Last year 2nd round vs Pens Rangers won 1st game in OT and then proceeded to score 2 goals in the next 3 games to fall behind 3-1 I also recall multiple threads about offseason changes prior to game 5 as the offense was horrible scoring 5 goals in 4 games including an OT period. This series isn't over. I think they win Friday and bust out a little on Holtby. Save the offseason talk for the offseason.
It's a lot different. The team rallied around St. Louis last year and the Pens have been dysfunctional for years. That isn't the case this year.
Last year they had a great line with Brassard-Zucc-Pouliot and a great 4th line. This year they don't have jack.
When teams are down 3-1 I don't think about coming back until they win game 5. Once it is 3-2 you think about it. I don't have a strong feeling either way about game 5. I can see us winning it, but I can also see us losing it. Two things I feel strongly about though. 1. If we win tonight the Caps will play game 6 like game 7. They know that would be a must win for them. 2. If we get to game 7 we'd win it. My call right now is Caps win it in 6. I think the Rangers will find a way tonight. But I haven't seen this team be able to score enough to win games 5 & 6 and setup a great game 7.
Funny that Brooks has an article today about moving MSL down, something I said BEFORE game 1. If I see him on the line with Brass and Nash tonight that is strike 1 against AV before the game even starts. MSL needs to be back down with Hags and Hayes. Moore needs to be back down to the 4th line. And MSL also needs to be off the 1st PP unit in favor of Nash. And unless Yandle is hurt I would have him out there as well and Boyle bumped down to the 2nd PP unit with McD. So right from the start if MSL is still on the top line I will be angry. Enough is enough. He is a great guy, but wins ZERO board battles and isn't doing anything to help keep the puck in and moving for that line. Miller will do it.
I'll make one other quick comment. Rangers better win tonight. I know at the end of the day if you lose in 5 or 6 it is still a 2nd round exit, but if this team goes out at home weakly in 5 games that is sad. They better at least force a must win all the pressure on the Caps game 6 on Sunday night (much like Montreal did to us last season). If they don't that will be a very sad ending to the season, and make the season even more of a waste than a loss in game 6 would make it. Rangers need to at least force a game 6...
A series can change in 1 game though dump. It looks bleak now but nobody gave them a shot last year down 3-1 and having to win TWO games in Pitt to win series. Bottom line is this: This team didn't accidently have the best record in the NHL. They win tonight and there is a good chance the winner of G6 wins series. Just saying let it play out before we overhaul the roster. Many said the same thing after G4 last year and this that same team would have won the cup if they got some bounces vs the Kings.
I think the Caps are better than the Pens were last season AND we had the MSL mother factor as well...those are negatives against coming back. On the flip side we'd only need to win one road game this year as opposed to two road wins needed to beat the Pens as Dis mentioned. It is very close to last season, but you look at all the numbers, and you realize you don't make a living coming back from 3-1 down. You could argue winning the Pitt series was closer to a fluke than being some bigger sign based on %'s of teams down 3-1 losing the series. With that ALL said...just win game 5 and then we'll talk. No one should be focused on anything outside of game 5 and trying to win that game and force the Caps into a high pressure virtual must win game 6.
Yup. Should only be focused on Game 5. That includes talking about trade proposals and free agent signings Rangers win or lose are going to play well tonight. The core of this team is very resilient and play their best hockey in elimination games.
Yes, now that we are in game day mode, time to focus on game 5 fully. Win and force the Caps into a high pressure game 6.
Hank in last 8 elimination games at MSG 8-0 .966 Sv pct .99 GAA This will go back to Wash 4-1 F tonight
I think the NYR win tonight as well. I wouldn't bet my house, but I think they find a way. Game 6...not as confident, but let's see how tonight goes first before we worry about that.
