Convince me the Senators can beat the Rangers
In the fall, someone handed me two Pearl Jam tickets to use as a giveaway. I asked you to convince me the Senators could make the playoffs (admittedly, I didn’t believe that was going to happen) and I would hand them over to the best response. Let’s go again.
In the fall, someone handed me two Pearl Jam tickets to use as a giveaway. I asked you to convince me the Senators could make the playoffs (admittedly, I didn’t believe that was going to happen) and I would hand them over to the best response.
Let’s go again. This time I have Tim Horton’s gift cards, and the challenge is: “Convince me the Senators can beat the Rangers in the first round of the NHL playoffs.” Give me your most convincing (and creative, funny, etc.) answer — $30 for the best answer, $10 each for the runners up.
Only answers left in the comment box below qualify.
Fire away!
The Senators will be able to defeat the Rangers and bump them out of the playoffs pretty early on. The Sens have a solid team with amazing players who will rise to the challenge and bring the cup to hockey country in 2012!!!
Basically, Rangers defense sucks. The Sens have capitalized on their defense in the regular season and can do it again. They’re a good team, that will not let the Rangers walk all over them. Even with their last couple losses, their goaltending hasn’t been bad. Along with a tighter defense, they can match Lundqvist. Additionally, the Sens forwards and Karlsson need to try to score as much as possible, and they can do that looking at their past games against New York. If they get secondary scoring, this series will go Ottawa’s way.
How does the Rangers defense suck?! Their defense was ranked first in the NHL! So “Basically the Rangers defense is the class of the NHL”
Our royalty will succeed.. King K over King Henrik
Sens in 6 on home ice!
Multiple reasons why Ottawa will have their way with the Rags:
1. We can count on Lunqvist letting Alfie get a few softies, continuing the season-long livefest Alfie is getting from fellow Swedes.
2. The extra motivation of Matt Gilroy, who will haunt his old team from the third pairing or the press box. Plus, isn’t it basically Gilroy as our new version of Brian Lee versus Marc Staal?
3. Spezza has a chronic case of the dangles lately.
4. Torts hasn’t won a playoff series since Tampa’s Cup run. While I know Mac is in his first postseason as head coach, I think he’s been around a bit more playoff success than his counterpart.
5. Mendes
Second place, for the courage to use the term “a chronic case of the dangles.”
This is just warmup before we face the bug bad Bruins #yeswecan
Firstly, the New York Rangers have been known for over a decade now that they are unable to prove themselves as an elite team when the playoffs arrive, regardless of their roster. Now, they have finished strong this season with the President’s trophy, but I still don’t see them as a team that will go very far in the playoffs.
The Rangers have some top-end talent in their forward group such as Gaborik, Callahan, Dubinsky and Richards. But how strong is their forward depth? Not as strong as you would expect from a President’s Trophy winning team. Now, the same could be said regarding the Senator’s forward grouping. In fact, we don’t have the top-end talent that the Rangers have, but the drive and effort that this young core of forwards have shown all season could very possibly be the deciding factor when our bottom 6 is matched against their bottom 6.
I believe the Ranger’s largest weakness is their defense and we have seen that plenty this season in the 4 games we have played against them. They have Staal and Girardi, and even McDonagh, but they lack a true veteran presence on the back-end who can log big minutes or a true #1 defenseman. These guys have been HEAVILY supported all season by their goaltending and I believe the drive and powerful forecheck from our young forward core can create some serious problems for their defense.
Henrik Lundqvist. This will be the Senator’s biggest obstacle to overcome as I don’t think anyone sees the Rangers as the top team without his stellar play this season. HOWEVER: Lundqvist is a career 15-20 in the playoffs. And in those seasons where Lundqvist played in the playoffs, he’s gone a total of 178-110 in the regular season.
I believe that if Craig Anderson can continuously perform as he has since returning from his injury (and AFTER his first game back against MTL), and the combination of Spezza and Karlsson can play like themselves (Spezza – career PPG in Playoffs), the Senators can handle the Rangers without much difficulty.
The Senators have a chance in this series because they match up well against the Rangers. The regular season series will give the Senators confidence, and the Rangers will have the worry of bombing out in the first round. The Rangers do not have a defenceman to lead their offence like Karlsson, although Del Zotto is good. While in goal, you have to give the edge to Lundqvist, Anderson has played well against the Rangers. Lundqvist does not have an oustanding record against the Sens like he does have against other team. In the forwards, the teams both have outstanding players. Richards is a playoff performer, but Gaborik is not. Both Spezza and Alfie are good playoff performers, and Alfie is playing well right now. I think the Sens can keep Gaborik bottled up better than the Rangers can keep Spezza and Alfie bottled up. The Rangers will not be under-estimating the Sens, so I think it will go to seven games. There will be some 1-0 games if the Rangers can do it.
The Sens will be looking to get a split in MSG, and I think they can get the win in the first game since the Rangers are at home. When back in Ottawa, the Sens will have the nerves to stay ahead of the Rangers in the series and get two wins. After four, the teams will be tied at two wins. I think the Rangers will win game five at home, but with their backs against the wall, the Sens will take games six and seven. They’ve shown that all year, coming back after adversity.
Ranger fan here. I’m not looking for the prize. As Henrik goes so go the Rangers. Much of the season he has been lights out. Then he got the flu and started letting in four goals a game in March. After a rest Tortorella let him run out the string of the season and he finally got hot again. Then he got whacked by a Giroux shot in the Philly game and hurt his arm. He sat out the Pens for Biron and came back in the last game against the Caps and was horrendous. Which Henrik are we going to see? If it’s not the king, the Rangers are in deep trouble.
The Ranger game is bang, bang you’re dead. I’m pretty sure they lead the league in hits and I know they lead in fights. Anything that moves gets hit. Early on teams with speed could make them look foolish as Montreal, believe it or not, early in the season did twice. But they put Hagelin alongside Gaborik and they can win the sprints.
The Ranger will keep attackers to the boards, let them shoot from the outside and block the shots. Everyone blocks. When Henrik is on there are few rebounds. When is he is not sharp, he lets in one or two soft goals a game. That can kill the Rangers.
They won’t beat you with the PP. But five on five they’ll cycle and cycle, smash and grab, mob the goal, and somehow push it in. If Gaborik is on and also Richards they can beat a goalie one on one. They’ve been hot down the stretch.
The Rangers play a 60-minute game and are never out of any game when they are within two goals. Callahan is the heart of the team. They didn’t have him last year in the playoffs.
I’m convinced Torts will get flippin’ mad that his team will lose faith in their ability to put points on the board.
The Sens however will need to regain their composure and prove the critics that they deserve to be there on their work ethic and not dumb luck!
I’m sure we’ll see the usual antics, but I’m hoping for a strip down by Torts to go on the ice and take one for the team!
One can look no further than the stats. Ottawa has beaten the NYR 3 times out of they’re 4 meetings this year, which in itself is a heafy feat. We have the goal scoring power, as proven all season as the Sens have defied those that picked them to be at the bottom of the barrel this year. We have the defense, as Norris talk aside our defense has made a 180 from last year as well as being a scoring threat. We have the goaltending, the duo of Anderson and Bishop be a tough test for the NYR, another stat has Anderson with a lifetime 6-0 at MSG. That’s just the stats, one must never overlook the underdog mentality of a team with something to prove. The Sens are going to be ready for this match up, going to be ready to show the hockey world they belong. Last but not least Coach McLean, his mustache only will be an inspiration for all. His ability to turn this team around in a short time has been amazing. He has the coaching chops to match and even out coach Torts, and he knows when to let his team do the talking.
The Sens can beat the Rangers for four main reasons:
1) The Sens have absolutely nothing to lose, and are playing loose. The Rangers have the burden of expectations following a fantastic season.
2) The Rangers head coach said, earlier in the season, that this will not be the year that the Rangers win the cup (paraphrase). He was probably doing this to motivate his team in some bizzare manner, but there is truth to what he said. This Rangers group needs to feel the sting of playoff expectation and defeat before they gel into a true contender next year.
3) This year’s edition of the Sens has had enormous amounts of troubles against teams with a solid defence and who are able to trap well. When playing against teams that rely more on offence, such as the Penguins late in the season, this group of Sens finds a way to pile up the goals. The Sens would have had little or no chance against the Bruins, but they stack up well against the Rangers’ style.
4) This is the first playoff series the Sens will have with Anderson in net. As good as he has been all season, he will justify his contract with exceptional play in the playoffs. Think of how well he played as a member of the Avalanch when he almost stole a series from the Sharks. The Sens and Rangers are much more evenly matched than the Sharks and Avalanch were a couple of years back, and stealing a game or two (like he did with the 51 save shutout) should be enough to give the Sens the series.
They’ve made the playoffs almost every year and lost to the Capitals in 6 or 7 games twice in the last 3 years! What more sting do you need
Coach MacLean has a better and more powerful stache than Torts.
They have one Swedish King, we have two.
None of their star players can pull off a Spezza giggle.
And lastly, Melnyk is not impressed you need convincing that we will win this series, BELIEVE IT!
The key to Ottawa’s success is staying out of the penalty box. The Rangers have a potent power play. If Ottawa can play disciplined hockey, at both ends of the ice, and stay out of the sin bin they have a chance. Spezza and Alfie cannot be turning over the puck like they have in past playoff series. Forget the pretty pass (Karlssen), get the puck to the net!
If Anderson really is 100% healthy, and feeling confident, he can steal some wins at MSG.
The only reason I need is that you think the Sens will lose.
For those who don’t believe, no reason will do.
Keep your Tim Horton’s gift cards.
The Sens have their current mediocre place in the standings largely because of uninspired attempts against teams addicted to playing dull hockey. On the other hand they’re quite good against high-ranking teams if their goaltender can stop the first shot.
The Rangers are a talented team and may choose to rely upon that talent to win the series. I just don’t think they’ll send assassins after Karlson and Spezza, preferring to outscore the Sens in a proper exhibition, strength against strength. Good for them. It should be an enjoyable series to watch. The Rangers’ good sportsmanship may do them in, though, because the Sens do quite well against run-and-gun teams.
The Senators weren’t expected to do anything this year, so everything from here in is gravy. The top-ranked Rangers have a lot to lose. A goalie with the flu, a bit of nerves, and the series could be up for grabs.
I am sur that the sens will move on this round simply beacause we can handle tuff teams like the rangers and we have proved it this year pens,phily, sharks…… even the rangers ottawa has had some success against them if you look at it that way we are right in the mix of the best teams in the nhl. further more the sens have way more physical players then the rangers smith,neil,carkner,konopka(if he plays) even philips can lay out a couple of players.final reason I think that the players are ready to play some post season hockey and will play there hearts out. i think we can beat these overconfident ny ranger bums in 5 beacause I BELIEVE IT
The first moment something goes agains the Rangers, Tortorella will begin fuming.
The moment he begins fuming, his team becomes distracted.
The moment the team becomes distracted, they start playing without focus.
The moment they start playing without focus, Tortorella will explode (anyone remember, “We need the goalie to make a f***ing save”?). He will systematically rob his team of confidence, desire to play for him, and energy.
All Ottawa has to do is hang on through the first two periods of game 1, win period 3 (and maybe the game). If they do a good enough job in period 3 (maybe winning game 1), Tortorella will be on the slippery slope – and the Sens will win game 2.
Heading back to Ottawa, Tortorella will try to re-focus his team, and they’ll do well in the first period or 2 of game 3. But look out if Ottawa scores a goal – Tortorella will start in on his guys again, and Ottawa will pull out game 3. They will win game 4. If they’re up 3-1 going back to NY for game 5, they’ll win it there.
Bottom line – Tortorella is too intense for his own good, or the good of his team.
MSG should install something to catch the smoke coming out of his ears when he does that slow burn (and sometimes not so slow burn). That, and they should change the name of the team to the NY Rangehoods.
First place.
The Rangers’ weaknesses are more exposed when they play a team like the Senators. It will be a tough series, which I expect the Rangers to get the early lead. But eventually, in perhaps 6 or 7 games, Ottawa will find its way around Lundqvist because the Rangers’ lack of mobile and experienced defenseman will wear out. Second, although there may be more depth up front for the Rangers, their stars still under performed the Senators. Check the stats. Third, don’t forget that the difference between our players on the second, third and fourth lines is that they won the AHL championship last year and know what it takes to win. Finally, we have a ton of depth in goal. If Lundqvist falters, it’s over. Anderson? Replace him with Bishop. Bishop? Replace him with MVP of the AHL finals last year, Lehner. No problem. Sens in 6 or 7
Even if I weren’t a Sens fan, I’d bet on the Sens for this round. Since that isn’t the most convincing argument ever, though, I’ll tack on a few more:
1. The Sens have already beat the Rangers 3 games to 1 in the regular season (once with a 7-1 victory… poor Rangers). If there’s a good indicator of how the season will go, this is it.
2. Anderson doesn’t lose in Madison Square Garden (and Bishop is ready even if Anderson falters).
3. Ottawa’s offensive lines are strong with Alfredsson, Spezza, Michalek, and Turris all providing solid offense.
4. The NYR are not the Bruins.
5. The Rangers like to golf more than the Sens do (okay, okay, I can’t back this one up, but we’ll just say that it’s true and move on).
Pretty soon the Rangers will be singing “Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today…”. And yes, they’ll be leaving to go practice that tee shot.
Let’s all be honest, this whole series is going to come down to whether Lundqvist can play like Hasek and Joseph used to against the Sens in the playoffs or whether we can continuously penetrate the porous D of the Rangers and get some dirty goals – the likes of which we never could against those two. The difference between the Sens of old and the crew this year is that they are built with more grit and grind than before. Greening, Turris, and Michalek love to score dirty – something that we’ve missed in the past!
Other reasons we have the edge in this series other than the fact we won the season series 3-1:
- The Rangers defense couldn’t contain the big line of Spezza, Michalek, and Greening in the regular season and I don’t see that changing in the playoffs as the Rangers don’t have a true shutdown line. The ‘X’ Factor in this series could very well be Colin Greening.
- The only game the Rangers won against the sens this season, Alfie was out with a concussion.
- The Sens are the more offensive team – both from the forward position and with the DMen jumping in.
- The Sens have nothing to prove; everything they accomplish from here on out is gravy for Melnyk, the fans, and of course the players. They’re going to be out there having fun rather than worrying about/feeling any pressure.
- The Sens this year are simply, clutch. Daniel Alfredsson’s heroics this year can’t be forgotten nor can one dismiss the uncanny third period scoring this year.
Enjoy the playoffs Sens fans, I certainly can’t wait!
That porous D was ranked 1st in the NHL. There’s a fact for ya
Dylan, you can thank the defensive system that Tortorella has implemented and Lundqvist for that, not so much the depth they have on the bluline sir. It didn’t work last night (Game 3) but McLean’s got the right idea IMO, lots of shots from the point and hope for good bounces and screens infront. Losing Alfie is tough though. It will take quite the effort to win wothout him.
The last regular season game against the Devils was the first time as a Sens fan that I was hoping they would lose. I couldn’t even cheer against them when it meant getting a better draft pick. The reason is that we are much better matched against the Rangers than the Bruins and the reasons for that are the same as those that should convince you we will win. The Sens play better and have more success when teams try to outscore them (being tied for fifth in scoring despite being in a division with defensive teams like Buffalo and Boston) rather than when they play shut down teams. I can respect the Rangers’ success this year but not all of their stats are relevant to this match up. It’s been mentioned over and over but we do own the season series including some convincing wins. We are a successful road team which is key to a playoff series. Our goalie has had great success in their building. We have experienced forwards and defencemen who have been to the cup. Even some of our young guys (4 of the likely starters) have championship experience from their AHL run last season which will inject a great deal of confidence and has shown all season. We have the best puck moving d-man in the game right now (Norris worthy) and are more equipped to slow their stars down then they are at stopping our double threat lines of Spez-Michalek and King Alfie-Turris. All is going to plan as we will handle the Rangers in 6 and play a tired Bruins team that will run out of gas in round 2.
Go Sens Go! I can’t wait!!
Third place.