logo

First Round Preview: Ranger side of the Hudson

April 6, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Copyright Getty Images 

Henrik Lundqvist robs Zach Parise of a certain goal in the third period Sunday at The Prudential Center. The Ranger netminder will need to be at his finest against Parise and the Devils in another Battle of the Hudson starting Wednesday night in Newark. 

With Hasan setting up the Devil side of things in the latest installment of the Battle of the Hudson, it’s time to take a look at how the Rangers stack up.

So, let’s take look:

Forwards- Jaromir Jagr struggled much of the season but he sure bounced back this past week putting together his best hockey. A tying goal earlier today made it all 17 seasons of No.68’s brilliant career with at least 25-or-more. The tally also allowed him to surpass former Devil Scott Gomez for the team scoring lead netting 71 points (25-46-71). A hot Jagr is a plus headed into this series. If he’s the most important scorer, then Chris Drury’s the most valuable with his penchant for scoring clutch goals and winning key faceoffs to stellar penalty killing. With a goal today, he tied with Jagr for the most on the club with each getting 25. Gomez is the Rangers’ best passer and has plenty to prove against his former teammates. Brendan Shanahan has lost a step but could prove large in a series where offense should be at a premium. Never underestimate Jagr fixture Marty Straka either.

Grade: B

Defense- With Marek Malik returning to the blueline today to get the rust out, the Blueshirt blueline looks to be well balanced. If there’s an area of concern, it’s that the Czech tandem of Malik and Michal Rozsival can be forechecked. They must remain poised and make smart decisions. Ditto for the improving Christian Backman, who is hot with seven points in his last eight games entering the postseason. Look for solid young pair Fedor Tyutin and Dan Girardi to log important minutes in this series. Both work well together and aren’t afraid to play the body. They’ll be a huge key to who prevails. Rookie Marc Staal continues to improve in his end. Now he’ll really get tested along with partner Backman. He’s the future on the blueline. So it should be interesting to see how he fares.

Grade: C+

Goalies- Henrik Lundqvist played almost as much hockey as adversary Marty Brodeur starting 72 while winning 37 and posting a respectable 2.23 GAA with a .912 save percentage. Two years ago against the same bitter rival, he wasn’t 100 percent and performed miserably. He’s been tough on the Devils all season and has added incentive. The NHL shutout leader (10 SHO) who might once again sneak into the Vezina race due to Roberto Luongo’s meltdown will be under the microscope. The pressure’s on. Solid vet Stephen Valiquette backs up.

Grade: A

Coach- Tom Renney has done a respectable job running the Ranger bench. For the third straight year, the affable man has guided his team to the postseason. However, so much is expected this time around. He must not be afraid to make line changes such as flipping Straka and key antagonist Sean Avery, who’s not been the same since being moved away from Jagr and rookie Brandon Dubinsky. It’s no time to worry about bruising egos. For all my criticism, Renney usually has a good read on his bench. The pressure’s on in this series.

Grade: B

Special Teams- If there’s an area which could help decide this series, it’s here. Neither team takes many penalties. So, when they get their chances, the Rangers need to shoot the puck and bury them. Against Brodeur, every shot counts. Their PP has struggled all year ranking a ridiculous 20th (lower after today). On the other end, the PK has been a bright spot with Renney able to send three sets of forwards out including rookie Ryan Callahan and key fourth line pivot Blair Betts. Drury and Shanahan are also fixtures. Keeping the Devils off the board in this department is a must.

Grade: C (PP-D PK-B)

X-Factor- Normally, you don’t point to rookies as difference makers but the Rangers have a trio up front who could prove large. Dubinsky plays with Jagr and possesses good size, speed and strength. He’s a heady player who is effective in all three zones and knows how to get underneath opponents skin. So while the Devils will be preoccupied with Avery, they might overlook Dubinsky. Callahan is a speedy right wing who brings a lot of energy to his shifts. Extremely aggressive on the forecheck, the Rochester native isn’t shy about throwing big hits and is particularly effective along the walls. Perhaps the most dangerous of the three rookie forwards is Nigel Dawes. Since a second recall in mid-January, the 23 year-old from Manitoba has been a different player scoring and setting up big goals and playing very spunky hockey. He’s not big but uses his 5-8 190 frame well usually beating opponents to loose pucks. Some hustle resulted in Drury’s 25th earlier today. Dawes is also an underrated passer. He’ll be teamed with Callahan and Drury.   

Grade: B+

Analysis: This promises to be a tightly contested battle between the East’s top two defenses with All-Star netminders. As stated 24 hours ago, the team which sets the tone and plays most aggressively should prevail.

Prediction: Like Hasan, I believe this series goes six. However, I won’t pick a winner. I still maintain that whoever comes out will be bruised and battered for the next round probably against top seeded Montreal, who shouldn’t have much trouble with the Bruins.

If our other NY/NJ bloggers want to make a pick or give hard hitting analysis, by all means do. :-)

  • Share/Save/Bookmark
readers comments
  1. Hockey News Aggregator » First Round Preview: Ranger side of the Hudson on April 6th, 2008 10:40 pm

    [...] Original post here [...]

  2. First Round Preview: Ranger Side Of The Hudson | trumainealix on April 7th, 2008 12:53 am

    [...] read more April 7th, 2008 at 12:47 am [...]

  3. First Round Preview: Ranger Side Of The Hudson | austinanthony on April 7th, 2008 2:28 am

    [...] read more [...]

  4. First Round Preview: Ranger Side Of The Hudson | kincaidsvend on April 7th, 2008 6:55 am

    [...] read more [...]

  5. First Round Preview: Ranger Side Of The Hudson | jervismichal on April 7th, 2008 11:51 pm

    [...] read more [...]

You must be logged in to post a comment.

NY Hockey Report

Thursdays at 11 p.m.

Rangers Schedule

Your sideblock text goes here

Islanders Schedule

Your sideblock text goes here

Devils Schedule

Your sideblock text goes here

Sabres Schedule

Your sideblock text goes here

At CTC Tickets, we don't just sell sports tickets, we get excited about them! Become a CTC fan on Facebook for discount and contest news announcements, and follow @CTCTickets on Twitter for opportunities to win gift cards and more.



Don't miss any of the NHL action in New York this year at the SBG Global! The online sportsbook offers live hockey odds, unique NHL betting options, numerous sports betting prop wagers including odds to win the Stanley Cup.




Watch horses and riders battle it out at the world famous Cheltenham festival in England.

Visit the Online Gambling Paper for the best list of sports betting websites and great guide to the best casinos.

Show what you know about the NY sports scene when you bet online.


    follow me on Twitter

    Sports Betting

    The brand new 32Vegas Online Casino brings you the atmosphere of the exciting Vegas strip, straight into your living room.

    BetMyHorse.co.uk is a unique online horse betting portal offering rich information for betting online on horse racing, also provides in depth betting analysis & daily horse racing news articles.

    Play your favorite online casino games anytime, anywhere at Blackpool Club, with the latest in flash technology.

    eToro takes forex trading to a new level. The eToro platform is simple and comfortable to use, allowing you to focus on your trading.

    Online diamond jeweler offering top quality rings, earrings and bracelets, with unique 3-D views of set or loose diamonds.

    Joyland Casino welcomes you to the top online casino bonus on the Internet. Here you will find the best online casino games and bonuses.

    Mister Gammon is a portal offering online backgammon players the latest information about backgammon tournaments and events.

    Una guida ai casinò di alta qualità che ti offre tutto ciò che devi sapere riguardo alle ultime notize dei casinò online.

    One of the largest premier guides to online slots machine and online slot games. A complete guide to playing progressive slot games.

    Online poker Information with poker, news, videos, tournaments and reviews. Play Texas Holdem, Omaha, 7 Card Stud & 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo plus more online poker games.

    2009 Top 5 Picks 1.John Tavares, NYI 2.Victor Hedman, TB 3.Matt Duchene, Col 4.Evander Kane, Atl 5.Brayden Schenn, LA

    (4) Pittsburgh def. (2) Detroit 4-3 Pens win 3rd Stanley Cup Evgeni Malkin, Conn Smythe CONGRATULATIONS 2009-09 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION PITTSBURGH PENGUINS


    Improve the web with Nofollow Reciprocity.