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)...

In Rick Nash's first playoff game as a Rangers and just the fifth of his career he fired 16 shots with eight of them making their way on goal, but, unfortunately for the player the Blueshirts signed to provide the offense they were lacking in last year's postseason, none of them found the back of the net. Nash has just one playoff goal in his career.

Here's Nash on his performance (via Puck Daddy)...

“I put pressure on myself every single night, and in the playoffs that ups even more. [I] gotta get the job done. Had a lot of chances tonight. Just couldn’t beat’em. Gotta be better.”

Nash had just one shot on goal in 4:46 of power play ice time which included almost a minute of 5-on-3 action.

...while Nash was noticeable the entire night and 16 shots taken is nothing to sneeze at, he was brought in to help the Rangers win a Stanley Cup by scoring goals in the playoffs and if he's not doing that he's not getting the job done.

...having said that, I liked that Nash was going to the net and looking to shoot. So if he continues with that game plan, I'm more than confident pucks will start going in for him. He's too good for them not to.

...the Capitals showed in Game 1 that they want to be physical with Nash and while he's tough enough to take the punishment, I'd like to see some of the Rangers tougher players (I'm looking at you Asham) going after Ovechkin and Backstrom to let them know if you're going to take liberties with our top guys we're going to give it right back to you. This is where the Rangers really miss Clowe. He could play a role very similar to Washington's Brouwer, who was hitting everything that moved.

Unfortunately, here's a sight we saw way too often last night from Nash...

The Rangers could have very easily won Game 1 if they took advantage of the numerous opportunities presented to them. Here they are...

Carl Hagelin misses short-handed breakaway in second period...

To watch at NHL.com, click here.

...ugh, don't want to say game over if Hagelin scores there, but Rangers would have had a strangle hold on the game.

Here's Adam Oates on the importance of that short-handed Holtby save (via Newsday)...

 "I thought the breakaway that Holts stopped on Hagelin was the big one, though. Penalties . . . we killed them well. Every little thing matters."

Coming up empty on second period 5-on-3...

...similar to the Hagelin missed shorty opportunity, this goal would have put the Capitals back on their heels. While the Rangers did have possession for almost all of the 5-on-3 the quality of shot that they generated just wasn't what it needed to be when you're two men up. Needed to be better in the faceoff circle during the power play as well.

Here's Henrik Lundqvist on the impact of coming up empty there (via New York Post)...

“It’s a big play in the game. It changed a lot. It really did.”

Hagelin hits crossbar in third period...

Bergen Record - Caps make Rangers pay for penalties in 3-1 Game 1 loss

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Marc Staal not ready yet

New York Post - Rangers open playoffs with a dud in D.C.

New York Post - Strong end to regular season bodes well for Rangers, Caps

New York Post - Hagelin ends scoring drought

Daily News - Rangers can't take advantage of power play, unravel against Capitals

New York Times - Just Like That, Rangers and Lundqvist Let Game Get Away

Newsday - Second period dooms Rangers in Game 1 loss

Newsday - Rangers leave Ovechkin alone, and pay for it

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

A defensive lapse and a fluky bounce proved to be the difference in the Washington Capitals' 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. For a full box score, click here. 

-- The talk leading into the game was about staying out of the box against a dangerous Capitals' power play. :34 seconds in and the Rangers take a mindless too many men penalty. Certainly got the message, didn't they?

-- 5 penalties is too many to take. Not just because of the opponent, but it disrupts the ability to get into a rhythm offensively. NYR never seized control of the game and were behind right from the get go.

-- I love Carl Hagelin and what he brings to the team, but a goal scorer he is not. He plays a top-six role but he's essentially a third-line winger. He got the best offensive chances and if the Rangers expect to win that can't happen because he shows more often than not the inability to finish.

-- The two biggest moments from the game: 1) Carl Hagelin's shorthanded breakaway in the 2nd period and 2) failing on the 5-on-3. Hagelin's may be more important because if converted NYR are up 2-0 and the Capitals are on their heels. But the focus is and will be on the power play (0-4) failing to come through when needed.

The New York Rangers visit the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals match-up starting at 7:30 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: ESPN Radio (98.7 FM), XM 212

Live Stream (Don't click on ads in stream, may download virus):
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/184389/1/watch-washington-capitals-vs-new-york-rangers.html

Probable Lines:
Nash-Richards-Zuccarello
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Pyatt-Brassard-Kreider
Powe-Newbury-Asham

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Stralman
Moore-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 24-16-3, 2.05 gaa, .926 sv%, 2 so.

Braden Holtby - 23-12-1, 2.58 gaa, .920 sv%, 4 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Capitals went 11-1-1 in the month of April.

Since we're all just sitting around counting the minutes until the Rangers faceoff against the Capitals in Game 1 at 7:30 p.m., why not be productive by voting for Ryan Callahan in the EA Sports NHL14 Cover Vote.

Here's a mock-up of what the cover might look like courtesy of Alex Castiglia...

To vote for Callahan, click here.

Or to double your vote...

...what's the name of the guy who scored that goal? I keep forgetting. lol

...not sure I can take 3OT tonight, but a win would be nice especially when Game 1 winner has gone on to win the series 68.4% (405-187) of the time in NHL history.

Also here's a pic of the playoff shirt/slogan the Rangers will be wearing this season...

Pat Leonard at the Daily News reports that despite skating hard today, Brian Boyle (right leg) and Marc Staal (eye) will likely not play in Game 1 in Washington tonight.

Staal told Katie Strang at ESPN.com that he doesn't want to second-guess himself in high stakes situation and compromise the team. While Boyle informed Strang he felt good and was hopeful to return this series.

...with Boyle seemingly practicing at full strength, I expect him to be ready to go on Saturday, but how the Rangers play tonight will likely decide whether he will re-enter the line-up or not.

...great decision by Staal. The last thing the Rangers need tonight is for Staal to find out after one shift he's not comfortable on the ice just yet and put the Rangers down one defenseman for the remainder of the game. Although, the Rangers played one defenseman down the entire series against the Caps last postseason, so who knows.

In other injury news, Leonard says that Ryane Clowe was doing some off ice work, while Derek Dorsett continues to skate in a non-contact jersey.

...at least Clowe is starting to workout. Probably won't be available until later in the series. Dorsett as well.