The Rangers know that playoff experience doesn’t always lead to playoff success. Just two years ago, they faced similar circumstances to their first-round opponent this season, the Capitals. Despite their lack of playoff experience, the Rangers proved everyone wrong with a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final.
Even though they won Game 1 against a Capitals team with several players making their playoff debut, the Rangers know that experience alone doesn’t guarantee success. “I think it can be helpful,” said head coach Peter Laviolette. “But there’s also players that haven’t had the experience and they have to break out at some point and they have to make their way and do it in the playoffs.”
The Rangers have 12 players who made their playoff debut in 2022, nine of whom are still with the team. They’ve learned valuable lessons from their past playoff experiences, including the importance of not giving up, putting teams away when they have the chance, and not taking their foot off the gas.
“We don’t want to do the same thing as last year,” said Kaapo Kakko. “We are ready for that. Two years ago, we played well, a lot of games. I’ve been playing a lot of playoff games, all the other guys also, lot of same guys two years ago. We know what to do.”
While the Rangers have some veterans to lean on, the Capitals have even more experience, led by Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin has played in more playoff games than any player on the Rangers roster. The Rangers may have successfully defended Ovechkin in Game 1, but they know he can still change the trajectory of a series.
Playoff experience alone won’t take a team very far. It’s what a team does with it that makes a difference.
