RichieNextel305

Boys seem locked in. This doesn’t even seem like back in 2015, when this was an accomplishment. This seems business as usual, eyes on the prize type of shit from them. They are going to be a tough out.

For sure. This team needs to do what other Ranger teams have failed to do, and that is learn from prior experiences and learn to step on a teams throat and not let them up off the mat. So many times on the Lundqvist-era Rangers would they play an inferior team, and let them up off the mat to the point they either exerted all their energy into knocking them out in 7 or, even in 2017, when they ended up boxing themselves into a corner and actually lose a series against a team they were better than in Ottawa. They need to not repeat history and take advantage here.

Only reason I can see it being Detroit is that Philly has something to play for here too. They’re mathematically still in this. And the Caps played last night. Sure it’ll be all adrenaline tonight. But Detroit gets Montreal again. They had a close call last night, think they get the win in Montreal tonight. Caps have a tougher game in Philly.

On top of the fact that I’m sick to death of Washington (who we will be locked up with should they win tonight), I’d prefer Detroit too. Like others have said, we haven’t played them in forever. So that would be nice. But from a team standpoint, I think they would be easier. They can score, for sure. But their defense and goaltending are both very average, whereas Lindgren kind of scares me a little bit with the Caps. Something about righty catching goalies, plus he played well against us this year. That said, neither of these teams should threaten the Rangers too much. And honestly, like Valiquette said last night, both those teams represent an opportunity for the Rangers to get off to a fast start through Round 1.

End Result: 28 goals, 29 assists, 82 GP. Just an extremely big step forward. Everyone had their opinions prior to the year. And rightfully so. Frustration happens. But at age 22, he really took a major leap forward. Looked more confident, had much more jump, found a home on one of the very best lines in the league. He had 28 goals but was also robbed more times than anyone else on the roster it seemed like. That number could easily be more in the mid-30s range with more finishing. And to do this with hardly any PP time makes it even more impressive. Huge leap forward. Fantastic year. Hope it continues in the playoffs. Because he was also quiet against NJ last year. Hopefully he attacks the playoffs the way he attacked the regular season.

Agreed. Crosby is on a bender. I’ve shit on them all season, and rightfully so. I’d like to see it be too little too late.

Pittsburgh needs a lot to happen to make it. I just don’t see both Washington and Detroit losing tomorrow.

Who do you guys want in the playoffs? I think it’s going to be the Caps. Lindgren scares me a bit. I hate those righty gloved goalies. And he’s playing well and did play us tough this year. I don’t think he can steal 4 from us. I would prefer Detroit. They can score a bit but they can be scored on quite a bit. I think if we tighten up defensively, we can have some early success. There are routes to seeing Philly or Pittsburgh. But it looks like it’s going to be Washington or Detroit.

This is a team that walked into this year with myriad of questions. How would they answer the bell after last years season ended in catastrophe? How would Laviolette vibe with this group that went largely unchanged following that fizzle? How would our most important forward respond to criticism about his play not being up to snuff for his price tag? How would this team approach a very important season given where they are at in their development as a group? 55 wins. Most ever by a Rangers team in a single season. 114 Points. Most ever by a Rangers team in a single season. Panarin responds with 49 goals and 120 points. An unbelievable season. Division Champs. 1st in a very good Eastern Conference. 1st overall, above many other elite teams, in the entire league. Just mind blowing. At some points in the next few weeks, months, we are all going to lose our minds. We are going to flirt with less-than-optimal situations where we may be down. But with this team, they have earned the right to have our belief that they are never out. They have answered the bell all season and have done everything possible to wash the bad taste of last year out of our mouths. This isn’t going to be a 16-0 run to ecstasy. Not even close. Bumps will occur. But before this crazy ride even gets under way, definitely time to salute this team for their franchise record season, in a year where many questions were posed about the makeup and character of this group. An absolutely awesome ride that I hope takes us all the way through June and down the Canyon of Heroes, where they belong.

Mika has been lacking a bit in the goal scoring department. He’s been saving his bullets for now. He’s going to go on a rampage, drop 15+ goals, all en route to a Conn Smythe.

I had Chytil scoring 40 goals. Did he play 40 minutes?

Take this for what it’s worth, but friend of mine who works at the Garden said he heard Game 1 is Sunday at 3PM.

Laviolette needs to get in his ear and tell him to stop passing up shots. This is getting silly.