Blueshirts Drop Second in a Row as Caps Defeat Them 5-2

Photo: John Minchillo, AP

The Rangers conclude a lost weekend where they failed to pick up a single point out of a possible four. Their loss to the Caps on Sunday is the first time they have lost two consecutive games in regulation since they lost to the Islanders and Montreal. The Montreal game took place on January 29, so you can see how long ago that was.

It is not a good skid the Rangers are on right now. They have lost three out of their last four and although they were the first team to clinch a playoff spot, they are stuck on 101 points. They now find themselves only in first place in the Metropolitan Division, having lost the top spots in the East and the League this past week.

They played poorly today, despite having five power play opportunities, but not scoring on any. The first goal of the game by Alex Ovechkin should have been stopped by Cam Talbot. I understand that the “Great 8” has a blistering shot, BUT you cannot let him score to your short side like Talbot did. It was just a bad attempt at a save. In fact, Talbot played this game like he did when he first took over for the injured Henrik Lundqvist, and if he continues to play like this, I will be extremely nervous.

The Rangers could not get a thing going in the third period and the Caps dominated. I do not know if the Rangers are hitting a wall or just feeling the strain of a long season or just going through a phase; but whatever it is, they must put an end to it and very quickly.

They now go on the road and play the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday and the Wild in Minnesota before returning to the Garden on Saturday to face the Devils. Three games and a possible six points hang in the balance this week. The Rangers need to face each game as their playoff hopes are on the line. They need all six points this week and all six weeks are winnable. Let us see what happens.

Scoring:

WAS: Alex Ovechkin (48) Assisted by Joel Ward & John Carlson

NYR: Kevin Hayes (15) Unassisted

NYR: Derick Brassard (16) Assisted by Mats Zuccarello & Ryan McDonagh

WAS: Alex Ovechkin (49) (PPG) Assisted by Nicklas Backstrom & Matt Niskanen

WAS: Jason Chimare (6) Assisted by Eric Fehr & Brooks Laich

WAS: Jason Chimare (7) Assisted by Brooks Laich & Erich Fehr

WAS: Marcus Johansson (18) Assisted by Troy Brouwer & Brooks Orpick

Team Stats                              WAS                              NYR

Shots on Goal                         31                                  25

Power Play                              1 for 4                           0 for 5

Hits                                         25                                  18

Face Off Wins                        21                                  26

Giveaways                              4                                    8

Takeaways                             5                                    19

Blocked Shots                         11                                  12

Goalie Stats:

Braden Holtby: 23 Saves on 25 Shots for a SV% of .920

Cam Talbot: 26 Saves on 30 Shots for a SV% of .867

3 Stars of the Game:

3^rd Star: Braden Holtby: 23 Saves on 25 Shots for a SV% of .920

2^nd Star: Jason Chimare: 2 Goals

1^st Star: Alex Ovechkin: 2 Goals

Broadway Bits:

Kevin Hayes scored a goal, had three shots on goal and blocked two shots in 15:11 of ice time

Mats Zuccarello had an assist and posted a plus one rating in 20:05 of ice time

Ryan McDonagh had an assist, blocked two shots and had three takeaways in 20:08 of ice time

Dan Girardi had two hits while skating in his 644^th career game

Chris Summers had three hits and two shots on goal in 15:00 of ice time in his NY Rangers debut. Chris was brought up from the Hartford Wolf Pack to fill in for Matt Hunwick

Matt Hunwick joined Kevin Klein and Marty St. Louis as injured Rangers. Hunwick has an upper body injury and is listed as day to day.