Of all of the traits that may make the Panthers tough for the Rangers to tame on this upcoming Japanese Convention Last, their drive simply will be the most daunting to beat.
A group doesn’t make all of it the best way again to the third spherical for a second straight yr, after falling simply three wins wanting hoisting the Stanley Cup the earlier season, until it’s insatiably fueled by the prospect of ending what it began.
That’s a form of problem the Blueshirts haven’t seen but.
It’s an element that may’t be quantified.
The Rangers aren’t simply making ready to face a membership that completed 4 factors behind them within the NHL standings and is extensively thought to be the group to beat within the East, however they’re about to have their fingers full with an opponent that’s gotten nearer to championship euphoria than most ever do.
“I think we understand the challenges,” Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette stated Monday after follow in Tarrytown. “They made it by way of the ringer final yr to get to the finals, one of many last two groups. Even in case you’re simply taking a look at this yr, there’s an opportunity that the highest 4 groups in every division will make it. So we shouldn’t be stunned. We all know it’s going to be tough. Even final spherical, if I’m being trustworthy, I believe it was eight out of 9. So eight out of 9 made it after which the eight had been within the high 9 that had made it to this previous spherical.
“It shouldn’t shock us that they’re a superb group or that they’re hungry or that they play effectively or that they’ve bought good goaltending, good specialty groups that nearly all people does at this level. I don’t assume it’ll shock us. I don’t assume we now have to account for something apart from the truth that they had been a extremely good group this yr.
“I understand what they did last year, I think the players understand that, too. But they followed it up this year, they’re a very good team [this year], as well.”
The Rangers have simply three common skaters — Chris Kreider, Barclay Goodrow and Erik Gustafsson — who know what it’s wish to compete within the Stanley Cup Last. Laviolette has certified three separate occasions, successful all of it with the Hurricanes in 2006, whereas assistants Michael Peca and Phil Housley each know what it’s wish to get there and lose.
In any other case, the convention last is the furthest spherical a majority of the Rangers gamers know.
I think about simply reaching the summit of the Stanley Cup Last is one thing that may’t be defined, simply felt. To assume what it should be wish to get there after which lose, it’s in all probability a letdown that by no means fairly leaves you till you modify the script.
To Laviolette’s level, nevertheless, the Panthers didn’t simply make it to the ultimate final season. They then adopted it up with an excellent stronger regular-season efficiency this yr. Florida was one in all simply 4 groups — together with the Golden Knights, Capitals and Blue Jackets — that the Rangers misplaced to twice in regulation.
After dropping the primary two conferences, 4-3 on Dec. 29 and 4-2 on March 4, the Rangers beat the Panthers in one in all their most vital video games of the season with a 4-3 victory in a shootout on March 23.
It got here two days after they beat the Bruins and because of this, pushed the Rangers into the No. 1 spot within the Japanese Convention.
There’s no standings to inspire the Rangers now, solely Lord Stanley. And everyone knows that’s what’s been on the Panthers’ minds since they watched it get handed over to Vegas final yr.
“There’s no stopping now,” Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad stated final June. “There’s no stopping here. A bump in the road, and it’s going to sting. It stings now. But we’ll find a way to come back next year and be stronger because of it.”
