For the first time since pre-Y2K, the Rangers clinched a playoff spot before April and not by the skin of their teeth. With a 4-2 win over the hated New Jersey Devils, the Rangers became the first team to clinch a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference.
Now, I can't stand writing game stories, but tonight feels a bit different. While I missed the opening trifecta of brawls in the first three seconds of the game (relax, I was at work), I was able to see the replays. Devils coach Peter DeBoer was out to send a message, which isn't a surprise in a rivalry like this. He put his tough guys on the ice and the Rangers made them pay. Stu Bickel vs Ryan Carter: win for Bickel. Mike Rupp vs Eric Boulton: win for Rupp. Brandon Prust vs Bryce Salvador: win for Prust. To see three fights taking place simultaneously was equally as bizarre as it was amazing.
Just over a minute later, Brandon Dubinsky (finally) scores and the Rangers had the momentum and never looked back. As the Garden crowd aired out chants of "MAAAARTYYY" to the Devils portly goaltender, you can tell just from watching an illegal online stream of the game how electric the atmosphere was.
This marks the sixth time in the last seven the seasons that the Rangers will play after their 82-game regular season schedule. But this is such a different team than in years past. It's not the usually-frustrating squads that are barely making it into the playoffs. It's a fun, confident group of guys that have all bought into John Tortorella's system. These guys play for each other and it's clear every time they take the ice.
We don't have to worry about Olli Jokinen in the shootout. We don't need Jody Shelley to score two goals for them to get to that shootout. We don't have to worry about other teams needing to lose to get into the playoffs. They're in. On March 19. After a total team effort win against a team that every fellow Ranger fan absolutely despises. This is so mind-bogglingly great and I'm going to enjoy it just like every other Ranger fan should.
Sidenote: Mats Zuccarello has been a tremendous spark plug since being recalled from the Connecticut Whale. I was a huge fan of that kid last season and was hoping to see him sooner this season, but he's here and he looks like he's going to stay. And I'm calling him Duke Zuke 'Em. It may not catch with everyone, but I personally love it.
Granted they have the Red Wings coming into town on Wednesday which will be one tough contest, tonight, I am not worried about that. The Rangers are in the playoffs before Easter and I'll have a beer to that. Now let's go get that Cup.
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