WASHINGTON — The Rangers have an opportunity to help themselves out on what they hope to be a long playoff run.
Entering Game 4 of the first round against the Capitals on Sunday night at Capital One Arena, the Blueshirts will look to close out the series in as few games as possible for the first time since they defeated the Atlanta Thrashers in four in 2007.
One more win separates the Rangers and a few days off to recuperate while the Hurricanes and Islanders finish their series, which is still ongoing after the latter staved off elimination with a 3-2 double-overtime victory in Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.
Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals. Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports “Any time the series goes later, it’s obviously more games, more stress, more on the body, so you always want to, I guess, close out as fast as you can,” captain Jacob Trouba said after an optional practice at Capital One Arena on Saturday. “That’s something that’s obviously not a given. They’re just going to come out and play like their lives are on the line. But yeah, the quicker we can try to get that fourth win, I think, is obviously better for the longevity of our bodies or how we’re feeling, get a little extra rest.
“Two years ago, the seven-game series will pile up on you, so, yeah, obviously that’s a big factor, I think, to keep as fresh as we can, try to close out the series as fast as you can.”
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Running out of gas is what doomed the Rangers’ 2022 playoff run, when they had to fight through back-to-back seven-game series against the Penguins and the Hurricanes to qualify for an Eastern Conference final matchup with the Lightning.
Tampa Bay had swept the Panthers in four and had over a week to rest as the Rangers finished up their series against Carolina.
The Lightning were actually away from game action for so long that the Rangers went up 2-0 in the series and 2-0 in Game 3 before Tampa Bay flipped a switch and won out.
Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, who was knocked out of Game 3 after absorbing a hard hit from Matt Rempe, didn’t skate Saturday and has already been ruled out for Game 4.
Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen, the two Washington blueliners who have been sidelined with injuries through this series, participated in an optional Capitals practice Saturday in regular jerseys.
They are expected to be game-time decisions again.
Vincent Iorio, who Alexis Lafreniere bodied in Game 1 and couldn’t play in the next two games, skated in a non-contact jersey.
