Game 45: Can anyone beat the Caps?

Photo: Reuters

Another day, another game against the Caps. This is the third time these two meet in roughly four weeks, and the fourth time this season. The Caps dominated the first two outings, with Henrik Lundqvist stealing the first and the Caps blowing out the Rangers in the second.

The third meeting was the best this season, with the Rangers coming back from down 2-0 to take a 3-2 lead. The Caps then scored with six seconds left to tie it, and Alex Ovechkin went end-to-end in a way only he can to win it in overtime. This was the first game that appeared to be evenly matched throughout.

Tonight’s game will be interesting, with the Rangers coming off a lucky win in Philly and the Caps coming off a 4-1 loss in Buffalo. Plus it’s Antti Raanta in net, so you never know.

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-Nicklas Backstrom-T.J. Oshie
Andre Burakovsky-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Justin Williams
Jason Chimera-Michael Latta-Tom Wilson
Brooks Laich-Mike Richards-Stanislav Galiev

Dmitry Orlov-Nate Schmidt
Karl Alzner-Matt Niskanen
Aaron Ness-Taylor Chorney

PP1: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie-Johanssen-Niskanen
PP2: Kuznetsov-Burakovsky-Williams-Orlov-Niskanen

PK: Laich, Oshie, Wilson, Backstrom, Williams, Orpik, Niskanen, Alzner

Braden Holtby gets the start.

Rangers Lines

J.T. Miller–Derick Brassard–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Kevin Hayes–Oscar Lindberg–Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Viktor Stalberg

Ryan McDonagh–Dylan McIlrath
Marc Staal–Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle–Dan Girardi

PP1: Nash-Zuccarello-Brassard-Boyle-McDonagh
PP2: Kreider-Miller-Stepan-Yandle-Klein

PK: Nash, Stepan, Moore, Lindberg, Fast, McDonagh, Staal, Klein, Yandle, Girardi

Antti Raanta is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Klein (wrist), Jayson Megna (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: A dominant win against the best team in the East.

Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 5pm on MSG. All gifs will be on nyrgifs.com.