The Rangers rested on Monday following their 4-3 win over the Capitals on Sunday. New York resumes practice Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday's Game 7. Tonight, Tampa Bay and Montreal play Game 6. If Montreal wins, they will head home Thursday for Game 7. If Tampa Bay wins, they will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they will need to do so without Ryan Callahan, who is sidelined following an appendectomy Monday.
Eddie Olcyzk was on the Michael Kay show yesterday and made two interesting points:
- The Rangers generated offense from below the goal line, which is something they hadn't done much before Sunday. New York used their speed and size to create chances and capitalized by goals from Rick Nash and Dan Boyle. New York has played better when they haven't gotten into solely a physical battle with Washington, but used their speed in the offensive zone to get on the forecheck to generate turnovers and opportunities.
- Capitals may benefit more than Rangers from day off due to all the hits in Isles series and they may be tired. The Islanders series was insanely physical. Olcyzk postulated that Washington may have entered the series a bit tired and banged up, which has gotten a bit worse as this series has worn on. Now, thanks to Bette Midler and a concert at the Amelie Arena on Monday, Game 6 between Tampa and Montreal had to be tonight, pushing the Rangers game to Wednesday. Given our illustrious history with circuses and the like forcing the team to move games, it's kind of hard to complain. But the Garden and James Dolan had the foresight to put a caveat on the event and were able to move the Eric Clapton concert in the Pitt series.
Ryan McDonagh is also the beneficiary of an extra day off. The hit from Alexander Ovechkin with about eight minutes left Sunday looked like it would knock him not only out of that game but also the rest of the playoffs, however long that lasted. But Mack Truck came back and played most of the last 3:29 of the game. Adrenaline may have driven that return and while Alain Vigneault says McDonagh is 'ok,' I would be surprised if he is truly 100%.
If not or even if he is, the match up with Ovechkin will be one to watch. While McDonagh and Dan Girardi will likely start the game against that line, I expect Marc Staal to see lots of time matched against that trio when not against the reconstituted second line. One key for me is how well Keith Yandle plays. He has been sheltered throughout the playoffs but he gets a chance to erase his struggles throughout with a big-time Game 7 performance, especially as he may be on against Ovechkin at times. The other key is for New York to maintain their physical play against Ovi. Keep pushing him outside and avoid overusing stick checks, which is what happened on the goal against in Game 2 and almost goal in Game 6.
The other key is Martin St. Louis, who has no goals in 11 games. Rick Nash got off his schneid last game, and while MSL helped set up the play, getting a goal from him would be a huge boost. St. Louis had a myriad of chances in Game 5, but was stoned by Braden Holtby and hit the post. Getting him going, at least for the one game, would take pressure off the rest of the offense to produce to carry him.
This is what I wrote after Game 6 against Pittsburgh last year, think I will run it again the next few days:
All that matters is that our team, the one that after Game 4 looked washed up and down for the year, has found a way to extend the series to Game 7. You can say we are playing with house money and that's right. But you know what, to extend it to Game 7 and lose might be more painful than going out in five. Look at the 1939 Rangers. How would you have liked to been a fan and see your team win Games 5 and 6 only to lose Game 7 in triple-OT? Heartbreaking. They have done parts one and two. To make it complete, do part three.
I said I would run this until the series ends because it's how I feel, so here you go.
If you are a fan, you are a fan through good and bad. If not, then you aren't a true fan. You can be pissed and angry and disappointed and disenfranchised and wanting to toss it all in, but you don't because you are a fan. Even if your belief is shattered to the core, as it is for many of us, you are a fan and that's what keeps you here.
You're a fan because of the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. It's in your heart and in your soul. It's part of your life blood. It never ever goes away, regardless of what happens. It's why this sucks and hurts down to your core. That's a fan and that's why we watch and root and pray and hope to the hockey gods. We are Rangers fans, and no matter what happens, you know and I know and we all know that will never stop regardless of the end result. WE ARE ALL RANGERS!!!