I'm sure for many fans, the euphoria of the Atlanta sweep has a sweet afterglow that will shine for days.
But when do you get antsy, when do you get concerned that hanging around for a week might take the edge off the Rangers?
The coaching staff is already preparing for possible opponents---I'd think Buffalo and Ottawa are the frontrunners---so a couple questions:
What do you folks think about the break? Offer us some examples from the past, if you have em, on how teams fared with a stretch of down time...
Here's another assignment, if you choose to accept it: Break down the potential rivals and how they matchup...
Who do you root for tonight and over the weekend? Do you put your loyalties aside and hope the Isles wear down the Sabres? Ask Pittsburgh to extend Ottawa? Sure. Tampa to exorcise the Devils?
The train's stopped at the station before it rolls on. Hop aboard.
Comments (10)
It's obvious the Isles won't beat Buffalo, but having them wear them down and drag out the series couldn't hurt.
Same for Pittsburgh. It looks like the Sens are going to win that series, but a few extra days or abuse can't be bad.
Would love to see the Bolts beat the Devs but it's looking like that won't happen. To be honest, I'd rather play Buffalo right now than Ottawa.
The best example is the most recent one: We had four days off between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs, and wound up sweeping Atlanta 4 straight. So I'm not worried about a similar scenario unfolding now. Plus, Hossa's knee gets some extra time, as does Tyutin's, and Rachunek will be ready to roll if needed.
it's worked both ways in the past - really helped us in 94 with the 1st 2 series being in 9 games. I remember in the west a few yrs back one team looked like a juggernaut in an easy sweep but went down just as easy after due to too long a break. I'm thinking the team was Colorado but not sure. The break did not help the Devils last yr.
Most likely as you said we'll play Buff or Ott. If the team we play wins on Fri if Buff or tonight if Ott their break would be nearly as long so there should be no excuses re a break. I'm guessing Thursday for a start unless all eastern series end in 6 or less.
If Buffalo with their speed I'm not sure we can play Orr unless Renney and Sather are intimidated by Dolan's comments earlier.
It would be a speed series more than Atlanta was where they really tried to pound us.
There is not a team in the east that I am afriad of if Henrik plays as well as he has and we stay healthy - which is a major benefit of ending series early. I am currently rooting for TB, Buff and Ott - and would love to have TB win their 2nd rd so if we got by Ott we would face TB with home ice with the winner going to the finals to play for the cup.
Last year, after many of the players were being worn out, or injured, in mid-season by the addition of the Olympic tournament, the Rangers entered the playoffs on a losing note and almost completely out of gas.
(Next time, can all the hockey playing nations just send college kids, juniors and hopefuls instead of screwing up every league's season for a badly designed metal disc on a ribbon?)
I'd rather see them rested on a full tank this time out. With the hunger this team has shown just getting into the playoffs and getting this far, I don't think finding the edge after a few days is going to be much of a puzzle for Team Renney to have to solve.
Of course, there will be a really good litmus test for that. Let the team they're playing come in after a seven game series without the same rest and let's see whether "rest" or "edge" made more of a difference after almost a hundred games** of play.
**(Note -82 Games+Playoffs+Preseason)
It's hard to say whether the layoff will cause rust in the first game of a series, but it certainly will help in the long run. If we win a long series in round 2, it will help us to be fresher for the next round. The cumulative punishment takes its toll.
Not to mention that extra games open the possibility that players will get injured. Jagr could have broken his ankle in game 5.
The long-ish break ought to be ok for all the reasons mentioned above by others with better hockey sense than me. Plus, I'm figuring this: They have a day or two off. Sunday rolls around, they know both their opponent and start date. So the remainder of practices will be specific and skewed towards their opponents vis-a-vis video meetings, checking assignments, etc. Purposeful, just the way Coach Renney would plan it, dontcha think?
If I'm wrong, I'm STILL very proud of them for being the FIRST to dispose of their opponents. Good work, gentlemen!
Simplistically: Miller? Emery? Holmqvist? Lundqvist? Who would most hockey people put their money on? My stomach is nervous, but my head says Bring it!
'Night Ranger fans, sleep well!
Andrea - there is still a decent chance that a series - probably the TB series - could go 7 and end Tuesday. That would impact who the Rangers play so it might not be until Tuesday before we know the next opponent.
It's a state of mind re the rest. Can't use it as a crutch and it, as stated above avoids too much fatigue and injury. The old expression If you think you can or think you can't either way is right. So if they think the rest will help them then it will.
Don't give any of us bloggers too much credit re hockey sense or we would be doing it for a living.
I think the rest will be tremendous help. Everytime Jagr gets a rest he gets to hit the weightroom hard again strengthening and regaining confidence in his upper body strength. Remember the one game in ten days around the all star break. Jagr came back with renewed confidence that was missing the first half. Plus there are a whole list of rangers who could use the break on there beaten bodies. They will all get to do the same. Rest, strengthen up around the sore areas and come back with more confidence in themselves. I am excited for and expect an unbelievable first shift by Jagr in game 1 round 2.
My pick would be Tampa Bay given the inconsistent goaltending they have.
However, Buffalo and Ottawa might not be such big hills to climb. We went 1-3 against Ottawa but one loss was 1-0 shutout, a 3-2 loss when we blew a two-goal lead during our little stretch and a 6-4 loss where we fell behind 5-0 and then rallied to 5-4 down before losing.
As for Buffalo, yes we lost all four games but one needs to look closer.
Of the four games, Kevin Weekes started three of them. The Rangers lost
7-4 and blew a two-goal lead as the Sabres struck for fine unanswered goals. We then lost 4-3 in Overtime with Weekes in goal as we blow a
3-1 lead. The next game was Lundqvist's only appearance a 3-2 Overtime loss where the Blueshirts rallied from a two goal hole. The final game was a 4-3 Shootout loss with Weekes in goal as we blew a 3-1 lead.
All in all, I think I would rather see Ottawa. I believe Buffalo's speed is a killer and Ryan Miller is a better and steadier goalie than Ray Emery. Also, Ottawa still has some playoff ghosts to deal with.
I think the way the Rangers have been playing, especially Lundqvist the past couple of months, the rest can only help them. Recharge the batteries, so to speak.
I don't see the Devils losing to Tampa. Tampa's defense is horrible, plus, their goaltending is questionable.
Personally, I'd much rather play Buffalo in the next round. We skate pretty good with them and I'd rather let Jersey rough up Ottawa a bit before we get to them.