Isles fan here ( I come in peace LOL). I definitely think the Rangers can go on a long playoff run and possibly win it. Shesterkin is one of the best if not the best goalie in hockey. With players like Fox, Panarin, Kreider, Zibanejad that is a really solid group of players to build around. IMO the key was getting Gallant. He is a good coach and has done for the Rangers what Trotz has done for the Isles. Looking at the playoffs I would say the Canes, Lightning, and Rangers are the top teams in the EC. I think the Leafs and Panthers are paper tigers who are more "sizzle" than "steak". In the WC its the Avs, Wild, and Flames. I think the Cup will come from one of those 6 teams, Should be fun to watch.
I remember the moment the horn sounded and Adam Graves threw his stick up in the air. Messier bear-hugging all his teammates on the ice. Keenan making his way (gingerly) across the ice to shake Quinn's hand. It didn't hit me until like 15 minutes later that listening to the Isles fans chant 1940 was a thing of the past.
The only team in the EC I don’t want to play is Carolina. I think the Rangers can beat everyone else in a bo7, especially if Igor is playing at his best.
If our Jets ever win a Super Bowl I’m going to disappear for a week. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
They are tough. Along with Carolina you have to include Tampa. They are the two time defending SC champs so they know how to get it done in the playoffs. Vasilevskiy is another excellent goalie who has proven to be a big time playoff performer. As I mentioned the Canes, Rangers, Lightning in the east and the Av's, Wild and Flames in the west. The Cup is between these 6 teams IMHO
The only reason I didn’t mention TB is that the Rangers beat them 3x this season. Something is a little off with them but I think they’ll turn it on a little in the playoffs.
Officially got my tickets to home game 1 vs Pittsburgh or Washington. So unbelievably fired up to go.
Carolina is so much stronger on the puck than the rangers. No way they take these guys in a series unless Igor is just out of his mind.
I love the way the canes PK works. They never concede the blue line and they always attack the guys with the puck on the point and the boards.
Admitted Canes bias here, but there system, discipline, coaching and effort is so good consistently they are hard to beat regardless of who is in net. They do not give up many grade A chances. Andersen is rumored that he might be ready at some point in round 1. Antti Raanta has played well this year with a sub 2.5 GAA and .915 save % that the Canes could win with him in net as the #1 and he will be good to go.
they look to be better than the Rangers by a visible margin... not a HUGE difference, but a clear one to my eyes based on what I've seen when i have reviewed the games they've played vs one another
Canes have definitely been motivated by the loss of Andersen. The question is whether they can keep skating at that level. At some point the adrenaline wears off. All 3 of the top teams have been on tears down the stretch, with Panthers, Avalanche and Canes streaking big time. Odds are good we see a let down from them in the first two rounds. It's hard to be at that level for more than a month or so. Lots of energy expended and legs get deader as it continues.
Ovi somehow got the on the bridge at the Garden last night so the section behind mine just kept booing him and chanting “Ovi sucks!” Got matched up with Pittsburgh. DraftKings has us as series underdogs but not by much. Jarry is out and it’s going to be real difficult to beat Igor 4 out of 7. Let’s goo!!
I don’t like that they have so many guys with minor injuries right now. Doesn’t bode well for a long playoff grind.
