After eliminating the New York Islanders in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Washington Capitals will continue their championship quest just across the East River.
Capitals vs. Rangers 2015: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Game 1 online
Can Alex Ovechkin lead Washington to the conference finals for the first time in his career?
The Caps, who edged the Isles in seven games, are slated to take on the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. These Metropolitan Division foes are quite familiar with each other, as they've now matched up in the playoffs for four consecutive seasons.
Washington is led by Hart Trophy nominee Alex Ovechkin, who led the league in goals with 53 -- 10 more than anyone else. The Russian superstar has scored five times in four games against New York this season and has earned 37 points (22 goals, 15 assists) in 39 career appearances versus the Blueshirts.
Tasked with stopping Ovechkin and Co. will be veteran netminder Henrik Lundqvist. The 33-year-old backstop has recovered well from a neck injury, which kept him out for almost two months earlier in the campaign. He surrendered one goal in five games during the Rangers' first round battle against the Pittsburgh Penguins and appears to be in top form.
New York will be shorthanded, as injured Mats Zuccarello has been ruled out for Game 1. Washington likely won't be at full strength, either: Center Eric Fehr, who sustained an upper-body injury during Game 3 of the first round, isn't expected to dress.
Game 1 coverage
7 p.m. ET | Game 1, Eastern Conference Round 2
Bell Centre | Montreal
Local: None | Nat'l: NBCSN, SN
Live stream at NBC Live Extra
More coverage: Capitals blog | Rangers blog
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