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5 Keys to the Rangers taking down the Washington Capitals
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers were victorious in round one, and now face off against the Washington Capitals. Here is what they need to do to win. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Rangers were able to execute their game plan and eliminate the Penguins in five games, advancing to the second round of the playoffs to take on the Washington Capitals, emerging victorious following a grueling seven game series against the New York Islanders.
Unlike the Penguins, the Capitals are a fully healthy team, with all of their wingers and defensemen ready to play. They too have a solid goalie in net in Braden Holtby, a name familiar to the Rangers and their fans in the postseason.
Following the tiring series against the Islanders, with little rest as well as travel, the Capitals are coming into what will be another extremely hard fought series against another very good team in the New York Rangers. With Game 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers have another good opportunity to pounce on what could be a tired Capitals team as they try to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in as many seasons. Read the rest of this entry
Series Preview, Round 2: Rangers vs. Capitals
Bobby Bevilacqua
For the fourth time in five years, the Rangers and Capitals will faceoff in the playoffs again. The Rangers won the last meeting in seven games back in 2013. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
For the fourth time in the last five seasons, the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals will face off in the playoffs. If the past matchups are indicative of this year’s playoff series, Rangers and Capitals fans are in for a treat.
After a grueling seven game series with the New York Islanders, the Capitals were able to come away with a 2-1 win in the final game of the series, limiting the Islanders to just 11 shots on goal and advancing to face the New York Rangers.
The last time that the Rangers and Capitals met in the postseason was back in 2013, with the Rangers coming away with the series win in seven games. With the Capitals up 3-2 heading into Game 6, Henrik Lundqvist came through in the clutch, delivering back-to-back shutouts to give New York the series win. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; Zuccarello out indefinitely, Klein in, Hartford Call Up
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will be without Mats Zuccarello for the time being, sidelined with what seems to be a concussion. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mats Zuccarello was struck in the head by Ryan McDonagh’s slap shot. Play continued, and Zuccarello seemed a bit woozy getting back to the bench. A few minutes later, he headed to the locker room.
This afternoon, the Rangers announced that Zuccarello would be out “indefinitely” with an upper body injury, not specifying any type of injury or the length that he would be sidelined.
While it’s probably not smart to jump to conclusions, Zuccarello could be dealing with a concussion. It would answer the question of why he didn’t return to Game 5, and is a logical possibility when someone is struck in the head by a piece of vulcanized rubber traveling at 85+ miles per hour. He also had no visible injuries, so a concussion seems to be the only logical explanation for an “upper-body injury.” Read the rest of this entry
Rangers move on to Round 2 with thrilling overtime win at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers sent the Penguins packing on Friday night, securing a 2-1 overtime victory courtesy of Carl Hagelin. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In front of a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden, Carl Hagelin’s wrist shot sent the fans into a frenzy, and sent the New York Rangers to the second round of the 2015 playoffs. For the second consecutive year, the Rangers eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins from the playoffs, this time doing it in just five games.
The Rangers haven’t really been able to close out series quickly in recent memory, so this gives some of the players who are banged up extra time to rest. The last time the Rangers won a series in less than six games was back in 2008, when they beat the New Jersey Devils in five games.
Every game in the series has been a one goal game, and all four Rangers’ wins were 2-1 victories. The Rangers became just the second team in NHL history to win a playoff series without scoring three goals in any of the wins, and the first team in the 2000’s to do so. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to close out Round 1 at MSG; No lineup changes for the Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back at MSG for Game 5, looking to close out the series in five games for the first time since 2008. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
For the first time since 2008, the Rangers will attempt to end their first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games on Madison Square Garden ice, searching for their third consecutive playoff win.
The Rangers have not won a series in less than six games since the 2007-08 season, when they defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games, a series famous for the creation of the “Sean Avery rule,” when he screened Devil’s goaltender Martin Brodeur by waving his hands and stick in his face.
After sweeping the two games in Pittsburgh before returning home, New York has their best chance in years to close out a series early. And like an article from Fulltilt NYR pointed out, we could be seeing a very different kind of game tonight. Read the rest of this entry
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