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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Jim Cerny at nyrangers.com reports that neither Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) nor Brian Boyle (right leg) practiced with the team today.

Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record says that the Rangers lack of information on Clowe makes it more and more likely he's dealing with a concussion.

...man, Clowe's physical game is perfect for playoffs. A prolonged absence due to a concussion would be a huge blow to the Rangers playoff success.

...also wonder where Boyle fits in right now. I don't think it's a given that he'll get right back into the line-up once healthy.

Gross adds that Derek Dorsett underwent a CT scan on his broken clavicle but was not cleared for contact.

Here's Dorsett on his status (via Daily News)...

"You can't predict, but if everything keeps going the way it has, I hope to be ready sometime during this series."

...amazing to think that with Clowe's injury a guy who's never played a single game in a Rangers uniform could possibly be so integral to the Rangers success.

Meanwhile, Marc Staal, who practiced in full with the team today, told Gross that there's no new progress in adjusting to blurred vision but that doesn't rule him out playing in playoffs at some point.

...i'm sorry folks I don't see how Staal can play in this series with his vision still blurred. Especially when he's going to be on the ice with a guy like Ovechkin who's always looking to catch a guy with his head down or not on a swivel.

Here were the lines at practice (va Bergen Record)...

Many players eliminated from playoff contention will head to Europe in order to compete in the World Championships, which begin May 3rd. Former Ranger and current Columbus Blue Jackets forward, Marian Gaborik, will not be one of them.

Gaborik did not pass his end-of-the-year medical examination with the Blue Jackets and therefore will not compete for Slovakia, according to Slovakia General Manager Otto Sýkora. Gaborik has a groin issue and he and the Blue Jackets medical staff will decide soon whether he needs surgery or if he can rehabilitate it as is. 

EA SPORTS named the New York Rangers as their official prediction for the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion using EA SPORTS NHL®’s simulation engine.

According to EA Sports, the Rangers will defeat the Blackhawks in six games and Brad Richards will win the Conn Smythe Trophy after scoring 24 points (7g, 17a) in the playoffs.

Here's how the Rangers will get to the Finals...

Now that the NHL Regular Season is over, here is what this year's playoff bracket would look like under next year's new playoff format.