With the way many pundits were predicting the second round, the Rangers and the Senators weren’t supposed to be here.
Rangers vs. Senators preview: Familiar faces highlight Game 1 in Ottawa
Derick Brassard and Mika Zibanejad will play against their former clubs after being traded in the offseason.
Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images
Both sides were predicted to be ousted in round one by Montreal and Boston, setting up an Original Six matchup for the ages. Instead, we have Henrik Lundqvist on a mission and Erik Karlsson out on the ice playing with a fractured foot. Not as flashy but no less intriguing.
Game 1 drops on Thursday evening. Let’s set the stage.
What we learned in the season series
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The starters weren’t much of a factor. Craig Anderson played two of the three games between the Senators and Rangers while Lundqvist played only one. The last meeting of the season on April 8 was the first time both goaltenders were starting in a game, where Anderson saved 18 shots in a 3-1 victory.
Key players in Game 1
Derick Brassard and Mika Zibanejad. The pair were traded for each other last offseason and will likely dominate the storylines of this series. Brassard has eight points so far in these playoffs with four power play points while Zibanejad has four points and one game-winning goal from the first round.
Any injuries?
None for the Rangers, but the Senators have Mark Borowiecki (lower body) inactive for Game 1 while Tom Pyatt (lower body) is questionable.
What will decide Game 1?
How much will the Senators rely on Karlsson? The blueliner averaged about 30 minutes of ice time in the last series, even with a fractured foot, and was still the Senators’ best player. Karlsson is close to full health, which is good news for Ottawa, and he’ll need to be against an opportunistic Rangers team.
Who takes home Game 1?
The Rangers. Lundqvist puts up another solid game between the pipes to quiet the Ottawa home crowd.
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