Jan Levine: Game 82: MTL 1 NYR 0, OT, Regular Season Over, Bring on the Playoffs Rangers with solid effort in meaningless game, now focus shifts to the playoffs

Flyers die hard here. Looking forward to a grueling series in which Philly does not match up as well as I would like.

If Henrik plays at the top of his game and New York doesn't take the bait on the extracurricular stuff, New York wins.

If Philly gets the forecheck going early and often and forces New York to take undisciplined penalties, Philly wins.

Won't make a prediction, but I think this series will be won on the special teams. Should be a doozy.

Jan Levine: Game 82: MTL 1 NYR 0, OT, Regular Season Over, Bring on the Playoffs
Rangers with solid effort in meaningless game, now focus shifts to the playoffs
- airjan23

Going to be a good series and may the best team advance.... 7 games def

Flyers die hard here. Looking forward to a grueling series in which Philly does not match up as well as I would like.

If Henrik plays at the top of his game and New York doesn't take the bait on the extracurricular stuff, New York wins.

If Philly gets the forecheck going early and often and forces New York to take undisciplined penalties, Philly wins.

Won't make a prediction, but I think this series will be won on the special teams. Should be a doozy.
- cmr.266

It's nice to get to play a hated, long-time division rival in the postseason. Always adds just a little bit more to the excitement, anticipation and anxiety of a playoff series. I agree with you that the Rangers have the advantage both in goal and on the blue line; if Hank plays well and McD is healthy and effective I think that gives the Rangers the upper hand. But this is not going to be an easy series by any stretch for either team.

I'd wish you luck but I'd be lying if I did. Instead I'll say I hope for an exciting series.

It's nice to get to play a hated, long-time division rival in the postseason. Always adds just a little bit more to the excitement, anticipation and anxiety of a playoff series. I agree with you that the Rangers have the advantage both in goal and on the blue line; if Hank plays well and McD is healthy and effective I think that gives the Rangers the upper hand. But this is not going to be an easy series by any stretch for either team.

I'd wish you luck but I'd be lying if I did. Instead I'll say I hope for an exciting series.
- gkmkiller

Rangers have a very mobile blueline. Flyers isn't bad - it's average - but they're not as mobile, though MacDonald has helped a ton. If you forecheck hard and force Philly deep in their zone, they will turn pucks over. If you let them break out, the forwards are sneaky fast and skilled and score a good amount of goals on the counter rush.

It's going to come down to defense and special teams. Rangers will need to score some goals, especially on the PP.

Should be a heated series.

You can make the case that Lundquist is one of the 3 best goalies in the world with how he is playing right now.

You can make the case that Giroux has been one of the top 3 best players in the world since November.

Both teams have depth. I think the Flyers are a deeper offensive team while the rangers are a deeper defensive team.

Season series tied at 2.

Both teams have players that can go off the deep end.

Jan Levine: Game 82: MTL 1 NYR 0, OT, Regular Season Over, Bring on the Playoffs
Rangers with solid effort in meaningless game, now focus shifts to the playoffs
- airjan23

Hope you're feeling a little better Jan. Great write up as always. Hopefully like you said at the end there, the trolling will not get out of hand. I think for the most part the regulars on our thread welcome opposing fans in here as long as its on the level, lets talk hockey. If its nonsense, then it gets ugly. Good luck to Bodiva & the mods on this one.

RANGERS in 7!

Flyers die hard here. Looking forward to a grueling series in which Philly does not match up as well as I would like.

If Henrik plays at the top of his game and New York doesn't take the bait on the extracurricular stuff, New York wins.

If Philly gets the forecheck going early and often and forces New York to take undisciplined penalties, Philly wins.

Won't make a prediction, but I think this series will be won on the special teams. Should be a doozy.
- cmr.266

This is a given. The extracurricular stuff may be exaggerated but if Philly tries to get under the Rangers skin with intimidation, the best way we answer is with the PP making them pay. Not a huge fan of having both Dorsett & Carcillo in the line up, but with the potential bad blood I/t may be best, at least in Game 1.

This is a given. The extracurricular stuff may be exaggerated but if Philly tries to get under the Rangers skin with intimidation, the best way we answer is with the PP making them pay. Not a huge fan of having both Dorsett & Carcillo in the line up, but with the potential bad blood I/t may be best, at least in Game 1.
- B2B76

I'm fairly confident Dorsett will walk that fine line, less so that Carcillo will. If both are in the lineup they need to offset and deter some of the extracurriculars that guys like Hartnell, Rinaldo and Simmonds might start but they can't take bad penalties either. Definitely agree that if Flyers take penalties then Rangers PP needs to punish them. If they do the Blueshirts could shorten the series.

Philly knows they have to win at least one of the first two at the Garden. Rangers should know the same. Rangers take them both and the series is over.

This is a given. The extracurricular stuff may be exaggerated but if Philly tries to get under the Rangers skin with intimidation, the best way we answer is with the PP making them pay. Not a huge fan of having both Dorsett & Carcillo in the line up, but with the potential bad blood I/t may be best, at least in Game 1.
- B2B76

Who is the sensible play - Carcillo or Dorsett - in Round 1?

Who is the sensible play - Carcillo or Dorsett - in Round 1?
- cmr.266

I think Dorsett, has a little more to offer as far as skill than Danny. Has been great with Boyle & Moore on the 4th line.

Philly knows they have to win at least one of the first two at the Garden. Rangers should know the same. Rangers take them both and the series is over.
- TJ

I said it last night, I see a split of the first 4 & the home team winning out in Games 5-7, hence Rangers in 7 as my prediction.

it's the most wonderful time of the year

I said it last night, I see a split of the first 4 & the home team winning out in Games 5-7, hence Rangers in 7 as my prediction.
- B2B76

As a Rangers fan, what is your biggest concern(s) about Philly? Should be a gritty, exhausting matchup, and hopefully whoever is left standing will have enough in the tank to make a long run.

As a Rangers fan, what is your biggest concern(s) about Philly? Should be a gritty, exhausting matchup, and hopefully whoever is left standing will have enough in the tank to make a long run.
- cmr.266

My biggest concern about Philly is injuries. Outside of that, my biggest concern is guys like Nash and Stepan disappearing like they did last year and MSL not figuring out how to put the puck in the net.

My biggest concern about Philly is injuries. Outside of that, my biggest concern is guys like Nash and Stepan disappearing like they did last year and MSL not figuring out how to put the puck in the net.
- RAGSareDANGERus

Agree. Rangers big guys not getting goals is my biggest worry. We need production from St. Louis, Nash, etc. The team was pretty balanced during the regular season with 10 guys reaching double figures in goals. But in the playoffs you need your big guys to step up. I think Nash was better than his numbers suggested during postseason last year but this year the Rangers simply need him to score goals.

Agree. Rangers big guys not getting goals is my biggest worry. We need production from St. Louis, Nash, etc. The team was pretty balanced during the regular season with 10 guys reaching double figures in goals. But in the playoffs you need your big guys to step up. I think Nash was better than his numbers suggested during postseason last year but this year the Rangers simply need him to score goals.
- gkmkiller

We especially need those top two lines to produce with Kreider out, since we no longer really have 3 scoring lines.

Outside of that, I say this series hinges on how well Mac and Girardi shut down Giroux

Agree. Rangers big guys not getting goals is my biggest worry. We need production from St. Louis, Nash, etc. The team was pretty balanced during the regular season with 10 guys reaching double figures in goals. But in the playoffs you need your big guys to step up. I think Nash was better than his numbers suggested during postseason last year but this year the Rangers simply need him to score goals.
- gkmkiller

game 1 vs Washington last year, he had 8 shots on net couldn't score but was everywhere, hit the post towards the end of the game in game 2 and could have won it instead of it going to overtime.

Sometimes Nash's lack of finishing is maddening, sometimes it seems to go in with ease. Hopefully it goes in with ease early on. Because he seems to get in a real scoring rut once the luck doesn't go his way.

Agree. Rangers big guys not getting goals is my biggest worry. We need production from St. Louis, Nash, etc. The team was pretty balanced during the regular season with 10 guys reaching double figures in goals. But in the playoffs you need your big guys to step up. I think Nash was better than his numbers suggested during postseason last year but this year the Rangers simply need him to score goals.
- gkmkiller

Do we know anything at all about Kreiders status??

I think Dorsett, has a little more to offer as far as skill than Danny. Has been great with Boyle & Moore on the 4th line.
- B2B76

Depends on what the strategy is. If it is to get under the skin of the Flyers then Carcillo is the choice. Berube hates him. Likely because he knows the Flyer way and how to infuriate them.

What are the chances that Hartnell is suspended to start the playoffs? That spear was dumb as dumb gets, he's such a coward

Do we know anything at all about Kreiders status??
- GioRock

Someone in one FB group I somehow am part of said that Newsday has Kreider ready for the second round should Rangers make it to that point. However, I can't find anything official to verify that. Only thing remotely resembling that said he will miss at least the first round if not longer. So sorry, there really isn't anything new.

What are the chances that Hartnell is suspended to start the playoffs? That spear was dumb as dumb gets, he's such a coward
- HankdaTank

Didn't see the play but noticed he got a five and a ten for it. Not sure exactly what his suspension history is but if he has been sat down before then he could merit another.

Someone in one FB group I somehow am part of said that Newsday has Kreider ready for the second round should Rangers make it to that point. However, I can't find anything official to verify that. Only thing remotely resembling that said he will miss at least the first round if not longer. So sorry, there really isn't anything new.
- gkmkiller

Thanks for the info anyhow