Rangers Vs. Capitals: Alex Semin's Blast Gives Washington Big Overtime Win In Game 1

Marc Staal's Mistake Leads To New York Rangers Game 1 Loss Vs. Capitals, But He's Not To Blame

If we're getting real about this New York Rangers loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the easiest place to lay blame is on the shoulders of Marc Staal, who's poor clearing attempt was knocked down by Jason Arnott before being thrown over to Alex Semin, who ripped it into the back of the net. 

Of course, we all know how unfair that blame would be. Staal did in fact make a game-changing mistake Wednesday night, as is such in overtime during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Somebody always makes a mistake -- that's probably how more than half the goals in the NHL are scored, let alone after 60-plus grueling minutes of playoff hockey.

But to jump on Staal for that mistake would be insane, because without him, the Rangers probably don't even get Game 1 into the overtime period. Facing Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Knuble for most of the night, Staal put in a game-high 33:48 of ice time.

After that much work in a night, you can understand how he could make a little error with the puck in overtime. Unfortunately for the Rangers, that little error led directly to a game-winning goal against. 

Be sure to check out SBNation.com's full, continuing coverage of this playoff series. 

VIDEO: Alex Semin Scores Winner In Overtime, Gets Body Slammed By Alex Ovechkin

Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Alexander Semin Wins It In Overtime For Washington

The Washington Capitals had a lot of momentum throughout the first period, but a series of posts and Henrik Lundqvist kept them off the board.  Lundqvist made the biggest save of the period at the six minute mark, when he had to come across to make a save on Marcus Johansson alone in front. Lundqvist also made a save on a one-timer in the slot by Marco Sturm, fed terrificly by Jason Arnott. New York also made some key blocks in the first period, especially on Alexander Ovechkin, who had three shots turned away by defenders in the power play's first 54 seconds. They eventually killed it off.

However, the Rangers went short a man once again a few minutes later. Mats Zuccarello took a boarding penalty at 10:13, on a hit from behind in response to some physical play by Washington. Nicklas Backstrom nearly found Mike Knuble alone in front of Lundqvist, but Knuble whiffed on the chance. Lundqvist was large again on this penalty kill, with a glove save on a creeping in from the point Mike Green. The Rangers once again killed off the full two minutes, with Washington going 0-for-2 on the man advantage in the first period.

The Capitals started the second period killing off the last eight seconds of the Alexander Semin hooking penalty, which put the Rangers on the power play late in the first period. Washington was unable to get a shot off until six minutes into the period, but once they did, they were once again turned away by Henrik Lundqvist, and then some bad luck.

King Henrik had to come all the way across the crease to stop Mike Knuble, but made a great pad save. Nicklas Backstrom had a sure thing of a rebound, but whiffed on the chance. Alex Semin whiffed on a near break later in the second. Another example of just missing by the Capitals, to the point where one wonders if it'll catch up on them.

Michal Neuvirth also had his moments in the second period. He made a big save right in front on Marian Gaborik with 12:01 remaining in the period. New York outshot Washington 5-2 in the first half of the period, after being controlled by the Capitals throughout the first frame.

Lundqvist continued to come up big through the rest of the period. He made a seemingly impossible save with the inside of his leg on a Backstrom break-away with less than four minutes to go in the second. Overall, the Capitals ended up out-shooting the Rangers 17-11 in the second period. The teams traded chances both ways with less than three minutes to go, with neither team either getting one on goal.

At 1:56 into the third period, it was Wojtek Wolski who found Matt Gilroy with a fantastic pass from behind the net, and Gilroy just whipped it past Michal Neuvirth to give the Rangers the game's first goal, despite being outshot 17-13 for the game at that point. It was Gilroy's first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal. 

The Rangers sat back for much of the rest of the period, content to shut down the Caps until six minutes remaining, when Alexander Ovechkin tried to set up a screen in close for Alex Semin to get a shot away. Semin held off the initial shot, but Ovechkin pushed in the rebound before the whistle blew, it seemed. The play went under review, and the call on the ice of good goal stood. It was Ovechkin's 21st careeer post-season goal. 

Everyone seemed to run out of a bit of gas and play a little bit more conservatively from there, at least for a little while. You'd see Alex Ovechkin make an attempted break-out every once and a while, but not much in the way of actual scoring chances. Ovechkin took a shot through a defenseman in the slot with 8:24 left. A few seconds later, an even tougher one from Jeff Schultz that hopped off a skate was denied by Lundqvist. The Rangers got a decent backhand chance from Vinny Prospal with six and a half minutes left that Neuvirth denied. 

Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Alexander Ovechkin And Matt Gilroy Score In The Third, Make It 1-1 Heading To Overtime

After forty minutes of scoreless play, The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers each broke through with goals from Matt Gilroy and Alexander Ovechkin in the third period. Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series is tied at 1-1 after 60 minutes, as we head to the first overtime of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The shots are 23-19 Capitals after three periods, though New York outshot Washington 8-6 in the third. 

At 1:56 into the third period, it was Wojtek Wolski who found Matt Gilroy with a fantastic pass from behind the net, and Gilroy just whipped it past Michal Neuvirth to give the Rangers the game's first goal, despite being outshot 17-13 for the game at that point. It was Gilroy's first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal. 

The Rangers sat back for much of the rest of the period, content to shut down the Caps until six minutes remaining, when Alexander Ovechkin tried to set up a screen in close for Alex Semin to get a shot away. Semin held off the initial shot, but Ovechkin pushed in the rebound before the whistle blew, it seemed. The play went under review, and the call on the ice of good goal stood. It was Ovechkin's 21st careeer post-season goal. 

The Rangers got a power play with 4:43 left in the game when Ovechkin went off for roughing at 15:17. Neuvirth made a solid glove save on Marian Gaborik. Neuvirth was solid throughout the power play, and has been generally dependable in this one, despite not being called upon as much as Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers and Capitals are both 0-for-2 on the power play tonight as we head to OT. 

Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Gilroy Gives Rangers 1-0 Lead

Early in the third period, despite being outplayed for most of the first two, the New York Rangers have taken a 1-0 lead on the Washington Capitals at 1:56 of the third period in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series at Verizon Center.

It was Wojtek Wolski who found Gilroy with a fantastic pass from behind the net, and Gilroy just whipped it past Washington goaltender Michal Neuvirth to give the Rangers the game's first goal, despite being outshot 17-13 for the game so far. It was Gilroy's first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal. The Capitals haven't been able to get on the board against Henrik Lundqvist, despite having numerous chances on the Rangers goaltender. They've seen numerous blocked shots, at least three goalposts, and a couple of whiffed chances. 

The Capitals will need to just pummel Lundqvist with shots as the game goes on if they're to find a way to tie up the Rangers in the third. 

Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Lundqvist And Neuvirth Keep It Scoreless After Two Periods

Henrik Lundqvist remains the biggest star so far, but the New York Rangers gained a little bit more momentum in the second period. They remain scoreless in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the Washington Capitals after two periods at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals started the second period killing off the last eight seconds of the Alexander Semin hooking penalty, which put the Rangers on the power play late in the first period. Washington was unable to get a shot off until six minutes into the period, but once they did, they were once again turned away by Henrik Lundqvist, and then some bad luck.

King Henrik had to come all the way across the crease to stop Mike Knuble, but made a great pad save. Nicklas Backstrom had a sure thing of a rebound, but whiffed on the chance. Alex Semin whiffed on a near break later in the second. Another example of just missing by the Capitals, to the point where one wonders if it'll catch up on them. 

Michal Neuvirth also had his moments in the second period. He made a big save right in front on Marian Gaborik with 12:01 remaining in the period. New York outshot Washington 5-2 in the first half of the period, after being controlled by the Capitals throughout the first frame. 

Lundqvist continued to come up big through the rest of the period. He made a seemingly impossible save with the inside of his leg on a Backstrom break-away with less than four minutes to go in the second. Overall, the Capitals ended up out-shooting the Rangers 17-11 in the second period. The teams traded chances both ways with less than three minutes to go, with neither team either getting one on goal.

Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Lundqvist Large In Scoreless First Period

The Washington Capitals had a lot of momentum throughout the first period, but a series of posts and Henrik Lundqvist kept them off the board. Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the New York Rangers is scoreless after 20 minutes. 

The Rangers took the first penalty of the evening, a bench minor for too many men on the ice at 5:39 of the first. However, their goaltender Henrik Lundqvist came up big for them, making some great saves. Lundqvist made the biggest save of the period at the six minute mark, when he had to come across to make a save on Marcus Johansson alone in front. Lundqvist also made a save on a one-timer in the slot by Marco Sturm, fed terrificly by Jason Arnott. New York also made some key blocks in the first period, especially on Alexander Ovechkin, who had three shots turned away by defenders in the power play's first 54 seconds. They eventually killed it off.

However, the Rangers went short a man once again a few minutes later. Mats Zuccarello took a boarding penalty at 10:13, on a hit from behind in response to some physical play by Washington. Nicklas Backstrom nearly found Mike Knuble alone in front of Lundqvist, but Knuble whiffed on the chance. Lundqvist was large again on this penalty kill, with a glove save on a creeping in from the point Mike Green. The Rangers once again killed off the full two minutes, with Washington going 0-for-2 on the man advantage in the first period.

The Caps had numerous chances throughout the first. Semyon Varlamov made a big pad save on Erik Christensen a little more than five minutes in.The Caps continued to pour it on, as Alexander Semin rifled one off the crossbar nearly 15 minutes in. Not even a minute later, Jason Arnott got a free giveaway in the slot, and rang it off the iron as well. Overall, the penalties seemed to slow any momentum the Rangers could've mustered, though they were only outshot 9-5. Henrik Lundqvist was easily the MVP of the first period, regardless of team. He made a save on Ovechkin off a weird bounce from the boards without even seeing it with less than four minutes to go.

Towards the end of the period, the Rangers were given a power play chance, as Alexander Semin took a careless hooking penalty in the offensive zone at 18:08. The Caps were able to block shots on their own, and killed off most of the penalty. The Rangers will begin the second period with an :08 second power play. 

Rangers Vs. Capitals, Game 1: Mike Green Returns, Michal Neuvirth Starts Vs. Henrik Lundqvist

After a weak ending that required the Carolina Hurricanes to lose in their final game for them to make the post-season, the New York Rangers are a bit like that guy at the party that no one is quite sure of how they got invited.

That said, they are here and certainly deserving of the eighth seed in this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series. They head out on the road Wednesday night, looking to make their own Cinderella story in Game 1 of a best-of-seven with the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center this evening. 

For the Rangers, the big news -- aside from Ryan Callahan's injury -- is that Sean Avery will be a healthy scratch for Game 1. Avery was a scratch in six of the final 13 games down the stretch in the regular season for New York, and will sit once again along with former Capital Steve Eminger. Norwegian dynamo Mats Zuccarello returns to the lineups for the Rangers, as well as Matt Gilroy. Zuccarello will play on a line with Erik Christensen and Chris Drury, while Gilroy will be on a defensive pairing with Brian McCabe.

As for Washington, Mike Green is expected to return to the team's defense in Game 1. He's expected to be paired up with John Erskine. It was previously announced that Michal Neuvirth will start in goal for the Capitals instead of Semyon Varlamov. Here are the expected lineups for both teams, based on morning skate notes:

New York

Prospal-Anisimov-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Stepan-Fedotenko
Wolski-Boyle-Prust
Zuccarello-Christensen-Drury

Washington

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Sturm-Arnott-Semin
Laich-Johansson-Chimera
Hendricks-Gordon-Bradley

Join us for the entire series. You can catch our full SBNation.com coverage right here. Also, check out Japers' Rink for Caps coverage, as well as Blueshirt Banter for Rangers reading.