Gameday: vs. NY Rangers, May 2 - Round Two, Game Three

It's a big one for both teams tonight.

The Washington Capitals will welcome the New York Rangers to Verizon Center this evening as they play game three of their best of seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.  The series is tied, one game each, following Washington's win in game two Monday night despite the fact that captain Alex Ovechkin only played 13 minutes.  New York won game one with a dominant third period, headlined by rookie phenom Chris Kreider.  Tonight is a huge game for both teams, as the Capitals look to take advantage of their split inside Madison Square Garden while the Rangers look to get their home ice advantage right back after relinquishing it two days ago.

Henrik Lundqvist will get the call in goal from John Tortorella this evening, just as he has in every Ranger's playoff game over the last five seasons.  Lundqvist, who was arguably the top goaltender in the NHL this year and has been dominated for MVP as well, has posted a 1.77 GAA, .938 save percentage, and one shutout in these playoffs.  Outside the crease, the Rangers are almost certainly to be without center Brandon Dubinsky, who has not skated in recent days with a leg injury and was seen on crutches on Sunday in New York.  For that reason, expect Tortorella to keep the same lineup as game two.

Dale Hunter will continue to roll with Braden Holtby in nets for the tenth consecutive game in these playoffs.  Holtby, a rookie, has a 2.02 GAA and a .931 save percentage this postseason, and made 26 saves in Monday night's game one win.  The Capitals currently do not have any disclosed injuries, and with a win in game two, I expect the same lineup for this game tonight.  That means John Erskine and Dmitry Orlov scratched on the back and Mattias Sjogren, Mathieu Perreault, and Jeff Halpern the scratched forwards.

Puck drops 7:42-ish.  As always, follow me on Twitter here for news and updates.
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