Washington Capitals: Top 3 keys to victory against Rangers

Carl Hagelin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Carl Hagelin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Zdeno Chara, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Zdeno Chara, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

After a solid homestand, the Washington Capitals will hit the road to Manhattan to take on the New York Rangers. This is the only scheduled one game road trip of the season before the Caps head back home for a two game set against the Philadelphia Flyers.

No news has happened on Thursday morning other than the team loaning goaltender Pheonix Copley from the taxi squad to the Hershey Bears. The Bears begin their AHL slate tomorrow against Binghamton on the road.

The Caps are coming off their first regulation loss of the season where they fell to the Boston Bruins after being up 3-0. The Bruins scored five unanswered goals in the win. Here is how the Caps can avoid this scenario against the Rangers.

Daniel Sprong, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Sprong, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#3 Play a complete 60 minute game

If there’s one thing we haven’t seen from the Caps this season it’s a complete 60 minute effort. They’ve played good in certain periods, mostly in the beginning of the games before flaming out at the end. Two straight times have the Caps blown a 3-0 lead. The Caps also gave up four goals in the third in Monday’s loss and were outshot 25-6 at five on five shot attempts. If there’s any game to dominate from start to finish, it’s this one.