Charlie Lindgren's push to get the Washington Capitals into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and what they must do to pull off an upset and defeat the New York Rangers in the first round of the Eastern Conference Two topics are part of the discussion on this week's episode. “NHL @TheRink” Podcast.
Co-hosts Dan Rosen and Sean P. Rourke will be joined by NHL.com staff writer Tom Gritty, who is based in Washington and regularly covers the Capitals.
Gritty, in particular, started the last six games and won four games, including 2-0 against the Boston Bruins on Monday and 2-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, leading to Will Washington's playoff lead. He praised the ability of the goalkeeper who helped them advance.
Gritty also said the Capitals need to play a low-event, low-scoring game against the Rangers to have a chance. He cited Washington's 20-2-11 record in one-goal games and 12-24 record in games decided by at least three goals as evidence.
Rosen, Roark and Gritty also talked about the NHL, touching on the four scheduled Eastern Conference playoff games, which teams could upset them and why.
The concerns they have about the Colorado Avalanche, who have struggled to 1-3-1 in their past five games, and why the Winnipeg Jets are their worst possible first-round opponent. Let's discuss.
If that matchup were to happen, would the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round? Are the Dallas Stars the favorites to win the Western Conference, and maybe the entire league?
Those questions and more are part of the conversation between Rosen, Rourke and Gritty.
Additionally, Rosen and Roark discuss the Buffalo Sabers firing Don Granato as coach and where they go from here, with Roark bringing a new name into the conversation as a potential replacement for Granato.
They also talk about coaching job opportunities in New Jersey and Ottawa and what makes those jobs attractive.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury's new one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Minnesota Wild, forward Cutter Gauthier's NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks, and the fate of the San Jose Sharks are also covered at the end of the episode. .
The “NHL @TheRink” podcast is free and listeners can subscribe on all podcast platforms. Also available at NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts and the NHL app.
