Plus: Umm… John Carlson scored a goal?
Minus: The Caps had six power play chances and somehow came out -1 in goals-for with the man advantage. It doesn’t help their own penalty kill let up a goal as well, so they went -2 in special teams.
Key Moment: Right before the Rangers took a 3-1 lead, the Caps had a couple grade-A chances but Igor Sheshterkin came up huge. So instead of it being 2-2 it was 3-1 and felt out of reach at that point.
Caps Player of the Game: Alexander Alexeyev is the unsung hero for the Caps. He’s stepped up big time with all the injuries with his physicality, speed and unused offensive potential. He needs to be a staple player next season.
Final Thoughts: I think every Caps fan knew the Caps weren’t winning this series but could maybe win a game. This game had that feel before it started that this would be the one. Sadly it was not, as the Rangers’ speed and skill was just too much for the maligned, very shorthanded Caps.
Speaking of injuries, it was another game where the Caps lost a defensemen, TvR, due to injury, leaving John Carlson and Martin Fehervary as the last two NHL defensemen (though Alexeyev is looking good). How Matt Rempe wasn’t given a major is a big head scratcher. If Wilson did that he’d be out of the game and suspended for the next 30 games. Maybe Department of Safety will say something about it.
It’s hard to be upset with the Caps to be honest. After TvR was injured the Caps were playing with over $21M in free cap space. They just don’t have the roster to compete and everyone knows it. Just enjoy the time they have left and don’t go too hard on them.