Three Keys to Rangers beating the Capitals in Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Your New York Rangers are going into the playoffs as the number-one seed in the NHL. With the Presidents Trophy in their back pocket and a date with the Washington Capitals in round one, the Blueshirts have a path to the second round. If they are going to set up this seemingly inevitable clash in round two with the Carolina Hurricanes, New York needs to see the Washington Capitals off and progress to the second round.

It will be the first time the organizations have clashed in eight years since the 2014-15 season, when the Rangers made it to the Conference Finals. That was the year when Derek Stepan got the series winner halfway through overtime in game seven of a set faceoff play. This year, the New York Rangers will try to have history repeat itself when they try to overcome the Capitals again this spring. New York is again the dominant force in the league, and Washington is far less competitive now than they were back then.

Regarding the Metropolitan Division titles won between the two organizations, they are two of the most storied franchises in the division. Washington won five division titles with the core of the older days, and New York captured their second title in the realigned divisions this year. Only Carolina and Pittsburgh have won the division outside these two organizations, so there is a strong pedigree between these two franchises. While this isn't the Capitals team that won those divisions, they can win.

New York is the heavy favorite going into the series against Washington, but the Capitals know they have a shot in any series they can get their captain going in. They are built with the physicality of playoff hockey in mind. They are challenging to defeat when they get to the dance, but that is the task ahead of these New York Rangers. So, what will have to go right for the Blueshirts to take the win in this series?

Better Depth

New York's superior depth will be significant in this series. With questions about the possible return of Filip Chytil, the deadline acquisitions and the general depth of the Rangers roster will be the most significant driving factors as to why the Blueshirts will be the favorites here. New York needs to have the lower parts of the lineup on the score sheet if they are to be the dominant force in this series.

Key players like Kaapo Kakko, Alex Wennberg, and rookie Will Cuylle will be instrumental in the most crucial games of the season for the Rangers. Their past performances have demonstrated their value, and Cuylle's physicality will add a new dimension to the team's play in his first NHL postseason. With so much at stake, expect Cuylle to make his presence felt with some impactful hits.

Players like Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow, who are veteran bottom-six pieces, will have to make sure that they are helping kids like Matt Rempe and the aforementioned Will Cuylle through the struggles of their first career NHL postseason. It's taxing and incredibly draining for the players on both teams regarding what it takes out of the groups. The Blueshirts will need their bottom six, knowing that injuries are bound to happen.

Washington's depth is not as strong as New York's because the Capitals lack the same scoring punch in their bottom six. But they can be strong defensively. New York will need its lines to attack in waves if it is going to overcome the Capitals. New York requires depth to be a crucial part of this playoff run. 2024 is the best shot the organization has had since the 2015 season to make a run and try to grab a fourth banner for the rafters of Madison Square Garden, but they need strong depth performances.

Star Talent

New York possesses star talent that only some organizations across the NHL can rival, especially among the forward core. Players like Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and Artemi Panarin will be vital this time of year. Panarin, in particular, could cement his sensational season with some playoff production to help bring the Stanley Cup back to Manhatten. After his poor showing last year, you know he will want to make amends this year.

It feels weird to say that Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider had down years this year when they put up more than 70 points each, but they both struggled to produce at even strength this year. New York's powerplay is something we will come onto later, but these two are going to need to step up their five-on-five production. Both had almost 30 points on the powerplay, and those do not come around as frequently in the postseason as in the regular season.

However, both players can turn the script on the season if they have dominant playoff performances, and they will get to ease into the troubled waters of the postseason with this Capitals series. It won't be as demanding from the outset as other series might be. Starting well will be necessary, but it is less critical than for different teams in other series.

Panarin, Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere were the trio that seemed to bail the Rangers out of trouble when they found themselves in a situation where they needed a goal. If that trio can take that clutchness they exerted through the season and bring it to a new level in the playoffs, the Rangers will be tough to beat, but the defensive games in the postseason will take a step up. It means this line will need to be even better.