If the Capitals are going to have even a fighting chance in this series they will need a few things to go their way.
First, goaltender Charlie Lindgren will have to stand on his head. He was okay at best, stopping 27 of 31 shots. While he can’t be directly blamed for any individual goal against, he could have made saves on those by Artemi Panarin and Jimmy Vesey.
Second, the Capitals need some magic from the power play and particularly Alexander Ovechkin. The power play went 0-4. Ovechkin is a player who can score from anywhere and that’s a massive boon for a team that doesn’t generate many great looks. Any type of look will do. The Rangers took Ovi out of the game, shadowing him on the PP and keeping him out of the offensive zone at even strength. Ovechkin attempted just three shots and all missed the net.
Third, the Caps need to grind the game down to a halt. The 2024 Capitals don’t have the talent to keep up in a track meet with other top teams. They did a good job in the first period, combining for 11 shots on goal. It got away from them in the next two periods.
The Capitals have a narrow path to victory in a best-of-seven series against the Presidents’ Trophy Winners. They got none of the necessary conditions in Game 1. It leaves a sliver of optimism because the Caps may have a chance if Lindgren and Ovechkin get going and their neutral zone defending improves. More likely, it foreshadows a swift playoff exit.
– Adam Herman
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