{"id":435635,"date":"2023-12-27T22:16:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T03:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=435635"},"modified":"2023-12-27T22:16:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T03:16:07","slug":"rangers-turn-the-caps-into-lowercase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/27\/rangers-turn-the-caps-into-lowercase\/","title":{"rendered":"The New York Rangers Turn the Caps Into Lowercase in Win Over the Washington Capitals"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the conclusion of the Christmas Break, the New York Rangers turn the Caps into lowercase in a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals<\/a>. Away are the days of tidings of comfort and joy with the hunt for a playoff spot on the horizon. On the back of their overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>, New York welcomed a division foe for a midweek tilt.<\/p>\n

The last time these two teams met, it embodied a one-sided affair. The Capitals skated circles around New York, defeating the Rangers 4-0 on December 9th. A 31-save performance from Charlie Lindgren<\/a> was the result of one of the few lacklustre showings for The Blueshirts. Thankfully, the poor performances are few and far between. Throughout the season, New York has proved once and for all that they can hang around with the \u201cBig Boys\u201d of the NHL. Arguably, they could listed as one of the \u201cBig Boys\u201d themselves. Could New York keep their winning ways before the Floridian Road Trip?<\/p>\n

First Period Takeaway: A Reassessment Well Worth It<\/h1>\n

The first 20 minutes called for a chess match between the two divisional opponents. Both teams traded a fair amount of chances. Goaltenders Igor Shesterkin<\/a> and Darcy Kuemper<\/a> stood strong in their respective creases, not allowing anything past them in the opening frame. Each of the respective teams’ head coaches Peter Laviolette<\/a> and Spencer Carbery presented a more cautious brand of hockey. There were not many scoring chances, but both teams showed promise. This trend could not last the entire game, right?<\/p>\n

Second Period Takeaway: NY Rangers or Rangers FC?<\/h2>\n

Whenever the Rangers complete a scoreless first, the goals typically follow no matter who it is. In Wednesday\u2019s case, the visitors started the scoring. Anthony Mantha<\/a> got Washington on the board with his 11th of the season. He scored on a play you do not see beating Shesterkin often: a shot on the left side, beating him high glove.<\/p>\n

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Anthony Mantha, so hot right now pic.twitter.com\/nk1sncyRs8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 28, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n