Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances Historically, the Rangers march to the Stanley Cup has become a revered part of The Game's heritage. Among other things, it enabled the Blueshirts and their fans -- once and for all -- not having to hear the dreaded "1940" chants delivered by Islanders country. It also featured some of the biggest names in the business, led New York captain Mark Messier. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NzkyNjk5Nzg0MTExOTk5/usatsi_12894011.jpg] To reach the pinnacle, New York had to battle through assorted skirmishes, beginning with their heated rivals, the Islanders. As a service to fans, we'll be taking you through game by game, day to day -- 30-years later, featuring all the important details and quotes along with significant commentary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 17, 1994: Islanders @ Rangers, Game 1 The opening game of the 1994 Rangers-Islanders best-of-seven series looked like it might go the limit. At least Blueshirt goalkeeper Mike Richter thought so. "I don't think there's a more challenging opponent we could face in the first round," Richter opined. So did Zachary Weinstock, co-author of the Rangers-Islanders rivalry book. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeZZ1szzJbk[/embed] "Despite the 14-game difference between the teams," said Weinstock, "it was hard to find a pundit from counties Suffolk to Sullivan who didn't view the series as a toss-up Some even gave the Islanders a slight edge." The Nassaumen did have their assets: * Goalie Ron Hextall was a Conn Smythe Trophy-winner. His Rangers opposite, Mike Richter had been the goat of the 1992 New York-Pittsburgh series. * In head to head competition since 1990, the Isles led, 14-7-4. * Entering the series, the Isles had momentum via an eight-game unbeaten streak in April. * Intense pressure was on the Rangers who had not won The Stanley Cup since 1940. Game One on April 17, 1994 was an afternoon affair at Madison Square Garden before a national television audience. It didn't take long for the capacity crowd to be pleased. Early in the first period the Visitors were penalized and Blueshirt defenseman Brian Leetch scored a power play goal at 3:34. By the time the buzzer ended the opening frame it was 2-0 for the Blueshirts and in the second period, Hextall's reputation suffered once more. This time a left wing drop pass from Adam Graves skimmed to Mark Messier who trickled an unassuming wrister through Hextall's five-hole; which was fast becoming a "six-hole." Even Hextall criticized himself. "It was a terrible goal." The crowd underlined the point with roars of "Hexhhxxxx.....taaall" repeated enough times for Ron to get the message. And just three minutes after that blunder, Hextall blew a Graves shot to make it 4-0 for the Manhattanites. The once proud Islanders defense took on the look of wet tissue paper while the Nassau offense was non-existent. Meanwhile, the home crowd wanted more and the Rangers obliged. Alexei Kovalev split the Isles defense and easily beat Hextall to make it a 5-0 romp. When Rangers defenseman Sergei Zubov lifted the score to 6-0, Isles coach Al Arbour had seen enough. He finally yanked Hextall and replaced the vet with young Jamie McLennan who stopped the bleeding. The game ended 6-0 for the Rangers which promoted one press box wag to comment, "This is beginning to look like the start of a tennis match!" As time went on, he was to be proven right!
