When you’re the number one overall seed, a lot of pressure comes with it. That’s precisely what the Rangers are playing for this spring.

In sweeping the Capitals out of the first round, they did exactly what was expected.  There are no style points for winning in the postseason. Even if the games were ugly due to their underwhelming opponent, the Blueshirts don’t have to apologize to anyone.

When you earn home ice for the entire playoffs, that allows you to take advantage of an inferior opponent in the first round. The Rangers had a huge edge in talent, skill, speed, and depth. They also were the much better team on the power play – going 6 for 16 (37.5 percent). They held the Capitals to 2 for 17 (11.8) and scored two shorthanded goals.

They exposed the Caps’ biggest weakness. Special teams have been a big weapon all season. There’s a reason they ranked third in both the power play and penalty kill. Those are areas they’ll have to continue to excel at in the next round.

With key personnel that features Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and Adam Fox on the top unit, the Blueshirts executed well. Even the little used second unit contributed with Alexis Lafreniere and Erik Gustafsson setting up power-play goals in the series. Jack Roslovic had a key PPG in Game 2. He was a factor.

The two-way play of Zibanejad, Trocheck, and Barclay Goodrow played a part in the four-game victory. They were outstanding on the penalty kill with both Zibanejad and Trocheck setting up shorthanded goals from K’Andre Miller and Goodrow. The attention to detail was pivotal in taking care of the Capitals. They harassed Alexander Ovechkin, who was ineffective throughout the first round.

Defensemen Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba were part of the superb defense that made life difficult on Ovechkin and the Caps. They found it hard to get setup time and find clean shots up a man. Trouba was a blocked shot machine leading the way with 21 in the first round. Fox distinguished himself defensively with 13 blocks.

Miller had a very good series. He used his size and reach to make key defensive plays. He also played with more edge, getting physically involved against the Caps. It was a strong first round for Miller, who had 10 hits, nine blocks, and five takeaways while averaging 19:53 of ice time.

Gustafsson wasn’t a liability. He had two assists and played better than expected at even strength. Outside of a couple of hiccups, he performed admirably on the third pair with Trouba.

By making the switch late in the regular season, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette strengthened the team defense. Having Miller play with Braden Schneider provides better balance. He seems more comfortable at five-on-five. Trouba played his usual rugged style, adding 17 hits. He had two helpers and finished a plus-4.

Fox and Lindgren were very good in the first round. They continue to be one of the league’s best top pairs. Lindgren provides the nuts and bolts while Fox can supply the strong puck possession that leads to offense.

Fox is playing with more tenacity. He gave it to Tom Wilson following the Trocheck power-play goal that came with 16 seconds left in the second period on Sunday. That caused Wilson to become unhinged and take an undisciplined roughing minor.

Igor Shesterkin was on his game against the Caps. He gave up seven goals on 101 shots to post a 1.75 goals-against-average (GAA) and .931 save percentage. While he wasn’t under constant pressure, the former Vezina winner rose to the occasion when called upon. Shesterkin is the backbone of the Rangers. As he goes, so does the team.

One of the best statistics to come out of the first round victory was that they had 10 different goal scorers and 14 different point getters. Their superior depth was a factor in advancing to the second round.

In Game 1, rookie Matt Rempe set the tone by scoring the first goal of the series. He is more well-known for his crushing hits, fisticuffs, and occasional bad penalties. However, he also brings a key physical element that the Rangers haven’t had.

Rempe’s presence is felt by opponents on the forecheck. He can create havoc on the boards for defensemen. The identity of the fourth line is to get pucks in and finish checks. They were effective against the Caps. It was their play in the first game that resulted in goals from Rempe and Jimmy Vesey. Goodrow was right in the middle of it, picking up two assists.

Although he didn’t score in his debut series, rookie Will Cuylle was a constant on the cycle. He pressured Caps’ players into mistakes and drew penalties. He was quite effective in his role on the third line. Kaapo Kakko finally got rewarded for his hard work with the first goal last night. He took advantage of a Nick Jensen turnover to bury his first of the postseason.

Alex Wennberg is trusted by Laviolette at five-on-five. He isn’t going to wow anyone. But he is a solid player defensively who is capable of keeping plays alive on the wall. Although he had a couple of bad turnovers that Shesterkin bailed him out on, Wennberg usually makes the right decision with the puck. He’ll need to be a factor along with his line moving forward.

Both Zibanejad and Trocheck led the way. Trocheck had three goals and three assists for six points with a 71.2 winning percentage on faceoffs. He was their best player.

Zibanejad was a constant at finding open teammates, pacing the team with six assists. He also had a power-play goal. The best part is he shot the puck more. His line with Kreider and Roslovic improved in the games at Washington. Kreider got both his goals at even strength. Roslovic potted a pair on the power play.

The Rangers didn’t get a dominant series from Panarin. But he had two game-winners, including the series clincher on the power play in the third period on Sunday night.

Panarin continued to be aggressive looking shot. His 11 placed him right behind Zibanejad, who led the team with 12. Most noticeable is that he was more engaged in the battles. His open ice hit on T.J. Oshie in Game 2 was an eye-opener. It’s a different Panarin, who wants to deliver a Stanley Cup to the Blueshirts.

Lafreniere didn’t score a goal in the first round. But he had four assists with three coming on the man-advantage. His one assist during five-on-five was a jarring hit that injured Caps defenseman Vincent Iorio, leading directly to Trocheck finding Panarin for a goal in Game 1. Lafreniere was very noticeable during shifts and physically involved.

The Rangers are in the second round without breaking a sweat. They know they’ll have to be better. That means not as many defensive lapses like they had in Game 4. Stronger puck management.

If it’s the Hurricanes in the Division Final, they excel at five-on-five by aggressively pinching their defense on the forecheck. They’re very good in the neutral zone at forcing turnovers that lead to quick plays in transition.

The Rangers will want to clean up those areas. Carolina has an improved power play since key addition Jake Guentzel joined up. Discipline will be vital.

Game 5 between the Islanders and Hurricanes isn’t until tomorrow night. The closest the Rangers could start the next round is this weekend. We’ll see what happens.