2024 playoffs: first round, new york rangers vs washington capitals game 4 open thread

for the first time since 2007, the new york rangers are on the doorstep of sweeping an opponent out of the stanley cup playoffs. in a series that was widely expected to be a mismatch, the rangers have dominated the capitals over the first three games of the first round as was expected of the presidents trophy winners. after the carolina hurricanes and florida panthers failed to close out their series opponents yesterday, the blueshirts will look to become the first team to advance to the second round of the playoffs tonight.

peter laviolette has opted against changing the lineup, while washington will see yet another new defenseman draw into its lineup in the wake of trevor van riemsdyk's upper-body injury in game 3. the capitals will throw everything they have in the tank at the blueshirts in the hopes of extending their season, while the rangers hope to continue what's worked over the first three games and enjoy the prolonged rest that would come from wrapping up this series with a victory tonight.

player to watch: barclay goodrow

entering the playoffs on the heels of a rough regular season that had many clamoring for his removal from the lineup, goodrow has taken his game to another level against washington. after recording a pair of assists in game 1, goodrow scored a shorthanded goal that stood up as the game winner in game 3. aside from the goal, goodrow contributed to new york's penalty killing units that killed off all six penalties the team took on friday. keep an eye on goodrow tonight as he looks to continue his strong play and help the blueshirts bust out the brooms.

enjoy the game!