WASHINGTON — The Rangers have a chance to make a long run in the playoffs.
The Blueshirts enter Game 4 of the first round against the Capitals on Sunday night at Capital One Arena, looking to end the series in as few games as possible for the first time since beating the Atlanta Thrashers in four games in 2007. aim.
The Rangers are separated by just one win, the Hurricanes and Islanders get a few days of rest before the series ends, and the series continues after the Hurricanes avoided elimination with a 3-2 double-overtime victory in Game 4 on Saturday afternoon. ing.
“You always want to get the games over as quickly as possible because obviously when the series gets slower, there are more games, more stress, more strain on the body,” captain Jacob Trouba said at Capital One. He spoke after optional practice. arena on Saturday. “That’s obviously not the norm. They’re just going to come out and play like their lives depend on it. But yeah, the faster you try to get that fourth win, the more you’re going to lose the lifespan of your body. I think it’s obviously good for you to feel better and you should get a little more rest.
“Two years ago, we had a seven-game series that overlapped, so obviously I think that’s a big factor. Try to finish the series as quickly as possible to keep it as fresh as possible.”
It was the lack of gas that doomed the Rangers to make the playoffs in 2022. The Rangers had to play seven consecutive games against the Penguins and Hurricanes to qualify for the final Eastern Conference game against the Lightning.
Tampa Bay dominated the Panthers with four wins, taking over a week off before the Rangers finished their series with Carolina.
In fact, the Lightning were out of action for so long that the Rangers went up 2-0 in the series and went up 2-0 in Game 3 before Tampa Bay flipped the switch and won.
Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, who was eliminated in Game 3 after taking a hard hit from Matt Lempe, did not skate Saturday and has already been ruled out for Game 4.
Washington’s two blueliners, Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen, who have been sidelined with injuries throughout this series, participated in an optional Capitals practice Saturday wearing their regular jerseys.
It is expected that the decision will be made during the match again.
Vincent Iorio, who missed the next two games after Alexis Lafreniere was injured in Game 1, skated in a non-contact jersey.
