rangers take on another familiar foe for round two

Well it wouldn’t be the Stanley Cup playoffs if there wasn’t a Caps/Rangers series (when the Caps actually make it, of course). Prior to last season when Washington didn’t get a post-season invite, the Blueshirts disposed of them in back-to-back years. Both series went the distance, and almost every game was decided by a goal until NY blew the roof off the Verizon Center with a 5-0 Game 7 laugher in 2013. This year’s squad is a much better two-way team with Barry Trotz at the helm. Still, the Rangers took 3 of 4 during the regular season. It should be another exciting series, but there’s little reason to believe this is when the Capitals get over this hurdle of heartbreak.

The biggest reason is clearly Henrik Lundqvist. He was rock solid in Round 1 and a history of success against the Caps. The King took both matchups he played this year, 7 of the last 10 regular season meetings & boasts an 18-8-3 career record. He hung back-to-back goose eggs to erase a 3-2 series deficit in 2013 was beaten for more than 2 just twice in 2012. Holtby’s no slouch on the other end. Although he struggled with the Rangers this season, he’s matched Hank’s first round numbers and played well in both prior series. Holts is still prone to softies though, and you gotta wonder when the NHL’s biggest workload might catch up to him.
I want to worry about Ovechkin. He undoubtedly sets the bar for the league when it comes to lighting the lamp. Fact is, he simply hasn’t proven to be a playoff threat. Rather Nash-like. Over his last 3 playoff series he’s had 6 goals in 10 Caps wins, NONE in 11 losses. The Blueshirts kept him off the scoresheet completely in 2013 over the last 5 games as Ovi’s boys squandered jumping to a 2-0 lead. You could argue he’s the reason they needed 7 games against the Isles. He’s dangerous – but so were Sid & Geno.
A lot of people are talking about how Washington will push the Rangers around after seeing them go toe-to-toe with the maniacal Islanders. I wouldn’t be so sure. They’re certainly a grittier team, but the way they played last series was more a result of their opponent than anything else. In their 4 games against the Blueshirts this year, the Caps averaged a mere 30 hits. Maybe it’s their plan to ramp it up for the playoffs, but I think they were just fighting fire with fire. If the Capitals come with the same aggressiveness though, that’s fine. The Rangers are much more equipped to take advantage than the Isles when they leave themselves prone after chasing a hit. Go for it, Wilson.
On paper these teams match up pretty well. The Caps have the “trifecta” you need for post-season success in Ovi/Carlson/Holtby. They’re deep up front and on the back end – not as deep as NY, but still solid everywhere. The loss of Zuccarello certainly doesn’t help the Blueshirts but they still have the edge in speed & balance. The return of Kevin Klein will only boost their ability to contain the guy who broke his arm along with Backstrom. If Holtby can play the series of his life, it could come down to who produces more between vets like Ward & Chimera or youngsters Hayes & Hags. Experience vs youth. All first-round heroes. A lot of Rangers fans said they preferred this matchup over the NY rivalry. I disagree – but the Rangers are the better team regardless. Rested, disciplined & the confidence in knowing that an early start at home could have these Capitals thinking “here we go again”. My gut says Rangers in 5. History says 7. Let’s split the difference and call another Verizon Center massacre. Blueshirts in 6.