nyr/tbl g5

Game 6, another elimination game for the Rangers, is Tuesday night

Welcome everyone to another blog here on DOINOW.com. As you already know by now, these blogs are a tad belated this series due to the late playoff times. Plus, after a win I like to celebrate and after a loss, I like to re-watch the game back, to see what went wrong.

The Rangers dropped Game 5, 2-0, to the Tampa Bay Lightning, in their  Eastern Conference Finals Best of 7 series. As a result of the loss, the Rangers find themselves down in a 3-2 hole and will have to win in 7, if they play on returning to the Stanley Cup Finals this year. For the Rangers, it was more or less of the same. Nothing is ever easy. When they have a chance to put a team a way or not have their backs against the wall, the Rangers find a way to lose. At the same time, when it matters most, the Rangers have found ways to win the big game, more times than not.

Since the latest lockout (and it seems we will be destined for another one down the line, it's just the cost of doing business in the NHL), the Rangers have been in three out of the last four Eastern Conference Finals. In 2012, they lost to the Devils, after just being spent. It was arguably Hank's best playoff run as a Ranger. In 2013, they were bounced out in the second round by the Bruins, a series that cost Tortorella his job. In 2014, AV's first year as coach, they defeated the Canadiens in 6, to make the Stanley Cup Finals. Here in 2015, they are two games away from another Cup appearance, but one loss away from having their season finished.

In these last successful, but Cup-less, four years, the Rangers are 14-3 in elimination games. That's an impressive stat, but it also tells you that the Rangers are horrible at just putting teams away. You rarely see the Rangers win a series in four or five games. They seem to always play deep in every series. In fact, in these last four years, the Rangers are also 6-0 in game 7's. Can they add to these stats or are they due to bust? Who knows at this point. The only thing that you know about the Rangers are that they are consistent at being inconsistent.

It's hilarious reading people's predictions about this series. No one is right, because you never know what NY Rangers team will show up. Is it the one that will score a bunch of goals? The one that puts up a goose egg? The one where the goalie is lights out? The one where the goalie has more red lamps behind him than a fried chicken joint in Ferguson? The one where the PP is electric? The one where the PP is as useful as testicular cancer? The one where the PK is unbreakable? The one where the PK has more leaks than a Hurricane Katrina levee? You just never know what Rangers team will show up for any given game.

I'll say it here now, and get into why as we go along in this blog, I just don't see the inconsistent Rangers winning two games in a row against this Tampa team. When this series is over, I have a funny feeling that we will be just wondering "WHAT IF Henrik Lundqvist didn't blow Game 3?"

It feels inevitable that Lundqvist will fail again this season

When you look at the Rangers in the salary cap era, they have focused their money/salary cap at the goalie position. They've invested 10% of team payroll in that department. I talked about this earlier in this series, but even if Lundqvist gives up one goal a game for the rest of his life, but the team doesn't score, at what point do you have to shake up the teams make-up? It's great that he has great games from time-to-time, but if the offense is having more bad games than the goalie is having good games, is Lundqvist really worth 10% of team payroll?

Point being - look at the teams that have won Stanley Cups in recent years. None of the goalies are paid 10% of team payroll nor are they even ranked 1-5 in salary. If the Rangers waste another Lundqvist prime year, when do you just say it's time to cut bait, reorganize payroll and try to focus on the offense more?  The Rangers have already proven they can win games with Talbot and perhaps if they could ever get Hank to waive his no-trade clause, they could use the extra money to beef up the lines.

If the Rangers can not win their next two games, it will be the second season in a row that Lundqvist had a terrible game in a series, that wound up costing his team their season. And yes, you can blame Lundqvist. He gets all the money. He gets all the fame. He wants all the credit for victories. I really hope the Rangers can pull this out and make game 3 of this series a long forgotten thought.

Will Lundqvist ever win a Stanley Cup in NY?

Game 5's in a 2-2 series are pivotal games and can swing a series. I believe NBC flashed some stat, where 75% of the time,,a team that wins a Game 5, wins the whole series. I wouldn't put much into that stat with these Rangers, as the Rangers have showed much resolve and find ways to win these big elimination games. Game 5's always force an elimination Game 6, and while the Rangers have dropped a bunch of Game 5's over the years, they have done remarkably well in Game 6's and Game 7's.

I can't lie though, this Tampa Bay team is not like a team the Rangers have come back on before. To come back on Tampa Bay, it will be the Rangers biggest feat yet.

Let's talk the goalies in this game, as really, Lundqvist vs Bishop has determined every game. After all, Lundqvist looked great in stealing game one, gave up back-to-back touchdowns in games 2 & 3, while Bishop was coming off back-to-back performances of giving up 5 spots.

In Game 5, both goalies played remarkably well. However, Bishop was better. Bishop finished with a 26 save shutout, while Lundqvist finished with 20 saves on 22 shots. Is this loss on Lundqvist? Of course not, can't blame the goalie when you can't score. However, was Bishop better than Lundqvist again? He sure was. Again, you know my argument/spiel on the salary cap and all that, but yea, what's the point of paying someone 10% of team payroll if you're getting the same, if not better, production on the other end?

I said in my Game 4 blog, I don't think Lundqvist was that superior. He got a lot of puck luck, four posts and TBL shooters shooting wide at open nets. However, it was a game he needed to win. On the flipside, Bishop was coming off two horrible performances, (Again, which really makes you upset about Hank for blowing Game 3) and needed his redemption victory. Well, Bishop redeemed himself in Game 5, getting the shutout.

Was Bishop that remarkable? He was great, no question, but at the same time, it was one of the easiest shutouts a goalie could ever have. I think Bishop made 4 or 5 really good saves. He got a lot of shotblocking from his defense, as it seemed the Rangers were hellbent on making sure the TBL defense got back, so they could shoot a puck right at them.

Anyone see him in Game 5?

After having his best playoff game as a Ranger in game 4, Rick Nash was invisible in game 5. Even when he wasn't scoring goals, which has been the norm for him in the playoffs, Nash was a force on the ice, getting his shots off, making some hits and just being victim of some bad puck luck. In this game, Nash barely got any quality shots off. Instead of using any momentum from Game 4 into this Game 5, Nash, as well as Martin St. Louis, went back to their normal selves.

I've talked about this before with MSL as well, but how many times will he just wiff and wave at pucks in these playoffs? If the Rangers don't win in Tampa on Tuesday, it's going to be hard to envision MSL ever calling MSG home again, and that's even if he signs for the veteran minimum.

At this point, I wonder if MSL is just better off retiring and going into coaching for the Wolfpack, since his residence is in Connecticut. I don't know if coaching is what he wants to do, after his playing career, but he seems like he would be a good coach. He's taken Stamkos under his wing, when he was in Tampa. Look at him now. He improved the games of and was a leader for Zuccarello, Hayes & Hagelin this year. He works with his kids on their games. He has a knack of being a positive influence and definitely knows the game.

It's always tough for the great ones and in this case, a future Hall of Famer, to hang up the skates. However, he might serve the Rangers better in the coaching department, rather than as a player, next season. I'll never forget what MSL meant for this team in last years playoff run, but age has caught up to MSL faster than I've ever seen in a professional athlete.

Valtteri Filppula out-prettied Lundqvist in Game 5

As opposed the massive goal scoring we've seen in Games 2, 3 and 4, this series reverted to a defensive battle in Game 5. Filppula scored the game winner aka the first goal in this game, 13:29 into the second period, via a wrist shot. Put this goal all on Hank. Sure, his 20 saves were nice and all and the Rangers didn't score for him, but this goal changed the game a bit. Filppula took a wrist shot and Hank looked lost trying to defend it. Just a terrible goal to let in.

The second goal was completely on the Rangers, as they were defenseless and gave Lundqvist no chance. After a silly Marc Staal penalty, late into the second period, Stamkos was left all alone for a tic-tac-toe goal with 90 seconds left in the second period. Christopher Reeves, today, could've scored that goal. The goal, a PPG for Tampa, saw Hank sell and bite big on Palat, as Palat moved the puck across ice to a wide open Stamkos. Can't blame Hank for a PPG, especially one where the defense just collapsed in front of him. For as much as I thought big bucks Hank should've stopped the first goal, the second goal was completely on the Rangers.

Yandle was horrible in Game 5

Keith Yandle, the man the Rangers traded their future for, in hopes for a Cup this season, was horrible in Game 5. It's amazing for a professional hockey player, how many times Yandle will either throw the puck in the middle of his own zone, skate and turnover the puck in front of his own net, or instead of shooting a puck at a wide open net, will force a pass that goes nowhere. Win or lose this series, this Yandle trade looks like a bust.

The Rangers are really missing their fan favorite

Reports out of Tampa are that Mats Zuccarello was practicing. He hasn't played since the Pittsburgh series. A game like tonight makes you really miss Zucc. I feel like Kreider has tried to bring Zucc's grittiness and fire to the team. When the Rangers needed a spark, Zucc was there. In a lifeless game like this, the Rangers surely missed their fireplug. The Rangers escaped the Capitals without Zucc, but it seems like the Rangers really needed all hands on deck for this series.

Can King Midas find his touch in Game 6?

I saw a few idiots on twitter blaming Vigneault for the loss. Are you nuts? He's not the one that went 0-4 on the PP tonight. He's not the one that decides to skate right in front of the net, then toss a pass backwards 100 feet. It's not like Tampa was that great tonight, as much as the Rangers failed to execute.

I mean give Tampa some credit, everyone thought their weakness in this series would be their defense. Instead, Tampa shut down the Rangers, after giving up 10 goals in 2 games. It seemed every time the Rangers crossed the blue line, Tampa swarmed in and made a quick clear. I would be shocked if I found out the Rangers had more than 3 minutes of fluid time moving the puck in Tampa's zone, 5 on 5. On the other end, the Rangers failed to meet Tampa at the blue line, Tampa got right in and had their merry way of moving the puck around.

The powerplay is what really kills you. After seemingly turning it around the last two games, the Rangers were horrible tonight. They started off ok, as Bishop was good and Tampa's defense was better, but the last two PP's were a complete abortion. It was pathetic. I'm pretty sure Tampa had more shots on net shorthanded, than the Rangers had PP shots in their last two attempts. In a game where the Rangers just needed a goal (Before the Stamkos tip-in), the Rangers could not do it.

This was just a terrible game to decide to lay a goose egg on. The Rangers now have to win 2 games in a row against their toughest rival all season. Tampa has been "out-Rangering" the Rangers this series, with scoring when it matters most, great goaltending at important times, strong defense and killing penalties.

Win or lose, the person many people will be looking at will be Henrik Lundqvist. His Game 3 performance could cost the Rangers the series. He was fine here tonight, and again, while the offense was terrible (Can't win, if you don't score), Bishop was better. That's now two goalies who have posted shutouts against the Rangers in these playoffs. The Rangers might need Hank to get one on Tuesday if they want any chance of bringing this series back to MSG. Even then, is home ice an advantage for these Blueshirts?

Give Tampa credit. They wanted it more. The Rangers looked lost and frustrated all game. They got away from everything that was working in Games 3 & 4. The Rangers didn't shoot the puck as frequently, had no one crashing the net for rebounds and deflections, overpassed themselves out of looks and had trouble getting the puck deep.

Tuesday may be the obituary on this season. If not, Lundqvist will have a shot at going 7-0 in Game 7's during these last four years.

The majority of you reading this all want the Rangers to win. I want the Rangers to win. I can't lie though, this is the worst I've ever felt about this team coming back. A team that's consistently inconsistent now has to win 2 games against the best offense they've seen during their run.

However, I remain true....

LET'S GO RANGERS
WE WANT THE CUP
TAKE DOWN TAMPA
GAME 7 FRIDAY!

See you Tuesday, enjoy the rest of your 3-day weekend.

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter

NYR/TBL G4

No pigs aren't flying, Rick Nash got the Broadway Hat

Welcome everyone to another blog here on DOINOW.com. Again, I must apologize for the tardiness of this blog, but as I said at the beginning of these playoffs, these blogs may not be posted until the day after the game. Either I'm celebrating a victory or re-watching a loss & trying to see what went wrong. Fortunately for me, my friends and I celebrated all night! Gotta love Friday night hockey!

This blog has always been your Blueshirt Bluecollar place for Ranger opinions and recaps. You already know that the Rangers won Game 4, in their best of 7 ECF series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1, to even the series at 2-2.  However, let's skip the normal intro, and give you my take on the game.

For me, when the game was over, the biggest thing I took out of this game was the fact that all the stars shined. One of the biggest problems is that this doesn't happen more often. If the Rangers could get production like this from their stars more often, the Rangers wouldn't have to sweat out every series or game that they are in.

Obviously, you know from this blog that Henrik Lundqvist is the highest paid Ranger, at $8.5M a year. The second highest paid Ranger is Rick Nash, at $7.8M a year. The third highest paid Ranger is Marc Staal at $5.7M a year. The fourth highest paid Ranger is MSL, at $5.625M a year. Last night, Hank finished with 38 saves on 39 shots, Rick Nash finished with two goals and an assist, MSL scored a goal, and Staal helped to shut down Tampa's offense. For a coach, GM, owner and for the fans, you can't be any prouder than when your stars show up for you. Obviously, the stars were aligned, at least for one night, in Game 4. Will we see this constellation again?

Sometimes I wonder if people read these blogs from start-to-finish. When Hank finished with 38/39 saves, I had a lot of tweets/facebook mentions/texts from people saying "I TOLD YOU HANK WAS BETTER THAN TALBOT." If you bothered to read my Game 3 recap (in the archives, on the right hand of the site), I said Lundqvist should start Game 4. I listed every reason why he should start. I also said that there was no way he could be this bad for three games in a row.

Bottom line, Talbot is in everyone's head. All you heard on sports radio/tv shows were people talking Talbot. Coach AV was asked about Talbot. The Daily Fucking News was running articles on Talbot. Henrik himself even brought up Talbot, saying he switched lockers with him for luck. It's great that Hank had a good game, but at the same time, to disparage Talbot or say the Rangers needed Hank to win, is ignorant.

No one knows how Talbot would've done. He could've been the next Ken Dryden. He could've also been Andrew Hammond and had a first round exit. We will never know. However, when you see ardent Hank supporters bury Talbot, as a way to promote Hank, it just reeks of desperation and lack of confidence.

We all know Talbot won't get a start in these playoffs, barring a Lundqvist injury. We also know, that without Cam Talbot, the Rangers don't win the President's Trophy, giving the Rangers the home-ice advantage in this now best of 3 series.

Every Rangers fan was elated to see Rick Nash score

Just like my last two blogs on this series, let's recap the goal scoring, then talk about the game as a whole.

GOAL 1: With less than 3 minutes to go, Kevin Hayes hit an outlet pass to Rick Nash. Nash broke free, beat Paquette, then backhanded one past Ben Bishop. I am not one of the Nash bashers, that you see all over social media. Just read the past blogs, not going to rehash everything. He's playing well, just not scoring. I am happy, to see a guy who was obviously plagued by concussion issues last year, finally get one in the net. Who knows, it could be only one game, but for tonight, in the Rangers most important game of the season, Nash came up big. Hopefully this is the start of something beautiful. 1-0 NYR.

GOAL 2: Stamkos, at the 8:30 mark of the second period, buried a one-timer from between the circles on Lundqvist. The way this game was going, the Rangers were lucky this would be the only TBL goal of the evening. 1-1 TIE

GOAL 3: Four minutes after Stamkos scored, Kreider found a Klein rebound and put it past Bishop. The Rangers are finding a ton of success with rebounds and deflections on Bishop. We didn't know it at the time, but this would be the game winning goal. 2-1 NYR

GOAL 4: Yandle found a wild deflection, off a shot that was going 30 feet wide, as the puck hit Hedman's leg and went past Bishop. Hey, throw it in front of the net and good things happen. The goal came with 2 minutes to go in the second period. A huge insurance goal. With Hank already blowing one lead, I can't lie, I was nervous about the dreaded two goal lead. 3-1 NYR.

GOAL 5: MSL finally scored a PPG with 15 minutes left in the third period. I'm a huge MSL guy. It's funny, the infamous JEFFREY, who I've talked about in these blogs, has the opposite feeling than me on MSL. I love MSL. If it wasn't for him, we don't make the Cup last year. However, he has looked old. As MSL was one timing the Brassard pass, I just saw him wiffing it. After all, how many times have we seen MSL wiff on a puck in these playoffs? I was so happy for him, as MSL found the puck and drilled it home. The fans in Tampa were not a fan of this goal! 4-1 NYR

GOAL 6: Rick "Motherfuckin'" Nash beat Bishop again, this time off a rebound from Yandle's shot & a Hayes deflection. Nash was in perfection position. 5-1 NYR, Final.

The King took the Bishop in Game 4

If you've been reading me regularly (And if you haven't, check the archives on the right hand of the site, for my coverage/recaps of every game this season), I love watching great goaltending. I never played goalie when I played hockey (I played defense, never professionally or anything, just in rec leagues, as there was no hockey team when I was in High School), but I always appreciated the position. Maybe that's because at 32 years old (Will be 33 on June 13th, feel free to send me playoff tickets), I grew up on Beezer & Richter.

Listen, just because I'm the Talbot guy, doesn't mean I don't think Hank is great. If he wins a Cup this year, he's the greatest goaltender in Rangers history. However, he needs to win that Cup, in my eyes, to surpass both Giacomin and Richter. For most of my twenties to today, Hank has been a rock back there. I just think Talbot is better NOW and I would've rode the hot hand. Again, we don't know how Talbot would've done, and it's a shame we will never find out. However, as a Rangers fan, I grew up with Beezer, saw Richter in his prime and saw Lundqvist dominate. I've been fortunate to see a lot of great goaltending as a Rangers fan.

There are many storylines in this series and coming out of game 4. You have Rick Nash getting hot. MSL vs Callahan. The Triplets line. AV trying to get back to the Cup. However, the biggest storyline to me is Hank vs Bishop. Will Hank get his Cup?

I think I should just throw in the towel on predictions. I can watch analysts speak, read books, listen to radio shows, see interviews, but bottom line is this - I never know what NY Rangers team will show up on any given night. The only thing this team is consistent in, is being inconsistent.


Would we see the Lundqvist of the Washington & Pittsburgh series in Game 4 or would we see the Lundqvist of Games 2 & 3 of this series? I said before the game, on my twitter account, @NYCTHEMIC that I thought there would be no middle ground. Either Hank was going to be great or he was going to be blown out.

Lundqvist played well. Lights out? Not really, but it's tough against this offense. The Rangers got a lot of puck luck in this game. I believe Tampa hit four posts in this game. You had Johnson fuck up on an open powerplay shot. You had Kucherov grab a puck off a face off, then send it soaring over Lundqvist, rather than putting it in the net that was left open.

Tampa's offense is tough for a goaltender like Lundqvist. I thought Stephen Valliquette, Hank's ex teammate/current MSG analyst, made some good points. Lundqvist plays deep in the net, so he doesn't have much reaction time, and you need reaction time from an offense that is constantly going side-to-side.

I just think the Rangers were extremely lucky to walk out of this game, only giving up one goal. Tampa was knocking on the door all night.

On the other side, Ben Bishop gave up five goals for the second straight game. No one is screaming for his back-up, like some Ranger fans were with Lundqvist, because Bishop is now 10-2 vs the Rangers, where Hank was 1-5 with a 4.74 GAA.

One question, the most important question, will be answered starting Sunday. Have the Rangers figured out Ben Bishop? If you look at the goals, the majority of the goals are from just shooting at the net and finding deflections and rebounds. That's what the Rangers need to keep doing. When they get away from the overpassing and looking for the perfect shot, that is when their offense is most successful. Turning turnovers into breakaways help too, as this was the second straight game with a breakaway goal for the NYR.

How crazy is hockey? Going into this series, Hank & Bishop, were #1 & #2 in every goalie stat in the playoffs. Hank has given up 12 goals in two straight games, while Bishop has given up 10 in two straight games.You can't predict this shit. That's why they play the games on ice and why our heart rates are through the roof.

King Midas

Win or lose this series, Ranger fans can not deny the greatness of Coach Alain Vigneault. In his first season, he took a perennial playoff team, that could never get over the hump and into the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, with his star goalie out for 30 games, his team won the President's Trophy. Now he has them two wins away from another Cup appearance. If he doesn't get the Jack Adams award, the league is totally rigged and full of shit.

After two miserable games, AV made some bold decisions before Game 4. First, he went all out and laughed at the notion of benching Hank. He made it clear that Hank was his guy and settled the Talbot chatter down a bit. Then, he plays with his lines again, putting Miller with Brassard & Nash. Nash scored two goals tonight. AV also juggled his defense, and while McDonagh logged 20:04 of ice time, it felt like he was out there all game. McDonagh was superb once again.

Game 1 is always the least important game of a series. It's what you do after it that matters. We are seeing both teams adjust to their opponents, come up with new schemes, juggle lines and show creativity. Give it up to AV for his ability to make sure this series didn't go 3-1. I honestly don't know if the Rangers could've come back from another 3-1 hole, especially against this Tampa team.

Game 5 is Sunday at 8PM on NBC

Where do we go from here? Well the series is now 2-2 with a Game 5 at the Garden on Sunday night. You can enjoy your weekend, your BBQ's, your pool openings, your family outings or whatever. Life would've been a little miserable today if the Rangers didn't get it done last night.

I love this sport but man, talk about the roller coaster these games put you through.  As I said above, I really don't know what to expect on Sunday. What Hank will we have? What Bishop will be there? Will the Rangers continue to keep putting the puck on net? Will the Lightning find nets instead of posts?

The Rangers earned home ice, and with home ice, you have the crowd behind you and you get the on-ice match-up advantage. We have the first (TBL) and third (NYR) highest scoring offenses in the league. We've seen a 2-1 game in this series, while games 2,3,4 saw at least 5 goals for the victor. Who knows what game we will get, who can predict this shit anymore!?!

The only thing I can accurately predict is that I will be watching the game and chanting....

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!

See you Sunday night/Monday Morning. Enjoy the weekend.

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter

game 3 fury

Oh wait, wrong sport. Couldn't tell with Lundqvist in net.

Yea, no intro today.

You already know. The Rangers lost Game 3 of the ECF, to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-5, in overtime. TBL takes the series lead at 2-1.

While watching this game, I received more facebook tags, twitter mentions and text messages than ever before, which says something. I get more people hitting me up when Lundqvist sucks, than when the Rangers win. Of course, that happens because I'm known as the Cam Talbot guy.

I've said it before, and really, I'm not going to give you the whole spiel or rehash job, you can go back into the archives for my full length explanations, but I do not root against Henrik Lundqvist. I want him to win a Cup. More importantly, I want the Rangers to win a Cup. However, I have no problem calling out the most overpaid goalie in the league, where many Ranger fans think that it sacrilege to do so. For Ranger fans, it's ok to go nuts and be infuriated with Rick Nash or Martin St. Louis, but say one bad word about Lundqvist, you're Judas. FUCK THAT. Lundqvist is not even close to being one of the best goalies of all time, and his "King" nickname is fucking ridiculous.

I had three approaches to this blog:

1. Go the sarcastic route. "Oh, you can never blame the goalie when he gives up 12 goals in two games. It's the defense!" I can't believe any hockey fan really believes that.

2. The cheerleader route. "It's a bad game, but the Rangers will come back and get them next time. It's ok everyone!"

Or number three, the one you're going to get now. The Skip Bayless/Jim Rome mountain of fury mode.

I'll warn you now. If you're a Hank fan boy and think Lundqvist can do no wrong, go read another blog that is looking to be accepted by the masses. This is my opinion, you don't have to read it. I hope you give it a shot with a clear mind, then make judgment, but many will just see me truthing on Lundqvist and cry about it. Let's break this shit-show down.

"But it's not his fault!" Note, he gave up 6 vs TB tonight, as that graphic was posted before OT.

Lundqvist vs TBL in his last 5 games:
6-5 L
6-2 L
2-1 W
6-3 L
4-3 L
5-1 L

For those with a calculator, that's a 4.74 GAA in his last 6 games vs Tampa. Can Ranger fans admit that maybe Tampa has Hank's number? Someone should check the inside tag on Lundqvist's jersey, and look to see if it says "Made in Tampa" on it.

I get the Hank love. He's been great for 10 years. Has he ever won a Cup though? NO!

We know the spiel, so short version. He demanded Torts to be fired, (I don't disagree with why he wanted him out, Torts ran his course), said he wanted to win a Cup here at all costs, then teased becoming a FA before demanding to be highest paid goalie in the NHL. Listen, if you want the money, like say Rick Nash, fine. Just don't tell me you want to win a cup at all costs, then tease FA & ask for the cash. It's one or the other.

Think on this - the Rangers have never won a Cup with Lundqvist. Is that his fault? Partly. He did blow the Cup Finals last year, blowing every 2 goal lead he had and losing 3 OT goals. Yes LA was stronger and got more shots off, but that's why we pay Hank, right?

In the team make-up, Hank gets $8.5M a season,  for 7 years, a ton of money for an aging and regressing goalie, especially one that has never won a Cup. Is he one of the best goalies in the league? Yes, you can't deny that. However, is he worth his value, when you compare contracts of his peers? HELL NO!

My thing is this - Yes, Hank has been a great goalie and at times, still is. Howwever, when you look at the complete team make-up, maybe the Rangers should've cut down the budget on the goalie contract and used the money to beef up the lines/skaters. Even if you got a goalie that is or perceived to be, weaker than Hank, if you beef up your skaters, perhaps that gives you a better team balance. You want to say it's not Hank's fault? Then maybe the Rangers need to shake up the roster, starting with the goalie, to free money and do what they have to do to win a Cup.

I know it's beach weather in Florida, but this is ridiculous!

I'll say it off the bat. My prediction was Rangers in 6. Can they win three in a row? Sure. They've done it before. However, it shouldn't be that hard. The Rangers can win this series and Hank can have 3 shut-outs (I wouldn't bet on that though) but it doesn't make you forget that Hank has now cost his team two games. Remember, this is the same goalie, on record, who said, "GIVE ME TWO GOALS AND I GOT THIS." Well he got two on Monday and five tonight, and it still wasn't enough.

Just think if Lundqvist did what he's being paid to do. It gives Zuccarello more time to get ready for the Cup finals. It takes some of the pressure away. It creates confidence. Now, every time TBL shoots the puck, we all have a turtlehead touching cotton.

I don't care what anyone says, the Game 3 loss is solely on Henrik Lundqvist, way more so than the Game 2 loss. He can come back and win the series and the headlines will all be "Will Hank get his cup?", but the bottom line is Hank is way overpaid.

Lundqvist against Tampa this season

We all know I'm the Talbot guy. I'm one of the few to actually even have his jersey! If you're new to the blog, just check the archives. I've been the conductor of the Talbot Train from day one.

In hindsight, I should've worn this rather than my MSL jersey tonight!

I said in my game 2 blog, that Hank had to start tonight. I also said at the end of the regular season (Which many people obviously did not watch, because I am reading social media posts saying "Lundqvist is the only reason we are here, not realizing that it was Talbot that put the Rangers in first place by a mile & won the President's Trophy) that I thought Talbot should've started the playoffs.

To Henrik's credit, he played great in the first two rounds, with a few minor hiccups. Great, no question. However, we don't know how Talbot would've done. He could've had 8 shutouts. He could've got blown out of the water. We will never know. What we do know, is that the Rangers were better with him in net this year, than they were with Lundqvist. Talbot had better numbers than the "King".

I believed that Lundqvist should've started this game. After all, Talbot has not seen the ice since the last week of the regular season. He has not had any real game time. Furthermore, not only hasn't he played in nearly two months, he would be stepping right into a game against one of the best teams in the NHL.

Lundqvist has now spotted two touchdowns this series. At this point, what's the difference if you start a rusty Talbot? It's not like Hank is doing any better.

My favorite piece of Rangers memorabilia!

Before you get your panties in a wad, here's why I would start Talbot in Game 4:

- Hank's 4.74 GAA in 6 games with TBL.
- TBL has many ex-Rangers who practiced against him and know his weak points. They don't know Talbot like that.
- Hank is rattled. You can see it in his face, in his words and how he looks back the majority of the time after every shot.
- Rangers need a spark. Look what happened when Chicago pulled Crawford, WHO ACTUALLY WON A CUP, for Darling. It changed their whole series with Nashville around.
- Rangers are better offensively, statistically, with Talbot.
- Talbot has a better save percentage. Some critics will say that's because he has to make easier saves because the Rangers skate better. Even if that's the case, then why not start him? If it keeps the defense so alert, if you're using the "Rangers rely on Hank too much" defense, then put in Talbot!
- Talbot was amazing all year and beat the teams Hank had his doors blown off by. While Hank was owned by Boston, LA, NYI and other teams, Talbot beat them all. Talbot did not face TBL this year.
- Hank is getting owned by TBL. Why not shake it up? How bad can a rusty Talbot be, when your "King" is giving up TD's like a college football defense?

That being said, Lundqvist will be starting Game 4. Why is that? Here's the reasons why he will start, although I would rather Talbot:

- AV will not pull Hank. He doesn't want the backlash from Lundqvist or MSG management.
- Hank has the ability to get coaches fired. Even the coach that Dolan loved the most, in Torts.
- Hank is a $$$ machine for the Rangers, on and off ice. You think anyone wants to pay a guy 10% of payroll to watch Talbot play?
- If AV didn't pull Hank, down 5-2, with 9 minutes left to go in Game 3, why would he start Talbot?
- The turnovers to goal ratio for TBL. There's enough of them for people to say, "BUT IT'S NOT HANK'S FAULT!" However, when you take the lion's share of the money, it sure is.
- AV has had goalie controversies in the past. In Montreal and in Vancouver. He got fired both times for picking the wrong horse. Hank is the safe bet.
- If the Rangers fail with Hank, AV takes no blame. If Rangers bomb with Talbot, AV is fired.

Bottom line, Hank is starting game 4, even if I would put my balls on the line and start Talbot. Then again, I would've started Talbot from the jump. It's a shame we will never know what he could've done.

The Bold wants Talbot! Get Lawst Hank!

Where do you even begin when trying to recap this game? Tell me if you heard this story before. The Rangers start off really hot, get a 2-0 lead and Lundqvist blows it. Sadly, this story is a story repeated often. Just watch the Cup Finals of last year.

I want to recap the goals, just like I did in the last blog, so you can get a real feel of the game.

GOAL ONE- Brassard scores a Rangers PPG a minute into the game. The Rangers PP has looked better in this series. Brassard just blasted at Bishop and beat him. A rare bad goal allowed by Bishop. 1-0 NYR

GOAL TWO-  Jesper Fast beats Bishop on a breakway, with a sweet move to boot, 10 minutes into the first period. 2-0 Rangers and the confidence was growing. However, Hank wouldn't allow you to sustain that. 2-0 NYR

GOAL THREE-  Lundqvist makes a save on Killorn, but instead of deading the puck or kicking it to the corner, he gives it to Stamkos. 2-1 Rangers, with 9 minutes to go in the period. 2-1 TBL

GOAL FOUR- Palat scores on a PPG, on a give and go play with perhaps the future of hockey, Tyler Johnson. 2-2, as we hit the halfway mark of the game, here in the second period. 2-2 TIE

GOAL FIVE- Lundqvist officially gives TBL the lead after blowing the two spot. Johnson, from Palat, this time, scores on  4 vs 4. Perfect pass from Palat. This goal you could give Lundqvist a pass on, but remember, he says he's elite and a King. Can't be blowing two goal leads. 3-2 TBL

GOAL SIX- Let it pour baby! Alex Killorn joins the scoring party, beating Lundqvist with a simple wrist shot. This happened with 3 minutes left to go in the period, which was infuriating. 4-2 TBL.

GOAL SEVEN- No it's not Rick Nash or MSL, it's Jesper Fast putting up a two goal game, scoring 30 seconds after Killorn, after capitalizing on a Kevin Klein rebound. 4-3 TBL.

GOAL EIGHT- The man who called the team embarrassing after Game 3 (I wonder if he will have the balls to call Hank embarrassing after tonight), our captain, Ryan McDonagh, tied the game up with a PPG, 3 minutes into the third period. 4-4 TIE. THE RANGERS CAME BACK. Now Bishop blew the two goal lead. However, Hank was determined to see if he could blow another lead.

GOAL NINE- Palat beats Hank in the slot, with 6 minutes to go. A totally deflating, like a Brady football, goal. 5-4 TBL

GOAL TEN- Dan Fucking Boyle, and who would've thought, he's been one of the better producing Rangers in these playoffs, beat Bishop with less than two minutes to go, after yet again, another Bishop rebound. 5-5 TIE!

GOAL 11 - In the overtime, Lundqvist was determined to blow his third lead of the game. Kucherov scores from about 29948348 feet away. Fucking Christopher Reeves, TODAY, could've stopped that shot. KING NOTHING! 6-5 TBL for the win.

Three blown leads, 6 goals allowed, yet people will find someone else to blame. Incredible.

What really hurts, just as much as the blown leads and giving up 6 goals, is the fact on the night the Rangers lit up Bishop and Bishop had his worst performance in the playoffs, Lundqvist found a way to be worse. I'm not someone who says a game is a "MUST WIN" until you've lost three games in a playoff series, but this was a game the Rangers should've won.

There is no excuse for the Rangers to lose this game. I've heard people blame Nash & MSL for not scoring. Nash gets the worst of it, and deservingly so. I think people have accepted MSL is old and can understand more. Nash is just A-Rod for many Ranger fans. Great regular season numbers (Although he was trailing off in the last month of the season) and no goals in the playoffs.

Here's my take on Nash, as I've said before. He's playing well. He's not hurting the team. He's creating opportunities. He's played strong defense. He's getting his looks. What he's not doing is scoring. He's being paid to score, not just play well. I can understand the Nash outrage, but really, if you are blaming him for these last two games, you are utterly lost.

Credit: NYRMEMES for the pic, and my liver for putting up with this shit!

So where, oh where, do the mighty New York Rangers go from here? The series isn't over, but it doesn't look good either. If the Rangers fall 3-1, and yes, I'm aware, they did come back last series, but I just don't see it happening against this Tampa team.

You can say you hope the Rangers get mad and fire up. I thought they did that this game, after that Game 2 drubbing. Bottom line, the money is with Hank, Hank is the face of the team and this team will win or lose with Hank. He got five goals tonight. The Rangers exposed Bishop.

On Friday, the Rangers need to keep doing what they are doing offensively. They need Hank to just be the Hank of every other game they've had, besides this week.  I can give you the cliches, "gotta forget this game", "throw the stats out the window", "come out gunning" or whatever you want, but bottom line is Hank needs to live up to his nickname and contract. If he doesn't, we will be watching Tampa in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Horrible loss. All you can hope is that after Friday, it's a best of 3 series. One thing fans forget is that the other team is great and wants to win too. Winning the Cup isn't easy. Just ask Henrik Lundqvist.

I'm going to bed pissed.

LET'S GO RANGERS
IN CAM WE TRUST
WAKE THE FUCK UP HANK
SPLIT IN TAMPA

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on that glorious twitter machine

nyr g2 tbl

Lundqvist is now 2-11 in his last 13 Game 2's.

I have gastroenteritis right now, so I am literally & figuratively, in a shitty mood right now.

No normal intro, you know the spiel already. Sorry for posting this blog so late, but as I've said in the past, either I'm celebrating or try to write after processing the game back after a loss. This was a game that I actually watched back on replay, just to see what the fuck went wrong for a second time.

I'm sure you already know by now, from watching the game, the million other blogs out there or the zillions of social media posts, but the Rangers dropped Game 2 in their Best-of-7 ECF series with the TBL, in a final of 6-2. The series is now split at 1-1. For the Rangers, it seems like it is impossible to ever grab a 2-0 lead on someone in a series.

Lundqvist vs TBL in his last 5 games:
6-2 L
2-1 W
6-3 L
4-3 L
5-1 L

That's a whooping 4.40 GAA, but people will still say Hank is never at fault.

Let's make this clear, because if you know me or been following me all season, you know I'm the conductor of the Talbot Train. The response after this loss, via texts, emails and social media, was overwhelming. I mean, when you have former Rangers goalie/MSG analyst Stephen Valiquette chirping about me being pro-Talbot, I gotta set the record straight!

Am I drooling at the mouth, with glee, because Hank had his doors blown off? Hell no. The biggest thing I want to see is the Rangers win the Cup & Hank finally shed the Ewing reputation. While he's had the best two teams in front of him these last two years, he's had nearly a decade of blah offense. However, as the team's skill has increased, his skills are regressing as he ages. The window to win is NOW.

Do I think you start Talbot for Game 3? No. For many reasons. This team is Hank's to sink or swim with. This is really his last chance to get it done, or else it's just the same old shit with him. This was Hank's worst game of the playoffs. It sucks that he gets paid the most and has games like this once in a while. It's his inconsistency to stay great every game, like goalies who have won Cups, is why he's King No-Cup. Also, to start Talbot for Game 3, barring a major injury to anything besides Hank's pride, would be foolish, considering Talbot hasn't seen NHL action in nearly 2 months, nevermind seeing one of the top four teams in hockey. I will say, I'm surprised AV didn't spell Hank once the game was seemingly out of reach, at 5-2 in the third period. I don't see the argument why you would allow Hank to stay in there, get roughed up some more and run the risk of injury.

Imagine if Rick Nash played like him?

So Hank got his dick kicked in, and gave up 6 goals. Were they all his fault? No, they weren't. However, when you call yourself a King, demand to be the highest paid goalie in the league, come on now, you know the spiel I'll give you here, he's gotta make some unbelievable saves. He's done it for most of this run. So when he doesn't do it, as much as he gets the credit, he also has to take some of the blame. Imagine that concept?

It's funny, the second the game was getting out of hand, I was telling my friends that I was watching the game with to watch Hank's post game press conference. Everything that I said he would say, he said. He didn't take any of the blame. He blamed his skaters and the special teams. God forbid he ever take any responsibility for a loss. However, he's the first one there to take credit for a win.

Even the way "The King" reacted to this loss, crying like a baby and slamming his stick like he's Crosby, is disgusting to watch. He is like that spoiled rich bratty girl in Willy Wonka, you know, the girl who wanted the squirrel and falls down the hole in the middle of the floor.  How about manning up and say "IT'S ON ME."

Give credit to our captain, Ryan McDonagh. He took this loss on the chin and called the game a "complete embarrassment."

You can watch all the Rangers postgame videos/interviews on BLUESHIRTSUNITED.com. It's really worth watching them all and see how different players react after wins and losses. I've never seen a star athlete, in all my time watching NY sports, pass the blame, but take all the credit, like Henrik Lundqvist. If you don't believe me, go back and watch for yourself.

Where Game 2 belongs for the Rangers

Since this blog is late and I'm assuming you've seen about 383884 recaps, highlights and lowlights, let's just recap the goals in the game, then discuss the game itself.

GOAL ONE: Tyler Johnson got the first goal, 5 minutes and change into the first period, despite Tampa being down 5 vs 3 on the PP. MSL coughed up the puck, and Tampa was to the races. It looked like Hank actually stopped the shot, but Marty's momentum of crashing into the net put the puck across. Goal was totally on MSL, and it was tough to see. I really root for the guy after his work in last year's playoff run. However, he's having a tough go of it in these playoffs. 1-0 TBL.

GOAL TWO: Chris Kreider scored off a Dan Boyle rebound, three minutes later. Remember the Rangers scored off a rebound here. 1-1

GOAL THREE: Tyler Johnson scored yet again, three minutes later after Kreider did, on a 4 vs 3 PP. Johnson slammed home a shot, top shelf on Lundqvist. I've seen Hank make that save before, but tonight wasn't his night. 2-1 TBL.

GOAL FOUR: Johnson got his hat-trick, 8 minutes into the second period, after a mad scramble in front of the net and a ton of pressure from Tampa. 3-1 TBL.

GOAL FIVE: With 6 minutes to go in the second, Derek Stepan gave the Rangers life, shooting behind the net and getting a deflection off of Coburn. Remember the Rangers scored off a deflection here. 3-2 TBL.

GOAL SIX:  Alex Killorn beats Lundqvist from the right circle, after 3 minutes expired into the third period. 4-2 TBL.

GOAL SEVEN: Stamkos deflects a shot into the net, on a PP, with 11 minutes and change left in the game 5-2 TBL.

GOAL EIGHT: TBL pours it on and gets the touchdown. Alex Killorn scores a PPG after a rebound. TBL finishes 3-6 on the PP. Final score, 6-2 TBL.

The Bishop Takes The King In Game 2

Ben Bishop, who finished with 35 saves on 37 shots, as opposed to Lundqvist's 20 saves on 26 shots, outplayed Hank in Game 2. I want to go back to the goal scoring.

Look at the Rangers two goals tonight. Look at the game winner from Saturday. Two deflections and a rebound. STOP OVERPASSING!!! SHOOT THE FUCKING PUCK!

Too many times in this game, when the Rangers weren't wiffing on pucks in front of them, they would overpass out of a 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 rush. At one point, Kevin Hayes had a clear path to the net, but decided to air mail the puck back to Lundqvist. Hagelin was guilty of overpassing himself out of a shot too. For all the shit that my good friend JEFFREY talks about Dan Boyle, Boyle will at least shoot the fucking puck, even if it does go 40 feet wide. (To Boyle's defense, his shots have been more accurate as of late.)

While the Rangers overpassing is a huge issue, it also tells you how great Bishop has been. Of course, another round, another series, another goalie that turns into Vezina against the Rangers. The only way the Rangers are getting goals is by finding rebounds and deflections. So maybe instead of passing around and looking for the perfect shot, they should get guys to screen Bishop and hope for deflections and rebounds?

When you look at the goals Hank gave up, he was really burnt three times. When you're the King, yadda, yadda, yadda, contract, yadda, yadda, yadda, he has to be better than this. He has been better this. You just hope it's all out of his system now.

Hanging with Mr. Cooper worked for TBL in Game 2

Give credit to Bolts Coach, Jon Cooper. His team looked like shit on Saturday, but it was a complete 180 here. He made the adjustments. TBL has had Hank's number all season. Why is that? Sure, they have a ton of firepower. What it really comes down to is TBL is just like the Rangers. They use speed, open ice and skill to win games. TBL capitalized on Ranger turnovers (Johnson's second goal happened after a rare Staal blunder.) TBL used their speed and had Hank out of position all game.

There was a stretch of time in the third period where  Lundqvist just looked absolutely LOST. To begin the period, his horrible passing and puck possession reared its ugly head again. He tossed a disgusting pass, which was quickly intercepted and somehow wasn't turned into a TBL goal. He was flopping in front of the net like a drunk bum who was rolled. He kept looking behind himself after every shot. His confidence was shot. He looked as helpless as that little jewish boy in that movie "Life is Beautiful."

Again, I'm not screaming for Talbot in Game 3, just surprised Hank wasn't put out of his misery when down 5-2 in the third.

Lundqvist signals two fingers, for Game 2, a Game he struggles badly with, as much as he's great in Game 7's

I'm sorry, you can't give up 6 goals and blame your team for it. When is Hank ever held accountable? Whether it's T-Shirt companies, bars, the Rangers themselves to sell tickets, places that sell Rangers merchandise, like say Modells or Dicks, commercial/ad agencies, whatever, it's good business for Hank to be hot. And he's been hot these whole playoffs. What I find funny, is how only a small percentage of the Rangers fanbase will call him out for bad games, but everyone pumps their chest out for him when he wins.

Listen, we all know how great Lundqvist was and is, but you won't lose your fan card for calling him out. I just wonder if it's because Ranger fans are trained not to talk bad about him, like it's taboo or blasphemy to speak the truth.

I mean Lundqvist means so much for the Rangers, not even for his play on the ice, but for the marketability off of it. He gets the most endorsement money. Has his own MSG TV show. Has his own clothing line in MSG. He's the Rangers number 1 jersey seller.

 I tried to ask the owner of WEBLEEDBLUE.com, who releases unofficial Ranger merchandise, (Mainly T-Shirts) if Lundqvist was their top seller, but they refused to comment,  jokingly saying Jed Ortmeyer was their top draw.

Bottom line, Lundqvist is good for business. For anyone who has a financial interest, it is key that Hank lives up to his "King" nickname, even if he doesn't have that Stanley Cup crown to make him regal. If Hank can get it done this year, just imagine the business everyone who has a vested interest in him, will do. So with all the Hank propaganda out there and Lundqvist always the face of everything, a certain group of the Ranger fanbase goes nuts, when people like me & others like me, have no problem for calling Lundqvist out on his bad games.

Nash is playing well, but he's being paid to score goals

Bottom line, was this game solely on Lundqvist? Absolutely not. Could've he played better? Yes. Should Talbot start game 3? No.

It is funny how Ranger fans were calling "SWEEP" after the Rangers won game 1 and how the same fans are saying "TB IN 5" after last night. This Rangers team can handle adversity & show great resolve, but when it comes to putting the foot on the neck of someone, it just doesn't happen. I thought Rangers in 6 at the start of this. I didn't expect a 6 goal outburst from Tampa.

So where do the Rangers go from here? You don't really forget Game 2. Let it be a reminder. Get mad. Get angry. Get pissed. Wake the fuck up. It seems that only Kreider, Stepan & Moore have that killer instinct right now.

Everyone else is ripping on Rick Nash & MSL right now. I'm not gonna throw gas on that fire, but yeah, Nash needs to score. He's not playing bad, he's just not playing to the level he's being paid at. MSL just looks old and you can see he loses his legs out there.

For some reason, Ranger fans were blaming the refs. Are you serious? If you are blaming the refs for this game (And there was 1-2 missed calls), you are nuts. Rangers had all the opportunity in the world.

Another thing to make note of are how teams are not required to disclose injury info. Who knows what's up with Zuccarello? Even before this game, TBL reporters were saying Boyle's bags were packed and he wouldn't play game 2. Of course he was out there practicing and played in game 2. Who knows what's going on with him too.

For Ranger fans, the world isn't coming down. This team never makes anything easy. Bring on Game 3. I trust in Coach AV to make the adjustments as well as Captain Ryan McD to rile up the troops.

See ya Wednesday night.

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter

How can you not root for this man?

Welcome everyone to another blog here, on DOINOW.com. As always, check out the right hand of the site for the archives, live tweets, search button and all those other goodies.

What a game, what a game, what a game.

I don't have to tell you. It's amazing the emotions these games spark in us. A game like this could've had us hanging our heads and furious over what could've been. Instead, due to a somewhat fluky goal, the Rangers won a game they should've won handily, and all is right in the world again.

In fact, this game inspired too many positive feelings in me, as I didn't get home till 11PM!  Leave it to Hockeytown, Nassau County, USA to celebrate a Rangers victory!

Just some of the crew at The Flying Puck of Long Island!

What a day. As we all know by now, this is never a cut & dry report, like a newspaper. I try to give you the blue collar perspective in these white collar ticket price times. I was looking for tickets for this game, but after gauging the market and seeing what they wound up (Cheapest ticket I could find was $210, in the obstructed view 400's) I decided to hit up Hockeytown, Nassau County, USA, "The Bold O'Donoghue's, in East Rockaway, NY. The bar had a good crowd for a Saturday afternoon. The Miller Lites were flowing just as much as the nerves through my veins.

The best part about the day, which turned into a night, was that due to hitting on the Preakness pool, my disgusting 11 hours of pounding Miller Lites and Jack Fire shots, was free. More importantly, the Rangers won Game 1 of the ECF. Talk about a hell of a day! That also explains why this blog is so late and why it won't be as long as usual!

On a side-note, if you like Fireball, try Jack Fire. It blows Fireball away. It won't give you diabetes and make your mouth pucker up after doing it!

Henrik Lundqvist, looking bougias as if he had tickets in the 100's section!

As you already know by now, the Rangers won Game 1, of the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1. For the Rangers, despite the score, another one goal difference, (15 1-goal playoff games in a row now), it was perhaps their most dominant game yet.

If you didn't see this game, and relying on me to be your eyes, let it be said, the Rangers kicked ass this game. It could've easily been a 6-1, 5-0, 4-1, type of game. The final stats will tell you that Lundqvist finished with 23 saves on 24 shots, while his counterpart, the impressive 6'7" Ben Bishop, finished with 28 saves on 30 shots. However, those stats don't tell the story.

The Rangers just whipped Tampa's ass. Ex-Ranger, and now Tampa center, Brian Boyle, missed the game with an undisclosed injury. Of course, the Rangers are missing Mats Zuccarello. However, losing Boyle turned to be big, as the Rangers held their own in the faceoff stat, winning 23 out of 53 faceoffs. For them, that's a miracle.

While Bishop finished with 28 saves, it doesn't account for all the times the Rangers either went wide with a shot, airmailed a shot, fucked up a pass on a two-on-one or three-on-one man advantage or Tampa's blocks. What seems norm in the playoffs, Nash missed several opportunities, while Martin St. Louis, the ex-captain of the TBL, wiffed on a shot, right in front of the net.

He's been horrible in the playoffs, but I'll never forget the run last year

As fans, the sexy story the media was trying to sell us was the Callahan/MSL trade. Who would make their opposing team pay? The answer, at least after watching game one, was no one. Gotta give Callahan a pass, as he just had an organ ripped out of his body 4 days ago, yet he's here playing. For MSL, while he gets in the right spot and is positioned well, he can not convert. As sure as I can slam home a Miller Lite, MSL is able to miss, wiff or mishandle a puck in front of an open net. The Rangers never make these games easy.

For the first forty minutes of the game, the Rangers just kicked Tampa's ass with a barrage of shots. I said this on twitter, as well as in my TBL/NYR preview blog with Johnny Fontana of Rawcharge.com and in a conversation with ex-Rangers goalie/MSG analyst, Stephen Valiquette - the Rangers momentum from their game 7 win over Washington could propel them in this series. Just look at last year. The Rangers were dead and buried, but came back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Penguins. After a huge game 7 win, the Rangers just steamrolled the Canadiens.

Here today, the Rangers just dominated the game. Tampa & Washington are night and day. Washington has so many bruisers, big hitters and such a physical game. However, TBL's make-up is more like the Rangers - fast, skilled and no edge, especially with Zucc out. You really have to wonder if the Washington series "toughened" the Rangers up, so to speak, as TBL just skated & glided in their two series with the Redwings & Canadiens. The TBL may have beaten two other Original 6 teams, but the Rangers weren't having it today.

Most of this game was contested in the open ice, whereas in the Washington series, the Caps tried to slow the Rangers down by keeping the puck near the boards. Both teams, in this ECF, are comfortable in the open ice. During these 3 ECF appearances in 4 years streak, the Rangers are favored when they play a team that plays like them, as opposed to playing a physical team that will bang and hit all game.

Overpaid? Perhaps. However, he's been amazing in these playoffs

I'm not going to rehash my whole deal with Lundqvist with you. I think he has a bad contract, in the salary cap era of the NHL, that is all. That said, he's been remarkable in the playoffs. You really have to wonder if Lundqvist taking a puck in the throat, was the best thing for the team.

Look at it this way, when Lundqvist went down, in turn, it gave him 25 games off. That's less wear and tear on him than every other goalie still alive in the playoffs. Without Talbot being lights out and setting all types of goalie records (And beating the teams Hank couldn't beat in the regular season, like for example, the Islanders or the Bruins) Hank didn't have to rush back.

We all know I'm the Talbot guy, as you can tell from these pictures:

Best thing in my collection!

A Presidential Jersey!

Yes, I know. It's amazing I turned this blog into another Talbot love-fest! However, people forget. It seems like ages ago that people were talking Lundqvist vs Talbot. However, if it wasn't for Talbot being remarkable, during his stretch as starter, due to Hank's injury, the Rangers wouldn't have won the President's Trophy. Hank would've had to rush back. With Talbot's play, Hank was able to take it easy and make a full recovery.

When Hank returned, towards the end of the regular season, and again, doesn't that feel so long ago, no one knew what to expect. All we know as Talbot played out of his skull, giving Hank the most perfect situation to walk into. Nearly two months later, Hank is the best goalie in the playoffs, statistically and is fresh. Like Coach AV said at the end of the regular season, due to Talbot's play, "The injury to Henry may be a blessing in disguise."

Henrik Lundqvist deserves to be the first star of the game, no question. Another one-goal game victory for him, where he turned down all comers, outside of a powerplay goal. However, this may have been the one game where the Rangers needed him the least, just because of how well the Rangers handled the pucks. Sure, Tampa had their flurries, but the Rangers were able to rebound, clear the puck, make hits, meet TBL at the blue line and break up passes.

The Rangers just kept clamping the pressure on TBL all night. For as good as Bishop was, the Rangers got in their own way a bit, by not converting on open looks, whether it was the bad passes, wide shots, etc. However, the Rangers just kicked Tampa's dick in for most of the game.

How big has Derek Stepan been?

Derek Stepan, in a contract year, a guy that the Rangers have to re-sign, in a no-brainer, came up huge once again. This guy has been a warrior in the playoff the last two years. How could anyone forget last year, when Stepan broke his freakin' jaw, yet still played and scored points?

After hitting the GWG, in Game 7 vs Washington (And boy, did Ovi catch that first flight back to Team Russia, real quick), Stepan got the first goal of the game, late in the second period.

For the Rangers, and Ranger fans, a huge sigh of relief was exhaled, because the Rangers were all over the Bolts. They just couldn't score.

Stephen Valiquette, in his "Quest for the Cup" preview, on MSG, basically called out the blueprint for this blue shirt goal. Deflect, screen and grab rebounds. After point blank shots, the Rangers mustered up a goal, with 12 seconds left in the first period. Talk about a huge momentum goal, to break up a scoreless game.

McDonagh got the puck to Kreider. Kreider slammed a shot that bounced off Bishop. Stepan was right there to collect the rebound and put it past Bishop. An All-American Goal! How can you not love that?

1-0 Rangers after the second period, 40 minutes of great hockey for our guys. With the way Lundqvist was playing, you kind of thought it would be enough.

Is this the year Lundqvist finally gets his crown & becomes the greatest goalie ever in NYR history?

Lundqvist, as usual in these playoffs, was amazing. There were times where you want to rip your ass hairs out watching him, especially when he's trying to block pucks with his helmet, making these terrible passes behind the net and just leaving the net in general. Sometimes, he makes the saves harder than they have to be, because he's so frantic and amped up out there. However, he made the saves when it mattered.

The lone goal to beat Lundqvist, was an Ondrej Palat powerplay goal, nearly 7 minutes into the third period. Palat got a cross ice pass from a Conn Smythe hopeful candidate (Lundqvist may have something to say about that), Tyler, and beat Lundqvist over his glove on the short side of the net. It's hard to call powerplay goals a bad goal on the goalie, yet it is something we've seen Hank stop a 1000 times before.

1-1, 13:00 left to go in the third. Asshole officially clenched and the feelings of pure joy were evaporating.

The Rangers, like usual, couldn't convert on powerplays. Luckily for them, outside of the Palat goal, neither could Tampa. I thought both powerplays looked good tonight, even if the Rangers didn't score on theirs. They actually won faceoffs and tested the goalie. Just because you don't score, doesn't mean a PP is bad.

Not his biggest goal (Game 6 in last year's ECF was) but the second biggest for D. Moore

How can you not love Dominic Moore? If you're a Rangers fan, he will forever be a hero for his Game 6 goal, a series clinching goal, against the Montreal Canadiens, in last year's ECF's. On & off the ice, he's one of the games classiest representatives. Not to create tears, or to invoke sympathy or make him a sob story, but what he went through with his wife several years ago, man - he's just a warrior. You would root for him anyway if he was on another team, but I'm glad he's on mine. Really, a pure class act and a hardworking hockey player. I am proud to root for him as a New York Ranger.

Moore, who's been the hero before in an ECF game, as I've mentioned, donned his Superman cape one more time, and scored the game winning goal today. For Moore, it wasn't pretty, and perhaps it was fluky, but who gives a fuck - he was in the right place by design and beat Bishop.

With 2:25 to go in the game, Kevin Hayes, who's been heating up as of late, tossed a pass from near the goal line, across ice and found Dom Moore. The puck bounced off Dom Moore's leg and into the net. While it didn't touch Moore's stick, it was obvious it wasn't a kicking motion. Good goal.

For the rest of the game, TBL tried to come on strong. The Rangers were able to make their clears. People won't believe this, after all the shit we gave him all season for not scoring, but Tanner Glass has been leaps and bounds better in the playoffs, than he was in the regular season. He's an AV guy and making AV look smart with each shift, when the shifts matter the most.

It is funny, the Rangers missed the empty net a few times, when Bishop was pulled with 67 seconds to go. It's like they wanted to win another one goal game. Hank made a few stops, when the stops were extremely needed.

Final score 2-1 Rangers. Rangers take game one in the series. 9 games won, 7 to go.

Nash has played well, but he's paid to score. Can he convert his good looks at the net into goals?

No game is a must-win game, until you've lost 3 games in a playoff series. The Rangers have proved that plenty, during the last two years. However, it is nice to take Game 1. After trailing Washington for most of that series, it's good to have a lead, as the Rangers won their fourth playoff game in a row.

I'm not the only one. You've probably read it or thought it yourself. We all thought or said, "The Rangers need to score to win games." Well, they haven't really been doing that, winning the majority of their games 2-1. This was the league's third best offense. Of course the playoffs are a different animal, but for the Rangers, they are doing a bang-up job with their defense.

When you really compare TBL vs NYR, you can say either team has a slight advantage or disadvantage in every category except one - defense. TBL can not match the Rangers D. I thought Coach AV did a great job with his match-ups, keeping his slower D-men, Boyle & Staal, away from Tampa's speedier guys. McDonagh & Giardi, who shut down Crosby, Backstrom, Ovi & Malkin, shut down Tampa here today. Yea, Lundqvist gets all the praise, but you can't forget about the army in front of him. The Rangers D has been pure gold in these playoffs.

It's been a long night for yours truly, so we'll wrap it up here. I'll be back Monday night with the Game 2 recap. If you haven't already, you can check my "Freezing of Ryan Callahan" (Who was a non-factor today) post, as well as the official Game 1 Post game news/notes. In addition, you can also check out my Point/Counterpoint Blog, with TBL reporter, Johnny Fontana, on the main page too.

HUGE WIN!

LET'S GO RANGERS!

9 DOWN, 7 TO GO

WE WANT THE CUP

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter

bolts point

The ECF, it's on!

The Eastern Conference Finals starts this Saturday, at 1PM in MSG. You can read my Capitals/Rangers Game 7 Recap, the official Rangers postgame news/notes & get the entire ECF schedule off the main page here on DOINOW.com.

Today I am joined by John Fontana (@johnny_fonts on twitter) of the Tampa Bay Lightning's RAWCHARGE.com website for a special Point/Counterpoint conversation, as Johnny & I preview the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals.

I took a lot away from my conversation with John and got a better understanding of the Bolts & what Bolt fans are thinking going into the ECF. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did participating in it.
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Sean McCaffrey: Welcome everyone to another Point-Counterpoint here on DOINOW.com. First I was joined by Joe DiLeo, who talked his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins. He predicted the Rangers to win that series in 4. He was right. I was joined after that by Rob Parker, of JapersRink.com to talk the Capitals. He predicted the Rangers to win in 6. He was off by a game. Now, I'm joined by John Fontana, the editor of RAWCHARGE.com, a site that covers the Tampa Bay Lightning.

John has been writing about the Lightning since 2004. Not the best season for hockey, but alas, he's been writing about the Bolts for 10+ years. John is just as passionate about the Bolts as I am the Rangers. Who better to discuss the Eastern Conference Finals with?

John first off, thank you for doing this. Your time is appreciated. Right off the bat, let's put you on the spot. Rangers vs Bolts, who's winning this series? What's your prediction?

John Fontana: Here's the thing: Tampa Bay swept the Rangers during the regular season, New York fans know this, but I like to make it a point that all playoff series start at 0. Nothing from the past is carted to this moment.
(Check this article out for more: http://www.rawcharge.com/2015/4/14/8412853/2015-nhl-playoffs-team-reputations-season-results-don-not-matter ) 

What we did against the Blueshirts this season means squat, and let's face it - that was November / December anyway. 

I know the Lightning can be tenacious, frenzied, swarming... I've also play too safe and reserved during the Canadiens series. I think it hinges on that - if Tampa Bay plays their game, we're moving on. If they play how they played in the Atlantic Division Finals all too often (and Henrik plays in net like he's capable) then the Rangers can very well take this series. 

SM: NBC is definitely cashing in on this series. Ranger ratings are the highest they ever been, here in NY.  Does Pierre drive you nuts too?

I was at every Bolts vs Blueshirts at the Garden this year, trust me, I remember those losses. The Bolts just abused Lundqvist.

What makes me nervous about this series is that ex-Rangers have been scoring on the Rangers all season. Callahan, Del Zotto & Richards are just a small amount of names that have Game Winning Goals against the Rangers this season. Now the Rangers play the Tampa Bay Rangers, with Stralman, Boyle and Callahan. I'd be lying to say I'm confident this is going to be an easy series. Then again, is any playoff series easy with the Rangers?

That said, before we start, I'm letting you know, I'm going Rangers in 6 before our conversation. Maybe you will make me change my prediction by the end of this conversation.

Before the playoffs started, the one team I worried about were your Bolts. The Rangers really matched up well against everyone else, on paper. One thing that has me biting my nails is the fact that the Rangers turn every goalie into the second coming of Patrick Roy. Fleury & Holtby just finished playing the best hockey of their lives. For people who don't know, what's the deal with Ben Bishop? We know he's a 6'7" monster. What can Ranger fans expect? Is Bishop capable of stealing this series for the Bolts?

Tampa has a pretty good goalie too

JF: Lets go back to what I said to start remarks -- about reset is applied here and that everything starts at zero.  Yeah, we smacked you guys around at the Garden, but we did worse to the Montreal Canadiens in the regular season. New York went oh-fer-three against TB?  Well, the Habs had a losing a finski against the Lightning; five time. Cinco. We started that series (as fans) thinking "Hey, it's Montreal! Ha Ha Ha Ha!"  The way the Lightning played that series kept Montreal in it. Outside of one blowout and one convincing defeat where both teams were playing full on, everything was a knifes edge and could have gone the other way.

That's why the Rangers shouldn't walk into this with fear reflecting on what happened way back when. Especially seeing we're starting this series with an afternoon game where the Bolts are horrible.  That being said.. if they play their game like you've seen them capable, Tampa Bay in 5.

Ben Bishop is the reason the Lightning series was kept on knife-edge with Montreal most of the time. He did get chased from game 4 (the flip side of back-to-back games). His season in general wasn't as strong as his first in Tampa Bay but he's capable of standing tall (figuratively; he's got that quite literally and I don't need to point it out)... He's also capable of letting in that gaffe/weak one.. or suffering bored-goalie syndrome and letting in shots when he's barely tested in a game (happened in round 1). 

Can he steal a game? Yes, but it won't be a shutout. He can keep Tampa Bay in a game that is close but it comes down to the team in front of him and what they're doing at the other end.

Who won the trade?

SM: Does your radio personality call out the fans for being too quiet, like Rangers radio analyst Dave Maloney did this series?  On that topic, what should Ranger fans expect from Bolt fans during the games in Tampa?

I still don't understand why TBL/MTL had a back-to-back scheduled. You would think it would be easy to just schedule games every other day. I think most teams struggle in the afternoon and it's not just the Bolts.

As of right now, Lundqvist leads all goalies in SV% and GAA. Second in those categories? Bishop. As you said earlier, it could be a chess match.

Let's hit the topic everyone will be talking about - the Callahan for MSL trade, the first ever captain-for-captain swap in NHL history. As a Rangers fan, I liked the trade. I thought the Rangers gave up too much, as I didn't think they needed to sacrifice the picks and could've made a straight swap. If it wasn't for MSL, the Rangers don't make the Stanley Cup last year. For that alone, I think the Rangers won that trade, as I don't know if that team with Callahan last year makes the Cup. However, if Callahan, this year, has a monster ECF and monster Cup Finals, then we can revisit that.

Callahan, Stralman & Brian Boyle will be cheered at the Garden, especially Callahan. What's the reaction to Martin St. Louis on your end? How are Tampa enjoying the ex-Rangers? Did you like the trade? Do you think you're better off with Cally than you were with MSL?


JF: I've never heard of Dave Mishkin taking fans to task about how loud or soft they are. That goes for his color analyst too... Phil Esposito. Point to make on Espo's radio involvement - he had been doing just home games for the Lightning during the regular season. I'm not sure if that's still the case for the playoffs.  I can tell you that Mishkin's over-the-top antics does draw the ire of rival fans and media.

As for in Tampa we're going to have to get away form fans here and remark about the arena experience. This'll irk some Ranger fans: the Lightning have required all ticket buyers be state residents. They've also implemented dress-code policies at two posh clubs in Amalie Arena where you cannot enter while dawning apparel (or brandishing items) with the opposition logo on it.

Don't get mad at me, I didn't come up with the policy. That's the franchise's move. I don't know the story behind it either, but that's been in place all playoffs. 

As for fans in Tampa: I've always known them to be a good bunch of people (from the opposition stnadpoint).  There's a fan group in the upper deck (sections 306 and 307) known as the Sticks of Fire Supporters Group who lead chants during games. They're not the Garden Faithful yet but they're growing.

What happened with the back-to-back games, I guess this event -- the Nitro BMX tour -- was locked in to it's performance date. What gets me and pisses me off is the fact they canceled! a TV production issue stopped the show from ever going on. I don't know what they required that made the NHL honor their event.

Marty... Marty... Marty... I'm still troubled by this. Let's take a sec and touch on a fact that Martin St. Louis started this whole ball rolling with a request. Not a demand but a request. One that Steve yzerman didn't have to honor by the deadline. Marty wanted one location and one alone with the Rangers so that limited market too. I never try to judge the trade from a traditional standpoint because the whole ordeal was not traditional. Especially because we (Lightning fans) didn't expect it from Marty. 

Glen Sather must have lit up when he heard St. Louis wanted out and New York as his destination; the Rangers did have the upper hand as they didn't have to give up squat for a player that had to be moved. In fact, Yzerman pulled this with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 when he obtained Simon Gagne for not much at all. But with what Marty offers (or offered in Tampa Bay when he was on his game) and what Ryan Callahan brings are so different and I think that's where extra compensation comes in. To ge the deal done, it requires a little more.  Mind you, Cally will be around longer, but St. Louis brings an element to the locker room that can raise everyone.

I'm still pissed off it happened.That's not on Callahan, Sather, the Rangers or Yzerman. It's on someone who was the standard-bearer for the franchise who got upset for still unclear reasons (though the Olympics and a changing locker room are the usual suspects). 

Back in November there was a very big deal made about Marty coming back to Tampa for the November 26th game. There's an element who cheered him, there's an element who booed him.  I like Callahan and how he's raised the penalty kill and responsible presence on ice for the Lightning... But that trade is painful in Lightning history. It was not something we sought or expected.

SM: It seems that the Rangers & the Lightning have had many familiar faces spend time in either organization, whether it's Richards, MSL, Espo or Torts.

I have friends who live in Tampa. I was debating about going down for game 4, but the flights were ridiculous, money wise. However, I'm aware of Tampa's policies with the tickets. I'm surprised some lawyer hasn't went after them for that. Perhaps if the clubs didn't have an "All-You-Can-Drink" special, you wouldn't have to worry about what people are wearing. I'm just surprised, legally, they can get away discriminating against NHL customers.

I am glad to hear about a growing fanbase. Tampa is one of my favorite cities to visit. The times I've seen a Bolts home game, I had a good time and always found everyone fun to be around, even with some light razzing at the bars before the game.

For the reasons you stated, that's why I figured the Rangers could do a straight swap for him. Yzerman had to make a deal and wasn't going to get a better deal elsewhere. Even now, with MSL's productivity falling tremendously from last year, I still think he will be back here, since he will play for the veterans minimum.

Callahan just had his appendix removed and is already practicing on the ice. There is no doubt in my mind he will be looking to have a huge series. There is no doubt in my mind that Callahan will be playing the best hockey he's ever played in this series. The fans love him, but he has a chip on his shoulder with management. I'm hoping MSL will fire up the same way, although I suspect Cally is more made at the Rangers than MSL is at the Bolts.

Callahan coming back faster than Mats Zuccarello returning (if he comes back at all) is a bit nerve wracking. The Rangers, while a great team, miss Zuccarello's energy out on the ice.

Two defensemen that have played for both teams are Dan Boyle & Anton Stralman. I will never understand for the life of me, why Sather wouldn't give Stralman the $4.5 million a year, but gave it to Dan Boyle. Stralman is playing great like usual. Brian Boyle got crazy money to go to Tampa and the Rangers are in cap hell, how do you feel with him?

And while answering my barrage of questions, how about this one too: on a poll conducted on your site, 72% of TBL fans wanted to play the Rangers over the Caps. Is it all because TBL went 3-0 in the regular season?

Be careful what you wish for Bolt fans!

JF: The two organizations do share ties -- I mean, Espo birthed the Lightning after all.  The Rangers have that ability to bring in players who have been excellent elsewhere (Dan Boyle is on that list... Dom Moore started in New York but played here too, Matt Gilroy played D on both our bluelines).

Other teams have pulled the "must be a state resident to acquire tickets" policy -- Nashville among others.The dress policy pertaining to clubs can get by -- clubs have dress codes. I couldn't walk into most 5-star restaurants in Manhattan while just wearing sandals, shorts and a tank top, right? I couldn't win a legal battle claiming discrimination.  The residence fight, though? I think there's a legal debate to have that could hit the NHL in general, not specific teams (because the NHL doesn't stop the policy).

I didn't flesh out something full on the Marty-ally deal when I invoked Glen Sather. Yzerman was going to have to make the deal but nothing said he had to do it at the deadline. That's where Yzerman both gets credit and Sather should take a degree of blame for what he gave up - Glen wanted St. Louis, probably for what you cited with leadership as well as what he was capable of.. And he wanted him now.  Nix the urgency from the buyers end, Yzerman could have just waited until both clubs were out of the playoffs. Glen wanted it done and paid the price to get it done.

I also want to rehash one word -- request. It was never stated as a demand to be dealt.  Yzerman didn't want to keep him around. Yzerman did have to move if he wanted Callahan. He probably would have gotten even less if he tried something in the off-season. Getting more, though, is on Slats.

I expected Marty to have the same kind of monster games against Tampa Bay (during the regular season) as you expect Cally to have now.  Not because of untapped emotion or the bone to pick alone... It's what I saw him do for so many seasons with the Lightning. While Cally practiced (light skate, regular jersey) on Thursday, I do have a degree of doubt he'll be in game 1; the Lightning have the depth to cover for his absence.  If he's still impaired, eh won't go.  If he's ready... Look out.

In team history, we loved Dan boy and he got shafted -- forced out by new ownership because Len Barrie (par towner) played with Dan and hated his guts. That being said, there's no comparison between Dan and Stralman. From rumors I heard, stuff from Anton himself, the club didn't even reach out to him about a new deal? They just let him walk?  Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot?  He's played Norris Trophy worthy hockey (stable, contributing on offense if not via goals).

Brian Boyle is another one. While he's playing bottom-six roles, he's a "I can do it everywhere" type of guy in the lineup. He's played top-6 on Steven Stamkos' wing, power play time, penalty kill time, center, wing, great on the PK. We traded a fan-favorite bottom-6 guy in Nate Thompson to clear space for Brian and I'm just fien with it with how Boyle's fit in.

SM: I think it's a matter of time before some lawyer looking to make a name for himself takes up the cause. You just expect it.

I agree, I blame Sather for giving up too much. Then again, if Rangers beat the Kings last year, it wouldn't matter what they gave up.

MSL has been slow these playoffs and hasn't looked the same. He's been somewhat a shell of his former self. I love Marty and glad he's here, but he's had so many near chances that he normally converted in the past. Hopefully he does spark up for the Bolts.

The Stralman exit drives me insane. For what he got in Tampa, he could've stayed here. I have no clue why Sather thought Dan Boyle was better for this team than Stralman. Boyle has been a bust for the Rangers this year, despite the Game Winning Goal in Game 6.

Brian Boyle seems to always play better in the playoffs than the regular season. Rangers know that and will hopefully be ready.

Tell me about the Triplet line and talk about the awesomeness of Johnson. Can the Rangers top D-men, in Girardi & McDonagh slow him down? Also, why do you think your readers wanted the Rangers over the Capitals in this round?

Tyler Johnson leads the Triplet Line for TB

JF: To  touch on Stralman, who got the contract extension on D during the season? I remember the media lighting up on Twitter and citing the Stralman exit. "They kept him but left Anton walk. Note that, people."  

I hate the nickname "Triplets" that head coach Jon Cooper labeled his second line of Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov in October.  The local media latch on to it and repeated it. I could never stand it.  I tend to call them the "TKO Trio" but that has never gone far and wide. They are an offensive knock-out though.  

The line starts with the tandem of Palat and Johnson (left wing and center) who have been playing together since 2011-12 in the AHL and have been producing. It's the chemistry element that has just been working for years. Nikita Kucherov is on the right wing and while he comes off like a throw-in element in how I'm presenting this, he's the sniper, the still-developing beat of the three.  The line made a name for itself because of Kucherov adjsusting to North America (he didn't know much or any English when he joined the Lightning in November 2013).

Palat and Johnson have also been under Cooper's guidance since 2011-12 in the AHL, that's part of why that line is such a factor in his games.

All three can get you, all three are known to feed the others. Some teams do a great job limiting one or another and yet it's the other two who click just fine and light the lamp.  Girardi and McDonagh are going to have to deal with speed with Johnson, versatility from Palat, and just a total package of awesome from Kucherov (who proably would have been a 1st round draft choice in 2011 if he wasn't Russian).

The poll results might be inspired by the regular-season record for Tampa Bay over the Rangers, it might come down to how well Lightning fans feel they match up with the Rangers.  That's the argument I've heard most often - Tampa Bay being better or just more evenly matched.  Tampa Bay didn't win the Presidents' Trophy though... Just sayin'. 

SM: The Rangers re-signed Marc Staal last year, and have also nailed down Girardi & McDonagh to long-term deals.

Johnson is playing like he wants that Conn Smythe award.

As we wind it down a bit, let's look at the star power on both teams. On one side, you have the great Steven Stamkos, who once played under the watchful eye of MSL. Stamkos won't be Ovi, but he's player that can make you say "OOOOOOH" and cringe a bit when he winds up to shoot. On the flip-side you have Rick Nash, who is not playing bad, but not scoring the way you think he should be. Nash has even been compared to "A-Rod" for not coming up big in in the playoffs. Nash looked great in Games 6 & 7, even scoring a rare goal in Game 6, before being stoned by Holtby 6 times in Game 7. Can Nash turn it around and get open looks against this Tampa defense?

I believe the Rangers defense, who have been playing phenomenally all playoffs, will be able to give the Rangers an advantage this series. Can Tampa gruel and grind out 1 goal games?  

MSL & Stamkos were good friends on and off the ice.

JF: John sort of went quiet late in the series after roaring at other point against Montreal. He has been playing Conn Smythe worthy hockey.  Kucherov hasn't been that distant from him (Johnson has 8 goals and 4 assists while Kuch is 2nd on the Lightning with 6 goals and 5 assists)

Stamkos hasn't been himself in the playoffs either. There were spans without a goal, then a stretch without even a shot. I think, regarding Stamkos and Nash, there could be underlying issues like an injury that either or both players could be playing through. Stammer does have 3 more points than Nash (3 goals, 7 assists as to 2 goals, 5 assists) in one less game played. Either guy turning it on goal-scoring wise is nice, but enabling their linemates is another thing. Stamkos has gotten production from Alex Killorn on his left side (while Ryan Callahan, on the right, has been mostly quiet in the playoffs with only 3 assists).  Have the guys playing with Rick looked the part, especially in the latter games you cited where he's looked better?

As for the gruel/grind out 1 goal games, 3 of the 6 games in the Montreal series were just that -- 2-1 affairs where the Lightning went (ta da!) 2-1.  2 out of the seven games against Detroit in the first round were 1-goal affairs with those games being split even.

Really, they can play those tight games, but as they generally go the results are a coin-flip. 

 

SM: Depending on how it shakes out, Johnson is right there in the Conn Smythe running.

In the case of Nash, he's getting good looks, taking his shots, but Holtby was amazing. Nash's line mates have been playing well, they just aren't scoring like they should. I'm wondering if Coach Vigneault, who has a good relationship with Detroit's Mike Babock will get any advice from him for this series. After all, it was Babock who suggested to AV to put Nash on the penalty kill last year (That's what Babock wanted to do with Nash in the Olympics) and it worked. Detroit looked pretty damn close to eliminating TB in the first round (That Game 5, ouch) so perhaps it wouldn't hurt AV to put in a call!

With the Rangers & Lightning not really being that physical and both playing one goal games, I'm expecting more of the same in this Eastern Conference Finals.

For the Rangers, the greatest strengths in the team are their resolve. This is a team that came back from 3-1, in consecutive years, in the second round. They've been to 3 ECF in three out of the last four years. They know how to win big games. The defense is strong. The goalie is great. The PK is amazing. The Rangers are weak with their PP, winning faceoffs and always overpass the puck, looking for the perfect shot, rather than just shooting.

Heading into this series, what are the strengths and weaknesses of The Bolts?

If Rick Nash could put it altogether, the Rangers will win the Cup

JF: "Alain, I know I should be professional and help a friend out but I'll tell you what... Get me sound advice on where I should coach and I'll give you some information on getting Jon Cooper's team to crack.  C'mon, fair trade..."

Before I get to the Lightning's strengths/weaknesses, I do want to remark that the pass-first thing was a constant and troubling issue with the Lightning while #26 paraded with the team here in TB. While I can't claim he brought the issue with him, it's just an odd coincidence I had to remark on.

The biggest weakness of the Lightning has been their power play unit. This goes back to the regular season; things were just much too weak for a team as potent as the Bolts on offense. The PK is sound, solid and a plus for the Lightning, their speed kills. 

 

One obstruction is not being able to carry the puck into the zone efficiently, that'll be something to look out for from the Rangers - stopping it, or never letting it start. The speed aspect does make dump-and-chase a tactic used but eh... Stamkos has never been known for great faceoff play, keep an eye on Vtteri Filppula on the offense though (he's also played with Stamkos, centering him, recently)

The Bolts have a frenzied offensive attack when they're on, swarming and dumping pressure down their opponents throat. They've had shooting issues like you cited for the Rangers but obviously from the results (for both teams) they've overcome them.  

 

SM: That sounds like a good trade to me!

Marty is far from the only person who overpasses on the team. Brassard, Stepan, Zuccarello, Boyle, Yandle, Hagelin, they all do it.

It seems like we got a great series starting on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it and reading your coverage, from your angle, before/after these games.

Is there anything else you would like to say about this series or plug anything to the DOINOW.com readers?

And lastly, are you ready to make a firm prediction on this series?

 

JF: Well, I didn't expect Marty to be doing it alone but telling guys to look for certain aspects before taking a shot... Who knows where the over-pass habit comes form? 

I think I've pestered your readers enough here with my long winded rhetoric. I do hope for a great series without garbage getting in the way and taking focus off the games themselves.  They're two sound clubs; I want to see a classic match, not a fodder-for the-tabloids series.

The most solid aspect (prediction) I'll make is that i don't think this series goes 7 games. Both teams have dug holes and escaped them in the 2015 playoffs.  This time around... Someone is not going to be so lucky to dig out of it.

SM: Thank you so much for your time today John, it is appreciated and I got a better understanding of your Bolts. Let's hope for a clean series and I'd be remiss if I didn't say it here.....

LET'S GO RANGERS

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on the twitter machine.