Rangers finally get faceoff advantage
Artem Anisimov scores on a drive to the goal with the Washington Capitals' Mike Green on his back. (April 28, 2012) Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The Rangers couldn't match the Ottawa Senators in the faceoff circle, and without centers Brian Boyle (concussion) and Brandon Dubinsky (lower-body injury) in Game 1 against the Capitals, coach John Tortorella was concerned.
After all, they finished on the short end in faceoff-winning percentage in five of the seven games in the conference quarterfinals against Ottawa.
As it turned out, the Rangers not only won their third consecutive game, they won 52 percent of the draws. Brad Richards was 12-for-24, Derek Stepan 7-for-14, Artem Anisimov 4-for-7 and John Mitchell 3-for-4. "I thought we did well in the faceoffs, which were worrisome going into tonight," Tortorella said.
Rather than spare forward John Scott, who was obtained at the trade deadline from Chicago, Tortorella used seven defensemen. Steve Eminger, who hadn't played since March 15, when he severely sprained an ankle, was inserted as a fourth-line forward and played 4:25.
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