The New York Rangers will beat The Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
The New York Rangers will beat The Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
I will explain this in two ways -- The Fast One and the Detailed Analysis.
One Minute Version: The Rangers are better.
That's not just my view, it's the concerted view of experts who compare Presidents' Trophy-winning New York to the Close But No Cigar guys from the Southland.
My favorite expert is a Stanley Cup-winner, NHL veteran, TV analyst, and now Devils radio-play-by-play guru. Tell 'em, Chico Resch, tell 'em.
"The Rangers have more depth. Their power play is as good or better than the Canes' version. New York's upside talent is as good or better, and the Rangers are just as tough. The coaching is even, and the defensive play is even.
"Plus, New York has a difference-maker in Vincent Trocheck. The other New York edge is between the pipes. It should be an intriguing six-game series."
Detailed analysis: (With key points from my favorite Rangers-watcher Patrick Hoffman:)
GOALTENDING: Nothing against Carolina's Fred Andersen but he's never won a Vezina. His opposite, Igor Shesterkin, enters with a 4-0 record over the Capitals, a 1.75 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
Injury-prone Andersen played well against the Islanders, losing once while coming away with good numbers: 2.25 and 912. But can he carry a team? Negative. Shesty can.
Edge: New York.
FORWARDS: Granted that the Canes have game-breakers in Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas. Andrei Svechnikov, Gino Kuznetsov, Sibby Aho, Teuvo Teravainen and the extra added attraction, Jake Guentzel.
The shot volume is high. Ditto for the Rangers.
Rangers offensive exhibits A to E: Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, Big Al Lafreniere, Breadman Panarin and Chris Kreider. The Rangers also have the better fourth line and boast lightning-strike ability. All things considered -- I kid you not -- the difference-maker is Matt Rempe's alias, The Secret Weapon.
Edge: New York
DEFENSE: First-round evidence has the Rangers as the stingier team. They not only allowed a paltry seven goals in four first-round games but played a superior physical brand while shot-blocking galore. I like Brady Skjei, Jake Slavin and Brent Burns. It's an impressive trio but is it impressive enough? Doubtful.
The Canes lack the all-purpose defense of Adam (Wolfman) Fox as well as K'Andre Miller. Meanwhile, Jake (Torpedo Boat) Trouba insures that Canes heads are up -- or else.
Edge: New York.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Rangers power play is TNT deadly. Carolina's is upscale as well, but nobody fires the missile better than Chris Kreider nor passes better than The Big Apple's tic-tac-toe unit.
Likewise, the Blueshirts go-for-goals penalty-kill is so dangerous that the Canes must be just as aware of giving up a shorthander as scoring themselves. Carolina's PP is right up there but is missing an ingredient that the New Yorkers possess -- the superior quarterback, Adam Fox. Once again, no cigar for the Canes.
Edge: New York.
COACH: Peter Laviolette has more yearly experience than Rod Brind'Amour, but that does not necessarily give him an edge, especially after Lavvy's minus year in Washington.
But there's no denying Pistol Pete's magnificent Rangers orchestration this year with help from assistants Phil Housley and Michael Peca.
Likewise, Brindy has been -- and still is -- highly regarded around the league. The fact that he kept his club so close to New York throughout the season underlines the point in Rod's favor.
Edge: A tie.
Overview: This looms as the best or -- at worst -- one of the top series of the 2024 playoffs. Although the Rangers have advantages up and down the line, there are minuscule differences.
Therefore, the likes of second-stringers like Jack Roslovic and Jordan Staal could wind up as difference-makers. But -- on paper and on the ice -- the Rangers come out on top and should take the second-round series in six games.