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Exactly what will happen in the ECF. Russia vs. USA. Plus Babcock Update |
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On Tampa vs. NY.
A coin toss?
Maybe.
Picking against the Rangers and Lundqvist is something I should have learned by now to avoid. There is no question in my mind that this series will be a great one, and will showcase some of the most exciting hockey we have seen to date... No question.
Both of these teams like to fly. We have yet to see a series in the East with this much speed. Both teams have depth and both teams have goaltending...The Rangers have the experience and that was very evident by how the team never slightly even flinched at falling down 3-1 to the Caps.
Both Lundqvist and Bishop are playing like they have something major to prove...and that can't be understated. It is going to be a fantastic battle, but at the end of the day I have yo go with Lundqvist as having the advantage.
I don't know how you can't.
At forwards I have to give the advantage to Tampa because they have Stamkos, and he is not even their best forward right now. Tyler Johnson is Pavel Bure v 2.0. The most dynamic American Center since Modano and Roenick. Unreal speed and grit. The Lightning have more forward depth as well....Is there any doubt that the Rangers would be playing Jonathan Drouin if they had him?
On defense the Rangers have the edge defensively. That is certain, but the best overall d-man in this series may be on the Lightning...Victor Hedman is the only D-man in this series who can take over a game.
The Rangers play a lot like Detroit did...you can either find that as a positive for Tampa (they learned how to beat that style) or a negative (they came one goal from losing to Detroit) But the Rangers do it better than Detroit.
The Lightning play closest in style to Pittsburgh...that's good for the Rangers that they handle Pittsburgh pretty easily, but if the Penguins had the Lightning's defense....who knows?
My pick?
The Lightning is 6, but Rangers fans take heart...I am almost always wrong when it comes to picking the Rangers...
On Babcock
It is sounding more and more like Babcock is returning to the Red Wings...and if anyone saw the amazing interview Darren Dreger did with Babcock and Holland it sure felt that way...We will know VERY soon..
On the Worlds.
This deserves more space than this,but WOW.
Canada defeated the Czechs but WOW. what a game. Jagr was unbelievable and should get player of the tournament for what he accomplished...And now Team USA is up against the Russians. This will be epic.
On the NHL.
Why the heck didn't you have the Rangers/Lightning on Hockey Night in Canada this evening? It really sucks that the USA/Russia game is head to head with the Bolts and Rangers...Huge mistake.
What game are you watching?
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