New York Rangers: Blue Line Station Staff Playoff Picks And Takes

Jessica Joy Curtin

Starting with the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild have what it takes to get to the Finals.

This team is highly underrated along with goaltender, Devan Dubnyk who is statistically the best goalie in the West, second only to Carey Price in the league. This team is also fast and they’re dangerous on the road. With 12 straight road games won at the end of the season, their 11th against the Chicago Blackhawks to clinch a playoff berth shows that the Wild have the ability to buckle down when it matters most.

Mar 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) shoots the puck during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

In the Eastern Conference, the Ottawa Senators have been a huge surprise in the regular season and, although they haven’t had much success in the playoffs in recent years, they’ve got a lot to fight for this time around. They’ve definitely shown, with Andrew Hammond in net and rookie Mark Stone, that they have exceptional resilience to make it far in the postseason.

But when it comes to the New York Rangers, the Sens won’t be able to overcome this team with incredible depth at the blue line (hopefully including Kevin Klein by then) as well as offensive prowess (if Rick Nash can continue to score goals at rapid fire).

The Rangers know what it takes to get to the Finals, the bad taste of loss still fresh on their minds, so this team is really going to want it more than any other. The Rangers have everything it takes in the toolbox to get er done this year, including incredible goaltending from either Lundqvist or Talbot.

So, no matter who stands in their way of Lord Stanley, this New York team is undoubtedly going to have a good fighting chance to add “Stanley Cup Champions” to their already long list of accomplishments this year.

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