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.

RANGERS LOOKING TO CLOSE

The New York Rangers celebrate the OT win in Game 7 against 

the New Jersey Devils in 1994.

It has been exactly twenty years since Stephane Matteau scored his game-winner in OT against the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of the 1994 Conference Final. Tonight the New York Rangers will try to repeat that effort in Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Rangers have made life very difficult for the Habs so far. They have scored first in most of the games and made Montreal chase the game throughout the series. Even though Dustin Tokarski is not to blame for any of the losses, he has been pretty solid, he has still been outplayed by Henrik Lundqvist, who has been nothing short of spectacular. The Rangers are also firing on all cylinders offensively now that Rich Nash seems to have regained his scoring touch.

The Habs, on the other hand, are desperately looking for more contribution from, first and foremost, Max Pacioretty who has only 9 points so far in the playoffs. Getting points from the slumbering Thomas Vanek would also be welcomed by the desperate Canadiens. There isn't much that would indicate this season will continue for Montreal past Game 5. Other than just desperation that is. Being on the brink of elimination makes for a dangerous team and the Rangers are well aware of this, having come back from being down 3-1 against the Penguins. They know how tough it is to get that elusive forth win.

I think we will see a faster and more urgent Montreal team. But I also think it won't be enough. Henrik Lundqvist will once again give his team a chance to win and I think they will take it.

ALL HAIL THE KING

This post comes a little late, but still.. King Henrik of Manhattan proved me wrong. He was not about to go down in five. Instead he showed us how great he is under pressure and what a clutch goalie he is when it matters the most. He carried his team for the remaining three games against Pittsburgh and he was spectacular in Game 7.

Lundqvist earns his fifth straight Game 7 win. 

After Game 4 I thought the New York Rangers were done. The Penguins really looked like they were in control of the series after having won three straight since losing Game 1. I still don't think I was way off doubting the Blueshirts after what really was a poor performance through those three losses. But this is what is so great about hockey. Anything can happen and momentum is hard to predict. It can shift from game to game or, as in this series, in sets of three games. What is clear is that while the Rangers seemed to rally together and lift their game to a higher level while the Pittsburgh Penguins fell apart completely. And, although Sidney Crosby stated after Game 7 that he was healthy, something clearly wasn't right with the Pittsburgh star player. Except for a game or two, he was a non factor in this series.

So what will happen in Pittsburgh? Was this Dan Bylsma's last game as a Penguins coach? Likely, yes. Crosby's leadership has been questioned. Will that have further consequences? We'll see.

Replacing the King?

As many expected, the New York Rangers, altough leading the Capitals 3-1, were unable to put away the Washington Capitals, and now find themselves facing a Game 7 in Washington. While momentum is clearly with the Caps heading in to the deciding game, this is by no means over. However, I see two major problems that the Blueshirts will have to solve if they are going to have any chance of advancing to the next round.

The first is Henrik Lundqvist. Though he was the biggest reason the Rangers were up 3-1 in the series to begin with, he is now a major factor why the series is tied. Most experts agree, the King will have to find his groove or the Rangers' season will be over faster than Sean Avery can dish out an offensive slur.

The second problem also involves Lundqvist. For two straight games he has been replaced by Stephen Valiquette, who has been nothing but solid between the same pipes. Should Ludqvist be given a third chance in this, what could be, final game? I don't think so. Since the Rangers can't score, the only way they will win this is if they score just one goal (I'm sure they can muster that in a desperate situation like a Game 7) and Lundqvist stands on his head, and I honestly can't see that happen. So, if Lundqvist is given the start, gives up three or four goals before being replaced again there is no way back for the Blueshirts. Can they afford to take that chance or will they give Valiquette the chance to win the series for them and perhaps take them even further in the playoffs? I don't think John Tortorella has the guts to do that.

This leads me to another thing...

Bruce Budreau moved his number one goaltender after just one loss against the Rangers. Ok, Jose Theodore isn't, by any messure, the goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is even on a good day (he used to be), but still. Since then, Simeon Varlamov has been terrific while shutting out the Rangers on two occasions.

TSN's Dave Hodge gave the Capitals a thumbs down for the way they used, or didn't use Theodore. I would like to give Mr Hodge a thumbs down. What Budreau did was have the guts to do something drastic before it was too late, and it paid off, at least so far. I'm sure Jose Theodore knows how it works.

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