Garden Cheers

With the Rangers up a stunning 2-0 in the series, Broadway Blue looks to take game 3 tonight at what will be a sold out Madison Square Garden. Yes, Rangers fans should be excited that they took the first two on the road, are on a five game winning streak, and that only thirteen percent of teams have comeback from being down 2-0 in NHL playoff history. However, it is tough to count the Capitals out when they have the greatest player in the game as well as arguably a top five forward in Alex Semin, who will both be absolutely relentless tonight as their backs are against the wall. With this said, how can the Rangers prevent Ovechkin and company from coming back in this series.

As hockey fans know, it all starts from the back, and star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is at the top of his game. They will also need some sort of offense, not the measly on goal they put in in game 2 from their big guns Markus Naslund, Nik Antropov, and Chris Drury. A solid defensive game from young blue liners Marc Staal and Daniel Girardi will have a definite impact on the game too. With all this however, the biggest influence in tonight's game will be the atmosphere that Madison Square Garden brings every single night to the ice. The Rangers are 26-11-4 at home and the Garden faithful defines what home ice means to playoff hockey. All in all, it is certain that Ranger fans will not put today's incident of Ovechkin sitting in on Rangers practice behind them.

This picture is from hockey.ballparks.com

King Henrik Rules Again

With one game to spare, the Rangers have finally punched their ticket to this years Stanley Cup Playoffs. After a thrilling win over the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night, the Rangers were back for more, led by star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped 37 out of 38 shots. Rangers' forwards Ryan Callahan and Markus Naslund were the only two who hit the back of the net. So what does this mean for Broadway Blue?

Currently, the Rangers sit as the 7th seed due to the tie breaker (wins). If the season were to end tomorrow, they would face Alex Ovechkin and the red hot Capitals. The Rangers this year are 1-2-1 against them, winning their only game in a shootout. When it comes to goaltending, advantage Rangers, but everything else is in favor of the Caps. They have three star forwards and one of the best defensemen in the league in Mike Green. The speed and physical strength of the Capitals might be much for the Rangers.

If the Rangers lose Sunday against the Flyers and the Canadiens beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, this would put the Rangers back as the 8th seed, leaving them a first round date with the Boston Bruins. However, this matchup seems more favorable than the other with the Capitals. The Rangers are 2-2 this year against the Bruins in which they were shut out 1-0 in both of their losses. Goaltending again is in favor of the Rangers, but what sticks out the most is the Rangers experience in the playoffs. The Blue Shirts have two Stanley Cup Champions, Drury and Scott Gomez, and one who has been in the Stanley Cup Finals in Wade Redden. The Bruins on the other hand have very minimal post season experience which could ultimatley lead to their downfall. If the Rangers end up being the 8th seed, they should be able to give the Bruins everything they can handle.
The picture shown was taken by Getty Images

Rangers Hockey

After watching tonight's destruction of the Montreal Canadians, it made me think long and hard about where this effort has been all year. Does it take a meaningful game for the Rangers to rise to the occasion? Whatever it may be captain Chris Drury stepped up to save the Rangers, like he has with his previous teams (Game 5 in 2007). However, one player who seems to be overlooked throughout the NHL is gritty forward Ryan Callahan. When the Rangers need a spark plug, Callahan provides it with his forecheck and relentless abuse towards opposing players.

While the Rangers split the level of play after the first period against the Habs, something must have been said in the locker room causing this mediocre team to come out flying in the second. Since arriving to New York, head coach, John Tortorella has made an immediate impact on the young players in the organization. If the Rangers can take one from the Philadelphia Flyers this week, they put themselves in a very good position to make the post season. If they can pull of the 8th seed, Sean Avery and company will give the Bruins everything they can handle