For my money, the sleeper heading into the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs is the New York Rangers. From top to bottom, they have the offense, experience and the goal-tending that is needed to go on an extended run, and their young defensive corps has been improving all season.
The Rangers were the most consistent of all Eastern Conference teams, losing more than two in a row on only one occasion.
They added the winning experience of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez in the offseason, and now that they have found their roles on this team, the Rangers are a team to contend with.
In the playoffs, goaltending is key and the key to the Rangers is Henrik Lundqvist. The Olympic Gold-Medal winning goalie from Sweden has not tasted a ton of playoff success, but if anyone can challenge Martin Brodeur in the first round, it is him. He led the NHL with ten shutouts and posted a 2.23 Goals-Against Average.
The Rangers are a decent bet to get out of the Eastern Conference, and depending what happens throughout the war of attrition that will be the Western Conference, could possess a decent shot at winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 14 years.
If this is so, then Lundqvist will be the deciding factor and in turn the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
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