The Rangers dominated the Islanders 6-0 in Game One, to take a 1-0 series lead.
The Rangers dominated the Islanders 6-0 in Game One, to take a 1-0 series lead.
Historically, the Rangers march to the Stanley Cup has become a revered part of The Game's heritage. Among other things, it enabled the Blueshirts and their fans -- once and for all -- not having to hear the dreaded "1940" chants delivered by Islanders country. It also featured some of the biggest names in the business, led New York captain Mark Messier.
To reach the pinnacle, New York had to battle through assorted skirmishes, beginning with their heated rivals, the Islanders. As a service to fans, we'll be taking you through game by game, day to day -- 30-years later, featuring all the important details and quotes along with significant commentary.
June 17, 1994: Islanders @ Rangers, Game 1
The opening game of the 1994 Rangers-Islanders best-of-seven series looked like it might go the limit. At least Blueshirt goalkeeper Mike Richter thought so.
"I don't think there's a more challenging opponent we could face in the first round," Richter opined. So did Zachary Weinstock, co-author of the Rangers-Islanders rivalry book.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeZZ1szzJbk[/embed]
"Despite the 14-game difference between the teams," said Weinstock, "it was hard to find a pundit from counties Suffolk to Sullivan who didn't view the series as a toss-up Some even gave the Islanders a slight edge."
The Nassaumen did have their assets:
* Goalie Ron Hextall was a Conn Smythe Trophy-winner. His Rangers opposite, Mike Richter had been the goat of the 1992 New York-Pittsburgh series.
* In head to head competition since 1990, the Isles led, 14-7-4.
* Entering the series, the Isles had momentum via an eight-game unbeaten streak in April.
* Intense pressure was on the Rangers who had not won The Stanley Cup since 1940.
Game One on April 17, 1994 was an afternoon affair at Madison Square Garden before a national television audience.
It didn't take long for the capacity crowd to be pleased. Early in the first period the Visitors were penalized and Blueshirt defenseman Brian Leetch scored a power play goal at 3:34.
By the time the buzzer ended the opening frame it was 2-0 for the Blueshirts and in the second period, Hextall's reputation suffered once more. This time a left wing drop pass from Adam Graves skimmed to Mark Messier who trickled an unassuming wrister through Hextall's five-hole; which was fast becoming a "six-hole."
Even Hextall criticized himself. "It was a terrible goal." The crowd underlined the point with roars of "Hexhhxxxx.....taaall" repeated enough times for Ron to get the message.
And just three minutes after that blunder, Hextall blew a Graves shot to make it 4-0 for the Manhattanites. The once proud Islanders defense took on the look of wet tissue paper while the Nassau offense was non-existent.
Meanwhile, the home crowd wanted more and the Rangers obliged. Alexei Kovalev split the Isles defense and easily beat Hextall to make it a 5-0 romp.
When Rangers defenseman Sergei Zubov lifted the score to 6-0, Isles coach Al Arbour had seen enough. He finally yanked Hextall and replaced the vet with young Jamie McLennan who stopped the bleeding.
The game ended 6-0 for the Rangers which promoted one press box wag to comment, "This is beginning to look like the start of a tennis match!"
As time went on, he was to be proven right!