Washington Capitals vs NY Rangers Pick
The Washington Capitals hope to continue their surprising but strong play in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semi-final against the overwhelming favorite New York Rangers on Monday night. The Caps are proving to be a handful that not many saw coming.
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Washington Capitals at NY Rangers
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, May 7, 2012
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Broadcast: NBCS, CBC
Series tied 2-2
Caps vs. Rangers Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Rangers -1 ½ (+205)
Moneyline: Caps +132: Rangers -145
Over/Under: 5 goals
Capitals Visit Broadway to Play Game 5
The Capitals have certainly been a pleasant surprise so far in the playoffs with their attention to detail, their surprisingly superb defensive play and their shot blocking ability being the difference in the playoffs so far. For the Rangers the task is simple – keep their cool and try to get some shots through to Braden Holtby.
Washington has not exactly been the offensive juggernaut that we have become used to. Instead, Coach Dale Hunter has this team playing sound defense and putting their bodies on the line for the good of the team. The Caps blocked a stunning 26 shots in Game 4 while allowing just 20 on Braden Holtby. Alex Ovechkin has certainly been playing better as of late and defenseman Mike Green finally appears to be rounding into form – both good signs going forward for the underdog Caps.
Braden Holtby has definitely been holding down the fort – pressure doesn’t appear to be affecting him. He hasn’t had a whole lot to do but when called upon he has been making the necessary stops. Holtby is 1-0-1 with a 1.37 goals against average and a .942 save percentage in the last two games as further proof. [ad-4437448]
The New York Rangers should be nervous. Although they have been preaching patience it appears as though the shot blocking and the tight defensive style of Dale Hunter’s squad has gotten in the head of the Rangers. Just ask John Tortarella – if you can get more than a one word answer that is!!!
The Rangers have looked OK but they are just not penetrating the suffocating defense. However, the team will need a better start if they hope to force the Caps to open up. The Rangers were outshot 14-3 in the first period of Game 4 allowing the Caps to sit back and stifle any offense the Rangers could muster. Marion Gaborik has woken up from his playoff slumber with three points in two games, Artem Anisimov has two points in two games and Brad Richards has continued his fine play with eight points in eight games. The message should be – STAY THE COURSE and everything should be OK.
No worries about Henrik Lundqvist – he has been predictably remarkable and is 1-1-0 with a 1.39 goals against average and a .944 save percentage in his last two starts.
Betting Prediction: The Rangers are the better team – no doubt. But frustration has clearly entered the equation when talking about this team. But we can expect a better start from New York on Monday and with a better start, it will take the Capitals out of what has made them successful. The Rangers had better win or John Tortarella is going to have a stroke!
Pick: New York Rangers -145
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