WASHINGTON — The Rangers probably took one too many penalties in their 3-1 win of their first-round matchup with the Capitals, but the way the series as a whole has been officiated has been a factor.
Asked if he had any thoughts on the 12 total penalties called on Friday night, Blueshirts head coach Peter Laviolette spoke through pursed lips.
“I do have thoughts.”
Did he want to share them?
“I do not.”
Despite the power-play disparity, with the Capitals earning six and the Rangers earning four, the visitors have benefited from all the special teams play in this series.
The Rangers have scored three times on 12 power-play opportunities through three games, while the Capitals have capitalized on two of 15.
That means the Rangers’ penalty kill has successfully fended off 13 of Washington’s 15 power plays.
For a second straight game, the Rangers scored a shorthanded goal, as well.
It marked just the fourth time in Rangers history that they have notched a shorthanded goal in consecutive playoff games, a stat that started being tracked in 1933-34.
The Rangers also became the third team on record to score a shorthanded game-winning goal in consecutive postseason contests.
“I think we were able to capitalize on some of the opportunities that we got at pretty important times,” said Chris Kreider, who scored the Rangers’ lone five-on-five goal Friday night in the first period. “We probably went to the box a few too many times, but the penalty kill did a great job and I think [Igor Shesterkin] especially did a great job.”
Jack Roslovic collected an assist on Kreider’s goal to extend his point streak to three games.
Alex Wennberg suited up and played in Game 3 despite missing the Rangers’ previous practice for what the team described as maintenance purposes.
“It was just one of those days,” he said after the morning skate at Capital One Arena. “Had morning skate and getting ready for the game, nothing special about it.”
The Rangers are scheduled to practice Saturday afternoon before they have a chance to finish the series in Game 4 on Sunday.
