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.