Capitals Report

SEEN AND HEARD AT VERIZON CENTER

On Tuesday, Bruce Boudreau was practically giddy at the prospect the playoffs were mere hours away, calling it “the most exciting time of the year.”

Two hours before the Game 1 faceoff Wednesday, the Capitals’ coach - preparing for his second NHL playoff series behind the bench - was still excited.

“It’s what we grow up to do,” Boudreau said. “When you’re playing in the playgrounds [and] in the streets, we’re not saying Game 30 in the middle of the season. We’re always talking about the playoffs and winning.”

A similar excitement wasn’t present inside the arena when the Capitals took the ice at 6:28 p.m. for warmups. The building was maybe 10 percent full during the pregame skate and reserved its first boo of the series for 6:59 p.m., when the Rangers’ starting lineup was posted on the scoreboard, followed by a cheer when Chris Drury was listed as a scratch.

Fans were given red rally towels upon entering the arena, which beats what the team did last year with the dreaded thunder sticks.

Once the game started, it took only 18 seconds for the Capitals to go on their first power play (three shots but no goals) and only 2:32 for the ice to start rebelling - linesmen had to patch up a small area in the Rangers’ zone.

- Ryan O’Halloran

BY THE NUMBERS

14-4 First-period shot advantage for the Capitals over the Rangers. The game was scoreless after 20 minutes.

THREE STARS

Henrik Lundqvist

The Rangers goalie held down the fort with 14 first-period saves and 32 overall

Scott Gomez

Scored the first and assisted on the final two goals of the Rangers’ three-goal third period

Brandon Dubinsky

After the Rangers killed a penalty, he scored the game-winner with 8:17 remaining