The playoffs shift to the Garden tonight and the Rangers will be looking to try and take a 3-0 lead in the series with the Capitals. It’s not an easy task, and no one is celebrating just yet. The Rangers have lost two of the three Quarterfinal Game 3s at MSG since the lockout, both to New Jersey. In 2007 they shutout Atlanta 7-0 in Game 3.

In order to win, the Blueshirts will likely again have to frustrate the NHL’s leading goal scorer. Alexander Ovechkin has just two assists through the first two games, and was guilty of five turnovers in Game 2. The key player for the Rangers in that quest will of course once again be Henrik Lundqvist.

Despite being down 0-2, the Capitals have not given up. It’s certainly not unheard of for a team to come back and win four straight.

There’s been a couple of pleasant surprises so far in the series. Wade Redden has steadied his game after an up and down season, and Markus Naslund has stepped up his play with a goal and primary assists on both game winning goals. Still with both games so far decided by just one goal, it’d be nice to see the Rangers find a way to score some more.

Checkers season ends
The Charlotte Checkers saw their season end last night with a 4-3 loss in Game 6. The Checkers lost four straight games after taking a 2-0 lead in the series