And Thus Ends the 2011 NHL Season

The Bruins have won the Cup, and Vancouver is rioting again.

As a mainly New York sports fan, it's normally taboo for us to root for a Boston team. But today, I don't feel that same animosity that I do toward Boston with the Bruins. The Bruins battled, and battled, and hit, and checked, and stayed composed through the toughest times, having to win three Game 7's to win the Stanley Cup. They played their game, and never wavered in the face of adversity.

I didn't end up watching the game, but I'm looking at the replays and there are a few things I wish to comment on.

Numero Uno: Canucks; what happened? Sedins; where were you? What happened to this team that won the Presidents Trophy, and one of the goalies who was nominated for the Vezina in Roberto Luongo? Was Aaron Rome really a pivotal point in this teams performance, or was shutting down Nathan Horton the only game plan they had going into this series? Either way, one fact is certain in my mind: The Canucks got scared. The Bruins were noticeably tough and bigger than most of the Canucks, and they got intimidated. After seeing Dan Hamhuis go down early in the series, the players like the Sedins didn't want to risk personal injury and played conservative hockey. Had they showed some testicular fortitude and played with a reckless abandon, they would be the ones holding the Cup right now.

Numero Dos: Canucks fans need to chill, and quickly. After rioting after the 1994 series, it's now become a custom in the NHL that if your team loses, we expect you to act like savage neanderthals and break everything in sight. Is that really the reputation you want in this league? Also, during the Cup presentation, it upset me to hear as many boo's as I did. Yes, I understand the frustration of losing on home-ice, and having to watch the team who just beat you celebrate and spray champagne right in-front of you, but show a little class for Christ's sake. Not even Flyers fans were as disrespectful last year when the Blackhawks won the Cup on Philadelphia ice. The Flyers fans sat there and gave a gallant golf-clap to their team, and the team that won, and that's exactly what should be done. Now, whenever someone goes back and watches the replays of the Game 7, they're going to remember two things: how much the Canucks choked, and how sore the fans were afterwards.

In all, the playoffs this year were pretty good, but my attention sort of faded once it got deeper. There were no heavy underdog teams that came up through the ranks, and no team that overcame a miraculous deficit (although we had two teams come close). The Championship round also lost most of my attention. It was either I sat down and watched a 1-0 snoozefest, or a 4+ goal blowout. Game 2 was the only interesting game for me, but again, that's just my opinion.

Now, we wait on summer activities, like the Draft, and free-agency to open up. Congratulations to the Bruins, from The Clinic!

Dr. Daps' Playoff Predictions

Hello, if you are stumbling across this, this is typically a New York Rangers blog. In the off-season, many different topics are discussed on this blog that may or may not pertain to the Rangers. This site will continue to keep the Rangers as its top priority, but will post content about other hockey news while the post-season goes on.


Hello viewers! Since theres not much activity in the Rangers world today, I figured I would throw out my picks for the second round of the playoffs.


Vancouver vs. Nashville


The Canucks managed to beat the Blackhawks in OT after dropping a 3-0 lead to exercise their demons and move them into the second round. The Predators ousted the Ducks in six games and are gearing up for their first second round appearance ever. The Canucks have the edge in this match-up, because they have more firepower than the Predators do. However, Roberto Luongo has struggled as of recently, while on the other side of the spectrum, Pekka Rinne has been an absolute brick-wall. As of right now, I think the Predators have the defensive advantage, but they will have their hands full with a very powerful Canucks team. Vancouver wins 4-3.


San Jose vs. Detroit


San Jose and Detroit is probably going to be the most exciting series to watch out of all four. Both of these teams are very poised with talent, and it will be an offensive show for the viewers. In the goaltending department, I think San Jose has more of an advantage because of the experience Antti Niemi has gained last year with the championship-winning Blackhawks. However, San Jose still has the label of being the "choke-job" team around the NHL. I'm not saying I'm guaranteeing a loss, but if its going to happen, it'll be against Detroit. Detroit wins 4-2.


 Washington vs. Tampa Bay


This series will be the true test for Washington to see if their change in defensive strategy that took place in the middle of the year will work. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a very dangerous team. They seem to have a player or two on every line that can put the puck in the net with consistency. If Washington is going to prove their new system, it'll come with shutting down players like Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. The goaltending is going to be an absolute circus. We will get to see if the old man, Dwayne Roloson, of the Lightning can teach the youngster, Michael Neuvirth, a thing or two. Or, perhaps Neuvirth will show Roloson the skill he's gained through the season. Either way, it's going to be really interesting to see what happens, and I believe that if the Caps do win this series, they can go a lot farther than recent years. However, I think the Lightning are going to be too much to handle. Tampa Bay wins 4-2.


Philadelphia vs. Boston


This series will be the most closely contested out of all four matches. The styles of both the Flyers and Bruins are very much equal. The Bruins try to obliterate everything thats on the ice, and the Flyers, well, are the Flyers. Someone will be checked through the glass during this series, and I would be willing to bet an ample $5 on that to anyone who's willing to match that. I bet Bruins fans have a little bit of a hole in their stomach for this match, because of last years miraculous 4-3 series loss after the Bruins lead the Flyers 3-0. But I believe its safer to say this season that the Bruins are a lot better off than they were last season, and I believe they will come out on top this time. Boston wins 4-3.


There you have it. I will be doing my next round predictions as well, all the way up to the final series of the 2011 season. I look forward to watching a lot of hockey, and keep an eye out for more random articles by me!

2011 Playoff Prescription: Rangers vs. Capitals Game 4

Game four, ladies and gentlemen!

The Rangers managed to cut the series lead of the Capitals to just one game three days ago, after a 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden. The winning goal came in the final two minutes of the game off of a fortunate bounce in front of the net set up by Brandon Dubinsky, who was sporting a new playoff mustache that would make Lanny MacDonald smirk.

Now, the Rangers finally have some momentum in their favor heading into tonights game. They had a good three days off to prepare, and to work on the things they did well on in Game 3. By the good things, I mean playing as if you are trying to take the heads off of the opponent within the restraints of the rules. In the first period of Sundays game, the Rangers were flying around the rink hitting everything like a bunch of wrecking-balls on crack. that is what the Rangers need to do in order for them to make a statement right from the get-go.

Another thing that this long break has brought to this series is it's share of smack-talking. Bruce Boudreau, head-coach of the Washington Capitals made a few comments taking shots at the Garden faithful, and the Garden itself. Boudreau went on to say that MSG isn't too loud, the fans aren't too loud, the benches are cramped, the locker rooms are crappy, blah, blah, blah. Not sure whether or not this is a tactic by Mr. Boudreau to try and get into the Rangers' head, but I can tell you right now, the Rangers fans in attendance are going to let Boudreau hear it, big time. My wish would be for the Rangers to just go "rat-trick" on the Capitals, except this time instead of toy rats, throw ice-cream bars onto the ice. The Rangers would subsequently get a penalty or the delay-of-game, but it would be SO worth it.

Luckily for the Rangers, they have not taken exception to the words of Boudreau. John Tortorella said his team is not worried that the refs are going to be swayed by all the "whining" going on by Mr. Boudreau, and they are only going to focus on their game, which is the right mindset.

The Prescription


Comments aside, I believe the Rangers are going to come out with the edge in all their aspects in tonights game. I also truly believe that tonight is the night where Marian Gaborik, who has been slumping lately, finally breaks through tonight. Gaborik, who had an assist in the last game, is going to get a majority of the chances for him to feel more comfortable on the ice. I also anticipate the Rangers to play just as, if not more, physically in this game than three days ago. The formula is working, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Enjoy the game!

2011 Playoff Prescription: Rangers vs. Capitals Game 3

The Rangers are returning home after dropping two games to the Capitals in Washington. Now, it's really time to get down to the nitty-gritty if you are the Rangers.

I did not get to see the game two days ago because I was visiting schools, and I don't really want to watch the replay of a shutout. But what I can say is that the Rangers are lacking intensity. The Capitals have been strong on the puck up and down the rink in every game they've played so far, and in turn, have only allowed the Rangers to score one goal in this series coming in the first game from Matt Gilroy. Now, the Rangers are home, a place they have struggled to win a few times this season, but have pulled off miraculous things at (aka, the Boston 5-3 comeback). But like I said, it is time for them to get down to the nitty-gritty now. Which means, hitting harder, shooting harder and more often. Throw everything and the kitchen sink at the Capitals. Like Brandon Dubinsky said: "Rather than cycling ourselves to death, we've just got to make sure we're trying to create chances and funnel everything to the (crease) and trying to get in this guy's face. He's a young guy (Neuvirth) and we've got to try to put more pressure on him."


The Prescription


As said before, the Rangers need to match the intensity that the Capitals had in their home arena. The Capitals are a fast-paced team, and the Rangers need to find a way to shut them down before they can set up, because that one opportunity may be all they need. 


Also, Rangers fans need to do what they need to in order to get the Caps off their game. I'm talking be as loud as humanly possible. Don't stop cheering until the horn signals the end of the game. Make them feel out of their element. 


Enjoy the game!

2011 Playoff Prescription: Rangers vs. Capitals Game 2

Game 2 of the Rangers vs. Capitals.

The first game between these two clubs ended in overtime on a shot by Alex Semin. The Rangers managed to show that they could hang with the fast and explosive offense of the Capitals, only coming up just short.

The one thing I stressed in my pre-game post last time was I think the Rangers needed to really press and test Michal Neuvirth. Obviously, it was pretty hard for the Rangers to get control of the puck. But once they did, they weren't taking enough shots. And when they did, a lot of them were getting blocked. Those are the trials that playoff hockey comes in. the Rangers need to learn how to be aggressive, while also being able to "flip-a-switch" on that aggressiveness at the right time.

The Caps had a good game against the Rangers. They looked as though they have looked behind on all of the problems that the Rangers caused them in the regular season, and came out energized looking like a brand new team. It will be interesting to see if that success goes straight to their heads or if they manage to keep their focus and do the same thing tonight.

The Prescription


The Rangers need to forget about the last game between these two clubs and come out as energized as the Caps were last game. There was good control of the neutral zone by both teams in the last game so it is hard to call on what needs to be improved defensively, however, the Rangers need to make sure they do not hand the Caps any second chances (say, failing to get the puck out of the zone?). The Rangers also need to cut down on a lot of the cycling they like to do once they get solid control of the puck in the offensive zone. No more passing, MORE SHOOTING!

Enjoy the game!

2011 Playoff Prescription: Rangers vs. Capitals Game 1

The playoffs officially start tonight! The Rangers will take on the Capitals in game one of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Unfortunately, my initial post didn't publish for some damn reason, and I have class I need to go to so I will only give a brief overview of my main points I brought up.

Michal Neuvirth has gotten the nod from the Capitals as the starting goaltender tonight for the Caps. Neuvirth posted a 1-1 record against the Rangers season. However, the Rangers have won three consecutive games against the Caps, only allowing one goal over those three games.

Playoff Prescription

There is going to be a lot of prodding going on between these two teams tonight. A lot of testing the weaknesses of both teams.

The key to a victory for the Rangers tonight: FIRE AWAY!

The Rangers have had a lot of success when getting as many pucks to the net as possible. That being said, Michal Neuvirth is making his postseason debut tonight, and he will feel the pressures that come along with it like any other player in the league. If the Rangers can get shots to the net, and follow up on them, they have a good chance to win this game tonight.

Unfortunately, I have a thing for school I must attend and will not be able to see the first half. In my absence, I hope you all enjoy the game, and LETS GO RANGERS!