How Sweep It Is

It took them two periods to do it, but the New York Rangers finally woke up and took care of business Sunday night in Washington. They broke a 2-2 tie in the third period with a pair of power play goals - the latter an empty-netter - and put the Capitals out of their misery. The 4-0 series sweep - their first since 2007 - gives the Blueshirts a chance to rest up and prepare for their next opponent, which barring the unthinkable, will be the Carolina Hurricanes.

This was a mismatch from the start. In the four games, the Caps led for a grand total of 3:21, while the Rangers led for 139:08. Ten different players scored for New York, including Vincent Trocheck, whose three goals led the team. Mika Zibanejad, who at times during the regular season was seen on milk cartons because he was all but invisible, had a goal and six assists to lead all scorers. And while Hart Trophy candidate Artemi Panarin only scored twice, both goals were game-winners.

This was a balanced and surgical dispatching. Credit Head Coach Peter Laviolette for making sure his players didn't fall into the Capitals trap. I'm sure the Rangers would've preferred a more up-tempo style of play against what was clearly an inferior team; they resisted. The result was a fairly methodical, if sometimes "boring" series that lacked the excitement of some of the series we've seen in the Western Conference.

The point was to win and win quickly, not necessarily decisively. As Larry Brooks adroitly observed, the Rangers showed a "workmanlike approach" in dealing with Washington. Despite the closeness of some of the final scores, I never once thought the Caps were going to win one, let alone four games in this series.

The detractors will try to diminish what the Rangers did here. Let them. Anyone who has watched this team play over the last few years knows full well that they have historically struggled against underachievers like the Caps. Trust me, this series had six games written all over it, which is why I initially had them winning in six. That they swept is a major accomplishment. Those who disagree will have to deal with it. That's a polite way of saying "fuck off!"

Now the real playoffs begin. The Hurricanes will be a far more formidable opponent for the Rangers than the Capitals. They can skate, they can score and they can defend. This series will likely go the distance, which is why having a few days off and the home ice advantage in a potential game seven might very well prove to be decisive. Two years ago, the Blueshirts needed a full seven games to defeat both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Hurricanes. The wear and tear of two long and brutal series eventually caught up with them against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That won't be the case here. If the Rangers don't win, it won't be from lack of rest.

While I'll wait until just before the start of the next round to write my formal preview, there is one thing that I think needs to be said: Matt Rempe has likely played his final game in the playoffs. Look, I like the kid; he kind of reminds me of Ed Hospodar. But let's face it: he's an unfinished product that against a team as skilled as the Hurricanes will prove to be a defensive liability. So bad was his play away from the puck that Laviolette limited him to just over five minutes of ice time the last two games of the Caps series. Plus there's a bullseye on his back. The interference penalty he took in game three was a borderline call that almost everybody who saw it deemed a hockey play. It's obvious the NHL has him in their crosshairs. Why give the refs an excuse to put you a man down? You think the Canes are going to go 2-17 on the power play? Neither do I.

So who will take Rempe's place? The logical choice is Filip Chytil. The center was medically cleared to play two weeks ago and has been practicing with the team ever since. If Laviolette believes his conditioning is up to snuff, there's no reason not to insert him in the lineup where he can either center the third line or play LW on it. If it's the former, that would mean Alex Wennberg drops down to the fourth line where he could center a line of Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey. That would give the Rangers arguably their best checking line since, dare I say it, 1994. It would also give them the scoring depth they are going to need to advance deep into the postseason.

But, thankfully, that decision won't have to be made for at least a few more days. For now, the Rangers can sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. They've earned it.