Rangers look to close out healthy, Caps want home ice versus Islanders (NYR v WSH 12:30PM)

Marty St. Louis plays puck (Getty)

Another game where the Rangers are simply going through the motions in preparation for the playoffs against an opponent with something to accomplish. The Capitals can secure home ice in the 1st round against the NY Islanders with a win today.

GAME 82: New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals, Verizon Center, DC 12:30PM

Today’s game will be about getting Henrik Lundqvist some work and I wouldn’t be surprised in he and Cam Talbot split time in net either. Kevin Klein is out but expected to return for the 1st round.

Marc Staal will sit this one out again and Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash are game time decisions.

RELATED: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE FINAL 2 GAMES (LOOKS LIKE I WAS ON POINT)

DailyFaceoff’s Goalie Matchup

NYR at WSH (Dailyfaceoff)

-Click link above for updates on starters.

COACH’S SCRUM

NOTES

SEASON SERIES (2-1 NYR)

Via Blueshirts United: In three previous meetings this season the Rangers have posted a 2-1-0 record against the Capitals, winning once each at The Garden and The Verizon Center, and most recently dropping a 5-2 decision to the Caps at MSG on March 29. In the one game, so far, played in D.C. the Rangers skated to a 3-1 victory on March 11 as Cam Talbot finished with 28 saves. Carl Hagelin, J.T. Miller and Martin St. Louis were the goal scorers for New York, and Kevin Hayes had a pair of assists. St. Louis has scored twice in the season series, while Rick Nash has three goals against the Capitals–all scored in his first Hat Trick as a Ranger back on December 23. That game right before Christmas–a 4-2 Blueshirts victory–is the only one in the season series Henrik Lundqvist started, and he stopped 30 of 32 shots, including 19 saves in a wild third period. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin has scored at least once in all three games against New York, and has four goals total in the season series.

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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