Rangers Pack the Bags for Another Show on the Road

Having the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference this year seemed pretty good for the New York Rangers, who struggled to find their groove until after the All-Star break. They played extremely well for most of the month of February and mid-way into March. Then cooling off slightly before the start of the play-offs the Rangers looked like a team poised for a run. The first-round proved just that, the Rangers stole home ice advantage from the Devils and won all three road games, splitting the two games at Madison Square Garden. They disposed of the Devils quickly in just five games, something that many hockey fans and analysts alike could not have predicted. The Rangers will now look to steal home ice advantage once again; the only question that remains is who they will play. They will either get there passports ready and head into Canadiens territory, or face another in division rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Either way they will start the series on the road, either Thursday or Friday. It is no secret that the Penguins and the Canadiens will be keeping their eyes open for a few key components in the Rangers line-up. All-stars Jaromir Jagr and Scott Gomez have been the Rangers top play-off performers posting an eight and seven point series against the Devils, respectively. Rookie Brandon Dubinsky is having a break out play-offs with six points in five games. Lastly, the Penguins and Canadiens will be looking out for one more player, Sean Avery. Avery had five points in five games and closes out the top four players for the New York Rangers. Not only is he getting on the score sheet but he is taking players off their games in the process. No matter who the Rangers get matched up against it should prove to be one fun series to watch with Avery in the line-up.