Rangers - Devils will be a series for the ages

[Aurinko]

On paper that Rangers team should wipe the floor with the Devils. Devils have been playing well this year though so idk

It should be exciting. NJ were already the much faster team before Tara and Kane additions, so they do have advantage on that department.

 

[TheOrangeDesk]

It should be exciting. NJ were already the much faster team before Tara and Kane additions, so they do have advantage on that department.

Yeah that's the thing really in NJ favor for me. It's probably Rangers worst match-up because of speed difference.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Last season showed how good this Rangers team can be. Dont underestimate the valuable experience this Rangers team got going to the final 4 last year. Same coach, same team make up but with two all star wingers addedband a year wiser.

If the Rangers play like they did last playoffs, they will be very hard to beat.

last season is last season. This season is this seasn.

I am not "underestimating" anyone. The Rangers have a very good team, with a top 3 goalie. However, based on like, every metric, the Devils are having a better season this year.

the wingers they added are "all star" in name, but they aren't all star level players anymore. The Devils also just added a legitimate top line star winger, which you failed to even acknowledge.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Should be fun. Rangers got some experience led by the vets, Devs have just about zero experience led by young stars. The vets with experience typically win these games. Should be fun and Madison Avenue will love it

I guess the Devil who has a couple of recent cup rings doesn’t have enough experience for you.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

On paper that Rangers team should wipe the floor with the Devils. Devils have been playing well this year though so idk

If there is one series that could be a sweep, it's this one. I could see NY sweeping NJ. Experienced playoff team vs inexperienced. Nobody knows how the NJ core will perform in the playoffs and it's happened many teams before where a very young and skilled team gets shutdown in the playoffs due to the young team not having the time and space that they had in the regular season and not being to adjust to playoff hockey.

 

[mm11]

hear

I guess the Devil who has a couple of recent cup rings doesn’t have enough experience for you.

ya, but the Devs top guns have zero experience. Would like to see the Devils win the series though

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If there is one series that could be a sweep, it's this one. I could see NY sweeping NJ. Experienced playoff team vs inexperienced. Nobody knows how the NJ core will perform in the playoffs and it's happened many teams before where a very young and skilled team gets shutdown in the playoffs due to the young team not having the time and space that they had in the regular season and not being to adjust to playoff hockey.

this meme that playoff hockey is a totally different sport than regular season hockey has always been hilarious to me. Its the same game. Its just that the stakes are higher, and you're playing better teams consistently.

the Devils speed has given the Rangers fits so far this year. I don't see how that will change in the playoffs.

 

[Ruggs225]

I am not "underestimating" anyone. The Rangers have a very good team, with a top 3 goalie. However, based on like, every metric, the Devils are having a better season this year.

the wingers they added are "all star" in name, but they aren't all star level players anymore. The Devils also just added a legitimate top line star winger, which you failed to even acknowledge.

i mean kane last year had 90 points… he isnt a washed up hasben.. on a terrible team he still is almost PPG… while being injured.

Lets just see what he does when being motivated. If he goes back to last year 90+ pt Kane thats a big difference.

But who knows.

 

[MB3]

hear

ya, but the Devs top guns have zero experience. Would like to see the Devils win the series though

I don't know if I'd say "zero" experience but they're clearly the less experienced team. I wonder if the consensus would still be "oh the Rangers easily win this series" if they hadn't faced an Arby's employee in goal for the Penguins series last year.

Not sure how a forum like HF that's so analytically obsessed is convincing themselves that Kane and Tarasenko are better additions than Timo f***ing Meier, but oh well lol.

 

[Ruggs225]

this meme that playoff hockey is a totally different sport than regular season hockey has always been hilarious to me. Its the same game. Its just that the stakes are higher, and you're playing better teams consistently.

the Devils speed has given the Rangers fits so far this year. I don't see how that will change in the playoffs.

It is different in that there are less penalties and more clutching and grabbing allowed. It definitely is more defensively oriented and the games are usually played at a slower and more cautious pace.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

last season is last season. This season is this seasn.

I am not "underestimating" anyone. The Rangers have a very good team, with a top 3 goalie. However, based on like, every metric, the Devils are having a better season this year.

the wingers they added are "all star" in name, but they aren't all star level players anymore. The Devils also just added a legitimate top line star winger, which you failed to even acknowledge.

Rangers are IMO built for the playoffs top to bottom with literally no holes. They could turn their game up immediately as soon as the playoffs start. We won't know until game 1 starts.

Pat Kane and Tarasenko can still play. Kane put up 92 pts last year playing on a terrible no playoff Hawks team. Kane is one of the few players who can literally play with anyone and no matter who is on his line, he makes them look a lot better than they really are.

Tarasenko is no longer a primary weapon at this point of his career but in a supporting role he's still a very capable winger.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

again, I am not sure why last year is continually referenced. Its this year, not last year.

 

[Kiekura]

Jack is a forward(Center) so he's in a much better position to have a bigger impact on the game itself.

Cale Makar just won Conn Smythe last year.
Hedman won it 2020
Duncan Keith won it 2015

11 different D-mens have won Conn Smythe.
14 different centers have won it. Ofc there are also centers who won have won it couple times though.

Tarasenko and Kane don't address any of the teams weaknesses, thy only make the team older and slower.

Tarasenko just had his point record year last season (82 points on 75 games) and Kane did 92 points on 78 games. And Blackhawks were shite. This year he has done 45 points on 54 games on even shittier Blackhawks.

Not to mention they have both won SC and they know what it takes to win it. Kane gets to play with Panarin again etc.

And playoff hockey is also bit different compared to regular season.

But anyway. Devils are strong. Hughes is having hell of a year and now they added Meier.

 

[JimmyG89]

If this series was played in 2014 the Devils would be in serious trouble.

You're damn right they would be. There are child labor laws in this country.

 

[Basement Cat]

should have some amazing drunken fan fights for youtube.

Can't wait for the shenanigans in both arenas. It will be electric. 2012 was a blast.

I am going to the Devils / Rangers game on 3/30. Looking forward to that being a little preview of what is to come two weeks later.

 

[topshelf15]

Forwards are close,but the NYR have the goalie and advantage on defense....Just my opinion

 

[bigdog16]

slightly
Kreider-Zibanejad- Kane
Tatar- Hischer - Meier

= Kreider>Tatar
Zibs = Hischier
Meier > Kane

Panarin-Trocheck-Tarasenko
Sharngovich-Hughes-Bratt

= Panarin>>Shangovich
Hughes +> Trochek
Bratt??????Tarasenko

Laf-Chytil-Kakko
Palat-Haula-Mercer

Palat >> Laf
Chytil>Haula
Mercer>> Kakko

I think the Devils 4th line is better but nothing worth debating over.

Hahahahahahahaha

 

[MB3]

Forwards are close,but the NYR have the goalie and advantage on defense....Just my opinion

If Shesterkin plays like last season, they have a clear goaltending advantage. That hasn't exactly happened yet.

I'm not sure how anyone can think the Rangers have an advantage on the blueline, though. That makes no sense to me.

 

[UnSandvich]

I have Rangers in 6, at least 2 games going to OT. As a Rangers fan though, unless the kid line takes another big step forward like they did in the playoffs last year, I’m not sure I like the near term future of this rivalry lol

 

[glenwo2]

If there is one series that could be a sweep, it's this one.

Nope.

This series is going to be a Six-Gamer at least.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

It is different in that there are less penalties and more clutching and grabbing allowed. It definitely is more defensively oriented and the games are usually played at a slower and more cautious pace.

Wouldn’t that hurt the Rangers more given that NJ is a better 5v5 team and the Rangers are better on the PP?

Might be cliche, but think special teams might be the decider. The Devils have not capitalized on power play opportunities and the Rangers have a deadlier unit. It’ll be interesting to see how that goes.

 

[NJDevilsFan21]

NJ has a difficult schedule to close out the season so I don't think they'll be jumping Carolina.

But the silver lining is it may help prepare them for what's coming in April. They play Carolina + 3x Tampa in 7 days! That's pretty much a mini-playoff series right there. How well they play that week will probably foreshadow April for better or worse.

 

[mm11]

I don't know if I'd say "zero" experience but they're clearly the less experienced team. I wonder if the consensus would still be "oh the Rangers easily win this series" if they hadn't faced an Arby's employee in goal for the Penguins series last year.

Not sure how a forum like HF that's so analytically obsessed is convincing themselves that Kane and Tarasenko are better additions than Timo f***ing Meier, but oh well lol.

The stars did align last year for the blue shirts correct. Winning a playoff series takes attrition that we are unsure the young and talented Devs have yet. Bottom line is the rangers won those series, injuries happen, and happen fast in the playoffs. Should be fun. Kane has won three cups and tank has won one. That’s why my brother....

 

[MB3]

The stars did align last year for the blue shirts correct. Winning a playoff series takes attrition that we are unsure the young and talented Devs have yet. Bottom line is the rangers won those series, injuries happen, and happen fast in the playoffs. Should be fun. Kane has won three cups and tank has won one. That’s why my brother....

Palat has two cups of his own, and those cups are a little bit more recent than Kane and Tank.

Saying "injuries happen" is such a throwaway comment to describe facing a team's.... third (?) string goalie without their captain and best player for the majority of the series and still needing OT of Game 7 to advance.

Nobody is saying that the Rangers should apologize for winning that series, I was just wondering aloud if there would still be this idea that the Rangers are going to ragdoll the Devils if they hadn't faced an AHL goalie and Crosby-less Penguins team in the first round last year?

 

[TBF1972]

Rangers in 5. Jersey was a trash bottom 5er last year. I’m not convinced they suddenly have playoff success this year. There will be pain

sounds like you are closely related to george