Rangers aim to fire away in Game 5 vs. Caps

Rangers aim to fire away in Game 5 vs. Caps

Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News

Rangers' Ryan Callahan is dejected after they give up a goal to the Washington Capitals in the 2nd period in Game 4.

For the second consecutive series against the lowest remaining seed in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers are down to a best-of-three against the Capitals after each won a game in the others arena.

But thats where the similarities end between this round and the previous seven-game slugfest against the Senators, according to Ryan Callahan.

That series was more a hatred towards each other with some of the hits that were happening, things like that, the captain said after an optional practice Sunday in Greenburgh in preparation for Mondays Game 5 at the Garden. This series has its own character, the way the teams are defending and how hard it is to create chances and how close the games have been.

Indeed, if the Rangers are to avoid losing Game 5 on home ice as they did against the Senators before winning the final two they believe they need to solve a defense that has stymied them with a series of blocked shots through four games.

That, of course, has been among the Rangers strengths all season. And as Callahan pointed out, the Caps are playing a similar style to us, particularly in blocking 26 shots in their 3-2 Game 4 victory.

We just have to do more, center Brad Richards said. Frustration is if we looked and had 25 chances a night, 40 shots a night, then youd start getting frustrated. But I dont think weve done that. I dont think (Caps goalie Braden Holtby) has had to stand on his head too often, so were more worried of what we have to do and get more (pucks) at him and see where it goes from there.

Added defenseman Michael Del Zotto: All of their chances theyve gotten offensively, weve given them, whether its power plays or turnovers, and thats very uncharacteristic of our team, and thats whats hurt us.

Chris Kreider provided an offensive boost with game-winning goals in Game 6 against Ottawa and in the opener against Washington. But the rookie wingers turnover led to Alex Ovechkins first-period goal on Saturday and he was benched for large chunks of the game playing just 7:04.

For all our kids, theres going to be bumps in the road. His is more magnified because its right in the middle of the playoffs, John Tortorella said. I have full confidence hes going to be able to handle that and learn from a couple of mistakes and be better for it. . . . Sometimes its good to watch. So well see where he goes the next game.

The Rangers need everyone to contribute Monday; Game 4 marked the eighth time in 11 games in these playoffs that the Blueshirts were held to two or fewer goals.

I said at the beginning of the playoffs, you throw the seeds out. If youre one of the eight teams in your conference playing, youre a good hockey club, the coach said. We didnt expect anything different. . . . This is how playoffs are. It changes on a play, momentum swings, good goaltending.

Its been a real good series and now we go the last three, starting with one in our building and thats what were concentrating on.

OVIE IN CLEAR: Ovechkin said Sunday that he hadnt heard from the NHL regarding his hit to the head of Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi. He wasnt expected to receive supplemental discipline from player safety VP Brendan Shanahan for the play.