The Washington Capitals fought their way through adversity and just about everything to get a chance at the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they'll face the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the first round.
It's poetic, actually.
Washington's first dance in its return to postseasonc ontention comes against an emotional opponent, one that D.C. can relate to on multiple levels.
The matchup with the Rangers will feature a sibling rivalry, as goaltender Charlie Lindgren will face his brother, New York defenseman Ryan, in Round 1.
It's the second consecutive season that brothers will face off in a playoff round — Jordan Staal faced brothers Eric and Marc in last year's Eastern Conference Finals — and the first time since 1990 that brothers will play each other in a Capitals-Rangers series (Kevin and Kelly Miller squared off in that year's Patrick Division Final).
“I’m really excited. It’s gonna be a fun family affair obviously, I know my brother’s looking forward to it," Lindgren said. "I’m sure the stress level’s gonna be pretty high."
Related: Critics Were Quick To Write Off The Capitals. Now The Underdogs Are In The Stanley Cup Playoffs: 'I Believed In This Group The Whole Way Through'
Not only that, but the Capitals' first-round series comes against a familiar face, ex-head coach Peter Laviolette.
First-year head coach Spencer Carbery carried D.C. back to the postseason after Laviolette and the team parted ways last summer after missing out on the playoffs last year for the first time in nearly a decade. Laviolette then moved on to New York, where he carried the Rangers to the league-best record.
For Carbery, it's an exciting moment, but most importantly, he's excited for his group and how it came together.
"Pretty surreal. I don't think I actually conceptualized this moment of us reaching our goal," Carbery said. "When it happens, you're a litlte bit taken back. Just proud. Really, really proud of the group."
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Washington is, of course, a big-time underdog that defied all the odds to make the cut, overcoming a -37 goal differential to sneak in, a record-worst for a playoff team in the salary cap era. The 1986 Torotno Maple Leafs did have it worse, though, qualifyign with a -75 goal differential and even winning a playoff series.
At the end of the day, the Capitals know that the slate is clean, and there's still work to be done. And coming against a team like the Rangers, the rag-tag group is ready to continue the ride.
"Obviously so excited our journey as a team," Lindgren added. "We’re not done yet and we get to go into the dance and go compete in the playoffs.”
“You never know what’s gonna happen int he playoffs," Alex Ovechkin added. "It's different hockey, it’s different atmosphere. Everybody’s gonna be on different level."
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