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Goal-starved Rangers facing elimination in second round

A penalty shot by New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62), from Sweden, is caught by Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the third period of Game 4 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A penalty shot by New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62), from Sweden, is caught by Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the third period of Game 4 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) A penalty shot by New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62), from Sweden, is caught by Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the third period of Game 4 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Associated Press 5 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Being on the brink is familiar territory for the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers.

The Caps have a history of being in position to advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and finding a way to squander it.

The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers are next in line. The Capitals lead their series 3-1 and can eliminate the Rangers in Game 5 tonight in New York.

It’s the same spot the Rangers were in last year against Pittsburgh. They were down 3-1 in the second round, and again seemingly out of it. They found a way to rally for the first time in franchise history and they are going to have to do it again if they want to prevent Alex Ovechkin from reaching the conference final for the first time.

“It’s tough to create words when you’re in a situation like we are,” Rangers captain and defenseman Ryan McDonagh said Thursday, a day on which neither team practiced. “As far as speaking up and saying things, I feel with the guys we have in the room, there shouldn’t be a lot that needs to be said.”