Caps had an opportunity to really put a couple of nails into the Rangers coffin on Sunday. Instead, the Rangers pulled out the win and breathe new life into this series.
The Rangers certainly seemed to feed off of their home crowd. They also did what they do best and that is frustrate and bait the other team into taking bad penalties. It was one of the big stories of that game. The Caps just took WAY too many penalties and by doing so, really hampered their chances of victory.
We have to be smarter and more focused and not lose sight of the task at hand. We are the better team and just need to act like it. Stay within the game plan and we should win.
Neuvy was solid. The Rangers first goal where they beat him near side where the puck had just enough room to get in was disappointing. It was disappointing because I have seen that happen to Neuvy before. Still, he was solid and I don't think there should be any consideration of a goalie change. Doing so would only upset Neuvy and show the team that the coach is in more of a panic mode. The team seems to be comfortable with Neuvy back there and he has been the starter the bulk of the season so no reason to make a change.
I suppose the Caps loss does make tomorrow's game MUCH more interesting. We have an opportunity to take a 3-1 lead and then close out the series at home. However, the Rangers have the opportunity to hold serve on their home ice and tie the series at 2-2 and make the series wide open.
Brooks Laich said it best in an interview yesterday that the Rangers were pressed and they pushed hard but now it is our turn to push back. I expect victory tomorrow. This team seems much more understanding of a situation like this. We have fought back from adversity and fought back in tight games all year so I feel that we are better prepared for this game. I feel like it is much more business like this year and I feel good about tomorrow. The key will be to score early/first to get the crowd out of the game and get the Rangers to be frustrated.
UNLEASH THE FURY!!!
3 comments:
The Caps didn't show the same fire as they had in the first two games. It's crazy that a team like the Rangers could possibly out shoot the Caps. Also, the Caps gave up many more penalties than they received. All that being said, the Rangers last goal was a fluke and I still thought the Caps would pull it out. Boudreau said that they were targeting Green's head and he was hit with one or two elbows. Perhaps there will be some more fights in Game 4.
I have noticed starting in Game 1 the shots to Green's head. I understand that in most sports when you know a guys is hurt, players will try and expose the injury and go after it but in a case where it is a guy's head/brain, that to me seems to be crossing the line. Still, as Xavier McDaniel said, "this is a game...this is a man's game" and you have to expect some of that.
I don't really want to see any fights as that plays more into the Rangers game plan. They want to bait and goad us into fights. You can see that happening and you can also see that we are resisting. Erskine has backed down a few times when he would typically drop the gloves. There is no question that Boudreau is preaching to his team do NOT fall into their trap of fighting or retaliating and taking stupid penalties. Stay the course and play our game and that will only frustrate the Rangers and give us the better opportunity to win.
Famous Boudreau quote, "My name is Bruce Boudreau, commander of the Washington Capitals, loyal servant to the true emperor, Ted Leonsis, Father to many children, husband to a soccer mom wife. And I will have my my play off vengeance, in this life or the next."
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