Don't forget Kucherov vs Panarin, arguably the two best Russians in the game today, although Kirill might have something to say about that in the coming years.
Tough to know who the NHL wants to win this one more. I'm thinking the Rags because the only thing that matters to the NHL is $$$$$ but who knows with the powers that be in TO.
Hopefully for the team that isn't in favour, their playoff lives don't end up depending on a directed puck off a footangled skateone foot on the ice slide / bounced pucktotally intentional kicked in goal.
Rangers were surprisingly resilient against a very good Carolina team. They broke through their defense and scored just enough to let Shesterkin do his thing, although one wonders what would have happened if it was someone other than Raanta in net.
This is probably a tougher matchup for Tampa Bay than they'd like to admit. I'm saying Bolts in 7 just because of the experience difference, but I could easily see it going the other way. It will not be a short series.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
Carolina is a really good team and the Rangers seem to be hitting their stride. If Point doesn't return in the series I'm going to take the Rangers in 7 games as the Lightning do not have the goaltending advantage in this series and I don't think the Ross Colton's, Perry's and Maroon's will be able to get to Shesterkin like they did Bobrovsky.
A lot of people underestimating the Rangers, they’ve been battling hard from the start and faced a lot of adversity while Tampa waltzed through an uninspired Panthers team and has been sitting twiddling their thumbs for a week.
A lot of people underestimating the Rangers, they’ve been battling hard from the start and faced a lot of adversity while Tampa waltzed through an uninspired Panthers team and has been sitting twiddling their thumbs for a week.
True but the Bolts have won 10 straight playoff series within the past 22 months. They're also battle tested and know how to handle adversity.
A lot of people underestimating the Rangers, they’ve been battling hard from the start and faced a lot of adversity while Tampa waltzed through an uninspired Panthers team and has been sitting twiddling their thumbs for a week.
The Rangers haven't played a team with their starting goalie yet and now they have to face Vasilevski. Lightning in 4.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
Before you call me a pessimist or a downer, the Flames made me this way. Blame them.
I guess now people will stop under-estimating the Rangers.
Good coach, top goalie, team leaders with playoff experience, gamebreaking talent both in forwards and in defense, decent depth. Defense could be better, but it's a good team that doesn't seem to have that much pressure on them.
I think most people were looking at them as a team of the future, including their own fans, but they're clearly a legitimate contender already.
Obviously Tampa is still the favorite to take the series.
ECF: MET(2) New York Rangers vs. ATL(3) Tampa Bay Lightning | TBL wins series 4-2
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