April 28, 2012, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers Game 1 Eastern Conference Semifinals notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES
Henrik Lundqvist was nominated for the Hart trophy.
Semyon Varlamov was in goal for the Capitals in 2009. Michal Neuvirth tended goal in last year’s series.
As the Rangers and Capitals entered their third playoff matchup in four
years, the unknown between the pipes for Washington is Braden Holtby.
The Lloydminster, Saskatchewan native went 4-2-1 with a .922 save
percentage and 2.49 GAA in seven regular season games after being called
up from AHL Hershey due to injuries suffered by Neuvirth and Tomas
Vokoun. One of the wins was a 4-1 season-ending decision over the
Rangers at the Garden on April 7, in which he turned away 35 shots.
He outdueled Tim Thomas in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals,
finishing the seven-game series with a 4-3 record, 2.00 goals against
average and .940 save percentage.
“Even down the stretch when we were battling for [a] playoff [berth], he
had to go into Detroit and won; go into Philadelphia — we lost — but
got a point. The kid battles. He doesn’t let stuff bother him,” Capitals
coach Dale Hunter said during his pre-game press briefing. “With this
kid, you don’t have to [make sure he keeps a level head]. He’s one of
the hardest working goalies in practice. He just keeps working.
“Down the stretch he played really well for us. He [played well] against
one of the top goalies in the league and now he has to do it again. He
knows it.”
Familiar foes
Hunter has ties to the Rangers as he coached Dan Girardi, Michael Del
Zotto and Brandon Prust when the three played junior hockey for the
Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights. Hunter co-owns the junior hockey
power with his brother Mark.
“He’s very strong. He can move the puck and he can skate,” Hunter said
of Girardi, who played for the Knights in 2004-05. The Knights won the
Memorial Cup that year.
“It’s going to be a challenge for [Alex Ovechkin] to go against one of the top defensemen,” Hunter added.
Expect Girardi and Ryan McDonagh to be matched up against Ovechkin’s line throughout the series.
Injuries linger
Tortorella said “no updates” to three questions about Brandon Dubinsky and Brian Boyle’s statuses before the game.
Both Boyle and Dubinsky were scratched. Steve Eminger was inserted into
the lineup, skating with John Mitchell and Mike Rupp on the fourth line.
It was Eminger's first game action since spraining his ankle against
the Penguins on Mar. 15.
Lundqvist's second nomination
The NHL announced Friday that Henrik Lundqvist was a finalist for the
Hart Trophy. Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin and Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos
are the other finalists.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1141655--rangers-notebook-solving-holtby-hart-nominees
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 9:48 PM
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