Washington at New York

  • Game info: 2:00 pm EDT Sun Apr 26, 2009
  • TV: NBC, TSN

By IRA PODELL, AP Hockey Writer Apr 25, 11:27 pm EDT

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NEW YORK (AP)—A tossed bottle and a squirt of liquid by Rangers coach John Tortorella landed New York’s bench boss in hot water and on the sidelines for Game 6 against the Washington Capitals.

Tortorella received a one-game ban from the NHL on Saturday night for squirting water into the crowd and then tossing the bottle over the glass at Washington during New York’s 4-0 loss Friday night in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series.

The hard-edged coach who preaches discipline will sit out on Sunday when the Rangers try for a second time to eliminate the Capitals. New York took a 3-2 lead into Game 6 on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

“While it is a difficult decision to suspend a coach at this point in a playoff series, it has been made clear to all of our players, coaches and other bench personnel that the National Hockey League cannot—and will not—tolerate any physical contact with fans,” league disciplinarian Colin Campbell said in a statement.

Tortorella declined to comment on the incident Saturday after practice but seemed to think he would be coaching on Sunday.

“As far as that situation, I’ve been asked not to comment on that by my boss,” Tortorella said.

The Rangers voiced their displeasure in a brief statement issued by team spokesman John Rosasco.

“We disagree with the suspension and will have no further comment,” the club said.

Assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld will likely lead the Rangers on Sunday and could be helped behind the bench by members of the Hartford Wolf Pack coaching staff. The Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ top affiliate, were eliminated from the AHL playoffs Saturday.

At 6:33 of the third period, Tortorella got into a verbal confrontation with a fan behind the bench. A video replay showed the coach heaving a green water bottle into the crowd. Tortorella then grabbed forward Aaron Voros’ stick and held it high, waving it in the fan’s direction.

The replay didn’t show whether anything was thrown at Tortorella, but he used a towel to wipe off his suit.

The timing was a bit ironic because Tortorella scratched noted pest Sean Avery from the Game 5 lineup Friday because of a lack of discipline. Avery took a pair of senseless penalties late in New York’s 2-1 win on Wednesday that gave the Rangers a 3-1 series lead.

Now they have one shot on home ice to advance to the second round for the third straight year while the Capitals will be trying to force a Game 7 back in Washington on Tuesday.

Tortorella wouldn’t say whether Avery would return to the lineup. The Rangers could certainly use his fire and energy, especially with a crowd that will be ready to celebrate a series victory.

“We have to take charge,” goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “The last home game, we played really well in the first and set the tone for the game. It’s something we have to try to repeat. Try to enjoy it, but we definitely have to be focused and take care of business.”

Lundqvist had a rare bad game on Friday, yielding four goals on 14 shots before sitting out the third period of the Game 5 blowout.

He has allowed four goals in each of Washington’s wins in the series, but let in only four total in New York’s three wins—including a 1-0 road victory in Game 2.

“I feel a lot fresher today than I did after the last home game. That was an intense game,” Lundqvist said Saturday. “I know what I have to do. I have to play my best. I know that. It’s no secret. As a team we have to play our best if we want to beat this team. Washington is good.”

Alex Ovechkin is starting to regain the scoring touch that led him to an NHL-best 56 goals during the regular season. He has scored in each of the past two games, including a highlight-reel tally Friday that gave the Capitals a 4-0 lead in the second period.

“We know we can score and we have to do it,” Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said. “Of course he’s a good goalie, but we’re a good team, too, and if we’re going to beat him we’re going to have to score. That’s the key.

“We won, we survived another day. They’re still up 3-2, but we’re on our way back.”

Tortorella said it will be the responsibility of the entire team to keep Ovechkin in check, especially because his line plays so much and stays on for extended shifts. It is not a matter of just shutting down Ovechkin because the Capitals have other potent forwards such as Backstrom, Alexander Semin, and Sergei Fedorov.

Now Washington might also be feeling confident that Lundqvist’s invincibility no longer exists.

“They shouldn’t,” Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky said. “Hank is the best in the world and will continue to be.

“It would be nice to hopefully get a couple (of goals) and alleviate some of the pressure. Regardless, we know he is going to bring his best game for us and we have to be prepared to do the same thing in front of him.”

The Capitals have outscored the Rangers 12-7 and outshot them 170-119— leading Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau to compare Washington’s statistical domination to the 1960 World Series when the New York Yankees outscored the Pittsburgh Pirates 55-27 but lost the series in seven games on Bill Mazeroski’s home run.

“It’s kind of weird,” Backstrom said. “I don’t know what to say, it’s just weird.”

The Capitals will have to weather an early rush from the Rangers on Sunday as New York tries to feed off the crowd and grab an early lead.

The Rangers failed to rise up to the intensity and passion the Capitals displayed in a desperate Game 5.

“No, I wouldn’t say we matched it,” Tortorella said. “Going in, you know that’s going to be their best game of the series. … I don’t think we were lying down. We’re a team that is still trying to get into our identity of our game.”

But time is running out. The Rangers don’t want to face elimination on enemy ice in Game 7.

“We’re up 3-2 five games in and we have a home game,” Tortorella said. “We’re right where we want to be.”

Updated Apr 25, 11:27 pm EDT
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Team Comparison

Team G W L OTL Pts Standings GF GA Road/Home
Washington 82 50 24 8 108 1st, Southeast 272 245 21-15-5 Road
New York 82 43 30 9 95 4th, Atlantic 210 218 26-11-4 Home

Notes

The Capitals became the 21st team in NHL history to win a best-of-seven playoff series after losing three of the first four games. ... This was the second straight year in which Washington forced a Game Seven after being down three games to one. Last season, the Capitals lost the seventh game at home in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers in the conference quarterfinals. ... Washington outshot New York, 13-1, in the third period. ... LW Donald Brashear began serving his suspension for his actions prior to and during Game Six. The enforcer received a one-game ban for initiating contact with New York's Colton Orr during pregame warmups on Sunday and a five-game suspension for a blind-side hit on Blair Betts during the contest. ... RW Chris Clark made his first appearance since January 27. The captain had been sidelined with a wrist injury that required surgery.

Apr 28, 11:36 pm EDT

Last game: 2-1 loss at Washington, April 28 Series: Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinals, 4-3 The Rangers lost a playoff series after holding a three-games-to-one lead for the first time in franchise history. ... New York was outshot, 13-1, in the third period. ... C Nik Antropov, who scored the lone goal, led the team with three shots. ... C Artem Anisimov was inserted into the lineup in place of C Blair Betts, who suffered a fractured orbital bone in Game Six. Anisimov saw 5 minutes, 35 seconds of action.

Apr 28, 11:27 pm EDT
NHL

81 Comments

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  1. Mike O
    81. Posted by Mike O Tue Apr 28 12:46pm EDT

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    to Mark M- so you would trade Gretzky and Lemieux for Yzerman and Ovechkin??? I think the Islanders front office might have a job for you!! Gretzky had 3 scoring titles and an MVP with the Kings AFTER he was supposedly washed up. 16 out of 17 years either Gretzky or Lemieux won the scoring title and between them they have 12 MVP's. Between Yzerman and Ovechkin they have 1 MVP and 1 scoring title, both by Ovechkin last year. Where do you see any comparison??
  2. <i>pgsportsman</i>
    80. Posted by pgsportsman Tue Apr 28 12:18pm EDT

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    If the Caps do pull this out of there butts , I cant wait untill I see OV trying to do it all by himself against a good team that can score . If this happens , the Caps will be out in 5 games .
  3. Alexander
    79. Posted by Alexander Mon Apr 27 7:53pm EDT

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    Caps area amazing, loook who has highest % - Semin Sasha. Game 7 shuld be repeat of Game 6.
    Rangers have history and 2 solid players - Gomez and Drury. We have Team.
    Go Caps
  4. <i>dbr1967</i>
    78. Posted by dbr1967 Mon Apr 27 5:44pm EDT

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    Too ALL caps fans ( hard core caps fan here) .... Let's not too carried away right now . Remember it's a 7 game series and why would we want to act like all those Whining lil b*tch a** Ranger fans who were talking soooooo much sh** after games 1and 2 .... look at them now .... Let's sit back , watch and enjoy and talk trash after the game and not before ... Let's not piss off the Hockey god's as we obviously did last year b4 game 7 against filth-a-delphia ...... Never get too high after a win or too low after a loss ! GO CAPS ! RUCK THE FANGERS !
  5. mark m
    77. Posted by mark m Mon Apr 27 4:55pm EDT

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    alex b your second comment is 100% true, but your first is @#$%! AO, when he retires will be the best ever in my opinion. Gretzky started when he was 19, while AO had to wait till about 21 due to the lockout. Gretzky is honestly overrated. he went into Edminton with already good players, but when he went to L.A., he did nothing. Lemuiex, is good but, he still overrated, for the amount of games he played, he really didn't do anything. Now Steve Yzerman, he is God at hockey, and Alexander Ovechkin is a god as well. even the analysis for the game said, hes already one of the top 5 best players ever. i dare you to say one thing thats bad about Ovechkin besides he takes too many shots. oh thats right you @#$% can't! you can't score unless you shoot, and thats what he does, shoots and scores. and for all you retards out there who think he can't pass, thats why he had almost as many assists as did have goals. also lidstrom, used to be the best, but now is showing his true age, im a Redwings and Caps fan, but honestly, lidstrom is a little bit overrated, but Pavel Datsuk, he is amazing too.
  6. Roy I
    76. Posted by Roy I Mon Apr 27 4:19pm EDT

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    the only way to beat the caps is to play dirty and push them around. thats what, pretty much the rangers did in game 1 and 2. but hey the caps returned the favor, whos crying now? the rangers!!! hahahahaha.. so yea sean avery should just play hockey..maybe he shouldn't play at all.. because he just straight up sucks at hockey!!!!
  7. john m
    75. Posted by john m Mon Apr 27 4:08pm EDT

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    a blind cat with down syndrome could CORRECTLY label brashears hit as illegal. it's a shame to read some of the futile arguments for it being clean, but their not worth reading because the hit was clearly illegal.
  8. Robert B
    74. Posted by Robert B Mon Apr 27 2:19pm EDT

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    RANGERS will take this game. Plain and simple for all you caps fans out there. Go cry for another attempt at a comeback in game 7. Choke just like the sharks will. HAHAHA, arguing on here is lame!!! Keep on entertaining me though!! GO RANGERS
  9. cypok 99
    73. Posted by cypok 99 Mon Apr 27 2:00pm EDT

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    Neither of these teams will get past Boston.
  10. Mike O
    72. Posted by Mike O Mon Apr 27 1:14pm EDT

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    To all you Cap fans out there that talk about how much the Rangers suck and how overrated Lundqvist is- you are about to play GAME SEVEN against this team. If you struggle so much against a crap team like the Rangers then good luck next round if you somehow win tomorrow night which is much in doubt!!
  11. brad
    71. Posted by brad Mon Apr 27 1:04pm EDT

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    very angry caps fans out there. very@#$%y too. what will you do if the rangers win game 7? Are you sure you want to be so obnoxiously confident as you are? remember, rangers won both 1 and 2 in your building. why can't you just be a cool hockey fan and enjoy the series? if the rangers win, man will you look stupid.
  12. Alex B
    70. Posted by Alex B Mon Apr 27 12:48pm EDT

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    I love how all the rangers fans flip on when somebody makes a bad hit or takes a dirty penalty against them. Yet they have Avery and now Tort's who's rumored to be joining Avery in group counseling. Avery is the biggest POS in sports, yes sports. He gets away w/ way more than you idiot rangers fans see. I'm not even a caps fan and I feel for them having to go against Avery in the first round. Avery was given a second chance at the league and IMO already has shown he hasn't changed, he needs to be banned. Hockey doesn't need a player like him it's a disgrace.
  13. Alex B
    69. Posted by Alex B Mon Apr 27 12:43pm EDT

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    @ robert D....You really believe the caps have a chance at the cup? They had to force a game 7 on the NY rangers, that's pathetic. I'd love to see them make the finals because no matter who makes it to the finals for the west would absolutely smoke the caps hands down. I'd love to see AO try his showboating on my Detroit Redwings, and I'd love to see Lidstrom show Green what a real defensemen is. There was only 1 and only will be 1 hockey player that could carry his team through playoffs and win a cup by himself and he wore 99. I'm tired of the AO is the best in the world blah blah, take a look at players stats like Lemiuex and Gretzky, he doesn't even compare and those guys played in an era where seeing a 4-5 goal game was unheard of.
  14. Benjamin W
    68. Posted by Benjamin W Mon Apr 27 11:30am EDT

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    As a caps fan I can't wait to be at the game tomorrow. Called best of 7 for a reason.
  15. Air Force Kerrs
    67. Posted by Air Force Kerrs Mon Apr 27 11:18am EDT

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    Brashear targeting the head deserves being suspended a game. But to say the NHL is "fixing" the game for ratings? How much is the league paying the Rangers to throw it? Because the Rangers are losing this series far and square. Caps are skating circles around them. Hendrick carried them for 3 games but even then the Caps were controlling the puck, just not connecting with the net. With Hendrick tired the Rangers don't stand a chance. And Torts shoudl have had his a*s fined off for his lack of control, but not thrown out. He's telling Avery how to behave? Classic. And now his actions are because of security. He started squirting fans, pay attention to the ice not the comments from behind the glass and maybe your team will be ready for the playoffs next year. Stop blaming everyone but your team. They are the ones losing the games guys.
  16. <i>johnnycar84</i>
    66. Posted by johnnycar84 Mon Apr 27 11:01am EDT

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    Brashear is a monkey. brashear should be shot down off of the empire state building by bi planes. absolute goon has no business playing hockey. ovechkin likes boys.
  17. Bud C
    65. Posted by Bud C Mon Apr 27 10:40am EDT

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    hey john.. i bet you felt that way when your caps got to a game 7 vs. the flyers after being down 3-1.. how'd that work out for you??? dont get too confdent....
  18. <i>fsupride90</i>
    64. Posted by fsupride90 Mon Apr 27 10:28am EDT

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    Ovechkin is the greatest!!!!!
  19. John
    63. Posted by John Mon Apr 27 10:13am EDT

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    Nice hit by Brashear. Hockey is a violent game...if the Rangers can't handle it, then they should put on their skirts and go play field hockey. Rangers fans should stop whining...Torts was pissed because they were getting their asses kicked and lashed out...maybe he needs anger management classes. Caps will win game 7 in dominant fashion. They are the better team by a mile and will show it in game 7.
  20. Nurhan A
    62. Posted by Nurhan A Mon Apr 27 9:42am EDT

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    I FEEL VERY STRONGLY LEAGIUE AND THIS CLOWN COMMISIONER BETMAN DOES NOT LIKE RANGERS. Mr. BETMAN, RANGERS ARE ONE OF THE BEST RUN ALSO CLASSY ORGANIZATION IN THE NHL. YOU ARE DISGRACE TO ORDER TO SUSPEND THE COACH. . If you think you are fair, take a look that goon Brasher's crossing RED line during warm up also knocking out Rangers best two way player Blair Bets with a vicious elbow. He did not get even penalized for this two fouls. Does not matter after all WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOCKEY. Your job to generate more income for the teams. STAY OUT OF Mr. CAMBELL'S job,keep your stupid nose out of it.
  21. skinsfan
    61. Posted by skinsfan Mon Apr 27 9:42am EDT

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    Hey, Caps fan here. Brashear's hit was not that late, I have seen much worse, the guy had just played the puck. He did aim a little high. I hope the guy is alright, I think he pissed himself when he got hit. Seriously, he had a big wet spot on his pants when he staggered off.
    Anyhow, I will not be suprised if Brashear gets suspended. It will be the leagues way of paying back the Rangers because of all the crying by Tortarelli. I don't think it matters, the Rangers are demoralized and have given up.
  22. Backhanded Complement
    60. Posted by Backhanded Complement Mon Apr 27 9:10am EDT

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    Yes, Brashear's hit was late, and cheap, but to insinuate it presents a Capitals bias for the refs is sketchy at best, especially with respect to Avery, who you say "would have gotten a penalty". Look at Avery's blatent trip in G1 on Green that lead to NYs first goal, or his high stick on OV that every media outlet (even in NY) has said should have been high sticking. Still, Lundqvist can always steal a game, no matter how bad his last two have been. Should be a great game Tuesday night, can't wait.
  23. Jeff W
    59. Posted by Jeff W Mon Apr 27 9:06am EDT

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    Originally thought Caps would win in 5 or 6 ............ Rangers were rolling, then realized "hey, we are not that good" ............ and are now playing like it.

    Rangers 2009 Playoff Legacy - Blowing a 3-1 advantage to a 20 year old (oh, 21 now) goalie!!!
    PERFECT FINISH FOR RANGER FAN!!!!!

    ..... and to top it off, Yanks swept in Boston ...................... LMFAO

    Enjoy your Monday NY Sports Fan
  24. JosephM
    58. Posted by JosephM Mon Apr 27 7:37am EDT

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    Uh - W A, you must not be paying attention - Brashear did not get called for the late, high hit to the head, but for the antics after the play with Mara. If you thought that was a clean hit, there's clearly something wrong with you.
  25. Kris
    57. Posted by Kris Mon Apr 27 5:57am EDT

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    j king baby - everyone knows rangers are

    Yo, J King Baby - Have you WATCHED the past two games? The Rangers didn't even belong in the same building with the Caps. They are playing like garbage. Unless something drastic happens (like Ovechkin blowing out his knee), I don't see that changing in Game 7, much as it pains me to do so.
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