Rangers Vs. Capital Game 3 Preview: Rangers Have A Big Task Ahead Tonight

The New York Rangers are faced with a big task tonight as they open up the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs in front of their home crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Washington Capitals currently posses a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers, who are looking to get back into the series starting tonight. The Rangers power play has disappointed once again, and was a key factor in why they dropped Game 2 in overtime.

Puck luck is also an important fact in the playoffs, and the Rangers haven't been able to get their bounces as of yet. Tonight will be a perfect opportunity as they will be able to feed off of the energy from the crowd.

VS.

Washington Capitals (#3 Seed) vs New York Rangers (#6 Seed)
Series Score: 2-0 WSH
Madison Square Garden - New York, NY - 7:30 PM
Television: MSG, NBCSN, TSN, RDS2 | Radio: ESPN NY 98.7
Opponent's Blog: Japers' Rink | Tickets: New York Rangers Playoff Tickets

Some Quick Thoughts:

• Ryane Clowe is expected to be back in the lineup tonight for the Rangers, but nothing is official as of yet. Arron Asham will likely sit for Clowe in the event that he does actually return. Clowe will be a big boost for the Rangers, as this is why they acquired him prior to this year's trade deadline.
• Speaking of injuries, is there a chance that Marc Staal actually returns tonight? Bob McKenzie sent out a tweet earlier today stating that he wouldn't be surprised at all if he is in the lineup tonight. It's all speculation at this point, but for the love of god, let's hope Bobby Mac is correct in his thinking./

Projected Lineup:

Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Ryan Callahan
Rick Nash - Brad Richards - Mats Zuccarello
Taylor Pyatt - Derick Brassard - Ryane Clowe
Darroll Powe - Brian Boyle - Derek Dorsett

Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Anton Stralman - John Moore
Michael Del Zotto - Steve Eminger / Marc Staal (?)

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Scratches: Marc Staal (upper-body), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Roman Hamrlik (healthy),