There are a lot of New York Rangers takeaways from this matchup. However, let’s get into some specifics. In Adam Fox’s 300th NHL Game, the Rangers are shut out for the first time this season courtesy of the Capitals on a Saturday Night in DC. The Rangers, who are coming off arguably their worst performance this past Tuesday in Ottawa were hungry to get back into the win column. New York has been great playing after a loss. The Rangers are 6-0 in games after a defeat. Saturday was a different story, indeed.
Both teams are searching for much-needed wins in their first of four meetings of the season. For Washington, they fell short in their last three fixtures, 0-2-1 to be exact. New York’s hottest free agent signing Erik “The Gus Bus” Gustafsson returned to his old barn in Capital One Arena. This is also the first time that the Lindgren brothers, Ryan and Charlie, played against one another. It’s only fitting that Ryan earned the first shot on net tonight, trying to catch his older brother off-guard. It was hard to do thanks to Charlie’s stellar play between the pipes.
New York Rangers Takeaways
First Period Takeaway: An Early Start For Washington
The first Rangers takeaway is how the game started. After a four-goal drubbing last Tuesday, one would expect New York to come out swinging. Not to mention, they have been off since that dreaded defeat in Ottawa. Nevertheless, poor man-marking would lead to the home team finding the back of the net first.
Just 43 seconds in, Sonny Milano found himself open at the back post. All that was left was him and an open net. His fourth of the year provided an early lead for Washington.
Tallying 43 seconds in, not too shabby pic.twitter.com/6HJ7HTf7ka
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
It was not the ideal start for a team that has not played in four days. Yet, the amount of comeback wins tells you that New York can respond while coming from behind. Although Charlie Lindgren kept the Rangers off the board in the first twenty minutes, the away side looked destined for an equalizer.
Chances from the bromance of Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider were the main focus. Kreider was extra hungry tonight as he searched for his 500th career point. After the first frame, he patiently sits at a lingering 499.
The first period proved that Alexis Lafrenière plays with an unmatched drive. Apart from Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox, show me a Ranger that plays with more passion. This season, you cannot name another because the former first-overall pick is playing like a man on a mission. He only registered two shots on net, yet his effort made it look like ten.
Second Period Takeaway: An Early Start For Washington (Part Two)
Whatever was working for the Capitals in the first certainly carried over into the second. Washington continued their offensive onslaught, burying another three past Igor Shesterkin.
The Caps started cooking early once again, this time only a minute and forty-three seconds courtesy of Anthony Mantha. His deflection came in just one second after their man advantage, scoring his sixth of the year at even strength.
B-E-A-UTIFUL pic.twitter.com/4gd3llegm8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
Every person who covers New York Rangers hockey knows how poorly this team defends the odd-man rush. It might have been the writing on the wall, but Tom Wilson proved that by notching his ninth of the year on the 2-on-1. Wilson choreographed that entire play through his defensive awareness and his goal-scoring ability.
TOMMY SNIPE-SNIPE pic.twitter.com/DQxkqbrADg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
The bleeding would not stop just yet for New York thanks to Nicolas Aube-Kubel. His second of the season was a pretty one: an uncontested snapshot right in the slot. Shesterkin, once again, was just left out to dry. From a defensive standpoint, this is one that Peter Laviolette and his staff are going to want to forget about quickly.
The NAK Attack strikes pic.twitter.com/ddmn2RHk1f
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
Third Period Takeaway: Charlie Wins The First “Battle of The Lindgrens”
From the opening puck drop, Charlie Lindgren looked flawless. The Rangers were testing the lefty goalie, specifically his glove. His 31-save shutout will be one that he will remember forever. It will not be a surprise if he brings it up during Christmas dinner in Minneapolis in just a few weeks time.
The Rangers look to avoid a three-game losing streak tomorrow when they are back home against the Los Angeles Kings. Expect Jonathan Quick to start for New York, which would make it his first ever start against his former team. The Kings are victors in their last three (a win over the Islanders would make it four). Anze Kopitar continues to age like a Pinot Noir. The 36-year-old and two-time Stanley Cup winner leads his team with 24 points to his name. Keep an eye out for Trevor Moore who has an impressive 13 goals on the season.
Puck drop is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. from The World’s Most Famous Arena.
Main Photo: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
