Round 2: Official Series Discussion Thread: NY Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

[RGM81]

#1 vs. #7

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=629788

These teams, just a short train ride apart on the Eastern seaboard, have recent Stanley Cup Playoff history upon which to draw.

The Rangers and Capitals are meeting for the third time in four years -- but this time, the roles are reversed.

They met in the first round three years ago, when the Rangers were the No. 7 seed and the Caps were seeded second. Last year, the Caps were the top seed in the East and the Rangers were eighth.

This time, the Rangers finished No. 1 in the East; the seventh-seeded Capitals occupy the underdog position.

In 2009, the underdog Rangers pushed things to a Game 7 at the Verizon Center before Sergei Fedorov scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory. Last year, the Caps made it look easy by winning in five games.

What will this matchup hold? It's hard to say, but this much is certain: Both teams are far different than they were in the previous two meetings.

This year's Rangers are fueled by young, home-grown players who have learned how to win -- and star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is at his peak.

The Capitals play a completely different style. Gone is the star-fueled razzle-dazzle spearheaded by a dominating Alex Ovechkin. In its place is a more responsible game built upon the basic tenets of defense-first hockey

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

This should be a really good series. I think that the Rangers will win it in 5 or 6 games, but each game will be close. Lundqvist and company made it through that Game 7 scare with the Senators, and will now realize that they'll need to amp up their game big time if they want to overcome the white-hot Braden Holtby. And the wild card in all of this is Ovechkin - can he make a big statement in this series after spending a lot of time on the bench in the first round?

The usual administrative notes:

As things have occasionally gotten out of hand with the playoffs discussion threads in recent years, some rule reminders:

• All SCF Rules apply to these threads. Violations for language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.
• Staff will, at their discretion, remove any posts that are considered to be disruptive. This includes flaming, trolling, and hijacking. We will make every effort to keep these threads going for the duration of the series, but if it is found that people cannot be civil the thread will be locked and infractions will be handed out.
• Keep the comments about the game and the players on the ice.

Everybody was relatively well-behaved in the first round (unlike many of the players) so please let's keep that high level of discussion going!

[spuds1961]

Nice overview Richard,I agree with your prediction of Rangers in 5 or 6 as long as Ovechkin is kept in check,I think the Rangers will have just enough firepower to outscore the Caps in a closely contested series.I think once again Lundqvist will be the difference,as he seems to be on top of his game.

[Wickabee]

7 game series, could go either way, but I give the edge to the Rags.

NY in 7.

[SkyFire47]

i think the Rangers in 6.

Caps are playing a similiar style to the Rangers now with a defense-first, responsible style of hockey but that's has been the Rangers game for years now. also, Holtby was impressive against the Bruins but Boston was hardly the same offensive juggernaut that they were this time last year. in a very close series that also went to 7 games, my opinion of Boston was that they never really tested Holtby.

at the moment, i'd say the Rangers goaltending and defense is slightly better than Boston (save for Chara as in individual). if anyone knows how to play tight and wait to jump on mistakes, it'd be NY. here's hoping the good guys in blue win this round and give some payback for the last couple of times. believe we beat the Caps in the semis on our way to the Cup back in 94 as well so who knows? maybe Caps go down and Devils next again. ;)

[metsmagic18]

Rangers will take them in 6. The Caps need some time to cool off after Game 7's excitement, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers give away Game 1.

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

I'll predict the Rangers in 6 games.

[jagrnyr68]

ill go with Rangers in 6. Kreider has been really good, hope they keep him on the line with Stepan and Cally

[centrehice]

Spirited first period with the Rangers jumping out quickly on the fore-check. Some good body-checking with Ovy hitting a few Ranger player with some force.

First part of the period to the Rangers, the last bit to the Caps. Shaping up to be a good series, both teams working very hard and skating well.

[centrehice]

Rangers get on the board first. On the immediate play the Caps get a scoring chance and Johansson is tripped, the result he and the puck both go into the net.

No Call.. Brutal non tripping call. Refs need to be perfect in light of certain teams getting breaks depending on regular season finish, and other's getting non-calls when it is very apparent that a penalty should have been called.

[centrehice]

Laich with a beautiful touch pass to Chimera for the tip and a tie game with 5 seconds left in the 2nd Period.

Game tied 1-1 going into the 3rd.