Thursday, April 17, 2008
Rangers Aren't Be-Deviled
by Jes
In my First Round predictions, I gave the New York Rangers little chance and little credit in their ability to beat the New Jersey Devils.
With the Devils on the brink, I obviously have quite a lot of egg on my face.
Admittedly, I don't follow the Devils or Rangers all that closely, since they are far in the East and both not very interesting to watch. Thus, perhaps I should have given more credit to Tom Renney for turning his club into a defensive juggernaught, and getting guys like Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, and Jaromir Jagr to buy into his choking system.
In his preview for FanHouse, Greg Wyshynski, a noted Devils fan, wasn't too upbeat about his team's chance at getting past the first round. Despite some decent names on the Devils roster, Greg thought the Devils lack of offence would come back to bite them.
Certainly, 9 goals in 4 games isn't going to do the trick offensively, but the Devils are a collective -31 in these 4 games, something unheard of in New Jersey Devils hockey since the Mickey Mouse days.
Tongue-in-cheek, Southern Correspondent Wayne asks "The team that has few fans is now down 3-1...Will Lou Lamoriello axe Brent Sutter before game 5 to fire up his team?"
Somehow, I wouldn't be shocked :/
I suppose the Rangers goal scoring woes this season blinded me to the fact that they do, in fact, have a lot more talent up front than the Devils. Shanahan, Jagr, Gomez, Drury, Straka vs. Elias, Madden, Parise, and Langenbrunner...it's no contest.
I suppose, from an outsider's perspective, I can blame the Devils woes on goaltending. It's simplistic, but look at the other stats.
Power Plays - Both teams are at 20%
Penalty Killing - Both teams are at 80%, with the Rangers even shorthanded 5 more times than the Devils
Shots on goal - 124 to 117
Faceoffs - Both teams are near 50%
So, we go to goaltending... Martin Brodeur? A 90.4SV% is well below average, and not the type of golden goaltending we're used to seeing from the man with the golden horseshoe up his ass. Lundqvist? He's at 92.4% after struggling for much of the regular season.
Whatever the case may be, the Rangers are one win away from sweeping aside the Devils, and booting me in the groin for not giving them enough credit.
In my First Round predictions, I gave the New York Rangers little chance and little credit in their ability to beat the New Jersey Devils.
With the Devils on the brink, I obviously have quite a lot of egg on my face.
Admittedly, I don't follow the Devils or Rangers all that closely, since they are far in the East and both not very interesting to watch. Thus, perhaps I should have given more credit to Tom Renney for turning his club into a defensive juggernaught, and getting guys like Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, and Jaromir Jagr to buy into his choking system.
In his preview for FanHouse, Greg Wyshynski, a noted Devils fan, wasn't too upbeat about his team's chance at getting past the first round. Despite some decent names on the Devils roster, Greg thought the Devils lack of offence would come back to bite them.
Certainly, 9 goals in 4 games isn't going to do the trick offensively, but the Devils are a collective -31 in these 4 games, something unheard of in New Jersey Devils hockey since the Mickey Mouse days.
Tongue-in-cheek, Southern Correspondent Wayne asks "The team that has few fans is now down 3-1...Will Lou Lamoriello axe Brent Sutter before game 5 to fire up his team?"
Somehow, I wouldn't be shocked :/
I suppose the Rangers goal scoring woes this season blinded me to the fact that they do, in fact, have a lot more talent up front than the Devils. Shanahan, Jagr, Gomez, Drury, Straka vs. Elias, Madden, Parise, and Langenbrunner...it's no contest.
I suppose, from an outsider's perspective, I can blame the Devils woes on goaltending. It's simplistic, but look at the other stats.
Power Plays - Both teams are at 20%
Penalty Killing - Both teams are at 80%, with the Rangers even shorthanded 5 more times than the Devils
Shots on goal - 124 to 117
Faceoffs - Both teams are near 50%
So, we go to goaltending... Martin Brodeur? A 90.4SV% is well below average, and not the type of golden goaltending we're used to seeing from the man with the golden horseshoe up his ass. Lundqvist? He's at 92.4% after struggling for much of the regular season.
Whatever the case may be, the Rangers are one win away from sweeping aside the Devils, and booting me in the groin for not giving them enough credit.
Labels: Devils, playoffs, Rangers
Comments:
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Now that the Devils are outta the way, how do you think Jagr and co. will do against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that's looking pretty fierce?
# posted by 
: 11:47 am
: 11:47 am
1) The results in this series so far shouldn't be a shock. Afterall the Devils weren't able to beat the rangers at all in 8 tries in regulation
2) The diference is NOT Jagr/Drury or Gomez. Its how Avery has not only scored a few important goals, but has been able to get the entire Devils team(most importantly Martin Brodeur) to obscess with him.
3) Also give credit to the young Rangers like Staal, Giradi, Dubinsky, etc who have stepped up and contributed big time. Where in past years the rangers were made up of aging, over the hill, over paid stars, this team has many young, hungry, up and coming players who don't quit
4) They may not be as talented or exciting as the penguins, but they are hardly a boring team to watch
2) The diference is NOT Jagr/Drury or Gomez. Its how Avery has not only scored a few important goals, but has been able to get the entire Devils team(most importantly Martin Brodeur) to obscess with him.
3) Also give credit to the young Rangers like Staal, Giradi, Dubinsky, etc who have stepped up and contributed big time. Where in past years the rangers were made up of aging, over the hill, over paid stars, this team has many young, hungry, up and coming players who don't quit
4) They may not be as talented or exciting as the penguins, but they are hardly a boring team to watch
Screw the Pens. They only accomplished what any other team would have, namely beating a shitty Sens team... Yippee!
King Henrik is showing his crown, and the Rangers team is providing an exciting offensive attack scheme that is beyond reproach. Sure, it's somewhat systemic, but it works. Sorry your pitiful Can'tucks didn't make it, but don't take it out on the good teams...lol
King Henrik is showing his crown, and the Rangers team is providing an exciting offensive attack scheme that is beyond reproach. Sure, it's somewhat systemic, but it works. Sorry your pitiful Can'tucks didn't make it, but don't take it out on the good teams...lol
# posted by : 9:38 pm
: 9:38 pm
I feel that the Pen's are the power house in the East. Even with the big guys starting to make noise on the Rangers the young boys of Pitt are looking to prove themselves. I feel that both physical play and goal tending will play a huge role in this series. I think the winner of this will be the one to move on to the Cup.. we shall see...
Check out my if anyone wants...
http://bluelinetoblueline.blogspot.com/
Matty D.
VQUZESHUF
Check out my if anyone wants...
http://bluelinetoblueline.blogspot.com/
Matty D.
VQUZESHUF
Post something interesting about the Red Wings, Goob. People love the Wings, love watching them, and trying to figure out what makes them tick like a fine Swiss timepiece.
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# posted by : 10:26 pm
: 10:26 pm << Home
