The Importance Of Being Earnest About Winning In Washington

Alive and heading toward a playoff berth, or a failed season? You tell me.

That's how important today's Rangers at Washington game happens to be – and The Maven will tell you why:

1. PLAYOFF BERTH COMPETITORS: Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Philadelphia – and right on down the line – all are vulnerable and catchable. A few Blueshirt wins and New York is back in the mix.

2. CONFIDENCE: The tailspin damaged the Rangers' gyroscope. Winning returns the necessary swagger. One win is not enough. Beating the Caps today could do wonders for their heads.

3. HEADACHE RELIEF: Inner turmoil – and there's been plenty of it – isn't cured by aspiring; but win a few and everyone will be talking playoffs – and not trades.

It's been done before and it could be done again. Exhibit A will be right in front of the Rangers' noses. The Capitals lead the Metro Division because management did some house cleaning.

The Caps general staff imported seven players – four up front, two defenders and a goalie.

"Washington also has a coach-of-the-year candidate in Spencer Carbery," says The Old Scout, "and Alex Ovechkin is leading the team as if he's 29, not a 39-year-old."

Overhauling one-third of the Caps could have killed chemistry but the Caps are 25-10-3 because the chemistry is pure and Washington has what the Rangers lack – a productive captain and leader in Ovi.

Ah, yes, and Carbery also has Rangers nemesis Tom Wilson who's now 30 but as belligerent as ever. (Too bad Matt Rempe still is suspended.)

"Everyone figured the Caps for being down near the bottom again," concluded The Old Scout. "They sure fooled the experts."

Then again, so have the Rangers – in the other direction – and that's why today's clash is so much a "must" game for New York!