Caps Battle Rangers in Recreation 1 | Washington Capitals – NHL.com

Caps set to begin first-round collection in opposition to New York on Sunday afternoon at MSG
April 21 vs. New York Rangers at Madison Sq. Backyard
Time: 3:00 p.m.
TV: MNMT, ESPN
Radio: Capitals Radio 24/7
Recreation 1, Jap Convention quarterfinal collection
Washington Capitals (40-31-11)
New York Rangers (55-23-4)
Following a thrill experience of an everyday season, the Caps are set to get again to battling within the Stanley Cup playoffs after a one-year absence. On Sunday afternoon at Madison Sq. Backyard, the Caps and the New York Rangers renew postseason acquaintances for the primary time since 2015 after they conflict in Recreation 1 of their first-round playoff collection.
The Rangers are the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy-winning crew for 2023-24; their 114 factors was simply sufficient to nip Dallas (113) for the glory of being the League’s high common season crew. With 91 factors, the Caps are on the reverse finish of the spectrum when it comes to common season level totals. They completed 23 factors and 15 victories behind the Blueshirts.
“All of us perceive how we’ve to play, what sort of crew New York goes to be,” says Caps’ captain Alex Ovechkin. “We’re simply going to play sport by sport and see what occurs.”
The Caps know what they’re up in opposition to, and so they know they’re heavy underdogs on this collection. And despite the fact that it took every part they’d simply to get this far, and to squeeze their approach into the postseason, they’re not merely comfortable to be right here. The Washington roster is populated with a gaggle of veterans who’re thrilled to be again within the playoffs after lacking out final spring, and so they’re decided to take advantage of this newest alternative.
“Something can occur within the playoffs,” says Caps’ left wing Max Pacioretty. “And when you will have veterans who’ve received earlier than and have performed numerous significant video games, it provides you an excellent higher likelihood. We all know the script that’s on the market; we’re taking part in the most effective crew within the League, in all probability the most effective goalie, among the most depth, among the finest [defensemen], a borderline MVP participant. That being stated, within the playoffs all bets are off. You’ve bought to point out your finest for 4 video games, and that’s why it’s thrilling.”
The Caps even have a sizeable group of younger gamers who might not be brimming with Stanley Cup playoff expertise, however a handful of younger Caps had been members of the 2023 Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears. They’ll be getting their first style of Stanley Cup playoff hockey, however they’ve bought a good suggestion of what it takes to go on a prolonged and profitable playoff run.
“We’ve got a terrific combine of fellows who’ve executed it earlier than, who wish to get again there, and guys who haven’t been there earlier than who wish to show that they may help the crew win within the playoffs,” says Caps’ heart Connor McMichael, certainly one of eight Calder Cup champs from 2023 presently on the Washington roster. “I believe we had an ideal combine; we had guys who’re hungry to win it once more. It was nice for the younger guys to lean on the blokes that had that have and get after it.”
“It’s enjoyable to see guys expertise it for his or her first occasions,” says Caps’ proper wing Tom Wilson. “Clearly, they’ll depend upon the blokes who’ve expertise, and each particular person will go about it their very own approach. Pondering again to all of the totally different playoffs, each is so totally different, and I believe this 12 months might be once more a special really feel for our group. There may be simply an pleasure degree of moving into and making an attempt to make some noise, and in having a bunch of fellows who’re at totally different phases of their careers and totally different expertise ranges come collectively to attempt to win some playoff video games.”
Again in mid-January, the Caps confronted the Rangers in a home-and-home set of weekend matinee matches at virtually the precise midpoint of the season. Heading into these two video games in opposition to the Blueshirts, Darcy Kuemper had began 21 video games to 14 for Charlie Lindgren, and Kuemper had 10 wins to Lindgren’s seven. Kuemper had began every of Washington’s prior three video games going into that weekend, however that’s when the script flipped. Caps’ coach Spencer Carbery stunned media by asserting Lindgren as his starter for the second of that set of back-to-backs in New York on Sunday, Jan. 14.
Over the rest of the season, Lindgren began 34 of Washington’s final 43 video games, and he earned 18 of the Caps’ final 21 victories. No goaltender within the NHL performed or began extra video games than Lindgren over that span, and none notched extra shutouts (4) than him, both.
Because the Caps embark upon their playoff return, the 30-year-old Lindgren is their undisputed No. 1 netminder, and he now turns into the primary goaltender to make his playoff debut on the age of 30 or older for Washington.
“I’ve had a blast,” says Lindgren. “I stated it after the Boston sport [last Monday]; I’ve dreamed about this for 20 years – legitimately – simply to have the prospect to play numerous video games and simply the religion that this crew has put in me, I recognize it tremendously and I’ve had an absolute blast this entire season.”
Lindgren’s play helped make this season a blast for his teammates too; they wouldn’t be right here with out him.
“It’s been particular to look at, for positive,” says Caps’ proper wing T.J. Oshie of Lindgren. “His work ethic – not solely in video games, however in follow as effectively – is certainly seen. And to see all that work be rewarded is superior. You’re at all times cheering in your teammates and wanting the most effective for them. And anybody that meets Chucky or sees him, and even involves a sport and watches how laborious he battles in there, it’s laborious to not root for that man.”
Now, Lindgren will get an opportunity to battle the Rangers – and brother Ryan, a New York blueliner – in his first style of Stanley Cup playoff motion.
“It’s clearly thrilling,” says the Caps’ netminder. “I’ve bought numerous love for my brother. And I’ve bought numerous respect for the way in which he performs the sport. And my dad and mom, and my brother, and my grandpa, everybody’s extraordinarily excited. However I don’t wish to lose focus; it’s not me vs. my brother, it’s the Capitals vs. the Rangers. I care a lot about this crew and this group, I don’t wish to make it about anything. I simply wish to give attention to Recreation 1 in opposition to the Rangers, and simply put every part I can into this Capitals’ group.”
New York completed the season with a flourish, going 26-7-1 in its last 34 video games and setting a franchise document for wins (55). Artemi Panarin led the Blueshirts with 49 objectives and 120 factors, however the Rangers boast 5 skaters with 20 or extra objectives and 9 who’ve registered double-digit aim totals.
The Rangers completed the season seventh in objectives scored and objectives in opposition to, and so they characteristic the League’s third-best energy play and its third-best penalty killing outfit. The Caps know they’re going to have their arms full on this collection in opposition to the NHL’s high common season crew.
“You take a look at the Rangers, they’re fairly the opponent,” says Lindgren. “Presidents’ Trophy winners, high to backside from their ahead group, their protection group, to their goaltending, it’s elite. With regards to this matchup, we all know that we’ve bought to place every part we’ve bought into it. However I’ve numerous confidence on this group and what we’ve gone by this 12 months. It once more prepares us for this match-up, however that opponent, we’ve numerous respect for what they do, for what they’ve executed, and so we’ve bought to be prepared.”

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