Washington Capitals Beat Rangers 2-1; Advance to 2nd Round

-Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

Welcome to another live blog by yours truly.  Tonight’s game is the 7th meeting between the NY Rangers and the Washington Capitals in DC.   The game hasn’t started yet but it should any minute.  All times below are Eastern time, as that is where the game is being played.  Let’s play some hockey!

9:33 – And the Caps get to feel what a game 7 victory is like after losing their game 7 in OT last year to Philly.

9:31 – Handshakes are over, and so is the Rangers’ season.  Sergei Fedorov gets the game winning goal and Lundqvist ended with 22 saves.

9:28 – And it’s over.  The Caps have won it.

9:27 – 30 seconds to go and it’s a Rangers time out.  OMG OMG OMG.

9:26 – Less than a minute to go and Avery is hurt, Lundqvist is still in net…. 45 to go…

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Ovechkin & Co on Brink of Elimination

Can the Caps pull out a win at home on Friday to stave off elimination?

-Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

Tonight I learned that I could hold my breath for two minutes — the entire time I stood up in front of my television gripping a throw pillow against my chest.  This was also the amount of time the Rangers held off the Capitals in the most intense game finish of the series.  I think the rest of the world who was watching game 4 of the Rangers – Capitals series was doing the same thing.

Alexander Ovechkin made it clear that he would stop at nothing to win – and Sean Avery made it clear that he would stop at nothing.  Ovechkin had the sole goal for the Caps but 11 other shots on goal; Henrik Lundqvist is without a doubt the only reason that this was the Caps’ famed forward’s only goal this series.  Lundqvist stopped an astonishing 38 shots on goal and had huge contributions from his defenseman and forwards as well on the D side.  Brandon Dubinsky, playing like a veteran despite being in his 2nd year, was all over the ice all night long.  Dubinsky notched nearly 16 minutes of ice time and assisted on the first goal scored for NY.

The thing that isn’t making too much sense to me is that Dubinsky, who made huge contributions to NY’s win tonight, only played three more minutes of ice time than Sean Avery.

Caps Shut Out Rangers at Home

Editor’s Note:  Alaina will be live blogging the Pens v Philly game on Tuesday.   If you liked this make sure you come back tomorrow and check out her commentary.

-Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

Let’s GO.  Once again, all times are Eastern as that’s where the game is being played.

9:41 – Ok, calling it a night.  There’s more hockey to be had tomorrow though, so I’ll see you all tomorrow night at 5pm Mountain time for the Penguins live blog! Night!

9:37 – What happened, Rangers?  Were you a little too cocky going into game 3 at the Garden?  Or were the Caps just more calm, staying steady and not giving up?  This is going to make for a very interesting game 4.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

After a few looooooong nights, the first round of first round games are through.  I think it’s fair to say we’ve seen some pretty fantastic games so far, a few surprises and maybe even a fight or two.  Not bad – the players seem to be getting off on the right feet so far.  I’ve decided to break down the most significant events of Game Ones into the three categories: good, bad or ugly. 

 

Good: NY Rangers.  That was the best game I have seen so far and I’m pretty stoked the Rangers won.  Yes, I know I picked the Caps to take the series – and I still think they will – but I knew the Rangers were going to come out swinging and play with a lot of heart.  But if they are going to win another game they have to play better defense on A.O.  Henrik Lundqvist was the only reason that Ovechkin didn’t score (although he did notch two assists).  But besides not holding off Ovechkin to the best of their abilities (although he did get hit five times in the 1st alone), the Rangers played a fantastic game.  Sean Avery was at his absolute worst; picking meaningless fights and complaining like it was his job – oh wait, that’s right, it is his job.  Rumor has it that NY Captain Chris Drury will be back tomorrow… let’s hope so.  I think the Caps will take game two. 

Round 1 Playoff Matchups

-by Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

Well all, it’s that time of year — playoffs. Round 1 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on Wednesday night.  Get ready to hear of every possible story line; rookies and old-timers ready to fight for the death for the chance of a life time — to win Lord Stanley’s Cup.  Here’s my take on what this year’s playoffs have to offer and who will make it out alive.

Eastern Conference

Boston v. Montreal: What a great series for old rivalries.  The two Original Six teams have faced each other many, many times since the modest beginnings of the NHL. Boston, after having missed the President’s Trophy by just one point, has the home ice advantage but the more fickle fans.  I’m going to bet this will be a rough-and-tumble series, but the ultimate battle will be between Tim Thomas and Carey Price.  I’m going to go with Boston in 6 for this series.

Playoff Countdown: Recap of Thursday Night

-by Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

Eleven games last night in the NHL, and most teams have now played 81.  The season is ending for some… but not for all.  Read on to see who isn’t polishing their golf clubs yet.

Nashville 4, Detroit 3 SO: Of course we all know Detroit is in, and Nashville isn’t quitting yet.  The Preds are now tied for 8th place with St. Louis with one game remaining for Tennessee and two left for the Blues.  For things to work out for Jason Arnott and the Preds, they will have to win their last game against the struggling Wild.  The game for those who didn’t catch it was actually pretty fantastic.  J.P. Dumont scored with one minute remaining in the 3rd to force overtime and Arnott finally got the puck past Chris Osgood during the 4th round of the shootout.  I love seeing Detroit lose.

Washington 4, Tampa Bay 2: Jose Theodore was back and just in time to have the honor of playing his 500th NHL game.  Alex Ovechkin was pointless in his third straight game and the rest of the Caps seemed pretty cautions as well as they beat down Tampa Bay – who just can’t seem to catch a break.

Pittsburgh 6, NY Islanders 1: Please don’t make me recap this game. I am starting to hate the Islanders.

Playoff Countdown: Recap of Wednesday Night

-by Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

While last night was a much more calm night around the league with only two games, it certainly wasn’t boring.  A brief recap of what went down:

Buffalo 3, Toronto 1: Even though they gained two points in their win last night, Buffalo isn’t going anywhere.  If they win their next two and the Rangers lost their next two, the Blueshirts still have that ever-so-crucial tiebreaker between the clubs; Buffalo’s only shot will be if the Panthers also lose at least once.  I could see Florida dropping a game, but there’s no way the Rangers will drop their last two.  Sorry Sabres.

Columbus 4, Chicago 3 SO: Columbus made history last night by clinching the first playoff appearance in franchise history.  As long as the Blue Jackets get at least one point in their next two games (first St. Louis, then Minnesota) they will stay in 6th.  Not bad after nine years!  I love that both these teams are in the playoffs, along with St. Louis.  These are the best games to watch — the teams who really want to win.