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Rangers Take on Capitals Wednesday Night

Brandon Prust
New York Rangers’ Brandon Prust, right, reacts after scoring a goal as Andy Greene looks on during the second period of the NHL hockey game Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
APTOPIX Devils Ranger Mian
New York Rangers' Brandon Prust, right, reacts after scoring a goal as Andy Greene looks on during the second period of the NHL hockey game Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The New York Rangers are back in the playoffs after failing to reach the postseason last year, and they will be facing off against a familiar foe.

The eight-seeded Rangers will take on the top seeded Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. Former NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin and his Capitals beat the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs in 2009, after the Rangers blew a 3-1 lead, losing in the seventh game.

The Rangers won the season series 3-1 but they will be without Ryan Callahan (broken ankle) for the entire playoffs. The teams top player, Marian Gaborik, looks to rebound after a disappointing regular season. After scoring 42 goals last year, he only netted 22 due to an injury plagued regular season.

The regular season came down to the final day for the Rangers when they defeated the Devils, and needed the Carolina Hurricanes to lose. Rangers Captain, Chris Drury, came back to the ice in that game, scoring his first and only goal of the season.

Last year, the Rangers missed the playoffs because of a shoot out loss to the Flyers. The Flyers took their spot and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals last year.

Here is a schedule listing of the dates and times of the Ranger’s first round series. (Best of 7 games)

Game 1 – Rangers at Capitals – Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (MSG Plus)

Game 2 – Rangers at Capitals – Friday at 7:30 p.m. (MSG)

Game 3 – Capitals at Rangers – Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (NBC)

Game 4 – Capitals at Rangers – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (MSG)

Game 5 – Rangers at Capitals – Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (NBC)

Game 6 – Capitals at Rangers – Monday at TBD. (MSG)

Game 7 – Rangers at Capitals – Wednesday at TBD. (MSG)