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Month later, Caps coach blames officiating, Lundqvist for elimination

Adam Oates

New Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates pauses during a news conference in Washington, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

AP

Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates has had roughly a month to reflect on why his team lost to the New York Rangers in seven games. After all that time, he’s come up with two primary reasons for his team’s first-round elimination.

“I think we played pretty good hockey for six-and a-half games,” Oates told CSN Washington. “I don’t think we got the best shake with the referees, especially in New York [in Game 6]. I don’t think the discrepancy of the calls [five power plays for the Rangers, none for the Caps] were fair, but what are you going to do about it, right?

"[Rangers goalie Henrik] Lundqvist played fantastic. I mean, my token answer to you is that Lundqvist played absolutely fantastic and we couldn’t get through him. I talked to a lot of the guys about finding other ways to beat a good goalie and we couldn’t t find other ways to get opportunities.”

It was suggested to Oates that fans might get upset if he attempted to use the opposing goaltender and refereeing as the reasons Washington’s playoff run ended.

“I don’t know any other way to say it,” Oates said. “I mean, Number One, I can get in trouble [criticizing NHL officials]. And Number Two, you look like a sore loser and you look like a guy copping out and looking for excuses.

“But then my answer is we actually played pretty good hockey, so I can’t complain about that. In Game 6, Ovi had how many shots? Five Grade A chances. He beat [Lundqvist] and missed the open net. We didn’t get a single power play in the game. If I’m not allowed to use an excuse I might as well keep my moth shut.”

After Game 6, Alex Ovechkin remarked, “Not saying there was a phone call, but they wanted Game 7.” In addition, Capitals GM George McPhee said his team’s lack of power plays in that game “didn’t feel right.”

Regardless, Washington was unable to score a single goal in their final two games.

“Very true,” Oates said. “You know what? We gotta play way better. We did some great things. Some guys had great years. I’ve got to find a way to be better and I asked the players to find a way to be better. If we all collectively try to walk that path maybe the organization will get better and one of these days it will happen.”

Oates would like to see the team do better defensively, as he feels that will lead to more offense. He also thinks now that his players have familiarized themselves with his system, he can start focusing on more specific areas of concern.