Posts tagged ‘Playoffs’

Here’s a heads up to be on the lookout for a special guest edition of today’s podcast. Eric and I will have our normal breakdown of the Game 3 win and our take on where the series is at now. In addition, we’ll be joined for a few minutes by ESPN SportsCenter anchor, and die-hard Rangers fan, Linda Cohn. I’m assuming most of you are familiar with her work, but if not check out her ESPN bio.

Make sure to get your questions/comments in to hosts@nyrangerscast.com today before we get the show started this afternoon.

We have ourselves a series!

I think we can all agree that Game 1 falls under the “missed opportunities” category. However, there’s no time to be saying “what if” or dwell on it. If the Rangers can win Game 2 to even up the series heading back home, they’ve done their job. That’s what every road team wants to do in a best-of-seven series. With that said, here are a couple things to look for in order for a Rangers win tonight.

Generate More Scoring Chances

The Rangers were patient in Game 1. It seemed their game plan was to outlast the Caps by grinding them down and relying on Hank to come up with some big saves. Hank delivered. However, there just weren’t enough chances for the Rangers. One of the X-factors Eric and I talked about was getting to Neuvirth. I think the Rangers’ relatively passive play allowed Neuvirth to get into a groove, build confidence, and ultimately have a very, very strong game for his standards. New York needs to throw more pucks his way and crash the net. Twenty-five shots in a game that goes deep into OT makes it too easy on him.

Will the old Marian Gaborik please stand up?

The one thing you can say positively about this is that at least he got chances in Game 1. What he didn’t do was finish a couple of great ones. The Rangers need him to get in a groove if they are going to have a legitimate shot at winning this series and making a run at it. Fair to say he’s long overdue for a goal (or two).

Let’s see what Avery can do.

I was fine with him being scratched in Game 1. Fact of the matter is that he hasn’t been overly effective in the grand scheme of things. However, this is a situation which cries for Avery. He’s a physical, gritty guy who can get under the skin of opposing players. Having lost Game 1, this is exactly what the Rangers need to do to start frustrating the Caps in Game 2. I’m not saying 20 minutes of ice time, but if he can contribute a solid 10-15 minutes then he’s done his job. My vote would be to scratch Zuc given his recent struggles and lack of shootouts in the playoffs, but I haven’t seen a definitive answer as to whom Avery would replace.

Hank Being Hank

Also fair to say Game 1 could’ve turned into a rout early on if not for the huge performance of Hank. Despite some of the lopsided scores in previous meetings this season in favor of the Rangers (7-1 and 6-0), the Rangers don’t want to rely on winning a track meet. If Hank even has an average day, Rangers probably don’t win. Put this one in the category of “duh”.

Quick Start

Much like what I was trying to stress in the podcast before the series, the Rangers need to take any advantage they can that would put pressure on the Caps. Washington is under an enormous amount of pressure to not just win this series but advance deep into these playoffs. Winning Game 1 allowed them to take a brief, but big, sigh of relief. If the Rangers can get a goal or two early in Game 2, all the pressure falls right back on the Caps and they will likely have to start pressing.

Eric and I will be watching Game 2 intently, and then we will be recording a show tomorrow morning with recap and reactions. Hopefully, we’re talking about a 1-1 series going back to the Garden with home ice advantage taken. Send us any and all of your thoughts to Twitter (@NYRangerscast), Facebook (NYRangerscast), or email (hosts@nyrangerscast.com). We would love to have a deep mailbag for tomorrow’s show. Then we’ll intently watch Game 3 on Sunday and are looking to have a special ESPN guest lined up for Monday or Tuesday before Game 4. Lots of exciting stuff these next few days, so stay tuned.

As always, Let’s Go Rangers!

If you want a reason to stay positive and get pumped up following an oh-fer in Pittsburgh here it is.  According to the Rangers Report, here’s Henrik Lundqvist’s post game comments:

“It feels like the difference between these two teams is not that big. It could be one bounce that’s the difference,” he said. “We should go back to New York and put more pressure on them. I think they looked a little better than they are.  I know we can put more pressure on them. We’re going to do that in New York and we’re going to get the win.”

There you have it.  Not “we’re going to try to win” and not “we think we can win” he said “WE’RE GOING TO GET THE WIN.”

You know what? That’s all I need to hear. 

I’m not going to lie folks, I’ve been in a bad way for the last few hours.  The Rangers have really put themselves in quite a hole and it’s going to take some real gumption to climb out of it.  But you know what, I truly think they can do it.

Here’s a couple reasons why you can’t give up hope:

1. I hate to be cliche, but I’m going to.  The Pens just held serve, that’s it! Until you lose a home game in the playoffs, you’re not in trouble!  And guess what? The Garden will be rocking on Tuesday and the Rangers are a very dangerous home team.

2.  This is not a new situation for this team.  This series feels eerily similar to last year’s second round tilt with the Sabres.  For those with a short memory, the Rangers came back and won both games at home to pull right back into that series.

3. The Rangers CAN shut down this Penguins team.  They figured out how to do it today.  If they can score (and this is no Patrick Roy in nets for Pittsburgh) they can win.

4.  This is a young Penguins team that has yet to faced adversity in the playoffs.  They haven’t had to bounce back from a loss in the post season yet and so it’s still a question mark how they will react if the Rangers get the ‘W’ on Tuesday.

5.  BOUNCEBACKABILITY! If there’s one thing the Rangers have done well all year long, it’s rise to the occassion.  I have a hunch they’ll do it again!

So there you go.  This train’s rolling back to “The House that Messier Built” and The King is taking a page out of The Captain’s book.  Time to rally the troops and put some fear into Sid and the Gang!