It was an impressive show on Sunday when the New York Rangers destroyed the Washington Capitals. They won the game, 7-0, but more impressively, they shut down one of the NHL's best offenses.
The Rangers offense went off, getting goals from Marian Gaborik, Artem Anisimov, Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, and Brandon Dubinsky. Derek Stepan, Michael Del Zotto and Sean Avery also had huge games offensively; despite not finding themselves on the scoresheet.
Henrik Lundqvist was outstanding, with his night cumulating with an absolutely jaw-dropping glove save at the end of the game to preserve his fifth shutout of the year.
The Penguins, on the other hand, are coming off their first loss (a 3-2 regulation loss to the Flyers last night) in the last 13 games. They will be hungry, they will be angry.
If Washington was a litmus test for the Rangers, then so is this game against the Penguins. Pittsburgh is a much more balanced team then Washington is, so the Rangers will have to be on their guard on all ends of the ice.
The Rangers will be looking to increase their record to 19-13-1 with the win.