Memo to Panarin. Stop taking fucking stupid penalties and making idiotic passes leading to turnovers. Memo to Miller. Stop turning the puck over period and learn when to pinch. Memo to Kane. Actually try to get the puck out along the boards in your own zone instead of skating away from it.
Why stop with just those three...there are plenty of others who have to tweak a thing or two on their games....Zibanejad, be more selfish. Mikkola, stay out of the penalty box. Lindgren, please avoid these random/freak plays that result in getting injured (ie. blocking shots with your face). Fox, see Zibanejad.
Kreider, stop gliding around most of the time and actually body check and hit consistently because you’re a power forward. Kakko, stop dancing and prancing around with the puck too much and use your shot.
I know we focus inwards only, but there are two teams out there busting their butts and laying it on the line to win at all costs. Players are going to make mistakes, that's just reality. To me as a team if we have the right mindset - North-South, shoot the puck, limit costly turnovers - we'll be in a good spot to beat the Devs. That's all you can ask for.
The price of playoff tickets at MSG are fucking obscene. Feel like dropping $380? Have fun watching from a partially obstructed-view seat. Even at the Prudential Center you're looking at $250 per seat for an upper-bowl, corner section seat.
If you do spend the money, go to the Rock so we have more fans in their building. You know MSG will be filled with Ranger fans, I'd love to see 30% Ranger fans in NJ also.
Mark Messier predicted Rangers winning the cup this year...feeling great that The Captain is expecting us to win it all!
Pretty sure he picks the Rangers every year they make the playoffs. And even occasionally when they don't.
This series isn't complicated. Devs are good.....and fast. But they are not physical. Their Dmen are not small but they don't play playoff style. The Devs don't have much experience outside of Palat who has been terrible but he concerns me as he is a bit like Kane with a great postseason track record. Vanecek was good this year but he has 3 playoff starts in his career (and gave up 8 goals on 55 shots). This is Igors series. 1. Take away space. Do not let them break out and they will win this series. If they try to play the Devs fast style I think the Rangers will lose. 2. Lindgren and Trouba need to pound their forwards and slow down NJ and remind them what playoff hockey is about. 3. Need the kid line to draw penalties. Rangers PP could be the difference. I also think we see a new gear from Kane. Also, Tarasenko is the finisher we didn't have last year (I am still reliving Strome missing a wide open net vs Tampa G5 last ECF) I think last year's ECF run will really help NYR in this series. It won't be easy but I think Rangers in 6.
Hope I'm wrong but Devils in 5. The third in the league in goals against stat is laughable. This team has given up odd man rushes and glorious scoring chances, consistently all season long. The more I think about it, this is a terrible matchup for the Rangers. The Devils have a lot of finishers. Panarin and Miller have consistently been idiots with turning over the puck. Honestly, the only chance I give the Rangers is if Trouba lays out Hughes or Hischier with a big hit and they miss considerable time. Other than that, I don't see the Rangers winning this and Gallant most likely will be fired. Carolina has few finishers which is why the Rangers play well against them. That is not the case in this series.
Devils in 5, expected from Mr. Titanic. How did the Pens do finishing ahead of the Rangers. The Rangers may lose the series, but it will not be in 5 games. This will be a 6 or 7 game series either way IMO.
I would say the common theme pretty much watching every Rangers game this year would be they're sloppy. Either sloppy all game. In one period. Early or late in periods. Sloppy. That isn't going to cut it vs. the Devils. I haven't seen the Rangers hit Hughes in any game this year. Either they can't catch him or they haven't made an effort to do it.
If the Rangers up their game to playoff intensity they will win. If they pull the sluggish start crap they will end up in a big hole.
I totally agree they need to play smart. The way they lose this series is careless turnovers in their own zone or in neutral ice. No team will ever be perfect, but they need to limit those mistakes. I think it is really one of the only ways they lose the series. If they take care of the puck at a good rate, I think they'll be fine.
I really cannot disagree with anything she wrote - I do think we have the edge in goal, on D, coaching, and special teams, and we are pretty even upfront. Now some are really close, but I would slight edge us on D and special teams, and solid edge us in goal and at coach. https://nypost.com/2023/04/18/rangers-vs-devils-preview-matchups-prediction-for-rivalry-series/
