I don't know, I don't really see it as much of a rivalry. Just because they're from the same city doesn't make it a rivalry. It's not like Pittsburgh/PHilly where there is a history & bad blood between the teams
As hungry as the Isles kids may be, I think Hank Nash and MSL are more hungry especially after tasting the finals.
Except Nash doesn't show up in the playoffs 5 goals in 41 games, that is abysmal.
I am hoping for this series, it would be great for new york hockey, and it would be a great series.
I fear no team in the East outside of Montreal. They are a bad matchup for us systemically due to their point men and our inability to get out to the point man on the PK.
The Rangers? BRING EM ON.
I think we are a matchup nightmare for them.
Hank can steal it too, but so can Halak.
You realize the Rangers system and Montreal's system is very similar, right? The Rangers beat Montreal last year because they played that system better.
But I wouldn't expect anyone to fear a team that just went to the finals, especially if that team is the Rangers.
This would be one heck of a series, and quite stressful, unless Kreider takes out Halak's knee, then Rags can show how great they are again like last year vs the Habs.
This would be one heck of a series, and quite stressful, unless Kreider takes out Halak's knee, then Rags can show how great they are again like last year vs the Habs.
Seriously though, it's way too early to tell who could win this, almost 50 games left in the season, with so few points in between the teams, there's a six point difference between #2 and #8 in the conference.
In reality, both teams could collapse and miss the playoffs. Stranger things have happened...
Except Nash doesn't show up in the playoffs 5 goals in 41 games, that is abysmal.
I am hoping for this series, it would be great for new york hockey, and it would be a great series.
Rangers are superior everywhere except Center ice, this is Rangers in 5 or 6. Tight,defensive hockey
Yea yea yea and Nash was gonna be a borderline 20 goal scorer
5 reasons I don't want to see the Rangers in the playoffs:
- Vigneault>>>>>Cappy
- Lundqvist
- Isles special teams are a train wrech
- Rags have tons of playoff experience
- Lundqvist again
As awesome as it would be to have 1 final throwdown at the coliseum, I don't want to listen to ranger fans ALL offseason talking about how they beat the isles in the playoffs and that they were the last opponent ever seen in the coliseum. PLUS.....ticket prices for these games at the coliseum would be CRAZY expensive
Halak placed on IR, I don't think Islanders would win another game with Chad Johnson in net, all this playoff talk could be very premature if Halak stay out for any extended period of time
If the Isles don't improve the special teams it wont matter who we play in the first round because we will be going home early.
As far as the Rags, the only thing that would worry me is the Queen Henrik being at the top of his game. He has the ability to absolutely dominate.