Torts has been saying all along that this team is a work in progress and that they've arrived earlier than expected. I tend to agree with him and think that these next 2-3 years are going to be the window of opportunity. That being said, its impossible to say if they're going to get a better shot than right now. Pittsburgh is out. Boston is out. Vancouver is out. They're the highest seed left...
I think I'm at peace with whatever happens from here on out.
If they lose to the Devils I would be disappointed, for about a week. Then I would remember that we would have all been happy with just one playoff round win coming into the season and I would be happy for what the season became. I think the problem is when you see them do well you up your expectations. A lot of people were talking 6-8 with this team before they year started, and even worse after the Euro-funk start to the year.
Going into the regular season, I predicted to finish between 3rd and 6th in the ECF in points. We obviously finished 1st. Huge success there.
In terms of playoffs, I thought a realistic expectation was Eastern Conference finals. If you look at past Cup winners, most winners make a decent run to at least the Conference Finals before winning the Cup the following year. It's not a rule by any means, but it seems to happen quite often. This Ranger team hasn't had a playoff run in a while and kinda lacked playoff experience, so I thought it was tantamount we make at least the ECF this year so next year (with basically the exact same team back, plus a full year of Kreider) we could really make a run at the Cup. So in terms of that, again this has been a success.
That said, the way the playoffs have played out, we have a TREMENDOUS opportunity in front of us. The three teams that scared me match-up wise were Pitt, Wash, and Ottawa and they're all gone. On paper, I think we're better than any of the other 3 left, plus I think we match up favorably against all 3. Hell, somehow we're the best offensive team statistically left, and that's our biggest weakness. Not to mention it would be absolutely heartbreaking to have the year we had and still finish behind the Devils.
So we'll see. Generally, I see this year as a huge success but we also have a tremendous opportunity in front of us - one we may not see again for God knows how long. I don't want to squander it, nor do I want to lose to the Devils at any cost.
Not with the road that is being presented to this team. They have a chance to do something special. Us fans thought Pittsburgh or Boston/Philly would be there to take our season from us, and they are teeing off sometime in the next couple of hours.
Things change, and making it to the ECF was my happy point. Now it's different.
This season will not be a success unless they make the Cup. No fan of the Rangers will be happy losing to the Devils at this point in time. Make the Finals and I'll be happy.
Overall season wise, yes it is a success. I had said at the beginning of the year, that I just wanted to get deep into the 2nd round. I could've handled a 6 game round 2 loss (as long as it wasn't to Washington again). But now we're here, and now that the Devils have made it further than anyone expected them to. We can't lose to them. If we do, their fans will be merciless with the whole, "all this talk about how you were so good, and how you were gonna win a cup and we knocked you out as the 6 seed" s**t. So in my opinion, in order to validate everything in this area, we need to beat the Devils. Even if we don't the Cup, losing to them is really not an option in my eyes. I know people we'll feel different, but with what I have to put up with from people..it's the way I feel. From a shut the F up stand point, we need to beat them.
Last edited by TonyTheGr8: 05-14-2012 at 10:24 AM.
Overall season wise, it is a success. I had said at the beginning of the year, that I just wanted to get deep into the 2nd round. I could've handled a 6 game round to loss (as long as it wasn't to Washington again). But now we're here, and now that the Devils have made it further than anyone expected them to. We can't lose to them. If we do, their fans will be merciless with the whole, "all this talk about how you were so good, and how you were gonna win a cup and we knocked you out as the 6 seed" ****. So in my opinion, in order to validate everything in this area, we need to beat the Devils. Even if we don't the Cup, losing to them is really not an option in my eyes. I know people we'll feel different, but with what I have to put up with from people..it's the way I feel. From a shut the F up stand point, we need to beat them.
When did any of us say we were going to win the cup? Yeah, obviously it would suck to lose to the Devils...but this team has certainly far exceeded the expectations this season.
Not with the road that is being presented to this team. They have a chance to do something special. Us fans thought Pittsburgh or Boston/Philly would be there to take our season from us, and they are teeing off sometime in the next couple of hours.
Things change, and making it to the ECF was my happy point. Now it's different.
This season will not be a success unless they make the Cup. No fan of the Rangers will be happy losing to the Devils at this point in time. Make the Finals and I'll be happy.
No you won't. Face it none of us will. If we get to the finals then it's going to be that we have to win. The more success we have the more you expect. Hell, if we win the cup this year people will expect one next year.
I find it hard to believe that if we make it to the finals and lose we'll be happy.
I find this season a great success compared to what we expected and the fact that we didn't expect this team to make a push for another year or two. We've made it this far, we need to push a little bit farther.
When did any of us say we were going to win the cup? Yeah, obviously it would suck to lose to the Devils...but this team has certainly far exceeded the expectations this season.
Oh please, lots of us have...not necessarily people here. But come on, you're gonna tell me you haven't come across that one guy who's a little on the d*uchy side that said we we're winning the cup in the middle of the year? Cause I know have. Hell, I know people that we're predicting we would destroy the Devils before this series was even official. Fans s**t talk all the time.
It absolutely has exceeded expectations. And I will not be disappointed in them one bit if they don't get through this round. But from a rivalry stand point, we need to beat them. Same with the Yankees not wanting to lose to the Red Sox or something like that.
No you won't. Face it none of us will. If we get to the finals then it's going to be that we have to win. The more success we have the more you expect. Hell, if we win the cup this year people will expect one next year.
I find it hard to believe that if we make it to the finals and lose we'll be happy.
I find this season a great success compared to what we expected and the fact that we didn't expect this team to make a push for another year or two. We've made it this far, we need to push a little bit farther.
Will I initially be upset? Sure. Everyone will be. I'm talking about 1-2 weeks after it ends. I'd be extremely excited about the team and what they can do next season. How they can improve and what moves can they make to get this team to the next level. I did that with the Jets until this past season. After being disappointing losing in the ACF Championship, I was happy to know that I have a team that I can follow and have something to look forward to the following season.
If they lose to the Devils it will be a tough pill to swallow. If LA keeps going like they are, losing to them will not be as tough. Losing to Phoenix would be rough though, but I could get over it.
Oh please, lots of us have...not necessarily people here. But come on, you're gonna tell me you haven't come across that one guy who's a little on the d*uchy side that said we we're winning the cup in the middle of the year? Cause I know have. Hell, I know people that we're predicting we would destroy the Devils before this series was even official. Fans s**t talk all the time.
It absolutely has exceeded expectations. And I will not be disappointed in them one bit if they don't get through this round. But from a rivalry stand point, we need to beat them. Same with the Yankees not wanting to lose to the Red Sox or something like that.
Well I'm sure there were fans in Columbus who thought they were going to win the cup this year. lol So yeah, I'm sure a few Rangers fans were talking crap...but the reality is most of us were expecting an improvement from backing into the 8th seed on last day of the season. I know I was predicting a 5/6/7 finish...I don't think any of us were honestly expecting 1st in the East.
I totally agree that we don't want our rivals keeping us from the SCF. That would definitely suck. But regardless, the season is already a success. That said, I'm hoping for 8 more wins.
I have to be honest - I find the amount of "Im Proud of this team" or "This Season was a Success No Matter What" -type threads to be mind-boggling right in the middle of a playoff run. Whats wrong with living in the moment and enjoying the ride to its completion? There will be plenty of time for season analysis and whether you're happy or not during the summer.
But for goodness sake, just make sure you enjoy what you have right now - because, trust me, it doesnt come along too often with this organization.
I have to be honest - I find the amount of "Im Proud of this team" or "This Season was a Success No Matter What" -type threads to be mind-boggling right in the middle of a playoff run. Whats wrong with living in the moment and enjoying the ride to its completion? There will be plenty of time for season analysis and whether you're happy or not during the summer.
But for goodness sake, just make sure you enjoy what you have right now - because, trust me, it doesnt come along too often with this organization.
They have exceeded my expectations but if they lose to the hated Devils.......I just won't feel like this season was a complete sucess .
Losing to Marty and seeing the Devils in the SCF would irritate me to no end.
Enjoying the **** out of this run, but I would have to say anything beyond round one is a success for this team, especially after a 1st in the East finish.
Of course people will argue that a team first in the East should at least make it to the finals, but we all know that's not how it works.
It has been a great year and can still get even better. Loving this team.
I want the Devils heads on a plate. THE END. Hate this team.
This. I want the Rangers to keep being the team that the Devils can't beat in the playoffs (except that one year we won't talk about). I want Henke to own Marty again. I want my Devils fan friends to be crying into their beers. I want Captain Cally to be the best, young American born captain in the game. I want Clarkson to get his face beaten in. And most importantly I want the Rangers to go to the Cup Finals!!!
Enjoying the **** out of this run, but I would have to say anything beyond round one is a success for this team, especially after a 1st in the East finish.
Of course people will argue that a team first in the East should at least make it to the finals, but we all know that's not how it works.
It has been a great year and can still get even better. Loving this team.
Totally agree with this.
This team is easy to love and should only get better.
94 had several hired guns on it and really was not built for long term success despite some good young players. This team should compete for ahwhile.
If they go out, how they go out will have a bearing. If they blow a 3-1 series lead and lose that would leave a sour taste. If they play another one of these nip and tuck series and get beat by a goal in game 7, I will embrace what they have done and look forward to next season.
Sums it up for me in a heartbeat
