It's been a hectic two games of the Eastern Conference Final, so here is what we have learned so far from a Rangers perspective.
1. You have to wonder why in the world Peter Laviolette waited so long to return Matt Rempe into the Rangers lineup.
2. Really; did he think that Jonny Brodzinski could put fear in the hearts of the Florida Panthers? Or that Kaapo Kakko would cease and desist from his Rip Van Winkle imitation? (I predict that KK will be in a trade package by summertime.)
3. Too bad they didn't have a "Four Star Selection" after the game. Mine would be Goodrow, Shesterkin, Rempe and Big Al Lafreniere.
4. Big Al is built along the same generous lines as Canadiens legendary Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau. It took Big Jean three years to hit his stride. Ditto Big Al.
5. Not only has Lafreniere hit his stride; he's also hitting a lot of Panthers. Ask Carter Verhaeghe who wound with a bit more than a fender-bender.
6. Sorry, folks but Jacob (Jake The Rake) Trouba is looking less and less like an asset and more and more like a defensive debit.
7. If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, Chris (I'm An Original Ranger) Kreider should have been awarded the captaincy; not Trouba.
8. If Jimmy Vesey's injury sidelines him tomorrow night; not to worry. Blake Wheeler is more than ready to step in and play. The secret word is depth which is not matched by the Panthers and which is another reason why the Rangers will go to the Finals.
9. Here's what nobody else is writing about the winning goal. Goodrow scored in OT because Sergei Bobrovsky is six years older – and a split-second slower – than Iggy who would have made the save.
10. Second best "save" of the night was made by the Cats' Oliver Ekman-Larsson who managed to get his "tooshy" in front of what looked like a sure OT goal.