It’s the
Eastern Conference Final match-up that not even the most ardent fan of the two
teams, Montreal and the New York Rangers, could have imagined possible. I say
that as a diehard Ranger fan, and because it’s the stone-cold truth.
Throughout
the regular season and into the playoffs, the two teams the Habs and Rangers
beat to reach the NHL’s final four – Boston and Pittsburgh – were the leading
lights in the East, whilst Montreal and New York didn’t appear to be able to
match-up very well. Therefore, it wasn’t a stretch to imagine that it would be
a Boston vs. Pittsburgh series for the right to represent the Eastern
Conference in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
My, how
wrong we all were. A day after the Rangers did the unthinkable in storming back
from a 1-3 series deficit to win three straight (including two away from home)
and send Pittsburgh into a state of shock to advance, it was the turn of
Montreal to do some shocking. The Habs took their chances when they presented
themselves, capitalised on a late man-advantage and beat the Bruins fair and
square. Two underdog wins in two days, wins coming despite being on the road.
Dramatic, impressive stuff.
The 3-1
final in favour of the Canadiens appeared less likely than New York’s ousting
of the Penguins. I mean, the Pens had shown they weren’t completely bulletproof
in their quarter-final series against Columbus, whereas, aside from an early
hiccup – they happen – the Bruins were ruthlessly sharp in dispatching an
undermanned Detroit Red Wings outfit. Yet, it matters not, because the two best
teams in the East are done, and the stage is set for an Original Six matchup
that has little in the way of a form guide to it.
One thing
worth mentioning is that Henrik Lundqvist, the guy who carried the Rangers all
the way to the line against Pittsburgh, making spectacular save after
spectacular save in a frantic last five minutes, hasn’t had a good run of late
in Montreal. In fact, calling it a House of Horrors for the Swedish net-minder
wouldn’t be an overstatement. There’s something about Bell Centre that
Lundqvist just doesn’t like, and never has. That said, given the rich vein of
form that Henrik is currently in, will that matter? Maybe just a little, a
niggling thought or three in the back of his mind.
Like
Lundqvist was a hero for New York, Carey Price, the Canadiens goalie, was a
hero, helping Montreal avoid elimination and advance to the East finals. Oft-maligned
across the league, has had a season to remember, including a Gold medal effort
in Sochi, backstopping the Canadian squad to their second successive top finish
in Olympic competition. He was great down the regular season stretch, too, and
his recent heroics against Boston are made to seem much larger because of an
uneven first round against Tampa Bay. The straight-sets series win for the Habs
glosses over how scratchy Price was at times. All of Montreal will be hoping
their franchise net-minder doesn’t return to that sort of form.
If both
goalies are on form, scoring isn’t going to be easy. If they’re not, watch out,
because Montreal and the Rangers have offense to burn.
New York
will be counting on Rick Nash finding his scoring touch, because they’re going
to need him. The two-time Olympic gold medallist hasn’t found the back of the
net in the playoffs, though, he’s been a solid performer throughout. Based on
the sort of money the Rangers tossed Nash’s way to lure him out of Columbus,
and his deserved reputation as a superstar, this is about the time you’d like
to see one of the League’s most potent snipers do what he’s being paid so
handsomely for.
In Nash’s
scoring absence, Brad Richards has produced some clutch goals – including the
game winner in Game 7 vs. Pittsburgh – and will need to do so again. Martin St
Louis, a focus late in the Penguins series after the tragic loss of his mother,
and what that event did to galvanise a listless, fading Rangers team, is
another whom the Rangers will be relying upon to score, and to create scoring
chances. Secondary scoring from the likes of Brassard, Zuccarello, Dorsett and
co will be equally important.
Where
Montreal can hurt you offensively is from the blue line. Star defencemen P.K.
Subban, a lightning rod for the Canadiens (and a controversial figure at times)
and Max Pacioretty, two of the best defensive scorers anywhere, are blessed
with cannons for shots, and they don’t shy away from unleashing bombs. The
Rangers’ propensity for blocking shots is going to be put to the test. They’ll
have to do it early and often if they’re to be any chance. That is what the
Rangers are so good at. Their physical game might put the Canadiens off their
own.
Montreal also
leans heavily on Tomas Vanek and Daniel Briere, two extraordinarily handy
pickups for the Habs this season, up front. That pair is good enough that they
only need a little hint, and they can make the Rangers pay. It’s not a stretch
to say that Rangers’ defensive standouts Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc
Staal are going to see a lot of Briere and Vanek.
Prediction:
With Price and Lundqvist in net, this series likely comes down to who can be
the better of the two. I have a feeling whatever goals are scored throughout
are going to be scrubby ones, scored more out of desperation – whacking away in
the crease – than plays of great finesse. Staying out of the penalty box,
especially for the Rangers against the Habs lethal power play, is an absolute
must.
The fact
that Montreal has home ice probably doesn’t mean so much given both teams Game
7 wins on the road, but that Bell Centre crowd can sure be intimidating.
So, Montreal
in six.
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