Gameday: at NY Rangers, Apr. 17 - Round One, Game Three

Karl Alzner and Brooks Laich have played very well so far.

The Washington Capitals are in New York this afternoon to take on the Rangers inside Madison Square Garden.  Today's game will be game three of the best-of-seven series; Washington holds a 2-0 lead, having won game one 2-1 and game two 2-0.  The Capitals have been playing well in the series, playing sound defensive hockey and limiting the Rangers' opportunities, and it has led them to two wins so far.  Today is a huge game as the Caps look to take further control and the Rangers try to get back on the horse and keep from falling down a very hard hole to get out of.

John Tortorella will roll with Henrik Lundqvist in goal for the twenty-ninth consecutive game this afternoon.  Lundqvist has played well this series, allowing four goals on 51 shots.  He played well in game two, making some great saves out of his 16, and could not be faulted on either goal that he allowed.  On the injury front, alternate captain Ryan Callahan is still out with his broken leg, and has not yet resumed skating.  It is believed that Sean Avery will stay in the lineup for Tortorella, which means that Mats Zuccarello and Steve Eminger will be healthy scratches.

For the Capitals, Michal Neuvirth will get the nod in goal for the third game in a row of these 2011 playoffs.  Neuvirth has been excellent so far this series, stopping 46 of 47 shots and allowing one goal in 138 minutes of play.  He posted a 22-save shutout in game two.  Outside of the crease, Dennis Wideman and Tom Poti are both still out on the back end with hematoma and a groin injury, respectively.  Aside from his injured players, Bruce Boudreau is expected to keep the same lineup from games one and two, which means that Jay Beagle, DJ King, Eric Fehr, Tyler Sloan, and Sean Collins will all be healthy scratches.

Puck drops for this one 3:08-ish.  Check back after the game, as there are no morning skates because of the afternoon start time.