The New York Rangers begin an uneasy sojourn that should endure into June as they chase their second Stanley Cup since 1940, and their first one since 1994.
They are the clear favorites, and there's no team in the Western Conference that should scare them in the finals. They enter the first round of the NHL playoffs with 15 other organizations as the most compelling postseason competition in the country begins. It generally features great passion, unforeseen results, tense overtimes that swing series, and riveting play from the opening puck drop forward. Here's a look at the Rangers' Western Conference competition.
Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8) - The Canucks have quietly forged the best record in the league, which quite an accomplishment considering how dominant the Rangers were. The Kings are no pushovers and have great goaltending in Jonathan Quick...certainly not a household name. The Canucks should prevail, but in typical NHL playoff fashion, it'll be a war. Canucks in seven.
St. Louis Blues (2) vs. the San Jose Sharks (7) - We've seen enough of Joe Thornton in the playoffs to know he's capable of anything, as is the team for which he plays. The Sharks have been around the block and won some series in the past they shouldn't have. This could be one of them. There has to be an upset somewhere There always is. Sharks in six.
Phoenix Coyotes (3) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6) - Here's another silly positioning issue that has to move the Hawks' blood to boiling. They have more points than Phoenix, but the Coyotes won their division, and get the extra home game. Phoenix does have Mike Smith in goal, and he's been outstanding, but the Blackhawks are marginally better, and garnered the precious Stanley Cup a couple of years ago. That should help in a tight series. Blackhawks in seven.
Nashville Predators (4) vs. Detroit Red Wings (5) - The Wings are NHL royalty, but many seem to think the Predators are poised to overcome them here. Generally, when teams begin to attract unwarranted attention, they lose. The Predators, while solid, will fall here to expectations. Of course, having announced that, the Predators won Game One. Nevertheless, Wings in seven.
Glenn Vallach grew up agonizing over multiple New York Ranger near-misses in the 1960's and early 1970's. One particular highlight…listening to Marv Alpert on radio describing Pete Stemkowski's goal in the third overtime of a Game Six in 1971 against the Chicago Blackhawks…was sullied by a deflating Game Seven loss. Eventually, he spirited his allegiance to the younger, less disappointing New York Islanders in 1974, and was thusly rewarded with four Stanley Cups. He remains a semi-dormant Islander fan today, idly observing a semi-dormant franchise.
Sources:
- · Yahoo! Sports Vancouver Canucks page
- · Yahoo! Sports Detroit Red Wings page
- · Yahoo! Sports Chicago Blackhawks page
- · Kevin Allen, USA Today, First Round Predictions for Western Conference
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