EC Playoffs Eastern Final: New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens

[bluck]

First game is this Saturday at 1:00 Eastern.

I see the Habs winning this one in 6 to be honest. I can see Lundy stealing a game or 2 but I think the Rangers will just be out classed and out hustled in this series.

Thoughts? Predictions?

Mountain time

Saturday, May 17 1100h NY Rangers at Montreal NBC, CBC, RDS - Rangers win 7-2
Monday, May 19 1800h NY Rangers at Montreal NBCSN, CBC, RDS - Rangers win 3-1

Thursday, May 22 1800h Montreal at NY Rangers NBCSN, CBC, RDS - Habs win 3-2
Sunday, May 25 1800h Montreal at NY Rangers NBC, CBC, RDS - Rangers win 3-2

*Tuesday, May 27 1800h NY Rangers at Montreal NBCSN, CBC, RDS - Rangers win 1-0
*Thursday, May 29 1800h Montreal at NY Rangers NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 31 1800h NY Rangers at Montreal NBCSN, CBC, RDS

Thanks to hwy19man for the game schedules

[puckluck2]

This is probably the weakest ECF in quite some time.

[bluck]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

This is probably the weakest ECF in quite some time.

I agree. Chicago is gonna win it all anyways. Might as well just hand it over to them now...

[codynw]

Will watch but definitely will not enjoy watching.

[Scoutski]

I hope the Rangers win, I'm not Canadian so maybe I just don't understand it, but I'd rather see a US team win than another Canadian team because I'm a Flames fan. Also I think the habs have a lot of easy to dislike players e.g. Subban, Weiss, Bourque and kind of Vanek (personally, not widely accepted)

That said... I think the habs are a better team, it'll take 6-7 though.

[Brannigans Law]

anyone who cheers for the Rangers should put a Flames jersey on and go to NY and see a Rangers/Flames game at MSG. That will cure you right quick of any Ranger sympathy.

Go Habs!

[Itse]

At some point it looked like the final four teams were going to be the exact same teams as last year. I'm glad that's not the case, even if it means some pretty good teams got left behind.

Besides, I'm growing tired of the Bruins antiques, and I have no love for Penguins either, so what the heck. At least both the Rangers and the Habs have fan bases that know to appreciate a series like this.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

anyone who cheers for the Rangers should put a Flames jersey on and go to NY and see a Rangers/Flames game at MSG. That will cure you right quick of any Ranger sympathy.

Go Habs!

And I could do the same in Montreal and find myself right back in the Rangers camp.

Anyway, given I was just in New York and had a great time at a Rangers game, plus the fact that Screw Montreal, all I can say is Go Rangers!

[Inglewood Jack]

just because the Habs took down the Bruins doesn't mean they're that caliber of team against everyone. that was more like a case of Superman getting shot in the eye with a kryptonite BB gun.

unlike the B's, the Rangers don't provide you with any extra motivation. it's like they lull you to sleep in order to beat you. worked on the Flyers and worked on the Pens, and it will likely work against the Habs...Rags in 6.

[troutman]

Battle of the conspiracy theories:

The refs will favour the Habs because they always have vs. the refs will favour the Rangers because the NHL wants the Rangers in the finals

[Canuck-Hater]

I really would love to see the Habs lose this series.

[Jacks]

This is a real toss up, I don't know which team will win but I think it will be 7 games. If I was forced to guess I'd go with Lundqvist. Rags in 7.

[N-E-B]

Still stunned this series doesn't have Boston in it. Go Rangers! Habs fans are obnoxious.

[djsFlames]

Montreal's luck ends here. No Bruins kryptonite or backup goaltender factors to help them out.

Even if they somehow slip past the Rangers with more fortunate bounces, whoever represents the west would lay an absolute beating on either of these eastern finalists.

[sun]

Pretty meh series, can't see myself watching much of it. I think habs probably take it.

[DT77]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

anyone who cheers for the Rangers should put a Flames jersey on and go to NY and see a Rangers/Flames game at MSG. That will cure you right quick of any Ranger sympathy.

Go Habs!

Really? I've yet to go to a Flames/Rangers game in New York wearing my jersey and have a bad time. Win/Lose, hasn't made a difference. In fact, I usually have people ask me about Calgary or the Flames because they see them so rarely. Montreal? You couldn't pay me enough to see another game there. Rude, arrogant people no matter where I happen to sit. Which annoys me, because I love Montreal and the people there! You'd think a team with such a rich history would have knowledgeable fans but I've yet to encounter them in the building. Every play that goes somewhat against Montreal is booed, relentlessly, until the next "bad" call. Offside? BOOO! Icing? BOOO! Other team has the puck? BOOO! There's just Montreal, and whoever Montreal happens to be playing. One would think that the other teams in the league were simply added to give the Canadiens someone to play. ... Alright, rant over. I'm sure everyone has had different experiences.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by DT77

Every play that goes somewhat against Montreal is booed, relentlessly, until the next "bad" call. Offside? BOOO! Icing? BOOO! Other team has the puck? BOOO! There's just Montreal, and whoever Montreal happens to be playing.

I had this experience at the dome when the Habs were in town this year. We were surrounded by Habs fans and every single one of them was annoying, loud, and from what I could hear not actually knowledgeable at all. They were basically just complaining the entire game.

Rangers in 6

[Nufy]

Haven't really been following any other series besides LA-Anahein.

Impressed that the rags came from down 3-1 to take the pens though.

Montreal's speed and fore check should be an advantage but who knows.

Price will always be a factor so I say Habs in 6.

[Dion]

Go Rangers!!!

[19Yzerman19]

This could be a fun series. Good goalie battle for sure. Looking forward to it... I'm pulling for the Habs but I don't hate the Rangers or anything.