2/12/12 Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

Not every girl brings you lasagna at work, most of them just cheat on you.

Rangers against the Washington Capitals.

First off, I want to make a not that I will be enjoying this game in person thanks to my awesome neighbors who get really awesome seats for clients and give them to me when he cant make it. I will be seated three rows away from the ice, but where in the arena, I am unsure. Anyone who possibly reads this blog and is going, look for a kid in a Callahan Winter Classic jersey with bright Eminem-yellow hair. That'd be me.

Now, onto the game. The Rangers and Caps are meeting for the third time this season, after splitting the first two meetings with the Capitals winning the latest game 4-1. The Rangers have not had many games this season when they have been held to one goal, while the other team goes off on them, so for a team like Washington that is currently sitting outside the playoff race is pretty bizarre. But, the Rangers seemed to have worked into another groove to get them going after captain Ryan Callahan lead the team to a majorly important win over the Flyers with a hat-trick. The Rangers had three power-play goals in that game, fixing what was only a few days ago broken beyond all belief. Now, if the Rangers can carry that same intensity into the game against the Capitals, they can have their way with them. The Capitals are much like the Flyers is certain aspects. They have shoddy goaltending, but a good cast of people who can put the puck in the net. This is the prototype of a team that the Rangers have been able to beat all season. If the scorers can chip in, and Lundqvist plays like Lundqvist, the Rangers will certainly be able to win this game.



As for the Capitals, they will be without some major members of their lineup, as Niklas Backstrom, Tom Poti, and Mike Green. Poti and Green are defensemen, which means there may be a hole for the Rangers to get to goaltender Tomas Vokoun. However, Dennis Wideman has stepped up as of recently and has provided three assists in his last two games.

The Diagnosis

I truly believe the Rangers can exploit a team like the Capitals. They have some injuries to account for, and are not the same powerhouse the Rangers faced in last years playoffs. The Caps are still dangerous, but I do feel as if the Rangers can overpower them.

The Prediction


Rangers win 4-2

Brian Boyle gets the first goal for the Rangers late in the 1st.
Brad Richards will score the second for the Rangers coming early in the 2nd.
The Capitals will respond quickly with a goal from Alex Ovechkin.
John Carlson will score to tie the game up for the Capitals.
Marian Gaborik will score to give the Rangers the lead early in the 3rd.
And finally, Derek Stepan will get the empty netter to win the game for the Rangers.

Enjoy the game!