Stanley Cup Preview: Round 2 Ottawa Senators Vs. New York Rangers
pmroczka
While the Capitals and Penguins battle to move onto the third round of the NHL playoffs, the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers will do the same. Of the six games played in round one between the Senators and the Boston Bruins, five went to OT and Ottawa took three of those five. The won their series four games to two. The Rangers played Montreal in round one in what was a chippie series. New York also won their series four games to two, with the final game ending 3-1. The Canadiens and Rangers played two overtime games and split them. We now have our Senators play Rangers 2017 Stanley Cup round two pick.
The Teams
Ottawa does not score a lot of goals and their penalty kill and power play are both below average. The team’s defense is ranked a tad better than the Ranger D. But this is a tough, scrappy team led by center Derick Brassard and right wing Bobby Ryan. Brassard has two goals and six assists with four assists on the power play. Ryan, who has seven points total, has made four goals, with two of those on the power play, and three assists, with two on the PP. D-man Erik Karlsson has six assists with two of those coming with a man advantage. His +3.0 is the best GS/GA differential on the team.
Goalie Craig Anderson (4-2) is one reason as to why this team will be competitive. In the playoffs this far he has a 1.92 GAA and a .924 Sv%. He’s had one shutout. Anderson is tough to beat right now.
The Rangers can score goals. In the regular season, they were fourth goals per game at 3.1. Their defense is average but their penalty kill is weak. RW Mats Zuccarello leads the club in playoff goals with three and he has the team’s only power play goal. Winger Jesper Fast had a fine series against Montreal as he scored two, made one assist and was +5. Center Mika Zibanejad, who’s at +2, leads the Rangers in points with four. Defenseman Brady Skjei is at +4 with two goals.
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (4-2) was not doing well at the end of the regular season, but he really stepped up in the first round of the playoffs as his defense often falters. Lundqvist has a fantastic 1.70 GAA and .947 SV%. He’s had one shutout.
Ottawa and New York Keys
Can Rangers weak D stop playmaker Karlsson?
The goalie with the edge could be a major factor
In round one Ottawa had 5 PPG while Rangers notched just one
Jesper Fast needs to continue his fine play
Which team can out physicalize the other?
Schedule
Game 1: Rangers at Senators, Thursday, April 27, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Rangers at Senators, Saturday, April 29, 3 p.m.
Game 3: Senators at Rangers, Tuesday, May 2, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Senators at Rangers, Thursday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Rangers at Senators, Saturday, May 6, TBD*
Game 6: Senators at Rangers, Tuesday, May 9, TBD*
Game 7: Rangers at Senators, Thursday, May 11, TBD*
*If necessary
Senators Play Rangers 2017 Stanley Cup Round Two Pick
In many ways, we like the Senators in this series. They’ve managed to play exceptionally well in tight games and given fine performances in OT. For the Rangers, Lundqvist needs to continue his impressive play. Can he do so? Our Senators play Rangers 2017 Stanley Cup round two pick is the Senators in seven.
Senators Play Rangers 2017 Stanley Cup Round Two Pick: Ottawa in seven
