WASHINGTON -- The Washington Capitals may be getting the better of the territorial play, but the New York Rangers have shown through the first two games of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series that they are the more committed team.
After blocking 21 shots in Game 1, the Rangers blocked 29 more in Game 2 in front of another roaring red crowd at Verizon Center Saturday afternoon. An early goal from Ryan Callahan was all they needed for a 1-0 victory and a 2-0 lead in the series back to Madison Square Garden.
"It's huge to have a lot of guys to block shots and sacrifice their bodies in a series like this, especially when you face so many good players that can shoot the puck," said Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who made 35 saves for his fourth career postseason shutout. "We had a lot of blocks in the first game, especially after faceoffs, and (Saturday) again they came up big on a couple that they had a pretty good shot opportunity. We did a lot of good things.
"The Rangers scored the only goal they needed 7:44 into the game when Brandon Dubinsky's patience along the boards in the neutral zone resulted in a 2-on-1 for Markus Naslund and Callahan.
Capitals defenseman Mike Green pinched and forward Viktor Kozlov came too hard, allowing Dubinsky to send a pass to Naslund for a 2-on-1 against defenseman Tom Poti. Naslund cut through the left circle before slotting a pass to Callahan, who redirected it over rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov's glove.
Varlamov was the surprise starter in favor of veteran Jose Theodore, who allowed four goals on 21 shots in Game 1. The 20-year-old Russian played well, stopping 23 of 24 shots.
"We just have to score goals," said Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin, who had six shots on goal but took another seven that were blocked. "We made one mistake in the first period, they used it and we didn't score goals."
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