It’s Go Time: Game 3, Round 1 !

NY Rangers Lead 2-0
26 Apr 2024 7:00 PM EDT at Capital None Area, W. DC
TV MSG, MSGSN, MNMT, SN360, TVAS, MAX, truTV, TNT

The NY Rangers lead this Eastern conference first round series 2-0 after beating the Caps at MSG on Tuesday, 4-3. Tonight they go down to DC to try to make that 3-0 and take a commanding series lead. The sooner Ovechkin is in tears, the better!

Game 2 was a very competitve event and it is not unreasonable to expect the same tonight. The Caps absolutely have to bring everything they’ve got as very few teams ever come back from down 3-0. The Rangers also have to recognize the significance of going up 3-0 vs the possibility they return to NY with the series tied 2-2. The Rangers have not always been smart about stepping on the other team’s throat when they have them down; time to get some killer instinct going. Or as Mr. Fox said:

“I know the Game 3 last year was a tight one, overtime (2-1 loss), you win that one, it’s a different series. But I guess all you can take from last year is that learning experience. You’re up 2-0, you want to win that Game 3. We know they’re going to come out desperate at home and it’s just about matching that energy.”

Lineup wise, no changes for the NYR. Wennberg took part in an optional morning skate today so is good to go after a maintenance day yesterday. For the Caps, defensemen Sadin and Jensen both skated this morning and it is possible they come back in. Caps expect Miroshnichenko to make his debut at 4th line RW. Miroshnichenko is 6’1″, 185lbs so not a bruiser. In 21 GP this season, he has 2 goals, 4 assists and just 6 penalty minutes.

On this date in history: In 2012, when they were still just kids, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal both scored to lead the Rangers to a 2-1 win over Ottawa in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals..

Zebras tonight (from Scouting The Refs):


Probable NYR lineup

Forwards

Top line ⊳ Chris Kreider ⋄ Mika Zibanejad ⋄ Jack Roslovic
Second line ⊳ Artemi Panarin ⋄ Vincent Trocheck ⋄ Alexis Lafrenière 
Third line ⊳ Will Cuylle ⋄ Alex Wennberg ⋄ Kaapo Kakko 
Fourth line ⊳ Jimmy Vesey ⋄ Barclay Goodrow ⋄ Matt Rempe

Defensemen

Top pair ⊳ Ryan Lindgren ⋄ Adam Fox
Second pair ⊳ K'Andre Miller ⋄ Braden Schneider
Third pair ⊳ Erik Gustafsson ⋄ Jacob Trouba

Goalies

Starter ⊳ Igor Shesterkin
Backup ⊳ Jonathan Quick

Healthy scratch: F Jonny Brodzinski, D Chad Ruhwedel, D Zac Jones
Injured: none 
In the Cooler: none

Long-term IR: F Filip Chytil (upper body) and F Blake Wheeler (lower body)

Author: Beezle

I am the new and improved Beezle

190 thoughts on “It’s Go Time: Game 3, Round 1 !”

  7. This game will speak volumes…..about the Rangers, their killer instinct or lack thereof and their commitment to achieve victory.

    My thoughts on the subject ….if they can be endured by the rest of you is…..

    that they are going to win tonight in a close one and then crush a deflated and disheartened Capitols team.

    This is a perfect season for them to erase and obliterate the curse of Sam.

    Liked by 5 people

  35. CK20 Likes to practice primal screaming. Awesome. Seems to work for him. Maybe I’ll try it. With a little luck maybe it will annoy the neighbors. But then again on the other hand…they might call the police.

    Liked by 3 people

  63. The problem there was the puck was long gone, kid has to be a little more aware. On the other hand, I don’t mind drilling one of their guys while we have the lead

    Liked by 6 people

  82. would have been nice to score on pp. They have to stop taking penalties. You cannot keep Ovi of the board for much longer. Hope Rempe has learned to take a breath. He can be very effective but not from the penalty box. PP goal in second will happen.

    Like

  91. from cerny twitter

    There you go, off the Matt Rempe hit, TVR done for the night. #ALLCAPS down 3 regular defensemen (Sandin, Jensen yet to play in series) plus Iorio hurt in Game 1, too

    Like

  99. IDK, on the replay it looks like Rempe made contact with his entire body, not just his head. Not his fault he’s 6’8 and the other guy is a 6’3″ midget who wasn’t paying attention

    Liked by 4 people

  116. Papa bear just guessing but… Nobody.

    Rempe should since he’s suspended for the rest of the series anyway may as well get his licks in tonight.

    Like

  121. Like wwpd said Rempe should take his pound of flesh from Wilson after we score 1 more goal. Because he now has a history of knocking players out he will definitley be suspended.

    So who do you put in Sun, Bro man or Chytil. I would stay away from Chytil because you know Wilson will mess him up.

    LGR

    Liked by 1 person

  136. These penalties are ridiculous.

    i think Rempe shouldve fought Wilson bc the trade off is great. The caps need Wilson more than Rangers need Rempe. Im also extremely curious how that fight would go.

    Liked by 1 person

  160. That game was mental. Rangers on Pk for half the time.

    My world view doesn’t have room for a time when Ovi is a non-entity in the playoffs. Guaranteed game 4 goal for him. Hopefully in a 7-1 rangers win!

    Like

  167. Play off hockey at it’s best. We have the team. We have the coach, goalie players, system and the execution. Boneheads we have a lot to look forward to. Go Rangers; we just don’t ever give up

    Liked by 2 people

  174. from vince on twitter

    Caps coach Spencer Carbery with some very candid comments again. Asked about why they’re giving up so many shorthanded chances to the #NYR, he talked about Washington’s “lack of foot speed” as hurting them. He’s not wrong…

    Liked by 2 people

  176. Yup — Yankees choked there – it’ll happen when you’re in the playoffs as often as they are. That Red Sox team was awesome! And the fact that the Yankees have 28 other World Series makes it ok. At least Mets fans got to buy up some Boston gear and be proud of something.

    Like

  186. Workman like win, they are clearly the better team. I was about a period behind recorded on TNT so I couldn’t post. Caps whinging about the Rempe hit on TVR, trying to sway a suspension. Wilson of all people with the biggest mouth.

    Liked by 2 people

  187. Wilson may go postal on Sunday. His frustration is building with each loss. Rempe just laughs at him. The Caps’ problem is he is now the face of the franchise. OV is fading into history and they don’t have anyone to take his place. OV chasing the goal record will be their draw for the next two seasons.

    Liked by 5 people

  188. All the toughness signings that Drury did when he took over in reaction to the Wilson incident, and it’s a gangling 6th round pick that seems to have shifted the balance in their favor.

    Liked by 5 people

Leave a comment