So the Rangers get into the playoffs with the help of the Tampa Bay Lightning coming up big and beating the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2.
Did Tampa hear all those Rangers fans at the Garden yesterday chanting "Let's Go Lightning!" at the end of the third period? Or maybe Tampa just had Carolina's number this year, winning four out of their six meetings. Or perhaps a key injury was also a factor. Note this item that Canes Country disclosed:
Coach Paul Maurice mentioned that Eric Staal was playing with a bad groin for the past three weeks, and it was just getting worse and worse. I'm sure more inside info will be released in the coming days about hidden ailments and injuries.So the Canes' captain was hobbled, and our captain, Chris "Captain America" Drury returned. The Force had therefore shifted to the Blueshirts. Once Obi-Wan Kenobi works his magic nothing can stop you.
However you slice it, we do owe the Bolts. The cruel irony might be that we "payback" their help by beating them in the Eastern Conference Finals. Fate is a cruel mistress. In the meantime a sincere "good luck" against Pittsburgh you sons of the Bolt.
The most impressive statistic that came out yesterday was that the Rangers had not lost a game this year when taking a lead into the third period (29-0-0). Wow! So the moral of that story is get a lead in the first two periods and then turn the game over to Lundqvist and the defense. Simple.
Let's Go Rangers. Bring on the Caps.
ICINGS:
Congratulations Ranger Pundit contributor, Section 335. You exactly predicted the Rangers final points total for this season at 93 points back in October 2010. One more reason to heed what you read hear at the Ranger Pundit.
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Mike Milbury says Boston's Tim Thomas is a lock for the Vezina Trophy with his record .938 save percentage. That beats Dominik Hašek's .937 save percentage in the 1998-99 season, when Hašek won his 5th Vezina. Mike Milbury can kiss my you know what. But it's sad, if Lundqvist doesn't win this year will he ever win the Vezina?
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----Rangers News:
NHL announces Rangers-Caps schedule --
The NHL announced the schedules for all eight first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series on Sunday night, as the Rangers learned they will open the postseason on Wednesday night in Washington.
Here is a look at the complete schedule:
.. Date Time Location TV Wednesday, April 13 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington TBD Friday, April 15 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington TBD Sunday, April 17 3 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers TBD Wednesday, April 20 7 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers TBD *Saturday, April 23 3 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington TBD *Monday, April 25 TBD Washington at NY Rangers TBD *Wenesday, April 27 TBD NY Rangers at Washington TBD * -- if necessary
• Playoff Tickets On-Sale Monday at Noon ET
• Complete Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
I remember watching the Islanders kill the Edmonton Oilers in game two of the 1984 Finals, after losing game one. The Islanders had beaten them the year before in the finals. Everyone thought the Islanders were going to handle the Oilers again. To another team, the loss might have been devastating. But I saw something different. The Oilers were not upset, they were angry. And, then proceeded to win the Cup after the Islanders had won four Cups in a row.
Why mention it? Because this Rangers team has heart too. It has no quit. And, like the Oilers, it has no fear of the Caps.
Rangers in Seven.
I like the Rangers chances too. I hope it doesn't go seven. How about in six? I think the Caps defense will crack more than ours. Staal seems to be able to put a horse collar on Ovie. Some more Drury magic.. I don't know.
I guess the decision on who sits is between Zuccy and Avery. Since there are no shootouts in the playoffs I hope Avery gets more time. He's due to pot one sooner or later (I hope).