Since we're all just sitting around counting the minutes until the Rangers faceoff against the Capitals in Game 1 at 7:30 p.m., why not be productive by voting for Ryan Callahan in the EA Sports NHL14 Cover Vote.

Here's a mock-up of what the cover might look like courtesy of Alex Castiglia...

To vote for Callahan, click here.

Or to double your vote...

...what's the name of the guy who scored that goal? I keep forgetting. lol

...not sure I can take 3OT tonight, but a win would be nice especially when Game 1 winner has gone on to win the series 68.4% (405-187) of the time in NHL history.

Also here's a pic of the playoff shirt/slogan the Rangers will be wearing this season...

Pat Leonard at the Daily News reports that despite skating hard today, Brian Boyle (right leg) and Marc Staal (eye) will likely not play in Game 1 in Washington tonight.

Staal told Katie Strang at ESPN.com that he doesn't want to second-guess himself in high stakes situation and compromise the team. While Boyle informed Strang he felt good and was hopeful to return this series.

...with Boyle seemingly practicing at full strength, I expect him to be ready to go on Saturday, but how the Rangers play tonight will likely decide whether he will re-enter the line-up or not.

...great decision by Staal. The last thing the Rangers need tonight is for Staal to find out after one shift he's not comfortable on the ice just yet and put the Rangers down one defenseman for the remainder of the game. Although, the Rangers played one defenseman down the entire series against the Caps last postseason, so who knows.

In other injury news, Leonard says that Ryane Clowe was doing some off ice work, while Derek Dorsett continues to skate in a non-contact jersey.

...at least Clowe is starting to workout. Probably won't be available until later in the series. Dorsett as well.

I know Game 1 hasn't been played yet, but I wanted to give you some advance notice on We Bleed Blue's Game 2 "Playoff Party" at Hudson Station on Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m....

If you can't make it to the party, but are interested in purchasing some of We Bleed Blue's awesome Ranger shirts, click here.

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If the Rangers do one thing during their playoff series against the Capitals, it must be to stay out of the box.

Not only did the Capitals have the number one power play in the NHL with a 28.6% success rate (44 power play goals) this season, they generated just 63.7 percent of their total goals via even-strength play, which amongst playoff teams, only Detroit generated less of its offense playing five on five this year.

While the Rangers were the least penalized team in the NHL (183 penalties), their penalty kill, which was such a strength of the team last year (5th in the NHL), has been inconsistent all season (15th in the NHL) as they've failed to adequately replace guys like Ruslan Fedotenko, Brandon Prust and Brandon Dubinsky.

Here's Henrik Lundqvist on the importance of cutting down on their penalties (via Washington Post)...

“I think going into the playoffs special teams always play a big part, but playing a team that’s red hot on the power play, we know we can’t take too many penalties and we also know special teams will play a huge part. It’s a lot of times also when you play five on five it’s so tight, a lot of times games are decided on the PK and power play.”

...discipline, discipline, discipline. If the Rangers can stay out of the box, they will win this series. Period.

...the Capitals have a number of guys on their power play who move the puck real well (Ribiero, Backstrom) and they will be looking to set-up either Ovechkin or Green for one-timers all day long. Rangers need to clog up the passing lines and force the Capitals to stay along the perimeter.

...the Capitals power play personnel aren't exactly Jan Erixon defensively, so the Rangers should have a some opportunities short-handed that I hope they can take advantage of.

And if the Capitals are able to get their passes through the Rangers penalty kill, here's where they'll likely be shooting on Henrik Lundqvist (via ESPN)...

The NHL Network crew breaks down the Rangers/Capitals first round series match-up...

To watch at NHL.com, click here.

...got to love all the praise being thrown at Callahan in this preview. You always wonder how your team and players are perceived around the league, so this was awesome to hear.

...i also agree with Hradek that Richards could be the most important player for the Rangers in the playoffs. If he continues rolling it's going to be hard for opponents to just focus on stopping Stepan and Nash. But if he reverts back to his poor play from earlier this season, I don't see the Rangers being able to get past the Capitals.

To further prove how respected Callahan is in the league, check out this quote from the Capitals Jason Chimera on the Rangers captain yesterday (via Newsday)...

Yesterday, John Tortorella was a guest on the Mike Francesa Radio Show (WFAN) to discuss the upcoming series against the Capitals...

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...very interesting to hear Torts admit the Rangers probably don't make the playoffs without their trade deadline moves. And I agree.

Ryan Callahan was also on the radio as he was a guest on the Michael Kay Radio Show (ESPN Radio)...

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...love hearing Callahan say the team has something to prove in the playoffs this year. Nothing wrong with having a little chip on your shoulder.

Meanwhile, Derick Brassard discusses his thoughts on the eve of his playoff debut...

Bergen Record - NHL playoffs: These are not same old Caps

Bergen Record - Rangers-Capitals skinny

New York Post - New blood does Rangers good

New York Post - Power Plays

New York Post -  Rangers Capitals Matchups

New York Post - Playoffs open with Rangers needing to play disciplined

New York Post - Restless Ovechkin ready to go

Daily News - News breaks down Rangers - Capitals series

Daily News - Rangers' McDonagh once again will battle 'The Great 8'

New York Times - Turned Loose, Ovechkin Once Again Turns Heads

Newsday - Tortorella anxious for Rangers' series to begin

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The Capital team the Rangers will face beginning tomorrow night will look nothing like the team they faced last postseason or even the one that they secured five of six points against earlier this season.

While last year's version of the Capitals under Dale Hunter played a grinding, shot blocking style similar to the Rangers, this year, new head coach Adam Oates has them playing a more up-tempo game that took awhile to click says Katie Carrera at the Washington Post...

"But Washington, under Coach Adam Oates, plays an aggressive, pressure-based style in all three zones that thrives off creating neutral-zone turnovers. The Capitals want to protect their own zone and limit quality chances against their goaltenders, but they’d rather do it by spending time in the offensive zone."

Karl Azner feels that this new style allows the Capitals to maintain that grinding style while also opening up the offense...

Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports that despite still not practicing Brian Boyle (right leg) and Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) will travel with the team to Washington.

...while this obviously doesn't mean they're playing in Game 1, they're not, I am encouraged that the Rangers are allowing Clowe to fly as anyone with a severe concussion is usually prohibited from traveling on a plane.

Gross adds that Marc Staal (eye) and Derek Dorsett (broken clavicle), who is still wearing non-contact jersey, will also make the trip, but neither is likely to play. Staal told Pat Leonard at the Daily News this about his status for Game 1 after practice...

 "I'm not gonna ... probably not going to play tomorrow."

...no surprise here. Although, Ovechkin is probably licking his chops knowing Staal won't be in the line-up for at least Game 1. Hopefully, Girardi and McDonagh will remind him that the Rangers have other capable defenseman and Del Zotto will be no where near him.

Henrik Lundqvist returned to practice after being given the day off yesterday to rest.

Here's some post practice video...