To Capitals, a 2-0 Playoff Lead Is Rarely a Lock

That is something for the Madison Square Garden crowd to keep in mind Sunday during a critical Game 3 of this opening-round series. In historical terms, the Rangers are in trouble because, dating to 1939, N.H.L. teams that have won the first two games of a best-of-seven series at home have won those series 89.8 percent of the time (212-24).

But the Capitals have a miserable history when it comes to the postseason. They blew 2-0 series leads in losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992, 1996 and 2009 and to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2003. Only in 1998 against the Ottawa Senators did they carry the series after winning the first two games. Last season, Washington lost to the Montreal Canadiens after taking a three-games-to-one lead.

Alex Ovechkin is mindful of that history. He, like seven other Capitals who played in Friday’s 2-0 victory over the Rangers, was around for the 2009 and 2010 collapses.

“I think the last couple of years when we’d get the lead, we felt like the series was done, and our whole team would get a little bit relaxed,” Ovechkin said after practice Saturday afternoon. “And they’d play much better than us, and they’d win the series. So right now, we stay focused.

“This team is different. That kind of experience the last couple of years, it helps.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, Ovechkin cited a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 3 that turned the 2009 series against the Penguins the wrong way.

“We were in this position against Pittsburgh a couple of years ago,” he said. “Right now, the third win is probably the most important. For them, it’s going to be a really important game, and for us the same.”

However, Brooks Laich, another veteran of the Capitals’ last two collapses, said after Friday’s victory that history did not apply to this team, with its diligent attention to defense.

“The last two playoffs, I think we’d led the league in goals,” he said. “This year, we were fourth in goals against, which is something our group takes pride in. This is a completely different team. You have your same core players, but now our style, our mind-set is a little different.

“We can’t try to avenge last year’s team,” he continued. “That’s over and done.”

On Saturday in Greenburgh, N.Y., Coach John Tortorella kept the Rangers’ practice loose, mixing up lines in random combinations and hinting at some changes on the power play, which has scored only once in its last 31 advantages.

The captain, Chris Drury, said he was not overly worried about the 0-2 hole that the Rangers find themselves in.

“They did their job at home, that’s all,” he said of the Capitals. “Now it’s up to us to take care of business in our building.

“We’re confident — look at the playoffs last year, like Philly and Boston,” Drury added, referring to the Flyers’ rally from a three-game deficit to beat the Bruins in a second-round series. “Teams are so close now. It’s about the details. For us, we just need a big goal.”

Erik Christensen said that there was “no panic button being pushed” and that the team had a good meeting and a good skate Saturday. But he also said that playing against the Capitals’ new-look defense was difficult.

“They clog up the neutral zone pretty well,” he said. “It’s tough, frustrating at first. They stand you up and have the lanes covered. Your passes have to be perfect.”

That is what the Capitals are counting on against the Rangers. Coach Bruce Boudreau said he wanted the Capitals to “play similar to what we’re doing, only better.” He was referring to the Capitals’ new close-checking style, which helped them win nine straight games in February and March — seven of them by one goal — and which has stymied the Rangers for one goal in 138 minutes of play.

Boudreau, who was involved in the past two Washington collapses, was asked what he could do to stave off another.

“I don’t know,” he said. “You try to prepare every day, try to keep them focused every day. I wish I had the crystal ball that said, O.K., this is what we have to say or do so we don’t lose the next day.”

Boudreau was calm and patient with that answer. But later, another reporter asked him about the postseason hump the Capitals have had such trouble getting over in the past.

“We’re just looking at tomorrow — we haven’t brought up the past or anything,” Boudreau said, showing perhaps a hint of irritation.

“Every series is different. The only people that make it a hump are you guys.”

With that, he walked away, reminded of the unpleasant memories of the Capitals’ past.

Chris Botta contributed reporting from Greenburgh, N.Y.