Here's how the Rangers would have played if matched up against the Oilers in The Stanley Cup Final.
With a few dozen breaks here and there, the Rangers could have made it to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final and not the fast fading Floridians.
Let's say the Rangers were preparing for a Game 7 showdown and not the Cats, under those circumstances, I could envision the following:
The Maven's brainstorm:
1. Although the Blueshirts couldn't beat the Panthers, they would have beaten Edmonton for the Cup.
2. The Rangers would have prevailed because, A. Shesterkin would have played out of his mind; B. Laviolette would have had Lafrenière all over McDavid throughout the series and Trocheck would have taken care of Hyman.
3. McDavid's buddies would be so intimidated by playing at The World's Most Famous Arena, they'd be distracted out of their focus – and minds.
4. The Oilers lack the intimidators that Florida possesses; meaning that Breadman, The Z Man and the other Lighthorse Harrys would roam as far and wide as any Oiler and without fear of Edmonton cheap shots.
5. New York's third and fourth lines would outplay Edmonton's counterparts. Hey, it never hurts being a brainstormer; or does it?