What Capitals Want Out Of Ivan Miroshnichenko In Stanley Cup Playoffs Debut: 'A Lot Of Energy'

WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was calm as he sat in his stall on Thursday, but there was also a sense of excitement for the young winger as he weighed the possibility of playing in his first NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs game.

He didn't say a lot about the potential of playing, but assured the media that he was prepared for this moment, one he's been waiting for his whole life.

"I am ready the whole time," he said. "It's a very good time."

Miroshnichenko will make his playoff debut in Game 3 on Friday at Capital One Arena when the Capitals host the New York Rangers and look to fight back and start overcoming a 2-0 series deficit.

For head coach Spencer Carbery, putting in Miroshnichenko gives the team a new look up front, and also provides a forward who can add some edge and scoring to the mix.

Related: Capitals Notebook: Jensen & Sandin Possible For Game 3, Miroshnichenko Making Playoff Debut, Lineup Notes vs. Rangers

However, the bench boss isn't putting too much pressure on the 20-year-old.

"He doesn't have to save the world. He doesn't have to come in and be the best player on the ice or do anything spectacular," Carbery said. "We're just looking for energy, competitiveness and him to give us solid minutes inside of our lineup."

Miroshnichenko will slot in for Nicolas Aube-Kubel and play in his spot on the fourth line alongside Beck Malenstyn and Nic Dowd.

For Carbery, it's the perfect spot for the 6-1, 185-pound Russian, who can pack a punch, skate well and provide some scoring prowess, something that the team has needed against the high-flying Rangers. He also believes it's a good role for him to grow in.

"He was smart enough to alter his game a little bit and adapt to, 'Okay, this is how these guys play. This is what I need to do. I need to make sure pucks advance. I need to move my feed. I need to make sure I'm on top of the forecheck, I'm reloading, I'm in good positions above the puck.' I felt like he fit in really well in that role, and that's all we're looking for," Carbery said.

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It will be Miroshnichenko's first game since April 7 against the Ottawa Senators, where he skated just 6:05 minutes. He dealt with a series of healthy scratches to close out the regular season after his play hit a bit of a wall.

But now, coming back into the mix, the Capitals believe he will provide a spark and that the long layoff will fuel a fire under his performance.

"Time off or having not played and coming back in, there's a jolt of energy, enthusiasm, highly-competitive play for the guys that have been thrust into those (situations). I don't expect anything different," Carbery said. "Miro's a mature young man, has played enough games at this level, has watched this series closely, we've talked to him about what's going on, he's been in all the meetings, we've had some individual meetings on his own, so I don't expect it to be a huge stock in getting into the game and being completely overwhelmed. I'm looking for him to give us some good minutes and provide us a lot of energy in our lineup."

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.