Blog Archives

The Rangers are being overlooked, and that makes them even more dangerous

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers celabrate a win 12-8

Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Despite finishing last season with 113 points, the Presidents’ Trophy, and coming within one win of returning to the Stanley Cup Finals, the New York Rangers have found a way to fly under the radar in a very competitive Metropolitan Division. And they’re all the better for it.

The Metropolitan Division is in contention for the strongest division in the entire league. Many people have predicted that they will send five of the eight teams to the playoffs. Teams like the Blue Jackets, Capitals and Penguins all improved their team, with a lot of fantastic scorers and defenders spread out amongst the eight teams.

The Metro really does have the talent to send five teams to the playoffs, with those teams being The Rangers, the Penguins, the Capitals, the Blue Jackets and the Islanders. All five of those teams are extremely good, and they all have potential to make a run in the playoffs. Read the rest of this entry

Clear your calendars: Games to watch out for in the 2015-16 season

Bobby Bevilacqua

alain vigneault and bench 4-18

Hockey season is around the corner, and excitement is building. Here are some of the biggest games to watch out for throughout the season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

With every passing day, summer draws closer to its end. While that’s never happy news, especially for students, it does mean that hockey is closer and closer to beginning once again.

Last season, the Rangers season came to a disappointing end in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. But with every new season comes new opportunities, and another chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Any game can be exciting, because you never really know what will happen in each game. But here are some games that should be interesting, exciting, or eventful in the 2015-16 season. Read the rest of this entry

What Metropolitan teams will challenge the Rangers in 2015-16

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers hi five line 5-26

The Rangers look to be a top team in the East yet again, but which teams will rival them in their own division? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Since the 2011-12 season, in which the Rangers finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Rangers have been arguably the best, and most consistent team in the Metropolitan Division, if not the entire conference.

That trend continued this year, with the team making it all the way to the Conference Finals yet again, falling in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and just missing out on a second straight Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Alain Vigneault and his squad appear to be in good shape again for another run at a Stanley Cup Championship, keeping the majority of their core intact, and bringing in some nice pieces through trades and free agency. Some work remains to be done, like re-signing Derek Stepan, but for most part, this team is in good shape.

But the Metropolitan Division is getting better and better with each passing year. No longer is it dominated by two teams, which has really been the Penguins and Rangers for a few years. There are other teams in the division that have been getting better and better. Read the rest of this entry

Capitals vs. Islanders: Who would you rather face?

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers celebrate Game 5 win 4-24

The Rangers are waiting for the winner of the Capitals-Islanders series to emerge, with Game 7 coming on Monday. Who would they fare better against? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

With their win on Friday, the Rangers became just the second team to clinch a berth in the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the first team in the eastern conference to do so. Every other team in the East is still battling it out while the Rangers get some precious time off to heal and relax.

The Ottawa Senators are attempting to complete a comeback against the Montreal Canadiens, down 3-2 but with the series heading back to Ottawa. The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a surprising 3-2 hole to Detroit with the series going to the Joe Louis Arena for Game 6.

But the series that Rangers fans care about the most is the Washington Capitals against the New York Islanders. The Rangers will take on the winner of that series, which is still being played. Read the rest of this entry

The Ranger Zone Podcast: Playoff Preview

rangers salute the crowd 4-4

The Rangers are primed to make another long playoff run, and they’re my pick to hoist the Stanley Cup in June. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

In this podcast, I discuss my 2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket and discuss the first round matchups, my thoughts, and who I think will advance.

I chose the New York Rangers to hoist the Stanley Cup come June. This is one of the deepest and most complete Rangers teams that we have seen in years, and it’s hard to find another team with the forward depth and defensive talent the Rangers have, on top of an elite goalie in Henrik Lundqvist. Read the rest of this entry