RANGERS' RESILIENCY TO BE TESTED IN GAME 2

The instant Alexander Semin rocketed a Marc Staal turnover past Henrik Lundqvist's blocker nearly 18 minutes into Overtime on Thursday night, the Rangers cut ties with the loss and began preparing for Game 2. You have to, really--the Playoffs are all about a short memory. The ability to rebound after tough losses has been a core strength for the Blueshirts throughout the season and resiliency to pessimism and extended periods of lazy play has forged their team identity and muscled them into the playoffs. But now what?

Obviously offense was a problem in Game 1 as the Rangers couldn't threaten with much danger and gain the 2-goal advantage after jumping out to the lead. In a tight playoff game against the #1 seed, you will need to steal a game or two on the road to win the series and with the chance presented to the Blueshirts they were unable to deliver. Critics of Marian Gaborik are ready to write off the snakebitten star, and even die hard supporters must cringe when he stuffs goal mouth opportunities into the goalie's stomach instead of showing his characteristic soft hands around the crease. I have faith in Gabby's ability to put together a big game, espcially this year as his inconsistent offense has come in spurts, and that may be exactly what the Rangers need to even up this series. It seems today he'll be back with Christensen on his line and the directive to the two of them is certainly: SHOOT.

Another aspect of the offense that is problematic concerns the amount of shots getting through. The Capitals clogged lanes on us and blocked 32 shots, leaving Neuvirth to save the scraps and though he was solid he wasn't exceptional. We need to test the young goalie's mettle and make him feel the intensity of our attack. Our young rookies played well in their first Playoff experience, Gilroy scored on the best shift we were able to put together, but there were some nerves to deal with as expected. Step and Zucc (if he's in the lineup. My gut opinion, he will be) need to dig their skates in and get inside to the tough areas as do the Rangers in general. Playoff games aren't won on the perimeter and the Rangers have to do whatever it takes to get inside.

Defensively I thought we played the game we wanted, but it wasn't enough. Staal and Girardi shut down Ovetchkin except for one shift where the Russian Bull showed his fortitude and jammed a puck past Lundqvist on the rush. Prior to that the Dynamic Duo had shut down Ovie, Semin and Backstrom the entire season--keeping the trio off the scoreboard. Lundqvist was for the most part brilliant but had help from the Post and his teammates clearing out dangerous rebounds in front. To take a 1-1 game with the Capitals into overtime I can't imagine the Rangers would argue with their defensive effort. It will need to be there all series.

The Rangers can gain some ground if they can get their Power-Play settled. It's clear to me that we can't put Washington up a man, but if we get the chance we need to take advantage. The momentum gained on a playoff kill can throw the home team over the top and in an already hostile building the Blueshirts can't give the Caps any edge.

We need to execute a great road game. We came close in game 1, but if the players have chosen to forget about it, the fans should too. Let's get inside, get grittier, and like the Knicks MSG commercial suggests "you don't just play, you play harder. You don't just work, you work harder."

Let's Go BLue!