Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: What the New York Rangers Must Do to Force Game 7

The New York Rangers need to start strong and get back to playing defense if they hope to extend their series against the New Jersey Devils.

In the last two games, New York has given up nine goals, which is is far too many.

Much has been made about a famous series between the two teams 18 years ago when Rangers’ center Mark Messier guaranteed a Game 6 victory and then scored three goals to force a Game 7. New York won the deciding contest in overtime.

While it is mostly the fans who are enjoying a look back at the evolution of this rivalry, the Rangers need to take a lesson from Messier and find some way to motivate themselves.

Messier will not be around to give a historic performance, and the Rangers will have to follow the blueprint they drew for themselves in Games 1 and 3 of this series.

Everything will start with goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. In New York’s two wins this series he shut out a potent Devil’s attack. 

This led to momentum on the other end of the ice and the Rangers scored three goals in each game.

In the last two games, however, the Rangers allowed early goals and faced a two-point deficit at the end of the first period.

Their start in Game 5 was especially atrocious, and they were down 3-0 before the ten minutes were gone. The Rangers did well to fight back and tie the game later on, and they likely would have won had they not started so terribly.

They need to come out focused and ready to help out their goaltender in order to force a Game 7. If they are flat, the Devils will take advantage of their opportunities and force the Rangers to play catch-up.

The Rangers’ are in the unfortunate situation of having to play 21 games just to reach the Stanley Cup finals. The fatigue is likely setting in, but the Rangers must find something to ensure that they have their legs under them right from the start.

Whether the inspiration comes from a player making a grand guarantee before the game, or from Lundqvist pleading with his defense to help him out in the first period, something needs to be done. Another bad start for New York will send them back across the Hudson for good.