Bergen Record - Rangers: Derek Stepan elevating his play

New York Post - Rangers' Stepan primed for playoff breakthrough

New York Post - New style, old foe for Rangers

Daily News - Rangers' Nash ready for playoff bash

Newsday - One goal changed Stepan's whole season

Newsday - Rangers must avoid penalties vs. Capitals

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Before you watch this video, know that the music chosen is awful, but the video itself is one of the better I've seen, especially starting at the 4:10 mark...

...man, that video could be epic with a better soundtrack.

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Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports that Brian Boyle (right leg) and Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) did not practice again today, however, they were both at the Rangers practice facility.

Gross notes that Boyle  still seemed to be walking with a bit of a limp, but Clowe was walking fine, which may further eliminate the possibility of him having a leg injury, as was first suspected.

...as if it wasn't already looking like a concussion. Any chance it was a leg injury, but now it's fully healed? I doubt it also.

Also at practice, Henrik Lundqvist was given the day off to rest, while there were no new updates on Marc Staal (took some shifts with Girardi) or Derek Dorsett.

...well deserved for Lundqvist. Unless of course he was given the day off because he's secretly injured, then my reaction would be AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't worry, he's not.

The Rangers also revealed their new playoff hat during practice (via Rangers Instagram)...

My good frenemies over at Capitals Outsider and like to exchange questions and have the opposing team writer respond to them every time the Rangers and Capitals face each other in the playoffs; which is every single season ever. This season, of course, is no different, as the Rangers are set to face off against the Capitals in Washington on Thursday. Here are the five questions I had for Capitals Outsider writer Jeff Kleiman as well as his responses:

Anyone with even so much as passing knowledge of the National Hockey League will be aware that stopping Alexander Ovechkin is going to be a top priority for the New York Rangers. Ovechkin led the league in goals for the third time in his NHL career this season with 32. And exactly half of them came while on the powerplay. 

John Buccigross, known by many as the only person at ESPN willing to acknowledge the existence of hockey, has published some pretty interesting details on his Twitter feed about how Ovechkin is effective. Let's look at the information and expand on it.

Over at Blueshirts United, Jim Cerny reports that Marc Staal's conditioning and on-ice play look stronger by the day, and he got a great workout Monday defending against the Rangers top power play unit in the second part of practice.

Here's Staal on his status...

"I haven't written myself off," Staal said of possibly playing at some point against in the Capitals series. "As of right now I have not made a decision one way or the other. Just every day I get more work in and try and improve and get ready."

...yesterday, I was convinced that Staal would not be available for the series, but this report has at least given me a glimmer of hope. Different perceptions of Staal's injury from the beat writers is making it tough to gauge his status. To me the main concern is obviously whether he's comfortable with his vision. Even if he has a minor doubt, I hope he's kept out of the line-up.

Here's Staal on those concerns (via New York Post)...

In John Tortorella's never-ending quest to jump start the Rangers anemic power play, Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports these power play units from practice yesterday...

Unit 1: Nash, Stepan, Callahan, Richards and Girardi

Unit 2: Brassard, Zuccarello, Pyatt, Moore and Del Zotto

...i say this all the time. As much as I love Girardi, he has no business being on the power play. How much better would that first unit look with Moore at the point with Richards?

...also, Pyatt? Really Torts? Really? Now's not exactly the time to give everyone a chance on the power play. Would much rather see Hagelin out there. Assuming Pyatt would be off the power play once Clowe is healthy.

Conversely, the Capitals power play, was the best in the NHL this season with a 26.8% (44-for-164) success rate. Alex Ovechkin had 16 power play goals, while a finally healthy Mike Green had 4g and 10a.

Bergen Record - It's anybody's Stanley Cup, so why not Rangers?

Bergen Record - Rangers must power up against Capitals

New York Post - Lundqvist, Rangers rest for Caps

Daily News - Rangers getting healthy just in time for playoffs

Daily News - NHL Playoff Preview: Paint it Black? 'Hawks are favorites

New York Times - Two Clear Favorites and One Broken Jaw

Newsday - Rangers catching Capitals at their hottest

Newsday - New faces got Rangers on winning track

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Tonight, join us to break down the NHL Playoffs and the opening series between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals. Submit questions and join in the conversation. It should be fun!

...it really is amazing how watching a pump-up video can make you forget about all the turbulent times this season.

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