The Rangers are going for the sweep tonight in DC, looking to close out the Washington Capitals in quick fashion so they can prepare for their next battle, likely against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Caps won’t go down easy though, as shown in Game 3, and have found a path to success by pressuring the Rangers early and often.
The Blueshirts will need to get back to basics, specifically in the defensive zone, and make smarter, quicker decisions with the puck. Staying out of the box will help, as will ignoring the distractions that will inevitably be there with Tom Wilson and Dylan McIlrath.
Dictate pace. Take the crowd out of it with an early goal, and shut down the Caps. Make this a clinic.
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
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
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 8pm.
