What to watch for: Crosby and Ovechkin meet again

Ottawa Senators head coach Guy Boucher talks about the perception and expectations of his club heading into the series vs. the New York Rangers.

The Western Conference kicked off Round 2 last night and now the Eastern Conference is taking its turn in the spotlight.

These series feature one Canadian team, a goalie looking to finally win the Cup and the greatest rivalry of this generation.

Lots to like. Here’s what to watch for on the second night of the second round.

vs. Game 1, 7 p.m. ET, CBC

The Ottawa Senators welcome the New York Rangers in a showdown between arguably the two best Swedes currently playing in the NHL.

For the Sens, Erik Karlsson has been unstoppable, and that should continue in this series. In a six-game series with the Boston Bruins, Karlsson averaged 30:24 of ice time, notching six assists, 12 hits and 12 blocks.

But after Sunday’s Game 6 win, it was revealed Karlsson has two small fractures in his left heel. Karlsson says the injury shouldn’t be a problem, but it will be interesting to see if the Rangers send him a couple extra stick taps to test that claim.

For the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist outduelled Carey Price in Round 1 and he’ll need to keep it up if his team wants to advance past the Senators.

Lundqvist posted a 1.70 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage in six games against Montreal. But he also faced 206 shots, the third most of any goalie in the first round.

At 35, Lundqvist appeared to be slowing down this season before his heroics in Round 1. The Senators may not have the most star-studded group of forwards, but they can be effective if a goalie isn’t at the top of his game.

You can read more about this series in our preview here.

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vs. Game 1, 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet

For 12 years, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have been the two biggest stars in the NHL. While a new generation of players began to steal the spotlight this season, these two are still some of the best to ever play and something special happens anytime they meet in the playoffs.

The two have met twice before in the post-season, most recently last year. The Penguins took that second-round series in six games and eventually won the Stanley Cup.

The Penguins made quick work of the Columbus Blue Jackets in Round 1 and Crosby was a key part of that. He finished with two goals and five assists in the five-game series, a solid performance for sure.

The Capitals had a more difficult road to the second round, needing six games (with five going to overtime), to eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ovechkin finished that series with three goals and no assists. At times, people questioned if he was getting enough ice time.

In a series full of superstars, how well (or not well) these two play could be the difference. Hopefully the coaches give us what we all want and put Crosby and Ovechkin on the ice head-to-head.

You can read more about this series in our preview here.

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