subject: NHL - NY Rangers WILL Make Noise In The Post Season! [print this page] NHL - NY Rangers WILL Make Noise In The Post Season!
This 2010 - 2011 season has been one of many trials and tribulations for the blue shirts. Injuries have been an issue since October yet the Rangers have managed to stay a float. Obviously this entire season has been an interesting one, however, I'm only going to need this last quater of the season to explain why the NY Rangers will not only make the playoffs, but make noise in the playoffs.
On March 1st 2011, my birthday of all days, the Rangers lost a huge game to the serging Buffalo Sabers. It was a hard fought game that could have gone either way, but the Rangers drew the short straw. With less than 10 seconds to go Mats Zucarello found himself in the enemies crease with the puck on his stick, but his backhand shot was gloved by Ryan Miller, actually, Zucarello was complety robbed by Miller. Anyway, that game, and especialy the finish had a very famiiar feeling, the Rangers fought thier tails off, and they played well, somehow they came up just a bit short, a very common theme for Ranger fans this season. In at least half of the games they lost this year I had a feeling if there was another 5 minutes in the game the Rangers would have at least earned one point.
Aproximately 48 hours after a fore metioned loss to Buffalo the Rangers laid an egg against the Wild. Immeadiately following the Minnasota game I'm left in disbeleif that they're actually colapsing. I knew, they had Ottawa next, a potential rebound game, but then Philly, followed by a west coast trip, so the going was getting tuff. I'm usually pretty optimistic when it comes to my New York teams, but in hockey its a MUST you have luck on your side and this did not seem to be the case with the NY Rangers.
The Rangers seemed to be hitting on all cylinders early in the tilt against Ottawa, and then something happen, something I believe should be remembered as a defining moment in this season. The moment the metaphorical light bulb came on. The Rangers scored 2 goals in 22 seconds in the second period. I know it happens, its not so rare, but think of this... The Rangers were 0 and 3 against the Flyers this year, in at least 2 of those loses the Rangers completely out played the Flyers but came up short everytime. After 2 goals in 22 seconds the Rangers cruised to an easy 7 zip win over the Flyers led by future Capo Ryan Callahans 5 point effort. Perhaps their luck was changing, maybe some of there shots that have been ringing OFF the post might start hitting the post and going in?
Well, the luck was changing theory came to a sudden hault in Anahiem were the Ducks scored 3 unanswered goals in the first period, 3 goals that deflected off of Ranger defenders. Following the Ducks game a very loyal Ranger fan for many decades told me, "the writing is on the wall, when teams get 3 goals in the first all of wich go off your own guys, the hockey gods are not on your side". I totally agree, but the Rangers have battled adversity all season, and they've managed to stay right in the playoff mix all along, while obviously a few unlucky bounces, the Rangers seemed to be out muscled against the Ducks too, so that loss can't be considered bad luck.
The fact that the Rangers were still in position for a playoff run even through all the adversity tells me this team has a special quality. They never stop battling, and when the game is on the line they usually hit another gear. While luck is definitely more important in hockey than most sports if you demonstrate hard work and poise, any team can win any game on any night. They have the skill, they have the heart, the 2 haven't completely gelled just yet, but we have seen flashes. Injuries have ravaged the Rangers all season, but now everyone is healthy, they've all had time to shake the rust off. The Rangers got a huge 2 points against a really good San Jose team, once again proving they can get it done when the game is on the line.
Against the Islanders they had a real hop to their step, you can tell they're really starting to believe in each other, and believe in their ability as a team. In a 6 -2 route of the Islanders, a game were Gaborik notched 2 goals, they found themselves right back on the right track. With the amount of heart they demonstrate every game, and they're goal scorers scoring goals, no teams want to see the Rangers in the post season.
Against the next opponet, the Canadians the Blue-Shirts scored 3 goals in 67 seconds in the first period and put it in cruise control the rest of the way. In the 2nd, Montreal came within 2, and King Henrik made an awesome save robbing David Desharnais putting an end to any hope of a come back for Montreal. Old faithful, Vinny Prospal put the nail in the coffen late in the 3rd to make the final 6 - 3.
Since 2 goals in 22 seconds in the 2 period against Ottawa the Rangers are 7 and 1, and after another mimpressive win in Pittsburg yesterday, were they notched another 2 quick ones, this time 2 in 11 seconds,the Rangers have obviously found their stride.
