The Capitals-Rangers’ season opener was supposed to be a physical slugfest. Instead, it was a systematic beatdown by the Capitals both on the ice and on the scoreboard.
Alex Ovechkin scored twice and tallied four points in the win. He’s now in sole possession of fifth place in goals. Hendrix Lapierre also scored his first NHL goal.
The game was aired nationally on TNT. Highlights are below and here is Peter’s recap.
In a few short hours, the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers will drop the puck on their new seasons. And maybe their gloves too.
Wednesday’s season-opening game is expected to be both “interesting” and a little violent after the two teams had two separate line brawls last season. The Rangers re-made their team over the offseason and added a lot of toughness, including Tom Wilson-problem-solver Ryan Reaves.
Pregame, the Rangers posted what appears to be a coded message for Wilson in a Twitter photo.
By Ian Oland 1 week ago
Future Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who retired over the offseason due to his heart condition, has a new gig. Lundqvist announced on Wednesday that he’s joining MSG Networks to be an analyst of the New York Rangers.
“For 15 years it was all about playing Rangers hockey, it’s now time to TALK Rangers hockey,” Lundqvist said. “Really happy to join @msgnetwork this season to discuss and stay connected to the game.”
Tonight is a huge game for the New York Rangers. With a playoff appearance an uphill battle, tonight’s game may be New York’s Stanley Cup this season.
The Rangers got remade over the offseason after the Capitals beat them up on the ice and on the scoreboard in two games in May 2021. The line brawl where Tom Wilson threw Artemi Panarin off his back and committed, in NYR’s words, a “horrifying act of violence”, broke the team’s back. Weeks later, the Rangers cleaned house among management and its coaching staff and acquired three tough guys. Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves, and Jarred Tinordi will all be in their lineup tonight.
The Rangers want to erase the bad memories from last season, but what if Capitals fans don’t let them?
Twitter user @Jason_Linn21 tweeted us this idea for tonight’s game: Capitals fans en masse blanket the NYR’s glass with Tom Wilson jerseys during warmups.
Tom Wilson will be in the spotlight again on Wednesday night.
The New York Rangers made a flurry of moves this offseason to address a supposed lack of physicality in their lineup. The time has come to see if those additions will be a net positive.
By Chris Cerullo 1 week ago
Vitek Vanecek will start his first career season opener against the New York Rangers, Wednesday night.
Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette announced the surprising news in his pregame press conference hours before puck drop.
By Chris Cerullo 1 week ago
Alex Ovechkin looked good Tuesday during his first time back on the ice and fully participated in the Capitals’ morning skate on Wednesday, taking rushes on his normal spot on the first line. Everything points to Ovechkin playing in tonight’s season opener against the New York Rangers, but the man himself (or should we say machine?) was less confident.
When asked if he was a game-time decision, Ovechkin told reporters, “Yeah, you can write that on the Twitter.”
By Ian Oland 1 week ago
Here’s what appears to be some absolutely great news.
Alex Ovechkin participated fully in Wednesday’s morning skate and it appears he will play against the New York Rangers in the Capitals’ season opener. Ovechkin, officially a game-time decision, took rushes on the first line along with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson.
By Ian Oland 1 week ago
Previewing the Washington Capitals 2021-22 season in the prevailing vocabulary of our time: vibes.
In this edition: The Capitals have a goalie problem, and it’s the exact same one they had last season.
By Peter Hassett 1 week ago
Previewing the Washington Capitals 2021-22 season in the prevailing vocabulary of our time: vibes.
In this edition: Tom Wilson as trending topic. Tom Wilson as a psyop.
By Peter Hassett 1 week ago
