A few weeks after the Rangers dismantled the Capitals at Madison Square Garden, 7-1, the Rangers and Capitals skate to a scoreless first period. Both teams have been playing sound defensive hockey and each goaltender has had to make few spectacular saves to keep their teams in the game.
Rangers Vs. Capitals: Teams Skate To Scoreless First Period
The Rangers and Capitals had a total of 12 shots on net with the Rangers leading in shots 7-5. For both teams, their backup goaltenders are playing well enough in this game. The Rangers have gone with Martin Biron after playing five games in seven nights and the Capitals have gone with Braden Holtby with both Varlamov and Neuvirth on the mend.
Both teams are showing their physical sides with each team having more hits than shots, with the Capitals leading 12-9. Washington’s John Erskine is leading the game with three hits while three Rangers players have two hits a piece.
Both teams have had one powerplay chance per team and neither been able to capitalize on it. The Rangers effectively killed the Capitals early powerplay by keeping them shotless while the Capitals stopped a few chances on the Rangers powerplay.
With such a defensive battle, it could very well come down to the first team to score might very well win the game.
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