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<\/strong>
Time:<\/strong> 3:00 p.m.
TV:<\/strong> MNMT, ESPN
Radio:<\/strong> Capitals Radio 24\/7
Recreation 1, Jap Convention quarterfinal collection<\/strong>
Washington Capitals (40-31-11)<\/strong>
New York Rangers (55-23-4)<\/strong>
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\u2019s Presidents\u2019 Trophy-winning crew for 2023-24; their 114 factors was simply sufficient to nip Dallas (113) for the glory of being the League\u2019s 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.
\u201cAll of us perceive how we’ve to play, what sort of crew New York goes to be,\u201d says Caps\u2019 captain Alex Ovechkin. \u201cWe\u2019re simply going to play sport by sport and see what occurs.\u201d
The Caps know what they\u2019re up in opposition to, and so they know they\u2019re 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\u2019re 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\u2019re decided to take advantage of this newest alternative.
\u201cSomething can occur within the playoffs,\u201d says Caps\u2019 left wing Max Pacioretty. \u201cAnd 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\u2019s on the market; we\u2019re 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\u2019ve bought to point out your finest for 4 video games, and that\u2019s why it\u2019s thrilling.\u201d
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\u2019ll be getting their first style of Stanley Cup playoff hockey, however they\u2019ve bought a good suggestion of what it takes to go on a prolonged and profitable playoff run.
\u201cWe’ve got a terrific combine of fellows who’ve executed it earlier than, who wish to get again there, and guys who haven\u2019t been there earlier than who wish to show that they may help the crew win within the playoffs,\u201d says Caps\u2019 heart Connor McMichael, certainly one of eight Calder Cup champs from 2023 presently on the Washington roster. \u201cI 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.\u201d
\u201cIt\u2019s enjoyable to see guys expertise it for his or her first occasions,\u201d says Caps\u2019 proper wing Tom Wilson. \u201cClearly, they\u2019ll 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.\u201d
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\u2019s seven. Kuemper had began every of Washington\u2019s prior three video games going into that weekend, however that\u2019s when the script flipped. Caps\u2019 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\u2019s final 43 video games, and he earned 18 of the Caps\u2019 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.
\u201cI\u2019ve had a blast,\u201d says Lindgren. \u201cI stated it after the Boston sport [last Monday]; I\u2019ve dreamed about this for 20 years \u2013 legitimately \u2013 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\u2019ve had an absolute blast this entire season.\u201d
Lindgren\u2019s play helped make this season a blast for his teammates too; they wouldn\u2019t be right here with out him.
\u201cIt\u2019s been particular to look at, for positive,\u201d says Caps\u2019 proper wing T.J. Oshie of Lindgren. \u201cHis work ethic \u2013 not solely in video games, however in follow as effectively \u2013 is certainly seen. And to see all that work be rewarded is superior. You\u2019re 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\u2019s laborious to not root for that man.\u201d
Now, Lindgren will get an opportunity to battle the Rangers \u2013 and brother Ryan, a New York blueliner \u2013 in his first style of Stanley Cup playoff motion.
\u201cIt\u2019s clearly thrilling,\u201d says the Caps\u2019 netminder. \u201cI\u2019ve bought numerous love for my brother. And I\u2019ve bought numerous respect for the way in which he performs the sport. And my dad and mom, and my brother, and my grandpa, everybody\u2019s extraordinarily excited. However I don\u2019t wish to lose focus; it\u2019s not me vs. my brother, it\u2019s the Capitals vs. the Rangers. I care a lot about this crew and this group, I don\u2019t 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\u2019 group.\u201d
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\u2019s third-best energy play and its third-best penalty killing outfit. The Caps know they\u2019re going to have their arms full on this collection in opposition to the NHL\u2019s high common season crew.
\u201cYou take a look at the Rangers, they\u2019re fairly the opponent,\u201d says Lindgren. \u201cPresidents\u2019 Trophy winners, high to backside from their ahead group, their protection group, to their goaltending, it\u2019s elite. With regards to this matchup, we all know that we\u2019ve bought to place every part we\u2019ve bought into it. However I’ve numerous confidence on this group and what we\u2019ve 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\u2019ve executed, and so we\u2019ve bought to be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n