rangers capitals

Sorry for the tardiness of this post. Between the wedding yesterday and the birthday activities planned by my girlfriend all weekend, I haven’t really had time to sit and write a game thread.

The Caps are in town today to take on the Rangers, fresh off a sloppy effort in Boston yesterday. The Caps are –probably– securely in the playoffs, and are jockeying for positioning at this point. Braden Holtby has been very good this year, and is a key reason why the Caps are in the position they are at the moment. In fact, they could overtake the Isles for a top-three spot in the division if the Isles keep slipping.

The Caps are playing .500 hockey of late, which has been good enough to keep the Bruins and Senators at bay, at least for now. Any effort that doesn’t mirror yesterday’s from the Rangers will be nice though.

This is likely Cam Talbot’s final start as the fill-in for Henrik Lundqvist, and could be one of the last times we see him in net. He will get a few starts down the stretch, but getting Lundqvist back in game shape is priority number one.

Caps Systems

Under Barry Trotz the Caps run a 1-1-3 lock or a 1-2-2 forecheck, which they use aggressively or conservatively depending on the game situation (e.g., puck location, the score, etc.). In the defensive zone, Trotz runs your standard zone defense. On special teams, the Caps employ a 1-3-1 power play, and a diamond/box hybrid penalty kill depending on puck location and opposition setup.

Caps Lines

Alex Ovechkin-Niklas Backstrom-Marcus Johansson
Curtis Glencross-Alex Kuznetsov-Troy Brouwer
Jaosn Chimera-Eric Fehr-Joel Ward
Brooks Laich-Jay Beagle-Tom Wilson

Brooks Orpik-John Carlson
Karl Alzner-Matt Niskanen
Tim Gleason-Mike Green

PP1: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Brouwer-Johansson-Carlson
PP2: Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Ward-Glencross-Carlson

PK: Laich, Brouwer, Fehr, Beagle, Ward, Backstrom, Orpik, Carlson, Niskanen, Alzner

Braden Holtby gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris KreiderDerek StepanRick Nash
Mats ZuccarelloDerick BrassardJ.T. Miller
Carl HagelinKevin HayesJesper Fast
Tanner GlassDominic MooreJames Sheppard

Marc StaalRyan McDonagh
Keith YandleDan Girardi
Chris Summers-Dan Boyle

PP1: Stepan, Brassard, Kreider, Nash, Yandle
PP2: Miller, Hayes, Zuccarello, Boyle, McDonagh

PK: Stepan, Nash, Girardi, Staal, Moore, Fast, Hunwick (injured), Boyle, Hagelin, Yandle, McDonagh

Cam Talbot is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Klein (arm), Martin St. Louis (knee), Matt Hunwick (undisclosed)

Crazy Prediction: Ovechkin takes less than five shots on goal today.

Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 3pm on MSG.

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