First round choice of opponents.

[kreidertime]

I was thinking Carolina but even though they lost one of their best players they might be on a payback mission. I don't want the Islanders in the first round if they somehow win the division. Pens would be best. I'd take my chance with the Devils. Still not convinced Hughes can make it through a playoff series healthy.

 

[Messiah717]

It's going to be either NJ or Carolina. I'd say maybe getting the Devils first is best so they don't have a chance to get momentum in a first round.

 

[NYR Fan]

Yeah, there are two choices here, not all the other teams you mentioned. It is NJ or CAR.

At first I was very much I rather play NJ. Then seeing how well they have played, and CAR losing Pac and Svech, and I don't trust their goalie, made me start to think I rather play CAR. But as called out, I don't like the revenge factor for them against us in the very first round. I think I slightly rather play CAR based on talent alone, but Mess has a great point on NJ - young team getting MO with a round 1 win. It is very close and almost a coin flip IMO. So I am not sweating it too much, where as earlier I was all in on much rather play NJ.

We can go a long way in determining our round 1 opponent the next two games against CAR. If either team wins both that will really help or really hurt CAR.

Right now CAR has an edge, 1 point up and 2 games in hand on NJ.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

I'd rather play NJ, gives me a better chance of making it to a playoff game.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Knowing the rangers either playing NJ or Carolina it will probably be a seven game series. Lol

 

[Ranger71]

Hopefully Florida can catch either the Isles or Pitt.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

haha yeah, it doesn't matter who the Rangers play really, it'll go 7 games.
Im also interested in seeing what the other matchups work out to be in the East. The TB v Toronto series will be interesting. Not sure who I would like to see the Bruins play. I think the Islanders may be a more physical matchup than the Pens but either way I fully expect the Bruins to wipe the boards with whomever they face.

 

[NYR Fan]

I think the Pens will miss the playoffs, especially if they lose to Ottawa tonight. The Panthers and Isles will be the WC teams IMO.

 

[Messiah717]

And there's the Pittsburgh loss. Florida now jumps ahead of them.

 

[PorterPanzer]

Florida made those big trades and they're probably going to squeak in, I don't think Pitt will make it. I think the Rangers match up well against either Car or NJ, the challenge will be against the bigger physical teams.

 

[NYR Fan]

If CAR wins the division, I think Florida or the Isles can beat them in round 1. The way it stands right now I think CAR is going to be up against it to win a round unless Pitt slips in and gets the higher WC, which is unlikely. Even before their L last night I didn't think Pitt was making it, now I think they are just about cooked with games at the Avs and Stars this week. Far cry from finishing ahead of us for Pitt, and us missing the playoffs.

 

[NYR Fan]

Florida made those big trades and they're probably going to squeak in, I don't think Pitt will make it. I think the Rangers match up well against either Car or NJ, the challenge will be against the bigger physical teams.

So, BOS, TB, NYI are the teams you'd prefer to avoid? NJ, CAR, TOR the teams you prefer to play? If we make it to the ECF I think we may have to play BOS or TB, although I think TOR is finally winning a round this year and will beat TB in round 1.

 

[PorterPanzer]

I think the Rangers end up playing Carolina or NJ 1st round and we matched up well against both before the trades, now I think the Rangers are superior to either. This Rangers team matches up physically much better than last year's, the kids are a year younger and tougher, the defense is much more physical with Nikkola/Harpur at #6, Trocheck is a huge upgrade over Strome in all facets of the game and the Rangers roll 3 legitimate scoring threat lines. I'm with Malkin, bring on any opponent for a beatdown.

 

[NYR Fan]

With the Devs losing to the Isles tonight, that just about locks up round 1 for us - we are playing NJ. If we beat CBJ tomorrow night, the game Thursday at NJ will go a long way in deciding home ice in the series - if we win tomorrow and at NJ we'll be tied with 7 games left for each team.

It also looks like the Isles will get the top WC and play the Canes, and with the Panthers collapsing, the Pens will get the 2nd WC and play the Bruins. TB-TOR is the other East series.

That's how it looks with 7 to 9 games left for most teams.

 

[Ranger71]

I have a feeling the Islanders beat Carolina. Not a stretch by any means but it just feels like it.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

out of morbid curiosity I just went through all of the regular season/post season stats for the Rangers since the 2001-2002 season on ESPN. It was funny being reminded of some of the former Rangers over that last 22 years. It was also pretty annoying seeing all of the dud post-seasons.

 

[Messiah717]

Beat Columbus tonight and can play NJ Thursday night with a chance to tie them in points.

 

[kreidertime]

Judging by the Hurricanes play, they clearly want to avoid the Rangers in the first round. The Canes have bitch slapped the Islanders in the previous 2 meetings. Islanders have no faceoff advantage against the Canes and the Canes like to play defensively like the Islanders. Not sure it's the matchup the Islanders want in the first round. Though, Boston sure as heck isn't a better alternative.