The blog is for Rangers' fans but apply to all. With the Cup Finals starting Monday, do you have a preference or even care who is playing? Is your view jaded by your normal fandom and rooting interest?

In 2014, New York lost to Los Angeles in the finals. It was cut and dried, since New York reached the finals and lost, despite having leads in several games, which still annoys (substitute any word you like) and angers the Blueshirt faithful. In 2015, the Rangers fell in seven to Tampa, despite the belief by many of us that they were the better team. Were you rooting for the Lightning to defeat Chicago? Does losing to the ultimate Cup winner matter it all? Would it have made the loss any more palatable if Tampa had won the title, that way the fans can say we lost to the league best?

Last year, the Rangers were blitzed by Pittsburgh. We all knew we lost to the better team, which they proved in the run to the Cup. It didn't make me feel any better but maybe some had that thought and belief. Saying you lost to the best possibly removes some of the sting in losing if you can say you were defeated by the champs.

This season, New York should have beaten Ottawa, leading late in two games. But the Senators found a way to win and gained lots of supporters with their play against Pittsburgh. Does it provide any salve to the wound seeing how the Senators fared against the Penguins? Would it be even better if they beat Pittsburgh and.or beat Nashville? To me, no, but others, though likely not many who read me, may have a differing view.

Now the finals. Have the new media darlings, the Predators, captured your interest? Will you watch at all, knowing your team is out of it? Do you care if the team that beat the squad who defeated the Rangers wins? Is your dislike for the yellow and black so robust that regardless of who faced them, you would root for that team? But because it's the Predators, your rooting interest is greater?

Let me know your thoughts....

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