Backing In

You cannot write the story of the 2005-06 Rangers without recognizing how far they exceeded expectations. Picked by many to finish dead last, the Rangers surprised everyone by making the playoffs and, more importantly, making the franchise relevant again. As great as that was, you also cannot ignore the collapse the team suffered in the final two weeks of the season.

The Rangers closed their regular season with a five-game losing streak, dropping their final game 5-1 to Ottawa. The streak coupled with the Devils’ resurgence gives New Jersey the division title and means New York will open the playoffs in New Jersey this Saturday.

The biggest question now is can the Rangers rediscover the formula that made them so formidable for most of the season? Yes, the injuries have hurt and Henrik Lundqvist’s return will help, but the Rangers need to regain their toughness in the defensive zone and stop relying solely on Jagr in the offensive zone. Even getting to the playoffs seemed like a dream at the start of the season, but after all the Rangers did, a first round exit would be a disappointing end to a great year.

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By Peter Trinkle on April 19, 2006 8:32 AM

Comments [rss]

beetlebum

hahaha

Bruce

Until these last couple of weeks, I would've gone along with Renney as the Jack Adams winner. But how do you ignore just how far the Rangers fell over the last five games? Redemption for all of them was ready and waiting in that final game at home against a struggling Ottawa team, and they still couldn't pull it off. To me, that's a pretty big asterisk that would have to go next to Tom Renney's name as coach of the year. Like it or not, the players floundered big-time under his watch and limped to the finish line as losers. Losing got to be a habit they couldn't drop, and for all the talk now of a clean slate and a fresh start against the Devils, the Rangers' margin for error on the ice is microscopic.

By all means, give them credit for the gains they made this season. But all that any of them have earned so far is honourable mention. Last time I checked, that didn't come with a trophy.

kwanito

i disagree. renney delegates much of the coaching to pearn & paulino. renney is unable to effectively adapt to a new gameplan when needed. in as much as it is the players who must execute on the ice, it is renney's job to find a way to allow them to do so as easily as possible. it doesn't seem like that's the case when jags gets triple shifted.

part of me wants the rangers to make it as far as they can go, but i would also not mind having a 9 game losing streak to end the year. rangers need to focus on developing the youth. if management even remotely thinks they'll be successful for years to come with this current crop of journeymen, they need those notions and fancies to be brutally dashed as a wake up call.

dan

Yeah, our boys looked a little flat last night.. thats five staight losses. But we are in the playoffs, and I think that should put Renney up for coach of the year.

The second season is about to begin...

section313

Rangers haven't lost a playoff series to the Devils EVER and aren't going to start now.

Sorry bitter Islanders fan (not).

murph

Best. Ending. Possible.

The Devs win the division and the Rangers have to play them? Too good to be true. Go Devs.

Sincerely,

Angry Islanders Fan