After decades of study in Rangerville, The Maven has learned that a certain Blueshirt cult exists.
After decades of study in Rangerville, The Maven has learned that a certain Blueshirt cult exists.
It's really frightening because these folks cannot be happy even with their favorite team winning five straight and with a one-victory lead over naughty Carolina in the series.
I interviewed one of these traitorous naysayers and here's his fearful forecast of Game Two at The Garden.
"I see a deep Canes lineup with more depth if you consider their middle six lineup," he laments. "Guys like Seth Jarvis, Stefan Noesen, and Jack Drury complement the bigger names like Sebastian Aho, Jake Guentzel, and Andre Svechnikov, plus Teuvo Teravainen and Martin Necas. They scare me."
Not to frighten him any further, I didn't even bring up Jordan Staal and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Then, this Rangers skeptic tells me he isn't done with his moaning low.
"This seems like a very tall order for the Blueshirts," he adds. "Sure, our goaltending edge tilts for Igor, but that doesn't do enough in my mind to move the needle toward New York. I'd still be betting on Carolina in five or six."
Finally, I suggest that he take a deep breath and exhale like a raving optimist. He obeyed, and this is what I got.
"Okay, anything can happen in the playoffs and I'll think of the theme song to one of my favorite podcasts."
Frankly, I had no idea what the heck he was talking about, so I asked.
"Hope For The Best, Expect The Worst, Some Drink Champagne, Some Die Of Thirst. Let's hope the Rangers wind up drinking the Champagne!"
I'll buy that.