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Tortorella: ‘We can’t take that many penalties’

New York Rangers v New Jersey Devils - Game Three

NEWARK, NJ - MAY 19: Head coach John Tortorella of the New York Rangers speaks to the media after they defeated the New Jersey Devils 3 to 0 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on May 19, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The Washington Capitals carried much of the play in a 3-1 Game 1 win against the New York Rangers on Thursday. The theme of the losing team’s post-game comments was clear, though: they believe it’s crucial to avoid Washington’s dangerous power play.

John Tortorella made that point clear to the Bergen Record’s Tom Gulitti.

“We can’t take that many penalties in a game,” Tortorella said. They get a good bounce off the boards, but you just can’t take two in a row.”

“Hopefully, we’ll discipline ourselves the next game.”

Captain Ryan Callahan echoed those thoughts.

“Against a power play like that, if you’re killing that much, eventually they’re going to capitalize,” Callahan said.

Then again, maybe it’s about execution. The Capitals converted one of their five power-play chances while the Rangers failed on their four attempts.

Many point to Washington’s ability to kill a 5-on-3 as just as much of a turning point. Henrik Lundqvist touched on that with Gulitti:

“They kill it off and they get a couple quick goals, so obviously it changed a lot,” Lundqvist said.