I think the 2014 team would have trouble with the Blues and Preds because of the heavy, defensive game they play. Kings lite. Total counter to the play style of that team.
yeah lots of revisionist history with regards to that playoff run. people are acting like we curb stomped teams on our way to the finals.
First round I believe Steve Mason was playing with or recovering from a concussion...so we had emery in goal and he was terrible till Mason came back...Emery was terrible. It took a 2-1 game 7 win for us to beat the Flyers.
Second round we had the Penguins. We got crushed in games 2-4 getting shut out twice and falling down 3 games to 1. Henrik Lundqvist gave up 1 goal in each of the next 3 games to win the series for the Rangers. Again in 7 games. Henrik stopped 104 out of 107 shots in those final 3 games. Thats a .972 save percentage... Once again Henrik carrying this team on his back single handedly.
The Rangers then got the ECF and Carey Price was out after game 1. It still took the Rangers 6 games to beat a "Priceless" Canadiens...we saw how the Habs look w/o Price in net this season. They played their 3rd string goalie because of how terrible their backup was. That goalie was traded to the Ducks and is like their 4th or 5th goalie on their depth chart.
So much revisionist history. Yes that was the best Rangers team we've had in a looooong time. Yes, that was a joy to watch.
No that team did not stampede through the NHL playoffs and no that team would not dominate the teams that are playing now...in fact I don't see that team beating either of the 2 juggernauts in the east (Caps and Pens) and I don't see that team beating the Blues, Sharks, or Preds...it probably could beat the very injury depleted Dallas Stars.
If they did beat those teams, it would assuredly be a VERY close series.