All season long, the New York Rangers have continued to find ways to win.
In some ways, it shouldn’t surprise anyone what this team has been able to accomplish so far this postseason.
However, in other ways. It should!
The Rangers have won five consecutive games facing elimination. No easy feat.
They were down 3-1 against the Penguins and found a way to rally.
In the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Rangers found themselves in familiar territory.
After a lackluster Game 5 effort, the Rangers proceeded to outscore Carolina 11-4 in the final two games of the series advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2015.
The Rangers dominating 6-2 Game 7 win was the first home loss for the Carolina Hurricanes all postseason.
The Rangers beat the Hurricanes because of two main reasons.
Special Teams and goaltending.
The Rangers power-play was responsible for the first two goals of Game 7. Adam Fox and Chris Kreider delivered in ways that the Carolina Hurricanes could not.
There was no comparison between the Rangers and Hurricanes power play units.
In addition, there was no comparison between goaltenders.
Igor Shesterskin was spectacular in all seven games in net.
The goaltender advantage was overwhelming for the Blueshirts.
They will not have the same advantage going into the Conference Finals against the two time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning are on the verge of a dynasty, they are battle tested and well rested.
Is this a series you expect the Rangers to win, probably not.
Guess what, doesn’t matter.
The Rangers have spunk, they have terrific goaltending and special teams and they have nothing to lose.
A young, emerging Rangers team against a budding dynasty.
I’ve learned my lesson with this Rangers group, don’t count them out.
You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday on the Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. You can also watch me nightly on Geico Sportsnight on SNY.
