Rangers vs. Devils 2012 ECF

[JT Kreider]

It's pretty wild to see how different these two teams are just 3 seasons removed. Both teams with different coaches and captains, you can probably make a playoff contending team if you put together all the since departed players that competed in this series:


Gaborik-Richards-Kovalchuk
Parise-Dubinsky-Callahan
Prust-Anisimov-Clarkson
Carter-Boyle-John Mitchell

Stralman-Volchenkov
Fayne-Del Zotto
some combo of Urbom-Bickel-Erixon for the 3rd pairing

I guess goaltending would be kind of a problem
Brodeur
Hedberg
Biron (I know all 3 retired, but Marty would still be playing if offered a starting gig)

Not the best defense group either but really solid forward depth. I know this team would also probably exceed the max cap by a long shot.

Click to read more...

 

[Machinehead]

I know it's cool to hate Sather, but looking at how different we were back then, and where we are now, it's a testament to the job he's done that we've remained conservatively a top 10 team the entire time.

 

[JT Kreider]

I know it's cool to hate Sather, but looking at how different we were back then, and where we are now, it's a testament to the job he's done that we've remained conservatively a top 10 team the entire time.

Remember those "Fire Sather" rallies they held outside MSG before a game, must have been five years ago?

We've come along way.

sidenote: Believe in the Dean

 

[izzy]

That truly is quite a bit of movement from teams who were so close.

 

[NYRKING30]

Remember those "Fire Sather" rallies they held outside MSG before a game, must have been five years ago?

We've come along way.

sidenote: Believe in the Dean

11 years ago. This happened in 2004.

 

[JT Kreider]

11 years ago. This happened in 2004.

2010.

 

[Sidney BrOSSby*]

Wasn't it earlier? I don't know.

 

[JerseyGuy276]

We had 3 30 goal scorers that year. We lost all 3 and Haven't had someone come close since.

 

[JT Kreider]

The Devils 4th line was on fire that series, the Rangers had no answer, probably was the difference to be honest. Carter in particular crushed it. As backward as this sounds I actually became a huge fan of his, thought he would have been a great fit on the Torts Rangers before Sather blew this team to smithereens to get Nash.

Before Torts wore out his welcome the following season, we all loved this team and the effort they gave every night. Finishing 1st in the East says a lot about how hard they worked considering the lack of talent. Dubinsky was terrible and played himself out of town, the final nail in the coffin.

 

[Colin226]

It feels like it's been ages Hockey was so much fun back then.. Now it's an abusive relationship and I can't get out.. I think I need to see a shrink

 

[Machinehead]

It feels like it's been ages Hockey was so much fun back then.. Now it's an abusive relationship and I can't get out.. I think I need to see a shrink

Ah yes, I remember 1998-2004. If you need a shrink I know a few good ones.

 

[SladeWilson23]

Carter had 3 goals that series, Gionta had 1 goal and 2 assists, and Bernier had 3 assists. That line basically won the series.

Parise and Kovalchuk each had 6 points which is not outlandish. What's funny is that Salvador had 5 points.

 

[Machinehead]

Carter had 3 goals that series, Gionta had 1 goal and 2 assists, and Bernier had 3 assists. That line basically won the series.

Parise and Kovalchuk each had 6 points which is not outlandish. What's funny is that Salvador had 5 points.

Salvador just seemed to have Hank's number. He was whiffing and spitting rebounds on everything the guy shot.

 

[JT Kreider]

Carter had 3 goals that series, Gionta had 1 goal and 2 assists, and Bernier had 3 assists. That line basically won the series.

Parise and Kovalchuk each had 6 points which is not outlandish. What's funny is that Salvador had 5 points.

Carter's GWG in game 5 IMO was the decider. Really deflated the Rangers after the furious comeback, only to lose on a such a quick goal on a seemingly innocent routine dump-in that Kovalchuk chased down and made a real good play on. I really had no confidence heading into that Game 6.