GREENBUGH, N.Y.: The New York Rangers know exactly what to expect from the Washington Capitals in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It’s going to be physical, and it’s going to take another big defensive effort like the one the Rangers got against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. This time around though, the task will be stopping Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

It is the fifth time since 2009 that the teams will meet in the playoffs. The Rangers eliminated Washington from the 2012 and 2013 playoffs — in Game 7 each time.

The Rangers had their first full practice Tuesday in preparation for the Capitals, working out for roughly an hour at their Westchester training facility.

Game 1 will be Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Capitals advanced Monday night, eliminating the Islanders in seven games, and keeping the Rangers away from a backyard series that was bound to have lots of local distractions.

Red Wings’ Kronwall suspended for game 7 vs Lightning

Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall will miss Wednesday’s decisive Eastern Conference quarter-final Game Seven against Tampa Bay after he was suspended for a hard check on Nikita Kucherov.

Kronwall made the hit late in the second period of Monday’s Game Six, which the Lightning won 5-2 to tie the series at three games apiece.

The Swedish defenseman skated hard into the Russian winger, appearing to lift off of his skates as he made contact and his forearm hitting Kucherov’s face. No penalty was called on the play, and Kucherov stayed in the game.

“What causes this infraction to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the force with which the hit was delivered and the significant head contact that resulted from Kronwall launching into him,” the NHL said.

The suspension is the first for Kronwall in his 11-year career in the league, all with the Red Wings.

Pens GM Rutherford bullish on future

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford says he’s disappointed about the team’s early exit.

Pittsburgh lost to the New York Rangers in five games in the opening round of the playoffs. Rutherford said Tuesday liked the direction the Penguins were trending in March before season-ending injuries to defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Kris Letang.

Rutherford praised captain Sidney Crosby for the development of his all-around game. The general manager added first-year coach Mike Johnston did a good job under trying circumstances.

The team will spend the offseason trying to upgrade the pieces around Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The two stars have stressed they believe their best chance to win another Stanley Cup remains in Pittsburgh.