The Rangers remind me a lot of the Tampa Bay team that won the cup under Tortorella. Lots of tough defensive players that play hard for 60 minutes, they block a lot of shots, have a couple of excellent offensive weapons, and a hot goaltender. Of course the last ingredient was that the Lightning that year had an amazing lack of injuries. Not sure how the Rangers depth is if they lose a couple key players.
I don't think there's that much pressure on them at all, this isn't 1994 when Neil Smith basically took a gamble to grab the cup that year. The next few years will be pretty exciting when Kreider, Erixon and Miller come on board. I sure as hell didn't think we would clinch the east the season, which was a pleasant surprise. The general consensus amongst Ranger fans is the ECF or 2nd round, anything beyond that is a bonus.
I've only watched the rags when they played the Devils and I wasn't impressed at all, probably because the Devils outplayed them in every game
They especially outplayed them in that game the Devils got 13 shots. Oh I forgot the Rangers blocked more shots must have outplayed them. If Lundqvist didn't turn into Cloutier in that last game the Rangers win that game 4-0. The Devils did nothing in that game. Only game the Devils really outplayed the Rangers was the 4-1 win. The Rangers 4-1 win, the Devils outplayed them for parts of the game but lost 4-1. The 1-0 win for the Devils, the Devils dominated the first, the Rangers dominated the third. If not for a complete fluke bounce in the shootout game and the ref having his head up his ass in the 1-0 game the Rangers take the series 4-1-1 at the worst. You know what I'm not impressed by? A team that's 11 or so points behind mine while winning 8 more skills competitions. The Rangers are 20 points better than the Devils when an actual game is played.
The Rangers remind me a lot of the Tampa Bay team that won the cup under Tortorella. Lots of tough defensive players that play hard for 60 minutes, they block a lot of shots, have a couple of excellent offensive weapons, and a hot goaltender. Of course the last ingredient was that the Lightning that year had an amazing lack of injuries. Not sure how the Rangers depth is if they lose a couple key players.
I could be wrong but when Tampa won the cup didn't St Louis win the scoring title that season? Beyond that didn't that have 2 other top 10 scorers
Any unbiased person would think it was even, really. Surprisingly even.
I agree. As much as bash the Devils and their 12 shootout wins. The series was very even. 3-2-1 for for the Rangers, 3-3 for the Devils. Goals were about even too. I still think that the Devils are the best opponent that the Rangers can face in the 2nd round if they make it that far. I might actually have to root for them in the first round.
I think so too. I dont know why I get the feeling they will, maybe cause of last year, but I just think so
Im scared of the Rangers, so I really hope thats the case hah
Last year's Rangers had no Richards, no Callahan, an injured Gaborik who scored 12 goals in 59 of his 62 games, a worse defense, worse goaltending (assuming March and that April 1st game is behind him). No comparison really.
the rags looked pretty awful imo when we got our forechecking and cycling going in their end, I remember they had a tough time getting the puck out almost every game, except maybe the 1st game we played vs them but I can't remember to well, it was a while ago
either way I wasn't impressed even though they were playing "playoff style hockey"
If Lundqvist wasn't asleep in the final game like he was for most of March your team would have scored 1 goal in MSG in 3 games. They were completely dominant in that last game too. Shame it ended 4-2, making it look like it was a competitive game. There was one game where the Rangers were truly outplayed in the 6 and even then it took a fluke goal and an empty net to make it more than a 1 goal game.
No...Why are you taking my comment as hostile? Don't start a fight. I come in peace. Just my opinion.
You said fluke. It sounds like you didn't meant that the Rangers' season was a fluke, but the Caps beating the Rangers is a fluke? I mean that's what it sounds like from your other posts. However it sounds like you called the Rangers a fluke that's why he took it as he took it. It was very vague.
I don't think there's that much pressure on them at all, this isn't 1994 when Neil Smith basically took a gamble to grab the cup that year. The next few years will be pretty exciting when Kreider, Erixon and Miller come on board. I sure as hell didn't think we would clinch the east the season, which was a pleasant surprise. The general consensus amongst Ranger fans is the ECF or 2nd round, anything beyond that is a bonus.
I agree with this completely. Most level-headed fans expected this to be another development year where our younger guys mature and we make a push for the 5-6 spot. As long as we get past the first round this season is a success in my eyes.
The team is still extremely young. I believe Richards is the oldest guy on the team at like 31 or 32 or something.
There window is not small at all and they will be contenders for a long time. Anything that happens this season is icing on the cake. THe next 2-3 years will be big years for the Rangers imo, especially if Kreider and Erixon live up to expectations or even close to them.
You said fluke. It sounds like you didn't meant that the Rangers' season was a fluke, but the Caps beating the Rangers is a fluke? I mean that's what it sounds like from your other posts. However it sounds like you called the Rangers a fluke that's why he took it as he took it. It was very vague.
Yeah, I was saying the Caps beating NYR would be a huge fluke. Regardless, people get too angry too quickly on here sometimes.
You said fluke. It sounds like you didn't meant that the Rangers' season was a fluke, but the Caps beating the Rangers is a fluke? I mean that's what it sounds like from your other posts. However it sounds like you called the Rangers a fluke that's why he took it as he took it. It was very vague.
Yeah I think he was saying that the caps beating the Rangers would be a fluke then the other guy saw a Flyers fan using the words Rangers and fluke in the same post and got all defensive. I think he needs to remind us one more time whether the Rangers dominated the Flyers this year, I'm not too sure.
I give most commentators the benefit of the doubt but Bill Waters calls it wrong so freakin' often. Rangers are a good team though and are no doubt one of the best teams in the East.
If Lundqvist wasn't asleep in the final game like he was for most of March your team would have scored 1 goal in MSG in 3 games. They were completely dominant in that last game too. Shame it ended 4-2, making it look like it was a competitive game. There was one game where the Rangers were truly outplayed in the 6 and even then it took a fluke goal and an empty net to make it more than a 1 goal game.
You throw the word "if" around a lot.
You could say the same thing about that 3rd goal Marty let in during the last game. It was awful.
The Rangers would be favored and rightfully so in a series against the Devils. I do, however, feel more comfortable playing the Rangers this year than any year since 06-07.
I think it would be a fantastic series. One that would open a lot of eyes around the league as to just how much the teams don't like each other. Can Henrik keep up his dominance over the Devils or does Marty have one last push left in him?
I think it's still Pittsburgh. As good a story as the Rangers have been, I think they're overachieving this year and won't make it to the dance. I just don't see it.
I do think it would be a stretch for the Rangers to get to the finals this year. D is inexperienced and they still need more scoring and depth up front.
That will all be taken care of this summer, with some more young guys coming in and most likely a decent UFA. I just think they need a good run to gain the experience and then be set up for a 2 or 3 runs over the next couple of years.
That said, who knows...they have been very consistent this year...and it's not as crazy as an 8th seed making it all the way, and that has happened before.
Also, it still surprises me how Devils fans can't avoid talking down the Rangers. I would think 3 cups and how many division titles would finally give you some peace. It just sounds like jealousy, the way you need to knock NY in every thread. I feel very bad for those that have an inferiority complex...really of what? As a Ranger fan, it has been a long, embarrassing run to get to today. I just don't get it...
And to think....we are all pulling for you to whip the Penguins.
