Standings: Capitals (17-15-2), Rangers (22-8-4)

Leading Scorer: Nicklas Backstrom (12-23-35)

Goaltender: Tomas Vokoun (23 GP, 2.75 GAA, .910 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky-Brian Boyle-John Mitchell
Ruslan Fedotenko-Mike Rupp-Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Jeff Woywitka-Stu Bickel

Martin Biron gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Marc Staal (concussion symptoms), Wojtek Wolski (groin), Mike Sauer (concussion), Sean Avery (healthy), Erik Christensen (healthy), Tim Erixon (healthy)

Preview: The last time the Rangers played the Caps, they lit up Michal Neuvirth en route to a 6-3 spanking. That was one of the last games Bruce Boudreau coached for the Caps, who supplanted him with Dale Hunter, who has not had much success. The Caps are playing .500 hockey since the replacement of Boudreau with Hunter, and the biggest issue is the lack of production from Alex Ovechkin, who has just 25 points in 34 games this season. This is a far cry from the usual Ovechkin that dominates the score sheet.

Under Boudreau, the Caps played a 1-2-2 hybrid trap, but it wasn’t really built to the strengths of the team. Their strength has always been in their forecheck, then using their skill. I haven’t watched enough post-Boudreau Caps hockey to know if Hunter is still using the 1-2-2, or if he switched back to the 2-1-2 forecheck (what the Rangers use).

The Caps are still a dangerously skilled team, and when given the room can light any team up. The Rangers succeeded in containing the Caps last game, but will need to do it again to make it six wins in a row.

Crazy Thought: One of Dubinsky or Boyle scores. Seriously, one of them needs to score.

Opponent’s Blog: Rock The Red

Game time tonight is 7:30pm on Versus, AM1050 and XM214.

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