And, another thing, sometimes a good ass whipping is good for you in sports.
- Pete V

it will be easy to move on if Stepan isn't out long, if he is, this one is gonna last awhile

Ok. We'll give it you. Ive been there. Far more often than you have for the last twenty years . Next game I very well may be in this same situation amd I expect you to give me the same deal
- Cptmjl

Deal. I just don't know who on the Rangers current roster would fill that role, but I'm sure you could think of someone.

I have to tell you, one thing i was shocked about last night was the Isles team defense. I know you guys have the horses upfront, and fixed some of the issues on the back end with Boychuck & Leddy, but the forwards coming back and helping out was impressive.

I definitely see your side of it, but I honestly didn't think it was an issue at all. Ducks, Sharks, Kings are all considered big physical teams and I thought the Rangers speed was more important than being overly physical. I think the most important thing right now is faceoffs. That has got this team in a lot more dicey situations than not being physical enough. Imo
- mdw7413

3 games during the regular season is much different than 4 playoff series.

I just hope it doesn't happen in round 1. Why I hate this new playoff format.
- TPC

My prediction, the Rangers finish with the wild card spot, go through Tampa and Montreal on the other side, and the Islanders and Rangers play in the Conference finals.

My prediction, the Rangers finish with the wild card spot, go through Tampa and Montreal on the other side, and the Islanders and Rangers play in the Conference finals.

- Pete V

That would be fun.

My prediction, the Rangers finish with the wild card spot, go through Tampa and Montreal on the other side, and the Islanders and Rangers play in the Conference finals.

- Pete V

I could see this happening. But I don't know, I just think the Caps will fall down a bit eventually. Holtby is playing basically every game for them right now.

3 games during the regular season is much different than 4 playoff series.
- nyrangers9479

I understand that. If you asked me right now though what would make this team better, more physical, or better on faceoffs, I'm going to have to go with better on faceoffs. Who knows, that's just my opinion.

That would be fun.
- mdw7413

There is a realistic possibility that the Isles, Pens, and Rangers all finish with more points then every team in the Atlantic. So it could be the number 2 and 3 teams in the East playing in round 1? That's my beef with this format lol

I could see this happening. But I don't know, I just think the Caps will fall down a bit eventually. Holtby is playing basically every game for them right now.
- TPC

But seriously, right now, I look at this year almost like I used to look at getting the 6th in the Conference, when you got to play the Southeast winner. Don't get me wrong, I think Montreal and Tampa are great teams, but I would almost rather play in that bracket than the Metro bracket. I think it's an easier path.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 48s48 seconds ago
If injured Derek Stepan can't go vs. Bruins, lines will be shuffled, Tanner Glass presumably will play after six games as healthy scratch

it will be easy to move on if Stepan isn't out long, if he is, this one is gonna last awhile
- jimbro83

If that happens Jay McClement is going to a Ranger.

But seriously, right now, I look at this year almost like I used to look at getting the 6th in the Conference, when you got to play the Southeast winner. Don't get me wrong, I think Montreal and Tampa are great teams, but I would almost rather play in that bracket than the Metro bracket. I think it's an easier path.
- Pete V

Yea see my post above, it could be the number 2 and 3 seeded teams in the East playing in round 1 in the metro.

There is a realistic possibility that the Isles, Pens, and Rangers all finish with more points then every team in the Atlantic. So it could be the number 2 and 3 teams in the East playing in round 1? That's my beef with this format lol
- TPC

I'm still confused on how this format works. I will just look for you to keep me updated.

I'm still confused on how this format works. I will just look for you to keep me updated.
- mdw7413

The 1 seed in each division plays a wild card team. The 2 and 3 seeds from each division will always play each other.

I'm still confused on how this format works. I will just look for you to keep me updated.
- mdw7413

The 2nd and 3rd best teams in each Division play each other no matter what. The Division winners play the Wild Card teams. The highest point total of the Division winners, plays the lowest wild card. So, if the Rangers finished 4th in the Division, the would either play the winner of the Metro or Atlantic (points totals governing who they would play).

The 1 seed in each division plays a wild card team. The 2 and 3 seeds from each division will always play each other.
- tomburton99

Ok that seems simpler than what I read.

Thanks Tom & Pete

Ok that seems simpler than what I read.

Thanks Tom & Pete
- mdw7413

But the big difference is, the playoffs isn't a 8 team bracket. More like two 4 team brackets on each conference

My prediction, the Rangers finish with the wild card spot, go through Tampa and Montreal on the other side, and the Islanders and Rangers play in the Conference finals.

- Pete V

I'd love to see this, I fully expect the Rangers to step up and make it through at least one or two rounds, if they don't go further. Your team has so many elements to it that make it a good playoff team.

I'm not sure the Isles win a round this year, but we'll see. We have a lot of younger guys who haven't been there before.

I'd love to see this, I fully expect the Rangers to step up and make it through at least one or two rounds, if they don't go further. Your team has so many elements to it that make it a good playoff team.

I'm not sure the Isles win a round this year, but we'll see. We have a lot of younger guys who haven't been there before.
- Isles_since_6

one of the best things they have done in the last 30 years is acquire two guys who have been there before in Leddy and Boychuk. Adding two guys like that with rings was masterful by Snow.

Vin, it's a long season. Some nights you just don't have it. The Rangers didn't have their legs last night, and they played one of the best teams in the league that was just itching to throw them an *ss whipping. At the end of the day, when a team wins 13 of 14 games, you have to allow them a stinker. Every team in the league has one once in awhile, and it's not a matter of courage or heart or emotion, it just happens.

I will say this, however, the Islanders are a damn good hockey team, and the Rangers are going to need to be running on all cylinder to beat them. They weren't last night.

It was a big game no doubt, but after the last few seasons, I just can't get too worked up over a regular season hockey game. The real season starts in April, and the Rangers just need to make the tournament, and be playing their best hockey at that point.

You just can't get too worked up over every regular season game. At the end of the lockout, we were satisfied just to make the playoffs, and then to win a round in the playoffs. Now, the expectations are much higher, because expectations change with success.
- Pete V

You're right Pete, I'm not down on this team and what they are doing or can do, maybe you're right about taking a good butt whipping every once in a while but I'd rather have taken that from the Bruins then the Isles, gotta start a new streak and hopefully with Stepan in the lineup

We need to improve in the circle, someone needs to be brought in wether it's a guy like Messier or a trade

I'd love to see this, I fully expect the Rangers to step up and make it through at least one or two rounds, if they don't go further. Your team has so many elements to it that make it a good playoff team.

I'm not sure the Isles win a round this year, but we'll see. We have a lot of younger guys who haven't been there before.
- Isles_since_6

It's a process with emerging teams, because I think it takes a experience to deal with playoff intensity. That being said, the Isles got a taste against Pitt a two years back, and as Jimbo said, they've add some guys that with playoff experience.

I actually think the Isles will be fine, because they are playing playoff type hockey right now. Backchecking, blocking shots, playing a complete game.

the Islanders shorthanded goal was completely a product of Stepan having no strength in his hand, that's why his pass was so weak and easily intercepted for the Islanders to go down and score.

Islanders completely dominated, but, the Rangers got no breaks last night either. The hit posts, Lee's goal bounces off Girardi first then right onto his stick, Kulemin's shot goes in off the post. Brassard's shot misses after hitting the post.

Next time at Coliseum hopefully we get the breaks a bit.
- jimbro83

Team that works harder, than the other, usually get the breaks. The Rangers were flat from the start of the game.

As soon as you saw Brassard miss literally an open net you just knew it wasn't going to be their night. Islanders were the better team; you have to give them credit for last night.

Yes, the Rangers stunk and Stepan looks to be hurt but the Islanders were the better team and they took the game away from the Rangers in the second period. That was probably the worst period we have seen the Rangers play all season long.

I'd love to see this, I fully expect the Rangers to step up and make it through at least one or two rounds, if they don't go further. Your team has so many elements to it that make it a good playoff team.

I'm not sure the Isles win a round this year, but we'll see. We have a lot of younger guys who haven't been there before.
- Isles_since_6

Islanders will win a round this year, maybe more. If they stay healthy they will likely finish no worse than second place in the division. I can also see them adding a piece at or before the deadline. Snow did a hell of a job adding five established veterans to a young core on the come up.

My prediction, the Rangers finish with the wild card spot, go through Tampa and Montreal on the other side, and the Islanders and Rangers play in the Conference finals.

- Pete V

I can see the Rangers finishing third place in the division; playing either Pittsburgh or Islanders in the first round.

I think the Islanders can win the division this season and I can't be the only one.

I can see the Rangers finishing third place in the division; playing either Pittsburgh or Islanders in the first round.

I think the Islanders can win the division this season and I can't be the only one.
- MidnightMarauder

I think there are four very good teams in the Metro. I think any of those teams can either lose in the first round, or make a run. Some very good teams are going to be one in done in the playoffs, because very good teams are going to play each other.