Matching up the Rangers and Capitals

Breaking down the Rangers-Capitals first-round playoff series that begins tonight in Washington, with analysis from two Eastern Conference coaches who were granted anonymity in return for their insight:

FORWARDS

The Rangers have had to adjust to life without Ryan Callahan (broken ankle). Brandon Dubinsky is one of the few young, core players with playoff experience; they may lean more on Cup-winning veterans like Ruslan Fedotenko, Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury in this series. The Caps have a lot of skill and balance in their top three lines, led by Alex Ovechkin. Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin are dangerous, and the Caps have plenty of veteran leadership up front with late-season acquisitions Marco Sturm and Jason Arnott.

Coach's take: "It's really going to be tough for the Rangers to wear down opponents without Callahan. They were able to shut down Ovechkin during the regular season, but he definitely has that next gear to get to. It's clear the Caps have more skill up front, so the Rangers have to be physical."

EDGE: Caps

DEFENSEMEN

The Rangers' top two pairs are young, but they haven't shown it all season long. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi will be counted on to contain Ovechkin, but the Ryan McDonagh-Michael Sauer pair has been steady for months. The Caps are slated to get All-Star Mike Green (concussion) back for the series, but their unheralded defense has been excellent the last 20 games, led by their own young duo of John Carlson (age 21) and Karl Alzner (22).

Coach's take: "The Rangers' forwards have the ability to get in fast on this Washington 'D'. That could cause some problems because the Caps don't have a ton of speed back there without Green. The Rangers' 'D' has to avoid turnovers, because the Caps have so much scoring ability."

EDGE: Caps

GOALTENDING

Henrik Lundqvist has been the Rangers' MVP since he helped them reach the playoffs as a rookie in 2005-06. He's played 26 straight games and has been sharp. The Caps' goaltending situation is fluid. Rookie Michal Neuvirth will get the Game 1 start, but Semyon Varlamov and rookie Braden Holtby are also available.

Coach's take: "If there's a guy you want going into a series where you feel you can steal a game or two, it's Lundqvist. The Caps don't seem to have a lot going for them in goal, but no one thought the Flyers or Hawks did last year, either."

EDGE: Rangers

COACHING

John Tortorella has gotten his club to buy into his system and the Rangers have overachieved in many ways. Bruce Boudreau has done a similar job, getting his team to buy into defense first despite all its firepower.

Coach's take: "It's amazing what both these guys have done -- Torts with a group of guys that have really played the same way all year long, been really tough to play against, and Bruce getting guys like Ovechkin to think about both ends of the ice."

EDGE: Even

INTANGIBLES

The Rangers got into the postseason on the final day of their season; that recipe worked wonders for the Flyers a year ago. The Caps have long been presumed the Penguins' heir to the Eastern Conference throne, but they have only one series win in four years.

Coach's take: "People are wondering about the Caps, if this is the year they can make a long run. But this series is going to be as tough as any and if they fall behind, can they catch up against a team like the Rangers, who can wear you down? That's a big question."

EDGE: Rangers

PREDICTIONS

Arthur Staple: The Caps are untested in goal and could be rattled by the Rangers' physical play, but the Rangers simply don't have enough pop offensively to handle Washington over a long series.

CAPS IN 7

Steve Zipay: Lundqvist is at the top of his game. The Rangers are underrated defensively, have rebounded from tough losses all season and won close, low-scoring games, which is how this could play out. Pressure is all on Caps.

RANGERS IN 7