Capitals vs. Rangers: Keys for Capital Success

Nick Perretti

KEYS FOR CAPITALS SUCCESS:
 
Jose Theodore
 
Theodore has been inconsistent for most of the year, but at times has shown flashes of the goaltender he was in 2002, winning theVezina Trophy.  There have been many times this season where the Caps' offense picked up Theodore's mediocre play.  However, this may sound cliche, but this is the playoffs. In order for the Caps to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup, it all starts with the goaltender.  Let's not even talk about what would happen if Theodore got hurt...
 
Capitals Offense
 
As good as the Caps' offense is, there are no suprises anymore.  I'm sure the Rangers  will not let Mike Green and his 31 goals sneak in from the blue line to snap a wrist shot above the glove of Henrik Lundqvist.  I'm sure the Rangers aren't sitting around scratching their heads saying "Who is this Alex Ovechkin character? Never heard of him?"  The Rangers will be on these players like flies and glue--but what does this all mean? It means while Ovechkin, Green and Semin, draw the focus of the Rangers' defense, players like Brooks Laich and Tomas Fleischmann must  step up.  The beauty of this year's Capitals team has been a well-rounded attack--where although Ovechkin has carried the team during stretches--there is enough talent to get the job done.
 
Defense
 
Besides Mike Green, the Capitals defense is shaky.  Tom Poti i doesn't like to go into the corners while Shaone Morrison and Milan Jurchina are prone to mental lapses. Playoff hockey is very different then the regular season--one misplayed puck can be the difference between advancing to the next round and playing golf. Is the Ranger's offense strong enough to exploit these vulnerabilities?
 
Don't Get Too Cocky
 
The Capitals won the season series against the Rangers 3-1.  However all of these games were decided by one goal and before John Tortorella came to the helm.  The Rangers might not have have a big named defenseman, but as a unit they are solid. There offense may not have a high-profile sniper, but as a unit, the speed of Ryan Callahan, Scott Gomez and Sean Avery set their offense in motion.
 
In a year where the fourth and eighth seeds were only separated by 6 points, the Rangers are not your average seventh seed.  Moreover, playoffs are all about momentum, the Rangers secured their playoff spot in the final week of the season winning their last 3 games: once against the Canadiens and twice against the Flyers.  The Capitals, jumping out to a quick start, really haven't had much to play for post all-star break. 
 
Predictions
 
In my opinion if the Caps lose this series the finger should be pointed at General Manager George McPhee.  At the trading deadline McPhee was unable to bring in a defenseman and back up goaltender to sure up their line-up.  Derek Morris (who coincidentally the Rangers acquired) would have been a nice addition to solidify their blue line.  But in the grand scheme of things, it comes down to the players. Can Jose Theodore outduel Henrik Lundqvist?  Can the Capitals forwards forecheck and keep the puck in the Rangers' zone?  All these questions will be answered on the ice.
 
If Jose Theodore can return to Vezina form:
Capitals in 7
 
If the Rangers can steal homeice,
Rangers in 6