Rangers Looked Unstoppable Spanked 'em 7-0

Should we get out of this mess, they'll be a tough team to beat.

But 1 thing at a time. Let's win tomorrow.

I hope the Devils find their game soon.

I actually find myself rooting for the Rangers. Odd, I know, considering how bitter I still am over 1994.

Hate to say it, but the Rangers would pwn NJ if they were to face off tomorrow. :doh:

If we get out of this alive we'll likely have a fun series with Ottawa, barring a miracle.

Hopefully we meet in the Conference Finals :D

I actually find myself rooting for the Rangers. Odd, I know, considering how bitter I still am over 1994.
................. you're kidding right?

................. you're kidding right?
Strangely, no.

*wince*

Should we get out of this mess, they'll be a tough team to beat.

But 1 thing at a time. Let's win tomorrow.

It's amazing what good goaltending, 1-2-2 trapping, good defensive positioning can do. In other words: boring hockey. :sarcasm:

Strangely, no.

*wince*

Dude really, that's just pure weak sauce. Any reason? Other than scared of Atlanta if the Devils move on? Because that's why I'm pro Rangers.

It's amazing what good goaltending, 1-2-2 trapping, good defensive positioning can do. In other words: boring hockey. :sarcasm:
I think the difference is the forecheck. The Devils haven't had an effective, aggressive forecheck since 2001. We got away without one in 2003 because the whole team got hot at once and Brodeur played like the best goalie of his generation.

I actually find myself rooting for the Rangers. Odd, I know, considering how bitter I still am over 1994.

:rant: Traitor!!!! :madfire:

Dude really, that's just pure weak sauce. Any reason? Other than scared of Atlanta if the Devils move on? Because that's why I'm pro Rangers.
Well, partially. There's also the fact that I know if the Rangers have any playoff success it'll cause a revival of hockey in New York, and I'd love to see that happen. And while I'd be furious if they won the Cup, if they have decent playoff success it does make the rivalry more fun.

Well, partially. There's also the fact that I know if the Rangers have any playoff success it'll cause a revival of hockey in New York, and I'd love to see that happen. And while I'd be furious if they won the Cup, if they have decent playoff success it does make the rivalry more fun.

Hockey in NY will be great once they win the cup, and I'd rather that not happen.

Hockey in NY will be great once they win the cup, and I'd rather that not happen.
Tell me about it. 1994 was bad enough.

Tell me about it. 1994 was bad enough.

Can you imagine the Bobby Granger commercials? Egads man, think of the children!!

Hockey in NY will be great once they win the cup, and I'd rather that not happen.

Not really. Don't believe the hype about how popular 1994 was. It doesn't even compare to the Giants 1986, 1990 Super Bowls, Yankees 1977, 1978, 1996-00 & Mets 1986 World Series. It only captured sports fans' attention, not people who don't usually watch sports.

New York City has an 81 year old Original 6 team, yet there are ZERO public schools with varsity ice hockey programs and only 3 players to ever be born & raised there who made the NHL. And this in the biggest city in North America. Population: 8 million.

The Knicks trying to make to the Finals for the first time since 1973 and the OJ low speed Bronco chase were bigger stories around here.:sarcasm:

:rant: Traitor!!!! :madfire:

Hey, Bicek: Don't let that ever happen to you.

Not really. Don't believe the hype about how popular 1994 was. It doesn't even compare to the Giants 1986, 1990 Super Bowls, Yankees 1977, 1978, 1996-00 & Mets 1986 World Series. It only captured sports fans' attention, not people who don't usually watch sports.

New York City has an 81 year old Original 6 team, yet there are ZERO public schools with varsity ice hockey programs and only 3 players to ever be born & raised there who made the NHL. And this in the biggest city in North America. Population: 8 million.

The Knicks trying to make to the Finals for the first time since 1973 and the OJ low speed Bronco chase were bigger stories around here.:sarcasm:

Meh, I guess that's just a reflection of hockey in America as a whole.

Meh, I guess that's just a reflection of hockey in America as a whole.

It's nothing like anything in Canada. Seriously: Unless you go to a handful of bars around the vicinity of MSG, you'd be surprised how many sports bars don't have the NYR on tonight, or have them on the smaller TV's. Or you have to ask the bartender to put it on.

I play hockey at the only established major indoor rink in the City and in February on a Saturday afternoon, both TV's in the lounge had on college basketball games instead of the NYR game.

We know the NYR are more popular than the Devils, but sometimes the truth needs to be told.

It's nothing like anything in Canada. Seriously: Unless you go to a handful of bars around the vicinity of MSG, you'd be surprised how many sports bars don't have the NYR on tonight, or have them on the smaller TV's. Or you have to ask the bartender to put it on.

I play hockey at the only established major indoor rink in the City and in February on a Saturday afternoon, both TV's in the lounge had on college basketball games instead of the NYR game.

We know the NYR are more popular than the Devils, but sometimes the truth needs to be told.

There are only a few places in the USA where I'd compare it to Canada in terms of love for hockey

#1: Minnesota
#2: Michigan

There are only a few places in the USA where I'd compare it to Canada in terms of love for hockey

#1: Minnesota
#2: Michigan

Wisconsin, Upstate New York (Cornell, RPI), Boston & New England to an extent, where they have big-time college hockey rivalries, Boston Beanpot, etc and any where they have natural ice everywhere during the winter.

The only place where they are opening up ice rinks here are in suburban NJ and they are opening up like crazy. And the kids playing there are all Devils fans. Our future is bright and we have yet to reach our peak.

Conversely, in New York City, there are only 6 sheets of indoor ice in a metropolis of 8 million people. Pretty sad.

I don't think there is a scenario where the Devils play the Rangers until the conference finals.

I don't think there is a scenario where the Devils play the Rangers until the conference finals.

There isn't. The only teams New Jersey can play in round 2 are: NYI, PIT, or OTT

I don't think there is a scenario where the Devils play the Rangers until the conference finals.

I think the NYR would face Buffalo, no?

I think the NYR would face Buffalo, no?

Yep

if 1 beats 8, 2 beats 7, 3 beats 6 and 4 beats 5

1-4 would play (BUF/OTT)
2-3 would play (NJ/ATL)


If 1 beats 8, 7 beats 2, 6 beats 3, and 5 beats 4

1-7 would play (BUF/TB)
5-6 would play (PIT/NYR)

If 8 beats 1, 2 beats 7, 6 beats 3 and 4 beats 5

2-8 would play (NJ/NYI)
4-6 would play (OTT/NYR)

etc. etc.

So there is no way 2 can play 6

Yep

if 1 beats 8, 2 beats 7, 3 beats 6 and 4 beats 5

1-4 would play (BUF/OTT)
2-3 would play (NJ/ATL)


If 1 beats 8, 7 beats 2, 6 beats 3, and 5 beats 4

1-7 would play (BUF/TB)
5-6 would play (PIT/NYR)

If 8 beats 1, 2 beats 7, 6 beats 3 and 4 beats 5

2-8 would play (NJ/NYI)
4-6 would play (OTT/NYR)

etc. etc.

So there is no way 2 can play 6

Good. Then they finally get to play a real playoff team.

Good. Then they finally get to play a real playoff team.

Yeah, I think Lehtonen will be labeled a choker till he sorts that out.

Yeah, I think Lehtonen will be labeled a choker till he sorts that out.

Atlanta doesn't play the best defense in front of their goalies.

Good. Then they finally get to play a real playoff team.

A real playoff team?

With all due respect, I don't think that issue should be important to you right now.

Funny, I don't recall slanderous posts like this on the Ranger board in recent history.

A real playoff team?

With all due respect, I don't think that issue should be important to you right now.

Funny, I don't recall slanderous posts like this on the Ranger board in recent history.

well, considering it's Atlanta's first time in the playoffs, it's a perfectly legitimate point to bring up. Asside from the fact that the NYR are getting better goaltending, offense & defense, you would actually deny that Bob Hartley is coaching his team like a deer caught in the headlights?

Funny, slanderous. I have a friend who is a Ranger fan and just because they're beating Atlanta she sincerely believes they're going to win it all.

I don't think it's an unfair assessment to suggest that right now NY isn't playing a team cut-out for the playoffs. Atlanta barely held on at the end to their spot, and out of desperation traded for a bunch of guys, all of whom probably still haven't fully adjusted to their style, and chemistry with teammates.

Their defense is almost non-existent, Zhitnik hasn't played well in years, and mostly everyone else is mediocre at best. I just think their organization is falling apart under pressure because so much is riding on this playoff run, and Lehtonen has been atrocious. Hartley is a fool for going back to him last night because Hedberg had a very solid game previously and if not for that fluke goal, that game likely went to OT.

It's a reality that NY isn't playing a team that is made for the playoffs right now, and they just haven't been able to make plays. If NY faces Ottawa next round (which it seems they will) it's going to be a totally different ball game, and NY is going to have to face the facts, because Ottawa can match NY's physical play, and still score goals, whereas Atlanta can't and they spend too much time trying to hit back instead of score goals.

Rangers should sweep tomorrow night. But if I'm them I'm hoping not because we all know what that time off leads to.

In my opinion, the Rangers will most likely face Ottawa and if they beat them, I believe they also beat Buffalo or whomever and go to the finals. I still pick the Ducks to win it all, but the Cup is there for the taking and the Rangers have as good a chance as any of the top favorites. Kudos to them!

Rangers should sweep tomorrow night.

Actually they play tonight. Games are back to back.


I was close in my prediction.

wow Jon, even I have more faith than you as I pick the NYR in 5. :)

Actually they play tonight. Games are back to back.


I was close in my prediction.

oh damn, I didn't realize...well I guess its over tonight then, because they're gonna carry that momentum from last night right over to tonight. Unless they blew their load last night. ha

Should we get out of this mess, they'll be a tough team to beat.

But 1 thing at a time. Let's win tomorrow.

Should you find away to advance, you don't have to play NYR. You would wish you did though :naughty: .....well unless Buffalo loses to the Isles and you advance

Atlanta still finished better than the Lightning, and held them off down the stretch.

And I didn't see anyone saying Atlanta wasn't a playoff team before last night.

well, considering it's Atlanta's first time in the playoffs, it's a perfectly legitimate point to bring up. Asside from the fact that the NYR are getting better goaltending, offense & defense, you would actually deny that Bob Hartley is coaching his team like a deer caught in the headlights?

I don't know if it's Hartley's fault as much as it is the way the Rangers are playing. They are the hottest team in the NHL right now, and have been since acquiring Sean Avery. I think they deserve a little more credit here.

Has Atlanta been flat? Somewhat. I've said it on the playoff threads, but they're so worried about pounding the Rangers physically that they've forgotten how to play hockey, and they lost that physical edge in game-3, only outhitting the Rangers 28-27. Mind you, the Rangers of the past would have found a way to let Atlanta back into this series. That hasn't happened. Is Hartley screwed now? Yes, he might as well be a deer in the headlights at this point.

Bobby Holik said it best... "We have no answer for them. The passion is there, but it isn't."

But then again, this is how the Rangers were last year at this point, except we didn't have our star players like Atlanta does. Jagr hurt himself on one of the most god-awful attempts at a check/elbow(?) that I've ever seen, Rucchin, although not a star player, was our 2nd line center, and he went down, Prucha was playing hurt with his knee, and Lundqvist was pretty much FUBAR with the migraines/vision problems, and the hip flexor.

There's no excuse for guys like Hossa and Kozlov to be POINTLESS in this series. As much as I'd like to credit the Rangers for doing a great job of shutting Atlanta's big guns down, as they have, Hossa, Kovalchuk, Tkachuk, and Kozlov have been no shows. Tkachuk has 2 assists, but has been almost invisible out there. Kozlov has pulled a great Houdini impression himself. Kovalchuk has been a victim of Sean Avery's mindgames, and has been limited to a goal, which was the only one in game 2 for Atlanta.

Overall, if I'm an opposing team, I don't want to face the Rangers right now. Do I think they're going to go all the way? Not necessarily. I hope so, but there's still a lot of games to be played, so we'll see how things work out in that aspect. But if they keep playing the way they do, they have a good chance of doing so.

Atlanta still finished better than the Lightning, and held them off down the stretch.

And I didn't see anyone saying Atlanta wasn't a playoff team before last night.
I didn't say they weren't a playoff team, but I didn't think much of them. Now, my Minnesota pick isn't looking so hot... :cry:

East
Sabres over the Islanders in 6
Rangers over the Thrashers in 5
Penguins over the Senators in 7

West
Detroit over Calgary in 6
Minnesota over Anaheim in 6
Dallas over Vancouver in 7
San Jose over Nashville in 7

I'm not picking the winner of the Devils-Lightning series due to superstition.

I don't know if it's Hartley's fault as much as it is the way the Rangers are playing. They are the hottest team in the NHL right now, and have been since acquiring Sean Avery. I think they deserve a little more credit here.


Yes they certainly do but as for the hottest teams Vancouver, Ottawa, and Pittsburg have been the 3 hottest teams in the NHL not only since the last month or 2 but since Christmas.

Also you have to admit some of the big players counted on that ATL line-up have dubious playoffs records Hossa & grandmaster choker Tkatchunk and the Russian virgin Kovalchuk

Anyone else see any similaritites between this years 1st round Rangers/Thrashers series and last years Rangers/Devils series?

Sweeps can be a dangerous thing when your team is hot...

Not really. Don't believe the hype about how popular 1994 was. It doesn't even compare to the Giants 1986, 1990 Super Bowls, Yankees 1977, 1978, 1996-00 & Mets 1986 World Series. It only captured sports fans' attention, not people who don't usually watch sports.

New York City has an 81 year old Original 6 team, yet there are ZERO public schools with varsity ice hockey programs and only 3 players to ever be born & raised there who made the NHL. And this in the biggest city in North America. Population: 8 million.



Dude, you're like a one-man propoganda machine!!! Just churning and churning until you actully believe what you type.

Like how many public schools have varsity hockey programs really matters...man, you're funny.

Did you work for Tass in another lifetime?

Props my man, I admire your resiliency.

You know, NJ has alot of hockey schools and rinks. They seemed to pop up overnight when the Devils started winning those cups.

Btw, I'm not ashamed to admit it, before 1982(actually, Im not sure exactly when I switched, I think when I found out we actually had a team in NJ) I was a rangers fan.
I even still have a Rangers shirt.

Like how many public schools have varsity hockey programs really matters...


Actually, why wouldn't it?

And what was written below is the truth. I'd like to see you try to say otherwise.

Not really. Don't believe the hype about how popular 1994 was. It doesn't even compare to the Giants 1986, 1990 Super Bowls, Yankees 1977, 1978, 1996-00 & Mets 1986 World Series. It only captured sports fans' attention, not people who don't usually watch sports.

New York City has an 81 year old Original 6 team, yet there are ZERO public schools with varsity ice hockey programs and only 3 players to ever be born & raised there who made the NHL. And this in the biggest city in North America. Population: 8 million.

Actually, why wouldn't it?

And what was written below is the truth. I'd like to see you try to say otherwise.

Whatever, post what you want, it's your forum!

The Devils have better fans because more NJ high schools play hockey than NY City high schools! Go for it dude, whatever makes you feel good.

Why don't you go to that other forum anymore?

Whatever, post what you want, it's your forum!

The Devils have better fans because more NJ high schools play hockey than NY City high schools! Go for it dude, whatever makes you feel good.

Why don't you go to that other forum anymore?

Sorry, I didn't say the Devils have "better fans". (You know that.) If you followed the thread, the point was about teams having an impact. The Devils have had a tangible impact on hockey here in NJ that has yet to transfer to the gate. The NYR have had less of an impact. That's what I said all along.

I'm not sure what you're reading exactly and what other Forum are you talking about?

Sorry, I didn't say the Devils have "better fans". (You know that.) If you followed the thread, the point was about teams having an impact. The Devils have had a tangible impact on hockey here in NJ that has yet to transfer to the gate. The NYR have had less of an impact. That's what I said all along.

I'm not sure what you're reading exactly and what other Forum are you talking about?

Yeah high school hockey is a very important measuring stick. The great hockey minds have been writing about that for a long time, don't make it seem like you're the first one to come up with that! :D

I love how you continually make all these implications like the Rangers are irrelevant, nobody cares, the fans are all businessmen who don't make any noise, and on and on and on. It's all good, though, seriously, I love how dedicated you are to the Rangers.......:sarcasm:

Everyone needs a passion, otherwise life is boring!

It's all good, though, and trust me it's not reciprocal...there were no 'Devils suck' chants at the Garden last night. In fact...there never are!

Sorry, I didn't say the Devils have "better fans". (You know that.) If you followed the thread, the point was about teams having an impact. The Devils have had a tangible impact on hockey here in NJ that has yet to transfer to the gate. The NYR have had less of an impact. That's what I said all along.

I'm not sure what you're reading exactly and what other Forum are you talking about?


And don't forget the part about the NYR games only being played on the smaller TV's in the bar's as proof as to how little interest the NYR's draw!!!:joker:

And don't forget the part about the NYR games only being played on the smaller TV's in the bar's as proof as to how little interest the NYR's draw!!!:joker:

You forgot to mention the part about Manhattan SkyRink Ice rink's two flat screens tuned to college basketball instead of the NYR game on a Saturday afternoon in March. ;)

And don't forget the part about the NYR games only being played on the smaller TV's in the bar's as proof as to how little interest the NYR's draw!!!:joker:

Exactly! And also, don't leave out the fact that New Jersey has more letters than New York! :D

Yeah high school hockey is a very important measuring stick. The great hockey minds have been writing about that for a long time, don't make it seem like you're the first one to come up with that! :D

I love how you continually make all these implications like the Rangers are irrelevant, nobody cares, the fans are all businessmen who don't make any noise, and on and on and on. It's all good, though, seriously, I love how dedicated you are to the Rangers.......:sarcasm:

Everyone needs a passion, otherwise life is boring!

It's all good, though, and trust me it's not reciprocal...there were no 'Devils suck' chants at the Garden last night. In fact...there never are!

Actually, Bobby Orr caused an explosion of hockey rinks to open up in the Boston metropolitan area 30+ years ago. If you want, we can go over a plethora of NHL'ers that got their start playing high school hockey in Massachutsetts.

And you are missing the point (purposely ;) I'm not say that the NYR are irrelevant and that nobody cares. I'm saying they are not as irrelevant as YOU (and most NYR think they are)

And you guys have a problem with hearing that. It's all good. :sarcasm:

Actually, Bobby Orr caused an explosion of hockey rinks to open up in the Boston metropolitan area 30+ years ago. If you want, we can go over a plethora of NHL'ers that got their start playing high school hockey in Massachutsetts.

And you are missing the point (purposely ;) I'm not say that the NYR are irrelevant and that nobody cares. I'm saying they are not as irrelevant as YOU (and most NYR think they are)

And you guys have a problem with hearing that. It's all good. :sarcasm:


This is rich, a NJ Devil fan telling NYR fans how irrelevant their hockey team is!!!:handclap:

You forgot to mention the part about Manhattan SkyRink Ice rink's two flat screens tuned to college basketball instead of the NYR game on a Saturday afternoon in March. ;)

You mean to tell me March madness drew more attention then NHL hockey?!?!?!

No way, I'd need a link or someother proof to back that up because there is no way I'd believe it!

This is rich, a NJ Devil fan telling NYR fans how irrelevant their hockey team is!!!:handclap:

If you mean more irrelevant than the New York Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets & Knicks, yes.

We know they have more fans than the Devils. No argument there. ;)

If you mean more irrelevant than the New York Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets & Knicks, yes.

We know they have more fans than the Devils. No argument there. ;)

Please show me anyone, anywhere who ever claimed that NYR hockey is on par with the local NBA, MLB or NFL teams.:shakehead

Please show me anyone, anywhere who ever claimed that NYR hockey is on par with the local NBA, MLB or NFL teams.:shakehead

O.K. so there we go. The whole point is that New York isn't the big hockey town that some people make it out to be. Neither is New Jersey.

That's the point all along. We now agree :)

going back to the original post about the nyr 7-0 win last night, i'm really glad we didn't meet them in the the first round this year. with that said, the devils and the devils fans need to focus their attention of the Tampa Bay Lightning. If we match up with the rangers in the confrence final than we can deal with it then. We need to win tonights game to even have a chance to match up with them down the road.

going back to the original post about the nyr 7-0 win last night, i'm really glad we didn't meet them in the the first round this year. with that said, the devils and the devils fans need to focus their attention of the Tampa Bay Lightning. If we match up with the rangers in the confrence final than we can deal with it then. We need to win tonights game to even have a chance to match up with them down the road.

Exactly. It will be a great night tonight. One team might sweep or only temporarily delay the inevitable and one team might be on the ropes or create a brand new series.

I wish we had met the rangers first. We could have kicked their butt so bad. I believe each team has a weakness and the Ranger's weakness is us.

I wish we had met the rangers first. We could have kicked their butt so bad. I believe each team has a weakness and the Ranger's weakness is us.

I don't know if would have been kicking their butt but it would have been close. Who knows, perhaps another 7 game epic but this time with a better final result.

Exactly. It will be a great night tonight. One team might sweep or only temporarily delay the inevitable and one team might be on the ropes or create a brand new series.

So did post in the past on any NJ forums?

O.K. so there we go. The whole point is that New York isn't the big hockey town that some people make it out to be. Neither is New Jersey.

That's the point all along. We now agree :)

Bottom line is, if the Devils have had the same record of futility the Rangers have had over the last ten years, there would probably be less than 100 fans left. And if the Rangers had the same run of success over the last ten years the Devils have had....wow. You wouldn't be able to get a playoff ticket. Oh wait...you can't get one now!

Bottom line is, if the Devils have had the same record of futility the Rangers have had over the last ten years, there would probably be less than 100 fans left. And if the Rangers had the same run of success over the last ten years the Devils have had....wow. You wouldn't be able to get a playoff ticket. Oh wait...you can't get one now!

Interesting asessment, but considering the Devils couldn't buy a win from 1982 through 1988 and actualy built a medium sized, but solid fan base, it's kind of unreasonable to throw around random numbers like 100. :sarcasm:

And what's wrong with getting 14k and 18k for 2 playoff games for a team that has qualified for the playoffs for 18 of the last 20 years?

Interesting asessment, but considering the Devils couldn't buy a win from 1982 through 1988 and actualy built a medium sized, but solid fan base, it's kind of unreasonable to throw around random numbers like 100. :sarcasm:

And what's wrong with getting 14k and 18k for 2 playoff games for a team that has qualified for the playoffs for 18 of the last 20 years?

Good point, you can definitely argue that the Devils had a more loyal fan base in the 80's based on what the team accomplished.

Good point, you can definitely argue that the Devils had a more loyal fan base in the 80's based on what the team accomplished.

of course it helped that tickets were more affordable than compared to today.

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

It hurts to set you free
But you'll never follow me
The end of laughter and soft lies
The end of nights we tried to die

This is the end.

Special thanks to The Doors.