I don't think there's any way you can view us a "clear" favorite. Favorite, probably, but not by much.
Pens in 5. Columbus was a very good team and Pitt asswhipped them. I honestly thought the only team who could beat Pitt was Chicago. If the Rangers met up with them they would have to take almost no penalties every game and either Crosby or Kessel would have to get hurt.
I am not saying what I think, I am telling you 10 of 11 people on ESPN picked us, and 9 of the 10 in 5 or 6 games. I saw two people on NHL network and they picked us also. Expert pick wise we are a clear favorite.
I was not nearly as high on CBJ as you, but they were impressive. Real torn on that one as mentioned. I think it could go either way. From a Rangers POV, not sure which team I rather play, maybe the Caps.
Right, I know that's not you, I meant that in the people picking, but the "experts" seem to be underselling Ottawa a little bit.
On NHL.com, 17 picked the Rangers, only 4 picked the Sens. 17 Caps/4 Pens - surprised by this one 19 Preds/2 Blues - wow 16 Ducks/5 Oilers So once again we are a clear favorite in this series based on the "expert" picks. 27 Rangers and 5 Sens between ESPN.com and NHL.com. Wow. And keep in mind in the 1st round most picked Montreal, especially on NHL.com. ESPN.com was a closer spilt with an edge to Montreal.
Get ready to listen to terrible announcers. Just looked on the NBCSN website, and games 1 & 2 we have John Forslund and Brian Boucher. Game 3 we have Dave Strader and Pierre McGuire. And game 4 we get Kenny Albert and Pierre McGuire. Awful stuff until we get Albert in game 4. We get the worst of it. My guess is they didn't want to give us too much Albert and Micheletti because it might be considered unfair to Sens fans? Doc, Eddie, and Pierre do every Pens/Caps game, which I am fine with, but why do we get Forslund and Boucher. Give us Albert and anyone. Micheletti is doing every game of the Oilers/Ducks series. I really hope someday we go back to local broadcasts in addition to the National broadcasts as they do in round 1. Doubtful though due to money.
I've been thinking about game 1 tonight, and I think it is an important game. Of course there is no win or lose the series in game 1, but if the Rangers get it with everyone picking us and after beating Montreal, I do think this could be a quick series. As always the main objective is get one and come back home tied 1-1, I would take that now, but if we can go up there and take game 1 right out of the gate, I really think it puts us in a great spot to win this series and maybe do it without too much heartache. If we lose game 1 I think we should count on a 6 or 7 game series for sure.
