Black Friday Stinker

Capitals 3, Rangers 6
Game Summary

AP

If you thought getting a face full of pepper spray on "Black Friday" because you thought you might miss out on a smoking hot deal was hard to swallow, how about a lackluster performance by the Capitals against the New York Rangers? Out-hustled, out-goaltended, out-witted, out-played, just about out everything as the Rangers embarrass the Capitals at home 6-3.

There were some silver lining to said embarrassment. John Carlson had a pretty good day with a goal and an assist. The Caps were down 3-1 when Carlson scored a scorcher on the power play beating Henrik Lundqvist's glove and hit the inside of the far post and in. Troy Brouwer also had a goal himself scoring off the Carlson point shot. Alex Ovechkin looked like the Ovi of old with a streak up the left side, used Dan Girardi as a screen, and smoked it over the shoulder of Lundqvist.

But the Caps played with fire allow the Rangers five power play chances and the Ranger built momentum off of the extra man opportunities. With a little hard work and some great forechecking ability, the Rangers were able to jump to a 3-0 lead in the second period. To that point, the Capitals didn't look half bad, playing solid in their zone and getting chances on turn overs in the neutral zone.

The PK has been better, but it did allow a goal at the worst time. Add some standing around in the defensive zone and the Caps just looked like they were chasing the play all game long. Stark contrast to the 4-3 winner against the Jets two nights before. The Caps' power play was able to convert one, and made the game a bit more competitive, but the Caps just got out-played with a late second period goal and a poorly covered transition game that put the Rangers up for good.

A few of the bright points were Joel Ward's tough work in the neutral zone. It led to a few chances early, but the lack of an elevator on Ward's shot made it almost too easy for Lundqvist who is so good down low. Dmitry Orlov had another solid game himself. Since being called up he has been a hitting machine and this evening was no different. Jason Chimera also played well despite the score.

Denis Wideman and Marcus Johansson both had tough outings in contrast. Both were a -3 and MoJo had 4 giveaways, one that lead directly to a goal, and Wideman was credited with 5 giveaways. Alex Semin was a bit of a enigma in this game. He did make a few good plays, but he took another hooking minor and went for the puck instead of taking his man on a back check that lead to the Brad Richards' goal. Another player that didn't seem to have the heart tonight was Cody Eakin who has the wheels, but I have yet to see them in action at this level yet.

The Capitals need to quickly put this one in the past as they travel up to Buffalo to face the Sabres tomorrow night. 

Caps Notes:

• The Caps continued taking the body registering 40 hits on the Rangers. Ovechkin had 8 hits himself including one that led to the Capitals first goal of the game. He took the body on Marion Gaborik allowing Nick Backtrom to pick up the loose puck and find Carlson in the high slot. Carlson's shot snuck through Lundqvist and Brouwer made the slam dunk.
• Zack Bogosian will not face any supplemental discipline for his hit on Cody Eakin. Although Eakin was hit in the head, Bogosian lead with the shoulder and didn't make any motion as if he was targeting the head. Playing for Winnipeg probably helps too. 
• Mathieu Perreault was the healthy scratch.