Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs takes place tonight between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the odds for the game have the Rangers as a small favorite.
Washington took a 2-0 series lead on Saturday when Mike Green buried a shot in the back of the net during overtime. The Rangers played well in Game 2 but in the end couldn't get over that little hump. New York will look to get even in this series with two games at Madison Square Garden.
Henrik Lundqvist has shown up for the most part, but giving up three second period goals in the opener of this series has been eating at him. Yet, he's being outplayed so far by Braden Holtby, who has given up just one goal on 60 shots so far in this series. But he's not just a flash in the pan — Holtby's number this season were 23-12-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average in 36 regular-season games.
Carl Hagelin gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead with 3:16 left in the first period of Game 1, and they haven't scored since. Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh took a bad penalty in overtime when he tried to clear the puck, but shot it over the glass for a delay of game. He said the Rangers are going to need to play more physical in tonight's game to try and keep the Capitals from getting in a groove.
But if the Rangers are going to be back and potentially move on, they have to overcome some team history. New York, who reached the East finals a year ago before losing to the New Jersey Devils, have only come back once to win a series they trailed 2-0.
The Rangers have also been battling some injury problems, but got Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett back in the lineup on Saturday, and they could have Ryane Clowe in tonight's game, according to reports. This is as close to a must win for the Rangers as they could possibly have in this series.
Free Pick: Rangers 3, Capitals 1
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