Rangers 4, Capitals 2

In a nationally televised Sunday night playoff elimination game against the Capitals, the Rangers did just enough at the right moments to leave Washington with a victory and arrange for tee times for the Capitals. The Rangers will now move on, at some point, to a second round matchup against the CAR/NYI winner. This was the first sweep of a playoff series by the Rangers since 2007 (Thrashers). [If you want to watch a short video condensed game/highlights, see end of post, about 10m long]

The game could not have started any better for the Rangers, who got on the sheet at just 00:57 with an unassisted goal by Kakko (1). Really, the Caps Jensen should get an assist for a give away that fed a wide open Kakko in the slot. Put the man on your holiday card list!

Washington was not going to go down easy and they managed to tie the game at 14:54 on another goal by Fehevary (2). The danger of starting a very green rookie is that they will make a mistake and this one was on Rempe. While he did come back to the blue line to meet the incoming Fehevary, he failed to stick with him, leading to a relatively uncontested slot shot.

With the Rangers not looking in top form, special teams would once again prove critical. Just before the first period would end, at 19:44, Trocheck (3) from the doorstep for a PPG, assisted by Zibanejad (5) and Panarin (1). The order of play as they entered the offensive zone was an impressive 20-23-16-23-10-93-16-goal! 2-1 after one.

Lapierre (1) would tie the game at 2-2 just 07:48 into the second, basically walking in untouched from outside the blue line as a gassed Kreider, Lindgren and Roslovic were unable to do much of anything to stop him. The rest of the second period would see a lot more Ranger struggles, but Washington was unable to take advantage. 2-2 after two.

After a stern talking to in the locker room, the Rangers came out for the third period with a bit more jump and focus to their game. After Oshie took a high sticking penalty on Trocheck (yes, the refs finally called him for an errant stick), the Ranger PP came through again. This time Panarin (2) at 03:21 with a sweeping shot from the circle after getting lost behind the goal line. Zibanejad (6) and Fox (2) with the assists.

The Rangers managed to protect their one goal lead the remainder of the third period through some heavy Washington pressure as the clock was winding down. A late power play looked anything but with the Caps getting a number of late chances. But deadline arrival Roslovic (2) came through with another timely goal, this time an ENG PP at 19:09 to send the Caps to the golf course.

The Caps just did not have the horses to get it done last night or the entire series. It was not for lack of trying, they certainly put in the effort. Game four had a lot more in common with some ugly mid-season Ranger wins than the first three games of this series; Shesterkin came up big when he had too. Good to get the sweep and move on, but this was a likely loss against a more skilled team. NYR should get roughly a week off to rest (looking at you Mr. Trouba) and practice.

As to series performances – Zibanejad led the team with seven points (1G, 6A), taking his game up a notch and providing the leadership that will be necessary if this is truly a cup year. Trocheck was a beast. Roslovic, who had fallen off late in the season and was looking like a possible dog house candidate, came though with timely goals. The third and fourth lines played well and were critical to the series win. The Miller/Schneider pairing played strong and should remain a fixture going forward. In addition, that pairing resulted in just a 2:35 ES TOI differential between high and low.

Notes: The Rangers are the sixth Presidents’ Trophy winner to sweep its opening-round series. The others were the 2020-21 Colorado Avalanche, the 2000-01 Avalanche, the 1998-99 Dallas Stars, the 1993-94 Rangers, and the 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers.