BY MIKE RIFKIN
The New York Rangers won the President’s Trophy as the best team in the NHL over the regular season, sometimes that doesn’t translate into playoff success look at the Bruins from last season. But the Rangers took care of business against a Washington Capitals team that they shouldn’t have overlooked. Here are five reasons why the Rangers were able to sweep the Caps.
- SPECIAL TEAMS – The Rangers’ special teams was solid for the most part this season. This series against the Caps they were extraordinary. The power play clicked at 37.5% and they scored in every game except game one, in games two and four they had multiple power play goals. For as good as the Power Play was, the penalty kill was even better. The Rangers PK clicked at 88.2% and was huge in a lot of spots including game three, where they were six for six. The Rangers outscored Washington while shorthanded 2-1.
- IGOR SHESTERKIN – Head Coach Peter Laviolette gave Shesterkin a mental reset shortly after the All Star Break, and since then Shesterkin has been excellent. In this series against Washington he was fantastic. Shesterkin had a 1.75 GAA and a .931 save percentage. Yes, this is not the same Caps teams of the past offensively but to hold them to seven goals in four games is a big credit to the goalie.
- TOP GUYS – When the lights are on bright, your best players have to show up. For the Rangers in the first round they did show up. The big four of Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck combined for eight goals and 19 points. Last season against the Devils that group of four combined for eight goals as well but six were scored by Kreider. Having Trocheck and Panarin off to a fantastic starts is really beneficial for the Blue shirts. Especially after them being so limited last season.
- ALEX OVECHKIN – Arguably the greatest goal scorer of all time (once he breaks Gretzky’s record) Alex Ovechkin was held without a point in the four games. It was the first time in Ovi’s career that he was held without a point in an entire series and defensively the Rangers held him to five shots on goal. Prior to this series Ovechkin had 13 goals and 23 points against the Rangers in the playoffs.
- Fourth Line – Like I said above you need your top players to perform this time of year, well you also need others to contribute. The Rangers fourth line of Barclay Goodrow – Jimmy Vesey – Matt Rempe all had their moments in this series. Rempe opened the scoring of the series and when given the opportunity played physical. Jimmy Vesey, who had a really strong season had a goal and assist in the series. Barclay Goodrow, had a goal and two assists. But the fourth line was aggressive and played a lot in the Caps zone. Goodrow and Vesey were also very important on the PK.
The Sports Insanity Network 