Apr 19, 2024 - Sports

Washington Capitals launch underdog fight for the Stanley Cup

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Goaltender Charlie Lindgren makes a save on the ice — Goaltender Charlie Lindgren. Photo: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals squeaked into the Stanley Cup playoffs, and now they're underdogs against the high-performing New York Rangers.

Why it matters: The Caps had a rollercoaster season but returned to the postseason after missing it last year for the first time since 2014.

State of play: Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday at 3pm in New York.

The Rangers were the top-ranked team in regular season NHL play, winning the Presidents' Trophy.
T.J. Oshie and the Caps will need more good luck after his late-winning goal against the Philadelphia Flyers this week pushed the team into the playoffs.

Whom we're watching: Goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who has bailed out the Caps over and over this season.

The Rangers' high-powered offense will test the man whom the Caps head coach Spencer Carbery refers to as "arguably our MVP."

"We've been fighting every single day to essentially get to this place, and it hasn't been a smooth road 100% of the way," Lindgren reflected on the season, per WTOP.

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Washington Capitals launch underdog fight for the Stanley Cup

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