Joe Micheletti talks Rangers-Capitals and the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs with The Post’s Justin Terranova. Micheletti will call games for NBC and be part of some of MSG’s hour-long postgame Rangers shows.
Q: What makes the Capitals a difficult matchup?
A: It starts with Alex Ovechkin, and that’s going to be such a great matchup with [Ryan] McDonagh. … Capitals are going to come out and pound the Rangers. They are built to be able to do that. They play a grinding game, and they’ll try to wear down and slow down the Rangers.
Q: How much will loss of Mats Zuccarello be felt?
A: It’ll be a major factor. … They lose a dynamic player who is part of the heartbeat of the team. He’s always the first one in on a forecheck to get a hit. He’s got a brilliant offensive mind. This is just somebody [who] will defend and do whatever it takes to win.
Q: What is the X-factor in the Canadiens-Lightning series?
A: I would compare it to the Chicago-Nashville [first-round] series, which was so fast. They just went out and played, you had the top players from both teams able to do their thing. Tampa would have a little something to prove because Montreal won the division and swept them in the first round of the playoffs [last season]. It so often comes down the goaltender, and [Montreal’s] Carey Price is most likely going to be the MVP of the league, so it’s going to be on him.
Q: How much does sweeping the Jets help the Ducks’ confidence after playoff busts in the past?
A: The Ducks sent a message to the league with their sweep of Winnipeg. Anaheim showed even if you get them down, they’ll find a way to get back. That move they made for Ryan Kesler — he was really important in the regular season — but now they are showing why they really got him. And that’s to have that second center iceman [who’s] big and strong and can score and check to play behind Ryan Getzlaf. Their goaltending is still up in the air. You wonder if that’s still going to be able to hold up.
Q: Do you expect the Wild to avenge last year’s playoff loss to the Blackhawks?
A: I would say this year is a toss-up. It’s really interesting to see what happened to [Blackhawks goalie] Corey Crawford this last round. He gets benched then comes in and wins them Game 6 — doesn’t allow a goal — and now he’s back as your starter, and he’s the reason why Chicago beat Minnesota last season.