Is there anything better?!?!
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Well, folks, we are 3 days from the start of the real reason all N.H.L. players, play.
16 teams with hopes and dreams of Lord Stanley, 16 teams whose season ended. Of those 16 teams whose season has ended, 10 are in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, with the top 3 losers having the best shot. The Anaheim Ducks, 0-13 to end the season have the best shot at 25%. I would hate to see Bedard go there. Its like if a tree falls in the woods and no ones around, would it mak a noise. Same
goes for Anaheim. What a lame team. I hope Gary Bettman makes sure Bedard does NOT go there.
Columbus Blue Jackets. They tanked, not by design, but because of injuries to many of their stars. Sure, Johnny Hockey played all year, but he was alone, except for Marchenko, a rookie,, whose going to be a really good player. The Blue
Jackets won their final game of the season, essentially knocking out Sid Crosby for the first time in 15 years, haha, but by doing so, knocked down their chances of getting Bedard, by 12.5%. 25% to 12.5%. Good enough to get their head coach fired. That is how the League operates
these days. Tank or else. I would like to see Bedard with Johnny
Gaudreau, though. Add Marchenko, Werenski, and Laine. Not too shabby. The 3rd team in the mix is Chicago Blackhawks. That’s where I
hope Bettman places Connor Bedard. That Original 6 squad, with Patrick Kane now a Ranger and Captain Jonathan Toews playing his last game with Chicago the other night, deserves a star like Bedard. He’s a
franchise player that would be playing in a hockey city, where he belongs. Luke Richardson is the perfect head coach for him. he played over 1000 games as a hard nosed defenseman, who can walk the walk and help Connor excel in the league.
FYI, Fantilli is going to be the second pick in the draft, he could be the most ready
of the Two.
He is 6’2 195, won the Hobey Baker as a freshman
For Michigan, and plays a physical game. game.
Back to the playoffs, the NY Rangers vs the NJ Devils, the Battle of the Hudson. The youth and speed of the Devils vs the battle tested veteran
with a nice sprinkle of youth Rangers. I have said it before and will say it again, winning 4 games against the same team over a 2 week is a difficult task.
The Rangers learned that last year. They had to beat a veteran Penguin team that had been together for 3 Stanley Cups as well as countless playoff series. They had to beat a Carolina squad, coached by Rod
Brindamour, that has a great system and a great home crowd. Both series went 7, both times the Rangers were down 3-2 and had to win a Game 7 , ON THE ROAD, people, and both times they did!!
They then took on the 2x defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, took a 2 game to zero lead in the ECF, leading 2-0 after the 1st period of game 3,
in the Garden, and the gas tank went empty, losing 4 straight. Ending the season. They relied on Igor, like they still do, but the Rangers lacked scoring depth. The Kid Line came of age but youth was not served. The Lightning were veterans of these battles, they, like all the
great teams before them, knew what HAD to be done, to win. These 2023 NY Rangers learned a few things on that 20 game run, the 20,21,22 year olds, learned what it takes. Now, this team has added Conn Smythe winner Patrick Kane. They have added 2019 champ, Vladamir Tarasenko. Last year it was Copp and Vatrano. Both good players, but they are not Senko and Kane.
Another thing is that the
Rangers play a way more physical playoff style game. The Devils are faaaaaaaast, real fast. They go go go, the Rangers need to be patient, beat them up in the corners, for crying out loud, hit Jack Hughes!!!!
He’s hates being hit, so hit him!! I expect Game 1 to be a feeling out process, the Devils will stick to their game plan and try and score 6 goals, the Rangers need to stick to their plan and counterattack on the broken plays. Defenseman need to pinch only when its good to go, no
hero ball. Kane has to be himself and play his game. He, Panarin and Mika need to SHOOT to open the passing lanes. Kreider has to be a giant wall in front of Vanecek.
The Kid Line has to grind and cycle. Senko is
going to be the difference. He’s as talented as anyone in hockey and is a bruising force. He will score the game winner in game 1.
4-2 Rangers.
Game 1 April 18 2023 at the Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
