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Series Thread: Montreal vs NY Rangers

For some reason, the Rangers never play well against the Habs.  I assume this series will be no different and Habs win it going away.
 
This Playoff format certainly needs some tweaking.  Based strictly on points, East 1st Place Montreal has a tougher team to face than East 2nd place Ottawa.  This wouldn't have happened in the more common sense 1-8 ranking with top 2 being division winners format.

Bah...screw Montreal!  Go Rags!
 
Canadiens 3  NYRangers  1    Montreal leads series 2 games to 1.

Once again Alexander Radulov led the way as he had done in Montreal's  previous win, as the Canadiens handed the Rangers yet another playoff home loss.  How is that?  Since the 2015 playoffs, the Broadway Blueshirts have been outscored by the opposition 20-4 on home ice.  Add to that the fact that the Canadiens special teams contributed to the win and no amount of King Henrik's acrobatics would have saved the Rangers.  Unless the Blueshirts find goals, or unless Carey Price falters or the Habs break down in all areas, Ranger fans say your prayers.

Game story:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/kassian-talbot-give-oilers-2-1-series-lead-sharks/
 
Canadiens  1  NY Rangers  2    Series tied at 2 games apiece.

The NYRangers were determined to break their home playoff losing streak which dated back to 2015.  With Henrik Lundqvist backstopping the Broadway Blueshirts in the way that King Henrik does, the Rangers not only got timely goals but also forced the Canadiens into  making sixteen giveaways. 

It definitely didn't reek of a disaster on the scoreboard but it surely wasn't one of Montreal's better games, not when the opposing goalkeeper is sharp enough to ward off  your offensive manoevers. 

Looks like it's back to basics for the Habs. 
For the Rangers, it's sticking to your game plan.  Big difference, and it worked.


http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nash-lundqvist-lead-rangers-game-4-win-canadiens/

 
I am low-key rooting for Montreal this year so this is disappointing but they did draw a pretty tough first round match-up.
 
It's obviously been a small sample of games but I've been pretty impressed with Brendan Smith's play in this series. He seems to be primarily playing the right side too. It all depends on the contract, but if other GMs are going crazy over Shattenkirk and Alzner then Smith might fall a little under the radar. Would give Babs a number of different options as he could either keep him on the left side and roll 3 even-ish D pairings or move him or Rielly to the right side and load up the top-4 a little more.
 

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