[pete_b]

The Rangers lost again and it was a big game this time. The 'Canes are most likely the team to beat in the East. This could be the team they they meet and have to get past to play for the Cup. Maybe its good that they are losing now so they peak a little later on. Are the Rangers playing badly or just losing?

[blueandwhite]

sounds funny the way you put it, like they have to get the losing out of the way before they can consider winning -
but you know- the playoff season is like a whole new hockey game. Every season leading up to the playoffs, the senators would kick the leafs' ass and then come playoffs, the leafs would win hands down. Of course, that's not going to happen this year...
But you never know what team'll show up after April 18 - it's like a whole new frame of mind, a whole new determination. The Canes are great now? maybe they'll choke later on. Maybe the rangers will step up.

[EmpireWF]

The playoffs certainly are about who's hot during the time and who's not. The Rangers had been so hot the 1st half of the season and they're falling a bit. Hopefully, it doesn't continue much longer.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

The Rangers had been so hot the 1st half of the season and they're falling a bit. Hopefully, it doesn't continue much longer.

As an Islanders fan, hopefully it does.

[ThePundit]

Oh well - The Rangers won.

I went into NYC from LI tonight on the Long Island Rail Road and there were many Ranger on their way to tonight's game.

I have to give the Ranger fans credit. The proudly wear their Ranger jerseys as if the Rangers have won more than 1 Stanley Cup in 66 years.

[pete_b]

Blue and White, Youre right about that. I think that all sports are like that. The playoffs are like a stage that you kind of just make it to and save your energy for. But winning at the end is an incentive for home advantage. Remember the Sharks and the Flames in '04? Where did they come from? But in the end the best team in hockey still won, the Lightning so the season is a good indication of how the playoffs will go.

[Lefty Noob]

Ouch. 3-5-2 in their last 10, and now Philly's caught up with them in the Atlantic. Of course, the Rangers have taken 3 of their last 4, so maybe it isn't as bad as it looks, but they definitely seem to be cooling off a little late in the year. With Florida and Tampa Bay this weekend, think they'll be able to maintain their place atop the division?