Round 2: New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Discussion Thread

**spuds1961** · 04-30-2015, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by RGM81 View Post

Well to win in 5 you gotta lose one, so they've got that out of the way...if you're right. LOL

I was going to say 5 no matter what as that is what they beat them in in 93/94, and we all know what happened after that.

**the_nange** · 05-02-2015, 01:44 PM

So, when will the refs who are supposedly tightening up on this game, penalize the after-whistle shenanigans of the Rangers?

**spuds1961** · 05-02-2015, 03:14 PM

3-2 win for the Rangers, too close for comfort but I'll take it. the nange I didn't see much going on after the whistle, I know you are anti-Ranger because they fired Tortorella but try seeing the games a little more objective.

**the_nange** · 05-02-2015, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by spuds1961 View Post

3-2 win for the Rangers, too close for comfort but I'll take it. the nange I didn't see much going on after the whistle, I know you are anti-Ranger because they fired Tortorella but try seeing the games a little more objective.

I enjoy how you think I'm anti-Rangers just because they fired Torts. Yet fail to highlight the fact that I still have a mediocre sized Ryan McDonagh PC and pick up all the Michael Sauer cards that I can (check the bucket for proof, it's all there). Of course, attack the person instead of the opinion via any crack you think you can find. You never saw me "cheering against" Vancouver or even the Lightning now btw.

As for post whistle antics: Ovi and Girardi shove each other after the whistle, no biggie. Kreider all of the sudden collars Ovi from behind. Fine, let it go once... Another whistle later, Ovi ends up wrestled to the bottom of the post whistle scrum. If Caps did this to Nash, Rangers would be crying for a penalty.

Never mind that I'm already not pointing out that Yandle embellished the high stick call late in the 3rd (which disrupted major Caps momentum). That Yandle call, I care less about. It's unfortunate, but it's a close call and human error. Other stuff, where its supposed to be a "tightly called game" - I don't buy. Also not questioning why Caps players were getting "cleared" from the front of the net by illegal crosschecks - because I saw from last series that they weren't going to be called.

This series is going to be tight, which is why I didn't bother guessing who's coming out on top. Caps penalty killing for more than a quarter of their first period hurt them big time. But when they returned to playing more full strength hockey, you could see how the two clubs were trading chances and it was a lot more exciting of a game in a way.

**spuds1961** · 05-02-2015, 05:19 PM

Okay I will go with what you are saying and just because you collect certain players doesn't mean you still aren't anti-Ranger so far everything I've read from you points that way, if I'm wrong forgive me, as far as the after the play penalties it can go both ways and for the second time in two games, one in the Canadiens series and today in this series the referees blew a blatant off sides call, it killed Montreal last night but it didn't come back to bite the Rangers today. I will also say Holtby ripping his mask off to get a play stoppage shouldn't have happened either, the replay clearly shows it.

**the_nange** · 05-02-2015, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by spuds1961 View Post

Okay I will go with what you are saying and just because you collect certain players doesn't mean you still aren't anti-Ranger

I'm anti-rangers so I'll collect their players and stare at their uniforms all the time. Oh brother.

as far as the after the play penalties it can go both ways

Sure, but if they're going to call a tight game, it can't only go one way. The first interference call was pretty soft, to the point the CBC guys were openly questioning it. If they're going to call softies like that, call them across the board - before and after whistles. Funnily enough, the only call that the Caps got was a similar call in the 3rd period so I guess in the ref's head , it's all balanced out.

and for the second time in two games, one in the Canadiens series and today in this series the referees blew a blatant off sides call, it killed Montreal last night but it didn't come back to bite the Rangers today.

Won't disagree with this, that was a mistake on their part. But then you see how many they missed which benefits the Rangers...including that second Caps penalty against Ward where replays showed Hagelin tripped on the net, and not Ward's skate... But that's human error, I don't care so much about those. Post whistle stuff annoyed me because it's pretty blatant and at more normal speed than game stuff.

I will also say Holtby ripping his mask off to get a play stoppage shouldn't have happened either, the replay clearly shows it.

If the mask is broken, it's broken. The strap was visibly loose on the 2nd stoppage. I don't know about the first, but he's within rights to drop it if I remember correctly if it's broken. If I remember correctly, Lundqvist does the same thing when he has a broken mask. He just doesn't have to do it very often because he breaks it more often after he heads the puck out of play.

To be very clear, the Rangers are a good team. However, I don't like it when things seem to be tilting a little too much to one side. Last series (Pittsburgh), I called Crosby (minus game 2) & Malkin invisible a few times - so it's not like I don't criticize their opponents either. I mean, if I had to criticize the Caps, I'd like to know what that Orpik hit was since it was pretty close to knee on knee (though I haven't seen a replay).

**spuds1961** · 05-02-2015, 05:47 PM

I agree there are calls that could have and should have been made but like I said in the last series against the Penguins they will do what they are getting away with, being that Washington is the more physical team they won't get away with as much as the Rangers, also remember the games were being played in New York, maybe in Washington the Capitals will get the marginal calls.

**RGM81** · 05-04-2015, 08:51 PM

Caps strike first tonight!

**spuds1961** · 05-04-2015, 09:12 PM

Would be nice to score a goal, Holtby is doing good but once again they are not getting second chance opportunities. 1-0 after 2, I'm hoping the Rangers can score a fast one to start the 3rd because the longer it takes the more they will have to take chances which will lead to a Washington goal.