This was a perfect game. A win on our March to the cup yet looking out for the bitchy fans and giving them something to complain about for a couple of days.
Yeah they aren’t going to win them all 4-1.
To win a Cup you need to really be consistent in your game and making sound decisions as much as possible for 60 or more minutes.
I dont think they played super poorly, they got the job done and had some really nice individual efforts/contributions. They did enough to beat a Caps team that is obviously doing their best each period to hang on. I didnt think the goals the Caps scored were that bad of a breakdown on the Rangers part either. They got a bounce or two, but they made them with hard work, which is fine. You arent going to get a shutout every game or play perfect either, as you said. Theres another team busting their ass out there too.
However, my worry with this series is the Rangers playing down to the Capitals level and getting into some bad habits. They didnt manage the puck particularly well on a whole this game, gave pucks away under pressure but also made several unforced mental errors. Its not like the urgency wasnt there and they were physical and had a good response to the BS the Caps were trying to get away with. Its just lapses they need to tighten up.
A wins a win, for sure - but after watching thousands of games and hundreds of postseason games, I dont want to sugar coat a win where there were several things that need to be sharpened up. Its not to say it wont come around. They will need to be better if they want to build to 16 wins and theres nothing wrong with saying that.
The great thing is they are talented enough to get away with it at this point. But that wont be the case later on in the dance. Then it will be a problem. I have faith in the players and coaching staff and they know they need to be sharper. I dont think its a hot take around here.