive zone for extended periods of time, they failed to drive to the net and get as many chances as the first unit. The Capitals easily killed the penalty and took their 1-0 lead into the second intermission.

A quick sidenote on the Rangers' power play. I am all for two units getting time, but if we're going to continue employing this strategy, the second unit needs a little love or a change to give them another experienced weapon. I know Trocheck being out affects things, but that second unit looked toothless compared to the first, and Sullivan needs to ride the hot hand right now when his team is chasing in a game.

Third Period

Quick was tested early in the third but was able to fend off some unconventional chances. Just a couple of minutes into the third, the Rangers went to the penalty kill as Miller's stick got caught up in Pierre Luc Dubois' skates. Washington struggled to get anything going, but after a questionable missed call against Ovechkin after taking a Rangers defender out of the play, he directed a pass over to Chychrun, who was wide open on the side of the net and ended up ringing the puck off the cross bar over a sprawling Quick in what was a very lucky break for the Rangers.

Around the twelve minute mark, Conor Sheary made what could easily be the defensive play of the game. The Capitals broke into the Rangers zone, they wristed the puck on net and after an unexpected bounce, Tom Wilson had the puck on his stick with Jonathan Quick laying on the ice outside of the crease. Sheary swung his stick back and somehow, someway deflected Wilson's shot at an empty net above and out of play. The Rangers were still within one.

In a scary moment for the Rangers, Ryan Leonard was carrying the puck into the Rangers' zone, but Gavrikov stood him up at the blueline. Leonard, anticipating this, cut to the right, but Gavrikov's leg was sticking out awkwardly, and they both went down, and there was a horrible grimace on Gavrikov's face. He eventually got up and finished the game, and the team avoided a potentially horrible injury scenario.

The Rangers continued to pressure the Capitals as the period wound down but were struggling to solve Charlie Lindgren, who was having his game of the season against his brother's former team. The game's physicality continued to ramp up as the two familiar opponents were pressing each other more and more as the clock ticked down.

Jonathan Quick was pulled with just under two minutes left as the Rangers were looking to get anything going against the Capitals. After avoiding the insurance goal from multiple clearing attempts, Sullivan called a timeout, and David Quinn drew up a play with just one minute and sixteen seconds left. The Blueshirts won the ensuing faceoff and had a few shots blocked as they scrambled to tie the game and avoid being shut out, but they couldn't get it done and for the second time in four games the Rangers were shutout.

Losing never feels good, especially being shutout, but there were definitely some good things in this loss. The Rangers outshot the Capitals 35-21 and also rose to the occasion physically. They dominated at the faceoff dot, and Quick genuinely had a good game; it just so happened the guy at the other end of the ice was a little bit better.