Special teams become more magnified than ever in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Sometimes, the power play or penalty kill can be the difference in a game.
Other than 21-year-old wunderkind Matt Rempe, who has become the latest rock star to captivate the Garden, one can make a salient argument that the Rangers’ penalty killing was the difference in their 4-1 playoff-opening win over the Capitals on Sunday.
Washington, which is not a prolific scoring team, needs to feed off of its power play to have a chance against the Rangers.
It failed to do so Sunday, going 0-for-4.
The Capitals got their first man-advantage quickly, with Rempe sent off for charging just 2:07 into the game.
The Rangers power play held the Capitals to just one shot on the kill.
The Rangers killed off a Will Cuylle holding penalty later in the first period as well.
With the Rangers leading 3-1 in the second period, they killed off a third Capitals power play after Alexis Lafreniere was sent off for slashing.
The Caps failed to generate a single shot on that power play.
All this despite having 38-year-old Alex Ovechkin, owner of one of the most dangerous shots in NHL history, at the head of its man-advantage unit.
Ovechkin didn’t have a shot on goal all game.
The Rangers killed a fourth power play in the third period when Vincent Trocheck was called for tripping. Again, the Capitals were held without a shot.
“There’s talented players on that team; that power play has been effective for 10, 12 years in the NHL,’’ Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “They’ve been a really good group. But I think our penalty kill has been on point as well — not just today in the playoffs, but down the stretch [of the regular season]. I think we’ve done a god job.’’
Asked if his coaching insight, having coached many of these Capitals players in Washington the previous three seasons, was a help, Laviolette said, “I guess a little bit, because you know the personnel. But that’s not how we go about our business. We do it more based on video and teaching and showing, to take a look at what you’re going to be up against.
“I know where Ovi’s going to stand. I know they’re going to move around a little bit, but it’s more about what they’re trying to do out there.’’
The Rangers’ penalty kill helped kill the Capitals in this game.
“I thought the PK was huge,’’ Rangers center Barclay Goodrow said. “I thought we did a good job limiting their shots. There were a couple big blocks in there, too. So, overall a good night for the PK.’’
Rangers winger Jimmy Vesey said the penalty kill “has been big for our team all year,’’ adding, “Same with the power play. We feel confident in both of them. I think they’re huge in playoff series. They can create momentum. We have confidence in both our special teams.’’
