Nicklas Backstrom was the shootout hero for the Caps. Copyright Getty Images/by Bill Kostroun

Even on Dad’s birthday, the Rangers found a way to spoil the fun. In a nutshell, that’s who they are. They lost again at home to a Southeast team. When John Tortorella is accentuating the positive of, ‘At least they got a point,’ something’s wrong. They did rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the game at the end of one. But couldn’t finish it off. Instead, the Caps prevailed 3-2 in the shootout to pull within two points of eighth.

For a change, both Washington stars showed up. Alexander Ovechkin scored a goal and assist along with a shootout tally. Talented Swedish teammate Nicklas Backstrom also had a goal and helper while beating fellow Swede Henrik Lundqvist in Round Four to give the Caps a big extra point. Even if it doesn’t count the same in terms of the ROW tiebreaker, Washington is right there along with Carolina, the Islanders (3-0 winners over the same Panthers that beat us) and Buffalo. It really is anyone’s guess who will make it.

The Rangers could’ve made it easier on themselves if:

A.They got off to a good start.

B.Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik scored more.

C.They had an actual power play.

D.King Henrik stole a game.

E.There was an actual supporting cast.

They already can’t do anything about A. The other four are solvable. Until Tortorella breaks up Rick Nash from Richards and Gaborik, I can’t see much changing. You need scoring balance to win. Right now, that line isn’t doing enough. Gaborik has looked better. He was denied by Braden Holtby on a breakaway. Nash hasn’t finished lately. Since that torrid stretch where he scored six goals over five games, he has one goal over the last eight. He had another chance early but just missed.

Outside of letting Derek Stepan’s sneaky shot get through him to tie the game on an actual five-on-three, Holtby was superb. He made 30 saves, including 11 in the third, five in overtime and three of four in the skill competition. Hate to say it. But another goalie stoned us. I’m still a bit down on Lundqvist for giving up two goals in the shootout. He was blameless on both Cap goals. Backstrom scored on a deflection and Ovechkin redirected his 16th to put Washington up two.

If not for the fourth line, they lose. It was the play of Arron Asham, Kris Newbury and Darroll Powe that got them back in it. In his first game back, Asham took advantage of a bad pinch by Mike Green to blow his second past Holtby. Newbury forced a turnover and Asham came in and did the rest. Another strong shift led to a Cap penalty when Jason Chimera hauled down Powe, who wisely didn’t go back at him.

Already on the power play, Stepan head manned Nash who broke in on Holtby and was denied. However, Karl Alzner went to the sin bin for a slash, which at best was very generous. Stepan cashed in his third power play goal when he wisely threw the puck towards Holtby, who fanned on it. Just like that, the game was tied. Richards and Gaborik netted assists. Still on a five-on-four, they couldn’t go ahead. A wild first concluded with four total goals and 21 shots. The Caps got 14 on Lundqvist, who did his best to keep the Rangers alive.

The Rangers came out and controlled play the rest of the night. They out-shot the Caps 25-10 the rest of the way. Chris Kreider was more involved. Both his shots were quality chances. He even saw time on the big line. He definitely opened some eyes. Hopefully, it’s a harbinger of things to come.

There was a key moment during the second when our team went down two men. With top faceoff man Brian Boyle already in the box, our best defenseman Dan Girardi was called for delay of game- handing Washington a two-man advantage for 1:42. They showed a lot of character killing it off. Mike Del Zotto was the best player, coming up with a number of big defensive plays. Tortorella later noted how he never stuck MDZ out in that situation before. But Del Zotto got it done. He has been much better since Marc Staal went out. The added responsibility hasn’t hurt.

I would’ve thought they’d be able to put one past Holtby and win. But this team just can’t finish consistently. Holtby was strong but I think every Ranger fan is sick of our popgun offense turning every goalie into a brick wall.

Once it went to OT, I told my friend there was no chance they’d win at four-on-four. Even with five of the six shots, it didn’t matter. It was destined for a shootout. Unfortunately, Nash didn’t finish and neither did Ryan Callahan. It took a great move by Stepan (backhand top shelf) in the third round even to keep us alive. Lundqvist extended it but following the predictable Richards miss, Backstrom ended the night.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Nicklas Backstrom, Wsh (goal, helper, shootout winner-Caps stars were better)
2nd Star-Arron Asham, NYR (goal-2nd, 3 hits-best game as a Ranger in 10 shifts-6:39)
1st Star-Alexander Ovechkin, Wsh (16th goal, assist, shootout goal-he’s back)