Series Preview (8) NYR vs (1) Caps: Exciting finish sets up rematch

Finally, after a couple of days, I can try to make sense of what happened this weekend. I'm not going to lie. I never thought the Hurricanes were losing at home in front of some of the best fans with their season on the line. Full credit to Jack Adams candidate Guy Boucher and his overlooked Lightning who could surprise a few this Spring. Big kudos to the Rangers, who wouldn't go down without a fight in front of the Garden Faithful- coming back to earn an emotional 5-2 win over the enemy Devils.

Of course, the Devils wanted to end our season. Wouldn't you if it was the first time in 15 years you weren't in the playoffs and had a chance to beat your closest rival? So, it wasn't too surprising that the Devs came out strong thanks to a brilliant first period from Ilya Kovalchuk, who scored and set up both his team's goals, giving them a 2-1 lead with a rocket in the final 30 seconds. It's funny but as much as it was supposed to hurt that the Devils' best player scored a potential crushing goal late in the first, I just didn't feel that alarmed. Perhaps it was because I knew our team wouldn't give up when they haven't all season. As brutal as the loss to kryptonite Atlanta was, this was still do or die with the chance to put it all on Carolina. My feeling was, 'Let's beat the Devils and end on a high note. Whatever happens happens.'

That realistic approach made it easier to focus on the remaining two periods. Even the funny scalpers outside were discussing our fragile plight. None of it meant anything if the Blueshirts didn't respond one final time against a Hudson rival that beat us the last two times, intent on playing spoiler. What we got was the heart and passion that exemplifies what this team has been all about. It already was fun seeing much maligned captain Chris Drury, making like Willis Reed (sarcasm folks) to score his first of the season in quick reply to Kyle Palmieri's redirect. Ironically, when I learned he was returning, I tweeted that it wouldn't surprise me if he scored a big goal, which has defined his career. Sometimes, you just get a sixth sense. I was really happy for him. That it was also set up by Mats Zuccarello, who replaced Sean Avery, was even better. John Tortorella didn't stand pat, reinserting Drury, Zuccarello and opting for more mobile Matt Gilroy over gritty Steve Eminger.

The thing I admire about Tort the most is his willingness to change things up and make guys accountable. Even Marian Gaborik, who sat a long time in that humiliation in Game 81. The former Lightning coach who's won a Cup doing it his way, does it more by feel instead of by the book. That approach allowed us to come back against Boston just to reach Saturday. By not being afraid to mix and match, it's allowed our roster to get comfortable with each other. So, if he does it in the first round rematch versus Washington, they should be more familiar, making for an easier transformation.

Most encouraging were the five different goalscorers, including emerging freshman Ryan McDonagh, who picked a great time for his first career NHL goal- becoming the 19th different Ranger to score a deciding goal, epitomizing the kinda T-E-A-M they've been. Something that wasn't lost on Tortorella prior to getting help from his ex-team, who held off a late Carolina rally for a 6-2 win.

"We are doing things the right way, the way we are building this team. I think it is very important for this team to get in (to the playoffs) because that is part of growing as a team, getting that experience in the playoffs."

Now, that growth can continue for the sixth youngest team as they prepare for a Caps' team that's adjusted their style for the postseason. No longer is Alex Ovechkin just a one-way player but good in all three zones along with an improved D that features gifted rookie John Carlson along with Dennis Wideman, Scott Hannan and Jeff Schultz but could be without Mike Green, who's still recovering from a concussion due to a Derek Stepan elbow during the Rangers' 6-0 rout a couple of months ago. According to reports, Green has taken part in team workouts and is available for Wednesday. However, it's uncertain if he'll play.

The Blueshirts can't concern themselves with that. Instead, they'll march on minus emotional leader Ryan Callahan, who despite missing 20 games, tied with Gaborik for second in team scoring with a career high 48 points, including personal bests in goals (23), assists (25), power play goals (10) and game-winners (5). The latter two which he paced the club. No question they could use his physical presence in all facets, including the front of the net where goals could be at a premium. Washington rookie Michal Neuvirth had a superb year winning 27 games in 45 starts while posting a 2.45 GAA, .910 save percentage and four shutouts. If the Rangers get to him, '09 hero Semyon Varlamov is capable. So, while Henrik Lundqvist should give them an edge, it might not be as definitive considering the Caps' more defensive style.

Against the Devils, Drury, Wojtek Wolski, McDonagh, Extra Effort winner Brandon Prust and Vinny Prospal tallied. That kinda balance is exactly what the Rangers need to have a shot versus a talented top seeded Cap squad led by Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, that also boasts a strong supporting cast featuring Mike Knuble, Brooks Laich, Jason Arnott, Jason Chimera, Matt Hendricks, Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and dangerous rookie Marcus Johansson. Indeed, the Caps are formidable and will want to prove the two humiliations (7-0 and 6-0) are a thing of the past. The Rangers took the season series 3-1, also edging Washington in a shootout 2-1 thanks to budding soph Artem Anisimov.

This is a team we match-up well against. Perhaps because they play similarly despite more talent, the Rangers think they can win. Having Lundqvist on our side helps but it cannot turn into two years ago where Washington controlled throughout, wearing out our goalie who didn't benefit from Tortorella's blow up or the Sean Avery controversy. I still doubt we win anyway. This year's club is deeper and more together. Better equipped to go toe to toe with Washington, who actually scored five fewer goals (219) than us (224). Subtracting the do everything Callahan will be tough to replace. That's why it's imperative for Gaborik to forget his awful regular season and just focus on the playoffs. The Rangers need him to be a game breaker. I have faith in everyone else, figuring Dubinsky, Anisimov, Stepan, Prospal, Brian Boyle and Prust will lead the way. Speaking of Boyle, his scoring slowed down but his importance is huge because his line injects energy and plays defensively responsible against top scoring lines. Can they slow down Ovechkin, who found his groove late? Being able to forecheck will be key.

It remains to be seen who Tortorella will start in Game One. Wolski certainly earned it along with Drury. So, we're guessing Avery's out while a more skilled guy like Zuccarello gets his first crack at the playoffs. I could see him going back to Eminger over Gilroy but that would hurt our team speed. We'll see. Does enigma Erik Christensen have any goals in him? He's the unknown. The talent's there. In a series like this, he could make a difference. Does Tort dare reunite Christy with Gabby and Prospal, trying to catch Lightning in a bottle?

I think the best aspect of this team is our D which won't have to rely as much on Marc Staal and Dan Girardi thanks to the stellar play of rookie tandem McDonagh and Mike Sauer. I know Tort will lean heavily on our top pair but he must not shy away from sticking with what's worked. It's the unflappable play of McDonagh and Sauer, our toughest D since Beuke- who are just as responsible for where we are. If there are no jitters, that top four should be a strength. We have better quickness than Washington. Particularly if Tortorella goes with Gilroy to play with Bryan McCabe, who needs to be a factor on the power play.

What I'd Like To See:

Dubinsky-Anisimov-Zuccarello
Prospal-Stepan-Gaborik
Prust-Boyle-Fedotenko
Christensen-Drury-Wolski

Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy

Lundqvist


Who Concerns Me: Johansson cause he's a different player who has sick moves and is extremely dangerous. Our team is familiar with how to defend the Caps' Big Three. Johansson could be an X-factor along with gritty types Laich, Knuble, Arnott, etc. The Caps' depth hurt us last time.

What Must Happen: Big series for Gaborik, Dubinsky, Prospal, Anisimov, Staal, Girardi and Lundqvist.

Under Radar: The Boyle line has been a constant throughout. Their play will play a huge role in this series. Keep an eye on Stepan, who finished strong and looks poised for a good first round.

Special Teams: Power play and penalty kill are always important. Staying disciplined against the Caps is a must, even if we don't know how effective Green is if he goes. Let Lundqvist see the shots.

Intangibles: The Caps have something to prove, intent on finally reaching the Cup. The Rangers lost to them two years ago with at least seven players experiencing an excruciating loss. The longer the series goes, the better our chances.

Prediction: Minus Callahan, it'll be difficult to replace what he brings. This is the type of series he'd be huge in. I really believe we win if No.24 plays. I just feel too many things have to break right for us to prevail.

Caps in 6

Olympic prelims rolling along

Some random thoughts from my cocoon after almost five days of the men's Winter Olympic tournament:

-Who would have thought the US would be ranked #1 after two games (barring a four-goal Finnish win tonight against Germany)? They've certainly had a couple of workmanlike victories so far, beating Switzerland 3-1 doesn't look so ho-hum after the Swiss almost stunned Canada in two straight Olympics though, this time on home ice! Team USA wasn't quite as good as the 6-1 score against Norway and if anything was trying too hard to roll up the score, giving the Norwegians too many opportunities in the second, but put up a few goals late to pull away from a Norwegian team that's pretty much looked hapless so far.

And I'll admit I was wrong for questioning why Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan were both selected to the team, Drury despite his rep was just having such a terrible year and I thought someone like Brian Gionta, for example, deserved the nod over Callahan but taking both gives Team USA one of the best penalty-killing units in the tournament, something Brian Burke no doubt took into consideration. Especially since chemistry is an issue for teams that have just come together this week.

-O Canada, they certainly are good for melodrama aren't they? Jarome Iginla being benched provides instant controversy...and you just know the critics who want the hometown boy to start were sharpening the knives there after Roberto Luongo got a yawner of a shutout while Martin Brodeur gave up two goals (oh, the horror!) against the Swiss. Of course, Brodeur did what he usually does when the game goes to a shootout, by stonewalling four straight Swiss shooters and giving Sidney Crosby time to convert on a second penalty shot attempt, which would be just enough for the winner in the most dramatic game of the Olympics so far.

-Nothing against Jamie Langenbrunner, who is doing a fine job for Team America as well as with the Devils...but it is nice to see Patrik Elias run with the C again for the Czech Republic. He's played inspired, with three goals thus far. Despite Team USA's start, it's the Czechs who look the best of all the teams to this point. After a 3-1 win over a tough Slovakia team, the Czechs jumped out on Latvia early 4-0 but had to withstand a late surge by the underdogs after giving up a couple of goals late in the second period and wound up winning 5-2, with Elias sealing the deal on an empty-netter from his own end of the ice.

-For years I've been hearing about how Slovakia was going to be a darkhorse and really they should be with players like Zdeno Chara, Marian Gaborik, etc. However it never seemed to materialize in past Olympics. This year it might be, after a tough loss to the Czechs where two goals in the final couple minutes of the second period was the difference they stunned Russia, who was riding high after an 8-2 win over Latvia. After a 1-1 tie through overtime, Pavol Demitra got the best of Alexander Ovechkin in the sudden-death shootout and showed the Slovaks might have some teeth this year after all, especially with Jaroslav Halak continuing his good play this year.

-The other Scandinavian countries seem headed for the inevitable showdown with the group (and an automatic bye) at stake after Finland's convincing win against Belarus in their opener. For their part Belarus continued to give the Swedes headaches, especially with Henrik Lundqvist taking a seat after his opening shutout against Germany in favor of the shaky Jonas Gustavsson. Sweden nearly blew a 3-0 lead before Daniel Alfredsson finally sealed up a 4-2 win with seconds to go.

As far as the coverage goes, I have a couple of bones to pick with NBC. First of all I get wanting to show team USA in any sport (even if it is curling) over two foreign teams playing, at least in a vacuum but MSNBC, CNBC and USA Network delaying hockey coverage for curling time and again has become a running joke. However, why is curling cutting into the start of a Team USA game?! Maybe I'm wrong, but I think people would rather see some of the world's best hockey players over a sport nobody's ever heard of, prelim games or not. The curling matches seem to take five hours and there's little going on there. And it would be nice if you are going to delay the start of every game in favor of curling to put the start of the game on another of your 9324 networks and flash something at the bottom of the screen of the curling to go to this channel for coverage of the game. God forbid Dick Ebersol misses an opportunity to shoehorn a commercial in though, routinely missing faceoffs in the process.

Speaking of the coverage can we just get Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury in a steel-cage match and get it over with? And I love Doc Emrick, if you don't you're not a hockey fan. That said, there is such a thing as too much...when I heard he was going to be doing in the neighborhood of 28 games in 16 days I rolled my eyes. With that kind of schedule the poor guy's going to be seeing double by the end of the tournament. It's already started as he called #10 in the Czech uniform Gaborik twice (problem being Gaborik plays for the Slovakians). I mean it's bad enough he has to call two men's games per day, did they really have to have him doing a few of the women's prelim games as well before the men got there?

There are some things about the Olympic format itself I like...for instance the point system is kind of what it should be in a post-shootout world. Three for a regulation win, two for an OT/SO win, one for an OT/SO loss and zero for a regulation loss. The only reason the NHL isn't changing to that is (ha!) the sanctity of points records. So the sanctity of goalies' won-loss records or team winning streaks affected by the new rules don't count? Or having some games worth two points and others three?

Of course it's nice to see no trapezoid of doom, but the shootout format is kind of warped. After picking three shooters apiece like they do in the NHL you can basically hit reset and send Zach Parise out ten times in a row. If the game's going to come down to a skills competition at least make it a team activity. Maybe in the prelim rounds I can understand it since you don't want Canada throwing out ten All-Stars against the Swiss' ninth and tenth shooters (not that their first four were anything to write home about) but still, when you use the whole team in a shootout you get moments like Marek Malik nearly embarrassing Olaf Kolzig into retirement.

And speaking of the shootout...can someone send a memo to the Russian coach that Viktor Kozlov's actually better than his stars at the skills competition?

USA vs Swiss 1st Period Observations

They finally dropped the puck in British Columbia. With the 30-Year anniversary of the greatest Olympic hockey game less than a week away, another bunch of gritty Americans not expected to medal have begun their journey against a pesky Swiss team that was a huge story four years ago in Torino upsetting mighty Canada thanks to Martin Gerber. The first period was pretty competitive with the pesky Swiss playing a physical, tight checking game which gave our boys trouble. Especially in neutral zone. Ryan Miller even had to make a couple of big saves before a sweet finish with 61 ticks left by our breakout player Bobby Ryan for the period's only goal. Other observations:

-great work by David Backes on Ryan's goal hustling in the corners as did the Duck, who as Doc Emrick duly noted, beat a Duck in Jonas Hiller.

-Ryan Callahan was one of USA's best players playing his usual physical game, finishing checks. He and Ranger 'mate Chris Drury nearly hooked up for a goal thanks to a strong Ryan takeout of a Swiss along the boards. Dru made a nice dish across for Cally, who patiently waited but fired off the side of the net.

-Not much heard from the top line but Zach Parise did get a quality chance from the right circle, rifling a high riser off Hiller's mask.

-former NHLer Hnat Domenicelli impressed for SUI generating a couple of chances including one dangerous one. Former Ranger property Phillippe Fuhrer was also good.

-no commercials speeds up the game so much. My Dad's right.

Game is already back on. Here are lines from what we gather:

Kessel/Kane-Stastny-Parise
Brown-Kesler-Langenbrunner
Malone-Pavelski-Ryan
Backes-Drury-Callahan