Rangers jump out to a 2-0 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.
The Islanders sought quick revenge in Game Two of the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals.
The date was April 18, 1994 and once again Madison Square Garden would be the venue.
After Isles goalie Ron Hextall took a 6-0 first-game licking in goal from the Rangers, visiting coach Al Arbour could not be faulted with dumping Hexy while replacing him with inexperienced Jamie McLennon.
It looked like a wise decision -- for just under six minutes.
The Visitors held the home team to no shots on goal and the 0-0 score suggested that this might -- just might -- be a close game.
That hope disappeared when Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch skimmed a pass to Alexei Kovalev on his right and Kovie whipped the puck past McLennon.
From that point until the end of the period, the Isles played their rivals even and even roughed up the Blueshirts a bit. Darius Kasparaitis -- Arbour's best "disturber" -- went after Glenn Anderson and Jay Wells with the result that four minor penalties were called but no further score.
All things considered, the 1-0 deficit was not troubling to Arbour. Although some critics thought the insertion of McLennan was a "panic move," the rookie seemed to have the goaltending situation well in hand.
But then the second period began and in less than a minute the Islanders began looking like a broken pinata. The mess began when Mark Messier stripped Islesdefenseman Dennis Vaske of the puck and -- breaking free -- easily beat McLennan.
The time was 18 seconds of the middle frame and less than two minutes later
Rangers defenseman Kevin Lowe picked the puck out of a scramble and made it a 3-0 game.
For the next ten minutes, the Arbourmen held their own -- yet still had failed to score a single goal -- until 12:29 when Craig MacTavish put the game out of grasp and Stephane Matteau sealed the deal (17:06) before the middle period had ended.
Craig MacTavish (14)If salt needed to be put in the Isles wounds, coach Mike Keenan's Brian Noonan dropped a morsel in the fourth minute of the finale which ended 6-0 for the Rangers.
Considering that the first match also had ended 6-0, it was fair for the scribes to call this a "Tennis Series" and not be reprimanded for it.
Almost overlooked was goalie Mike Richter who had made 29 saves for his second shutout in a thirty-three hour span.
If there was any solace for the twice-trashed Islanders it could be found in the playoff schedule. Game Three would be held at Nassau Veterans' Memorial Coliseum on April 21, 1994.
Already cheers of "LET'S GO ISLANDERS" could be heard in suburban Uniondale!