The Playoffs Are Here

Well the time has come for the Washington Capitals and the rest of the NHL teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This time last year when the Caps owned the number one record in the league I had no doubt that they would make it far. As everyone knows they fell to the Montreal Canadiens in seven games after holding a 3-1 series lead. This season was a struggle at some points, but in the end I think our team has grown offensively, defensively, and mentally. With the addition of Jason Arnott, Marco Sturm, and Dennis Wideman at the trade deadline, the Capitals portray a smarter more developed team.

Earlier this season all of the fans in Washington were throwing their Stanley Cup hopes in the trash during the nine game losing streak. Since then Bruce Boudreau and his team have matured because of the diversity and struggles they have faced. The nine game struggle though hard to watch, might have been the best medicine for a Capitals team who craves Lord Stanley. I would like to personally give a shout out to Arnott who has been a boost of experience and knowledge for the squad. Michal Neuvirth will be getting the nod tonight in goal for his first playoff start in his NHL career. Let's not forget Neuvy has been the backbone of the Hershey Bears' past two Calder Cup championships in the AHL.  

This 2011 playoff series with the Rangers will hopefully be the beginning of something beautiful and memorable for the Caps. I can definitely say that I am more confident that this year’s team is more well-rounded and overall a better team. The Rangers clinched the eighth place spot on the last day of the regular season because of a Carolina Hurricanes loss. This will be the second time in three years that the Caps and Rangers have faced each other in the first round. In 2009, Washington prevailed over New York in seven games. We all remember Sergei Fedorov lighting the lamp with less than five minutes to play to take the series. The rangers lead the season series 3-1 vs. the Caps, two of the wins being shutouts. These two embarrassing losses of course happened before the trade deadline pick-ups.

5 Keys to the Series

• Alex Ovechkin. The best player in the world, has to lead by example and hit the statsheet hard for the Caps.
• Caps goal tending. Whoever may be in net has to be consistent for Washington. Michal Neuvirth will start Game 1, so hopefully he will play well tonight avoiding early goalie changes like the past two years.
• Veterans must lead the way. Arnott, Knuble, Poti (if he plays), Hannan, and other seasoned vets have to calm the younger players and lead by example in this series.
• Carlzner. Yes the defensive combo of John Carlson and Karl Alzner will be vital in shutting down the Rangers' top offensive lines. With both of them being in their second year, I have the utmost confidence in these two because of what they proved in the regular season.
• Garbage goals. Knuble and the boys have to get pucks to the net and crash to get on the scoreboard. Playoff goals don't have to be pretty and everyone counts just the same. That extra poke-check or push could be the difference in the game.

Injuries

The Caps will be missing Tom Poti for an undisclosed amount of games in this series, but he should return at some point. Mike Green is also expected to return in this series, possibly tonight. Finally, Dennis Wideman was released from the hospital for leg hematoma and is expected to return sooner than expected, but is out for the first round. These three blue-liners will be vital in the playoffs for Washington. The Rangers will be missing Ryan Callahan who is out for the season with a broken leg.

In my opinion, this series will be competitive, but will not take seven games for a Capitals victory. My prediction is the Caps top the Rangers in 5 with the main factor being goaltending for both teams. The Caps defense has to keep Gaborik and the boys in check. Keep the faith Caps fans the time is here and were not going to back down this year. Tune into tonight at 7:30 to watch Game 1 Caps vs. Rangers. Rock the Red!

In Ovi We Trust