Memo To Steve Cohen: Houston We Have A Problem

With one third of the season already in the books, the New York Mets are 27-27, in third place in the National League East, five games behind the first place Atlanta Braves. After going 2-4 on the road against the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies - two teams nobody expected to be contenders  - the Amazins limp home to CitiField to begin a three-game series against another underperforming team, the Philadelphia Phillies, on Tuesday.

I know what you're thinking. $364 million oughta get you more than a .500 record after 54 games. Steve Cohen should get a refund. This was not how the script was written back in April, I can assure you. Yes, there were some concerns going into the season - like the back end of the bullpen - but surely not this many. Apart from Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso - who's on pace to hit 60 home runs this season - and Francisco Alvarez - who smacked his 8th home run of the season Sunday, and is making a case for rookie of the year, there isn't one player on this team that is pulling his weight.

Let's start with the top dogs in order of disappointment. 

Justin Verlander: The ex-Astro and three-time Cy Young award winner was supposed to be the ace of this staff. As of this writing, he is 2-2 with a 4.80 ERA. The only reason he didn't lose his last start was because the Mets bailed him out by scoring six runs. For the $43 million Cohen is paying him, this guy should be much better than he is.

Mark Canha / Tommy Pham: If you combined both these players' stats, you still wouldn't have an everyday left fielder, that's how bad they've been this season. Despite going 3-4 with 4 RBIs Sunday at Colorado, Pham has been, by far, the worst of this uninspiring duo. About the only redeeming quality he has going for him is that he's only costing Cohen $5 million this season, which for baseball players is practically minimum wage these days. It's unfathomable that Billy Eppler couldn't find a legitimate left fielder.

Daniel Vogelbach: Frankly, I'm at a loss to explain how a DH who's batting a paltry .223 with only 2 home runs and 13 RBIs is still in this lineup. The Mets would be better off letting their pitchers hit. Just Imagine what Shohei Ohtani would do in this lineup?

Buck Showalter: While Buck may have been dealt a bad hand courtesy of a putrid bullpen and a starting rotation that has struggled to get out of the 4th inning, he has made some bewildering moves this season. Two of them occurred Sunday. The first was when he elected to start Starling Marte in center field over Nimmo, despite Marte not playing there in two years. It backfired when Marte was unable to catch a line drive to deep left center that led to the Rockies scoring three runs in the bottom of the 4th. He then outdid himself by allowing Stephen Nogosek to get smacked around in the bottom of the 5th without anyone up in the bullpen. The Rockies scored five runs in the inning. That's eight runs in a game the Mets lost 11-10.

Francisco Lindor: Ironically, Lindor is on pace to finish the season with 27 home runs and 117 RBIs. Yet the all-star, gold glove shortstop has been very inconsistent at the plate, batting only .225 with an on-base-percentage of .295 and a team-leading 53 strikeouts. He needs to get back to what he was last season when he batted .270, with an OBP of .339, 26 homers with 107 RBIs. That's the player the Mets were expecting when they signed him to a 10 year $341 million contract.

The Bullpen: Going into the season, the main concern for the Mets was finding someone to replace Edwin Diaz as the closer. While David Robertson has filled in admirably, the rest of this group consists mainly of mop up guys and throwaways from other teams. Another Eppler epic fail.

Max Scherzer: The other $43 million man, Scherzer hasn't been nearly as bad as Verlander, but he's hardly been lights out. The Mets can ill afford to have either of these two starters be anything other than elite.

Tylor Megill: In six starts this season, Megill has gone more than five innings twice. In his last start, he was staked to a 6-2 lead but couldn't hold it. This is Megill's third season with the Mets and he has yet to establish himself as a reliable starter.

The good news is there are 108 games left in the season. No team wins the pennant in May. As bad as the Mets have played, they're only one game out of a wild card spot. The infusion of talent from Syracuse is already making a difference. Brett Baty has supplanted Eduardo Escobar at 3rd base, Alvarez is now the everyday catcher, and Mark Vientos is finally getting a shot at DH.

But it's going to take more than a just few kids to turn things around. The Mets need length out of their starters. They're 13-0 when they go at least six innings. 13 games out of 54 is not gonna cut it. No team can win putting that kind of strain on its bullpen, especially this team with this bullpen.

Both Eppler and Showalter need to step it up, as well. The former needs to fix this bullpen and the latter needs to stop being so stubborn with the lineup. If a player isn't performing up to expectations, he needs to be benched in favor of a player with the hot hand. The Rangers fired Gerard Gallant for basically doing the same thing Buck has been doing all season long. And while Cohen is a patient man, there's a limit to his patience, especially when he's dropping $364 million.

Bottom line: it's still early, but early has a nasty habit of getting late pretty quick.

Knicks Suffer Heat Stroke in Miami

Well it was nice while it lasted.

The New York Knicks season came to an unceremonious end at the hands of the Miami Heat last Friday. The final score of the game was 96-92, the final score of the series was 4-2. After thumping the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 in the first round, the Knicks went up against an opponent that was capable of exposing their flaws. Once the Heat realized the Knicks had no outside game - about halfway through the second quarter of game one - they ostensibly shut down their inside game. In short, Miami literally dared the Knicks to beat them from the perimeter and they couldn't. 

Credit Erik Spoelstra for out-coaching Tom Thibodeau; no small task. He made the necessary in-game adjustments that propelled the Heat into the Eastern Conference finals where they will meet the Boston Celtics for the second consecutive year. While Boston should be favored, I wouldn't be shocked to see Miami win. The most dangerous thing in professional sports is a good team that is well coached, and the Heat are well coached. The Celtics will have their hands full, that's for sure.

But getting back to the Knicks, despite the outcome against Miami, this was their most successful season since 2013. Most of the so-called experts had them winning 38 games. That they went 47-35 and finished in fifth place in the East is a tribute not only to Thibodeau but to Team President Leon Rose and GM Scott Perry. It was their decision not to give in to the Utah Jazz's demands for Donavan Mitchell that proved to be the difference. Had that trade gone through, the depth on the team, which was its strength all season long, would've been gone. And instead of advancing to the second round, like they did, they might very well have been eliminated in the first.

But while the Knicks depth was its secret sauce this season, its Kryptonite was its lack of an elite scorer. Jalen Brunson did everything humanly possible to will this team to victory, but in the end it was the bricks put up by Julius Randle and RJ Barrett that sealed their fate. The NBA is not the NHL. You can't simply gut your way to a championship. There is no E for effort on the basketball court. You either have the talent or you go home. Period!

First on Rose and Perry's To-Do list this offseason is to find the player or players that can turn this blue-collar, blood, sweat and tears team into a genuine playoff contender. That won't be easy to do. After watching Randle and Barrett shit the bed in Miami, it will be difficult to move either in a trade.

One player that would help is Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 6-11 center averaged 20.8 points per game in just 29 games this season. Over 511 career games, he's averaged 23 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. While no Nikola Jokic, he would give the Knicks something they haven't had since the days of Patrick Ewing: a center who can score that opponents would have to respect. Randle, Mitchell Robinson and perhaps one of the eight first round draft picks the Knicks are holding might be enough to swing it.

But if the Knicks are really interested in a player that would transform them into the prohibitive favorites in the Eastern conference, they should set their sites southward along Jersey Turnpike. With the Sixers collapse in game seven against the Boston Celtics and the subsequent firing of Doc Rivers, there are a lot of unanswered questions in Philly. For instance, who will replace Rivers? Will James Harden ask for a trade? And if Harden leaves, will Joel Embiid want to be part of what could be a lengthy rebuild?

If the answer to that last question is no, then Rose and Perry need to move heaven and earth to make sure the reigning MVP is wearing orange and blue next season. In 66 games this season, Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. If acquired, he would instantly become the best player on the Knicks and the best center in the history of the franchise, including Willis Reed. To land him, Rose and Perry might have to give up Randle, Robinson and all eight of those number one picks.

Is there an inherent risk giving up all that trade capital for a player who has never played a full season in his professional career? Undoubtedly. But think about the starting lineup the Knicks would have. Embiid at center, Barrett and Obi Toppin at forward and Brunson and Josh Hart in the back court. And with Isaiah Hartenstein, Quentin Grimes, Deuce McBride and Immanuel Quickley coming off the bench, the Knicks would still have a formidable roster.

All this, of course, is mere speculation. What isn't up for debate, however, is just how flawed the Knicks lineup is. Put bluntly, there's no way this team, as presently constructed, can return next season. Changes must be made. The draft capital is there; it's simply a question of finding the right trade partner.

Who Will Drury Hire to Replace Gallant?

Well, at least this time Gerard Gallant didn't get fired on his way to the airport. Chris Drury had the good taste to do it in person, even if his explanation for making the move didn't pass the smell test. "Mutually agreed to part ways," my ass. I remember the last time I "mutually agreed to part ways" with an employer. I was walked back to my desk, gathered my personal belongings, and allowed to say goodbye to my former coworkers while I was being escorted out of the building. To paraphrase a line out of the movie Forrest Gump, "termination is as termination does."

So now that Gallant is out, who will replace him? Drury has made a lot of critical decisions over his tenure as President and GM; none more critical than this. For his own sake and that of the franchise, he cannot afford to screw it up.

But before we get to the available candidates, it needs to be acknowledged, if it hasn't already, the amazing job Rod Brind'Amour is doing behind the Carolina Hurricanes bench. Despite getting blown out by the Devils in game three in New Jersey, and with three key forwards out of the lineup due to injury, he has his team up two games to one. Maybe it would've been impossible for Drury to sign him two years ago, but for my money, that is the type of coach the Rangers need; one who's not only good with Xs and Os but who can motivate his players to play a disciplined style of hockey. Take a good look at the teams that are ahead in their respective series. It is not the stars who are leading the way, but the foot soldiers. That is a tribute to the men behind the bench.

And speaking of the men behind the bench, the list of candidates Drury will have to choose from will be minus one important name. Larry Brooks of The New York Post is reporting that Joel Quenneville will not be considered for the job. As I pointed out in my last piece, Quenneville certainly has the credentials to coach this team, but his conduct in the sexual assault of Kyle Beach in 2010 has tarnished his reputation, perhaps beyond repair. I'm guessing either James Dolan got cold feet or Drury simply put his foot down. Regardless, it's good news for the Rangers.

Peter Laviolette: Out of all the big names out there, he's probably the most qualified. He guided the Hurricanes to their one and only Stanley Cup in 2006, and he took two other teams to the Cup finals: the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017. He also kept a Washington Capitals team riddled with injuries in the playoff hunt going into the final few games of the season. A no-nonsense coach who demands accountability from his players and excels at Xs and Os, he's the closest to the Brind'Amour mold in both temperament and style as Drury is likely to find.

Andrew Brunette: After Quenneville was suspended by the NHL early in the 2021-22 season, Brunette took over the coaching duties and guided the Florida Panthers to their first and only Presidents' trophy. And for his efforts, he was replaced behind the bench this season by Paul Maurice. What impresses me most about Brunette is how he turned an underperforming team into an offensive juggernaut before the flaws finally caught up with them in the second round against the Tampa Bay Lightning, He's currently an assistant with the Devils so Drury would need permission to speak with him.

Kris Knoblauch: While it would be a reach for Drury to go this route, there are a couple of positive attributes that would make him a good choice. For starters, he has the Hartford Wolf Pack in the third round of the AHL playoffs with a lineup that consists of maybe three players who are NHL-caliber. Secondly, he's been behind the Rangers bench twice when David Quinn and Gallant both got Covid, so the players are familiar with him. And last but not least, he's considered a good teacher and a good motivator; the latter being something that could've come in handy in game seven against the Devils.

Mike Sullivan: Yes, he won back-to-back Cups his first two years in Pittsburgh, but the Penguins haven't gotten out of the first round since 2018, and this season failed to even make the playoffs. That ownership decided to fire GM Ron Hextall and President Brian Burke and keep Sullivan is an indication that they don't feel the problem is behind the bench but rather in the front office. Translation, if Drury wants him, he'll have to fork over a draft pick or two to get him. Doubtful that'll happen.

Bruce Boudreau: Yet another players' coach who got fired from his last gig, he makes Gallant look like John Tortorella. Somehow I don't see Drury going down the same rabbit hole twice, but you never know.

Mark Messier: What he accomplished as a player for this franchise will never be forgotten. And I must admit the idea of "The Captain" leading this team to only its second Stanley Cup championship since World War II is enticing. But just because Messier was a great player doesn't necessarily mean he would make a great coach, and like I wrote above, Drury can't afford to get this next decision wrong.

Darryl Sutter: If you think the exit interviews from Gallant's players sealed his fate, you should check out some of the ones Sutter got from his players in Calgary. Supposedly several demanded to be traded unless he was fired. There's no doubt Sutter can coach - he won two Cups in L.A.; the problem is the way he treats his players. Next to him, Mike Keenan was Father Flanagan.

Of the above choices, Laviolette is the safe one. But if I recall, we said the same thing about Gallant two years ago. While Knoblauch would be a risk, the upside could be huge. Drury has said he's going to take his time, but realistically, he'll need to fill the position soon. The entry draft is June 28 followed by the start of free agency July 1.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Laviolette becoming the next head coach, but then I had the Bruins, Avalanche and Rangers all advancing in the first round.

Now What?

To say this Rangers season was a colossal failure would be putting it mildly. Going into game seven against the New Jersey Devils Monday night, the Rangers knew they had to do two things: 1. Not let the Devils run them ragged around the hockey rink; and 2. Score on the power play. They did neither.

For all intents and purposes, this game was over in the first period. The Blueshirts went 0 for 3 on the power play and were thoroughly outplayed from the opening puck drop. It was only through the sheer brilliance of Igor Shesterkin - who with a GAA of 1.96 and a SV% of .931 deserved a better outcome - that the score wasn't 3-0 New Jersey going into the second.

This series in many ways was a microcosm of the Rangers season. When they played against teams that gave them the room to create, they lit them up like a Christmas tree. But when they played against teams that knew how to check and took away their passing lanes, they struggled to generate offense. Just look at the scores in this series; they tell the whole tale. In the games they won (one, two and six) they outscored New Jersey by a combined 15-4. In the games they lost (three, four, five and seven) New Jersey outscored them by a combined 13-2. Worse, their power play, which had played such an integral role in their success during the regular season, went 5-14 (35%) in the three wins, but a woeful 0-14 in the four losses.

So what went wrong? How did the most talented Rangers team in over a generation get booted in the first round? 

For starters, it's time to admit the obvious. Despite the success of last year's postseason, this was and is a flawed team. Talented, yes, but flawed nonetheless. Their inability or unwillingness to play a north-south stye of hockey that is demanded of all Stanley Cup contenders proved to be their Waterloo. Think back to the Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After he lost game two, Jon Cooper put the Cirelli line out against the Zibanejad line and the result was that the Rangers managed just one even strength goal the rest of the series.

Another problem that has consistently plagued this team is its lack of grit. In short, they still struggle to win battles in the corners and along the boards. Again, when they play against porous teams, they're fine; when they have to work to retrieve the puck, that's another story. All the more reason to question the decision to trade for Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane. Yes, both are incredibly talented players; the latter is arguably the greatest American ever to lace up a pair of hockey skates. But talent was never a problem for the Rangers; intestinal fortitude was.

Just take a look at the greatest Rangers team of all time. That 1994 team, by any reasonably objective standard, was not the most talented team to ever take the ice. Indeed, the '92 team that was ousted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Penguins was much more talented. But what the '94 team lacked in talent, it more than made up for in guts. They weren't just seasoned veterans; they were warriors who were used to the rigors of a long and grueling postseason. That team had the heart of a lion, and through sheer force of will, they brought a Cup home to a city that hadn't seen one since 1940.

Where are the Messiers, the Graves, the Matteaus, the Tikkanens, the MacTavishes, the Beukabooms on this Rangers team? Don't bother looking because they're not there. In fact, so long as we're being honest here, this team more closely resembles the '92 team - sans Messier and Graves - than the '94 team. Like I said, talented but flawed.

So now what? Where does GM Chris Drury go from here?

Clearly, Drury has some tough decisions ahead of him. Does he fire Gerard Gallant? If so, who does he bring in to replace him? What roster moves does he make? Does he tweak the lineup or are more drastic changes needed? Let's go through them one by one.

The head coach:

Two years ago, before Gallant was hired, I thought it would be a good idea for Drury to at least interview Rod Brind'Amour and Rick Tocchet. Brind'Amour's contract with the Carolina Hurricanes was expiring and he was available, while Tocchet had managed to get an Arizona Coyotes team that was barely north of an AHL roster into the qualifying round of the 2020 playoffs. Both men - especially Brind'Amour - are widely respected coaches who excel at Xs and Os; something Gallant is not particularly adept at. But Drury opted to go with "the bird in the hand," as I wrote back then. 

A players' coach, Gallant was the polar opposite of his predecessor, David Quinn. Not only did he make the playoffs last year, but he had the most wins by a first-year Rangers coach since Mike Keenan in '94. But the struggles that plagued them that year became exacerbated this year. An early-season slump led many to speculate that Gallant's days were numbered. After the Jacob Trouba helmet throwing incident against Chicago, the Rangers turned their season around, thus saving Gallant's job. But now with this humiliating defeat at the hands of the Devils, it's no better than 50/50 whether he survives. And that's a shame, considering he was one win shy of being the first coach in franchise history to reach 100 wins in his first two seasons behind the bench.

So who would replace Gallant? Joel Quenneville's name has come up. The former Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers head coach certainly has the credentials. He guided the Blackhawks to three Cups over a six-year period. It's his checkered past that is problematic. At best, he ignored the sexual assault scandal that rocked the Blackhawks organization and shocked the hockey community; at worst, he helped cover it up. Either way, it would not be a good look for the Rangers to hire him. Knowing James Dolan, I wouldn't put it past him to do just that. Assuming Gary Bettman reinstates Quenneville, he would be the odds-on favorite if a change is made.

Tarasenko and Kane:

There's been some speculation about keeping one of these two UFAs on a team-friendly deal. Hopefully, that's all it is: speculation. Frankly, neither contributed much since their arrival; in fact, their presence likely hurt the team chemistry, particularly the power play. The gymnastics Drury had to subject this team to just to fit Kane in under the cap became something of a running joke throughout the league. It was one of the few times during his tenure that he forced a square peg into a round hole, which leads me to believe that maybe Dolan had something to do with it.

What Drury needs to do is let both players go and use the cap savings to re-sign his own RFAs over the summer. There's a reason why they're called rentals and not purchases. The smart move is to give more ice time to Alexis Lafeniere and Kaapo Kakko, and bring up Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann. If the Devils proved anything in this series it's that youth and inexperience aren't the liabilities some think they are.

Panarin:

While the Bread Man is unquestionably the most talented player on this team, and one of the league's elite playmakers, he is also the Mike Gartner of this generation. A great regular season player who wilts under the spotlight of the playoffs. He had two measly assists in the Devils series and frequently turned the puck over in the offensive and neutral zones.

His $11.6 million salary is the largest on the team, and even if Panarin would be open to waiving his no-move clause, Drury would have a hard time finding a team with sufficient space to accommodate his cap hit. And those teams that do have the cap space, would probably be teams Panarin would not agree to go to. 

But let's be optimistic and say there's a team willing to take on Panarin's contract - with a little salary retention by Drury - that Panarin would agree to go to. The Rangers could use that money to add some size to their lineup. Maybe Drury can finally get the checking center he's been after since he became President and GM. Both Sam Lafferty and Nick Bjugstad were supposedly on his short list at the trade deadline before he got distracted by Kane. As good as Barclay Goodrow is, he's not a natural center; his talents are better suited as a winger.

The Kid line:

It is time to shit or get off the pot for this trio. Assuming Drury re-signs Lafreniere - be it a bridge deal or something similar to what Filip Chytil got - the Rangers must find out what they have with these players. Chytil finally had a breakout year in his fifth season, while both Kakko and Lafreniere showed definite signs of improvement. Regardless of who is behind the bench next season, it is imperative that all three get more ice time, either as a unit or on different lines.

For those who feel that Drury should trade Lafreniere. I would caution against doing that. Having lived through both the John Ferguson and Phil Esposito eras, the last thing this organization needs is another Rick Middleton or Mike Ridley flourishing on another team. Even if Othmann does get promoted, there's no guarantee he would be become the player in the NHL that he is in the juniors. 

Use the trade deadline the way it was intended next time.

Teams make trades for a variety of reasons, but typically playoff-bound teams use the trade deadline to add complimentary pieces to a roster that is otherwise set. That is precisely what Drury did last season when he acquired Frank Vatrano, Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte and Justin Braun. All four complimented what was already there. Adding Tarasenko and Kane had the opposite affect. Instead of complimentary pieces, Tarasenko and Kane were viewed as mercenaries brought in specifically to deliver the Cup. Just imagine the message that sent in the locker room. You're not good enough so we imported these two future Hall of Famers to save your ass. And people wonder why this team looked lost the last month of the season. 

Look at what Toronto and Edmonton did at the deadline. The Leafs acquired Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari and Sam Lafferty, while the Oilers picked up Nick Bjugstad and Mattias Ekholm. All have been solid additions to their respective teams. That's how it's done. Next time around, Drury should stick with what works. Compliment your talent; not supplant it.

Yes, the 2022-23 season didn't end the way it was supposed to. But given the plethora of NMC contracts on the team and the lack of cap space that Drury will have to work with next season, there isn't much he can do to dramatically change this roster short of blowing it up. That would mean another rebuild, and I doubt Dolan would stand for that.

If he does decide to replace the coach, he should go with someone who doesn't have enough baggage to start his own airline; someone who works well with younger players as well as older players; someone who can finally convince players like Panarin and Zibanaejad that playing north-south hockey is in their best interest.

Wonder what Mike Keenan is doing these days?

Joe Schoen Shines

Going into the 2022 NFL Draft, Joe Schoen had something every first-year GM dreams about: two first round picks in the top 10. His selections - OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and OT Evan Neal (7) - were widely lauded as being blue chip. And while many were skeptical of Schoen's later picks, both WR Wan'Dale Robinson (43) and TE Daniel Bellinger (112) not only made the club but contributed to a team that made its first postseason appearance in six years.

Could Schoen duplicate his success from last year? Based on the reviews, he appears to have hit it out of the park. CB Deonte Banks (24), C John Michael Schmitz (57), WR Jalin Hyatt (73) and RB Eric Gray (172) not only addressed needs but were valued higher than where they were taken. The New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy evaluated all 32 teams drafts and gave the Giants an A. Only the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers had better drafts in his opinion.

He wasn't the only one who was impressed. Pro Football Focus gave the Giants an A plus; The Sporting News gave them an A; Mel Kiper, Jr of ESPN and Chad Reuter of NFL.com each gave them an A minus; while Ed Valentine of SB Nation gave them an A. 

Of course nothing is guaranteed. History is replete with examples of draft picks that never panned out. But if last year is any indication, Schoen appears to know what he's doing. If anything, he put on a clinic on how to use his draft capital. In the first round after the top two receivers he had targeted were off the board, he traded up from 25 to 24 to nab Banks. He then did the same thing in the third round, when he traded up from 89 to 73 to land Hyatt.

Compare and contrast what Schoen did with what Jets GM Joe Douglas did when the Patriots and Steelers swapped picks. The Steelers took the offensive lineman Douglas had targeted and the result was the Jets wound up reaching for a player most thought they could've gotten in the second round. Leave it to Bill Belichick to stick it to the Jets.

When you combine his draft picks with the free agent signings of Darren Waller and Bobby Okereke, Schoen has had himself one helluva offseason so far. Giants fans, who've been patient with this new regime, had their patience rewarded last season. Not since the good old days of George Young and Ernie Accorsi has this franchise been this well run.

Rangers Have the Opportunity of a Lifetime

The 2023 NHL postseason has certainly seen more than its fair share of surprises. As of last night, 43 playoff games have been played and the road team has won 27 of them. That comes out to a road winning percentage of 62.8. How unusual is that? Through the first round of last year's playoffs, the road team had won only 22 of a possible 51 games for a winning percentage of 43.1. Home cookin' it seems ain't all it's cracked up to be this postseason.

And that bodes well for a Rangers team that in a best of seven series against the New Jersey Devils, won its first two games on the road, then dropped the next two at home. In any other year, facing a game seven on the road, the Rangers would likely be polishing up their golf clubs, especially given that in ten road games last year, the Blueshirts won only twice. Though to be fair, one of those wins did come in Raleigh against the Hurricanes, so I guess anything is possible.

The Bottom line is that this will not be your typical road game for the men in blue. Not only do they have a chance against the Devils, but based on what happened last night, they should be the favorites to win. That's because last night, both the Presidents' trophy winner Boston Bruins and the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche lost their respective game sevens in their buildings.

Presidents' trophy winners shitting the bed in the first round are not that rare an occurrence. It's happened six times in the cap era. The Bruins are just the latest example of why it's so hard to be a dominant team over an 82-game regular season AND still have enough left in the tank for a grueling playoff run. Boston looked gassed last night against a Florida Panthers team that on paper had no business being on the same ice with them. Oh, well.

But getting back to the Rangers. While the hockey gods may be favoring the road teams this postseason, by no means are they a lock to advance. That's because the Devils are one of the best teams in the NHL. Like I said before the start of the playoffs, this was the worst possible opponent the Rangers could've drawn in the first round. Since game two, New Jersey has been the better and quicker team in the series. And even though the Rangers finally managed to solve Akira Schmid in game six, it was only due to the sheer brilliance of their own goalie Igor Shesterkin that they managed to get to a seventh game. With a GAA of 1.79 and a SV% of .939, he has been, by far, the best player on either team.

But while beating this Devils team will not be an easy task, the Rangers must find a way to do so. Here's why. Both the Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning are gone. The Carolina Hurricanes look more like a MASH unit than a hockey team. The Toronto Maple Leafs are literally the only thing standing between the winner of this series and a trip to the Cup finals. An opportunity like this might not come around again for a very long time.

But if the Rangers need another incentive to win, it's this: The Devils are on the verge of becoming the team to beat in the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future. Think about it. Both the Bruins and the Lightning are past their primes; the Canes, even when they're healthy, are not a legit contender; the Leafs have more skeletons in their closet than a haunted mansion on Halloween; the Islanders will never amount to anything so long as Lou Lamoriello is running the show; and the Rangers window to win is maybe two to three more years at best. To quote Elvis Presley, "It's now or never."

Chris Drury has assembled a team that is ready to win this year, not next year or the year after that. He has put all his chips on the table. A failure in the first round against the Devils will be a bitter pill to swallow for the entire organization. That is why, come hook or crook, the Rangers must find a way to not let that happen.

So how do they avoid playoff Armageddon? For starters, they must stop trying to skate with New Jersey. The Rangers may be the deeper team, but they are not the more athletic one. Trying to match speed with them is tantamount to a suicide mission. What the Rangers need to do is control the neutral zone like they did in games one and two.

That won't be easy. The Devils are not the same team they were in the first two games. To use a Star Trek vernacular, they've gone from sub-light to warp eight. Letting them off the ropes in game three might be the single-worst playoff mistake the Rangers have ever made.

Another thing they have to is dump the puck into the offensive zone and get in on the forecheck. Both the Zibanejad and Tarasenko goals in the second period of game six came as a result of the Rangers pinning the Devils in their own zone. As skilled as New Jersey is, they are not very physical. The one advantage the Rangers have is their size; they must use it or lose it.

Shesterkin will give them every chance to win tonight, but he cannot single-handedly drag them across the finish line. The stars have to come through. There is no tomorrow if they don't.

I predicted the Rangers in seven and I'm sticking with it. So far, I've been wrong twice: the Bruins and the Avalanche. Let's hope it stays that way.