As the New York Rangers started their series against the
Pittsburgh Penguins, they were staring fate right in the face. They had never beaten the Penguins in a best
of seven series. Not in 1989, 1992 or
1996.
As the series progressed, they were booed off the ice in Game
4 to go down 3-1, and were looking at another, larger issue.
Sixteen times the Rangers have been down in a series 3-1 -
with zero wins. In the almost 90 years
of existence, the Rangers have never come back from a 3-1 playoff
deficit. Sixteen times. This includes Stanley Cup Finals losses to
the Bruins in 1972 and Canadiens in 1979.
There were no comebacks in the 70’s against the Blackhawks; 80’s against
the Flyers and Islanders; 90’s against the Penguins and 00’s against
Devils. Zero, nada, zilch.
Well, all the boogeymen can go back into the closet! The Rangers are officially one of “those”
teams. Teams that come back against the
odds. Teams that pull off upsets.
They’re now a successful underdog.
The Rangers defeat of the Penguins in a seven-game roller
coaster of a series could potentially mark a turning point in the team’s
history. Exorcizing two demons in a
series, the Rangers survived consecutive shut outs and being booed off their
home ice. They overcame the sudden
passing of the mother of one of their influential (if not newer) leaders,
Martin St. Louis. They were simply as un-Ranger-like as they
could possibly be – gritty, tough, and self-sacrificing. The Rangers showed more heart in the final
three games of this series then at any time since 1994.
St. Louis started the turn around, but was nowhere near ice
when he made the biggest decision of the series. Citing his mother’s and family’s wishes, he chose
to play Game 5 with the Rangers down 3-1.
The team went from a demoralized, exhausted, twice shut out group to an
inspired, energized, dedicated group, taking the emotional edge from their new leader’s
example.
Of course it didn’t hurt to have the hot goalie. Henrik Lundquist proved himself to be as solid
as a rock, stopping shot after point-blank shot from one of the best finishing
teams in the NHL. In comparison, Penguin
goalie Marc-Andre Fleury went from being a wall
to being a sieve, as Chris Kreider put one in from an impossible angle (for a left-hand
shot) to start the Game 5 scoring and Carl Hagelin beat him with a savable
backhand in Game 6 (after a St. Louis kick in put the Rangers up 1-0). By the time
Game 7 started, I’m sure Penguin coach Dan Bylsma wished he had Tom Barrasso between the pipes –
even in is current, 49 year-old, retired condition.
I know that the playoffs are only half over, but for a
lifelong Ranger fan, overcoming two historical issues in one series, is enough
to get one hopeful. That is, until we
have to deal with Carey Price, Subban, Gionta, Briere . . .
Just Sayin’
Steve Kerr realized that coaching the Knicks was as good for
you as a Shake Shack hamburger.
I never thought Dr. James Andrews would be the Yanks
MVP. I also never thought I would need
to learn how to spell Yangervis.
Does it mean anything that I’m more excited about the
Giants’ UFA’s than their draft picks?
Defensive linemen Emmanuel Dieke from Georgia Tech and Kelcy Quarles
from South Carolina will make the team.
Fantasy Football Update:
With the addition of Aaron Donald, I’m touting the Rams D/ST. All the teams in the NFC West are in the Top
10 D/ST easy.
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