I read a Rupp quote and he compared the Rangers to some other teams he played on. Then I remembered that he played on the 03 Devils. I was thinking of making a thread comparing us to the 04 Lightning, because of the shot blocking and Torts, but I wonder if they're closer to the 03 Devils because the 04 Lightning were better offensively. I really thought that was one of the weaker Stanley Cup champions of the decade. We don't have Stevens, Neidermeyer, and Rafalski, but if Staal comes back to form and Sauer returns, I'll take this D against any in the league. Lundqvist hasn't proven as much in the playoffs, but IMO this season he's having isn't any worse than any of Brodeur's. The 03 team's offense wasn't all that special. Our offense is a little thin too. Is this a fair comparison?
The Rangers are much closer to the 1995 Devils. Great goaltending, a tremendous transition game and a group of seemingly interchangeable players. They play a slightly different system but I cannot get over the similarities.
And, oh yes, the Devils rolled through the playoffs that year (16-4 I think) and won the Stanley Cup.
I hate the nonsense of saying lundqvist hasn't proven anything in the playoffs. He is the only reason the rangers haven't been eliminated in four games just about every season since the lockout, especially the two times against the caps. Give him some offense and he would have proven himself to the people who still need proving.
I hate the nonsense of saying lundqvist hasn't proven anything in the playoffs. He is the only reason the rangers haven't been eliminated in four games just about every season since the lockout, especially the two times against the caps. Give him some offense and he would have proven himself to the people who still need proving.
I agree with this. Cant deny the fact that the Rangers had real problems scoring in the playoffs in the past. Not gonna deny he's had a couple of bad series but he's also had some where if he gave up a goal this team was done. This is really the first season that the Rangers should be going into the playoffs with one of the best teams in the NHL. This is where we should get a good idea of where Hank stands.
Just a quick look at what hes dealt with:
Last season against the Caps other than the 4-3 double OT loss, the Rangers scored 2 goals in the other 3 loses.
08-09 against the Caps in the 4 loses they scored 4 goals and that includes 2 shutouts and a 2-1 loss.
07-08 Rangers scored 19 goals against the Devils and they won in 5 games. Next series against the Pens was Hanks 2nd worst series so far I think. Pens went on to play for the Cup though not an excuse but the Rangers were severely over matched in that series
06-07 Rangers scored 17 goals in a 4 game sweep of Atlanta. Next series against Buffalo was another "bad series" for Hank when he gave up 17 goals in 6 games but the offense also struggled scoring 9 goals in the first 5 games of that series.
05-06 against the Devils was just a nightmare all around for this team but was by far numbers wise Hanks worst series. Not that it would have mattered with Jagr playing with 1 arm and the offense scoring 4 goals in the 4 games.
Compared to Brodeur who was a 2 time Cup winner at the point of the 03 playoffs Lundqvist hasn't proven himself.
BTW, that Pens series he wasn't bad at all. Game 1, the Pens had 3 or 4 lucky bounces for goals. Game 2, he allowed 1 goal. Game 3, he was bad, allowing 5 goals. Game 4, he had a shutout, and game 5 he stood on his head to give the Rangers a chance in overtime. He wasn't bad at all that series and had 1 bad game. The second Devils series, despite bad bounces I thought he was a bit worse, even though we won 4-1, our offense carried us. Thankfully Brodeur wa awful that series.
Compared to Brodeur who was a 2 time Cup winner at the point of the 03 playoffs Lundqvist hasn't proven himself.
BTW, that Pens series he wasn't bad at all. Game 1, the Pens had 3 or 4 lucky bounces for goals. Game 2, he allowed 1 goal. Game 3, he was bad, allowing 5 goals. Game 4, he had a shutout, and game 5 he stood on his head to give the Rangers a chance in overtime. He wasn't bad at all that series and had 1 bad game. The second Devils series, despite bad bounces I thought he was a bit worse, even though we won 4-1, our offense carried us. Thankfully Brodeur wa awful that series.
My point was for the most part in the series that they've lost there offense has been none existent. In 8 loses against the Caps they've scored 9 goals and 6 of those were in 2 games. Hard for a goalie to carry a team like that. Certainly doesnt justify the label people are putting on him
The Rangers are much closer to the 1995 Devils. Great goaltending, a tremendous transition game and a group of seemingly interchangeable players. They play a slightly different system but I cannot get over the similarities.
And, oh yes, the Devils rolled through the playoffs that year (16-4 I think) and won the Stanley Cup.
I believe this is probably the best comparison of any Cup winning team in the past 25 years. The key being the young defense, solid goaltending and interchangeable parts through out the lineup. Would love to sweep Detroit in the finals like they did!
I read a Rupp quote and he compared the Rangers to some other teams he played on. Then I remembered that he played on the 03 Devils. I was thinking of making a thread comparing us to the 04 Lightning, because of the shot blocking and Torts, but I wonder if they're closer to the 03 Devils because the 04 Lightning were better offensively. I really thought that was one of the weaker Stanley Cup champions of the decade. We don't have Stevens, Neidermeyer, and Rafalski, but if Staal comes back to form and Sauer returns, I'll take this D against any in the league. Lundqvist hasn't proven as much in the playoffs, but IMO this season he's having isn't any worse than any of Brodeur's. The 03 team's offense wasn't all that special. Our offense is a little thin too. Is this a fair comparison?
I would say a pretty good comparison by Rupp, though if this team could get the PP going it would be a different story. However if you look at the numbers Rupp is pretty dead on, while that Devils team finished in the 8th spot, both teams were middle of the pack in GF, Devils #14, NYR currently #12 but both teams had a great + goal differential even with their pedestrian GF #'s.
I would say a pretty good comparison by Rupp, though if this team could get the PP going it would be a different story. However if you look at the numbers Rupp is pretty dead on, while that Devils team finished in the 8th spot, both teams were middle of the pack in GF, Devils #14, NYR currently #12 but both teams had a great + goal differential even with their pedestrian GF #'s.
Rupp didn't compare this team to the 03 team. He compared us favorably to some other teams he played with. I just thought ogf that 03 team when I read his quote.
Rupp didn't compare this team to the 03 team. He compared us favorably to some other teams he played with. I just thought ogf that 03 team when I read his quote.
then good choice to compare by you, regardless of who brought it up...both teams are strong defensively with timely scoring.
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