My concern now is that they will overtake th BJs and get the Pens again in the first round. Need to start resting vets like the Spurs do for meaningless regular season games to hold down fourth in the Metro.
Norm Merton
OK, so the Rangers don’t want the Pens. Do you really think the Pens want the Rangers? It would be better for fans if that match-up occurred later rather than sooner, but if you want the Cup you need to beat the Pens.
James G
Techinically, the Rangers don’t need to beat the Pens. They just need the Pens to be beat. Can Washington do that this year? I don’t think Columbus can. I think the Rangers can beat any team in a 7 games series but the Penguins will expose their lack of D more than any other team in the East and that’s the biggest problem. That and the fact that they have yet to solve Matt Murray.
James G
Great point, Ilb. I attempted to explain that fact a little while back but didn’t do it nearly as well. Gorton isn’t going to go “well I have to trade Grabner by the deadline so I don’t lose him to the expansion or as a UFA after next year” nor is is going to avoid pulling the trigger on a deal for a Dman because he’s afraid of losing him in the expansion draft. One thing at a time.
As noted, if you finish third you have to beat the Pens AND Caps. It you finish fourth you only have to beat one of them. Thus the advantage of tanking.
Exactly, ORF. I heard La Greca on NHL radio Friday and he was talking about the seeding sucks and that they’re better off in 4th place an drawing a team like Montreal. For argument sake if it takes until the ECF to draw Pitts or Wash maybe they’re a little beat up or worn by then.
Norm Merton
Or maybe the best round is the first, when the Rangers are at their healthiest. Or not, if they’re waiting for someone to return. The only thing the Rangers should be thinking about is arriving at the first round at or approaching their peak. Trying to pick your opponent is something you consider if you’re tied with someone in the last week and you know the injury picture for all eight teams.
then lose in 5 to Carey Price, three games up there.
James G
True Norm. My guess is Columbus falls apart in March thanks to questionable goaltending, the Rangers take over 3rd place and Eric needs to see a GI for his bleeding ulcer…
James G
Well…if they dont have a chance against Pitts, Wash or Montreal then what’s the point of even watching them play in the post season?
James G
So basically we aren’t supposed to say this team is a one trick pony or not good enough BUT the only way they’ll make it past the first round in the post season is if they take the wild card spot draw Ottawa and Boston in the first two rounds and Columbus or Toronto in the ECF? lol SMH
Norm Merton
Cyprinus, not to worry about Price. Kreider will be yelling, “Here I come!” from start to finish.
James G
“Don’t stand on the tracks when there’s a train coming through” – Jack Portman- Major League II
SN
If you think this team Is a Cup contender, you should be drug tested
seeedubbb
I should be a drug tester.
Norm Merton
I know they are a Cup contender. So does my pal Vegas.
Admiral Akbar
Fish Tanks fans beginning to jump back on the bandwagon. They’re baaaack.
It’s not going to be fun taking on a desperate Fishsticks team later this week.
After first 20 games, NYR were 14/6 WAS 13/7 PIT 12/8 CBJ 11/9 MTL 14/6 OTW 12/8 MIN 11/9 CHI 13/7 ANH 9/11 SJS 11/9. Who knows what the last 20 games will look like for those teams? If MTL and OTW close out 15/5 is that still the easy route? Like your stocks, past performance is no guaranty of future performance.
Every team in the playoff picture in the East Conf. is capable of winning a series from any of the others and they all face the same daunting challenge of there being no let up in the compete level required for each additional round. Your best hope is that you catch a team that has just had a few injuries or for whatever reason, has lost their mojo. Kinda of hard to plan for that.
255 responses to “It’s Go Time”
My concern now is that they will overtake th BJs and get the Pens again in the first round. Need to start resting vets like the Spurs do for meaningless regular season games to hold down fourth in the Metro.
OK, so the Rangers don’t want the Pens. Do you really think the Pens want the Rangers? It would be better for fans if that match-up occurred later rather than sooner, but if you want the Cup you need to beat the Pens.
Techinically, the Rangers don’t need to beat the Pens. They just need the Pens to be beat. Can Washington do that this year? I don’t think Columbus can. I think the Rangers can beat any team in a 7 games series but the Penguins will expose their lack of D more than any other team in the East and that’s the biggest problem. That and the fact that they have yet to solve Matt Murray.
Great point, Ilb. I attempted to explain that fact a little while back but didn’t do it nearly as well. Gorton isn’t going to go “well I have to trade Grabner by the deadline so I don’t lose him to the expansion or as a UFA after next year” nor is is going to avoid pulling the trigger on a deal for a Dman because he’s afraid of losing him in the expansion draft. One thing at a time.
As noted, if you finish third you have to beat the Pens AND Caps. It you finish fourth you only have to beat one of them. Thus the advantage of tanking.
Tanks for the Memories.
First!!
Exactly, ORF. I heard La Greca on NHL radio Friday and he was talking about the seeding sucks and that they’re better off in 4th place an drawing a team like Montreal. For argument sake if it takes until the ECF to draw Pitts or Wash maybe they’re a little beat up or worn by then.
Or maybe the best round is the first, when the Rangers are at their healthiest. Or not, if they’re waiting for someone to return. The only thing the Rangers should be thinking about is arriving at the first round at or approaching their peak. Trying to pick your opponent is something you consider if you’re tied with someone in the last week and you know the injury picture for all eight teams.
Tank! Tank! Tank!
then lose in 5 to Carey Price, three games up there.
True Norm. My guess is Columbus falls apart in March thanks to questionable goaltending, the Rangers take over 3rd place and Eric needs to see a GI for his bleeding ulcer…
Well…if they dont have a chance against Pitts, Wash or Montreal then what’s the point of even watching them play in the post season?
So basically we aren’t supposed to say this team is a one trick pony or not good enough BUT the only way they’ll make it past the first round in the post season is if they take the wild card spot draw Ottawa and Boston in the first two rounds and Columbus or Toronto in the ECF? lol SMH
Cyprinus, not to worry about Price. Kreider will be yelling, “Here I come!” from start to finish.
“Don’t stand on the tracks when there’s a train coming through” – Jack Portman- Major League II
If you think this team Is a Cup contender, you should be drug tested
I should be a drug tester.
I know they are a Cup contender. So does my pal Vegas.
Fish Tanks fans beginning to jump back on the bandwagon. They’re baaaack.
It’s not going to be fun taking on a desperate Fishsticks team later this week.
Here are the updated odds. NYR are 9th seeded in entire league and 5th in Eastern Conf, but yeah, they are a contender according to Vegas as they have odds posted just in front of the other Cup favorite, Edmonton.
http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/16099945/nhl-2016-17-stanley-cup-futures-odds-westgate-las-vegas-superbook
Norm, James liked your 8:18, so you don’t have to look and like your own Post by mistake.
I could have been a con, Tenda.
Hey, Cavatelli, it’s me, Vermicelli!
I miss Inspector Clouseau and eddie eddie eddie making fun of Mr. Wang and the Islanders. And also that chicken/rooster thing, Foghorn?
New bear?
You have your bookie, I have mine:
WAS 9/2
MIN 5/1
CHI 8/1
CLB 9/1
PIT 9/1
MON 12/1
NYR 12/1
Not favorites. Contenders.
Sorry but I really believe the NYR are better than montreal. Carey Price or not.
Also have believe the odds for Minnesota and Chicago are somewhat exaggerated.
Maybe I’m just a homer.
*NEW POST*
Newbear!
After first 20 games, NYR were 14/6 WAS 13/7 PIT 12/8 CBJ 11/9 MTL 14/6 OTW 12/8 MIN 11/9 CHI 13/7 ANH 9/11 SJS 11/9. Who knows what the last 20 games will look like for those teams? If MTL and OTW close out 15/5 is that still the easy route? Like your stocks, past performance is no guaranty of future performance.
Every team in the playoff picture in the East Conf. is capable of winning a series from any of the others and they all face the same daunting challenge of there being no let up in the compete level required for each additional round. Your best hope is that you catch a team that has just had a few injuries or for whatever reason, has lost their mojo. Kinda of hard to plan for that.