The Washington Capitals got swept by the New York Rangers.
Nick Jensen committed a rather unfortunate turnover, allowing Kaapo Kakko an easy goal. Martin Fehervary responded with a monster shot after a monster pass from Aliaksei Protas. But on late-period power play, Vincent Trocheck roofed it, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead after one.
The Capitals drove play in the second period, with Hendrix Lapierre defeating four Rangers to tie the game with a heroic goal.
Four minutes into the final frame, Artemi Panarin finished a rotation to beat Lindgren and put New York back in the lead. Jack Roslovic’s empty netter ended everything.
Caps lose 4-2. The New York Rangers win the series in a sweep.
- This sucks.
- Nick Jensen played in his first game in more than two weeks, when he was stretchered off the ice. Jensen executed a textbook tape-to-tape pass for a primary assist on Kaapo Kakko’s goal. He was in the penalty box for Trocheck’s goal. The puck couldn’t stop rolling on his stick, especially when he was in the defensive zone. That was a very poor showing at the very worst time, a capstone on a very bad year from a player I expected much more from.
- It was a one-on-four play. Hendrix Lapierre should have had no chance. But sometimes you just have to go commando on ’em. And by commando I don’t mean committing a litany of war crimes during America’s imperialist adventures, I just mean just scoring a goal by yourself despite having a buncha dudes on you.
LAPPY'S FIRST CAREER POSTSEASON GOAL IS AN ABSOLUTE STUNNER pic.twitter.com/i76ExhhZMX
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 29, 2024
- I’m eager to see how Lapierre will develop. I’m always wary to fall in love with younger players. Lapierre has skills though; that’s for sure.
- Something is up with Alex Ovechkin. He got skipped on a couple shifts, and he was statue-like on a second-period power play. He did not score at all in this series, a career first.
- Just some quick housekeeping here at RMNB. We’re enforcing a strict ban on the catfish-drinking thing from Nashville. You will be banned immediately and irrevocably if I have to look at – nay, even think about drinking beer out of a catfish.
- Was this the last playoff game of Alex Ovechkin‘s career?
- Was this the last game at any kind of TJ Oshie‘s career?
- And who were the season ticket holders who gave their seats to Rangers fans?
One more? #joebsuitofthenight pic.twitter.com/U5ELPUsfSt
— RMNB (@rmnb) April 28, 2024
Something I’ve learned about myself this postseason is that I have what Spencer Carbery calls a “loser’s mindset.” I realized my expectations were exceeded by the Caps merely making the playoffs, and that it’d be unfair of me to expect any more. Though I thought the Caps might have a chance in this series if it were played overwhelmingly at five-on-five, boy howdy did that not happen. I said I had low expectations. I said I was grateful just to have more Caps hockey to watch. And yet I was miserable watching it.
I don’t like the idea of my preferred hockey team stumbling into the playoffs in an unlikely, Mr. Magoo-esque series of narrowly avoided disasters, only to see them get humiliated in a short series. I hate seeing my beloved players lose a step – and then a second and a third step –as they age. I miss offense – this team is truly bad on that half of the ice. And I don’t like Washington’s prospects for next season.
Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to square my responsibilities to write authentically and also to be not a total drip to read. I really do apologize. This is not my best work.
Lots more coming from RMNB, so don’t go anywhere. Big plans in the works, and lots more hockey to watch, including the Canes beating the Rags in five next round. Thanks for hanging out with me.
