New York Rangers, Washington Capitals set for Game 1 -NHL Playoffs Preview
New York Rangers and Washington Capitals are all set to renew their postseason rivalry as the two meet up for Game 1 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
The 2011-2012 NHL regular season proved to be equal in terms for both teams as they split the four game series, giving an equal prospect to the playoffs now but with the change of goalies Washington has gone through, it could prove to be either great or
poor for the Capitals.
Up until now, Braden Holtby has proved to be a mature goalie with a lot of potential as he overcame the Boston Bruins and Tim Thomas. Now he will continue his streak of attempting to take down the goaltending giants with his next stance being against Henrik
Lundqvist of New York.
"You know, [Holtby] is a unique kid," Capitals’ coach, Dale Hunter, said. "Nothing fazes him. He's a battler. You know whatever he does he's going to try his best, and he gets rewarded for it. He's got great character, and the guys love him. When you call
your goalie in net like a warrior, he's one of the guys like that."
New York got a huge boost of confidence when they took down a rowdy Ottawa Senators team, eliminating the only Canadian team remaining in the playoffs in Game 7 while Washington also went to seven games with Boston.
Rangers were put on the verge of elimination by Ottawa entering Game 6 but New York fought back to win, showing that they can rebound at any required moment.
"I really felt we were going to go into Ottawa and win," Rangers coach, John Tortorella, said. "And I'm not saying that because we did it. I told our guys that have followed our club all year long that this is a good group and they've been resilient all
year long.”
The Saturday, April 28, 2012, matchup is sure to be one not to miss as the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals kick off between Washington Capitals and top seed, New York Rangers, at the Madison Square Garden.
The action will begin at 3:00 PM ET.
Prediction:
Washington will take Game 1 in overtime.
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