RETURN OF THE RANGERS

The New York Rangers celebrate their return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The New York Rangers are back in the Stanley Cup Finals and King Henrik reigns supreme.

Down 3-1 in the series, desperation prevailed in Game 5 as the Montreal Canadiens staved off elimination to live another game. In that next game they weren't so lucky. Although Henrik Lundqvist only had to make 18 saves, of which one was a spectacular blocker save, in Game 6, he was stellar when his team needed him to be. Dominic Moore score the lone goal and the Rangers played a near perfect game defensively to advance to their first Stanley Cup Finals after winning it twenty years ago. Also noteworthy, this was their first series win in less than seven games since 2008.

Most people probably assumed the Habs stood little chance against the Rangers after losing Carey Price to a knee injury in Game 1, but rookie goalie, Dustin Tokarski, surprised them all as he really gave Lundqvist a run for his money. Tokarski was great and he gave his team a chance to win in every game. In the end though, it wasn't enough. The Canadiens defensive play from the first two series was nowhere to be found against New York and too many of the forwards underachieved. When you face the best goalie in the playoffs at the moment, that simply won't do.

So what chances do the New York Rangers have in the finals, either against Chicago or Los Angeles? I would say, based on what they have achieved so far, they have a very good chance. Having Lundqvist in the net is reason enough to think they can beat any of those powerhouses from the west.