After failing to get both points in a heartbreaker at Verizon Thursday night, the Caps head to Broadway for a battle with the first place Rangers. The Rangers are fresh on a Saturday matinee win over their rival Flyers so the Caps might see a tired team coming down from an emotional high. Expecting an easy Caps win this afternoon against the playoff ready Rangers is doomed to failure, but a good showing in necessary given the inexcusable loss to The Jets at home. The first 10 minutes will go a long way in showing whether the Caps are a resilient enough bunch to bounce back in e heat of a playoff race. I still hold that a win on Broadway is not completely necessary, but a strong showing is.
Notes for today's tilt
- Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan is coming off his second career hattrick vs the Flyers. The Rangers Captain is equivalent to Brooks Laich on the Caps, so look for him to make an impact today.
- Save the last 3 minutes of regulation Thursday, Vokoun has been stellar and streaking, which is good news for DC. Vokoun gets the nod today against the always spectacular Lundqvist.
- No Backstrom or Green again. Look for the suddenly clicking trio of Perreault, Semin, and Chimera to continue to pick up the offensive slack.
- One can assume Knuble will get a jersey today after sitting in the press box Thursday. If he does, look for him to respond to his healthy scratch. If he does not, Knuble might be a regular in the press box as Hunter likes to play the hot hands.
- In the Southeast Division race, the Pamthers take on the Islanders at 3. Nabokov has been awesome of late, so hopefully that trend continues.
- Rangers are 7-2-1 in their last 10 and have won 3 straight. Capitals are 4-3-3 in their sat 10.
- Capitals power play clicked on Thursday and will need to continue to have a shot today. Hopefully Ovechkin will be on the boards and not the point.
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