Rangers Sweep Capitals in First Round: Overcoming the Curse of the President’s Trophy
The New York Rangers are well aware of the history that haunts President’s Trophy winners in the playoffs. Only eight teams have ever won the Stanley Cup after finishing atop the NHL standings. In fact, since 2000, seven of those top-ranked teams have failed to advance past the first round. Last season, the Boston Bruins infamously blew a 3-1 series lead to the Florida Panthers after a record-setting regular season. So, despite their dominant performance in the regular season, the Rangers knew they had to overcome this playoff curse.
The Rangers completed a four-game sweep over the Washington Capitals with a 4-2 victory at Capital One Arena. While the Capitals valiantly fought and arguably outplayed the Rangers in the first and second periods, the Rangers showed their depth and resilience when it mattered most. With the game tied at 2-2 early in the third period, Artemi Panarin wasted no time on the power play, scoring the game-winning goal just 11 seconds into the man advantage. From there, the Rangers locked it down defensively, showcasing their ability to win games in multiple ways.
Throughout the series, the Rangers demonstrated their offensive prowess, scoring a total of 15 goals, the most in the Eastern Conference thus far. Their power play was lethal, converting at a 37.5 percent success rate, while their penalty kill stifled 88.2 percent of the Capitals’ power plays. Additionally, goaltender Igor Shesterkin had a solid performance, allowing only 1.75 goals per game and boasting a .931 save percentage.
What sets the Rangers apart is their balanced scoring. While stars like Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider are well-known threats, it’s the contributions from their supporting cast that make them a formidable opponent. In the first round, the Rangers saw goals from 10 different players, with 14 of their 18 skaters registering at least a point. This depth in scoring will pose a challenge for their second-round opponent, the winner of the Hurricanes-Islanders series.
Vincent Trocheck emerged as one of the Rangers’ standout forwards in the series against the Capitals. He played a crucial role in neutralizing Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who was held without a point and had limited opportunities to unleash his lethal shot. Trocheck’s defensive efforts were particularly evident on the penalty kill, where he helped shut down Ovechkin’s scoring chances.
Overall, the Rangers displayed a disciplined and structured game plan against Ovechkin and the Capitals. They minimized breakdowns when Ovechkin was on the ice at even strength and during the penalty kill, staying close to him and denying him space to work his magic. This strategic approach paid off, as Ovechkin struggled to make an impact throughout the series.
The Rangers deserve credit for their dominance against the Capitals in all aspects of the game. Sweeping a team in the playoffs is no easy feat, especially in a hostile environment like Washington. The raucous atmosphere created by both Rangers and Capitals fans made for an intense playoff atmosphere. For players like Zibanejad, who grew up watching Ovechkin and Crosby play in Washington, the victory was even sweeter.
Moving forward, the Rangers aim to write their own story and overcome their playoff history. While the curse of the President’s Trophy lingers, this deep and talented team has all the tools to defy expectations and make a deep playoff run. As they await their second-round opponent, the Rangers can take confidence in their well-executed sweep of the Capitals and use it as a springboard for continued success in the postseason.