I voted Isles for some of the reasons we discussed yesterday. Worse D and worse goalie as the main reasons. Isles have a little more forward depth and that "4th line" that crushes other teams, but I think the Caps D and goalie edge are greater than the Isles forward depth edge. Both series would be very tough and physical as they each play a similar style. An Isles series would also be more fun with that rivalry involved. If the Isles were the Flyers with the same team I think most would prefer to play the Isles, but the rivalry and the extra juice the Isles get because of it makes some people pause, and I get that for sure. The Isles are also so beat up. Sure their dmen, or some of them, could be back, but who knows really. For those reasons I voted Isles, but truth be told I think both potential series would be pretty similar anyway, so not sure it makes much of a difference which team we get in round 2.
I voted Isles for simple reason that, on paper, we are much better than them. Their defense and goaltending are suspect, especially with all the injuries. The Caps will be a much tougher matchup. Yes, the Isles bring that rivalry factor, but look at it like this. During the regular season, every time they played us they played it like a playoff game. But once it got deeper into the season and we really focused and dug in, we beat them. I'm not worried about the rivalry giving them extra motivation. This is the playoffs. If you need extra motivation, then you're in the wrong line of work.
What scares me about playing the isles is the rangers will be big favorites in the series. Can they handle the pressure again against a lesser opponent with tons of injuries on D?
I would agree if the Rangers play their game they should beat either team, especially with them going 7 and us 5. At days end I rather play the Isles, and will "root" for them tomorrow night. 94 makes a really good point about us winning the Isle games as they got bigger AND yeah the rivalry is big, but this is the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs, we better be just as up as the Isles would be, so the rivalry edge for them shouldn't be as great.
I'll add another comment. If the Wings beat the Bolts I think the 2nd round series against the Isles/Caps will be tougher than the potential ECF against the Wings/Habs. The Wings are a great story, but aren't loaded with talent and don't really play a physical game (how good are Babcock and Zet and Dat). And the Habs have 5 or 6 players on the team that are real good and dangerous (Pac, Gally, Subban, Galch, Plek), but that team is 75% Price IMO. I am sure he would be great, but we are so much deeper than them, and I don't love their 4th line or their 3rd D pair, and I just don't see them scoring much against us.
The Rangers are a much better team than the islanders in every part of the game. Rangers in 4 or 5 if they verse the isles
There is 0% chance we sweep the Icelanders. Either team will take 6 games. I prefer islanders because of everything everyone has said, inexperience and lack of d depth.... But... Still scary to have to deal with an emotional team that they would be going up against bug brother trying to prove themselves to get respected more.
I might say 6 against the Isles and 7 against the Caps, but who the F really knows. Either way it would be a longer physical series. Biggest thing to root for is a very physical pounding game tonight so the winner is a little tired into game 1 Wed or Thurs at MSG.
WOW. Forget about the emotions of who the Rangers play. Any team that makes it into the playoffs deserves to be there. Whether it's the Isles or the Caps, it will be a tough series.
Idc if the Rangers are win in 4 or 7. But I don't see the isles as this big bad team. Jets had 99 points got swept. So I don't think points have much to do with it Chuck Lundqvist
Isles are the easier matchup imo, based on what's been mentioned, especially the difference in net. I'll still prefer the Caps because honestly, the Rangers should beat either team. That and I'm not sure how many more times I can handle hearing people call the Coliseum The Old Barn. That place i more like the Old Outhouse.
I don't think the Rangers would lose to them either, although if Zucc is out that is a big loss. I don't see any shot we sweep them though. The Isles are a good team, and that will be a tough series. Either series would be tough, Isles or Caps. I do think we should beat either though, but 6 or 7 games would be my guess.
I'm on board with u, just hope they can have an easy series. Philly got swept after going 7 in the first round in 2011 and probably a few other teams. We'll see. Either team can be beaten
