Rangers Surive first period, 0-0

(Note: Captain Chris Drury is out for game one with undisclosed injuries. He was a game time decision, and they decided he couldn't go. Voros takes his spot.)This is going to be a very TENSE series. (Lot of big hitting in the first period, including the one pictured by Bradley on Mara, I thought he hit him with an elbow upstairs, refs missed it) 30 seconds in the rangers take a penalty (very tick tack call, hate to see that from refs in a playoff game). Betts broke his stick on the kill, giving the caps almost 90 seconds of 5 on 3 hockey, but the rangers penalty kill was up to the task. Specifically Hank looks very sharp. he was reacting quickly, had a couple of tough deflections that he handled perfectly.

The rangers were back on their heels most of the first ten minutes as they had two penalties called on them, both of which they killed. The capitals were pushing hard, and the rangers for the most part were up to the task. It is clear they are being less agressive than before, the rangers had 4 or 5 guys back helping infront of the net most of the period. This limited the great chances for the capitals, but they still got FOURTEEN shots.

With Drury out, Gomez has to step up. He had a nice period skating, we really need him to create some offense because for the most part the rangers had little to no pressure in the first period. About 12 minutes in, the Rangers only had ONE shot on goal, as callahan fired a shot through a screen and hit the post, inches away from giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

It's going to be that sort of series. The rangers are going to be outshot, but have to take advantage of EVERY chance they get.

In the first period, Ovechkin was a beast. 6 shots on goal, 6 hits. He was everywhere, including ABUSING Roszival on a rush to the net. Rozsival still playing the puck, and not the man. I wonder how many years in the NHL it is going to take him to learn to not do that. Ovechkin broke in one on one against Hank and Hank saved a tough shot.

For the Rangers, Marc Staal played fantastic in the first period. He played the body on ovechkin all period, he kept him out of the center of the ice, he was in great position. The problem is, staal isn't nearly as conditioned as Ovechkin, and the caps double shift Ovechkin all the time. When Ovechkin pulls the double, he then faces Rozsival, and that is a NIGHTMARE matchup for the rangers. Rozsival is too slow, and too soft to play Ovechkin.

Rangers need to create some offense, get the play out of their zone in the second period.