The Rangers and Capitals held their respective morning skates at Madison Square Garden on Monday, hours before dropping the puck for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.
For the Rangers Brian Boyle took part in the morning skate, though he said afterwards he has "no idea' if he will play this evening. Boyle has missed the previous three playoff games---ironically all Blueshirt victories---after suffering a concussion in Game 5 of the opening-round series with Ottawa.
"I don't know, I'm just trying get healthy," Boyle said after the skate. "I'm not looking at it being long term. When I feel healthy then I will play."
While it is possible Boyle returns to the lineup tonight, it looks as though the Rangers will be missing Brandon Dubinsky for a second straight game. Dubinsky has not been on skates since suffering an unspecified injury in the dramatic 2-1 victory over the Senators in Game 7 last Thursday. Dubinsky has not practiced, and was not seen at the morning skate on Monday.
The Rangers lead this best-of-seven series 1-0 after Saturday's 3-1 victory. They do not wish to squander an opportunity to move up 2-0 like they did against Ottawa in the first round, when they let a third period lead dissipate into an overtime loss in Game 2.
"We want more shots, but it's going to be close, tight hockey," explained Brad Richards on Monday. "They have everybody back, they're filling lanes, blocking shots. We learned a good lesson last series, coming out in the first game and the difference in level of intensity from the team that lost to that second game. We are going to make sure our level of intensity tonight will be much higher. They're going to be a desperate team wanting to get one (win) before they go home."
