This regular season was a tale of two teams.
From the start to early December, it was a roller coaster.
The conference finalists a year ago were mired in 11-10-5 mediocrity.
Plenty were ready to write them off.
Dance for me Fugazi fans #NYR
Not so fast.
To say they woke up would be an understatement.
It ended up another tremendous regular season - 107 points on the heels of 110 a year ago.
None of that matters now though.
All that matters is who gets through 4 opponents and to 16 wins first.
First up for the Blueshirts: the upstart rival New Jersey Devils.
The Devils are kinda like last year’s Rangers.
New Jersey is, at least so far, on the same trajectory in a much more dramatic fashion.
Everyone knew the young Devils would eventually compete.
No one could’ve predicted they’d blossom this quickly.
After dropping the first two on their schedule, they went on an insane 21-2-1 run.
They could’ve faded.
Most probably assumed that was happening.
Instead, they bounced back & remained near the top of the standings the rest of the way.
There’s no more doubt.
The Devils are legit.
HOW legit remains to be seen.
The playoffs are a different beast and it’s usually filled with newcomers taking their lumps early.
I’m on record forsaying I’d rather be facing the Canes.
They’re young, talented & fast.
I don’t just mean footspeed either.
They transition from defense to offense in a snap.
They even get their shots off quicker than everyone else.
Hughes, Hischier, Hamilton, Wood, Bratt & Tatar are all in the top-20 in snapshots.
The only other squad with several players littering the top-20 are the Oilers - another high-octane offense.
Speed is the name of their game in every possible aspect.
So how do the Rangers handle them better than they did during their 1-2-1 regular season series?
Well to no one’s surprise it all starts with Igor Shesterkin.
Ever sinceI voiced my concernthough, the world-beater has returned.
Since I wrote that blog Igor has been back to being the cream of the goalie crop.
Any time you square off against an elite offense your tender is your most important asset.
Their back end has gotta stay healthy.
In the latest game, a 2-1 loss, the Blueshirts skated without Ryan Lindgren.
Man it was rough to watch this team play without Lindy.
Fox & Lindgren are among the best duos in the league.
As for K’Andre, he’s the wild card.
He can absolutely keep up with whatever New Jersey brings.
Schneider and Mikkola are a fine third pair.
Finally, it’s all about the kids - on both sides.
If the Rangers are gonna advance, they simply cannot let Jack Hughes dominate them.
He’s easily the most dynamic player on both sides so that’s easier said than done.
The Devils have plenty of talent elsewhere but that’s the talent that you have to make beat you.
Still, they’re producing.
Since December 4th (56 games) they’ve accounted for 45 goals.
That create tremendous depth for the team as a whole.
Plus, despite their youth, they play the most “playoff” brand of hockey.
Besides, home ice doesn’t mean shit when you don’t make it to a Game 7.
VIVA LA BLUESHIRTS!!
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