The Rangers and Capitals hit the ice for Game 2 of their first round series, with the Blueshirts looking to take a big 2-0 lead before the series shifts to the nation’s capital. The Blueshirts will look to do more of the same from Game 1, shutting the Caps down at 5v5 while also hopefully taking fewer penalties and converting on the powerplay.
The Caps will counter by trying to slow the pace down, something they were fine with in the first period in Game 1 before the Rangers broke it open. It helped that the refs were calling questionable penalties (on both teams) in Game 1, but that’s still their game plan. If they can slow the pace, they limit the chances the potent Rangers offense gets.
For those who need some refreshers: 3 keys to a long Rangers playoff run, Rangers hold the stats advantage, line matchups will be key for Laviolette, Charlie Lindgren scouting report.
Capitals Lines
Alex Ovechkin-Connor McMichael-TJ Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Max Pacioretty-Hendrix Lapierre-Sonny Milano
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Trevor van Riemsdyk-Vincent Iorio
Alexander Alexeyev-Dylan McIlrath
Charlie Lindgren gets the start
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jack Roslovic
Will Cuylle-Alex Wennberg-Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey-Barclay Goodrow-Matt Rempe
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Braden Schneider
Erik Gustafsson-Jacob Trouba
Igor Shesterkin gets the start
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg)
Crazy Prediction: A shutout for Shesterkin.
Game time is 7pm.
