On Sunday afternoon from Madison Square Garden the puck will drop for Game 1 at 3 p.m. eastern time between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers. You can catch the game on ESPN nationally and Monumental Sports Network locally. If you want to stream the game, check this offer out from our friends at fuboTV:
fuboTV has live NHL games on ESPN which you can stream from your phone, television, and all your favorite devices. This is a service that broadcasts live TV over the internet, no cable is required. Watch your favorite teams, network shows, news, and movies on 100+ channels. Plus on-demand entertainment including full TV series. fuboTV is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Spain.
You can hear the game locally across the DMV region on 106.7 The Fan and Caps Radio 24/7. Now let's breakdown the matchup a little further.
Injuries
Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen joined the team at practice and skated in light blue non contact sweaters. Progress. Spencer Carbery noted to the media after practice that they will travel with the team to New York.
More
The Capitals experienced an 11 point improvement under Carbery after their eight year playoff streak was snapped a year ago. Now they're back as the underdogs and folks have writen them off already. But give credit to those of us who watch this team night after night.
We know the Capitals can battle with a team like the Rangers. Their first meeting resulted in a 4-0 win in Dec. at Capital One Arena. Then it was a 5-1 loss at The Garden on Dec. 27. On Jan. 13 and 14 the two squared off in a home and home back to back with the home team winning each game. The Caps won in DC 3-2 while dropping the next day 2-1.
When the Caps let up five to the Rangers in late December the Caps had Darcy Kuemper in net. This time they'll have Charlie Lindgren who shows up better against the Rangers. He shut them out with a 31 save performance in that 4-0 victory earlier that month.
The Caps went with Lindgren in both games against the Rangers in January which is the last time these two teams saw each other. Even though that weekend was split it was Lindgren's play that was a big reason why and his hot glove and hand will be a story to watch this postseason.