Like myself, the Blueshirt bloc still can't believe that the Rangers are not playing tonight against Edmonton and that a team from Sunrise, Florida is. Our Cup hangovers are securely rooted in the knowledge that New York won The Presidents' Trophy and, as such, was hellbent on grabbing The Stanley Cup. Sorry, but we still can't believe that New York's route to The Stanley Cup is closed. This unhappy hangover continues to produce an assortment of views which follow and which will certainly unnerve those who hate the word "Choke!" Over the years one of my all-time favorite analysts has been Jessica Cassino who worked with me on my Emmy-award-winning MSG Networks hockey show, "Five For Fischler." Jess, who is a lifetime Blueshirts fan, wastes no time ripping her disappointing Rangers. "They are 'repeat offenders' in the playoffs'" is how she puts it with a bit of pepper on the quip. "They make the same mistakes. They aren't strong enough." Then, a pause and a word I never – ever – heard in hockey conversation, yet it's true. Ms. Cassino: "The Rangers don't have SYNCHRONICITY on offense and certainly are not fast enough. But they sure know how to exploit their goalie when they can't score. They did it to Hank Lundqvist, and now to Igor Shesterkin." Or as eternal NHL goalie and TV analyst Glenn "Chico" Resch explains about the Rangers, there are flaws in their draws. Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG "The flaws – that I thought they had overcome – resurfaced and did them in," Resch concludes. Some good citizens of Rangerville point out that there were times when the Blueshirts appeared to be a quarter-step behind the speedy Panthers. My man in Miami – and Sunrise as well – Al Greenberg perceives some merit in that theory. "The Panthers' success against the Rangers could be rooted in their conditioning," Big Al explains. "Florida has enjoyed great third periods for a reason. Coach Paul Maurice – and several players – have said that it's because of a tough training camp." I don't know how 'tough' Peter Laviolette's camp was but that accent on conditioning has been part of the Cats' program right up to this moment. Greenberg: "It could account for the fact that the Panthers were able to shut down all the Rangers stars. That in and of itself was incredible. And they did it again in Game 1 of the Final against Edmonton. It's a tribute to Maurice and his methods."
