New York Rangers: Five Thoughts on a Playoff Run

Blue Line Station has been looking at the Rangers’ performances through every ten games. Now that the playoffs are set to begin, we have more to say.

1. I do not expect the New York Rangers to go far in the playoffs. The defense is too weak. Think about it this way: the Rangers have Ryan McDonagh as their top defenseman. That’s fine. That’s normal. Still, their next best defenseman is Brady Skjei. While he’s been a lot better than expected, but he’s still a rookie.

After that is Brendan Smith. Smith is a fine third defenseman, though he’s best suited as a fourth defenseman.

After Smith? Yikes. Three of the six Rangers’ defensemen that take the ice at any given point will be liabilities. Dan Girardi is one of the worst defensemen in the league. Nick Holden shows us why Patrick Roy loved him every night. (That’s a bad thing) Kevin Klein is toast, and Marc Staal is burnt toast.

Stopping the Montreal Canadiens’ offense is going to take solid defense. However, the Rangers do not possess that.

2. I’d like to set the over/under of first round playoff games played for Tanner Glass at three. Regardless of the opening night lineup, Glass will get his time. Listening to the MSG analysts on Saturday afternoon all but confirmed it.

The analysts spoke so highly of Glass as if he was this crucial component of a winning roster. Truthfully, Glass will be one of the reasons the Rangers inevitably exit the playoffs.

New York’s only advantage over their competition is their forward depth. However, once Glass enters the lineup, that forward depth disappears. Letting the Canadiens focus on grit and agitation while the Rangers focus on goal scoring would be wise. I don’t think Alain Vigneault is wise.

3. Even if the Rangers lose to the Canadiens in the first round, this will be a valuable post-season. The likes of Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey, and (hopefully) Pavel Buchnevich can use all of the post-season experience they can get. This year does not feel like the year, but with a few moves here and there, next year can be.

Giving the youth playoff experience in preparation for bigger runs is a nice boost for the Rangers. Let’s also not forget that we get to watch post-season action. Again.

While some fans complain about Henrik Lundqvist. What a world.

4. Let’s say the Rangers make it out of the first round. It’s not impossible for the Rangers to make a run. New York can battle with the winner of the other Atlantic bracket competition. Neither of the teams are at the level of the Canadiens.

Should the Rangers make it out of that series, odds are they will face a heavily fatigued Metropolitan Division team in the Conference Finals. Given that fatigue and that it’s a seven game series, anything could happen.

If somehow the Rangers make it out of the Eastern Conference, I believe they can hang with any team in the Western Conference. The Rangers play Western Conference hockey. The Western Conference is weak, too. While I’m often negative, what I’m saying is, there’s reason for some hope. One step at a time, though.

5. No matter what, please be above blaming Henrik Lundqvist for whatever comes next. He deserves much better than us. Lundqvist put the team on his back countless times through the years.

Even if he struggles this post-season, Lundqvist deserves to be praised as someone who ensures we get to watch playoff hockey every year.

Anyway, it would most likely be the defense’s fault. However, Jeff Gorton deserves General Manager of the Century props or whatever. Apparently fixing the defense is not part of the job description. Right.

Next: Five Must-Know 2016-17 Stats

Finally, let’s get to some post-season action. We will have “thoughts” columns up the morning after every game with full analysis. Stop by!

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