Nothing is in the bag until it's in the bag!

The birds are chirping in Rangerville, as well they should, and for so many good reasons:

New York the measure of Washington, 4-1, in the series opener at The Garden; and rather handily, I might add.

They accomplished the feat with first-star help from their fourth line, of all things.

D'Andred Miller was The Maven's choice as the Blueshirts' top defender and not perennial Norris Trophy choice, Adam Fox.

Igor Shesterkin showed no signs of losing his goalkeeping edge.

Rookie Matt Rempe got the first goal while Alex Ovechkin got a goose egg.

Had enough? Of course you have so let's get down to the REAL business at hand tonight.

The subject is "Cockiness 101." Professor Maven please address that class:

"You, Captain Jacob Trouba. didja notice how Boston beat Toronto in their opening series game in Beantown? Don't answer, I know you did?

"And did you see how the Maple Leafs media acted as if an asteroid had hit Scotiabank Arena? Of course you did."

"Guess who won Game Two? Oh, you know that it was the asteroid-free Leafs. Class dismissed."

Based upon logic — or on paper, if you will — beating the Caps in the rematch at The World's Most Famous Arena should be as easy as tossing peanuts at the Bronx Zoo seals.

But funny things happen on the ice so while there's no guarantee of a Rangers win, this is what I'd like to see to insure another W:

A. A Heck of a lot more from right wing Kaapo Kakko. He didn't thrill me over the weekend.

B. More ice for the Fourth Line; because it's well-earned.

C. Repeat after The Maven: "Nothing is in the bag until it's IN the bag!