Rangers Challenge in Round #3…Play with Controlled Aggression
By Marc Penner
The New York Rangers play the Florida Panthers for the Eastern Conference Championship, in this epic Round #3 Battle of wills. The Cats are trying to claw their way back to the Stanley Cup Finals, after last year’s near miss against Vegas. Meanwhile the Rangers are on the lookout to punch their ticket back to the Cup Finals for the first time since the 2014 loss vs LA.
Trending Article: NYR vs FLA Round #3…by the Numbers
The Florida Panthers have been in the NHL for 30 years. The Panthers have made the Playoffs 10 times. Including this year, they Cats have made the Playoffs for the last 5 years. FLA have yet to Win the Stanley Cup.
The New York Rangers have been in the NHL for 97 years. The Rangers have made the Playoffs 63 times. Including this year, the Blueshirts have made the Playoffs for the last 3 years. NYR have Won the Stanley Cup 4 times (1928, 1933, 1940, 1994)
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Both Teams want to win, however we all know only one team can win. Only one team will want it just a little more than the other team. That, will to win, that, run through the wall mentality is what is needed to get to the Cup Final, let alone win Lord Stanley’s Mug.
The Team that is able to establish “their way of play” will be the victor in this series. Can the Rangers be the Aggressor? Can the Refs de-claw the Cats or will they look the other way? Can NYR #31 outduel FLA #72.
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For the Rangers to win this series, they will need to play with Controlled Aggression. The Panthers like to take a number of liberties and sometimes that translates into penalties. If the Blueshirts can avoid the retaliation trap, yet still play aggressive hockey, all-the-while staying out of the Penalty Box, then the New York Ranger Power Play might just be the factor that will make the difference.
Trending Article: NYR Puck Possession Proves Pivotal
The New York Rangers need to set the tone early and often at MSG in Games #1 and #2. The Blueshirts need to step up their level of intensity to Level 7 from puck drop on and put a shoulder into the chest plate of every moving Panther from the get-go. Those of you who are faint of heart might want to change the channel, because these Panthers like to stir things up.
See the Panthers Tkachuk #19, fight the Bruins Pasternak #88- Game #2.
See the Panthers Bennet #9, side-step punch the Bruins Marchand #63 – Game #3.
These are just two examples of what’s to come folks, let alone the many other Flying Elbows, and Late Hits.
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Everything tightens up in the Playoffs. There is less room to move out there on the ice. There is more body-to-body contact on a nightly basis, which exponentially adds up over the course of a series. There is more wear and tear on the body and the mentally, the mind can only handle so much physical abuse, before it breaks down and makes a mistake. Can you say Hello to NYR #8 or NYR #73, just to name a few of da NYR boys who are ready to put some of dos Panthers back in their den.
New York Rangers Record as of April 18.2024 - End of Regular Season
55-23-4 = 114
1st - in the Metropolitan Division
1st - in Eastern Conference
1st – Overall, in NHL
Vs
Florida Panthers Record as of April 18.2024 - End of Regular Season
52-24-6 = 110
1st - in the Atlantic Division
3rd- in Eastern Conference
4th – Tied-Overall, in NHL
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My View from the Cheap Seats
Section: TV Row: PVR Seat: The Couch
We know who they are. We know their tendencies, their trends, their tactics, and their tricks.
We know who We ARE. We are not intimidated. We are not scared. We are not going to be denied. We Are New York.
The New York Rangers are an up-tempo, aggressive, patient, puck-possession team, that can play any style of game needed. The Panthers like to play with aggression and this style of play is a trap for teams who cannot keep themselves under Control. NYR will need to play with Controlled Aggression in order to avoid this Panthers Trap.
NYR Fans, tighten the chinstrap on your helmet, cause there’s gonna be a lot of High-Sticks and Flying Elbows in this Round. It might be time to unleash the Trouba Train or the Rempire State Building Wrecking Crew!!! I can’t wait to watch it unfold. Lets Go Rangers...!!!
Always remember, Playoff Hockey is a game of Puck-Possession and Patience, Overall Team D, Goal Scoring by Committee, Grade-A Tender, a High-Level of Intensity, and oh Yeah, Controlled Aggression. No Quit in New York.
Quote of the Day:
“I’d be pretty dumb if all of a sudden I started being something I’m not.”
Yogi Berra – New York Yankees
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