It’s a depressing musing day. It’s the day between games and we’re potentially a day away from the end of the season. If you’re negative that is. Anyway, let’s get on to the musings.

Marian Gaborik scored. Ryan Callahan scored. The offense wasn’t the issue in the game five defeat. The defense was subpar and above all the Rangers couldn’t keep the Devils top players in check.  Kovalchuk, Parise and Zajac combined for 5 points. The Rangers have yet to play a game this series (arguably all playoffs) where every facet of their game – defense, goaltending, offense, special teams – has clicked at the same time.

I read a few things today where people have begun to criticise Lundqvist, because of game five. If I meet any of these people in person I may very well attack them. I loves me a good beat down. I cannot tolerate mindless fools and/or drama queens. Step away from the ledge.

Whether it was injury or not; Ryan Callahan, despite being impressive in game five, hasn’t been the offensive force in these playoffs that he needs to be. That says a lot. Why? The Rangers have one heck of a leader and all rounder hockey player in Cally. However, on offensively strong teams Callahan would be an offensive compliment not a go-to-guy.

I think tiredness is present in the Rangers but it’s maybe overstated. I think sometimes the media create stories and players and teams can often buy into them, believe them. Is that going on here?

If Brandon Dubinsky plays like he did in game five the Rangers should keep him. The problem is how likely is he to play like that consistently? He played physically, was motivated and was relevant offensively.

Michael Del Zotto was minus three and really struggled but the defense as a unit was not very good and hasn’t been great numerous occasions in this series. The two shutout victories were predominantly thanks to a certain Swede in net.

The Rangers have been pretty poor in this series when considering offensive zone pressure and sustaining any kind of momentum. I still think, when I look at the composition of the Devils blueline (Mark Fayne, Salvador, Harrold, Greene and Zidlicky) that the Rangers should have much more success. That could be the most patchwork defense to play in the Stanley Cup in many years. Assuming the Rangers don’t mount a comeback.

Just when you think his tank is empty Ruslan Fedotenko puts together a few impressive games at the most critical time of year. I don’t see any way the Rangers bring him back but he’s suggesting he has some NHL left in him, somewhere.

It’s a series like this conference finals against the Devils where the Rangers have really missed Michael Sauer. His extra physicality and intelligence are really being missed right now.

He’s not worth the money he’s on but imagine what difference the added dynamic skill from Kovalchuk would make to this Rangers team. In addition, this team is built so that it could probably make up for his lack of defensive game even if Tortorella would never allow it.

Question Time:

  • Will Michael Sauer be healthy to start next year?
  • Zach Parise or Rick Nash?
  • Will the Rangers win game 6?
  • What has been the Rangers biggest issue in this series: energy, offensive consistency, physical play?
  • Can either the Devils or Rangers beat a well rested LA Kings?
  • How do the Rangers overcome the repeated slow starts?

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