How the Rangers have earned their 2-0 series lead heading into the second half vs the Capitals

As mentioned previously, most of the Rangers’ offensive production in the regular season came from one line with depth scoring being a major issue. With the fourth line combining for five points (And a Matt Rempe goal), it provided more than enough. And as a result, the top six didn’t have nearly as big of a workload. They were able to play their own brand of hockey.

Artemi Panarin and the second line have continued to play at a high level

Artemi Panarin played what seemed to be his best and most relaxing playoff game as a Ranger in Game 1. The second line combined for three points, including a Panarin goal. The first line combined for three as well on Chris Kreider’s breakaway goal to ice the game.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the teams that have all or most of their lines contributing are the ones that find themselves making deep pushes and even end up winning the Stanley Cup. If the Rangers want to end this series quickly and continue their trek toward Lord Stanley, they are going to need everyone to keep contributing offensively.

The Rangers have been keeping Alex Ovechkin quiet

The playoff history between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals, specifically Alex Ovechkin, is rich. The 38-year-old star has faced the Rangers five times dating back to their first meeting during the 2009 playoffs. He has played 35 games putting up a statline of 13 Goals, 10 Assists, 23 Points, and 151 shots on goal.

So far in this series, Ovechkin has been a non-factor for the Washington Capitals. Through the first two games, he has a combined one shot on goal.

In Game 1, Ovechkin did not record a single shot on goal. It marked the fourth time, ever, that he was held to zero shots on goal in the playoffs, and his second time against the Rangers. On the penalty kill, they made sure to have somebody shaded closely to Ovechkin taking away his shooting lanes anytime he got the puck.

In Game 2, it was much of the same for Ovechkin. While he did record a shot on goal, he wasn’t able to get anything going offensively. During his post-game presser, Caps head coach Spencer Carbery had this to say:

If the Rangers don’t continue to defend Ovechkin the way they were in Game 1 and Game 2, it could allow the Cpaitals to find their way back into the series. They have to keep finding ways to make him a non-factor to end this series sooner rather than later.