In two games, they’ve held the Rangers to one goal. Since Carl Hagelin scored in the first period, no pucks have gotten by Braden Holtby. He again was allowed to see the shots and stopped all 24. Twenty four total. That’s unacceptable. Yet Pierre McGuire interviewed him as if he was the reason our team didn’t score. The same goalie who fumbled the puck the entire first half. Our team didn’t pounce and paid for it.

Even with some more questionable officiating that featured a missed delay of game call on Karl Alzner in the last minute of regulation, it didn’t matter. The Blueshirts had two opportunities. One late in regulation and one in overtime. Once again, they killed their own power plays. It wasn’t anything the Caps did. Just plain awful strategy. Passing up shots for absurd passes and lackadaisical play that almost led to their undoing. If not for a diving block by Mike Del Zotto, the game would’ve ended before Green’s bomb that banged in off the cross bar. 

All it took was a terrible miscue from Ryan McDonagh to put the nail in the coffin. He continues to struggle since Marc Staal went down. At one point, John Tortorella moved him off the top unit with Dan Girardi and replaced him with Del Zotto, who had a stronger afternoon despite working with Steve Eminger. Anton Stralman was also better after playing with John Moore. It doesn’t matter how well the defense plays if you can’t score. 

The Rangers got a better start. In particular, Ryan Callahan who was all over the ice. Captain Cally led them in shots (5), hits (8) and ice-time (26:05), edging workhorse Girardi (26:01) and linemate Derek Stepan (25:52). Our captain tried to lead his team to victory. They just didn’t follow. 

Too often, a faster and more skilled Caps out-skated and out-chanced them. The D was caught running around. Every time Alex Ovechkin was out, they left someone open and allowed Washington too much attack time. So far, the third consecutive year they’ve met is eerily similar to ’09 and ’11. The points are left open for Cap defensemen to exploit. Unlike last year, they’re getting their shots through with traffic in front. Our D are doing a poor job clearing the crease. Lundqvist’s been left to fend for himself. It can’t continue when the series shifts to MSG. Or they’ll be joining the Devils on the golf course real soon.

Disappointing. Especially with Rick Nash raising his level. He got better as the game went on. From being a nonentity the first two periods to being a constant threat in a hair raising third. Tortorella made an adjustment moving Nash up with Stepan and Callahan while sliding Hagelin down to Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett (4 PIM, 7 hits). The change sparked Nash, who was much more involved. On one rush, he nearly beat Holtby. Instead, the puck hit the post allowing Troy Brouwer to take a slashing penalty with 3:44 left in regulation. Predictably, they didn’t score.

When Nash didn’t bury that chance, it was over. The same as when Stralman early on clanged one off the post. No puck luck. That’s part of why they’re in a 2-0 hole. Unless they can find offense and dramatically swing the momentum, it could end earlier than expected. Tortorella reinserted Brian Boyle for Kris Newbury and played Dorsett over Chris Kreider. Both brought energy. But it wasn’t enough to get one past Holtby, who’s now some sort of folk hero in the nation’s capital. He has hardly been forced to work. 

Will it change when they play Monday? Lundqvist (37 saves) can’t be any better than he was today. He has to wonder if this is the best the team can do. It’s a long climb up.

3rd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (5 SOG, 8 hits in 26:05-our best player)

2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (37 saves incl. a tough 13 in busy 2nd-H-E-L-P)

1st Star-Alex Ovechkin, Wsh (assist, 7 SOG, 7 hits in 20:22-dominant in every facet)