Capitals Remain Confident Despite Game 1 Loss to Rangers: “No Sign of Panic”

NEWARK | Even if only one game has been played, there are already several that the Capitals have buried. According to the most pessimistic, the loss on Sunday afternoon shows that they are nothing at all for the Rangers.

In the Capitals camp, we don’t care about environmental noise. After all, wasn’t the Ovechkin team buried a few days before the trade deadline?

“We had more difficult times when there were people who didn’t believe in us anymore,” recalled Hendrix Lapierre. We always kept a positive spirit and hope. We know we deserve our place. »

A place obtained in the last minutes of the last game of the regular calendar, thanks to a goal that was sent into an empty net in a rather crazy result.

At least this wild race involving four teams will have helped the Capitals players to manage their emotions.

“We’ve been playing playoff games for a month and a half. We sailed through good and bad streaks, said the Gatineau resident. It helps us to turn the page after a loss like yesterday, which was very difficult. Today, in the locker room, no one was discouraged or lost confidence. »

Don’t be afraid

This is a good thing, because the Rangers are a great stock.

“Yes, Rangers have a good team. We expected a difficult series, he admitted. Despite this, we are still confident. We are taking it one game at a time. »

Of course, the New York club is not only a good team. This is the best team in the NHL. His 114 points are 23 more than the ’91 Capitals.

“There is no pressure in the dressing room, no sign of panic. We will be ready, said the Quebecer. We know what we have to do. »

What is it?

“It’s a cliché, but we have to go harder on the net. (Igor) Shesterkin is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so we have to hide his attitude to make his job more difficult,” explained Lapierre.

It will also be necessary to take advantage of numerical superlatives. The Capitals offense was silenced four times in the first game.

In addition, Ovehckin did not get any shots on goal. As well as the benefit of a person with the same strength. The first for the Tsar, in the playoffs, since May 3, 2018 (41 matches).