Game #62: Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers Open Thread

The New York Rangers are back in the playoff picture.....for now.

While the Blueshirts were idle on Tuesday following a pair of wins over the Predators and Islanders on Sunday and Monday, results around the league fell in such a way that Peter Laviolette's squad holds the second wild card spot entering play on Wednesday. To maintain their grasp on that spot, the Blueshirts will need to defend home ice against the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals tonight.

It feels the the turn of the previous decade once again as Alex Ovechkin is scoring goals at a torrid pace and the Capitals are the class of the Eastern Conference while the Rangers hang around the playoff bubble, but it is indeed 2025. Ovechkin currently stands 11 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, and the Rangers are hoping to keep it that way tonight while holding the entirety of the Capitals' offense at bay. Chris Kreider remains out and injured, while Reilly Smith remains out and soon to be traded. It'll be the same lineup as Monday for the Blueshirts.

Player to Watch: Zac Jones

The final game before Friday's trade deadline could very well be Zac Jones' final game as a Ranger. The once-sparsely used defenseman will play a rare fourth consecutive game tonight as injuries and trades have jumbled up the Blueshirts defense corps as of late. Jones skated a season-high 22:15 of time on ice against Nashville on Sunday, and followed that up by notching an assist in 19:14 of ice time on Monday.

Jones has been vocal about his earlier lack of playing time, so whether the recent surge has been Laviolette granting Jones' request or showcasing him to other teams for a potential deal remains to be seen. Regardless, keep an eye on Jones tonight in what could be the last time he pulls on a Rangers sweater.

Enjoy the game!