The 2-1 Rangers take on the 2-0-1 Capitals Thursday at the Verizon Center in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which were won by Washington 4-3 after coming back from a 3-1 deficit. The Blueshirts are coming off a gritty win against their hated tunnel rivals, the Devils, Monday while the Caps lost a high-scoring contest 6-5 to the Flyers, a team they figure to battle, along with the Penguins and hopefully the Rangers, for Eastern Conference supremacy.

The Rangers should be rested, having two days off after playing three games in a four day span. Washington had their contests better spaced, receiving at least one day off in between each of their three contests.

Washington's likely lines based on prior games, courtesy of Steven Hindle (who by the way does an excellent job covering the Caps and whose blog show be in your daily rotation):

Forwards

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin
Laich-Morrison-Knuble
Laing-Steckel-Clark
Kane-Gordon-Bradley

Extras: Nylander, Fehr(injured),Fleischmann(injured)

Defense
Morrisonn-Green
Poti-Erskine
Schultz-Jurcina

Extras: Pothier-Sloan

Goaltenders
Varlamov
Theodore

What Washington has shown so far is an ability to score, having notched at least four tallies in each of their first three games. Their scoring has mainly been handled by four players with Alex Ovechkin leading the way has 9 points (5-4), Nicklas Backstrom now has 8 assists, Alex Semin has 7 points (4-3) and Brooks Laich's assist against Philly gives him 6 points in (3-3).

The one question mark, which was one coming into the year, has been between the pipes. After a strong Opening Night start by Jose Theodore in which he game up one goal, Semyon Varlamov got the nod in their next two, giving up four goals but defeating Toronto, then getting pulled after allowing four goals in the second against Philly. Theodore relieved him but allowed the game-winner to Daniel Briere. It will be interesting to see who coach Bruce Boudreau calls on. Will it be Theodore, who flamed out so badly in Game 1 of last year's playoff series that he was benched or will it be Varlamov who rescued the Caps and led them to the win?

On the Rangers side, it's status quo. Sean Avery, out since September 21 with a strained right MCL, participated in some drills in practice Wednesday and will not play Thursday. His new target date is Sunday against Anaheim. Coach John Tortorella remarked at how the fourth line has played, so don't look for any changes there when Avery does return, which may mean that Enver Lisin or Artem Anisimov are in danger of sitting, though my money is on Boyle or Voros being the odd man out. Also, when Avery returns, does Torts pair Higgins with Drury and Kotalik and have Avery play with Callahan and Anisimov as Moshe52792 suggested to me?
That said, here are the line combos again:

Forwards:
Vinny Prospal-Brandon Dubinsky-Marian Gaborik
Christopher Higgins-Chris Drury-Ryan Callahan
Enver Lisin-Artem Anisimov-Alex Kotalik
Donald Brashear-Brian Boyle-Aaron Voros

Defensemen:
Wade Redden-Matt Gilroy
Michael Del Zotto-Michal Rozsival
Marc Staal-Dan Girardi

Goalies:
Henrik Lundqvist
Steven Valiquette (look for Vally to likely play his first game of the year Monday against the Leafs)

Story lines:
- can the Rangers exact a modicum of revenge against the Caps for knocking them out of the playoffs last year

- who will Torts try and match up against the Ovie line, both forwards and defense, though the Caps have the final line change since they are at home? (does he go top line vs. top line? On d, look for Staal and Girardi)

- what will Brashear do in his first regular season game against his former team?

- look for the Rangers to continue the strategy they employed in the playoffs when they in essence made Mike Green a non-factor by pounding him every time he touched the puck

- does Lundqvist slightly alter his playing style to come out a bit more and take away the shot over the left shoulder, which is where Washington burned him repeatedly in last year's playoffs?

What matchups are you looking forward to seeing and story lines you foresee in this contest?

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