Any motivational speaker will tell you to close your eyes and imagine your future. Think of how you want to see yourself, and make it happen! This week, the New York Rangers don't have to close their eyes; they can look across the ice at the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. After all, they have everything New York can boast. A top center with a bomb for a shot. A Russian winger that is among the best players in the league. A Norris Trophy winning defenseman. Young stars that have grown up through their system and an impossible-to-beat money Russian goaltender. Can the Rangers show the Lightning that the future is NOW? As Rick Flair said, "You wanna be the man, you gotta beat the man."
Stars: Chris Kreider had an excellent first round against the Pittsburgh Penguins as he notched 5 goals, but against the Carolina Hurricanes, the 6'3" winger didn't see the puck nearly as much and got 1 goal in Game 3 to show for it. That is until Game 7. The Rangers second all-tometime leading playoff goal scorer scored TWICE in Game 7, stepping up in a BIG WAY. Not like the guy hasn't had the pedigree for coming up BIG in these moments since day 1. With those two goals, he accumulated 15 career playoff goals facing elimination. Against Tampa, Kreider may get more opportunities than the SUFFOCATING defense of Jordan Staal. If the BIG Rangers’ forward gets going again, Tampa could be in BIG trouble.
No star's resurgence has been more amazing than Steven Stamkos. The 2008 top overall pick scored 42 goals this season after scoring 46 the previous TWO seasons. Putting together a FULL season and eclipsing the 100 point mark for the first time in his career, Stamkos is emerging from injury riddled seasons to put together arguably his best one.
Defensemen: The New York Rangers Adam Fox won the Norris trophy as the league's top defenseman last season - without playing on a playoff team. This year, he is on a playoff team and he stepped up in a big way when the Rangers needed him. He opened the scoring in Game 7 vs the Canes and got the Rangers rolling. He also delivered some excellent defense in crunch time. K'Andre Miller is growing before our eyes into a defenseman that the New York Rangers can depend on to stifle the other team's top line. Aside from a misplay in Game 1 vs the Canes, Miller has been flawless. Rookie defenseman Braden Schneider has been critical to the Rangers' success on the bottom pairing as well.
Few players in the league are playing as well as Victor Hedman. The big Swede already has a Norris Trophy and a Conn Smythe to his name, and he's looking for more. His 10 points in 11 games are second among Lightning players. Hedman's supporting cast has been through it all before with former Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh behind him. Battle tested and elite. It's like fighting a Level 50 boss.
Goaltenders: Rangers Igor Shesterkin has been the backbone of this team and after a stumble in the first round vs Pittsburgh, he's returned to the MVP form that he's shown all season. He finished the series vs the Hurricanes with a 1.71 GAA and winning 5 elimination games to get the Rangers here. He’s gotten better the more pressure was placed on him. Now, he'll have an elephant standing his shoulders as he'll try to get the Rangers into the Finals for the first time in 8 years.
There are few goaltenders that have been as dominant in the Stanley Cup playoffs than Andrei Vasilevskiy. The 6'3" Russian goaltender was masterful against his in-state rivals. When he is in the flow of the game, he is difficult to beat and when he has a chance to shut the door, he SLAMS it shut. Only the Maple Leafs were able to score on him in a closeout game since he blanked the Stars to claim Tampa's first Cup during this run. He was AWESOME in the second round of the playoffs vs Florida, where he allowed a TOTAL of 3 goals. I could try to come up with more superlatives to describe Vasy, but what more can you say? He's been THAT GOOD.
Under-the-Radar player: When the New York Rangers needed to add toughness both on and off the ice, GM Chris Drury identified ONE player : Barclay Goodrow. In Game 1 of the Pittsburgh series, Goodrow blocked a shot and broke his left ankle. He played four periods of hockey on that ankle. Goodrow returned in Game 6 of the second round to immediately be named one of the three stars of the game. Make no mistake, he's a difference maker that this team desperately needed early in the playoffs and paired with Tyler Motte, Goodrow has been OUTSTANDING. There's a chance he could end up skating with Sammy Blais if the Rangers winger can get healthy. This line may be the most deadly against his former team that he hoisted two Cups with.
One of the best acquisitions of the trade deadline was Nick Paul from the Ottawa Senators. Paul scored 5 goals and 14 assists in 21 games with Tampa, but he filled in seamlessly for injured center Brayden Point in the last round. He has 2 goals and 4 assists in the playoffs and replaced Yanni Gourde as the crucial third line center for the Bolts. His 55.9 face-off win percentage is outstanding and could keep puck possession for the Bolts in many cases.
The Rangers will win the series if: They remain calm and DO NOT PANIC. Look no further than Tampa's series against the President Trophy winning Florida Panthers. When Tampa need a goal, they got it. When Florida needed a goal, they squeezed saw dust out of their sticks...and Tampa would score again. Tampa's experience was on FULL DISPLAY in the previous round. The Rangers will have to keep their composure and remain out of the penalty box.
The Rangers will lose this series if: Tampa just continues to be Champa Bay. Simply put. They looked a little slow vs the Toronto Maple Leafs, but since Game 6 of the first round, they've looked like a two-time champ. Tampa was able to dismiss the New York Islanders the last two years and they'll look to break New York hearts again. This is Pittsburgh's Power Play, Carolina's PK and a dangerous team 5-on-5. Find a weak spot!!!
Prediction: Unlike the last two years, Tampa will not have home ice in this series. That could change things in the Rangers' favor, as they will dictate their match-ups against the Bolts. Nothing will phase Tampa and they will continue to pressure the Rangers. The Rangers swept the Lightning in the regular season, but that's not now. The Rangers are better too. Grab your popcorn and enjoy this barnburner of a series. I'm going to be bold and say these words. Rangers in 7.
Comments