Blue Line Station
Fansided

Three Positives to Take From the Rangers Devils Series

By Conor Power

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 01: The New York Rangers pause following their 4-0 defeat at the hands of the New Jersey Devils in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 01, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 01: The New York Rangers pause following their 4-0 defeat at the hands of the New Jersey Devils in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 01, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: New York Rangers fans hold up signs during warm-up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 18, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: New York Rangers fans hold up signs during warm-up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 18, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

The Blueshirt faithful

When it comes to fanbases in hockey, the largest one in the United States is that of the New York Rangers. In Canada, hockey is basically a religion so it’s more widely known than it is to locals south of the border but that doesn’t take away from how special this fanbase is for the Blueshirts. Especially when it comes to games at the Garden and games in the local area that the Blueshirts faithful can get to easily.

In the series against the New Jersey Devils, it felt like the first game the majority of the crowd was not there to cheer on the Rangers was game five. In the first two games at the Prudential Center, the traveling Ranger fans were incredibly vocal. Wherever the Rangers’ travels seem to take them, the fanbase had a contingent waiting at the game for the team to arrive and it shows how great the Blueshirt faithful are.

It has been 29 years since the New York Rangers last captured Lord Stanley’s mug and to see this level of support for the team wherever they go is just more proof that this is one of the best fanbases in the sport. Turning the Prudential Center blue, going to Boston or Toronto, and making sure there are fans against the original six teams for the Blueshirts is just pure dedication to this team.

There was not a lot of good to take from this playoff series. I’m trying desperately hard to find the silver lining of this series. Hopefully, next season will see the Blueshirts fare better in the postseason but as for now, it’s tough to not look back on this as a major disappointment. I tried to put a positive spin on what was a majorly disappointing postseason in general but maybe the Rangers can figure it out next year.

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