Two good series coming up. who do we like in the wcf? I have a feeling that they are going 7 games...western conference is gonna be a war.. As far as our Rangers are concerned, do you think the less physical style of the Lightning will finally allow us to play our game and open up some scoring? I get this feeling win or lose we are not gonna see 2-1, 3-2 games, I think the ECF is gonna be shootout.... what do you think?
I do expect NYR/TB to be more of a wide open series with a lot of breakouts and a lot of stretch passes. Should be a good deal of north/south hockey and a lot of speed.
The best thing the Rangers have on their side is that their goaltender is the best remaining and it's not particularly close. I'd also say they've probably got the best d-corps of the remaining teams.
Will they score enough? We'll see. I'd like to think that a team that was 3rd in the league in goal scoring this season will be able to put a few more pucks in the net if they're able to play their game (which they should be in the ECF)
In a vacuum, I think the Rangers are a better team than Tampa, especially in terms of experience and veteran leadership. However, I can easily see the Rangers struggle to get pucks past Bishop (as they have in previous matches), and the recent history in this series is not on the Rangers' side. Plus, you know that the ex-Rangers will be firing on all cylinders to prove a point as well.
Roszival was a big loss for Chicago - they were already thin on D. The thing they have going for them is all that playoff success history.... but the talent advantage they've had in years past isnt quite the same. They are beatable.
Roszival was a big loss for Chicago - they were already thin on D. The thing they have going for them is all that playoff success history.... but the talent advantage they've had in years past isnt quite the same. They are beatable.
I agree. I think that if the Rangers can get through TB, they have an excellent chance to claim the Cup.
I think the Hawks are going to handle the Ducks pretty easily.
I also dont know too much about TB's blueline depth. I know their top 2 Stralman-Hedman are very good, but dont know too much about after that. This could be the series that MSL finally makes an impact. He's also got a little more motivation to stick it to Yzerman (not that motivation should be a factor).
I thought their big mistake was signing Crawford to that deal. They should treat goalies as commodities.
Stralman and Hedman are an excellent tandem, though.
Stralman and Hedman are an excellent tandem, though.
They also have Timmonen playing at most 10 minutes a game, which will increase.
Thanks.
That team could really use a Hayes.
BTW, not only is Tampa going the bitchass route of trying to restrict ticket sales to Florida residents (hah! Like there aren't millions of ex-NYer Rangers fans in Florida), they're actually forbidding people from wearing clothing from other teams during the playoffs in their club sections. Seriously:
In support of our hometown Tampa Bay Lightning and in furtherance of our goal to turn Amalie Arena blue for the playoffs, please note that Tampa Bay Arena, L.P. d/b/a Amalie Arena (TBA) has adopted the following Playoff Dress Code Policy (the “Playoff Policy”), which shall be in effect in the Chase Bank Club, the Lexus Lounge, and the North Party Suite (together, the “Club”) throughout the 2014-2015 Lightning playoffs.
STATEMENT OF POLICY: Only Lightning-branded or ‘neutral’ attire and apparel will be permitted in the Club and the Club-designated seating areas during 2014-2015 Lightning playoff games (including any pre-game and any post-game activities). Any attire, apparel, articles of clothing, accessories (e.g., hats, lapel pins, hair accessories, jewelry), or promotional collateral (e.g., mini-flags, noisemakers) that are branded with the name, logo, or registered mark(s) of the then-current 2014-2015 playoff opponent of the Lightning are expressly prohibited in the Club and in the Club-designated seating areas (together, the “Restricted Apparel”). For purposes of clarification, Restricted Apparel shall include any clothing and/or merchandise (whether official or unofficial) that bears any reference to the Lightning’s then-current playoff opponent (e.g., Detroit Red Wings in Round 1).
BTW, not only is Tampa going the bitchass route of trying to restrict ticket sales to Florida residents (hah! Like there aren't millions of ex-NYer Rangers fans in Florida), they're actually forbidding people from wearing clothing from other teams during the playoffs in their club sections. Seriously:
Quote:
2014-2015 PLAYOFF DRESS CODE POLICY
In support of our hometown Tampa Bay Lightning and in furtherance of our goal to turn Amalie Arena blue for the playoffs, please note that Tampa Bay Arena, L.P. d/b/a Amalie Arena (TBA) has adopted the following Playoff Dress Code Policy (the “Playoff Policy”), which shall be in effect in the Chase Bank Club, the Lexus Lounge, and the North Party Suite (together, the “Club”) throughout the 2014-2015 Lightning playoffs.
STATEMENT OF POLICY: Only Lightning-branded or ‘neutral’ attire and apparel will be permitted in the Club and the Club-designated seating areas during 2014-2015 Lightning playoff games (including any pre-game and any post-game activities). Any attire, apparel, articles of clothing, accessories (e.g., hats, lapel pins, hair accessories, jewelry), or promotional collateral (e.g., mini-flags, noisemakers) that are branded with the name, logo, or registered mark(s) of the then-current 2014-2015 playoff opponent of the Lightning are expressly prohibited in the Club and in the Club-designated seating areas (together, the “Restricted Apparel”). For purposes of clarification, Restricted Apparel shall include any clothing and/or merchandise (whether official or unofficial) that bears any reference to the Lightning’s then-current playoff opponent (e.g., Detroit Red Wings in Round 1).
It's small time bullshit. Just like Coughlin whining about needing the 12th man