Pregame Notes: Washington Capitals at. New York Rangers Game 5

 Tomorrow the Caps will have a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals as they head back to New York for Game 5. With a busy day for myself tomorrow I figure I give you my thoughts now. Here is the projected lineup for Game 5.


Forwards:

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

Defense and Goalies:

Orpik-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Gleason-Green

Holtby
Peters


Other Notes:

*I don't expect any lineup changes for the Caps in Game 5, the current lineup has had a lot of success since Trotz switched it up against the Islanders. I do expect the Rangers to make some line combination changed with them being down 3-1.

*Braden Holtby has been the Caps best player in the postseason, and he will need to be again tomorrow because I expect the Rangers best effort of the series. It will be key that Holtby turns them aside an plant the seed of doubt in their players.

*Jason Chimera has played very well this postseason as well, he has fit in well with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson.

*The 3rd line of Burakovsky-Beagle-Brouwer are starting to make a difference in this series. They were quiet to start the playoffs but they are coming to life now.

*With Tim Gleason's health being fine the Caps reassigned Nate Schmidt to Hershey so he can join the Bears in their 2nd Round series.

*It is clear that the additions of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik has been huge this season. Their steady play on the back end has been something the Caps haven't had in a long time.

*A huge key for tomorrow in my opinion again will be the first goal, if the Caps can score first the fans at MSG will start to tense up and then there is a chance the Rangers grip their stick too tightly. Also the Caps are unbeaten when they score first in the playoffs.

*Overall this is a chance to advance, and it is a great opportunity to show the world that this Caps team is truly a different team. It will be the toughest win to get, the 4th one is always the toughest. However, if Braden Holtby continues to play well the sky is the limit. We will see!


Gametime Tomorrow 7:00 p.m on NBCSN