Restart/Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Greyvtrayn]

Rangers are back in camp...on their third day of practice. Less than three weeks away from the start of the qualifying round! Game dates/times announced for the matchup with the Canes:

Saturday, Aug. 1
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Game 1, 12 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 3
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Game 2, 12 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 4
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers, Game 3, 8 p.m.

Not a fan of the early starts in the first two games...Game 1 I'll be driving so won't even be able to watch....prob won't be able to watch Game 2 either. Back-to-back for game 3 but an 8p start. 4 and 5 if Necessary would be on Thursday/Saturday but no start times yet.

Starting goalie decision shouldn't be tough (Igor) but, Quinn saying they will evaluate over the next three weeks. The only argument I can make for Hank is that he has been very good against the Canes.

 

[kreidertime]

Despite our record against them, Carolina should win this series due to playoff experience. If they don't, they have major changes to do in the off season. This is a wonderful learning experience for the kids. Rangers can win but I think when Kakko becomes a beast which he will, this team will expect to win every series.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

If these teams had met in a series when the playoffs were supposed to start originally I would have picked the Rangers but the Canes have had some important players get healthy over the last couple months. Their run in the playoffs last season was unreal.

 

[Ranger71]

If Shesterkin picks up where he left off and with Kreider back i think we find a way to get past them. Whether they would get past TB/Wash who knows but things will probably be all over the place in these series. Playing in front of no fans could maybe help a young team like us more than others.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Lemieux suspended first two games of qualifying round.

 

[kreidertime]

He's a moron at this moment.

 

[mrmel29]

Lemieux suspended first two games of qualifying round.

For what?

 

[Greyvtrayn]

An illegal hit from one of the last games they played prior to the stoppage, against Colorado.

 

[Ranger71]

Next year will sort of be a make or break year for him.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Doug Hamilton left practice with some 'visual discomfort' yesterday. Status for qualifying round in question.

 

[Messiah717]

After this layoff there's no normal. Anything can happen.

 

[Ranger71]

Looks like no Pesce or Hamilton for the Canes. Do we give Lundqvist game 1 and then Shest 2 and 3, or start Shest and give Lundqvist one of the back to backs?

 

[panzerporter]

Shest is their #1 so he has to get the start, now's not the time to worry about hurting Hank's feelings especially in a 5 game series. Losing Lemieux is not the end of the world, his style is useful in postseason hockey but the series shouldn't hinge on his presence in the lineup. Excited to get things going Weds. Let's Go Rangers!

 

[kreidertime]

Lundqvist gets no starts. You don't send the message to your team that you are playing the worst of your three goalies for sentimental reasons.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Depending on how game 1 and even game 2 go I wouldn't rule anything out but, tough not to go w/ Shesterkin from the start.

 

[Ranger71]

Lettieri signed to play in Switzerland next year.

 

[Messiah717]

Barry Beck's 20 year old son was stabbed to death in Canada. Awful.

 

[kreidertime]

World has gotten to a point where you need to go someplace, carry firearms and have attack dogs. I know that is the direction I'm headed. Some fucker comes up to my place I don't know, you're either getting mauled or shot and I won't lose a seconds sleep about it.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Sounds like you already are losing sleep over it. No issues where I live in NJ. But, that is very sad news.

 

[kreidertime]

Don't feel too safe in your area. I live in a wealthy area. You are a moron if you think you are invincible because you live in a safe area. Criminals travel. I suggest for starters a couple of German Shepherds who have 238 pounds of bite pressure. That will do nicely to rip the flesh from any intruders. They are also highly intelligent. They tend to go for nut bites as well.

 

[Ranger71]

96 hrs and we'll be getting ready for the 2nd period!

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Qualifying round predictions anyone?
Give me Pit, NYR, Fla, Tor in the East
Edm, Nas, Min, Win in the West

 

[kreidertime]

No idea what to expect from the Rangers. On one hand, they have ZERO pressure on them. On the other hand Carolina has a ton. Especially giving up a 1st to the Rangers for a go for it now move. I see the Islanders easily winning this series. This time off helped them the most. There coach is much like Torts in that he wants guys to sacrifice their bodies every game during the regular season. They are almost always done by the post season. Only Ovie had enough stamina to overcome that style. They got 2-3 key guys back and everybody is rested. I could see them making a long run even though I don't think they are that talented. They were very good in the first half but were falling apart the second half.

 

[Ranger71]

I have a feeling Bobrovsky finds his game and Florida gets by them in 5. Toronto and Edmonton could be upset prone off the bat.

 

[kreidertime]

The Panthers fucking suck. I expect them to get swept. Their goalie has sucked all year. Their defense is one of the worst in hockey. They pretty much have no chance in this series.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

You can't win if you can't score. And the NYI are awful offensively. For as bad as they are on offense though, they are pretty strong defense. Maybe JGP will spark them offensively. I am still taking the Panthers.

 

[kreidertime]

Bullshit. Goaltending and defense wins most of the time. St. Louis was a crappy offensive team but they rarely allowed goals. You just hate the Islanders. Florida is a loser organization. They are going to get buttfucked in this series.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

I don't hate the islanders... I couldn't care less about the islanders, I just don't think they're going to win the series. You act like I slapped your mom, so sensitive! Take it easy there fella. It's just hockey.

 

[kreidertime]

Your theory makes no sense. There is nothing to lead you to believe that Florida will win this series. Bobshito has sucked all year. Their defense is awful. Their forwards lack depth and can't play defense. They are a poor hockey team. Islanders were floundering because of injuries and they were worn out. This rest helped those scumbags.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

The Panthers have a balanced attack...the Islanders have 3 players that can score (4 now with JGP). Bobrovsky has been bad this year but look at the Islanders goalies and tell me they are any better...Greisz and Varlamov? Bobrovsky shut down the Lightning last year in the playoffs which is pretty impressive itself.