I'm always going to feel confident about the Rangers winning no matter what, but after seeing the Capitals more concerned about a phantom slew foot than getting ready for a Game 7, I'm feeling better than ever.

Washington's Mike Green took an embarrassingly undisciplined penalty in the third period when he cross checked Derek Dorsett in the mouth after he thought the Rangers agitator kicked out his skates from behind. Unfortunately for Green and the Capitals, the referee saw what everyone else did—Dorsett lost his balance and both his legs kicked up as the players crashed into the boards...

Apparently, the Capitals players didn't see the above video, especially at the 1:22 mark showing there was absolutely no attempt at a slew foot before making these statements...

Braden Holtby (via Washington Post)...

The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals 1-0. For a box score, click here.

Breathe.... being a Ranger fan should come with free ventilators.

Brassard continues to be the Rangers best player on the ice not named Henrik Lundqvist. Not only is he living up to his high draft status, but is also making Sather and his infamous trades look pretty good as well. 2-5-7 this series.

On the flip side of the coin, Nash (1 shot) continues to struggle. His wrist has to be hurting as he continues to favor his backhand when the puck manages to find his stick. Can't think of another valid reason for his absence from the scoresheet.

The New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden for Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals match-up starting at 4:30 p.m. The Capitals lead the series 3-2. 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/186368/1/watch-washington-capitals-vs-new-york-rangers.html

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

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Stralman
Eminger-Moore

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 2-3, 2.28 gaa, .927 sv%, 0 so.

Braden Holtby - 3-2, 1.91 gaa, .933 sv%, 1 so

Opponent Notes:
- Mathieu Perreault (1g, 3a), Mike Green (2g, 2a) and Joel Ward (1g, 3a) lead the Capitals in points with four.

In their first round match-up against the Senators last season, the Rangers similarly found themselves down 3-2 heading into a crucial Game 6 and this is what they did...

...if the Rangers could force a Game 7 on the road last season, I have full confidence they can do it at home this season.

...and who was that scoring the Rangers game winner in that elimination game? Could it be one Chris Kreider? Interesting.

...btw, I still can't believe they counted that Neil goal in the final minute. Awful.

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The home team has won all 5 games in Caps-Rangers series, but also the team that scores a PPG also has won all 5 games.

— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) May 11, 2013

#NYR have lost 10 of their last 12 playoff OT games dating to May 4, 2007---only 2 wins last spring vs. Caps

— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) May 11, 2013

...and here we are breaking down every piece of minutia trying to figure out what the Rangers need to do to win tonight and it's as easy as scoring a power play goal at home and not going into overtime. Who knew?

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To watch at NHL.com, click here.

...i love hearing Torts say he plans on using more of his line-up in Game 6, but excuse me if I don't believe him for one second. One bad shift by Kreider and he'll be stapled to the bench faster than a teenage boy losing his virginity.

Here's the players...

During today's brief practice, Chris Kreider was the first guy on the ice and and the last off as he did skating and shooting drills on his own, likely preparing himself to re-enter the Rangers line-up in Game 6 tomorrow for the injured Ryane Clowe, who did not practice today along with Darroll Powe (concussion).

Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record notes that John Tortorella said the coaching staff would pick the “best player we can” and that Clow'e replacement wouldn’t necessarily have to be a player with a similar rugged style.

...with the Rangers in desperate need of offense I can't see how Torts doesn't turn to Kreider. Now, if Torts sticks him on the fourth line and only gives him fives minutes it really doesn't matter who he puts in. But I'd love to see the Rangers head coach get him on a line with Brassard and Nash and see what happens. That's a whole lot of offensive talent on a team screaming for some goals.

Meanwhile, Marc Staal practiced with the team today, but said nothing has changed with his status and that he wishes it would be different but its not.

Not only has Rick Nash failed to produce goals in his first playoff run with the Rangers, his scoring chances seem to be decreasing significantly according to Adam Gretz at CBS Sports who gives this chart as proof...

Here was Nash after last night's 2-1 overtime loss in which he produced just two shots on goal (via Newsday)...

Upon hearing Ryane Clowe would not return to last night's Game 5 after being face planted into the boards by Jason Chimera, I think all of us assumed it was another concussion.

But a closer look at the aftermath shows it might actually be a hand or wrist injury.

Here's video of the hit (via Pro Hockey Talk)...

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While the initial thought process from the guys at NBC Sports was concussion, what they didn't notice was that immediately after the hit, Clowe was checking out his hand...

And if you watch his next shift, he seems completely fine and alert. Not dazed or lethargic...

And finally, while I usually feel that watching the game on MSG is far superior to NBC Sports, last night Pierre and the boys had the better of it as apparently they continuously showed Clowe on the bench shaking his hand before leaving for the locker room...

The New York Rangers lost to the Washington Capitals by the score of 2-1 in overtime, tonight. Washington now leads the series 3-2. For a box score, go to Yahoo! Sports.

...what? Did you actually think the Rangers were going to allow us to enjoy a stress free Mother's Day weekend? I think you know this team better than that.

...absolutely putrid effort on offense. No pressure, no puck control, nothing. Their effort in the second and third period set offense back a century.

...and the reason for their lack of puck possession? Just a brutal night in the faceoff circle. Especially for Boyle and Brassard who combined to go 11-for-33. Can't score if you don't have the puck.

...hope each player individually apologized to Lundqvist after that one.

...Nash = ARod.

...Brassard has gotten a ton of love on this blog, but it was his failure to clear the puck that led to Ribiero's winner.

...on a positive note, Ovechkin is going to have nightmares about the two-headed monster that is McDonagh and Girardi who were phenomenal tonight. Ovechkin wanted nothing to do with going anywhere near the front of the net.

...Boyle's terribly undisciplined penalty wiped away all the positive vibes from his goal.

...hope Kreider's ready, because I doubt we see Clowe on Sunday.

...i liked Dorsett's game tonight. Very active and deserved more than the seven minutes of ice time he was given. Especially with Clowe knocked out of the contest.

...not even going waste key strokes discussing the power play.