New Jersey Devils (M2) vs New York Rangers (M3) | Series Tied 3-3

[bossram]

The Devils should be able to outskate and outplay the Rangers.

The Rangers will win if they're successful at how they play: Absorb pressure with Shesty making tons of saves, then score against the grain with clinical finishing. They'll probably need Fox to play 30+ minutes a game to facilitate this strategy.

Devils have the decided disadvantage in finishing and goaltending. They'll need to just sheerly overwhelm the Rangers with pressure.

 

[thethirdhockeyman91]

Devils in 6. Rangers have looked like ass against the Devils the past 2 years.

 

[JimmyG89]

The Devils should be able to outskate and outplay the Rangers.

The Rangers will win if they're successful at how they play: Absorb pressure with Shesty making tons of saves, then score against the grain with clinical finishing. They'll probably need Fox to play 30+ minutes a game to facilitate this strategy.

Devils have the decided disadvantage in finishing and goaltending. They'll need to just sheerly overwhelm the Rangers with pressure.

Rangers key to success is being 50/50 in chances. Said it earlier in the thread. Make the goaltending be the difference.

I do think Miller-Trouba bashing is a little over the top. They're not given tons of offensive zone starts, get tough matchups, and come out relatively even. The 3rd pair is where they've run into issues.

Mikkola-Scheider will need to step up their games. Lindgren getting hurt didn't really help them build some chemistry together since Mikkola got moved up to play with Fox.

The good news is that the top 4 is fully capable of taking on 23-25 minutes. It'll be those 10-14 minutes the 3rd pairing is out there that will need to managed.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Rangers key to success is being 50/50 in chances. Said it earlier in the thread. Make the goaltending be the difference.

I do think Miller-Trouba bashing is a little over the top. They're not given tons of offensive zone starts, get tough matchups, and come out relatively even. The 3rd pair is where they've run into issues.

Mikkola-Scheider will need to step up their games. Lindgren getting hurt didn't really help them build some chemistry together since Mikkola got moved up to play with Fox.

The good news is that the top 4 is fully capable of taking on 23-25 minutes. It'll be those 10-14 minutes the 3rd pairing is out there that will need to managed.

Biggest thing for the Rangers is to weather the storm in Games 1-2. They do it really very well. As a Devils fan, it pains to see them get out chanced to death in a period and a team can't finish because Shesty is a god. Devils need to step on the Rangers throats when they get the chance because they can't let this become a goaltending matchup or else they'll be in bad shape + Rangers are a very resilient team. Also can't have a parade to the penalty box on NJ's side. Also agreed on the defensive pairs. Miller's the biggest X factor imo on the Rangers side. Good Miller needs to show up, late February Miller and on shows up the Rangers are in trouble defensively.

 

[AirGut]

I don't think it's humanely possible for me or anyone else to predict what might happen during this series. It has the makings of a bloodbath that might only be rivaled by the 94' ECF. I don't even think 2012 will be comparable considering where the Rangers/Devils are at right now as a group.
I will tell you this though, it's the perfect modern matchup for the Rangers to actually prove their worth. Unsurprisingly, not even beating CAR in 7 and winning 2 against that TBL squad was enough to convince people this team is an eastern contender at the moment. It's still a fluke in the minds of many and this is the series to wash that narrative away completely against a true rival with stacked talent across all lines. It is THE premier matchup for the NHL and it feels like everything in the past 5 years for these franchises have all culminated to this point.
This could be the best the Rangers roster might be for the rest of the decade. Rangers better step up and fight for it harder than they ever have otherwise it will be the most embarrassing disaster with their core so far and it could even set them back depending on how they actually lose or f*** up. They cannot mentally break against a Jersey team that's so free-form, uppity, and giddy with themselves.

Others have said this but neither team here is getting out of this series fully healthy. There is no way I see that happening. 0% chance

 

[shaner8989]

This series will be awesome

 

[goldnblack]

That one of these teams goes home after round 1 is so so beautiful. Not sure I even care which.

 

[MartyOwns]

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If PP/PK is going to be the difference, then I still say it favors the Devils.

The Rangers don't really venture into those areas where the Devils will be forced to be overly physical.

OTOH, if the Rangers cannot get in the Devils way often enough to slow them down, they will chase, hook and hold their way to an early exit.

All of that said, should the Rangers get out to quick leads and Trouba can do Trouba-like things to Jack and or Nico, they could give themselves a chance. I really hope Trouba can catch one or both of those guys.

you mean intentionally injure them?

 

[swiiscompos]

They have played each other once in the playoffs….35 years ago. And there is more of a geographic separation between the two fan bases with the Islanders fan base being concentrated on Long Island, Devils in NJ and NYC between.

And we sometimes consider the Islanders a form of retirement home for our old and beloved Devils players.

 

[pld459666]

you mean intentionally injure them?

I mean hit them clean and hard.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

yeah when I think of Trouba I definitely think "clean and hard" hits

 

[dirtydanglez]

this will be one of the more entertaining series.

rangers in 6

 

[MartyOwns]

yeah when I think of Trouba I definitely think "clean and hard" hits

he meant trouba should clean his hard elbow pad before he drives it into someone’s skull

 

[scoopscj]

I flippin hate the Rangers, but let's be honest, either team can win. It's speed vs defense, It's Elite Goalie vs Average goalie.... It's youth vs experience.... it's PP vs PK...

Any team can take this series. If both teams play the way they are capable of playing, it's going 7.

 

[Saitama]

That is a ridiculously even poll, percentage-wise for each option!

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

All of that said, should the Rangers get out to quick leads and Trouba can do Trouba-like things to Jack and or Nico, they could give themselves a chance. I really hope Trouba can catch one or both of those guys.

Hoping to injur our players in order to win. How "old-school" of you. For what its worth my money is on him injuring Boqvist first. We should start a poll.

Hey, he's been hitting clean lately... so I can't get on him for that.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I mean hit them clean and hard.

I'm sure the Devils won't have an issue with sending Wood at Shesterkin's knees if they see Trouba do something which mostly likely will be dirty with how that guy hits come playoffs. Play with fire, I dare you

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

That is a ridiculously even poll, percentage-wise for each option!

Yep, this could be a Conference Final easily yet we're getting it round 1.

 

[stonecold316]

I hope for a clean and HARD series.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I'm arguably most excited for this series... This should be a great one.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

No one should underestimate how much these two fanbases absolutely hate each other.

This isn't fake-NHL-manufactured-politically-correct-rivalry-hate either, it's very real.

 

[Xirik]

could the MSG ice be a factor? seems like its unseasonably warmer there and the fact that the Garden is fairly high up doesn't help matters.

Perhaps a bit of the Devils speed is neutralised a bit on what might be pretty choppy ice?

 

[Raspewtin]

i think the Devils win but i refuse to vote cause my heart won’t let me

the real tragedy is the two best playoff series by far play the same day.

 

[JimmyG89]

I'm sure the Devils won't have an issue with sending Wood at Shesterkin's knees if they see Trouba do something which mostly likely will be dirty with how that guy hits come playoffs. Play with fire, I dare you

Trouba's hit are 100% clean. He hasn't head hunted, he doesn't board players.

I would figure that a fanbase that watched Scott Stevens level dudes into another country would have a decent idea of what happens in games.

could the MSG ice be a factor? seems like its unseasonably warmer there and the fact that the Garden is fairly high up doesn't help matters.

Perhaps a bit of the Devils speed is neutralised a bit on what might be pretty choppy ice?

It's definitely warm now, but the forecast for next week is everything cooling back down to seasonal weather.

It's also been dry, so the heat that is inside the building would leave pretty quick and the subway isn't hot yet, so the ice should be fine.