May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) reacts against the New York Rangers during the third period in game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Every time the New York Rangers face the Washington Capitals, there is a battle of epic proportions. Emotions play out on the ice, tension clouds the air and it is almost always a close race. But it may be a much tougher race for the Rangers this season.
This year, the two teams will square up five times. Their first meeting will be November 3rd at Madison Square Garden where they last met.
That was when the Rangers had defeated the Capitals in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Alex Ovechkin‘s promise to take the series fell flat in overtime as Derek Stepan buried the last goal. The Captain will be looking for some redemption the next time he sets skate on New York’s ice.
The Blueshirts will defend their house against Washington again in December and January. Then they will take to the road to face the Caps in January once more and their last meeting will be in March.
To gain an idea about how the two teams will fare against one another this season, let’s start with their history in 2014-15.
Next: 2014-15 Regular Season Rivalry
May 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save on New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) in the third period in game three of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 1-0, and lead the series 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
In the regular season series last year, the Rangers won three out of four contests with the Capitals.
Rick Nash shined in the first game of the series, beating Braden Holtby three times for a hat trick. Ovechkin had scored on the man advantage, yet the Rangers ended out on top 4-2.
In the next match, Cam Talbot earned the first star of the game, stopping 29 shots for a .966 save percentage. Ovechkin had scored another power play goal here, but it wasn’t enough as the Rangers won 3-1.
Washington’s Captain then took vengeance in the next game, scoring two goals – one on the power play of course. Jason Chimera proved to be equally problematic with two consecutive goals of his own in the third period, lending to the Capital’s 5-2 win.
In their last match of the series, Kevin Hayes stole the spotlight with one goal and one assist in a 4-2 victory over Washington. But it was not without Ovechkin scoring yet another power play goal. Surprise surprise.
Then there was the postseason.
Next: 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs
May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) and Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) meet at center ice following the overtime period of game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers narrowly missed elimination in a full series with the Capitals.
Ovechkin scored on the power play to help Washington win 3-2 in Game One. He scored again in Game Two, this time at even strength. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov also lit the lamp but the Rangers flipped the tables winning 3-2 and tying up the series.
Things started going downhill for the Rangers as Washington captured Games Three and Four. Braden Holtby posted a shutout as Jay Beagle scored the only goal in sixty minutes. Andre Burakovsky then scored twice in Game Four for the Caps while Derick Brassard was the only player to score for New York.
New York Rangers /
New York Rangers
The Blueshirts lacked offense and they were down 3-1 in the series, one loss away from elimination. What were the chances that they would battle back?
Less than two minutes away from being knocked out of the Playoffs, the Rangers were down 1-0 in Game Five. Chris Kreider saved the Rangers with a goal at 18:19 in the third period, sending the teams to overtime. Captain Ryan McDonagh would score after a brutal nine minutes and 37 seconds in OT, giving the Rangers a much needed win.
Kreider continued to dazzle in Game Six, scoring a goal within the first minute of play and scoring again on the man advantage. On the other side, Joel Ward battled hard for the Caps recording one goal and two assists. However the Rangers scraped by once more, winning 4-3.
Washington’s Captain promised to take Game Seven. He made good on his word at first, opening up the scoring. Then Rangers rookie Hayes came along, evening up the score with a power play goal. Still tied after sixty minutes and midway through overtime, a Derek Stepan goal foiled Ovechkin’s plans as the Rangers won Game Seven and the series.
Next: Offseason Additions & Departures
Mar 11, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers goalie Cam Talbot (33) prepares to make a save on Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in the first period at Verizon Center. The Rangers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Obviously these two teams were a close match before the offseason, but the Rangers had the upper hand. Now that a few changes have been made to both rosters, what can we expect?
The Big Apple still has much of its core. With the changes, the team still looks the same if not slightly better and should be continue to be stiff competition for the Caps.
Meanwhile, the Caps lost a dependable two-way defenseman in Mike Green and a tough right winger in Joel Ward. But their losses were heavily outweighed by what they gained in the offseason. They acquired two top-six worthy players, Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie. Williams brings valuable Stanley Cup Playoffs experience while Oshie brings in hockey smarts (he had a +17 plus/minus last year and +19 before that) and over 50 points.
With those two new additions, the Caps are loaded with potential to have a better season this year.
Next: Questions Facing Both Teams
May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save on a short-handed breakaway shot by New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) during the first period of game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Looking at this rivalry, here’s what we wondering about most as October starts.
How are the Rangers going to improve their penalty kill from last year? Ovechkin was able to score in every single game on a Washington power play. If the Blueshirts can figure out a way to keep Ovechkin contained, they’ll have an easier time grabbing a win.
And how will the Rangers fend against three of the biggest names in hockey in the Caps’ top six alone? It’s a daunting challenge, but New York’s blue line and last line of defense are some of the strongest in the league.
For the offense-focused Capitals, the biggest question is if their defense is strong enough. With Mike Green’s leaving, their blue line will have to work harder to keep the Rangers from reaching Holtby.
Next: Metropolitan Division Predictions
May 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) prepares to make a save on Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) in the second period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-1, and lead the series 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Overall, it’s going to be a closer race this time around for the Rangers and Capitals.
New York was the better team last year, winning all but one contest in the regular season and refusing to lose the series in the Playoffs. Washington was tough competition then, making their opponents work for the W. But now they’re new and improved.
The Caps have better chances of winning with Williams and Oshie to put their offense into overdrive. The Rangers need to worry about keeping the puck away from not only Ovechkin, but those two as well now.
With that said, the Rangers and Caps are likely to see an even series in the regular season. Out of the five upcoming match ups, I’ll say the Rangers will win two or three.
But as far as the postseason, if they happen to meet again, the Rangers should prevail. The Rangers will have more reason to win. They’ve come so far in the last two years that there’s more drive and more motivation to do whatever it takes to get to the Cup. And since the race between the Rangers and Caps will be so close, all it will come down to is who will want it more.
