NHL Playoffs 2011, Rangers Vs. Capitals: Michal Neuvirth To Start, Mike Green To Play In Game 1

On Wednesday night, Green will be back in the Capitals lineup as they host the Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Via the Washington Times:

Obviously, Boudreau is covering his playoff bases here. Green is in, no matter what hedging Bourdreau does on the subject. For more on the importance of Green and his impending return to the Caps’ lineup, check in with Japers’ Rink and SB Nation DC.

There was some controversy as to whether the Caps “workhorse” this season, Michal Neuvirth (by virtue of starting 48 games, the most of any Caps goalie), or the playoff starter of the past two years, Semyon Varlamov, would get the call in goal for Washington in Game 1.

Well, that question has been answered from one of the direct sources himself. Michal Neuvirth announced at practice today that he will be starting Game 1 of the Capitals series against the New York Rangers.

Even the usually confident head coach Bruce Boudreau is baffled “I’ve got to think about this,” he says “It is unfamiliar territory. I think we have a lot of people feeling sorry for their selves. But as you can tell, teams aren’t feeling sorry for you. They’re pushing it on and piling it on. We have to find a way to get out of this, that’s all. Before it’s too late.”

Of course, the Capitals figured things out. They hadn’t even fallen out of first place of the Southeast Division, and rarely did all season long. They still were unable to find a way to solve the New York Rangers, as they went on to lose their final two games against the Broadway Blueshirts, going 1-3-0 against New York for the season. This included another blowout, a 6-0 drubbing at the Verizon Center on February 22. The Rangers out-scored the Capitals 17-6 in four games this season.