Physical play sets tone in Game 1 vs. Rangers
Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin saw his opportunity and pounced.
Just as the puck slid onto the stick of Brandon Dubinsky early in the first period of Wednesday’s Stanley Cup playoff game, Ovechkin charged from almost a complete standstill and leveled the New York Rangers forward.
Dubinsky crumpled into the boards in front of his own bench. The hit drew a roar from the capacity crowd at Verizon Center just 8:40 into the best-of-seven series and sent an instant message to the Rangers, who had led the NHL in hits this season.
| GAME 2 |
| Rangers at Capitals |
| When » Friday, 7:30 p.m. |
| Where » Verizon Center |
| TV/Radio » CSN/106.7 FM |
| Ratings for Game 1 |
| Comcast SportsNet posted a 6.18 average rating in the D.C. area for the Capitals’ Game 1 win over the Rangers, equating to approximately 145,000 households. How does that compare to other sporting events in the District? When Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg debuted last summer, the game earned a 7.1 rating — meaning around 165,000 tuned in for the historic pitching performance. However, the Caps’ Game 7 last season against Montreal drew an 8.1 rating — which is the highest all time for the team. But the Redskins, who draw ratings in the high 20s, remain the kings of area sports. – Jim Williams |
“[Ovechkin’s] got a pretty unique set of skills out there. He has good hands and can score, but he’s a bull,” Washington defenseman Karl Alzner said. “A lot of times you don’t see your top guys doing that. So not only does it pump us up, but it pumps the fans up. And if the other team’s shutdown defense or shutdown line knows it’s coming, it’ll maybe make them think twice a little bit.”
Within minutes Caps forward Jason Arnott and defenseman John Erskine had delivered big hits of their own in the defensive zone. New York doesn’t have many shrinking violets on its roster. But such physical play is as much about wearing out the opposition as intimidating it.
“It’s always important to have a physical game, especially in the beginning of a game,” Ovechkin said. “You set the tone, and the guys see you did it.”
Washington set the tone in Game 1 with more hits, shots, blocks and — eventually — goals than New York. But while they may have controlled play for long stretches, the Caps still found themselves down 1-0 late in regulation and needed an Alexander Semin overtime goal to win. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was also as good as advertised with 31 saves before his team appeared to wilt in front of him in the extra period. Coincidence? And can that level of physicality continue?
“Look around the league [Wednesday] night and look at the hits,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I think Vancouver had 47. Pittsburgh had [35]. Tampa had [44]. You don’t see these things during the regular season. But in the playoffs you see it. If this was a Game 6 in the third series, would you still have that many hits? I don’t know. The guys might be a little sore and fatigued by that time.”
