Rangers Know They Must Win Game Two
The Rangers are all to aware of the importance of seizing a series early. Over the last few years they have played far to many playoff games in the early rounds. In the last 2 years the NYR have played five series and won 3 and lost 2. The wins all took 7 games to do it, the losses, 6 and 5 games respectively.
GETTING A GRIP
Game One’s hero Brad Richards knows the importance. “When you have a chance to get a good grip on a series, you can’t afford to let it slip away because more times than not, it costs you.”
The Rangers MVP, Lundqvist told the NY Post:
“We’ve had a lot of Game 7s, but maybe some of those could have been avoided if we’d been more consistent with our effort before that. This next game is an opportunity for us to put ourselves in a better situation, but so is every game.”
“I think that’s the message. You can’t afford any games where you don’t put forth your best effort. You don’t want to be emotionally up and down all the time. That’s risky.”
MORE OF THE SAME
Ray Emery will once again start in place of injured goalie, Steve Mason. The Rangers should not deviate from what was an extremely effective game plan. However, New York must be aware of a concentrated effort by Philadelphia to generate more shots and traffic in front of Lundqvist.
The Flyers will look to throw the kitchen sink at the Rangers and bump Lundqvist on his throne. It will be up to the Blueshirts to stay poised and disciplined and hope the refs make the calls. If the refs fail to do so, NY can’t stand idly by and let the Flyers take liberties at the franchise. The Rangers need to pick their spots wisely.
The good news is, if the Flyers are overly aggressive they fall directly into the trap. The Rangers strength is quick transition and puck movement. Look for a few odd man rushes and breakaways in this game.
VIDEO: “Game 2 will be another typical #NYR-Flyers game”-Alain Vigneault looks ahead to tomorrow https://t.co/Pz2HIn9YGd #NYRPlayoffs
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 19, 2014
Fulltilt Forecast
The Flyers are going to come out hard and fast. The Rangers need to weather the storm and counter. I expect the Rangers to get tons of chances with odd man rushes. NY will blitz the Flyers in a rout. The key here will be just how dirty will the Flyers get? Expect some fisticuffs.
Look for Marty St. Louis to have a great game an truly endear himself to the Garden Faithful.
NYR 5 v. Flyers 1
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