By Bob Duff
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 10:38 p.m. ET April 10, 2011
A preview of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal between the No. 1 Washington Capitals and No. 8 New York Rangers:
Schedule
Wednesday, April 13: N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 7:30 p.m. ET, Versus (JIP), TSN
Friday, April 15: N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 7:30 p.m. ET, Versus, TSN
Sunday, April 17: Washington at N.Y. Rangers, 3 p.m. ET, NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 20: Washington at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. ET, Versus, TSN
x-Saturday, April 23: N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 3 p.m. ET, NBC, TSN
x-Monday, April 25: Washington at N.Y. Rangers, TBD, TSN
x-Wednesday, April 27: N.Y. Rangers at Washington, TBD, TSN
(x-if necessary)
Season series (New York Rangers won 3-1)
Nov 9: Washington 5, New York Rangers 3
Dec 12: New York Rangers 7, Washington 0
Jan 24: New York Rangers 2, Washington 1, SO
Feb 25: New York Rangers 6, Washington 0
Playoff history (Washington leads 3-2)
1986: New York Rangers 4-2 in Patrick finals
1990: Washington 4-1 in Patrick finals
1991: Washington 4-2 in Patrick semifinals
1994: New York Rangers 4-1 in Eastern semifinals
2009: Washington 4-3 in Eastern quarterfinals
Stanley Cups
Washington: 0
New York Rangers: 4 (1928, 1933, 1940, 1994)
Forwards
Washington
It wasn't a typical Alexander Ovechkin season, as the Capitals captain seemed to struggle to find his game in Washington's new defense-first philosophy. But he looked more like the Ovechkin of old down the stretch, finishing with 11-18-29 totals in his last 22 games. Beyond him, Alexander Semin produced 28 goals, and old reliable Mike Knuble knocked in 24 from his post in the slot.
New York Rangers
When Marian Gaborik is healthy and making the puck dance, he is a concern for any opponent. The trouble is that through too much his career, Gaborik's been harder to find than the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. His 48 points in 62 games was good for a tie for second on this offensively impotent club. Brandon Dubinsky (24-30-54) led the way, and rookie Derek Stepan impressed with 21 goals.
Edge: Washington
Defense
Washington
Big question marks here for the Capitals. Will Mike Green, the league's best offensive blue-liner, be ready for the playoffs after missing the last 20 games due to post-concussion syndrome? Veteran Tom Poti missed the last 38 games with a groin injury, and Dennis Wideman missed the last five with a hematoma in his right leg. In their absence, rookie John Carlson has picked up the slack, with 7-30-37 numbers.
New York Rangers
Brother put brother out of the playoffs when the Rangers and Marc Staal edged Carolina and Eric Staal for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Because of his family's claim to fame, Staal may be New York's most well-known performer among a relatively obscure back end corps. Dan Girardi led Rangers defenders with a pedestrian 31 points, while Staal's seven goals topped all New York defenders.
Edge: Washington
Goaltenders
Washington
The Capitals set an NHL record this season with three goaltenders 22 or younger — Michal Neuvirth (27), Semyon Varlamov (11) and Braden Holtby (10) — winning at least 10 games. The question is, which one will get it done in the playoffs? Varlamov owns the most playoff experience — 19 games — but the Caps will hand the ball first to rookie Neuvirth, who's carried the load for the majority of the regular season.
New York Rangers
Henrik Lundqvist led the NHL with a career-high 11 shutouts, tying for the second-most in Rangers history, second only to the 13 shutouts posted by John Ross Roach in 1928-29. King Henrik was at his best down the stretch in helping the Rangers secure a playoff spot. Lundqvist won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but his Stanley Cup legacy is another matter. He's 14-16 all-time in playoff action, and his postseason goals against average (2.66) is significantly higher than his regular-season GAA (2.32).
Edge: New York Rangers
Coaching
Washington
His potty mouth gained him national infamy during HBO's 24/7 broadcast of the Capitals and Penguins leading up to the Winter Classic, but Bruce Boudreau is armed with more than an arsenal of four-letter words. After playoff heartbreak last spring against Montreal, he set out to reshape his club into a defensively responsible unit, and the result was a second straight Eastern Conference regular-season title. His 184 wins in his first 300 games set an NHL record.
New York Rangers
John Tortorella is a bull in a china shop. You'll get no Dr. Phil-like touch feely stuff from him. He's ready to battle at a moment's notice, whether the opponent be the other team, his own team, the officials, or the media. He lives life with a permanent chip on his shoulder, and puts the edge into his team. He also won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004, so his theories apparently work.
Edge: New York Rangers
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More newsPHT: The Bruins try to complete their sweep tonight (7 p.m. ET; Live Extra, CNBC). On NBCSN, the Hawks and Wings play (7 ET; Live Extra), then the Sharks and Kings square off (10:30 ET; Live Extra).
