Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage at Hockeybird.com. As you are all to aware, the Rangers ended the regular season in an anti-climatic fashion with a 5-1 loss at MSG. The loss was especially painful as a win would have clinched first place in the Atlantic Division. In fact as it turned out, a win in any of the last five games would have achieved the same.....but the win never came. Five consecutive losses is not the way to end what has been a special season for this club.
Thru two periods last night the Rangers looked pretty good. Unlike the previous losses, they had energy and it sure was great to have the hard hitting Kaspar back as well as MSG fave Henrik Lunqvist in net. Down 0-1 the Rangers gave up a power play goal but answered seconds later with a great effort by Jagr to set up a goal. Going into the third down by just a goal I was sure they'd find a way to win this one. But the Sens popped one to go up 3-1 and the fourth goal against sealed the deal. Not to beat a dead horse but this was not the way to end the season.
The Flyers were beating the Islanders and Montreal had a lead on the Devils. During the next few minutes the Devils mounted a hell of a comeback, beating Les Habs and taking the division title. Now that's how you end a season. The Devils are the hottest team in the league right now.....and guess who we play in the opening round? Yep....the Devs.
I'm going to wait until the playoffs are over before reminding everyone how great this season has been and how much we have to look forward too. Now, there is work to be done. You can't just toss in the towel and lean on the "no one picked us to make the playoffs" crap. Not now. This is an opportunity that can't be passed up. One can't change the past but can certainly do something about the future. let's agree that the regular season will be analyzed at a later date and concentrate on the first round.
I'm sure you all know that the Devils have NEVER beaten the Rangers in a playoff series. Hey....it's something, right? And, as far as home ice is concerned it looks like there will be plenty of Rangers fans attending the games at the swamp. The last 3-2 loss to the Devs saw a good effort by the Rangers and that was a close game that could have been a win. It's my hope that we see the same kind of effort as in that game. If we get that I'll be happy as I can see enough success to possibly beat the Devs in a seven game series.
Anyway you decide to look at this series I can easily say it'll be an entertaining affair. While now was not the time for a season ending slump, it's also not the time to jump off the bus. The Rangers can beat the Devils. They can beat them 4 out of 7 times. Whether they do or not....well, that's why they play the games.
I look forward to recapping the first playoff win in nearly a decade with a resounding BEER ME! Until then......enjoy the days off.
----}- Bird
Posted by Bird at April 19, 2006 03:07 PMeMail this entry!
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