Atlantic Division Final: Ottawa (2) vs NY Rangers (WC)

[notch4077]

Sens won the regular season series going 2-1-0. They won the possession game, had more shots, goals, slightly better PP and won almost 6 of every 10 faceoffs.

Sens have home ice because...Bettman.

[Daydream Nation]

NY and Montreal were playing a different level of hockey than the BOS/OTT series.

I am looking forward to this series. Hopefully, NY scores first often to open up the game. NY in 5.

[notch4077]

Before the playoffs started, I saw the NYR as a good matchup for the Sens because of the Rangers weak defence. After seeing how the Sens struggled with Boston's decimated blue line, I am thinking this series is now a coin toss.

[Tobias Funke]

Rags in 6

[Eskimo Brother]

I'm going with the Rangers in 5, but I am not confident in it.

[Call of Doughty]

Voted Sens in 7 cause why not. Rags and Habs beat the $hit out of each other - hopefully the sens have the livelier legs. Doubt Andy out duals King H though...should be fun.

[donpaulo]

Lundqvist is at another level and was better than Price was. The fans in Montreal know that now.
Not sure how someone can conclude NY defense is weak, after 3 Eastern final appearances and a trip to the Finals with what is essentially this squad. But hey each to his or her own.
Many fans in MTL were suggesting the Habs in 6 with all sorts of rationale behind that mistaken conclusion as well. Now they are talking about who should go and whom to blame.

This NYR fan is really looking forward to the series for a number of reasons.
These teams met previously and it was a good matchup.
The Brass-Zbad trade, especially with Brassards well known propensity for stepping up in big games.
Both teams have good depth at pivot which should make for some interesting line matching at home v road.

I think NY targets EK and hits him every time he touches the puck. With that guys talent he could make NY pay for it, but over a 7 game series I am hoping it takes it toll. He is the key to the engine that makes Ottawa go.

With rose colored glasses on I voted NY in 6.

NY's depth is very deep and just about everyone on the club can score as evidenced by Glass and Fast in the last series.

[notch4077]

Sens in 6. Craig Anderson is pretty much unbeatable at MSG. This is another best-case scenario matchup for Ottawa.

The Rangers have more forward depth than the Bruins, but their D has had trouble with Ottawa all year giving up high quality chances. Which Lundqvist will show up? I am not sure it will matter because Anderson has the Rangers number.

The more I have re-watched games today and studied numbers, I am confident in my call.

[MZac]

Rangers in 4

[notch4077]

Lundqvist is at another level and was better than Price was. The fans in Montreal know that now.
Not sure how someone can conclude NY defense is weak, after 3 Eastern final appearances and a trip to the Finals with what is essentially this squad. But hey each to his or her own.
Many fans in MTL were suggesting the Habs in 6 with all sorts of rationale behind that mistaken conclusion as well. Now they are talking about who should go and whom to blame.

This NYR fan is really looking forward to the series for a number of reasons.
These teams met previously and it was a good matchup.
The Brass-Zbad trade, especially with Brassards well known propensity for stepping up in big games.
Both teams have good depth at pivot which should make for some interesting line matching at home v road.

I think NY targets EK and hits him every time he touches the puck. With that guys talent he could make NY pay for it, but over a 7 game series I am hoping it takes it toll. He is the key to the engine that makes Ottawa go.

With rose colored glasses on I voted NY in 6.

NY's depth is very deep and just about everyone on the club can score as evidenced by Glass and Fast in the last series.

Good post. I too see the Rangers D as their weakness. I like your forward lines, but I think Anderson will outshine whatever Lundqvist we see.

I don't care about the Brassard/Zibanjad storyline and would assume they won't either.

Sens had every statistical/analytical advantage this season and Anderson loves MSG. Only loss this season for the Sens was with Condon in net. Yes, you had Raanta that game.

- - - Updated - - -

Rangers in 4

Don't be silly. I will give you 5 games and bet you that you still can't get it done in 5?

EDIT: I take back the "don't be silly" part because Nashville.

[blayze]

I'm going with Rags in 7 in a hard fought, tight series.

[PenguinHunter]

Rangers in 6.

Boston kept the games close with Ottawa and Boston was missing krug and Carlo and also do not have the same scoring depth as the Rangers.

[hockeyrobot]

Rangers in 5 to go on to lose to the winner of Pittsburgh and Washington

[rufio.85]

The narrative of Lundqvist being better than Price isn't false (he won 4 games after all), but I believe the Habs haven't really put Lundqvist to the test except during game 4.
Montreal's offence was weak and didn't generate that many high-scoring chances imo.
I think Ottawa will be a much tougher challenge on that front + Erik Karlsson is clearly the best player of both teams and he'll be a difference-maker.
I say Sens in 7.

[striderz]

Rangers in 5