It’s all coming up Rangers. New York defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. A historic matchup consisting of the team with the lowest goal differential in the playoffs since the 90’s, and the team that won the President’s Trophy setting franchise records, delivered some key moments that will make Game 2 one to keep an eye on.
Matt Rempe Kicks Off The Scoring in Game 1
Although the first period involved some penalties and power plays for both teams, it was mostly quiet after 20 minutes. Both the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals were testing the waters for how this series was going to play out, and the rookies were warming up to the playoff atmosphere.
One of those rookies was Matt Rempe, and he seemed to be all warmed up by the time the second period began. He scored the first goal of the game at 4:17, assisted by fellow linemates Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow. This was Rempe’s first NHL playoff goal, and he and Rangers fans alike couldn’t have been more hyped.
Matt Rempe (or the Rempire State Building as Rangers fans like to call him) was on everyone’s minds as soon as it was announced that the Rangers would be facing off against the Capitals, a notoriously scrappy and physical team. Everyone was wondering if Rempe dropping the gloves was in the cards for Game 1, however, there was nothing more than the occasional post-whistle scrum during the game.
A Score-Filled Second Period
After the Rempe goal early on in the second period put the Rangers on the board, the goals kept on coming. Artemi Panarin, a player of MVP caliber who everyone was looking forward to showing up in the playoffs, lit the lamp during the same minute of Rempe’s goal with a wrist shot, making the score 2-0 favoring the Rangers. It didn’t stay that way for long when fourth-liner Jimmy Vesey scored at 6:23 to make it 3-0.
The play that led to Panarin’s goal included an injury to Capitals defenseman Vincent Iorio caused by a hit laid on by Alexis Lafreniere where he knocked him off the puck and into the boards. Iorio did not return to the game.
The Capitals responded a minute later with Martin Feverhary scoring at 7:21, putting Washington on the board for the first time in Game 1 of their playoff season. Feverhary shot the pass from Tom Wilson, another player that fans have been looking forward to seeing in this matchup. Feverhary’s goal, however, ended up being Washington’s only goal of the game.
The third period saw a single goal,—a breakaway goal— scored by Chris Kreider of the Rangers at 16:17, sealing that final score of 4-1, and the Rangers’ victory in Game 1.
O’s for Ovechkin
The Washington Capitals were struggling to get shots on the net throughout the entirety of Game 1, but especially throughout the third period. Their first shot on goal did not occur until there were seven minutes and 44 seconds left in the game. The Caps only had six shots throughout the entire third. Additionally, none of the shots in the entire game came from their star forward Alexander Ovechkin.
To put it into perspective, he only had five games without a shot on goal in the 79 games he played this season.
Shutting down the Capitals’ biggest star shows the Rangers’ effort to slow down any kind of momentum that the Caps picked up throughout the game, yet Washington must power through New York’s constant challenges if they want to survive this series.
Charlie Lindgren’s Playoff Debut
Washington goaltender Charlie Lindgren made his NHL playoff debut in Sunday’s Game 1, and he delivered what was expected of him. Lindgren made 27 saves on the New York Rangers, robbing them of some dangerous chances throughout the game. He has proven to be a huge asset to this Capitals team, playing at a very similar caliber as Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
He is the older brother of Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren. The brothers have stated that they are not to speak to each other until this playoff series is over, since their minds must be locked in on winning the games for their respective teams.
Looking Forward
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals will meet again for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Round 1 playoff series on Tuesday, April 23 at Madison Square Garden. The game will be streaming nationally on ESPN and locally on MSG Network and Monumental Sports Network.
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About the Author
River Caraballo (she/they) is a hockey writer for Total Apex Sports. She is a big fan of the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, despite being based in Connecticut. They are the host of a weekly podcast and radio show, Round the Rink, where they talk hockey from the NHL to the PWHL and college hockey. You can follow River on Twitter/X to keep up with her sports content.
