Why I Will Not Be Surprised If the New York Rangers Season Ends Tonight

The Rangers are, once again, on the ropes of being eliminated.

This has become a common thing for this team, as the Rangers have gone to two consecutive Game 7 series', prevailing as the victor in both of them. The Rangers battled back from a 3-2 deficit against the Ottawa Senators, and took the Washington Capitals to another Game 7 in the following series. In both series', the Rangers have never held a two-game lead.

Now, the Rangers are back in the same position against the New Jersey Devils. Down 3-2, with a lot of wear and tear showing, and now it has them at a game disadvantage. Everything in this series, besides two stellar games by Henrik Lundqvist has been going wrong for the Rangers. No offensive scoring on a consistent basis, lack of defensive plugs, and just the Devils resilience has just been overwhelming for the Rangers all series long.

It's a long year, and the Rangers fought valiantly. I know it is not over yet, but I do not see a victory for the Rangers coming tonight. And if they do win, Game 7 is going to be a long shot. There is only so much a team can take, so close a team can get to the edge before they walk the line too far and slip. That is what I foresee happening to the Rangers tonight.

Playoff Prescription: Round 3 Rangers vs. Devils Game 5

Best of three.

The Rangers and Devils are laying it all out on the line in this series, trying to be the team that will reach the plateau and face the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Kings clinched an advance to the Finals yesterday night after Dustin Penner tucked in the inning goal in the final minutes of overtime.

Now, they have to wait as the East finishes up its series. The Devils pulled the series even two nights ago after they hopped on an early lead and rode it all the way to a 4-1 victory. The Rangers were lifeless in every aspect of the game. There was minimal fore-check, hardly any offense sustained, and the defense couldn't help Hank out if they tried. It was a brutal game, which had a lot of emotion in it.

Now, tonight the Rangers have a chance to pull ahead once again, or sink in the series to the Devils who outplayed them severely last game.

Playoff Prescription: Round 3 Rangers vs. Devils Game 4

Slowly but surely, the Rangers are inching their way closer to advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

And tonight, they add a new chapter to the Eastern Conference Finals as they take on the New Jersey Devils in Game 4. What a series this has been. If there was one word to describe this series it would have to be; odd. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur are showing everyone why they are the best in the game by pulling out miraculous saves every night. But thing that really surprises me about this series is the scoring, and how it is happening.

For the Rangers, so many of their goals are coming off of a defensemans work. In Game 3, Dan Girardi scored the first goal of the game in the 3rd, followed up by a Ryan McDonagh shot that tipped off of Chris Kreider and into the net. The offensive players for the Rangers have been damn-near nonexistent in this series, but the defense is picking up the slack. Can you imagine what they'd look like if the forwards were chipping in as regularly as the defense?

Critic Critique: Shot Blocking vs. The Trap Defense

In professional wrestling, there is never a set style of how the company operates itself. The World Wrestling Federation goes through era's. Back in the 70's, there wasn't much flash, and people just enjoyed the spectacle. In the 80's, the over-gimmick era began with ridiculous costumes and even bolder characters. In the 90's and early 2000's, the WWE was in it's self proclaimed "Attitude Era," and since then have moved into their current for-the-family "PG Era." Nothing ever stays the same, no era is unanimously liked.

Much like the sport of hockey, strategies change all the time. Sometimes on a yearly basis. Last year, we saw the Tampa Bay Lightning exploit their 1-3-1 defensive strategy which lead them all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. This year, their strategy failed to have them even sniff the playoffs. Teams adapted, and conformed to their strategy.

Yesterday, I read an article on thehockeynews.com about how the Rangers and their block-first-ask-questions-later mentality is BAD for the sport of hockey. The writer of the article, Ken Campbell, condemns the Rangers for making the sport boring to watch, and is not appealing to the audience. Campbell called out the series with the Capitals as being uninteresting because of how many shots were blocked, and even went as far to compare their strategy to The Trap defense that was mainly used by the New Jersey Devils in the early 2000's, which is now referred to as the "dead puck era."

I have many quarrels about this article, so much so that I feel I could make a nice pamphlet in Adobe InDesign, print it out, and air-mail it to Mr. Campbell.

First, let's compare The Trap to blocking shots.

Playoff Prescription: Round 3 Rangers vs. Devils Game 1

Oooooooooh boy.

This series is going to be a wild one. The New York Rangers managed to knock off the Washington Capitals in their Game 7 matchup to advance to the Conference Finals against their rival, the New Jersey Devils. And it is going to be a doozy.

The Rangers, while looking fatigued, got a much needed lift from their defense in recent games. Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, and Anton Stralman have all lifted their play to assist the Rangers in a playoff year where the goals haven't come easy. Not only that, but every game has been close. Too close for comfort. Six out of the seven games against Washington were ended by a one goal differential. Some of them came in overtime, while others came in the final minutes of regulation. When looked through that perspective, one can really appreciate all that the defense has helped out with in these playoffs. Without them, they would be eliminated right now.

The Rangers took half of the games from the Devils this year, while the Devils took the other half. Aside from each side getting a shutout, every other games winner came out with a total of four goals during their win. The scoring in this series is probably going to be a bit less than these teams saw in the regular season, because of the heightened play of both their goaltenders. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur are esteemed in their position, and reel in excitement every time these two duel for a win. It is no doubt in my mind that both of these goaltenders will be able to pull off a stellar series in their respective styles.

Playoff Prescription: Round 2 Rangers vs. Capitals Game 7

And just like that, it comes down to one game, again.

The Rangers failed once again to close out a series, and now face elimination tonight as they meet the Washington Capitals for the final game of this series. Some games for the Rangers have been impressive in this series, others have not been. Game 6 was not an impressive game.

While there was some time of offensive pressure being put on by the Rangers, any lack of production was swallowed up by the Capitals defense, and Braden Holtby.

What can you say? Other than the Capitals have been able to match the Rangers stride for stride the entire series. As a Rangers fan, I have to give them credit. There is no other option. The Capitals overcame an abysmal start to the season, lost both of their goalies before the playoffs, and STILL have managed to hang in the hunt despite everything that has been thrown at them. The Rangers have not shown the same resilience.

Playoff Prescription: Round 2 Rangers vs. Capitals Game 6

The final two teams battling for contention will try to even, or end their series tonight, as the Rangers and Capitals take to the Washington ice.

The Rangers took away a victory from the Capitals in Game 5 after Brad Richards put a puck past Braden Holtby in the dying seconds of the 3rd period to force overtime, where a blast from Marc Staal ended the game swiftly to give the Rangers the advantage in the series.

Now, all of the pressure is on the Capitals. A loss like the one the Rangers handed them is so crushing to a teams morality, but it can easily be turned into motivation for the following game. The two teams the Capitals could show up as tonight are a team who is deflated and has given up hope, or a team rejuvenated looking for redemption to force a Game 7.

Same can be said for the Rangers. If they are not prepared to deal with the over-energized Capitals team, they will have a hard time figuring them out, and could potentially drop this game. The Rangers need to avoid distraction, and keep a level head so they do not give them a chance to come back into the game.

Playoff Prescription: Round 2 Rangers vs. Capitals Game 5

No one ever said that this would be easy.

This best-of-seven series is becoming more heated each minute that gets played. The Rangers and Caps are dueling every single night trying to get that extra advantage, which leads us to the tie we have right now with both teams with two wins.

Along with the heat of each game, my blood pressure continues to rise. I'm a 20-year-old healthy boy who feels like his heart is one day going to just go *PFFFT* and explode out of his chest watching Rangers hockey one day. This team that had all of these good fortunes going on in the regular season is now scrambling for wins and goals, and it's not fun to watch, believe me. But, whatever gets it done, do it I suppose.

Playoff Prescription: Round 2 Rangers vs. Capitals Game 2

The Rangers are in the building, and do not look like they are leaving anytime soon.

The Rangers and Capitals are gearing up for their second game in this best-of-seven series. The Rangers have tangled quite the weave of performance as of lately, most recently taking control of Game 1 against the Caps winning 3-1. Secondary scoring, goaltending, and strict defense were keys to this Rangers victory as Henrik Lundqvist was on queue two nights ago stopping all but one. Artem Anisimov, Chris Kreider and Brad Richards all tallied a goal to propel to Rangers to the early advantage in this series. Now, the Rangers look to get an even bigger stretch on the Caps and go up 2-0 at the Garden tonight.

One of the major factors of victory is testing Braden Holtby. The Rangers failed to test Michael Neuvirth competently last year, which eventually lead to their early exit from the playoffs. The kid is good, but he is still trying to find his game in this crazy world of the NHL. I'm talking shots from the point, and in general, shots that the players do not think have a chance in hell of going in. We saw how that can work out on Anisimov and Kreider's goal in Game 1, now it's time for a repeat performance. Make Holtby work for his saves.

Playoff Prescription: Round 2 Rangers vs. Capitals Game 1

Every year for the past three out of four years, it seems we always come back to this.

The Rangers and Caps are gearing up to face off once again this year to see who can out-muscle one-another to advance to the Conference Finals. Both teams knocked off their respected first round teams, and are looking to keep their string of good fortune rolling. But only one team will prevail.

The Rangers and Caps split a four game series this year. The Caps, who's wins in that series came the day before the All Star Break and the last day of the season, were in the game for the most part for their losses. However, the turbulence of the regular season has bumped them down to the seventh seed, with the Rangers have taken over their usual role as the first seed.

Playoff Prescription: Round 1 Rangers vs. Senators Game 7

The entire season for the New York Rangers can be summed up by their play tonight.

The Rangers can come out and win, and still make something happen with all of their success in the regular season, or they could come out flat and let the Sens walk all over them and this is a choke or a season. Which will we see?

As a fan, I am nervous, but I'm trying to keep positive. We've already seen the Presidents Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks get bounced early by the Los Angeles Kings earlier this week, which truly goes to show that seeding is just a number. Any team can make it happen on any given night, which is why there have been so many upsets so far in these playoffs. Teams are not going hard when they need to, and in turn, they are dropping some key games. Let us hope that the example set by the eliminated teams already has sunk into the Rangers lineup.

Playoff Prescription: Round 1 Rangers vs. Senators Game 5

Important games are all that is left here in the first round of these playoffs for every team. Whether or not you are trying to overcome a 3-0 deficit, or rallying to try and stay one step ahead of your opponent of avoid a game seven, every game is utterly important.

The Rangers are facing a challenge no different. The Senators are sticking around, and the Rangers have not shown their best hockey as of late. Not much can be said for why, but it does not matter. The Rangers need to find ways to win and quickly if they wish to have any hope of staying in the playoffs.

The start of Game 4 was good, with the Rangers passing, moving the puck, and shooting way more often. And after the second goal for the Rangers, everything just kind of stopped. And that was when the Sens took over the game for the duration of play, came back, and won in overtime.

Playoff Prescription: Round 1 Rangers vs. Senators Game 4

Games are getting more important now that the chance of being eliminated looms bigger over every opponent. The Canucks and Penguins are on the verge of being booted early (ironically, the two teams I pick to go to the Finals), and overtime games are running rampant throughout every series.

Tonight, the Rangers look for a 3-1 lead on the 8th seeded Senators. Let's go back a few nights and see how we got to this point. Brian Boyle's heightened play has helped the Rangers get to where they need to be. His three goals in three games so far has the Rangers sitting with an advantage. But the big man cannot win the series by himself. Enter, Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist had his first shutout of the postseason, stopping 39 shots, including a marvelous save in the dying seconds of Game 3 on Kyle Turris. Lundqvists save preserved the one goal lead right until the end of the game, and that is why the Rangers are up 2-1 on the Senators.

Carl Hagelin Suspended Three Games, Everyone's Mad

*sigh*

It seems like every year we get one of these blown suspensions dished out that cause an uproar. But this one bites in a whole different way.

Carl Hagelin of the New York Rangers was suspended today after his hearing with the Department of Player Safety after he elbowed Daniel Alfredsson in the head, causing him to leave Game 2. This happened just days after Nashville Predators star Shea Weber drove Red Wing Henrik Zetterbergs head into the glass at the end of their game and got away with a paltry fine. Is this the return of the Wheel of Justice?

2012 Playoff Prescription Round 1: Rangers vs. Senators Game 2

What an interesting playoffs we have going right now, huh?

For any hockey fan, it's been Christmas morning these past few days as the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs have not dissapointed at all. The #8 Los Angeles Kings have a 2-0 lead on the Vancouver Canucks, and the rivalry between the Penguins and Flyers is intensifying. What could a hockey fan want more of? Oh right, their team to win the Cup...

Well, in order to get there, you must go through the ranks and prove your worth, and that is what both the Rangers and Senators are going to try to do tonight in Game 2 of their series. Game 1 went the way of the Blueshirts two days ago, when four different Rangers chipped in for goals to win by the score of 4-2. Despite the ending of the game, when the Rangers game up their two goals of the game, for the most part they seemed on queue with each other and built a lead to big to overcome. Even when the Senators were on their onslaught, the Rangers held strong and fortified themselves for their chance to score their own goals.

2012 Playoff Perscription Rangers vs. Senators Game 1

Throw out regular season records, ignore past history, the playoffs are a different beast.

The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs have already given us some good hockey. Last night, the #8 seeded Los Angeles Kings upset the Presidents Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks in the first game of their series by beating them 4-2, and the Philadelphia Flyers pulled of an epic comeback after being down 3-0 to win in overtime.

For Rangers fans, now the excitement and anxiety really begins with the commencement of their series against the Ottawa Senators. A team that beat them 3-out-of-4 times in the regular season fought until the last day of the season to see who their opponent would be. Make no mistake, this 8th seed is not one to be taken lightly.