Jan Levine: Rangers eliminated from playoffs following a 2-1 loss to Lightning on Sat Dream dies hard

One of the best in the business, Jan. I wasnt rooting for you guys, but i enjoyed your blogs throughout the series. You were very levelheaded during the good and bad moments for the Rangers.

Good read! Rangers get through this off-season and really have got a good thing going there. Sherks is fantastic, got some good young players. Fun team to watch. Hearing a lot of Rangers fans ripping into on Trouba. Buffalo could help with that if you guys don't want him anymore.

Even being gassed the past couple of games they have kept the games close. Real proud of this team as theyve show resiliency and were able to adapt to the playoffs. From Igor getting pulled twice in Pittsburgh to winning 5 elimination games and playing in the ECF … you have gotta be happy with how this year ended. Really excited for the future with this core. Igor proved he is battle ready

Was Panarin injured, pretty no existent the last 2gms

We will find out tomorrow who was injured and how bad.

Very sad day

That’s a great team over there, Lots of Kudos to Mr Stamkos

Was Panarin injured, pretty no existent the last 2gms
- Buff36

The whole playoffs really. He had a couple timely goals (very, in the case of the Pitt series). But, he was never really his dynamic self. Looked a little more so of late, so speculation was that he was dealing with something. Before he missed the last few games of the season, he was spotted with a hot/cold pack on his lower back on the bench. That's the best guess so far.

We will find out tomorrow who was injured and how bad.

Very sad day

That’s a great team over there, Lots of Kudos to Mr Stamkos
- jimbro83

All true.
That 21 seconds was the pooptiest roller coaster I've ever been on.

One of the more exciting seasons in a long time. Young kids got experience and the team held their own.

They have to figure out how to produce 5v5 next year. Not sure if it’s a system or personnel change.

We will find out tomorrow who was injured and how bad.

Very sad day

That’s a great team over there, Lots of Kudos to Mr Stamkos
- jimbro83

You hope Laf turns into stamkos. Slow out gate 1OA that plays with an edge

Trying to figure out how to post this properly. I tried to delete the last one, but you all know how well that works!
Anyway, this is what I hoped would be a good luck charm last night.
A stick signed by the 1994 Rangers, bequeathed to me by my late uncle. Received from Adam Graves at a charity golf tournament for the Ontario Kidney Foundation a long time ago.

You hope Laf turns into stamkos. Slow out gate 1OA that plays with an edge
- nyrangers2

I'll take that! I've been using the comparison of Landeskog. I see similarities in his game. I'd take too, too!

You hope Laf turns into stamkos. Slow out gate 1OA that plays with an edge
- nyrangers2

No worries about Lafreniere, he’s gonna a hell of a power forward in this league.

He’s going to have to move into the top 6 moving forward, it’s simply a must

No worries about Lafreniere, he’s gonna a hell of a power forward in this league.

He’s going to have to move into the top 6 moving forward, it’s simply a must
- jimbro83

Yea they have to figure out what to do with all the wingers

Hell did freeze over. I found myself cheering for the Rangers in this series. They have such a good young team and some guys to me anyways that were better then I thought. A little surprised at Kakko sitting but Gallant I’m sure had his reasons….they always do. It would have been nice to see someone other then TBay, but you have to hand it to them they probably did deserve to win.

What’s weird about the Kakko thing is Gallant’s response to it for sure

Normally he would just say something bland that “this is the group I thought gave us the best shot” something like that

But he’s actually angry about the topic, and there were some rumours spreading about it being something discipline related, but that’s just complete speculation

I would have personally kept playing Reaves and a Kakko myself. But I still don’t know if we score more goals either way.

What’s weird about the Kakko thing is Gallant’s response to it for sure

Normally he would just say something bland that “this is the group I thought gave us the best shot” something like that

But he’s actually angry about the topic, and there were some rumours spreading about it being something discipline related, but that’s just complete speculation

I would have personally kept playing Reaves and a Kakko myself. But I still don’t know if we score more goals either way.
- jimbro83

They have the figure out how to play 5v5. Not sure if it’s the system or personnel. It was just a problem all year. Tampa put that on full display

They have the figure out how to play 5v5. Not sure if it’s the system or personnel. It was just a problem all year. Tampa put that on full display
- nyrangers2

As these young guys get better I think the 5 on 5 stuff will improve on its own

As these young guys get better I think the 5 on 5 stuff will improve on its own
- jimbro83

No doubt.
I'd still love to know what drove the Kakko decision. I was actually angry when Gallant ducked the question last night.

Top UFAs centers looking like: Malkin, Giroux, Bergeron, Trocheck, Kadri, Strome (cya), Rakell, Statsny, Copp. Forsberg was a center at one point I believe but now a winger.

Some decent options but most very unlikely.

Top UFAs centers looking like: Malkin, Giroux, Bergeron, Trocheck, Kadri, Strome (cya), Rakell, Statsny, Copp. Forsberg was a center at one point I believe but now a winger.

Some decent options but most very unlikely.
- TC88

Kadri would be perfect but too expensive

Jan great article as always. I agree scratching kk bit of a head scratcher. However we know that is not why rangers lost. I understand gg not answering. They just came off 20 games in 40 days. Mentality and physically exhausted the team will appreciate what they accomplished. GG also feeling the sting. Like Cooper said, a great goalie hides some of the flaws. This I think is dureys biggest job. Thanks for all youdo here.

It turns out the lightning were actually rusty

Hell did freeze over. I found myself cheering for the Rangers in this series. They have such a good young team and some guys to me anyways that were better then I thought. A little surprised at Kakko sitting but Gallant I’m sure had his reasons….they always do. It would have been nice to see someone other then TBay, but you have to hand it to them they probably did deserve to win.
- landros 2

Yeah man. Tampa just dominated the last 4 games. Really the only reason those four games were somewhat competitive was Shesty. There was a stat last night after the 2nd, the Rangers had 2 scoring chances, and none in the slot. I think it was just a combination of Tampa being so good in the playoffs and knowing what it takes and the Rangers finally ran out of gas. Rangers looked like they were skating in glue and Tampa was everywhere.

It turns out the lightning were actually rusty
- rangerdanger94

Still, games 6 and 7 vs Carolina and games 1 and 2 vs Tampa, Rangers played flawless hockey.

It was thrilling. Tampa is just great and we ran out of gas.