With the Rangers back in the playoffs against the Capitals, MSG analyst Joe Micheletti breaks down the Blueshirts’ chances of upsetting the No. 1 seed with the Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: If the Rangers knock off the Capitals, would it be a major upset?
A: It wouldn’t surprise me at all. I think it’s going to be a low-scoring series. For the Rangers to have success, they have to do what they have done well all year — hitting, blocking shots. And when they play in the other team’s end they are about as good at the forechecking as anyone in the league. The key matchup will be the Rangers forwards vs. the defense of Washington.
Q: Are you looking at a particular player who needs to step up with Ryan Callahan out?
A: It’s not necessarily one guy, but I look at Derek Stepan. The kid has a special mentality and when the game is on the line he plays his best hockey. But the team as a whole has to step up. They feel horrible (for Callahan), but they have this mentality about them that they have to carry on.
Q: How much of a factor is it that the Capitals are playing with such high expectations, while the Rangers are in a house-money situation?
A: John Tortorella has said to me and Sam (Rosen) recently, “If we get to the playoffs, the pressure is off.” But we all know how intense John is and we also have seen how competitive this team is. You can see they will do anything to win on the ice, and it’s important that they keep that attitude. But for years people have been wondering when Washington will win the Stanley Cup. They were up 3-1 against Montreal (last year) and then they were out.
Q: Do you think the run the Flyers made last year gives lower seeds, like the Rangers, confidence?
A: More than anything the Rangers’ confidence comes from the fact that they have beaten Washington three times in the regular season. Their record against teams over .500 is good. That’s what they will look to for confidence.
Q: Is there one team you consider the one to beat?
A: The team that won the Presidents Trophy, Vancouver, is the best team. They are finally healthy with the six defensemen they started the season with. But Chicago has beaten them the past two years in the playoffs and (Canucks goaltender) Roberto Luongo has not played well against them. But other than that, there’s no clear-cut favorites. It’s wide-open again.