An average shift in the NHL is usually anywhere between 45-60 seconds. So when Ryan McDonagh was out there for a three minute and four second marathon shift in overtime, I guess we can all understand why his clearing attempt was off the mark leading to a delay of game penalty that eventually cost the Rangers the game.

But now the question is, why the heck was he out there so long? Katie Carrera at the Washington Post breaks it down...

"McDonagh’s never-ending shift started with 4:05 gone in overtime and the Capitals’ top line pressing for a goal. The Capitals’ second line of Martin Erat, Mike Ribeiro and Brouwer extended the time in the offensive zone, forcing New York to ice the puck. A fresh third unit of Perreault, Chimera and Fehr took over, churning through another shift in the Rangers’ end until Lundqvist froze the puck.

When Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom and Johansson emerged from the bench for the faceoff, McDonagh, whom Rangers Coach John Tortorella matches against the opponent’s top line, remained on the ice. Washington’s stars executed another dominant shift with three shots on goal until McDonagh shot the puck over the glass on a clearing attempt."

John Tortorella did take a timeout after the Rangers iced the puck.

...listen, I get that there was a timeout thrown in there and Torts wants either or both McD or Girardi on the ice against Ovechkin. But sometimes when you're on the road you can't get the match-up you want and you have to trust the other players on your team to get the job done. You don't leave a guy on the ice for a three plus minute shift. You'd think Torts would have learned from burning his key players out in last year's playoffs. I guess not.

So how did McDonagh take his late game gaffe? Not very well as John Giannone reported on the MSG post game that he's never seen a player so upset or emotionally involved after a game and that McDonagh had to go to the trainers room to gain his composure before speaking to the media.

#NYR Emotions high in Rangers room after loss. Ryan McDonagh clearly very upset. Fighting back tears during interviews.

— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) May 4, 2013

Here's said interview...

The Capitals defeated the Rangers today by a score of 1-0 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. For a box score, click here.

Gonna point out a few  things before getting to the OT goal....

The start to the game was much, much better. The Rangers were able to sustain pressure in the offensive zone and nearly scored when Stralman rang one off the crossbar.

For whatever reason, perhaps the early start had something to do with it, the Rangers could never sustain pressure in the Caps' offensive zone. Only 24 shots on goal in 68 minutes. Washington dominated play for large swath's of today's game.

Update, 12:09 p.m.:

#NYR Dorsett on third line with former CBJ teammate Derick Brassard and Taylor Pyatt. Boyle centering Powe and Asham

— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) May 4, 2013

...talk about a pressure spot to make your Rangers debut.

Original Post:
The New York Rangers visit the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals match-up starting at 12:30 p.m. The Capitals lead the series 1-0. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: NBC; Radio: ESPN Radio (98.7 FM), XM 92

Live Stream (Don't click on ads in stream, may download virus):
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/184696/1/watch-washington-capitals-vs-new-york-rangers.html

Probable Lines:
Nash-Richards-Zuccarello
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Pyatt-Brassard-Dorsett
Powe-Boyle-Asham

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Stralman
Moore-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 0-1, 3.09 gaa, .900 sv%, 0 so.

Braden Holtby - 1-0, 1.00 gaa, .972 sv%, 0 so

Opponent Notes:
- Alex Ovechkin scored his Capital franchise-record 31st career playoff goal in Game 1.

Here's a couple of great Rangers meme's from the guys over at the New York Rangers Memes Facebook page to get you fired up for today's game. Not that you need them...

Dan Rosen at NHL.com feels that improved play through the middle of the ice will be important for the Rangers if they want to even up this series...

"The Capitals see the neutral zone as the most important area on the ice for their system. They want to apply pressure there to force turnovers. They even play a risky style to do it by pushing up their forwards and defensemen."

Ryan McDonagh agrees...

"One thing we talked about was we were able to get pucks into that neutral zone and we weren't strong enough on stick battles, loose pucks. We were reaching with one hand as opposed to skating and reaching with two hands. I think we got better as the game went on as far as winning battles there, but we want to try to start the game with a strong neutral zone."

...having a bigger, stronger line-up is likely what the Rangers need to maintain better puck possession as well as winning this loose puck battles in the neutral zone. Let's hope for appearances from Clowe and Dorsett today.

...conditioning is always a big part of a Tortorella team, so very interesting to hear Torts say at this time of year he doesn't care about a player returning from injury being in good shape. Wonder if this is Torts tipping his hand on whether the injured guys might be back in the line-up today.

Players looking forward to Game 2...

As an athlete, there are certain teams you just feel more comfortable playing against. And for the Capitals Jason Chimera that team is the New York Rangers.

According to Stephen Whyno at the Washington Times, Chimera's game winner that somehow slipped past Henrik Lundqvist last night was his sixth goal in just 13 playoff games against the Rangers. He has just two goals in his other 24 playoffs games.

And it's not just the amount of goals Chimera has had against the Blueshirts, it's how crushing they've been. Besides the one last night, how could Rangers fans ever forget this one from the 2011 playoffs that Marian Gaborik and Henrik Lundqvist still have nightmares about...

Here's Chimera on his comfort level against the Rangers...

Welcome sights all over practice today as Ryane Clowe skated with the team wearing a non-contact jersey for the first since suffering a likely concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes last week.

Here's the proof (via Rangers Instagram)...

Clowe says he's not ruling out a Game 2 return (via Bergen Record)...

“I guess it’s just kind of a progression here. I’m not going to rule out tomorrow. It’s tough to watch this time of year, the playoffs. It’s the time of year in hockey I look forward to the most, so it was hard to watch last night. But I’ll discuss it with the trainers and the proper people today and let them know how I felt out there. So we’ll see.”

...i'll believe it when I see it. Game 3 much more likely.

...Clowe's presence was greatly missed last night as the Rangers weren't able to match the Capitals physical play.

Meanwhile, Steve Zipay at Newsday says that Brian Boyle (right leg) practiced again and Derek Dorsett (broken clavicle) practiced in a contact jersey for the first time as a Ranger.

...I wouldn't be surprised to see both back in the line-up tomorrow afternoon, with Newbury and Kreider being the two likely out.

Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports that because last night was Mats Zuccarello's 69th NHL game in his first three years in the league he became an impending Group II restricted free agent rather than an impending Group VI unrestricted free agent.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement if he finished the year having played fewer than 69 NHL games he would have been an unrestricted free agent.

...i can't believe I'm saying this, but the Rangers need to make re-signing Zuccarello a priority this offseason. He has been everything and more since re-joining the team this season. He's given the Rangers a spark with his playmaking ability and physical prowess.

John Tortorella takes a lot of heat from the press for his demeanor during post game press conferences, but last night he should have gotten a medal for biting his lip (00:25 mark)...

To watch at NHL.com, click here.

....did that reporter seriously ask Torts if the Rangers strategy for Game 2 will be to have LESS traffic in front of Holtby? In the history of the NHL, has any team's strategy ever been to send as few players as possible to the net? Rangers fans have been screaming for more bodies in front of the net for years and now, after the Rangers finally do it, this yo-yo is asking if they'll stop.

...how does that guy get a press credential?

Before last night's game Tortorella set ground rules with the press (via Daily News)...