Re-tooled Rangers Ride into Washington | IXGAMES
After going without the Stanley Cup for 20 seasons, the New York Rangers weren’t about to stand back at this year’s trade deadline. The Rangers will bring their bolstered lineup to DC Wednesday night (8:00 PM ET, NBCSN) to face the Washington Capitals, who’ve done a little spring cleaning of their own. New York (40-17-2-5, 34-30 ATS for plus-11.33 units) went all-in for the playoffs by sending a healthy package of draft picks and prospects to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Keith Yandle (four goals, 37 assists). Yandle should help improve the Rangers’ defensive power play, which ranks No. 9 in the league at 83% as we go to press. Washington (36-21-6-4, 32-35 ATS for plus-7.36 units) made a couple of smaller moves, adding defenseman Tim Gleason and left winger Curtis Glencross. But the Caps should have the advantage in this matchup; the Rangers will get no rest after visiting the New York Islanders Tuesday night. The Blueshirts are also still without starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (.922 save percentage) because of a strained neck, although Cam Talbot (.921 SV%) has played well in reserve.