WASHINGTON - Rangers coach John Tortorella threw a plastic drinking bottle over the glass and into the stands during a confrontation with a fan in the third period of New York's 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night.

Tortorella and an adult man standing near New York's bench yelled at each other with about 13 1/2 minutes left in the game. After Tortorella heaved the bottle, he grabbed a hockey stick and held it high, waving it in the fan's direction.

It wasn't clear whether anything was thrown at Tortorella, but he used a towel to wipe his suit.

He refused to discuss the episode in his post-game news conference.