Capitals 2, Rangers 1 (OT)

A bad clearing attempt by the Rangers with about 1:30 left in overtime led to a rocket of a shot by Alexander Semin, and the Capitals took Game 1 at Verizon Center.

What was disheartening was that it felt like the Rangers should have won this game, as both of the Capitals’ goals were scored after capitalizing on mistakes. But, the fact that the Rangers kept it this close was encouraging, and if they work on a few things now that they know the type of game the Capitals will play, they have a shot.

Three up

Alex Semin —” the Capitals’ overtime hero missed having a permanent spot on three down. Before tonight, he hadn’t scored a goal in the past 14 playoff games.

Rangers’ shot-blockers — the Capitals were actually credited with more blocked shots (32) to the Rangers’ 28, but the Rangers were flying and diving to get those shots. Chris Drury and Dan Girardi at one point were pain but shook it off.

Henrik Lundqvist — made some phenomenal saves to keep the Rangers in it, but still has to absolutely steal a game for the Rangers.

Three down

Marc Staal/Dan Girardi — hate to call out the Rangers’ top pairing. But, it was their collision that led to the Capitals first goal. Then, it was Staal’s bad clearing attempt in overtime that led to Jason Arnott jumped on, leading to Semin’s goal.

Rangers in the second period — what was that? It was like the Rangers were asleep. It was a wonder the Capitals didn’t score a goal or two in the second.

Capitals crowd — The Verizon Center was rocking the red, but I don’t know if it’s my television or the station that was broadcasting the game, but it didn’t feel like a playoff atmosphere. If I didn’t know it was a playoff game, I probably would’ve thought it was some regular-season game. The crowd for the Penguins-Lightning and Red Wings-Coyotes gave me chills through the television screen.

Islanders 6, Rangers 2

Tune of the game:

On one hand, I’m saying what the hell is going on? On the other hand, the result isn’t surprising when you consider the Rangers’ play as of late. Leave it to them to collectively not show up to the Island when they’re fighting for their playoff lives.

Was there a bright spot to this game? Other than the fact that it eventually ended?

The Rangers were saying all the right things prior to the game, how the Islanders’ mission would be to play spoiler. And the Rangers made sure their opponent did. They were outplayed, outhustled, out-everything-ed. They had six power plays — six straight power plays — and managed just six shots on goal.

There are no excuses. I felt that they were a lot more hungry than we were. I am very disappointed.

Sabres 1, Rangers 0

Tune of the game:

Well, that was pretty crappy. And not how I, or anyone else for that matter, imagined the game would play out.

The Buffalo Sabres, specifically goaltender Jhonas Enroth, came out like they wanted the two points, the 1-0 shutout tonight at HSBC Arena. Enroth set aside all 23 shots for his first career shutout in a surprise relief of Ryan Miller. A 1-0 shutout with Miller in net would not have been terribly surprising. But Enroth? Who is 22? Who hasn’t even played a dozen games in the NHL?

I read a disturbing Tweet from Adam Proteau the other day:

How to beat the New York Rangers: Hold them to 2 or fewer goals in the game; they’re 11-25-2 this year when they score 2 or fewer.

Now add another one to the loss column. That stat is a little disturbing, since the playoffs are all about shutting teams down, of grinding out wins, of needing to win close games, and the Rangers’ inability to do that doesn’t sit well.

With the win, the Sabres have moved to a 7th place tie with the Rangers, with the Rangers occupying the final playoff spot, with the Carolina Hurricanes right at their heels.

The Rangers have no time to dwell on the loss, however, as they’re right back in action tomorrow against the New York Islanders. With five games left in the season, the Rangers play three teams that will miss the playoffs (Islanders, Thrashers, Devils). They can’t take any of those teams lightly because there’s no room for error.

I’m also seriously disturbed with all these freak accidents happening to Henrik Lundqvist. It looked like he got hit in the knee by the by the puck, the area that isn’t protected by any padding. I wouldn’t be surprised if the knee stiffens up overnight, and it’ll be interesting to see if Lundqvist makes the back-to-back start.

Whenever Henrik Lundqvist pitches a shutout, one of his teammates become the beneficiary of a nice bottle of wine, courtesy of the Rangers’ All-Star netminder.

Following the Rangers’ 1-0 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden, he’s on his way to buy his 11th wine of the season. Thanks to the team’s tremendous defensive effort, we’re guessing it may go to one of the defensemen.

Consider: Brian Boyle’s five official blocked shots in 18:14 or Dan Girardi with four blocked shots and four hits in 26:24 or rookie Ryan McDonagh with four blocked shots in 19:00.

Whomever the fortunate teammate may turn out to be, you can’t go wrong with anyone. As a team, the Rangers blocked 29 shots, a monster of a number compared to the Bruins, who were credited with four blocked shots. It’s also a bit of an ironic number, as Lundqvist made 26 saves.

I’m going to have to keep buying wine, I guess. Our game plan really doesn’t change. It all starts with blocking shots.

With the win, Lundqvist now has 11 shutouts (also a career high), moving three ahead of the next guy in line, Boston’s Tim Thomas, who played backup duties Saturday. Lundqvist also is in the top five in goals-against average and save percentage. He’s the whole package for the Rangers, and that should give him serious consideration for the Vezina, awarded to the league’s top goaltender, along with Thomas and Roberto Luongo, from the Vancouver Canucks.

The game did not come without a scare, however, as Lundqvist re-aggravated his neck when Patrice Bergeron ran into him.

I got hit in the same exact spot, so my neck is more sore now. It is very tight and sore, but it is what it is.

Thankfully, the Rangers’ next game is Wednesday, hopefully giving Lundqvist a day to completely rest up.

The Rangers now have moved into a sixth-place tie in the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Rangers are at a crossroads with Henrik Lundqvist.

The Rangers goalie injured his neck two games ago when Benoit Pouliot ran into/over him. The trainers tended to Lundqvist for a while before he was declared fit to play. He finished the game OK.

Players not only have a lot of pride, but they also are tough. And someone like Lundqvist, who doesn’t like when he’s scratched to get a night off and would play the full 82-game season if he could, isn’t going to tell the coaches he’s not healthy enough to play.

And yes, the Rangers won 5-2 Sunday, and Lundqvist made 38 games, but I’m increasingly growing worried about his health and what it’ll mean for the long term.

On one hand, the Rangers can’t afford to lose the points. They’re in 7th place, just three points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres, who have one game at hand.

On the other hand, I have to believe that the Rangers will make the playoffs and therefore, I would’ve taken the risk of possibly losing the game and resting Lundqvist because it’s not a guarantee the Rangers, who are already on a winning streak, would’ve lost. Is it more important to have Lundqvist healthy in the playoffs or have an injured Lundqvist play a regular-season game?

If, at the end of the season, the Rangers again don’t make the postseason by a point, I might have to eat my words, but I’m willing to take that risk.

Lundqvist is far too important to this team not only because he’s a solid goaltender but because the third-string goalie is the backup right now, and I think I have more faith in say, Michael Del Zotto being the goalie right now than him (not really. Just trying to make a point.)

Lundqvist has already started in 17 games straight games. If John Tortorella had planned on giving Lundqvist a night off, the opportunity passed.

The Rangers scored four unanswered goals in the first period and went on to win Friday night, 6-3, over the Montreal Canadiens.

But the biggest story of the game was the scare that Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist got when he was run over by Benoit Pouliot near the end of the game. Lundqvist fell back into his net — hard — and his head snapped back. Pouliot went off for two minutes for goalie interference. While Lundqvist did finish the rest of the game, he did admit after the game that his neck gradually became more stiff.

My head was leaning forward and I took a pretty hard hit there. But we checked everything, X-rays were good, it’s just that my neck is very stiff and sore. We’ll see how it is when I wake up tomorrow, but I’m sure it will be sore for several days.

It was a damper of an ending to an otherwise spirited game, which began with a lengthy bout between Brandon Prust and Travis Moen at the drop of the puck, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Artem Anisimov opened the scoring, the first of five goals in the first. Montreal was able to the deficit to 5-3, but Vinny Prospal’s power-play goal added the extra cushion.

With the win, the Rangers narrowed the gap in the standings, now five points back of Montreal. Here’s how the standings look after all the games:

The Rangers travel to Pittsburgh for their next game, with face off set for 12:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh, for NBC’s Game of the Week.

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist can soon add “restaurateur” to his impressive resume. It’s expected that Tiny’s will open some time this week at 135 W. Broadway St.

A Swedish television station took a tour of the restaurant not too long ago, but while the video won’t play anymore, thanks to a Henrik Lundqvist blog for translating some quotes:

It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a local restaurant/bar — nothing special — with good food and good atmosphere. I think the the favorite room is gonna be in the back with an open stove. The menu is not gonna have anything complicated. The hamburger has to taste good, since I’m a hamburger person! There’s gonna be meatballs and soups. I don’t spend too much time on this, just about one day a week. It’s just for fun with a couple of friends. It’s not like I’m gonna make money on it. It’s too much of a risky business.

DNAInfo out of Manhattan reported that construction and opening had been delayed because it took more time and money than Lundqvist, teammate Sean Avery and their restaurant partner had anticipated. The three-story building was completely remodeled due to the poor condition of the original building, which used to be a Vietnamese restaurant.

According to a preliminary menu, the restaurant will serve light, modern American food with Italian influences, including a Tiny’s Burger with pickled beets, a fried egg and blue cheese, and Long Island Blackfish with celery root puree, sunchokes, new potatoes and carrots.

What’s most interesting is that Lundqvist isn’t expecting to make any money, so it’s more of a hobby for him, because he’s right, it is a risky business, and it’s probably more fun for him to be involved in the restaurant business without having to sweat over the finances.

It’s also interesting that he paired up with Avery in this venture. Avery already owns Warren 77, also in the Tribeca neighborhood in Lower Manhattan where Tiny’s is located.

Getting into the restaurant business isn’t all that new for hockey players. Chris Chelios has three Cheli’s Chili locations in the Detroit area, Wayne Gretzky’s Wayne Gretzky’s is in Toronto to name a few.

If anyone happens to stop by Tiny’s, please let us know!