Caps 1, Rangers 0, end of 1

Caps bring their best in the first 20 minutes and lead 1-0 in a period very reminiscent of Game 1 here at Verizon Center. They were credited with 36 shot attempts: 13 on goal, 13 blocked and 10 misses. The Rangers were 6-5-1 for 12.

And this time the Caps scored the first goal in the first period in five game. Mike Green, with points in every game of the series, poked the puck through a kneeling Dan Girardi in a scrum in front during a power play at 5:59. Brian McCabe was in the box for tripping Marcus Johansson along the right boards.

As the Caps celebrated, the Rangers lost it. Brandon Dubinsky scrapped with Semin and Chris Drury and Dan Girardi went after Brooks Laich.  And coach John Tortorella was issued an bench minor, apparently for opening the bench door and perhaps stepping on the ice. Did not see a replay from NBC. The Rangers killed that PP, but were outplayed the rest of the period.    

Girardi had been off the ice in the trainers room, but returned with 1:12 left. With 6:11 left, Green had gone off after he slid to blick a shot from Matt Gilroy and it hit him in the left side of the head.