Ok, so last year I did a joint blog discussion for each of the series, and that actually went really well. But, screw it, this year, it’s all about Rangers Review, screw the Devils, their fans, their organization, their players, their equipment manager, and their blogs. Its all about us right now. Last year I felt truly nervous heading into both series. I could seriously envision us losing either of those series. In fact a sweep against us in either series wouldnt have surprised me all that much. 2 years ago, I predicted, to my chagrin, that the Devils would sweep us in convincing fashion, and lo and behold it happened.
Not this year. Really, try as I might, I just don’t see the Devils beating us. Not even a little. I mean, I suppose it is possible. Hell, the Giants beat the Patriots didn’t they? But I just don’t see them beating us. Call me cocky, call me foolish, call me what you will, but I just don’t see it.
This year, instead of breaking everything statistically, I am just going to give thoughts, and opinions. Here we go…
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Offense
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Edge
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| If you look at the stats, the Rangers only scored 7 more goals than the Devils did this year. Thats only 7 more than one of the worst offenses in the history of the Devils franchise. But that really doesn’t tell an accurate story. The fact of the matter is, till the all-star break the Rangers were by far and away the worst offensive team in the league. They couldnt score, they couldnt even tell you what you were supposed to do with the puck once you were facing the goalie. But after the break, the Rangers became a different team. They became a 3-line threat. Where at any given moment, any given line could light you up for a goal or 12, and you couldn’t just focus on any one player or line. This has faded a bit in recent weeks as the Rangers have become a bit too 1-lined for my liking, but the fact remains, they have proven they can do it, and I think they will. |
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Well, they definitely have a young superstar in Parise, and they still do have Gionta, Elias, and Zajac. But really, honestly, do these guys scare you? Mike Rupp, Arron Asham, David Clarkson…these are guys who will be playing decent minutes. They have a poor lineup fellas, there is no beating around the bush. If they score more than 2 goals in a game, youre playing like garbage. If they score more than 3 goals in a game, you should be lined up in front of a firing squad. They stink. Its not even a competition. These guys can play defense, but on the offensive end, they just don’t scare me. |
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Defense
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Edge
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| The Rangers have given up only 2 more goals than the Devils, and while that should make you immediately think this is a push, well, it isnt the end of the story. There are 2 aspects of playing defense, and keeping the pucks out of your own zone is just one of them. You also need to help the forwards in the offensive end. The Devils top 6 defenseman whom I expect to play in the series accounted for a grand total of 20 goals. The Rangers expected top 6 have scored 34. Were talking 70% more offensive production from the Rangers blueline than the Devils. In fact Girardi and Rozsival combined have more offense than the entire Devils defensive corps. This is big. Don’t just look at the goals given up and say, well, its a push. No, no, no, no. The Rangers have a big time advantage here, and dont be surpried if Michal Rozsival, soon to be free agent, steps up and has a monster of a series. Rangers should get some offense from their backline in this series, do you expect the same from the Devils? I sure don’t. |
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Its simply amazing that the Devils have given up so few goals this year. I mean, it really is. Were talking a team that boasts Oduya, Mottau, and Vishnevski. 3 defenseman that wouldn’t play for most teams. I know Vishnevski is a brutal checker, but he is a putrid defensive player. He is a team worst -12 on a team that is supposed to be known as a defense first team. Hes been waived once already, and really is just not a good defenseman. They rely on being a unit of 5 keeping things to the outside, and then letting Brodeur save the easy shots. They don’t do anything particularly incredible on a one on one basis. Really, the Offense should get more credit than the Defense for their defensive success. Their forwards know how to backcheck, and do so every single time down the ice. Their is no offense to speak of. Oduya leads the team with a paltry 6 goals. |
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Goaltending
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Edge
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| Henrik Lundqvist has had an up and down season. The way he started this year, one would think that he would have run away with the vezina, leaving a mile of bloodied up goalies in his wake. But it was not to be. Henrik was not himself when his father got sick (something I can relate to) and he just wasn’t playing very Henrik like. But down the stretch he has more or less come around. The past 2 games aside, hes been a rock, and even in the Devils game, he made some truly spectacular saves. With that said, the guy on the other end is just as good, and is a significantly better puck handler who acts as a 3rd defenseman back there. Henrik has 2 huge flaws. High glove side, and handling the puck with his stick. Hes a brick wall with everything waist level and below, up high though, he can be beat. |
None
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You guys all know I truly abhor Uncle Daddy. He will go down in history as one of the greatest floppers in the world. If you come even near his crease, he pretends he took a bullet to the chest. He shows no respect for the game, his opponents, or the refs by constantly acting like that. I know Sean Avery is guilty of that as well, but I have killed him for it too….and he also wears my jersey, so its ok I expect Uncle Daddy to be spectacular. This is his time of the year, when he elevates his game. The problem is, I don’t think spectacular is going to be near enough. In fact I could envision Uncle Daddy being truly spectacular, and still getting swept. The fact of the matter is, the team around him sucks. There is no other way to say it. I think hes going to be great, but I expect exactly the same from Henrik. |
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Coaching
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Edge
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| Tom Renney has one of, if not the most talented team in the league from top to bottom. Hes got an elite goalie, talented youth coming out the wazoo, and some truly primetime names up the middle and on the wings. How he has managed to get so little out of this team during the first half of the season, I will never know. Tom Renney is a good coach, but he makes questionable decisions, and the way he has the lines right now, really scares me. Still, he gets the job done, and that’s all I ask….for now. |
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Look at their roster, and tell me Brent Sutter doesn’t deserve the Jack Adams trophy. I know Guy Carbonneau is the sexy pick, but no coach has gotten so much out of so little. In many ways he is the anti-Renney. He can be fiery, he is aloof, standoffish, and all in all a helluva coach. I would do anything to have this guy coaching our team. You could bet your ass the Rangers would be a #1 seed with Sutter behind the bench. Big time advantage to Sutter here, but the problem is, work ethic and tactics can only get you so far. You need talent to win out in the end, and Sutter just doesn’t have it. |
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Final Prediction
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Edge
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| We are faster, strong, more talented, younger, and more experienced. We took 15 out of a possible 16 points from the Devils. There is no excuse for us not winning this series. None. We have all the pressure because we have to win. PERIOD. I believe the one and only way the Devils win this series is if Uncle Daddy puts on an epic, God-like performance, and the Rangers suffer a major injury or 2. Otherwise, I just don’t see it. I know that isn’t the politically correct thing to say. I know you’re supposed to respect your opponents. But come on….Johnny effing Oduya?! Puh-lease. I could see us sweeping this series if Uncle Daddy plays like he did last year against the Lightning, but I don’t really expect that to happen. |
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They play defense better than anybody. True, we play great D, but look at who we have in our roster, and look at them. Their numbers are truly spectacular when you consider just how talentless they are. With that said, and even with Uncle Daddy in the pipes, they just aren’t that great. They have survived beating up on the crappy southeast division, and haven’t done squat against the Atlantic. I’m not expecting much from these guys. While the scores may all be close, I think in the end their lack of talent will show in the victory columns. |
For a bonus, here are the rest of my Eastern picks, in a much smaller format…
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Top Seed
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Lower Seed
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Prediction
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1 Montreal
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8 Boston
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Really, a no brainer. Montreal in 5. The Bruins are a nice, feel good team, but they are banged up, and the Habs are just on fire. The Habs have won 11 straight games against the Bruins, and I expect that trend to continue. |
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2 Pittsburgh
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7 Ottawa
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The pick everyone and his grandmother will take are the Pens. Theyve got |
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3 Washington
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6 Philadelphia
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The hottest team in the league VS a team that fell from a top seed all the way to just barely making the playoffs. We saw 2 years ago just what momentum can do for a team. I think Philly is the more talented team. I think Philly is the better team, but I think Washington wins this one easily. Momentum is a bitch. Capitals in 5. |