On Saturday, the New York Rangers will host the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal (3:00 pm ET, NBC). Here’s a look at recent history between the two clubs.
Leading scorers
New York: Brad Richards (2G-3A-5PTS) | Washington: Alex Ovechkin (2G-3A-5PTS)
Starting goalies
New York: Henrik Lundqvist (4-3, 1.70 GAA) | Washington: Braden Holtby (4-3, 2.00 GAA)
Nov. 25,2011 – Rangers 6, Capitals 3. This was one of Bruce Boudreau’s final games before he was relieved of his duties as the head coach of the Washington Capitals. After a scoreless 20 minutes, the Rangers came out strong in the second period. Marian Gaborik, Artem Anisimov, and Ruslan Fedotenko each scored a goal by 7:55 of the frame.
Washington battled back with goals from Troy Brouwer and John Carlson roughly four minutes apart in the second. That narrowed the Rangers lead to just one goal, but that’s as close as the Capitals ever got.
Ryan Callahan stood out with three assists in the contest and broke a streak of being handed a penalty in four straight games.
Dec. 28, 2011 – Capitals 4, Rangers 1. Washington got a bit of revenge a month later. Alexander Semin, who was just beginning to break out of an early season funk, led the charge for the Capitals with two goals. Alex Ovechkin recorded two assists as part of his season-high seven-game point streak.
On the Rangers end, Brandon Dubinsky was the only one that managed to beat Washington goaltender Tomas Vokoun. Ryan Callahan assisted on the goal to bring him up to four points in two games against the Capitals.
Feb. 12, 2012 – Rangers 3, Capitals 2. Alexander Semin netted another goal against the Rangers, but it wasn’t enough this time around.
New York’s Brandon Dubinsky had a big game with two assists and Brandon Prust’s shorthanded goal proved to be the game-winner. Ryan Callahan provided the first goal of the game to once again be a factor against Washington.
April 7, 2012 – Capitals 4, Rangers 1. With the Capitals still fighting for playoff positioning going into the final day of the regular season, it’s not surprising that they managed to win this contest.
Washington was hot out of the gate, with early goals from Alex Ovechkin and Mathieu Perreault. John Carlson got one past Henrik Lundqvist with the man advantage to give the Capitals’ a 3-0 lead going into the first intermission.
This was the first and only time that the Rangers faced Washington goaltender Braden Holtby in the regular season. They outshot the Capitals in every period, but Holtby made 35 saves to led the Capitals to victory.
Injuries
New York: Brian Boyle (concussion), Steve Eminger (ankle), Mats Zuccarello (wrist), Michael Sauer (concussion)
Washington: Tomas Vokoun (groin)