We won Game 3 three at MSG. We are down 2-1 in this first playoff series. Those are just facts. It is a competitive series again. We played tight, playoff hockey and the skill manifest in our young core of players was evident. Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom and Laich played very well last night. Our best player was our goaltender. He is 20 years old. I think our future continues to look bright as Varlamov was very steady and mature and athletic in goal last night posting a shutout in the playoffs. He is the youngest goalie in NHL history to ever do that at MSG now. Click here for Dan Daly’s article on the game last night. As a reminder, we got the first round pick in the draft to take Varlamov in the Witt trade from Nashville. Witt then signed with the Islanders as a free agent after that season. These are the kinds of trades for vets at the deadline that always concern me and why we don’t like to trade away young assets or picks at the trade deadline.
I thought we played the way we needed to play last night. While aggressive, we weren’t focused on hits for the sake of hitting. We were more focused on scoring and playing tight, frustrating defense. Our penalty kill was very effective and we buried our chances scoring 4 goals. We are a bigger and faster team and if we control the pace of play, we are difficult to shut down for long periods of time. I think our goaltender’s stats are now better than their goaltender’s stats too. Who would have thought that was possible?
We play again on Wednesday night at MSG and we know we come back to DC for a Game 5 too. As I have noted, it is paramount for us to win all of the little battles and focus on all of the little details. We need to take one step at a time to get back into the series. One small step for man…
My experience at MSG was quite interesting. We were situated in a suite on the 10th floor. MSG suites are NOT plush like Verizon Center suites and they are built at the highest parts of the building. The in game experience is also not similar to a Caps game. I think we program our games with more care. I was surprised that with 7 minutes left in the game and we were up 3-0, MSG emptied out. There were less than 10K fans left in the building. The building gets very quiet when the Rangers are down but WOW was the building loud when the game started! The cheering and the singing and clapping during the singing of the National Anthem brought out goose bumps for me.
I also would like to thank the staff at MSG for being really terrific hosts. I mean it. The people in NYC were very hospitable and gracious and classy to us. It was noted and very much appreciated. Thank you.
We get to chill for a few hours and we get to bear back down on Wednesday. Thanks for the positive vibes I received via 107 emails and Facebook postings yesterday. Go Caps!
Tags: Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL Playoffs, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washington Capitals
A suite on the 10th floor? Wow, what’s a suite if it isn’t comfortable and luxurious? Ted, I guess you have us spoiled at the Verizon Center and I really appreciate that!
Good luck on Game 4. I can’t wait til the Caps come back home for Game 5.
Make TODAY Your Greatest!
Lonnie Robinson
Go Caps! They played one of the best games i have seen in a long time…Solid net minding and solid in front of him too…We need this again in Game 4…if we win game 4, this will go a long way to ending the first round…FYI..I have 3 boys 12,10,7..we went to a Caps practice over Christmas break this past year..now they got hooked on Caps hockey AND even started playing house league here in Ashburn! I’ll let you know when they are ready for the entry draft
We tried to go to a game this year but could never get 4 seats together (that I could afford at least)…all lower level more expensive seats..But enjoyed all the games on TV…Go Caps!
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Glad we won - I had the very unfortunate circumstance of being on the west coast on a business trip and found out near game time my hotel didn’t have versus….so I had to drive to a local “Hooters” to watch the game. It was “win-win” for sure!
Congrats! I love this TEAM. Kudos to GMGM for not trading Big V, and other rookies for a D man at the deadline.
Everything happens for a reason.
With the young talent and depth in the system, I believe we are at least 2 years away from peaking. Backstrom and Varlamov in Round 1 of 2006 Entry Draft, then Neuvirth, Bouchard, Seabrook, Osala and Perrault in later rounds of same draft. Wow. 2008 might have a chance of being as good with Gustafsson, Carlson, Kugryshev, Holtby, Broda, Mestery and Della Rovere. Keep feeding GMGM those draft picks!!
Ted,
It was great to see the Caps play the way they are capable of. All the complainers need to remember this is still a very young team! What a bright future we have in the net with Varly, and I was glad to see at the end of the game when Avery the “cheap shot artist” hit him in the mask, he just stared straight ahead and ignored him.
Let’s win tomorrow and come home 2-2!
“Let’s go Caps”!
Ted, well said, they have outplayed the Rangers in my opinion the whole series. It is about time they cracked the Rangers and to do it at MSG is outstanding. Now lets hope they can carry it on and take the series. GO CAPS!!
Ted - just fyi on the building emptying out - it is a symptom of the game itself and the fanbase and the timing. The Rangers have come back from three goal leads just twice - once against the Devils in a bad 8-5 loss and once in the Victoria Cup against Metallurgh back in preseason. We could tell that there was no miracle comeback in the team last night, not when they played such half-hearted offense with such heavy-handed officiating (don’t take that the wrong way, there is no way we are scoring a power play goal either). Also, a good portion of the fanbase is from Long Island and with the commute, people were bolting to the Long Island Rail Road to get the kids home. I stick it out to the final buzzer and beyond, and I see it happen every game.
Hi Ted!
The day you drafted Nicklas Bäckström you got a supporter from his hometown Gavle in Sweden in me, I started to follow the team and the rebuild you and the managment have done is superb.. I was impressed by last night and I hope Capitals can do another great game on Wednesday..
Rock the Red!
Ted:
John Erskine has been one of the teams best players of late. He did a good job of looking out for Varly in game 3. Lumberjack really deserves some credit for stepping up his game. On to game 4.
“One small step for man…”
Ovechkin is not man…he is machine!
Teddy I am being repetitive but… POUND them with shots on goal, always think REBOUND, and it has to be a TEAM effort. Rock the red. P.S. stay out of the box. LETS GO CAPS!!!
@doughless
Erskine has played very consistently in this series. Grit, toughness, self-control, and very few mistakes.
Ted,
I was just commenting the other day to a fellow hockey dad that MSG, Nassau Coliseum, Rexall Place, and the Saddledome are the last old arenas in the NHL (maybe you can count the Joe in Detroit). I remember the old sky suites and lodges in the Capital Centre - way up at the top on all sides. Too far away from the action for the premium dollar spent on these spots. Just purchased club seating season tickets for next year and will be at every playoff game. Future is bright …
P.S. I told you at the VIP Season Ticket holders event that I would be purchasing. Glad to be on board in this new fan capacity.