Capitals face elimination after 3-1 loss to NY Rangers in Game 3

The Washington Capitals last faced an 0-3 series deficit in the bubble in Toronto. That came against the NY Islanders where the Caps would win Game 4 only to bow out in Game 5. Now there is no bubble. Just an awkward home Game 4 on Sunday night to the New York Rangers, who always have a strong traveling fan base.

The Caps got there due to a 3-1 loss to the Blueshirts despite an early first period goal from John Carlson that got the red sea of Caps fans going. It was a classic Carly shot where he just whisked it into the net from the point. That came at 5:34 and was set up by T.J. Oshie and Martin Fehervary.

34 seconds later Chris Kreider put the DC crowd back to cold harsh reality to knot the score. Then the Caps would get a power play after Charlie Lindgren's brother Ryan cross checked Beck Malenstyn who's just a young whippersnapper. That power play turned into a shorthanded goal by Barclay Goodrow to put New York ahead for good at 8:08. Vincent Trocheck made it 3-1 at 15:22. That would be all the Rangers needed.

The Caps not only allowed a shorthanded goal but Trocheck's goal came on the Rangers power play attack. When the Caps had the man advantage they went 0 for 6 as none of their schemes they drew up in practice worked against the old coach Peter Laviolette.

In the bubble the Caps got eliminated by their ex Stanley Cup winning coach Barry Trotz. It led to Todd Reirden's firing and Peter Laviolette's hiring before the Caps didn't renew his contract a year ago causing Lavi to take the job up in Broadway.

This is just the Caps first year under the Spencer Carbery era and the fact he guided them back into the playoffs should be applauded. But what the Caps need to do this offseason is load up and some old vets may have some tough decisions to make.

But the play everyone around town is going to talk about today is another veteran defenseman banged up by Rangers goon Matt Rempe. His hit on Trevor van Riemsdyk was not approved among TvR's teammates including Tom Wilson.

Rempe also wouldn't go with Wilson when he wanted to dance as in solo one vs one fight battle which would've sent the city popping either way no matter which side you're rooting for in this series.