IdleTraveller
Registered User
I was a Devils fan as a kid, so I had a hatred for the Rangers back then and that has kind of stuck with me into adulthood - but it's just not as intense (I'd say Tampa and Toronto have surpassed them on my hate list).
This series in my mind is the definition of "it could go either way." I wouldn't be surprised if this was it for our run, but I also wouldn't be surprised if we figure out how to take it. Special teams, as always, is the key. It's that simple. Our powerplay cannot be as anemic as it has been at times against Boston. Getting outplayed badly in that area will kill our chances of taking the series.
I want to see more from Tkachuk as well. I know Bennett is hurt, so I'll give him a pass. Lundell seems to have found another gear and I'm excited to see if he can continue to ascend in this series.
I've liked Bob's play so far, but I'm hoping he can be even better and truly get back to last year's peak. They have the goaltending, we'll need Bob at his absolute best to match them in that category.
I think we're about to face our biggest challenge since Vegas last year. The Rangers are no joke.
I need to drum up some hatred for the rangers but I'll imagine it'll be easy once the series starts and the media/broadcasts starts fawning again over another O6 team... I want to see us the O6 killer - happy to f*** 'em all up and stuff their entitlement down their throats. OK, I think I'm there ;-).
I'm not sure what to think about this series - The Athletic has us as 65/35 favourites which seems too high for me, especially then reading the damn article (2024 NHL playoff preview: Rangers vs. Panthers). I felt games 5 and 6 against Boston were pretty much coin tosses to be honest, and they were not a contender team. And from the sounds of things, the rangers have both structure and goaltending, along with the forward talent that Boston lacks. On the other hand, I do believe we have the more talented roster overall but we just haven't been playing like it recently.
As @Chessarmy says, we need to resurrect our PP, stay out of the box, and get our second line going - hopefully that switch at centre does it. And a God-mode performance from Bob wouldn't hurt either. I think this is going to be tough but we can do it. We've got the Presidents Trophy curse behind us so that must count for something, hockey gods...