|
Offense
|
|
 VS  |
Edge
|
| Despite thoroughly trouncing the Devils offensively scoring nearly 4 goals per game, the Rangers are definitely handicapped in this particular matchup. Let’s face it. It’s not even a contest. If this series ends up being who can score more goals, the Penguins will destory the Rangers in 4, possibly 5 games. You get into a track meet with these guys and you are signing your own death certificate. The Rangers have the scorers necessary to score enough to win, but not the kind of offensive depth to go toe to toe with a goliath like offense that the Penguins have. On the Penguins side you have an offense capable of beating you north south, east west, on the power play, short handed, upside down, inside out, and however else you can possibly think of playing. They averaged nearly a half a goal per game more than the Rangers did, and their power play was a lethal 20.4% compared to a pedestrian 16.5% the Rangers sported. No contest here, edge Penguins…by a mile….by a really long mile. |
|
|
Defense
|
|
|
VS |
Edge
|
| This is what it is all about for the Rangers. Despite my rant about how the Rangers can play offense without sacrificing defense, they need to be especially careful in this series to never put themselves in a position to be defending multiple odd man rushes, or consistent pressure. They need to control the puck in the offensive zone, and, most importantly, the forwards need to play defense like they have never played defense before. Marc Staal and Michal Rozsival will be looked at to stop a lethal top line. The problem is, which top line are we talking about? They have Malkin, Hossa, and Crosby, and 1 of those 3 seem to be on the ice every single shift. What other team in the NHL can boast 3 elite, top line forwards basically on the ice for an entire game? Look for Staal and Rozsival to play 25-29 minutes a night, and Backman and Mara to see very little ice time. The Rangers are going to live and die with their young defenseman. If Tyutin and Girardi can play at an even for the series, we are in good shape, if these 2 are torched like they were last year against the Sabres, say good night, its over. With that said let’s not forget that even though the Rangers had the #4 defense in all of hockey during the regular season, the Pens were not bad at all themselves sporting the 10th best defense in the NHL. They have a physical guy in Orpik, and a puck mover in Gonchar. They play a pretty good defensive game, but benefit a lot from most teams being weary to push the attack for fear of getting caught for a rush against. When you play like that (as the Rangers absolutely must), the Penguins benefit by not having to contain too much sustained pressure during a game. I still think the Rangers play a better system thanks to a more concerted effort by all 18 skaters to play well in their own zone. Edge Rangers, but not by as much as you would like. |
|
|
Goaltending
|
|
|
VS |
Edge
|
| Look at their stats.
Fleury had a .921 SV% this year, Henrik had a .912, Henrik had the better GAA 2.23 to 2.33, Henrik had more shutouts, 10 to 4, and had more wins 37 to 19. So while Henrik definitely has the advantage, I can’t call it an overwhelming one. Fleury has been good this year. I hate on the guy almost as much as I hate on Uncle Daddy, but Fleury isn’t an embellisher, and he isn’t past his prime. He is just entering it. The question is, how does he react to an offense that doesn’t lay down and die (Sens) in a pressure filled environment with the season on the line? Honestly, I have my doubts. Henrik on the other hand is never even a question. He will come through way more often than not, and when the chips are on the line, he plays his best. Advantage Rangers, particularly if this series goes deep. |
|
|
Coaching
|
|
|
VS |
Edge
|
| You guys all know about my infamous Renny rants, but I will give the man his due in this one. I think he is a much better coach than Michel Therrien. I think Therrien basically lucked out into the cushiest job in the NHL. Have 3 franchise forwards (Staal, Crosby, and Malkin) all under the age of 25, couple that with one of the best 2-way forwards in the game (Hossa) and just sit back and watch the magic. Just like I complain that Renney doesn’t get enough out of his players, I think we have to acknowledge that the Penguins are a much better team on paper, and that to get them this far Renney had to work a lot harder than Therrien. Advantage Rangers, big time. |
|
|
Final Prediction
|
|
|
VS |
Edge
|
|
The key to this series, IMHO, is Sean Avery. If he can get under the Penguins skins like he did against Atlanta and New Jersey, I think the Rangers take this series in 6 games. If he can get them so focused on him, and get Marc Andre Fleury thinking about him every single shift he is out there, then I think we have a huge advantage in this series. On the other hand, if the Pens play like the Sabres did, and just completely ignore the guy, and go about their business, I think the Pens wrap this up easily in 5. So there is my prediction, either Rangers in 6, or Pens in 5, depending on how Sean Avery is handled by the Pens. Since I just can’t leave it at that, I will flip a coin. Heads, Rangers in 6, Tails Penguins in 5… And the toss… Heads! Rangers in 6! |
In 6 |