Capitals' Adam Oates Says He Could 'Easily' Beat Up Out-Of-Line Rangers Coach
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Adam Oates isn't happy with John Tortorella for calling the Capitals a bunch of whiners after the New York Rangers beat Washington in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
"We've got everybody and their brother whining up there in Washington about what happened in that series," the Rangers coach said Wednesday. "And I think that's a big reason why they lose that series."
That didn't sit so well with his coaching counterpart in D.C., who disputed the notion and even claimed to have the upper hand in the throwing-dukes department.
Adam Oates On Tortorella
"Well, I think he's out of line," Oates told 106.7 The Fan in Washington on Thursday. "He should be worrying about his own series. We didn't whine once during the series. I never complained. I don't know, did you guys ever hear me complain about officiating?"
When asked if he could beat up Tortorella "in a one-on-one situation," Oates replied, "Yes. Easily."
Oates admitted Alex Ovechkin was guilty of complaining after Game 7, but said there was none of that during the series. The Capitals star made headlines for not-so-subtly hinting at an NHL conspiracy to force a Game 7 to a Russian reporter.
"No one complained before any game," Oates said. "I met with a supervisor before Game 7. You meet with a supervisor before every single game. We never complained about anything."
The Rangers dropped Game 1 of their second-round series against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
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