New York Rangers: The greatest game ever played
The night of June 14, 1994 was one of the most memorable in New York Rangers history. It ended 54 years of frustration and immortalized the Blueshirts who were part of that experience. But was it the greatest game the Rangers have ever played? No.
Where where you on June 14, 1994 is one of the classic questions that all New York Rangers fans can share. All fans remember exactly what they were doing when the Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 and ended a 54 year drought, the longest in NHL history. It was a thrilling hockey game and the final result wasn’t confirmed until the buzzer signaled that it was over. But as great as that match was, Game Seven of the Conference Finals was the greatest hockey game the Blueshirts have ever played.
The Cup clinching game had its share of suspense, but the Rangers never trailed after Brian Leetch scored at 11:02 of the first period. In fact, the Blueshirts twice had a two goal lead and only saw the lead whittled to one goal when Trevor Linden scored a power play goal with 15:10 left.
True, the Rangers had to claw to hold on to the lead and Nathan Lafayette’s third period shot that beat Mike Richter and hit the post will go down in history, but the game was never in doubt.
Don’t forget, the Rangers were supposed to beat Vancouver and win the Cup. They had the best record in the NHL while Vancouver was seeded seventh in the Western Conference.
The Rangers had steamrollered the Islanders and Capitals before their epic seven game series with the Devils.
Meanwhile, the Canucks came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Calgary in the first round before upsetting the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canucks were clearly overmatched against the Rangers and once the Blueshirts amassed a 3-1 lead in the series, the Cup was “never” in doubt. The Rangers had three chances to win that Stanley Cup series and they tempted fate by using them all.
However, it never would have happened if on the night of May 27, the Rangers had not beaten the New Jersey Devils in a legendary contest that took Ranger fans on a roller coaster of emotion.
Game 7 versus the Devils
The stage was set for game seven of the Conference Finals to qualify as the greatest game the Rangers. Mark Messier had guaranteed a win in Game Six and came through with a hat trick. The Rangers had never won the deciding game of a seven game series in overtime, no less double overtime. Already in the series, two games had gone to double OT with the teams splitting.
The Rangers took the lead when Brian Leetch scored in the second period. The Rangers clung to that 1-0 lead for almost two periods. For 59 minutes 52.3 seconds, Mike Richter shut out the Devils as the Garden crowd grew more delirious. The sound was deafening and the joy was contagious.
And then, Valeri Zelepukin scored with only 7.7 seconds left in the third period. It was a dagger in the hearts of all Ranger fans. It was the worst moment in team history.as they tumbled from the euphoria of an imminent trip to the finals to the devastation when Zelapukin scored. Watch it here. Grown men were in tears. With all of the concession stands closed, all of the fans could do was just sit in stunned silence. The sentiment was uniform. Gone was the Presidents Trophy,. The two rounds of playoff dominance. The Messier guarantee in Game Six. The “We want the Cup” chant that had resounded through the Garden just moments before. It was a flashback to J.P. Parise and Ken Morrow and another bitter disappointment for the Blueshirts faithful.You have to understand the pessimism that 54 years of futility can bring. There wasn’t a “now we will get them in overtime” sentiment in the Garden. It was “now we’re gonna lose.” That’s why, when Stephane Matteau scored on his wraparound, the arena literally exploded.
And that is why Game Seven of the 1994 Conference Finals is the greatest hockey game ever played by the New York Rangers, maybe even the most fabulous hockey game ever played. They rebounded from the ultimate depths to win, a result that everyone hoped for but no no one expected.
25 years ago today, the New York Rangers were crowned the champions of the National Hockey League, but it would have never happened without the Rangers victory in what was absolutely the greatest game the team has ever played.
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