FARK.com: (7042075) The 2012 New York Rangers would be just as good as the 1994 Stanley Cup winning Rangers, if only they had Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Sergei Zubov and Adam Graves

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		The 2012 New York Rangers would be just as good as the 1994 Stanley Cup winning Rangers, if only they had Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Sergei Zubov and Adam Graves (sports.yahoo.com)		4
		More: Unlikely, New York Rangers, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Stanley Cup, Sergei Zubov, Adam Graves, New York, Henrik Lundqvist

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610 clicks; posted to Sports » on 10 Apr 2012 at 3:16 PM | Favorite | share:

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Ishkur		2012-04-10 05:59:11 PM

3 votes:

Kellner21: I really, really dislike Patrick Roy.

See that picture there? ....that's one of the all time great moments of defiance.

First, lets set it up: The 96 Florida Panthers, aka the Rat Run.

Throughout their Eastern series, thousands of rats would litter the ice every time they scored, and the opposing goalie would duck and seek refuge in the net from the barrage of rubber rodents.

When they reached the Finals, they're facing the powerhouse Avalanche, of course backstopped by goaltender Patrick Roy who was already a legend for winning the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup in 86 as a rookie, and winning ten consecutive OT games for a second Conn Smythe/Cup in 93.

So after a 2-game sweep in Denver, the Stanley Cup Finals went to the sunshine state for the first time. In the first period, Florida scored their first home goal ten minutes in, and the rats went flying. Patrick Roy stood there, like the picture shows, refusing to duck into his net like his predecessors. Everyone aimed their rats at him. Florida scored again later in the period, and the rats littered the ice again, beaning Patrick Roy as he just stood there, weathering the onslaught.

At an intermission interview, speaking of the fans throwing the rats at him, he famously declared "they're never doing that again". He blanked the second and third periods en route to a Avalanche win, and then again in a Game 4 shutout and a Colorado sweep and their first Stanley Cup. He stayed true to his word: Florida fans never got a chance to throw rats at him again.

That's badass. Say what you want about the guy, but he was probably the most pre-eminent playoff performer of all time.

New Age Redneck		2012-04-10 04:15:21 PM

1 votes:

F*ck , Messier. Couldn't believe the Canucks sent Linden packing to bring that douchebag in. Keenan too. Those were dark days.....

Heading into the 1997-98 season, Linden resigned his captaincy for Messier, who had developed a strong reputation as a leader, having captained the Rangers over the Canucks in 1994 (he also captained the Oilers to a Stanley Cup in 1990). Linden later recalled regretting the decision, feeling that Messier generated hostility and tension in the dressing room.[51] The Canucks began the campaign overseas in a two-game series against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Tokyo, Japan. It marked the first time in league history that a regular season game was held outside of North America - an effort from the league to attract attention to the sport in anticipation of the 1998 Winter Olympics, which were held in Nagano.[52] As the team's performance continued to worsen, starting the 1997-98 season with three wins in the first sixteen games, Quinn was fired as general manager after ten years with the team.[50] Soon thereafter, Renney was fired and replaced as coach by Mike Keenan, reuniting him with Messier, another central figure from the Rangers' 1994 team. Keenan's hiring reportedly exacerbated tensions between groups of Canucks players and his negative relationship with Linden was given ample media attention.[53][54] Two months into his tenure with the team, his role was expanded and he was made de-facto general manager. With control of player personnel, Keenan overhauled the roster, making 10 trades within two months, most notably dealing Linden to the New York Islanders.[55] Although the trade was unpopular with fans, the Canucks received winger Todd Bertuzzi in return, who would later become an integral part of the team's return to success in the next decade. Defenceman Bryan McCabe was also part of the deal, who would eventually be involved in a key transaction in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. After the Canucks finished the 1997-98 season last in the Western Conference,[56] former NHL vice president Brian Burke was named general manager in the summer.[57]

From Wiki (solid, reliable, old wiki; so you know it's true)

Sorry for the Messier hate tangent. Bored. Carry on.

/would love to see Nux/Rags final

expobill		2012-04-10 03:52:06 PM

1 votes:

and kevin Lowe, Glenn Anderson, Esa Tikkanen, Craig MacTavish and Jeff Beukeboom.

roncofooddehydrator		2012-04-10 03:43:13 PM

1 votes:

Rev.K: I don't know what to make of the Rangers.

The key to playoff success is goaltending and Lundqvist certainly gives them a chance. Their horrid powerplay will a problem if they find themselves behind and they just might because Ottawa isn't a particularly good matchup for the Rangers 5 on 5.

To sum: whatever.

Since the lockout, the team that has won the cup has been one of the top teams in terms of goals scored during the regular season (moreso than power play %), with Anaheim being the worst of the winners at 9th.

2011 - Boston (5th) def Vancouver (1st)
2010 - Chicago (3rd) def Philadelphia (8th)
2009 - Pittsburgh (6th) def Detroit (1st)
2008 - Detroit (3rd) def Pittsburgh (7th)
2007 - Anaheim (9th) def Ottawa (2nd)
2006 - Carolina (3rd) def Edmonton (15th)

Unfortunately, the Rangers are 11th in the league this year, so they'll need a 2007 Giguere-like run (1.97 GAA, .922 save % in playoffs) from Lundqvist to win the Cup.

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