Trailing 2-0 in series, Capitals set to host Rangers for Game 3

Trailing 2-0 in series, Capitals set to host Rangers for Game 3

The Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers for Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series at Capital One Arena on Friday.

The Capitals, trailing 2-0 in the series after losing 4-1 in Game 1 on Sunday and 4-3 in Game 2 on Tuesday, are looking to swing the momentum their way with a stronger performance on home ice. Home-ice advantage brings with it the ability to better control the on-ice matchups, which Washington Coach Spencer Carbery is eyeing as an opportunity to help his team find more solid ground throughout the game.

“It’s not the be-all, end-all, but there is something to be said for home ice and being able to control the matchups,” Carbery said Friday morning. “Especially when, in our situation, where you have to navigate that and pay attention to it, being a more — not that we’re not a four-line team, but we need to find certain quote-unquote spots for certain lines, to set them up for success, to find advantages through our lineup and through our [defensive] corps.

“It does play a role, and that’ll be our job as coaches, to find those opportunities to potentially exploit some advantages or find some ways to minimize damage when we’re playing against their best people.”

Carbery will make one change to his forward lines, with winger Ivan Miroshnichenko set to draw in alongside Beck Malenstyn and Nic Dowd on the fourth line; Nicolas Aube-Kubel will come out of the lineup.

Ivan Miroshnichenko. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

Miroshnichenko, 20, last played on April 7. He recorded two goals and four assists in 21 regular season games.

“Miro’s a mature young man,” Carbery said. “Has played enough games at this level, has watched this series closely. We’ve talked to him a lot about what’s going on. He’s been in all the meetings, even some individual meetings on his own. I don’t expect it to be a huge shock, him getting into the game and being completely overwhelmed. I’m looking for him to give us some good minutes and provide us some energy in our lineup.”

Defensemen Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen, both of whom have been out with upper-body injuries, skated in regular jerseys Friday and took part in battle drills after the skate ended. Carbery said he’d find out more about their status after practice; both are possibilities for Game 3.

“They’re getting closer and closer,” Carbery said.

This story will update.