The Washington Capitals got off to the start they wanted against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But in the second, things got away from them, and it proved costly in a disappointing loss.
Washington a goal from Tom Wilson, but the Rangers scored three quick goals and got away with some missed calls to hand D.C. a 4-1 loss.
Here are the takeaways as the Capitals trail the series:
Capitals Let Game Get Away From Them In Second, Calls Don't Go D.C.'s Way
Washington had stuck to low-event hockey through the first 20 minutes of play, benefitting the group greatly as it also navigated a couple of penalties. But in the second, things took a turn when the Capitals let their game slip away from them.
Matt Rempe opened the scoring for New York, as the 21-year-old got to the front of the net and went uncovered before ripping a nice feed past Charlie Lindgren.
After that, the doors opened for New York.
Vincent Iorio was trying to clear the puck and skate it out of harm's way in the defensive zone when he was hit from behind into the boards by Alexis Lafreniere, leading to a turnover. Iorio was hurt, and the Rangers went on a 3-on-1 break where Artemi Panarin made it a 2-0 game.
Related: Iorio Leaves Capitals-Rangers After Being Hit Into Boards By Lafreniere
There was no call on Lafreniere, and Iorio left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Just 2:33 minutes later, Jimmy Vesey scored off the draw as the fourth line struck again, and during the sequence, Beck Malenstyn was caught with a high stick. There was no call on the play, and it was a good goal.
Chris Kreider would ice the game late in the third period, breaking away to make it 4-1.
Charlie Lindgren did what he could as the Rangers dominated in shots, 31-21x.
Capitals Offense Struggles, Power Play Comes Up Empty
The Capitals offense hadn't produced the most to close out the regular season, and those woes carried over to open the playoffs.
Washington struggled to get shots on goal, especially early on, against New York, and though the second period saw some more life, the team came up empty in the third as the Rangers dominated in shots, 16-4.,
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The power play also fell flat, going 0-for-4 while managing just three shots on goal. The Rangers blocked 18 total attempts, but a good amount of D.C.'s scoring chances also went wide or missed, while the team also overpassed at times. Washington was also kept to the outside.
While Tom Wilson's feed to Martin Fehervary in front got the Capitals on the board, there was a lot left to be desired when it came to Washington's performance on the forecheck.
To try and provide a spark, head coach Spencer Carbery experienced some different combinations up front, but it didn't spark anything.
Tensions Flare Late
Washington started to get involved in some pushing and shoving late, as Dylan McIlrath challenged Matt Rempe while Wilson and Braden Schneider got into it in the final minute of play, leading to both being sent off the ice early.
It set the tone for what's sure to be a gritty Game 2, and some passion and emotion could serve D.C. well to try and ignite a spark.
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