Series Talk: New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils (Rangers 1-0)

[EdJovanovski]

Confirmed

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[CasusBelli]

I said it yesterday, the Rangers can’t get into a pond hockey track meet competition. They have to take away the neutral zone to slow the Devils down and they need to keep hitting everyone. Hughes is fragile he’s due for an injury. Hamilton is a giant p***y, Ovechkin exposed him in the playoffs. Keep hitting him to make him f*** up. Rangers need to play a grinding style but I can’t see Gallant making the adjustments.

This. We won't win by adapting to their style. We have to grind them down, counterattack effectively to score and disincentivize aggressiveness, and capitalize on special teams.

We could win it in five if we stick to the above. More likely, though, we'll try matching their run-and-gun style in the first game, win the next two after adopting the above strategy, and then revert to run-and-gun after losing one game with the revised strategy -- and lose the series. So:

1. Devils win
2. Rangers win
3. Rangers win
4. Devils win
5. Devils win
6. Devils win.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Has to be a grind fest to beat the devils. Inexperience is their weakness. Rangers need to make this a long and painful series.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

People who think this is going to be a short series make me laugh. It's going to be tough for both teams. The Rangers are going to take their pound of flesh even if they lose.

 

[mike14]

Should be an entertaining series.
We really need our top line to at least break even with theirs and hope our forward depth comes through.
GG also needs to watch the defensive matchups because the 3rd pairing could get overwhelmed quickly

 

[will1066]

When does this series start?

Monday or Tuesday

 

[Fitzy]

Great expectations, but I still go in feeling like it's a 50-50 shot, just like any other NYR playoff series.

 

[EdJovanovski]

 

[will1066]

Has to be a grind fest to beat the devils. Inexperience is their weakness. Rangers need to make this a long and painful series.

It's definitely not Palatable as a match-up but it may Motte be so bad if the posters here aren't being a collective Bratt about losing.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

Rangers in 7. Devils take first 2 at home. We win the next 2, and Devils win at MSG for game 6, and we win at the rock for game 7 on an-all time performance from Adam Fox.

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

Rangers could take it, but they need to play right. Not confident they will.

 

[FultonReed]

There's a lesson in here...you need a new dad who's not an Isles fan. Just sayin!

he's not around anymore, unfortunately. still wouldn't change it, though haha

 

[Roo Returns]

How TF did the Wild Card team in the Metro also get the best draw? The same thing happened in 2016 where the Islanders got the Panthers and we got stuck with the eventual Cup winners who hadn't lost a game in the 2nd half of the season by less than 2 goals.

This happened to the Rangers in 2017 when it was known from January that they were going to be WC1 and crossover into the Atlantic vs. an inferior Montreal team.

 

[DanielBrassard]

The matchup I was dreading all season, not just because of the makeup of both teams but losing to this team would be hard to stomach. Probably were going to have to go through them one round or another though so maybe we surprise and make it through.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

This. We won't win by adapting to their style. We have to grind them down, counterattack effectively to score and disincentivize aggressiveness, and capitalize on special teams.

We could win it in five if we stick to the above. More likely, though, we'll try matching their run-and-gun style in the first game, win the next two after adopting the above strategy, and then revert to run-and-gun after losing one game with the revised strategy -- and lose the series. So:

1. Devils win
2. Rangers win
3. Rangers win
4. Devils win
5. Devils win
6. Devils win.

I just can’t see Gallant making the adjustments since he lets the players do what they want. The forwards are also going to have to come back more and help the d in the transition game. We saw it last time we played them, Devils are gonna force us to dump it in.

 

[Roo Returns]

Not a good matchup at all. The East matchups are all pretty bad, so if the Rangers go on some crazy run, they're going to really earn it kind of like what the Giants did in 2007 and 2011.

I'm just hoping this team stop trying to be pretty and goes into another gear.

Most years I have a feel for a series or the potential outcome for the Rangers. Not since 2014 do I have no idea what to expect. They could be out in five or go all the way.

 

[bhamill]

Has to be a grind fest to beat the devils. Inexperience is their weakness. Rangers need to make this a long and painful series.

Or a short and painful one. Hahaha.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I find it really hard to feel too scared of a small team with no playoff experience. It's the NHL playoffs, anything can happen, but this is ours to lose.

They are also probably the fastest team in the league facing a team that is slow and worse than that, has a defense that isn't proficient at navigating a hard forecheck. The Rangers are going to have to manage the puck perfectly to win this series.

 

[Peltz]

The Devils match up fantastically against us. We will need a miracle performance from someone to win.

We need Igor.

I said it yesterday, the Rangers can’t get into a pond hockey track meet competition. They have to take away the neutral zone to slow the Devils down and they need to keep hitting everyone. Hughes is fragile he’s due for an injury. Hamilton is a giant p***y, Ovechkin exposed him in the playoffs. Keep hitting him to make him f*** up. Rangers need to play a grinding style but I can’t see Gallant making the adjustments.

I like our bottom 2 lines in this series.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

This was my least preferred matchup all along. I’m trying to get positive on it but I can’t shake the feeling that the Devils are a terrible matchup for us unless we somehow play a tighter and structured game.

I’m not sure if it’s as bad as I’m thinking or if I’ve just built it up way more in my head by not wanting to face then.

Either way, the Rangers are going to need to play tight and structured, trading chances and open hockey vs the Devils has us getting swept. You really need the experience to kick in early and not let the Devils get comfortable and feel good about their game. You want them nervous and off kilter and you can’t do that if you come out slow and disorganized like we do so often. It needs to be playoff level intensity and tightness from puck drop. You can’t concede open ice to Hughes every time he’s out there, like they did every time we saw them this year. You have to close gaps and not let them open it up. I’m nervous for sure.

 

[Rangerboy030]

f*** the Devils, they get no respect from me. Rangers in 4, come at me bozos.

 

[Peltz]

People are underestimating the difference this year's version of hot fresh bread is going to make vs the moldy bread we had last playoffs.

True. He's looked good.

 

[Synergy27]

I’m currently seeing a cardiologist for a potential heart issue. I’m 42 years old, so, old, but not old enough for that. I’m also in pretty good shape so this is all very strange to me.

Having an echocardiogram tomorrow. I am hoping to walk away from that test with the doctors clearance to watch this series.

Also, my phone battery is at 93% FWIW.

 

[Peltz]

I'm not crying, you're crying.

 

[tlk]

79%.
KAM coast to coast to bust their balls

 

[Peltz]

I’m currently seeing a cardiologist for a potential heart issue. I’m 42 years old, so, old, but not old enough for that. I’m also in pretty good shape so this is all very strange to me.

Having an echocardiogram tomorrow. I am hoping to walk away from that test with the doctors clearance to watch this series.

Also, my phone battery is at 93% FWIW.

Good luck. I wish you the best of health.