Updated, 10:13 p.m.:
Here's John Tortorella's post game presser...



Original Post:
Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has these post game quotes....

Brandon Dubinsky:

"We just battled in the corner there and we converged there and I just was able to get the puck to myself. I was trying to bring it hard to the net and I saw Danny coming in the back door. I just thought if I jammed, he'd come in and help it. A fortunate bounce over the goalie and into the net.

"I thought we were better than we were in the first two games. We took the body and were physical all night. We got our forecheck going. We were able to make more plays, I thought, and get more shots and bring more pucks to the net than we have in the first two games."

Ruslan Fedotenko on the disallowed goal:

"We didn't put our heads down. Just, 'Let's go get another one.' I thought we had pretty good life in the lockerroom."

Brian Boyle:

"That's big. As angry as you were after Games 1 and 2, and all those redundant questions we had to answer, it's good that we can be happy with this one. But it's the same mindset. We're going to focus on Game 4. We'll enjoy this, just like we were angry about the other ones, but Game 4 now."

Vinny Prospal:

"We only scored one goal in the previous two games combined, so you have to do something to manufacture offense. I mean, the overall team effort is always good, and Hank gave us a chance every night. We just have to manufacture some offense as well."

Dan Girardi:

"I just think we played a better overall game. We played our game. Getting on bodies, cycling down low, using behind the net there to create some offense. When we do all those things right we have a chance to win every night, and it helped us win tonight."

Henrik Lundqvist on feeding off the crowd:

"Absolutely. It's just a great feeling to be back here and play playoff hockey in front of our own fans. It's been two years. That's why you work hard all year. You want to be here and feel ghat excitement, atmosphere. I love it.

"I feel a lot of pride to be here right now. You work hard all year to be here. I took it very personal last year when we didn't make it. I felt I could have helped the team more."

Here are Game 3 highlights:



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The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals by the score of 3-2, today. The Capitals now lead their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal matchup 2-1. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...we have a series folks!!!! Not sure why it took two games for them to find the formula that's worked all year but better late than never I guess.

...and setting the tone right away was the Avery-Boyle-Prust line. They pretty much announced right off the bat this this was going to be a different Rangers team than the Caps had seen so far in the series. Torts got away from Avery late, but now is not the time to complain.

...apparently all you need to snap out of a funk is a porn star moustache. Biggest goal of Dubinsky's young career.

...the reason you have vets like Prospal on the team are for playoff games like this. He's been there, knows what it takes and is in the right place t score a big time goal tonight.

...goals like that from EC make me more mad than happy. Please use that amazing wrist shot more often!!!!

...defense did an outstanding job of pinching today and keeping numerous pucks in the offensive zone. Haven't seen that much offense being initiated by the Rangers defensemen all year. Really liking Gilroy's game right now.

...between the missed shot on the 5-on-3 and the penalty late in the third that lead to Knuble's goal Gaborik is lucky the Rangers won today because he would have been the goat big time.

...if the Rangers had any semblance of a power play they'd make life a lot easier for themselves in these close games.

...not a ridiculous amount of work for Hank today, but he was there when needed.

...15 of 19 in the faceoff circle for Drury. No, he's not needed. That's sarcasm folks.

...got to assume the players fed off the energy of the Garden Faithful because MSG was rocking.

...the series takes Monday and Tuesday off and then right back at it on Wednesday for Game 4.

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Update, 2:15 p.m.:
For John Tortorella and Bruce Boudreau pre-game thoughts click here.

Here's video of Boudreau (via The Blueshirts Blog)...



Original Post:
The New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series at MSG starting at 3:00 p.m. Washington leads the series 2-0. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: NBC; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM 204

Probable Lines:
Fedotenko-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Prospal-Anisimov-Stepan
Avery-Boyle-Prust
Wolski-Christensen-Drury

Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 0-2, 1.76 gaa, .920 sv%, 0 so.

Michal Neuvirth - 2-0, 0.43 gaa, .980 sv%, 1 so.

Opponent Notes:
- Michal Neuvirth has stopped 46 of the 47 shots he's faced in the first two games.

- Washington has blocked 53 shots in the series so far.

- Five times the Capitals have led a series 2-0 in thier history, and four times they failed to advance.

- The Capitals are 1-for-4 on the power play in this series.

- Alex Ovechkin had a team high six hits in Game 2.

Eastern Quarterfinal Series Schedule:
April 13 Rangers 1, Capitals 2 (OT) at Washington
April 15 Rangers 0, Capitals 2, at Washington
April 17 Rangers vs. Washington, 3 p.m.
April 20 Rangers vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
April 23 Rangers at Washington, 3 p.m.*
April 25 Rangers vs. Washington, TBD*
April 27 Rangers at Washington, TBD*
* -- if necessary

Opponent Blog:
Rock the Red

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Carl Hagelin made his AHL debut last during the CT Whale's 3-2 overtime loss to Portland in Game 2 over their first round series. Portland now lead the series 2-0.

Hagelin had two shots on goal, was a -1 and was called for one minor penalty.

Bruse Berlet of the CT Whale has more on Hagelin here.

...not exactly the start I'm sure Hagelin was looking for but it's nice to see him get his feet wet. He should be a lot more comfortable for Game 3.

...looks like no team in the Rangers organization is having sucess in the playoffs right now. Although, at least the Whale is scoring.

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Newyorkrangers.com announces that fans looking to fire themselves up for today's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against Washington can join in the pregame Rangers Playoffs Double-Decker Bus Tour, which will carry Rangers fans from Madison Square Garden to Times Square and back.

The Playoff Bus Tours begins at 1 p.m. and will run for approximately 45 minutes each in front of Madison Square Garden on the Northwest corner of 7th Ave. and 31st St.. After boarding, the buses will leave at 1 p.m. Fans lucky enough to make it onto the buses will be eligible for prizes, giveaways and more.

The second tour will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m., bringing fans back to MSG in time for start of the Rangers-Washington game.

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Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants reports that John Tortorella says the personnel will be the same for today's game, however, the lines will be different.

Torts added that he'd like to change the power play personnel as well as they are currently in a 1-for-31 funk.

Regarding new lines Gross says that Sean Avery will likely be paired with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust, while Wojtek Wolski will likely be dropped to the fourth line. The Gaborik line should stay together.

...i have to say it. Avery needs to be put with Gaborik. Period. The only times this season Gaborik has duplicated last year's form is when paired with Avery.

Many Rangers players and Torts feel that the home crowd should give them a big boost.

For Tortorella's post practice quotes go to Rangers Report.

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Bergen Record
- Rangers required to change mindset
- Rangers to tinker with power play
- Capital mission: avoiding a collapse

New York Post
- Rangers must get offensive -- now
- Blueshirts to target Neuvirth
- Caps: We won't be punch line for more chokes

Daily News - Rangers need home-sweet-home ice

New York Times - To Capitals, a 2-0 Playoff Lead Is Rarely a Lock

Newsday
- Home not necessarily sweet for Rangers
- Tortorella making changes for Game 3
- Staple: Now the time for Dubinsky to step up

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Tonight is Game 2 of the Whale's first round playoff series against Portland

...man, I hope he gets in tonight. Would love to see how he does with a step up in competition.

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