Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Lundqvist And Neuvirth Keep It Scoreless After Two Periods

Henrik Lundqvist remains the biggest star so far, but the New York Rangers gained a little bit more momentum in the second period. They remain scoreless in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the Washington Capitals after two periods at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals started the second period killing off the last eight seconds of the Alexander Semin hooking penalty, which put the Rangers on the power play late in the first period. Washington was unable to get a shot off until six minutes into the period, but once they did, they were once again turned away by Henrik Lundqvist, and then some bad luck.

King Henrik had to come all the way across the crease to stop Mike Knuble, but made a great pad save. Nicklas Backstrom had a sure thing of a rebound, but whiffed on the chance. Alex Semin whiffed on a near break later in the second. Another example of just missing by the Capitals, to the point where one wonders if it’ll catch up on them.

Michal Neuvirth also had his moments in the second period. He made a big save right in front on Marian Gaborik with 12:01 remaining in the period. New York outshot Washington 5-2 in the first half of the period, after being controlled by the Capitals throughout the first frame.

Lundqvist continued to come up big through the rest of the period. He made a seemingly impossible save with the inside of his leg on a Backstrom break-away with less than four minutes to go in the second. Overall, the Capitals ended up out-shooting the Rangers 17-11 in the second period. The teams traded chances both ways with less than three minutes to go, with neither team either getting one on goal.