With a gap of a month between posts, it should be obvious that the Rangers lost to the Panthers. I was going to write a post after the game 6 loss but felt too dejected to do it. Then, it was almost a week before the final round started, and I figured I’d just wait until the end to write my thoughts.

After winning their second game, the Rangers couldn’t get any traction against Florida. It was like they were skating uphill the entire series.

The Panther’s defensive capabilities were simply too much. Faster to the puck, able to see plays develop and interfere to stop them before any offensive pressure could start, it was like Florida had an extra man on the ice. The Rangers were never able to get positioning in the slot, as they were more or less shoved to the outside at every chance. Playing the Panthers’ way meant that they were able to keep control, making their opponent constantly run around while they pivoted and pushed into place. Once the Rangers got tired, the Panthers would score and then rely on the defense to sit on the lead.

Shesterkin did everything he could to keep his team in the lead, but with Panarin and Zibanejad being smothered and Kreider not able to get anything going, the skill offense didn’t contribute. Goodrow and Lafreniere carrying the team for another two wins was never going to happen. All season, the Rangers were a team of opportunity; making a mistake would often mean the Rangers would pounce and make things happen. In the games they won against Florida, the Panthers had made mistakes. They’re so aggressive that they can be exposed in forcing them to turnover for a breakaway, one of Bobrovsky’s few weaknesses. When they don’t make mistakes, the Panthers are the best team in the league.

All of those trends continued in the Finals with the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers shut out the Oilers 3-0 in the first game, just like they did to the Rangers. Edmonton played better in the next two games but lost those as well. The puck never bounced their way, Florida was faster, their defense nearly flawless, and they kept McDavid, arguably the best player in the league, bottled up so he couldn’t do anything.

And then the fourth game played out. Most thought a sweep was inevitable. The Oilers had made changes though. New strategies that blew the game wide open. 8-1 Oilers. It was unreal. For the first time, it looked like the Panthers didn’t know what was happening around them. The Oilers were flying around, easily challenging or beating the Panthers to the puck. Great passes, pulling the Panthers out of position, intercepting passes that left Bobrovsky all alone on breakaways. The Oilers special teams came alive. In the next game, the score was much closer, but the Oilers were in control for most of the game. Game 6, another clinic by the Oilers. It looked like for possibly the 5th time in the history of the NHL, the Oilers would be the team to reverse sweep the final series to win the Stanley Cup.

The Panthers returned to form in Game 7, winning 2-1. Everything they did wrong in the last 3 games, stopped. Except for the mistake that led to the Oilers only goal on a breakaway (which was scored on the next play after the Panthers took the 1-0 lead.

It turned out to be the best Stanley Cup Final in many years, and the best team in the league got the much deserved win. This marks the 4th team in 7 seasons to win their franchise’s first Championship.

It was a great and fun to watch season for the Rangers though. They set a bunch of records, finished the season first in the league, went undefeated against the Devils, and embarrassed the Capitals in the Playoffs on their way to going deeper into the postseason. Making it to Round 3 while denying Carolina another chance at the Cup is way better than losing to the Devils in Round 1. You gotta take your wins when they happen. The disappointment is still palpable in losing to Florida the way they did, but next season is a chance to address the team’s deficits for another great run for the Cup next season.

Tomorrow is the NHL draft in Las Vegas where the next class of future hockey stars will be called up. It’s not expected for the Rangers to make any major moves here, but free agency starts on Monday and I think we can expect some aggressive changes to the roster to happen in the next few weeks.

Pre-season starts on September 22. With the Playoffs taking two full months to complete, that’s less than three months from now. There is no rest for the weary.

Florida won game 1 in a shutout, 3-0. The score is deceptive as it was mostly a tight, one goal game. Florida was the better team with the Rangers unable to get any traction. It was a game of which whoever made the fewest mistakes would win. When Florida scored first it felt like the Rangers were skating uphill for the rest of the game. The huge error, Igor leaving his net–going far out–he messed up his pass/clearing attempt in a rush because of Florida’s aggressive forecheck. This led to him scrambling back, a weird bouncing shot, and Lafreniere accidentally hitting the puck between Igor’s legs. That was demoralizing, to say the least, and made a comeback in a hard game that much tougher. A quick empty net wrapped that one up.

Game 2 saw the Rangers start the game off right, in total control with increased speed and aggressiveness. The tide turned multiple times throughout the game. They were all over each other for 60 minutes. Play was tight, the hits were high, the shots on goal nearly the same, fierce competition. Of note, Florida scored on the power play for the first time breaking the Rangers’ fantastic penalty kill streak. This one went to overtime where everyone played on edge. With six minutes to go, Goodrow scored the game winner. Raucous applause from the home MSG crowd shook the arena.

Yesterday afternoon was Game 3 in Florida. This was a war of attrition. Florida played like Carolina, shooting at every single glimpse of an opening. By the end, the shot attempts were 108-44 Florida. Florida scored first but the Rangers rallied back. Lafreniere made up for his bungle in game one with a nasty breakaway backhand. Then Goodrow less than 30 seconds later with a Kreider-like deflection. Florida would tie it before the end of the first period.

In the second the Rangers scored two more, again with Lafreniere and Goodrow pulling out the stops, stunting on everyone. Goodrow’s in particular happened because of lazy Florida defense on a power play. And then a third period collapse.

Florida dominated for almost the entire period. It was okay until they scored about 6 minutes in or so. Then it was like the Rangers couldn’t do anything right. A ton of penalties for the night…Florida scored on two of them (Rangers with none but Goodrow’s shorthanded goal cut that red mark in half). Trouba had a terrible game and Miller wasn’t much better. For the last like 6 minutes, I think the Rangers did nothing but try and clear the puck for a line change and Florida would just move back in. Half time the clearing attempts were icings. They barely made it to the end in a tie. Igor did everything humanly possible to keep them alive, it was unreal.

And then the Panthers’ perfect defense stopped for a moment. They made a mistake. About 6 minutes into overtime, they left the center of the ice open and Alex Wennberg standing in front of the net alone. Kakko got the puck back to Lindgren up by the blue line and he let a shot fly. Wennberg deflected it in, top corner, stunning Florida into silence.

It was a grand larceny level of robbery. A miracle win, the stuff of highlight clips and legends. The Rangers managed to claw through the entire game but the odds of that happening again are basically zero. They cannot play that bad again. Igor can’t be relied on having games like that. It isn’t sustainable, his legs are going to get exhausted. The games are fast, the hits are hard and coming more frequently, so the wear and tear is adding up. Vesey has been hurt and is out for at least a week. They need to have another game 2 where they contain Florida better. Patience needs to be focused on. Don’t just turn around and fling out a clearing attempt. They have to at least try to skate it out of their own zone, or at least look where you are clearing so it isn’t intercepted 70% of the time. It’s insane how it seems like a Florida player is always in the way (i.e. in perfect defensive position).

While seeing the goals and assists spread out more is good, Laffy and Goody putting on All-Star effort and results, Zibanejad, Kreider, and Panarin need to become a threat again. They are being way too passive, so few shots on goal. Panarin is being smothered every time he’s out there so credit to Florida on their defense. Their plan is working. When he does get a chance to shoot it always seems like something happens. He completely whiffs a shot or the puck is bouncing all over the place and he can’t get a clean shot off. I’m not sure what’s happening with Kreider, he seems to disappear all the time. Zibanejad is being defended well too but it looks like he’s afraid to shoot. There’s way too much sloppy passing.

The other note is that the power play is completely dead. Those goals have given them the needed buffers in the previous series and it’s detrimental here (it should also be noted that Florida is getting few penalties). Giving up three power play goals makes that stat even worse. Special teams need to practice some new tactics.

Florida is going to be mad as hell tomorrow. It will be another war of attrition.

Rangers lead series 2-1

I knew this series was going to be crazy. These games are all being decided by inches. This afternoon, the Rangers robbed Florida right in front of their face. More tomorrow but I’ll leave this for prosperity:

The series against Carolina was dramatic. After the Rangers won three in a row, all by one goal, Carolina won game 4 with a power play goal. Their first in the series which made it taste that much more bitter. In game 5, the Rangers fell apart in the third period and Carolina ran away with it. It was so bad, flashbacks to last year’s series against the Devils were hard to ignore.

At it looked like game 7 was going to happen when Carolina took a decisive lead in the first period with 2 goals that made the Rangers look like they were sleep walking again. A quick Rangers goal uplifted the tri-state areas’ spirits until everything crashed back down going into the 3rd period down 3–1.

And then the Kriedering (trademark pending ) happened before our eyes. Chris Kreider with the natural hat trick to take the lead. In the span of about 6 minutes, Carolina lost control and never regained it. It was like a fever dream. There’s no way Kreider’s number won’t be lifted to the MSG rafters when he retires. It was that good. Carolina scratched and clawed to tie the game but an empty net by Goodrow sealed the ride to the next round.

The Florida Panthers! Formidable to say the least. Stats-wise, another very close match up…but Florida has greater scoring depth compared to Carolina. Better goaltending too. This will be intense and the greatest challenge by far.

Rangers in 7.

HahahAAHAHahHAHaHahAHaHaha

I’m exhausted.

Rangers 4 Capitals 0

The Rangers did what needed to be done. With every stat advantage going into the playoffs against the Capitals, New York wiped Washington off the ice.

The Rangers outscored the Caps 15-7. Washington held the lead for less than 4 minutes in the series. Alex Ovechkin, one of the best players in the history of the sport, had zero points and 5 shots on goal. With 50% of their offensive power just standing around the Caps had close to no offensive pressure. The fourth game was the only one that was competitive and even then it didn’t look like the Rangers were ever concerned. When they were down by a goal, they scored almost immediately. Tie games weren’t tied for long. The Rangers’ special teams were nearly unstoppable.

While a sweep was possible, most people thought the series would likely go five games. Ryan’s brother, Charlie Lindgren, did everything he could to give his team a chance but the guys in front of him didn’t do much to help him. Since winning the Cup in 2018, the Caps have made it to the playoffs five times and have been eliminated in the first round every time. They’ll keep Ovechkin around for his final two seasons to try and pass Gretzkey’s goal record and to play his entire career as a Washington Capital. The way he looked this week I have my doubts he’ll get the record. He did manage to rally for 31 goals this season which is impressive but it seems like doing so completely drained him. They’ll probably try and build around him until he retires, but this is likely the last playoff run for the Capitals for a few seasons.

The Rangers put in the work they needed to. Stayed focused, avoided most of the bait to take penalties, and worked their game to pretty easy wins. Coach Laviolette made smart changes on the fly and the team showed why they should be feared. Shesterkin played so well in every game, that I can recall only one meatball of a goal last night. Everyone is healthy and with this time off they’ll be able to get well rested and the fantastic coaching staff will get them ready for the next round of the gauntlet. They need to be more careful of penalties and turnovers. Washington was so bad that these repeated errors didn’t cost them games. The teams coming up are much more capable.

The Rangers have finished before anyone else. Florida knocked out Tampa tonight 4-1. It looks like the changing of the Florida guard is official. Almost all of the remaining series are 3-1 except for Oilers/Kings at 2-1 (Oilers). Carolina can finish their series against the Islanders tomorrow. It’d be great for the Isles to push Carolina to more games to help the Rangers out but it’s not likely to happen. Odds are Round 2 won’t start until Sunday, May 5th.

We have entered 100% intensity hockey. This is peak competition people! High hopes for the Rangers who are on their best footing in years.

The games played so far:

• WPG 1 COL 0
• FLA 1 TBL 0
• BOS 1 TOR 0
• NYR 1 WSH 0
• CAR 1 NYI 0

The Rangers won 4-1, more or less dominating the entire game. It played out as we all expected with the Rangers being so heavily favored. It was a reassuring game. The whole team looked focused and calm. I didn’t notice any major mistakes, no power play goals with the two chances, but the PK stopped all 4 chances Washington had. The big news is that the fourth line was on fire. Rempe got the first beautiful goal with assists from Goodrow and Vesey. Panarin scored, and then Vesey scored. All in just over 2 minutes in the second period. A sweet breakaway goal from Kreider sealed the door shut. With this promising start, they just need to keep the momentum going. It’s up to the Capitals to adjust.

Looking at the rest of the bracket, for the Western division, I favor Dallas to make it to the finals. They’ve been solid for the whole season and I don’t see why that should change. Vegas didn’t end the season well and I don’t think they did so by playing opossum. They aren’t as good as last season. I have a feeling Edmonton will make it to the WCF but lose to Dallas. It feels like it’s there time for a deep playoff run. They’ve put the effort together to completely turn around their season and I think that has prepared them for the Playoffs. That said, Nashville and Vancouver are steep competition.

East side, I think the biggest threats are Carolina and the Panthers. Carolina will be a huge challenge for the Rangers and I think the Panthers will be able to take Boston again. The teams that make it to the ECF will likely be beaten up from Round 2. There’s no way that round won’t be brutal 6-7 game series.

55-23-4

With the most regulation wins in the league, marking the most wins in franchise history, the Rangers win the President’s Trophy (4th time) with 114 points. This also means first in the Metropolitan division, which they held for almost the entire season.

The final week was a little dicey, losing to the Islanders 4-2 and the Flyers 4-1 (horrible game). That left the door open for Carolina to take over first place but the wins against the Islanders in a wild comeback 3-2 shootout win and a 4-0 shutout of Ottawa clinched the best end of the regular season possible.

The advantage in finishing first is that the series starts in New York for every round the Rangers get to. Also, the Rangers play the second wild card spot in the first round; which is always a statistical advantage. The Washington Capitals managed to win the 5 team scramble and the ice is titled against them. The most glaring stat is that the goal differential for the Caps is -37. The Rangers are +53. With a record of 40-31-11, the Caps beat out Detroit because of the tiebreaker rule. Both teams have 91 points (Detroit 41-32-9) but the Caps had more regulation wins, 32-27.

On paper, the Rangers should run over the Capitals. Washington isn’t the team they used to be, as their record shows. Ovechkin managed to turn his season around after a very slow start and goalie Charlie Lindgren (older brother of our Ryan!) worked some magic to get them this far. But this is the playoffs and anything can happen. The level of competition is raised exponentially. Plus. this is a rivalry match-up, these teams have duked it out in the Playoffs many times. It won’t be a cakewalk, but the Rangers have just about every advantage in their favor.

I think the way the season ended is important. Mentally, I think the Rangers are in the strongest condition they’ve been in a long time (plus 6 days off before the first game). They faced adversity and have been rewarded for it. They not only held off Carolina for the division, but they stayed ahead of Vancouver and Boston for first place in the league for weeks. In fact, those 2 teams stumbled so much that Dallas, Carolina, and Florida caught up with them. Six weeks ago Vegas was up there too and they bounced off a few walls to rack up many losses. I don’t think they’re the monster they were last season.

It’s going to be intense! Some fantastic teams are going to get bounced in round 1. We’ll check out the bracket when the scheduling is finalized.

53-21-4

With the Flyers, Capitals, and Red Wings falling over each other, the door is wide open for the final two playoff spots in the East. The Flyers have been skating on their face for almost two weeks now and that’s let the Islanders take third place in the Metro division with 85 points (on a 4 game win streak). That’s about 2 miles behind the Rangers and Hurricanes. Led by Sidney Crosby, the Penguins are taking advantage of others’ poor play. Beating the Rangers on Monday was huge for them and was the start of their current 4 game win streak. Look at how close it is:

Tampa has a large enough cushion that they won’t be moved from the first wild card place. The Islanders are still in danger of not making the playoffs, especially with the experience and skill that the Penguins still have. With 5 or 4 games left, every game is huge. Two losses could mean the end of the season. I think the Flyers have completely lost the plot now, and the Caps are more or less in the same boat. The Caps were playing well but even if they pulled it together, their goal differential is so bad I think they’d get swept in the first round by either the Rangers or the ‘Canes.

Can the Islanders hold on? Their biggest obstacle is 2 games against the Rangers. Detroit has the Penguins and Toronto. The Penguins have it the worst, with 3 against playoff monsters Toronto, Boston, and Nashville (who admittedly aren’t playing their best right now but they can beat anyone). The Penguins’ entire season could hang on their final game…against the Islanders.

After losing to the Penguins where it seemed like most things didn’t go their way, the last game of the season with the Devils was a roccus one. It started with an old fashioned line brawl 2 seconds in (The Rempe Effect) and ended with the Rangers winning 4-3. This regular season sweep (only the third time in history) is a big reason why the Devils won’t be making the playoffs. Some nice revenge for last season’s playoff bounce.

The battle against the desperate Red Wings was another fun one where the Rangers’ fourth line, led by Barclay Goodrow, saved the day. A 4-3 win.

To end the week was a 5-2 win over Montreal who can’t manage a full 60 minutes of a hockey game.

With 4 games remaining, the priority for the Rangers is to keep their good gameplay habits going and to stay healthy. The Islanders will put up a fight for both games and if there’s anything the Flyers know how to do it’s be a pain in the ass. Ottawa will likely be a game on cruise control no matter what. The benefit is that there’s very little travel this week. All home games except for Tuesday’s game against the Islanders and that’s basically driving to another neighborhood.

Last season the Rangers had a terrible final 2 weeks. There was no positive momentum going into the playoffs against the Devils, which turned into a disaster. Everything feels much different today. The level of focus, skill, and determination this team has now is at another level.

50-20-4

There were three regulation losses and one shootout loss. Ten wins. They end the month on a five game win streak. First team to 100 points, first team to 50 wins, first place in the league, and first place in the Metropolitan division for over 145 days. And there are more milestones, just in the last game against Arizona.

The first win of the week was a buck wild 6-5 OT win against the Flyers, who are currently out of the playoffs, giving up their spot to Washington who also jumped over the floundering Red Wings and Islanders. Even though the Flyers are wavering, they are a pain in the neck. They gave up a two goal lead by giving up 3 in a row and then kept trying the game all the way to 5 goals each as the Rangers kept trying to put them down. Overtime lasted about 30 seconds.

Next, Colorado who are at the top of their game. It took everything the Rangers had to keep up enough pressure to come back from a goal down and then keep the game tied at two a piece. A rollicking shootout did a header into overtime where Panarin and Trocheck put on a show and Shesterkin locked down his net.

The bottom of the rankings, Arizona Coyotes, played like they had rabies, refusing to go down much like the Flyers. They put up 14 goals in their previous two games to win each (the 8-4 stunner against the rampaging Nashville Predators was something to behold) and continued their flurry against the Rangers. But in this match, the Rangers’ offensive power was too great. I mean, Zac Jones scored a beauty and Goodrow scored short handed! He hasn’t scored in like three months. And here are the huge milestones from this single game:

Jonathan Quick gets his 392nd NHL win for most by a U.S.-born goaltender; Lafreniere with his first hat trick (and he had two assists!); Fox with his 300th point (2 assists), and Krieder with his 300th goal as a Ranger.

The team is just on a heater. Another fun stat: Panarin has 13 points in the last 5 games. In Arizona, he had a goal and three assists. He’s at 107 total points for the year with 8 to go. Lindgren and Trouba are back from injury but Gustovson is out (which means Jones stays in the line up). If they can keep this focus going into the playoffs…watch out.

The tests this week are major rivals, the Penguins and Devils. Both are out of the playoffs and if they lose, I think it seals an early ending to their seasons. They’ll be going all out for every competitive reason in the book. The last time the Penguins were in the playoffs, the Rangers knocked them out of the first round in game seven. The Devils knocked the Rangers out of the playoffs in the first round last season so the knives will be out.