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Tonight on Versus: Rangers and Capitals going in opposite directions

Ruslan Fedotenko, Michal Neuvirth, Alexander Semin

New York Rangers left wing Ruslan Fedotenko (26) beats Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) and left wing Alexander Semin (28) for a third-period goal during an NHL hockey game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

AP

When you look at the turns the Rangers and Capitals have seen this season, it’s crazy to think that both teams were considered Stanley Cup challengers. When they face off against each other tonight (7:30 p.m. ET on Versus) their roles are a bit different. After all, the Caps were the chic pick to make a run at the finals while the Rangers were more of a dark horse. Now those roles are quite different.

The Rangers have won five in a row and 12 of their last 16 games heading into tonight and they’ve been doing it because their superstars have played as such. Marian Gaborik has 22 goals, Brad Richards is playing the part of playmaker to a “T” and Henrik Lundqvist has been lights out in goal. Take those performances and match them up with getting great play from guys like Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, Ryan Callahan, and Derek Stepan and you’ve got a team that looks poised to make a deep run in the postseason.

We’re sure John Tortorella can find something to be grumpy about somewhere.

The Capitals, meanwhile, have been a mess. They’ve lost 9 of their last 14 games, have been plagued by brutally inconsistent play all over the ice, and frustrated their fans like crazy. After all, going from a great performance to one where the team looks completely unmotivated makes the Caps look very average.

With as much talent as the Caps have, seeing guys like Tomas Vokoun, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin all struggle the way they have is maddening and it’s not helping Dale Hunter look like the savior as head coach. A win tonight for Washington would be a nice start for them, but to make it count they have to string them together in bunches. Doing that against this year’s Rangers is asking a lot.