Rangers cant let up as series move to Washington poses new playoff challenges

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery seemed encouraged by his team’s performance in Game 2 on Tuesday, despite the fact that it resulted in a loss and sent the Caps home in a 2-0 series hole.Giving Washington hope would be the most dangerous thing the Rangers could do at this point in the series.And with the change in scenery, the series dynamic changes, too.It’ll be up to the Rangers to manage both if they hope to advance to the playoff’s second round sooner rather than later.“We’re going back home now, we’ll get an opportunity to be able to control the matchup for [Alex Ovechkin],” said Carbery, who went on to analyze his captain’s struggles in more depth than perhaps any other Capitals coach ever has in Ovechkin’s 19-year NHL career.

“He can flip it.That’s one thing about Ovi, he can flip it in one game and can all of a sudden be a difference-maker and help us and be a driver in winning us a game on home ice.“There’s no doubt we’re in a difficult spot going back home, but being able to play on home ice — and [MSG] is a great building to play in on the road and you can tell — but this year playing in Washington, coaching this team, there’s been some games that I was caught off guard by the energy in the building and our fan base.

Game 3 back in our building, a playoff game, I’m excited to see what that looks like.“This team, similar to what happened [Tuesday night] — the mistakes, all the little things that happened, the icings, all the things that I talked about — fights to the bitter end.We’re right there against the best team in the National Hockey League.

I don’t think it’ll be any different in Game 3 or the rest of the series.”It’s true, the Capitals never let the Rangers run away with Game 2.They were arguably one call or puck bounce away from forcing overtime, where anything could’ve happened.The key for the Rangers will be to ensure that Game 2 doesn’t act as a springboard for the Capitals.“I thi...