Yet again the Washington Capitals will have an empire state of mind in the playoffs, as they’ll face the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning this weekend.
The Caps knew they’d be moving on but had to wait for the top-seeded Rangers to hold off the Ottawa Senators in Game 7 Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The series will start Saturday at 3 p.m.
This is the third time in four years the Caps have met the Rangers in the playoffs. They beat New York the first two times, including a five-game series last year.
By winning at the Garden on the final day of the regular season the Caps ensured they would not face the Rangers in the first round. The two teams split the season series 2-2.
“They’re a lot like we are,” goaltender Henrik Lundqvist told reporters in New York on Thursday. “It’s going to be a hard series.”
FULL SCHEDULE
Game 1: Saturday at New York, 3 p.m., NBC
Game 2: Monday at New York, 7:30 p.m, NBC Sports Network
Game 3: Wednesday at Washington, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 4: Saturday May 5 at Washington, 12:30 p.m., NBC
Game 5*: Monday May 7 at New York, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 6*: Wednesday May 9 at Washington, TBD
Game 7*: Saturday May 12 at New York, TBD
* If necessary
