I know what waiting to make the playoffs/tournament is like. I’m a fan of all things Michigan Wolverines, and we haven’t officially made the NCAA Tournament since the early 90’s after results were vacated with scandals and whatnot, and going to the NIT means nothing. I’m also a Braves fan, and although we won all those division titles in a row, we only won the World Series once. Once you make the playoffs or advance, it’s great, but after a while you need to start doing something once you get there and not just be satisfied with making the cut.

Think of what it’s like to be a fan of the Brewers, who haven’t gone to the playoffs in 25 years, or the Royals, who haven’t gone in 22, or the Pirates, who are about to set a new MLB record for consecutive losing seasons, or the Cubs, who are in their 100th season since winning their last World Series. The Panthers, Blackhawks, and Kings haven’t been to the playoffs in a few seasons, so just getting there would be good for those organizations and their fans.

Sure, it’s nice that we made the playoffs, but OVER HALF OF THE TEAMS IN THE NHL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS; what’s the great accomplishment about that? It’s not just about getting there anymore, we lost in the quarterfinals two years ago, semifinals last year, and this year we need to actually make a long run to validate bringing in Gomez and Drury, at least in the short term.

Just making the playoffs with the roster this team has means nothing. If they don’t at least reach the Eastern Conference finals with the expectations that they, as an organization, and we as fans, had, this season will be a disappointment.

Mara is a much better option than Strudwick and when Malik is playing well, he is too. The big man had a hellacious game today and because of that, probably won’t see the ice again. But just in case you haven’t heard my take on Strudwick throughout the first 48 episodes, he flat out is not an NHL caliber player.

I understand the notion that he is more physical than M & M, but to throw a hit you need to be able to catch up with an opposing player. Strudwick’s got the skating skills of a defenseman on a Pee Wee hockey ‘B’ team.

In the end, if Strudwick playing or not playing becomes an issue, it means the Rangers are in big time trouble.

This series will come down to who can protect home ice the best. I can see both teams winning two games out of the first four (one in each other’s arena), and then it’ll become a best-of-3 from there. Can we steal one at the Rock? We’re going to have to at some point, and maybe two if we can’t hold serve at MSG.

Strudwick can do a good job in the Eddie Olczyk ‘94 role throughout the playoffs (although Eddie O. did get a few games and we don’t want that for Strudsy).

All kidding aside, it will be a quick exit if the defense plays like they did today, and we need Shanahan to really step his game up next week. We can’t count on superhuman goaltending like we got tonight, not for more than a game or two at least.

Steve, what about Strudwick?!? Come on, he’s no worse than Malik was today. Rozy didn’t play particularly well either.

Devils…dont….scare….me.

Don’t discount this overtime though. It’s still to go 8-0 and hold that possible psychological edge.

Remember, the Devils were up 2-0 in this one. This would be yet another come from behind win.

This series, no matter where it starts, is going to be unbelievable.