Playoffs Start Tonight!
Well my friends, the 2008 NHL Playoffs kick off tonight, and the Rangers will of course face the Devils in Newark (7:00pm – MSG). It looks like Bendan Shanahan will be back with Scott Gomez and Sean Avery, with Petr Prucha replaced in the line-up by Ryan Hollweg (though we will likely not know for sure until game time).
On defense, the Devils will scratch big hitter Vitaly Vishnevski and dress Bryce Salvador in his place. Salvador was acquired back at the trade deadline, but has missed much of the latter part of the season wih inuries. On the Rangers blueline, it looks as if Tom Renney is considering scratching both Paul Mara and Marek Malik in favor of Jason Strudwick.
Heros Are Made In The Playoffs
At the beginning of the season, the Rangers were considered one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup. After 82 games, there are still some supporters out there, but the enthusiasm that abounded in September has given way to a more cautious general support. Not that that should surprise anyone.
Facing the New Jersey Devils, the Rangers square off against a long time nemesis that has continually found ways to win despite losing high level talent each season. The Devils, whom swept the last playoff series between the two teams, but were dominated by the Rangers during the regular season.