Apparently I'm going to talk hockey to myself in here tomorrow....

Don't even get started on that. The fact some of them want to address Kovy's sack tap, lord knows if Hank got suckered they would want a Raffi Torres suspension.
- rmdevil313

Rm - you know my view on this. Agree with perspective that if someone did it to Hank, we all would be up in arms. So he embellished a bit, big deal, but he wasn;t hit as hard as he made it look, though that does not excuse what Rupp did as I wrote in my blog. Your team has outplayed my team just about the entire series, Rangers are fortunate to be 2-2. At the end of the day, the rest of it is pure rhetoric. Game 5 should be a war.

Are the Rangers tired and playing poorly, or are the Devils just quicker and playing great hockey? DISCUSS!
- Jeffrey7146

Yes

There were times during the game during even strength when it looked as if we had a pp. Then at times when we had the pp advantage it looked as if we were down a man. Our second unit on the last two pp's looked totally out of sync and were skating around like a bunch of tards.
I don't get it but fortunately for us 1/? (i lost count) on the pp was good enough last night, the rest of the series we're going to have to convert on those advantages.

And i'm sure all the Ranger penalty kills the last two games could be why they look so tired as well.

Clarckson's mysterious odd-man-rush-and-stop play perfectly exemplifies Todd's last point. If you want to make sure you have numbers, you peel of wide but keep your feet moving. In that situation, through, you've just got to take it hard to the net, shoot low, and hope the trailers pick up the rebound. When clean, open looks on Lundqvist are at such a premium, you've got to take as many chances as you can.

The Parise/Henrique 2-on-1 was another example. They were too bunched--Henrique needed to either take the puck or move wide to the weak side to give Parise options. Parise, seeing he had no options, should have shot it.
- enfueg013

I wouldn't really get on Clarkson about his decision on a 2-1 when he usually would take a slap shot a mile out from the net and make an easy save for hank

agreed, good point tom. Perfect example, Clarkson hitting the brakes to force a pass...put your head down and drill that puck, make henrik make a save. if anything shoot blocker side low so your guy following has a chance at a rebound.

yea

yea
- twitchingwalrus

Tried to hide that double post, don't worry, I saw.

Tried to hide that double post, don't worry, I saw.
- _Zippy_

lol

Tried to hide that double post, don't worry, I saw.
- _Zippy_

Classic Zippy!

All the sideshow hubbub that has dominated all the threads is how you know we're all out of actual gamepoints to talk about. I can't see the gameplay deviating all the much.

The Devils will force the play deep, cycle and hope that their puck possession and forecheck will create enough chances to produce goals.

The Rangers will sit in their own end and defend like mad, hoping that a neutral zone transition will result in the one goal they'll need to protect an eked-out win.

Its going to be the same game... again. For a fifth straight game.

This series is essentially up to Henrik to decide. There's a difference between being world-class (which he clearly is) and being perfect, which is absurdly tough to do every game, even if you are the best.

i can't believe i'm saying this, but i think i have to root for you guys to win it all.

i can't believe i'm saying this, but i think i have to root for you guys to win it all.
- hammarby31

nice

Hey it's simple; we score we win!

Hey it's simple; we score we win!
- FAZOOL

If that's the game plan then we are DOOMED

All the sideshow hubbub that has dominated all the threads is how you know we're all out of actual gamepoints to talk about. I can't see the gameplay deviating all the much.

The Devils will force the play deep, cycle and hope that their puck possession and forecheck will create enough chances to produce goals.

The Rangers will sit in their own end and defend like mad, hoping that a neutral zone transition will result in the one goal they'll need to protect an eked-out win.

Its going to be the same game... again. For a fifth straight game.

This series is essentially up to Henrik to decide. There's a difference between being world-class (which he clearly is) and being perfect, which is absurdly tough to do every game, even if you are the best.
- ElvisLemieux

As much as I hate to agree with you, I think the first four games of this series provides some pretty firm evidence for your opinion on this. I hope that the Rangers can pick up their play, start forechecking and possessing the puck more. Otherwise, it is going to be exactly as you said, the Rangers defending like hell in the defensive zone, relying on Hank to stand on his head, and looking for an opportunistic goal.

The Rangers seem gassed, and that does not bode well for the remainder of this series. Obviously, I hope that I am wrong.

I think we're due for an OT game, hard to believe there hasn't been one yet in this series.

I think we're due for an OT game, hard to believe there hasn't been one yet in this series.
- FAZOOL

SHHHHHH (but i was thinking the same thing last night watching the Kings game)

And with that said, nothing is getting accomplished at work today. 9.5 hours till puck drop

And with that said, nothing is getting accomplished at work today. 9.5 hours till puck drop
- Jeffrey7146

I hear you, i keep looking at the clock.
I really missed this last year when we didn't make the playoffs.

And with that said, nothing is getting accomplished at work today. 9.5 hours till puck drop
- Jeffrey7146

Jeff you make me laugh, in the exact same boat!

I hear you, i keep looking at the clock.
I really missed this last year when we didn't make the playoffs.
- FAZOOL

I've been living in Myrtle Beach since 2008... moved home late last summer. This is my first playoff series that i've been in NJ for in so long. Missed it so much! The last home playoff game I was at and the Devils won was game 3 of the Ottawa series when Langs scored in double OT. At Continental Airlines Arena

And with that said, nothing is getting accomplished at work today. 9.5 hours till puck drop
- Jeffrey7146

i'm the same way. i spend as much time as i can at work in front of the computer on fire and ice, this blog, in lou we trust, even espn. I wake up in the morning with a purpose lol.. well, at least something big to be excited about for the day, i'm not that pathetic.
Its like a kid the night before christmas morning. .. except its every day b4 a playoff game and the day of the game.
A month ago, we didn't even know if we would be able to watch our team today.. and we are.. and this is awesome.

If we win tonight, we have a huge huge chance at winning the series in 6.
If NY wins tonight, we still have an ok chance.
If we win tonight.. and NY wins game 6.. i think its over and NY takes it in 7.

that 1st win was so pivotal. We've been playing from behind all series.. a win tonight would be a huge step towards the Cup Final.

we should not forget being down 1-3 against Philly in 2000. going 7 games against what was, IMO, a superior Senators team in 03. We've had our backs against the ropes before in the conference finals.. (in more recent history than 94 ).. just gotta keep hoping for the best, and never said die until its over.