New York Rangers Lose High-Scoring Game To the Washington Capitals

On Tuesday night, the New York Rangers hosted the Washington Capitals in the team’s first meeting of the season. The Rangers found their scoring touch in the game against the Capitals, but they did not score enough to win the game.

About five minutes into the first period, Rangers center Brian Boyle continued his hot start to the 2010-11 season with a goal. Boyle found the puck while skating to the left of the goalie’s net, and flipped the puck passed Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived for the Rangers, as the Capitals scored the game-tying goal four minutes later on the power play. Capitals superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin fired a shot on goal, and the puck was redirected into the goal by Washington forward Brooks Laich. It was Laich's fourth goal of the season for Washington, and it tied the game 1-1.

But only four minutes after that goal by the Capitals, the Rangers retook the lead on a power play goal of their own. Brian Boyle carried the puck into the offensive zone for the Rangers, and fired a wrist shot past the Capitals goalie, Neuvirth, that gave him his second goal of the game, seventh goal of the season and gave the New York Rangers a 2-1 lead.

The Rangers would bring their 2-1 lead into the second period.

Two-and-a-half minutes into the second period, Capitals defenseman John Erskine fired a slap shot passed Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, tying the game at 2-2. For Erskine it was his first goal in 131 games.

Only 40 seconds after that Capitals score, the Rangers tied the game up on a goal by an unexpected forward. Rangers’ enforcer Derek Boogaard stole the puck in the defensive zone, skated into the offensive zone on a partial breakaway and ripped a slap shot passed the Capitals goalie to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. For Boogaard, it was his first goal in 234 games.

The lead would not hold for the Rangers, as the Capitals would tie up the game at 3-3 later in the second period. Superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin threw a pass in front of the Rangers net, which was picked up by Washington forward Mike Knuble, who finished the play off with an easy goal. It was Knuble second goal of the season and tied the game 3-3.

The score would remain 3-3 heading into the third period.

About eight minutes into the third period the Capitals would score their game-winning goal. Rangers’ defenseman Michal Rozsival gave the puck away to Washington forward Matt Bradley behind the net, and Bradley would center the puck to Matt Hendricks who would flip a shot passed Henrik Lundqvist for the game-winning goal.

The Rangers generated several chances in the third period, but could not find a way to tie the game.

Brooks Laich would add an empty-net goal with six seconds remaining in the game, giving the Capitals a 5-3 victory.

Post-game Notes:

The Rangers totaled 23 shots in the game, with both Brian Boyle and Alexander Frolov contributing four shots on net. Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, and Ryan Callahan totaled two shots goal, as did Ruslan Fedotenko and Michael Del Zotto.

Marc Staal led the team in ice time with 19 minutes and 46 seconds of playing time.

Ryan Callahan led the Rangers with five hits in the game, and Ruslan Fedotenko trailed right behind him with four hits in the game.

Ryan Callahan also led the team in blocked shots with five in the game, and Steve Eminger trailed right behind with three blocked shots.

The Rangers will play their third game of the four-game home stand on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Marian Gaborik will participate in a full practice tomorrow morning for the Rangers, and after the practice he will meet with the Rangers' athletic trainers to decide on a return date.

Thanks for the read; hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to comment below.