The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals conclude the 2012 NHL regular season on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. (Game Time: 6:30 p.m., NBCSN)
New York has already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference regardless of the outcome and could very well meet the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs. Washington can secure the Southeast Division title with a win against the Rangers on Saturday and a Florida Panthers regulation loss in their finale against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Capitals' top two goalies both went down with injuries in the past week. Tomas Vokoun re-aggravated a lower-body injury on March 29 against the Bruins and his primary backup Michal Neuvirth is day-to-day after undergoing a lower-body injury of his own. That leaves Braden Holtby as the likely goalie against the Rangers.
Saturday's contest is mostly meaningless for the Rangers, but they could stake claim to the Presidents' Trophy with a win. New York enters Saturday tied with the Vancouver Canucks at 109 points.
For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB New York for all the latest news and updates.