Gameday: vs. NY Rangers, May 9 - Round Two, Game Six

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

The Washington Capitals will welcome the New York Rangers to Verizon Center on Wednesday night as they play game six of their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Broadway Blueshirts.  The Rangers currently lead the series three games to two, having won game five in overtime by tying the game with seven seconds left in regulation and then winning early in overtime on a power play goal for Marc Staal.  The two teams have traded wins in this series so far, and this is the first elimination game the Caps have faced in this series and only the second in the playoffs, with the other being game seven in Boston. Tonight is obviously a very important night as Washington tries to stay alive on home ice and the Rangers look to secure a berth in the Eastern Conference final with their rivals, the New Jersey Devils.

Henrik Lundqvist will get the call in goal from John Tortorella once more for this evening's game.  Lundqvist, who is considered by some to be the best goalie on the planet, has been as advertised in these playoffs, posting a 1.70 GAA, .937 save percentage, and one shutout in 12 starts.  Outside the crease, the Rangers have two injuries, as forward Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) and winger Mats Zuccarello Aasen (wrist) are absent and have not played at all in this series. With a win in game five, expect Tortorella to keep his lineup intact.

Dale Hunter will continue to roll with rookie Braden Holtby in goal, just as he has in every playoff game this season.  Holtby has a 2.02 GAA and a .932 save percentage in the playoffs so far in his 12 starts, and has been the key piece to the Capitals making it this far.  As of this writing, Washington has no disclosed injuries, though Jay Beagle did not participate in the morning skate with what is believed to be a leg injury; if he does not play, Jeff Halpern came off the ice before the scratches and would likely take his place.  Regardless, expect Mattias Sjogren and Mathiew Perreault to be scratched up front.  Dmitry Orlov, who has not seen any ice at all in these playoffs, and John Erskine will be in the press box among defensemen.

Puck drops 7:40-ish. As always, follow me on Twitter here for news and updates.
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