It is yet another elimination game for the New York Rangers and there’s three things they must address if they want to force a Game Seven in Carolina against the Hurricanes on Monday.
We’ve been here before, haven’t we? Yet again, the Rangers are in do-or-die territory as they attempt to extend their season just a little bit longer.
Having never led at any point throughout the course of the postseason so far, Gerard Gallant’s team have become pretty accustomed to looking in the mirror and rising from the dead to pull off the unthinkable.
In fact, tonight will be the fourth time that the Rangers have faced elimination this postseason, the most of any team in the playoffs, and they will feel pretty confident given that they haven’t failed to rise to the occasion and meet the challenge head on yet, no matter how daunting.
Game Six will perhaps pose the biggest test given that the Hurricanes are an absolute wagon, coupled with the fact that the manner of their win in Game Five just seemed different, almost as though the Rangers had finally seen their luck run out.
However, having carved out 27 comeback victories during the regular season, then another half a dozen so far in the playoffs, the Rangers are perfectly equipped to avoid absorbing the knockout blow yet again tonight and here’s how they can stay alive for at least another couple of days…
Bring out the playbook
As we mentioned here, the Rangers have a ready-made playbook for tonight and they must draw on its contents if they are to win Game Six and force a Game Seven.
The very DNA of this team has been built on character and a never-say-die attitude that has carried them to potentially two wins within of the Eastern Conference Finals, surpassing every single expectation set back in October.
It is fair to say that the very identity of this team is built on their resilience and their steely will to win at all costs, no matter the hurdles and obstacles placed in their path.
It is also fair to suggest that the Rangers got away from that very identity in an ugly Game Five, and it has been proven time and time again this year that this team are at their best when there is complete buy-in from everyone and when they have to dig deep and lean on all of their qualities and resources.
Therefore, while the Canes will look to get the job done tonight with the Tampa Bay Lightning waiting, the Rangers need to get back to what has made them ticked all year long and what has made this team such a fun one to root for.
If they can do that and if they can show the same refusal to quit that has propelled them this far, then there is no reason why we shouldn’t be getting mentally prepared for a Game Seven on Memorial Day.