The Rangers are for real; no doubt about that. But on Thursday we'll find out if they are really FOR REAL. Having knocked off a series of quasi-NHL-AHL flubs, they return home tonight against the defending – more like de-fanged – champion Panthers. At least Peter Laviolette's blitzy Blueshirts won't be marauding against miserable Montrealers or make-believe Maple Leafs. Rearmed with the return of Ryan (The Rioter) Lindgren and captain Jacob (No More Nasty Headlines) Trouba – playing like the JACOB TROUBA of yore – The Rangers should dismiss Florida out of hand. In fact you'd be hard-pressed to find a single Eastern Conference team to come even close to matching New York's overall balance, from Mika to Mancini. "This is the best Rangers team in years," says The Old Scout. "You can't find a weakness on their roster simply because there isn't any." Stan Fischler talks about Matt Rempe. Check out the Blueshirts East Feast, which explains why New York is on top. Florida: The Cats at 4-3-1 already look tired; Tampa Bay is a bit better at 4-2 but the Bolts' best days are behind them. The Leafs remain the same annual joke; inept goaltending, top-heavy with scorers and little else, plus the fading Canes are no better than a former threat. The Hockey News Yearbook has New Jersey finishing first in the Met and then advancing to the Cup Final but the Devils defense, so far, says "First and the Final will never happen." After the Rangers, the best is in the West. The Jets, Flames, Stars and Wild are for real. The Under .500 McDavids think they can get points for swooning and giving their coaches conniptions. NAY! Connor, NAY! Your Oil is spoiled. "When you think about it," adds The Old Scout, "Lavy's biggest Rangers problem is that he's got so much talent – assuming that you consider Matt Rempe talent – that he can't fit it all in on any given night." Except that Thursday won't be "any given night." The Champions are invading The Garden. For that reason alone they deserve respect – and not wise guy one-liners from The Maven!
