It is Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round matchup between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals. The Blueshirts are currently in the commanding lead of 3-0 in this series, whereas the Capitals are looking to keep their season alive for at least one more game. We have seen quite a bit of effort put forth by these two teams, but it all comes down to this important Sunday night game at Capital One Arena.
Will we see the first swept series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year?
Washington Sees Return Of Key Defensemen
The Washington Capitals are in must-win territory, an area they’ve become all too familiar with since before the start of the playoffs. Thankfully, it’s looking like they’ll get by with a little help from Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen, two defensemen they lost from their lineup due to injuries back in the beginning of April. Both players are expected to be in the lineup for Game 4 on Sunday night.
The team has expressed frustration at how many D-men they’ve lost due to injuries, most of them from controversial hits. Caps fans are hoping that this long-awaited return will be the boost they need to finally get them a win in the series and keep their season alive.
Head coach Spencer Carbery is feeling positive about the possible return of Jensen and Sandin, saying both players are “on track to play tonight,” and their status is “looking optimistic.”
This news is a silver lining for Capitals fans, after witnessing another key defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk suffer an upper-body injury early in Game 3, a game to which he did not return. He has already been ruled out for Game 4.
They also lost defenseman Vincent Iorio in Game 1 to an upper-body injury, so the return of Jensen and Sandin will hopefully be the missing puzzle pieces on the Capitals blue line.
Since a great majority of this series has been played in special teams, having Sandin and Jensen on the power play and penalty kill respectively, both areas where their defensive skills excel, will help the team lock in and match the caliber of the Rangers special team units.
Rangers Look Towards A Sweep
While the Washington Capitals are on the doorstep of a first-round exit, the New York Rangers need one more win to finish off this series once and for all. However, it’s not going to be easy. While the Rangers have by far been the better team on the ice throughout the entire series, Game 4 is no time to get comfortable.
The odds are in their favor since only four NHL teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series, but the odds are just odds. Anything can happen.
New York has excelled in special teams in this series, but Washington has topped them a few times during even-strength. And now they’re going to see some tough competition in special teams with the return of Sandin and Jensen. Offense has to be the best it’s ever been for the Blueshirts. Especially from Artemi Panarin, the leading goal scorer of the team, who has only recorded one point in the series thus far.
The ultimate goal for the Rangers is to get more pucks to the net than Washington and avoid taking penalties. While the penalty kill has been strong and has led to a couple of shorthanded goals, the Washington power play is about to bulk up big-time. And so is their PK.
While one would say that the Rangers will easily win Game 4 and sweep home the series by playing the way they have been during the past three games, it’s becoming clear that Game 4 is going to be of a different caliber. Getting injured players back on the roster is always a boost for the opposing team, and the Rangers need to prepare for tough competition.
Frustrations Bubbling Over In Game 4
Rempe shrugs off Wilson 👀 pic.twitter.com/uv9Um8j2ml
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 27, 2024
These are two very physical teams, and this series has seen a complete dominance of one over the other. Therefore, the Caps are rightfully frustrated. This series has been chock-full of post-whistle scrums, and some subtle challenges against Rangers forward Matt Rempe, a notoriously physical player.
Both teams have to brace for impact, literally. It would not be a surprise to see several roughing penalties handed out throughout the game, and a good amount of hockey being played at 4-on-4. Fans are still anxiously awaiting the fight between Matt Rempe and Tom Wilson, and Game 4 seems like the time to finally do it.
After all, that’s what makes hockey fun, right?
Where to Watch
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals will meet again for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Round 1 playoff series on Sunday, April 28 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST and will be streaming nationally on TBS. There will also be local streams on MSG Network for Rangers fans and Monumental Sports Network for Capitals fans.
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About the Author
River Caraballo (she/they) is a hockey writer for Total Apex Sports. She is a big fan of the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, despite being based in Connecticut. They are the host of a weekly podcast and radio show, Round the Rink, where they talk hockey from the NHL to the PWHL and college hockey. You can follow River on Twitter/X to keep up with her sports content.
