Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: New York Controlling Early Pace

That feeling on the left side of your neck? It's pain, because for 10 straight minutes of hockey at the start of Game 1 between the Rangers and Capitals, you've been looking to one side of your television screen.

The Rangers have spent just about the entire game in the Washington end of the ice thus far, and even a Mike Rupp penalty for goaltender interference couldn't keep them on defense long. Alex Semin gave Ryan Callahan a retaliatory slash just 27 seconds after the Rupp penalty, eliminating the Washington power play and any chance of a momentum shift. Callahan sold the call, but it's clear that he got in Semin's head a bit early in this series. Discipline, Alex. Discipline.

The Rangers are noticeably going after goalie Braden Holtby as well. Aside from Rupp's interference penalty, the Rangers have put plenty of bodies in and around Holtby's crease in the early going. The Capitals are attempting to put on a bit more offensive pressure, but so far, both teams seem settled in defensively.