Prepping For The Playoffs

The Rangers as is their wont, smacked their patsies, the Carolina Hurricanes around, for a 4-1 victory in preparation for an opening round game, either against Tampa Bay or possibly Montreal, depending on their position. Exploding for two power play goals by Brad Richards, 19, 20th, the Rangers broke a 5-52 power play drought. They also may have finally unleashed Martin St. Louis, who had three assists. Stepan and Pouliot were the other goal scorers. Lundqvist was good again, named number three star, St. Louis, number two and Brad Richards number one and there I have named my obligatory five players.

The Rangers have two games left to solidify their spot against bottom feeder Buffalo at home Thursday and then it's on to the House of Horrors against Les Habs. It will be interesting to see whether Lundqvist gets a break, possibly against Buffalo, or AV decides to go with The King the rest of the regular season into the playoffs. The Rangers are going into the playoff with all cylinders clicking. AV went back to using four lines and that is when the Rangers are at their best, rotating four lines.

Two big question marks remain and that is the two injured players, Ryan "Big Mac" McDonagh and Chris, The Krasher, Kreider. Both are possible for the playoffs and darn it, I now have named seven players. I'm still concerned about our overall toughness entering the playoffs, but my buddy, my wine dealer, tells me that issue won't come up until we face the big, bad Bruins in the Eastern Region finals. Now that is confidence.

Meanwhile I will return to anonymity waiting for the puck to drop on the first playoff game, hopefully at MSG.

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