Henrik Lundqvist (Jeff Zelevansky)
The Rangers never would have chosen Ottawa as their first-round opponent, and it’s at least plausible the Senators lost their final two games to a depleted Bruins squad and a nothing-to-gain Devils team in order to draw the first-seed Blueshirts rather than second-seed Boston in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
There is bound to be adversity, perhaps immediately. The challenge faced by the Rangers will be to keep their discipline and to use that adversity as a stepping stone — against an opponent who might well have chosen them.
Here’s how the series breaks down:
GOALTENDING
The outside attention on Henrik Lundqvist, who has a lifetime 15-20 mark in the playoffs, including seven losses in his last eight starts, has become as enormous as the internal and external expectations of The King. Lundqvist is capable of carrying the Rangers through stretches of significant territorial disadvantages as long as he is economical in his movements and sharp with his glove.
Craig Anderson is capable of brilliance with first-shot reactions but can be susceptible to leaving second chances if confronted with traffic. Recorded a Jan. 12, 3-0 no-muss shutout at the Garden during which there were few rebounds. If unable to go the distance because of injuries, likely would yield to 6-foot-7 Ben Bishop.
EDGE: RANGERS
DEFENSE
The Rangers’ strength is in playing angles, blocking shots and remaining composed and in good ice if and when pinned. It will be important for the Dan Girardi-Ryan McDonagh pair (supported by back-checking forwards) to limit Jason Spezza’s time and space. Defense, though, begins with a strong forecheck and avoiding neutral zone turnovers leading to counters.
The Senators want to move the puck from the back and get involved on the offense, led by Norris Trophy candidate Erik Karlsson and his throwback 78-point season (19 goals, 59 assists). Ottawa is deep and mobile on the blue line, with rookie Jared Cowen providing muscle. EDGE: Even
OFFENSE
The Rangers want to get the puck deep, hem in the Ottawa defense and work as much as possible below the hash marks. Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan, the three best forwards, must continue to make the big plays they did throughout the season. Blueshirts require production from Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky.
Jason Spezza can create out of thin air, Kyle Turris comes with speed, Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek are finishers, and the third and fourth lines will take the body and get to the front.
EDGE: SENATORS
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Rangers’ power play seems to have finally developed a comfort level, running the attack from the half-boards as much as from the top, while the penalty-kill unit has been consistently excellent.
Senators’ creative snipers present danger on the PP while the penalty kill — Ottawa has been shorthanded the third most times in the NHL — has been inadequate.
EDGE: RANGERS
COACHES
John Tortorella has the Cup resume and the pulse of his team, but also carries a 7-16 post-lockout playoff record onto the Rangers’ bench.
Paul MacLean was nothing but a breath of fresh air in his first NHL coaching job upon taking over the Senators this year.
EDGE: Even
OUTLOOK:
As long as the Rangers retain their composure and discipline while getting representative performances from Lundqvist, Richards, Gaborik and the Girardi-McDonagh pair, the club appears too deep and too strong to suffer immediate ouster.
RANGERS IN SIX