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New York Rangers: Who you should root for in the playoffs

By Steve Paulus

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 10: Tampa Bay Lightning defender Dan Girardi (5) and Tampa Bay Lightning defender Ryan McDonagh (27) stand for the National Anthem prior to the first period of an NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 10, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 10: Tampa Bay Lightning defender Dan Girardi (5) and Tampa Bay Lightning defender Ryan McDonagh (27) stand for the National Anthem prior to the first period of an NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 10, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 03: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game at Consol Energy Center on January 3, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 03: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game at Consol Energy Center on January 3, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Lightning

Conditional first round draft pick aside, there are many sentimental reasons to root for Tampa.

There are more former Rangers on the Lightning than any other team in the league.  Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman and Dan Girardi are all former Blueshirts.  It would be fitting if these  players are able to hoist the Cup in June and in doing so, get the Rangers that first round pick.

Any true Rangers fan will want to wish success for former captains McDonagh and Callahan and stalwart defenseman Girardi.   That trio played a total of 1,754 games in Broadway Blue as opposed to only 542 in  Tampa Blue.

It’s also likely that Stralman and Girardi will be toiling elsewhere next season as they are UFA’s so this is truly the last chance for the “Rangers South” to win it all.

There a couple more off-ice connections to New York.  Assistant general manager Pat Verbeek played two seasons for the Rangers in the mid 90’s and former Ranger player, broadcaster and general manager Phil Esposito is a VP of Corporate Relations and color commentator on Lightning telecasts.

There’s no doubt about it, there are many reasons to hope for the Lightning to go all the way.

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