All fans get on their teams but some of the over the top nonsense is ridiculous. It’s a great game two of the ECF and suddenly the coach and everybody sucks. When you get to the final four it’s theoretically the best of the best. Some of us have said. Who do you think they’re playing out there?
Well put. These games are best on best. The Panthers are a very good team, and it will be a tight, low scoring, long series. The Canes were also a very good team, and we beat them. We have not won the Cup, which is obviously the goal and by far most important thing, but we have now been in 5 ECFs in 13 seasons dating back to 2012, that is pretty darn good. It isn't amazing considering we haven't won the Cup and are 1-3 in the ECF since 2012 (this season TBD), but it is pretty darn good as stated. I get the emotion, especially in game, but it is funny reading this board in game as everybody sucks post after post as Mess wrote. No judgement at all as emotion rules the moment as stated, but it is funny none the less. Through two games of this series, I think the Rangers have done a solid job overall. They didn't have their A game or high compete level in game 1, but it was still a close game, and we did have more high danger chances and a better expected goal total, so there was some good. In game 2 we played well, and overall, I think had the edge over Florida. Now we go to Florida, where I expect the Rangers to play well as I believe in these big games, they actually play better on the road sometimes. I expect two low scoring close games, and if I were going to put money on it, I'd expect 2-2 back to NY. As I wrote last night, I would love to see the Rangers win game 3 just to put some real pressure on the Panthers and see how they react in game 4, but it won't be easy, I am sure the Florida crowd will be fired up big in game 3, and we have to overcome that emotion especially early. There is some great hockey being played, with 4 quality teams including the WCF, and the Rangers have as good a chance as any of the 4 to win the Cup. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if any of the 4 teams won it, that is how close I think it is. There is no clear favorite IMO, and that adds even more excitement to it. So, I say enjoy the ride, and we can complain afterwards....
Sounds like Vesey is done for at least this series, if not the rest of the playoffs if we move on: Vesey “week to week” with upper body issue, per Laviolette. Peter Laviolette says Jimmy Vesey is week to week with an upper-body injury. No. 26 did not make the trip. No indication of who will come in for Vesey. Wheeler is cleared to play, as we knew. I am not going to sit here and go over the top about the impact of his loss, but he had his role, and played on the PK, and was a responsible and trusted defensive player for Lav. The good thing is we have depth, and Lav has options. My guess is Wheeler steps in and plays on the 4th line with Rempe and Goodrow. I think it is more likely to be Wheeler than Kakko because it is a 4th line spot, and that is not a good place for Kakko. Maybe Wheeler's size (6'5" 220 lbs.) and experience can be helpful, and he can move up if needed in a pinch. He was on pace to score 13 or 14 goals over an 82-game season. In his playoff career, Wheeler has 45 points (10 goals) in 65 games, including 6 points in 5 games for the Jets in the playoffs just last season. I am kind of looking forward to seeing what Wheeler can do. I also wonder who replaces Vesey on the PK.
