Pregame Notes: Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Game 3

 The Caps were able to split the first two in New York at Madison Square Garden. Now the series shifts to D.C as the fans will be in red to see if the Caps can swing the momentum back in their favor tonight. Here is the projected lineup tonight.


Forwards:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Ward
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Chimera
Burakovsky-Beagle-Brouwer
Glencross-Laich-Wilson


Forwards and Defense:

Orpik-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Gleason-Green

Holtby
Peters


Other Notes:

*The Caps need more production from the bottom six this postseason. Look for Troy Brouwer or a guy like Curtis Glencross to try to pot one tonight. Brouwer had a good regular season but has not produced  in the playoffs.

*Braden Holtby in my opinion has played pretty well overall in this series. Holtby has also stayed calm and cool in the postseason this year and it's helping the team.

*Tim Gleason was a little banged up so Barry Trotz called up Nate Schmidt just in case and will take the warmup tonight but it looks like Gleason will be fine to play.

*Evgeny Kuznetsov has come alive along with Alex Ovechkin. If those two continue what they are doing the Caps will have a chance to win.

*First key is to get off to a better start. The first period was not good in Game 2, but the Verizon Center crowd will be ready to explode if the Caps score first. I say it a lot but when they score first they seem to win.

*Another key is to make sure they pick up forwards that try to sneak behind the defense. The Rangers greatest asset is their speed, clog up the neutral zone and that will slow them down a bit.

*Henrik Lundqvist has been pretty good and I expect him to play well tonight. The Caps have to score a dirty goal or two. Have to screen him and get shots through. I know it's tough because the Rangers can block shots but they can get a few through.

*The Caps have to have sustained pressure and try to draw some penalties to get their powerplay on the ice. The Caps only got one powerplay in Game 2.

*Overall I feel the the Caps are in decent shape right now. They have an opportunity to take the series lead back. They are battling against a good team and at times playing darn well. The playoffs only get tougher as they continue but the way they are playing they are giving themselves a chance.


Gametime 7:30 p.m on NBCSN