Blue Line Station
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It’s the playoffs, what did you expect?

By Steve Paulus

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers goes for a loose puck in front of Louis Domingue #70 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 7, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers goes for a loose puck in front of Louis Domingue #70 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 7, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers goes for a loose puck in front of Louis Domingue #70 of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers goes for a loose puck in front of Louis Domingue #70 of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

New York Rangers fans have forgotten what the playoffs are like.  After five long years, we are back on the roller coaster ride known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The playoffs are unlike anything else is sports and our beloved Blueshirts are giving us the full treatment.

The most important thing for the maintenance of sanity for Ranger fans is to react rationally to the twists and turns of the playoffs.  It’s a best-of-seven series, not a one-game elimination.  There will be incredible emotional highs and devastating lows.  What’s been unusual is we have seen those highs and lows in each individual game.

First off, the Rangers are down 2-1 in a seven game series.  Three of the top seeds are ahead in their series and that will be two in a few hours.  The only top seed in the playoffs running away with their series are the Colorado Avalanche who are up 3-0 over the Predators. The Oilers have a 2-1 lead in their series with Los Angeles.  That’s it for the top seeds.

Tampa is about to tie up their series with Toronto at two games apiece, leading 5-0 in the second period.   The Bruins have knotted their series with the Hurricanes at two games apiece while the Blues and Wild are tied at two as well. Meanwhile, the Rangers, Panthers and Flames are down 2-1.   That’s as of early Sunday evening.

If fans of the second place Rangers are nervous, think about your counterparts in Florida and Calgary, their first place teams are trailing.

Sure, Game Four is almost a must win for the Blueshirts.  They certainly don’t want to fall behind 3-1 in the series, but ponder this.  The last four series the Rangers have trailed 3-1, they have come back to win twice.   Those kind of comebacks used to be unheard of,  but they are happening more often.  It’s happened 10 times in the last 13 years compared to 20 times in the 67 years before that.   And the Penguins have blown 3-1 leads three times, second most behind the Capitals who have done it five times.

At any rate, the hunt for reasons the Rangers are trailing goes on.

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