Rangers look to stay disciplined in Game 2 against Capitals

The New York Rangers opened up the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a resounding 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals to take a 1-0 series lead in this best-of-7 on Sunday. They did it with balanced scoring, and showing discipline by adhering to their defensive system.

Heading into Game 2 at home Tuesday, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette wants to see more of the same from his charges.

“At the end of the day, you want to play fast, you want to play physical, you want to play the game the right way and like the work you did at the end of the night,” Laviolette explained Monday. . “But if you’re undisciplined, there’s a good chance you’ll lose. So, you have to walk that line.”

In the first period Sunday, the Blueshirts struggled to generate much offense versus the Capitals “low event” style of play. That all changed in two minutes and six seconds of the second period with an outburst of three goals that paved the way for a win.

Rookie Matt Rempe, making his NHL Playoffs debut scored to get the Garden Party started. Immediately after the puck went past Caps goalie Charlie Lindgren, the roof came off the building, as the 21-year-old rewarded earlier chants of “Rem-pe, Rem-pe!”

“It was unbelievable,” Rempe said of the Madison Square Garden crowd . “I love them, I don’t want to let them down. I want to play my hardest every single game for them.”

New York will look to keep that energy going trying to grab a 2-0 series lead before heading to Washington for Game 3.

Here’s today’s game and broadcast info:

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals (GAME 2)
Date/Time: April 23, 2024 @ 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden
TV: MSG, ESPN
Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM
Series: 1-0 NYR

Note: Subject to change, updated for each game

Related: Alexis Lafreniere makes game-changing hit

New York Rangers projected lineup

Here’s the expected lineup:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Roslovic
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Wennberg – Kakko
Vesey – Goodrow – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox
Gustafsson – Trouba
Miller – Schneider

Shesterkin
Quick

Note: The Rangers will hold a morning skate at 10:30 A.M. ET. Coach Peter Laviolette will address the media afterwards. Check back here for updates.

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals (Round 1)

Rangers leading playoff scorers:

Goals – Rempe (1), Panarin (1), Vesey (1), Kreider (1)
Assists – Goodrow (2)
Points – Vesey (2), Goodrow (2)

Rangers playoff goalie stats:

Igor Shesterkin: 1-0, 1.00 GAA, .952 SV%

Notes:

This is the 10th time the Rangers have played the Capitals in the playoffs, holding a 5-4 series edge. They are 14-13 all-time in Game 2s at MSG.

The Rangers three playoffs goals in 2:06 in Game 1 against the Capitals was the third-fastest in franchise history. In the 1986 Division Semifinals they notched three in 0:38 against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3.

Rempe became the first Rangers’ player to score a goal in his NHL Playoffs debut since defenseman Matt Gilroy scored in Game 1 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals against the Capitals.

Upcoming Rangers Milestones

• Peter Laviolette needs 1 game to surpass John Tortorella for eighth most games coached (w/playoffs)
• Chris Kreider needs 2 points to tie Rod Gilbert (67) for third in Rangers’ playoff scoring history

More must-reads:

• Rangers edge Capitals 4-3, take 2-0 lead in 1st-round series
• Rangers grind out 4-1 win against Capitals in Game 1
• Rangers ready for first-round battle against Capitals in Game 1

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