The Capitals need Charlie Lindgren to play like Jaroslav Halak in 2010. (Caps Outsider)
Here are Caps Outsider’s predictions for the playoffs.
Ben Sumner
Forget the standings and goal differentials… the Caps and Rangers were 2-2 head-to-head this season, with 9 goals for and 9 goals against. That’s an even matchup in my book, even though the Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and the Capitals 4-5-2 to end the season when they were chasing the last playoff spot.
A part of me sincerely believes that the Capitals is capable of pulling off an upset against this team – and would even have a -37 goal differential in a seven game series – while the realist in me knows that it doesn’t make any sense for them to go any further. They sold at the trade deadline, their players keep getting hurt and under-performing, and the race to the playoff spot was basically their playoffs.
Rangers in 5
Harry Lichtman
Despite numerous setbacks and flaws, including Alex Ovechkin’s scoring drought earlier in the season, Nicklas Backstrom’s leave of absence, and a -37 goal differential at the end of the regular season, the Capitals have defied the odds and somehow made the playoffs. Nevertheless, Washington will be facing a familiar foe in the New York Rangers, who just clinched the Presidents’ Trophy. Washington has improved significantly since February, thanks to factors like Ovi returning to form and Charlie Lindgren being a brick wall in net. I think the Capitals will make this a competitive series and beat the Rangers in 7. A repeat of last year’s Panthers-Bruins first round result.
Caps in 7
Prediction: Ovechkin finally scores a playoff overtime goal.
Brandon Alter
The Caps are playing with more house money than potentially any playoff team ever. They are not supposed to be here. One look at their goal differential – minus 37 -will tell you that. This is objectively not a playoff team. But somehow they made the playoffs. And what’s the old saying, “just get in and see what happens?” 14 years ago the Caps won the Presidents Trophy and then ran into a goalie – Jaroslav Halak – who made 131 saves on 134 shots to eliminate them. It’s safe to say that the Caps are owed and there’s no better team to do it against than one where there’s bad blood, like the New York Rangers. The Caps are due to take down a contender, so I’m taking the Caps in 7 as Lindgren steals two games, the Caps grind out a 2-1 win and Ovechkin does vintage Ovechkin things.
Caps in 7
Prediction: Wilson does not fight Rempe.
