Good morning, boneheads!
Congratulations to every single Ranger fan who lives and dies with this team. We all waited way too long, suffered through multiple heartbreaks and losses, had to endure another 5 year playoff drought, always hoping for the “next year” Guess what, they arrived. A year or two earlier than expected, no less. Four teams left standing and our boys are one of them.
- This is still a very young team. Very few with a significant playoffs experience. Then explained to me this: Two series completed, 5 elimination games, including 2 games 7. They are 5-0. This team has enough leaders to guide them through, but it’s also a very resilient team with a big, big heart.
- All these professional hockey writers, TV personalities, commentators, and random Twitter ‘specialists’ who were absolutely sure the Rangers would get steamrolled by Carolina. How would you like your crow: parmesan, marsala, caprese or arrabiata?
- Big boys came to play. All of them, no passengers. Starting with Shesterkin. After he made a few casual saves right away, it was obvious to my eyes he will not be easy to beat. I think it became obvious to Hurricanes very early as well.
- Don’t underestimate what Trouba has been doing this postseason with his clean but deadly hits. I can’t believe the announcers said Jarvis lost his blade. The moment he started to go to the bench everyone knew he was done. Jarvis’ loss was huge. He is a big part of their offense, both 5 on 5 and on PP.
- One of main reasons they are playing in June is that their PP remains scorching hot. Don’t take penalties against them or you will pay. Fox has been a big part of it. And I am going to say that he has really elevated his play during playoffs. He has been short of spectacular. In both ends of the ice. And Goodrow’s return really solidified their PK. Boy, did they miss him.
- Who else thought Lindgren was done? I thought he’ll need surgery. He is back in two shifts. What else is new? Different pain threshold? I think it’s actually big as the building.
- Can we finally admit that the fourth line has been effective this postseason? Yes, that includes Reaves. He makes opposing D shake in their boots every time they touch the puck.
- Bad news? Here goes our first rounder! 🙂
- Comment of the night? Gravy at 9:36 pm after Lindgren returned back: ‘Replaced his leg with Hajek’s’ LOL!
- I have to admit, I like these ‘We want Cup!’ NHL commercials. My favorite? Blake Coleman’s little girl laughing behind the glass.
163 responses to “Rangers-6, Hurricanes-2…Rangers advance to the Conference Finals”
Favorite moment of the game was the Chytil celebration after his goal. He looked like I think we all felt.
Well done Ilb.
One more thing. It’s 5-1 and Lindgren blocks a shot with his body without hesitation. All after he had pain in every single part of his body for a month. Thank you, Rick Nash!
Great review, ilb
Too much fun — keep on rollin’
Thank you Rick Nash indeed. Rick Nash’s greatest playoff performance is by the Viking wearing #55.
Nash was a marshmallow when the games got more difficult. Sure turned into a great checker in the playoffs though (sarcasm).
I must say all the soar grapes about the Rangers facing back up goalies. How easily it’s forgotten how banged up the Ranger D was in 2015. And Gaboriks rotator cuff tear in 2012. Please don’t tell me they were’t difference makers. That’s hockey all you Ranger haters!
That shouldn’t have surprised anyone here. But I still shock my head 8n disbelief
I had a lot of fun reading through Islanders Lighthouse Hockey blog during and after game last night. They were hysterical.
“Rags are soft; Canes are soft; Rags are lucky; I’m not watching until October; the two teams I most hate are now playing each other…”
The best comments? Assdancers fans — a large number of them — truly believe Sorokin is superior to Shesterkin. “Shesterkin hasn’t been a factor in the playoffs”, “Sorokin is the better playoff performer”, and get this: “Shesterkin=Roy, Sorokin=Hasek”
One other thing: the Assdancers fans were in awe of “dirty” Jacob Trouba.
Nice Carolina write-up ilb.
When they play like last night, and series that they just played, I’m sure the write ups just wrote themselves. 🙂
Does this mean Kreider is starting to raise his game?
No passengers last night!
Love this team!
Consider this how many times have our boys in blue been stonewalled by a back up goalie?
Just read a piece that said last night’s game was the first playoff game NYR fans could relax & enjoy.
I disagree, thought game 5 at MSG was that as well.
ilb thanks so much for keeping a slice of Carps old Lohud going.
Thanks ilb nice write up.
Last night when Lindgren was helped off the ice my wife said “wow he’s really hurt.” I said “that’s Lindgren they’ll shoot some stuff in his leg and he’ll be back out there.” Lindgren The Viking!
Also, NO team deserves to Move On whose fans empty the arena so early during their seasons lat game!
Red Seats Suck!
So does Tony btw
Before the Rangers hired GG, a lot of people speculated if Brind Amour, who didn’t have his contract extension yet, would come to NY. Not sure anyone really believed he was leaving Carolina unless he was joining Ron Francis in Seattle and that meant literally starting from scratch. I’d say, we did just fine with the guy we got.
Question was Gallant out coached again last night? Asking for a friend?
I don’t think anyone has seen Hayek in the flesh for quite some time. Now he understands that clause in his contract that says NYR retain all rights to the use of his body as they deem necessary in competition for SC. 😉
Ilb crow is best served au natural, no sauces
Still can’t believe we’re headed to the ECF.
I’m very excite.
Also, I feel like a full series against Mac Truck is going to be sooooo weird. Last time these two teams were here, he was on the good guy team playing on a broken foot….
Beezle….that’s gross
Dom-you want a little cheese with that whine?
Wooooooooooooo!!!!!!
One of the very quick camera shoots that I just loved last night was Igor smashing his blocker at the Carolina fan in the front row. Can’t say I have ever seen a Ranger goalie do that. What a blast last night. Back home Wednesday to some very BIG games. This is fun. LET’S GO RANGERS
Beezle- it’s like single malt, no ice. Crow, neat
Wow. That about sums up my thoughts to this point.
Tampa is a buzz saw and the one team with an edge in nets over them.
The irony of having Goodrow on this team now aside, the “history” between these teams is long gone thanks to roster turn over.
Rangers have to make sure they don’t buy into this narrative about being resilient when they face elimination and the fluff about backs to the wall is when they play their best.
Carolina seemed to buy into their “unbeatable at home” narrative and look how that turned out.
With all of that said, you get this deep and all bets are off. Wow…
Maybe they should just start all series 0-3 so we can skip to the good stuff.
What was most stunning to me was how the outcome after we got up 2-0 never seemed in doubt. I don’t think any of us thought a game 7 at home against Carolina would or could go this way. And after all that talk about O zone time advantage by the Canes and FO superiority and how Gallant can’t coach and how Brindamour is the master of matchups, yadda yadda yadda, we’re going to the ECF!
I disagree that TB has the edge in net, but I do think they’re the one team that offsets the Igor factor the most.
Btw…only espn commentators could get all “Canes only need four with about three minutes to go here!”
My god, Ferraro is an embarrassment. Simultaneously talking like the Canes are the better team down 5-1 and about how Tampa is better than the Rangers; all hail Vazy.
Someone should remind him that Neil Smith is long gone. Enough with the grudge.
Little note. Carolina is a good team, and they have been for a few years now. But they have to get an NHL caliber goaltender to make the next step and advance further. Andersen is 32, had a career year, and his previous numbers aren’t that great. Playoffs? Different animal. Last two games Raanta couldn’t get even close to Shesterkin’s level of play. No wonder both games were no contest.
Hope this formats ok. Game and playoff experience of all those who have played on NYR in post season this year.
Of note – We should be calling Fox/Lindgren the kid pair if we call Laf/Chytil/Kakko the kid line – 198.5 vs 181.7 average GP. Chytil has at least 50 games on the rest.
Player GP(R) GP(P)
Justin Braun 791 113
Ryan Reaves 755 98
Mika Zibanejad 685 45
Chris Kreider 654 94
Ryan Strome 621 32
Jacob Trouba 597 44
Artemi Panarin 508 44
Andrew Copp 483 48
Patrik Nemeth 429 33
Barclay Goodrow 410 68
Frank Vatrano 401 28
Tyler Motte 269 26
Filip Chytil 253 14
Kevin Rooney 210 12
Adam Fox 203 17
Ryan Lindgren 194 14
Dryden Hunt 165 4
Kaapo Kakko 157 17
Alex Lafreniere 135 14
K'Andre Miller 135 14
Alex Georgiev 129 2
Igor Shesterkin 100 15
Jon Brodzinski 84 1
Braden Schneider 43 14
Total 8411 811
Sigh… I hate wordpress. Stop removing formatting!
Gravy you love to pick apart my wording lately bro.
The Rangers “do not have the goalie advantage” may have been better.
Look at the four teams left and rank their goalies. Most people would probably say Tampa, NY, Colorado, Edmonton. That’s all.
GG started limiting the third pair minutes in the Carolina series but overall, Schneider has 3A with 11:42 ATOI, 12 blocks, 18 hits. I’ve seen him out of position now and then but overall think he’s played well. Wish he’d boom a few more from the point!
As comparison:
Lindgren 1G3A in 21:37 ATOI, 30 blocks, 17 hits.
Trouba 1G 3A in 25:01 ATOI, 30 blocks, 54 hits
KAM 1G 4A in 25:29 ATOI, 16 blocks, 28 hits.
Sorry, James. It wasn’t personal. I just don’t think Vasi is better than Igor. He has a resume and history for sure, but at this point, Igor is the best goalie in the NHL.
I said before the playoffs that TB is the team that scares me in the East because they’re the only one that NYR don’t have a significant edge in goal (plus the back to back Cups and all). Still think they have a 50% chance with Igor.
Schneider has been just fine. So has Braun. Both are miles better than Nemeth. Schneider is learning tremendously. Not too long until he becomes a real factor
Pressure level on TB to win is going to be enormous. If NYR can go up 2-0 and start well in game 3 ….
What a nice way to start the day……..reading all the whining of Pittsburgh, Carolina, Islander and Devil fans. Wasn’t it SkjeiL that fumbled the puck to Chytil for the dagger? Ranger fans taking over the arena in the 3rd period……..A beautiful thing.
Before playoffs started I said that the only team that can match Rangers’ strength in goal is Tampa. And here we go. Sometimes goaltenders can only do so much. So far, not the case. Both Big Cat and Shesterkin have made a difference.
Hajek seen on crutches
Sad times down south: Four seasons of Hurricanes progress ends with Game 7 collapse to Rangers in Round 2
Think we all have two words for Mr. Staal, even though he comes from a nice family:
I can’t figure out how to post a gif on my phone. Anyway Ivan Drago must have been talking about Lingren: “He’s not human. He’s like a piece of iron”.
Great work Ilb. I do think they are behind schedule not ahead though. Especially when you look at the wasted “prime age years” of the higher priced vets. It would have been great if the requisite depth/glue guys would have been added 3 years before they actually were but a new GM/coach only needed one off-season and deadline to get it right.
So, better late than never…so long hedgehog dark years…I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!
And thank you Ilb for all the hard work you put in keeping this place enjoyable for as many folks as possible.
We ❤️ You!!!!!
St Pete
Did he have both legs?
Jamesgeau
EddieJ
Yes sir. It was interesting and I feel bad for Leclerc, terrible pit strategy.
I think they should have ran the race the whole length not the ridiculous timed ending.
Baku is next and it’s one of my faves 😉
Wick
Rumor has it he has just one so I guess that’s a good thing
“Don’t worry it is not blood, it is transmission fluid!”
That Staal quote is pathetic.
St Pete
Lol…brilliant.
Beat wide Skjei has graduated to ‘serviceable.’ But $5,250,000 he ain’t worth.
So he’s saying the better team wins a 7 game series, but the better team didn’t win?
Glad we saved the hockey public from watching that debacle!
Dolan to aide: ‘If we win it all, don’t schedule any more dinners with me and Gallant. Last time, he sniffled all over my filet mignon.’
It was said earlier this year, Carolina was overrated (I know coos also mentioned it recently).
They are like Tampa was before they realized “beefing up” was how to win cups. Media darlings that just don’t have the right roster composition to make it all the way. Yes, their goaltending was always suspect with or without Anderson, but it wouldn’t have mattered.
The Staal boys are all stupid and will serve well upon retirement as scarecrows on their parents’ Thunder Bay farm.
Speaking of beat wide, did you see him turn away from the puck and a play in the the third period last night because of the ranger that came in on the forecheck? The ranger still got a piece of him and the puck (I think it was laffo busto)…the boys were on them all night and it made a difference.
I mentioned remembering this on last nights thread, found the link…
Auntie acquitted himself well, all things considered. Classy little guy.
I think it bears repeating….
Eastern conference final!!!!
Woo hoo!!!
LGR!!!!!
Thanx, boyos for a memorable May.
Prust went down like the Lusitania.
Pretty obvious that Buttman insists or requests cameras to quickly shy away from the beginning of any scrums and to return only if necessary to maintain credibility.
I think Beat Wide assisted on the Chytiljuice goal yes?
coos
I bet the crows will have a field day!
I have shot off my mouth quite a number of times that no team has ever won a cup with a DJ as the #1 center. Up to this point Mika has proved me wrong. If he does or doesn’t raise the hardware he’s certainly gained my respect, and I will gladly eat crow if he does.
Skjiei is also the guy that left Kreider all alone in front on the Kreider PPG.
And miss out on all th NYR historical angst?
And the crowds on the ledge?
It’s funny that my son was totally confident the Rangers would beat the pens after being down 3-1 and I wasn’t. And after being down 2 zip to the windless Canes I insisted they would get it game 7 where anything can happen.
Bdl
Indeed he was!
D’Angelo also had a miserable playoff.
Other than dishing the puck around on the Carolina listless power play, he was caught pinching multiple times this series for goals against. Good riddance.
Bdl
Yes he was!
I have had 2 consecutive posts not post. Is there a limit on the Minx?
A few of the Rangers gave TonyD some serious hugs at the finale. Surprised to see that. He might not be so bad a guy as some of us think he is.
Not that I care a whit any more.
Gravy- totally get it man. I don’t think you’re wrong at all. And like ILB said, at some point it goes beyond the goalies. I’m curious to see how disciplined the Rangers can stay and just how physical these two teams play against each other. I expect more of a grind it out kind of match up but I haven’t gotten anything right for two series now so lol
Staal didn’t exactly speak the way a captain should after that game. At least he didn’t whine about the goalie situation..
Nice exchange between Smitty and a few guys too, Coos. Proof again that as much as fans want to rage on about how much a guy sucks, it might just be that he’s worth a damn to his teammates. He and Shesty had a nice bro-hug
I think it would be fun to see Blais come back for this series or at least be available for it. Also curious to see if Rooney is banged up or just odd man out.
Look at them kids having fun…
<3
Cannot deny that Drury has a keen eye for filling out a team.
Mets’ SS Lindor attended game 6. Wishes the Metropolitans had a fight song like the Rangers.
St Pete
Not sure why they ended up in spam but released them both.
Wicky
Maybe WordPress thought the Minx was being too positive!
‘Our five-on-five play is there and I feel like we can play with anyone in the league and dominate’
If someone has Staal’s Twitter send him this goal breakdown:
Five on Five: Rangers-11 goals, Hurricanes-9
PPG: Rangers-7, Hurricanes-3
ENG: Rangers-2, Hurricanes-1
SHG: Rangers-0, Hurricanes-2
So mr. Staal, your team got outplayed in every single situation of hockey game, including being dominated 5 on 5.
So vegas has it
Avs -250 Oilcans +200
TB -175 NYR +150 (3/2)
For game 1,
Avs -170 / Edm +155 o/u 7
TB -125 / NYR +105 o/u 5.5
I just realized I couldn’t care less what Staal said. One thing is for sure. They fully paid Carolina back for that 2020 qualifying 3 game debacle. And then some.
News and notes:
– As a result of the Rangers advancing to the Conference Finals, Winnipeg will now get the Rangers 2022 1st round pick from the Andrew Copp trade.
– Much has been made about the Rangers struggles at the faceoff circle. They were the worst team in the league in faceoff win percentage. The second worst were the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hat tip to Stat Boy Steven on that one. Of note, Edmonton was 4th worst and Colorado was 8th worst.
– With 15 career goals in elimination games, Chris Kreider sits 2nd in NHL history, 1 goal behind a familiar face, Mark Messier. I can remember at least 4 of his goals in elimination games off the top of my head.
– If this series goes to 7 games, the Rangers would host the Lightning on the 28th anniversary of the Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals.
– The New York Rangers are in the Eastern Conference Finals.
BlueTruth.
Was Opie on the DL or a healthy scratch in this series? Just realized he didn’t play.
Opie who?
There are already predictions all over. Tampa in 5. The most favorable for NY is Tampa in 6. Go ahead, keep doubting these guys.
Question for you chucklefaces…does the first round pick now going to the jets, does that make it more likely drury tries to keep copp?
TDA was -6 for the series. His teammates always liked him (except Georgie). I’m not surprised at the handshake reception he got. He really should be third pair and PP but they gave him more minutes. Beat wide on the PK is scary, but, they had the best in the league during the regular season. The Rangers eventually took advantage of their aggressiveness. They came out f the box and that allowed diagonal passes that the Rangers scored on. Fox, Mika and Bread are all great passers so that diagonal pass can come from anywhere. Being aggressive up high also left Kreider alone down low.
I have also concluded that anything I post that is not plain text gets sent to spam. Not sure why. It does seem to be personal though.
Penguin fan and Penguin media continue to whine about backup goalies and predatory Troubas. Another entire round is done and they are still b*tching. Guess what…….your club is aging and the window is closing. Sucks for you. After all the favoritism you have received over the many years. As for Copp………I do think that losing the first rounder puts a little more heat on Drury to re-sign him. Drury decided to go for it this year and it has worked out very well so far.
This site is weird. When I post from the phone, every other time I get a “this site is unreachable at the moment” page. Gotta refresh and repost.
If Copp takes what Strome turned down they keep him. If he wants more they can’t afford him. Stromeo will play elsewhere next year. The cap crunch will take it’s toll. Remember when the Hawks gave the Cane Teravainen to get ride of a bad contract?
ORF
Maybe WordPress doesn’t like “old” ranger fans 😉
I’ve tried different PCs, my phone and different browsers and only text makes it to the blog. Links, jpegs, snips etc. get lost in the ether.
Just checked the spam and pending folder. Besides TYM’s post in the pending folder, which I approved after editing the “b*tch”, nothing else is there.
Pretty sure NYR are the first team ever to lose multiple rounds in a single playoff year. Looking to extend that record against TB.
Gravy
Live and learn, my boy.
https://i.makeagif.com/media/6-26-2015/BbtmjX.gif
Has any team Lost all the way to a Cup? I think this team can do it
Congratulations Jordan Staal on beating the New York Rangers
Step healthy scratch. Don’t miss him, but miss perhaps the greatest nickname in history: Opie the Victim!
Syndergaard boxing now? I know he’s starting against the Yankees tonight.
Step wasn’t exactly speedy 5 years ago, and I doubt those years were kind
Staal talks too much. He’ll learn— Oh, wait…he’s turning 34.
The Staal boys combined IQ of 80 might be high yes?
My unpopular opinion is that chanting to get under the skin of an opposing goalie is too tacky for Broadway, and that’s doubly true when the other goalie is a former Ranger. Auntie was a good player here and didn’t deserve it
Love the vibe.
Enjoyed the write up, ilb.
Good thing there’s only another day before the CF’s start – if anybody removes Lindgrens gear between games someone needs to pick up the pieces.
Callys Girardi-reference last night was great.
Sorry about that C3. I watched the first 2 periods last night and then listened to Sam Rosen and Dave Maloney for the 3rd while attending Top Gun Maverick with the family. A penalty will be paid by the reserver of the the tickets, who clearly did not think the Rangers would reach game 7. However, it was fun listening to those 2 and Maloney, in particular was giddy. I think that Sam is better on radio than on TV, and I am sure it was great for him to be able to call that game. His joy over the outcome came through loud and clear.
Sam IS better on radio. That’s because he misses so much on TV and on radio, we never know.
Yoosed to love Maloney, but lately I see him as a tool for management.
Very sophomoric with the goalie baiting, but in some few cases, it probably works.
Speaking of capt dave. Watching the post game I thought he would give a shout out to Lingren. Almost lost my mind when he went all giddy over Miller. I guess he knows what he has to say to keep his job.
TYM who did Sam work with on the radio broadcast? I’ve long believe Joe pulls him down quite a bit
CCCP your phone may be turning off the wifi and/or cell data to conserve battery. When you hit send on your post the browser tries to transmit before there is a clear internet connection, including DNS.
Ilb the Vegas people seemed to have six games as the most likely outcome, seven as the next.
Vegas? What do they know about hockey? Their team didn’t even make it to postseason 😃
Btw, that D man Kreider burned with his speed and strength was Jaccob Slavin.
I think that BDL was noting that Skjei floated out of position on the first Kreider goal, leaving him wide open in front of the net.
Yeah, it was skjeL that left Kreider all alone in front as Bdl noted.
Speaking of floating out of position….let him whom is without sin cast the first stone.
Big, BIG power move by #20. Like to see more of that.
You said it, Jeff. Pathetic, and it’s hardly the first time. Maloney’s going senile.
#NYR GM Chris Drury: “After the game last night, I was going around, seeing the players, and Copper looked up at me and said, ‘Sorry about your first.’” 🙃
Fantastic Analysis. You hit all the buttons. Does anyone count how many times Reeves botches his attempt to pass. We have everything working for us now: Four lines that Turk could roll with each clicking at the right time. Real heavy duty performances by our senior players ie. Kreider, Mika, Trouba, Strome, & the Breadman. Fox has come alive and is contributing big time. And Lingren & Goodrow the very heart & soul of our team. Great additions at the right time by Drury, granted we’re going to lose a first round pick by going this far but that’s a small loss. The additon of Copp, Motte & Valtrano have molded this team. These NHL radio Canadian announcers keep down playing our accomplishments. Wait and see how much crow they’re going to eat. Can’t wait. Tampa Bay not playing for quite sometime could really be to our advantatge. Besides I believe we played well against them in the regular season. LETS GO RANGERS
Furthermore, I’ve always said the team that gets the other team to play their game first will always win. Simply stated, if you watch the other team play you lose while you have them watch you you win. The best defense will always be your offense & puck control.
Sam Rosen and Dave Maloney. They sounded like they were together for many years.
Did they win?
Anyone have any idea what the face value of tickets for this round and the next are? It has been a long time since i was a season ticket holder and the over the top prices always leave me slack jawed?
They are $47,000 a piece plus taxes and fees.
😉
$47.000 bring nosebleed towel. Down low, near glass $875,000. plus plus.
No word yet on the Lexus Ledge pricing. Will update when available 😉
Given the problems the Rangers seem to have dealing with back-up goaltenders, I can’t help but wonder if they won’t do better facing Tampa Bay’s starter. LGR!
Wick- I felt bad for Leclerc, too. Wanted to see him win his home race. I was glad to see Mick in one piece after his accident, seeing as the car was in two pieces! Agree, it was a shame they didn’t run the race the full distance. Oh, well.
Why is anyone worried about the price of drinks on the ledge?
Colorado currently winning 5-3.
8 goals in the first 24 minutes of this series.
How long before Smith gets a seat?
I just got my answer.
Both backups in the WC game. It must be the Rangers fault.
Quite a track meet in Denver tonight. No much board work in this one.
I thought you got one of those wrist bands on the ledge for free drinks.
At MSG, you don’t die with your boots on, you die with tour wrist band on.
This game is getting boring now
All star defense being played in this one. It only seems like it’s 3 on 3.
Keumper hurt? NYR-Avs final confirmed.
Avs and Earlers who needs defense?
Oilers playing like it’s 1986.
Admiral
Both teams have abandoned defense.
Watching this game, I just unwillingly thinking: “What the Rangers are doing in this company?” Just melancholic saying…
McDavid is just awesome.
I’ll say it there, and we’ll be hearing this more intensely over the next 2-4 weeks.
The Rangers are for real!
https://media1.giphy.com/media/2Faz5pwGrne1B5kvC/giphy.gif
As in ‘a spectacle.’
NEW POST
So were we watching NHL goalies last night in Denver? Asking for a friend?