Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Washington

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Tonight's Game

VS.

The Rangers face-off against the Washington Capitals tonight at Madison Square Garden (6:30 p.m.), in their regular-season finale. The Blueshirts currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, and rank first in the league overall, with a record of 51-23-7 (109 pts). The Rangers enter the contest having been defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-2, on Thursday at CONSOL Energy Center, and are now 7-3-0 in the last 10 games. The Capitals enter the contest with a 41-32-8 (90 pts) record to rank eighth in the Eastern Conference, and have won three of the last four games. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin with games on Wednesday, Apr. 11.

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Tune In Tonight!
Tonight's game will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network. You can also catch the radio broadcast on 1050 ESPN Radio and on satellite radio at XM 214.

Rangers vs. Capitals Pregame Notes

* Tonight is the fourth and final meeting between the Rangers and Capitals this season, and the second at MSG. The Rangers are 2-1-0 (1-0-0 at home; 1-1-0 on the road) against Washington following a 3-2 win on Feb. 12 at MSG. The Rangers have outshot the Capitals 93-70 including a 34-21 advantage in the third period. Ryan Callahan leads the team with four assists and five points in the three games, while Ruslan Fedotenko has tallied a team-high, two goals. Henrik Lundqvist is 2-0-0 with a 2.50 goals-against average, and Martin Biron is 0-1-0 with a 4.01 goals-against average.

* The Rangers have won five of their last six meetings against the Capitals, having outscored Washington 25-10 over the span.

* The Rangers rank sixth with a 27-11-2 (56 pts) record at home; Washington ranks 26th with a 15-21-4 (34 pts) mark on the road.

* The Rangers are 15-2-2 vs. the Southeast Division; the Capitals are 7-8-4 vs. the Atlantic Division.

* The Rangers list one former Capital on their roster: Steve Eminger (2002-03 to 2007-08).

* Washington lists two former Rangers on its roster: Mike Knuble (1998-99 to 1999-00); Tom Poti (2001-02 to 2005-06).

* Boston lists two former Rangers on its roster: Mike Mottau (2000-01 to 2001-02); Marc Savard (1997-98 to 1998-99).

All Time -- Rangers vs. Capitals
Overall: 85-84-18-5
At MSG: 47-36-9-2
At Washington: 38-48-9-3

2011-12 Rangers vs. Washington
Nov. 23 Rangers 6, Capitals 3 at Washington
Dec. 28 Rangers 1, Capitals 4 at Washington
Feb. 12 Rangers 3, Capitals 2 at MSG
April 7 Rangers vs. Capitals at MSG

Upcoming Regular-Season Schedule
April 7 Rangers vs. Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Injuries

* Michael Sauer has missed 57 games due to a concussion, suffered on Dec. 5.

* Steve Eminger has missed 11 games with an injury suffered on March 15.

* Mats Zuccarello has missed seven games with an injury suffered on March 23.

* The Rangers have lost 234 total man-games to injuries or illness this season.