They’re known for rocking the red, but tonight they’re trying to rock the bell. Cowbell, that is.
Capitals vs. Rangers Game 1 Update: New York scores first, tunes out cowbell
The Capitals controlled play for the first 10 minutes, but Henrik Lundqvist is Henrik Lundqvist.
To celebrate another year as Southeast Division champs and yet another playoff counter with the New York Rangers, the Washington Capitals gave out mini cowbells to fans.
Which, well, it isn’t exactly going over well with even some Caps fans:
Mini cowbells given to fans for Game 1 at Verizon Center will be the death of me. Pass the Advil.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 2, 2013
No telling whether the bells got to the Rangers’ heads, but they did take a too many men on the ice penalty just 34 seconds into the game.
The Capitals didn't convert on that early power play, but they did keep up the pressure, registering the first nine shots on goal. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all nine, because he's Henrik Lundqvist. It wasn't until the eighth minuted that the Rangers finally put one on Braden Holtby, who confirmed he was indeed still awake.
Play slogged down after that, with the teams exchanging just three shots each.
Until Jay Beagle took a dumb penalty for hitting John Moore on an icing play. Capitals coach Adam Oates was not happy:
Mad? Things were about to get worse.
Shortly after Beagle's penalty expired, he was still on the ice when Carl Hagelin got the first goal on a wraparound that went in off of John Erskine's skate. The Rangers headed into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
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