NHL Playoffs 2012: New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals Game 4 Preview

At 12:30 p.m. ET in Washington D.C.’s Verizon Center, the puck will drop for Game 4 between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals. The Caps, down 2-1, are looking to tie the series on home ice. The Rangers, on the other hand, are surely hoping to take a 3-1 lead before they bring the series back to Madison Square Garden.

Both teams have had two days to rest after their triple-overtime game on Wednesday. Along with rest, hopefully the Caps have been able to use this time to mentally put their tough 3OT loss behind them. This would be vital if they hope to continue grinding out this series with the Rangers.

The Caps played with great intensity in Game 3. They tallied 46 shots on Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist and logged an astounding 59 hits on Rangers skaters. Even with two days of rest, Lundqvist and his crew will surely be feeling the effects of Game 3 tomorrow afternoon.

One thing the Caps need to improve on in this series is their forecheck. They only managed 10 takeaways in the 114 minutes of Game 3. Forechecking would help them force turnovers in the offensive zone, turning their defense into offense. In addition, it would help them wear down the Rangers defenders, four of whom logged more ice time than any of the Caps players. Forechecking their defenders will be particularly effective, especially later in the game.

While the Caps only racked up four minor penalties in Game 3, they still need to show more discipline. One of the Rangers’ two goals in the last meeting came on the power play. Because the Caps have played best in even five-on-five play, avoiding giving the Rangers any man advantages is key.

That said, it would also be ideal if the Caps would avoid four-on-four play, seeing as that has been a troublesome situation in the playoffs, especially against the Bruins.

All Braden Holtby needs to do is continue being an amazing goaltender. What more is there to say? Through almost six periods of play, Holtby made an astounding 47 saves on 49 shots.

The Caps definitely need to make sure they don’t find themselves in a 3-1 hole after tomorrow afternoon. If recent history can tell us anything, the Caps are more than capable of doing so. In fact, the Caps went into Game 4 against the Bruins and ended up winning that game and Game 5.