Ryan Carter (4) and Ilya Kovalchuk (7) have given the New Jersey Devils a 2-0 over the Rangers in the first period.

Let's go Rangers.

Believe.

The New York Rangers are facing elimination as they head into tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers are 3-0 these playoffs when it comes to fighting off elimination. Hopefully tonight makes it 4-0.

Player To Watch:

Ryan Callahan

#24 / Right Wing / New York Rangers

Height: 5-10

Weight: 190

Born: Mar 21, 1985

Ryan Callahan put the team on his back last game, as they came back from a 3-0 deficit in Game Five. I can see Callahan doing much of the same tonight in an elimination game.

This is one of those moments that really shows you the magnitude of sports. As you read this sentence -- assuming you're reading it before the game starts -- you're emotions are whatever they are (confident? Nervous?) but the season is still alive. In a few hours that may or may not be true. But in this moment right now Game 6 is an unknown.

But that's not the point.

Here's the point: This team isn't ready to have their season end tonight. This team isn't waving the white flag. In fact, Game 5 -- the biggest loss of the season -- was the team's best overall effort this postseason. This is a team built to find their was through these kinds of waters. This is a team that has always found it's way to the light. This is a team that's never given up.

Join me after the jump for more.

Continue reading this post »

If you've heard this one before let me know. The New York Rangers are down 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the New Jersey Devils heading into New Jersey for Game 6. That's the Rangers' situation right now. That was the Rangers' situation in 1994, the last time the Rangera brought the Stanley Cup home.

And while everyone is comparing these two situations, I can't help but notice how different those 1994 Rangers were from these 2012 Rangers. I also can't help but notice how similar they are.

Back in 1994, Mark Messier had to make a guarantee. The Rangers had the best player to ever grace the sweater in Brian Leetch and another assortment of veterans and proven playoff performers to help them guide the Cup home.

And even though I think these two teams shouldn't be compared, the Rangers have a crop of players who can help guide the Cup home too.

Join me after the jump for more.

Continue reading this post »

The New York Rangers may have some more reinforcements ready for tomorrow's do or die game against the New Jersey Devils, in Newark. Andrew Gross started today that forward, Mats Zuccarello is ready for game action, and could see some time tomorrow night.

There is no lineup set for tomorrow evening just yet though, so the options for Zuccarello to be inserted are still open. This would be huge for the Rangers as they can insert another healthy player with some fresh legs. Brandon Dubinsky returned for the New York Rangers last night, and played a huge part in the second goal.

Heading into a game like tomorrow, the Rangers will need all the energy they can get, and Zuccarello can add some of that energy. If Zuccarello was to play tomorrow, that would leave someone to be scratched. We will continue to keep you guys updated on any lineup changes that may occur throughout the day, or tomorrow morning.

Believe.

(SB Nation) -- The NBC Sports Network won the night on cable in New York thanks to a batty Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 featuring two of the three local hockey teams.

The New Jersey Devils 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers drew a 6.47 local rating in New York (New Jersey's core fanbase counts as part of the New York television market), a new record for the cable network in the market according to an NBC Sports spokesperson. The previous record was the rating for Game 1 of this same series, which scored a 6.21 rating. The series dipped from there, with the low-point actually NBC proper's broadcast of Game 3, which drew just a 4.2 rating.

NBCSN was the No. 1 cable network in the market during the game. Devils vs. Rangers Game 5 is the 10th game of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs to set a new ratings record in New York.

- Here's the problem I'm running into as I start these notes: I can't criticize the reason the New York Rangers lost Game 5. It was Henrik Lundqvist. Two very soft goals in the first period to put the Rangers into a 3-0 hole which they would eventually match, but not be able to overcome. Here's the thing: Lundqvist was eventually going to have a game like this. All goaltenders do. The sad part is that he was fine from the middle of the first period on. But for a guy who has bailed out the Rangers' offense on countless occasions, it would have been nice for them to bail him out. They didn't.

- The Rangers came dangerously close to making this a 4-3 game. One puck squirts just wide, Chris Kreider rips a shot that's stopped, a few chances get blocked. Then the New Jersey Devils get a break and bang their chance home. Give the Devils credit here, they didn't let themselves get rattled.

Join me after the jump for more.

Continue reading this post »

Artem Anisimov threw a puck at the net that went off of Rangers captain Ryan Callahan's leg and into the net. The goal was Ryan Callahan's 5th of the 2012 Playoffs, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky recorded assists on the goal that made Game Five a one-goal game.

After two periods the Rangers find themselves trailing by only a single goal after a nightmare start in the first period.

Let's Go Rangers!

BELIEVE.