The Washington Capitals put in the work to sneak into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it's finally here as they take on the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the first round on Sunday.
Here is everything to know before puck drop at Madison Square Garden at 3 p.m.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
Washington is sticking with what's worked over a three-game winning streak to close out the regular season, and the forward lines will remain intact.
The blue line is still shorthanded, with Nick Jensen and Rasmus Sandin unavailable due to injury.
Charlie Lindgren will get the start in his first-ever NHL playoff outing.
Here are the lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Connor McMichael-T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Max Pacioretty-Hendrix Lapierre-Sonny Milano
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Alex Alexeyev-Dylan McIlrath
Trevor van Riemsdyk-Vincent Iorio
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Washington Capitals Injury Report
- Nick Jensen is out for Game 1. He has been making progress as he works his way back from an upper-body injury. He was stretchered off the ice on April 13 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after a heavy hit into the boards from forward Michael Eyssimont. He was a full participant in Saturday's practice but has not upgraded to contact yet.
- Rasmus Sandin is also out for Game 1 after being hurt on a big hit by Parker Kelly back on April 7 against the Ottawa Senators. He was also a full participant on Saturday but is also still non-contact.
- Nicklas Backstrom remains on indefinite leave after stepping away from the game of hockey in November with his hip not responding as he'd hoped following hip resurfacing surgery in June 2022.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin is making his 15th appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He hasn't faced any other team more in the postseason than New York and has 23 points in 33 playoff games vs. NYR. In his last Game 1 at MSG, he had a goal and assist.
Related: From That Viral Smile To Being The Underdog, Alex Ovechkin Relishing Every Moment As He Preps For 15th Stanley Cup Playoff Run
- Charlie Lindgren's NHL playoff debut will be a family affair, as he takes on his brother, Blueshirts defenseman Ryan, in Round 1. The two are setting boundaries and are not on speaking terms for at least the next four games
Related: Charlie Lindgren & His Brother, Ryan, Setting Boundaries Ahead Of Capitals-Rangers Playoff Series: 'Talk To You After Round 1'
- Dylan Strome is also finally getting a taste of NHL postseason hockey and will play in his first official Stanley Cup Playoff game on Sunday (he had played in some games with the Chicago Blackhawks back in the bubble, but doesn't count those). Hendrix Lapierre, Aliaksei Protas, Beck Malenstyn, Alex Alexeyev and Vincent Iorio are also making their playoff debuts. Ivan Miroshnichenko and Lucas Johansen also going to get his first NHL playoff experience, though they're healthy scratches to start.
- Tom Wilson is not interested in getting into it with Matt Rempe and had quite a bit to say about the Rangers rookie enforcer, adding that he's looking to play a bigger role than unnecessarily dropping the gloves.
Related: Tom Wilson Discusses Matt Rempe & How He & Capitals Plan To Approach Physical & Gritty Round 1 vs. Him & Rangers
- First-year head coach Spencer Carbery is the youngest NHL bench boss in this year's playoffs and will get his first taste of playoff hockey as a HC at the NHL level. He will coach opposite Peter Laviolette, who parted ways with the Capitals last season after they missed out on the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Laviolette led New York to the Presidents' Trophy this season.
How To Watch Capitals vs. Rangers Game 1
The game will be live on Monumental Sports Network and ESPN.
Fans can also tune in on Caps Radio 24/7 and 106.7 FM The Fan .
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