Schedule
All times Eastern; *if necessary
Game 1: Saturday, April 28 at New York 3 p.m. (NBC, CBC)
Game 2: Monday, April 30 at New York 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC)
Game 3: Wednesday, May 2 at Washington 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC)
Game 4: Saturday, May 5 at Washington 12:30 p.m (NBC, CBC)
Game 5: *Monday, May 7 at New York, TBD
Game 6: *Wednesday, May 9 at Washington, TBD
Game 7: *Saturday, May 12 at New York, TBD
Three storylines to follow
1. We meet again. This is the third time in four postseasons the Rangers and Capitals have squared off, but the first time New York comes in as the higher seed. In 2009, the eighth-seeded Blueshirts pushed top-seeded Washington to Game 7 before Sergei Fedorov sent the Caps through. In 2011, No.1 Washington eliminated No. 8 NY in five games, with two of the games going to overtime.
2. Looking for a breakthrough. It’s bee a while since either club has gotten past the second round -- the Rangers haven’t been to an Eastern Conference final in 15 years, the Capitals 14.
Teams that have advanced over that span? Philadelphia, (x4), Buffalo (x3), Pittsburgh (x3), Carolina (x3), New Jersey (x3), Toronto (x2), Ottawa (x2), Tampa Bay (x2), Montreal and Boston.
(Teams that haven’t? The Islanders, Panthers and Thrashers/Jets.)
3. Bruised shins. No two teams blocked more shots in the opening round: New York had 155, Washington 139 (comparatively speaking, Ottawa blocked 80, Boston 92). The Rangers were led by defenseman Dan Girardi -- who leads all postseason skaters with 30 -- while Washington is paced by the Karl Alzner-John Carlson-Roman Hamrlik trio, who combined for 50.
Records (reg. season)
No. 1 New York: 51-24-7, 109 points (1st in Atlantic) | No. 7 Washington: 42-32-8, 92 points (2nd in Southeast)
Leading playoff 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)
Head-to-head
Season series split 2-2.
Nov. 25: New York 6, at Washington 3
Dec. 28: at Washington 4, New York 1
Feb. 12: At New York 3, Washington 2
Apr. 7: Washington 4, at New York 1
Playoff history
Washington leads 4-2.
1986: New York 4-2 (Patrick Division finals)
1990: Washington 4-1 (Patrick Division finals)
1991: Washington 4-2 (Patrick Division semifinals)
1994: New York 4-1 (Eastern Conference semifinals)
2009: Washington 4-2 (Eastern Conference quarterfinals)
2011: Washington 4-1 (Eastern Conference quarterfinals)
2012 playoffs
New York: Def. Ottawa 4-3 (EC quarters) | Washington: Def. Boston 4-3 (EC quarters)
2011 playoffs
New York: Lost to Washington 4-1 (EC quarters) | Washington: Def New York 4-1 (EC quarters), lost to Tampa Bay 4-0 (EC semis)
Stanley Cups
New York: Four (1928, 1933, 1940, 1994) | Washington: None
Injuries
New York: Brian Boyle (concussion), Steve Eminger (ankle), Mats Zuccarello (wrist), Michael Sauer (concussion) | Washington: Tomas Vokoun (groin).
Poll
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