THE RANGERS ARE GOING TO THE STANLEY CUP FINALS!!!

Anthony Scultore Updated: Jun 2, 2014

NYR: EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS (NBCSN)

Let the HEADLINE sink in! Like a phoenix rising from the ashes this team has pulled itself up and out of holes all year.

IT ALL BEGAN…

The moment the Rangers were eliminated by the Boston Bruins last season, the ball was set in motion. From the controversial firing of John Tortorella to the awful start to the season, it always felt like the Rangers were in turmoil.

We knew the pieces were in place with Lundqvist in net setting the table. The defense was young, yet seasoned and Ryan McDonagh began budding into a star. Up front, Rick Nash was brought in to be the pace setter offensively, but others have stepped up too. Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard really have elevated their play. Speedsters like Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin have given teams fits at times and now are killing them in the playoffs.

Still, it was some of Glen Sather’s moves this year that are now fully justified, even when some were very questionable. First and foremost the bold move to bring in Alain Vigneault when he became available. The signings of Dominic Moore and Benoit Pouliot come to mind, now they are key pieces. The trades for Dan Carcillo, Kevin Klein and Raphael Diaz have all had a real impact this season.

Then you need good fortune and that is exactly what Marty St. Louis was. If not for Ryan Callahan’s overly aggressive contract demands and the grace of Steve Yzerman to grant Marty’s request, would we even be here? Bottom line, it doesn’t matter at this moment. The Rangers pulled themselves out of a midseason funk, a 3-1 series hole and the possibility of a game 7 in Montreal.

That’s how we all feel Hank!

4 WINS AWAY

The New York Rangers are the Eastern Conference Champions and are 4 wins away from realizing life long dreams. In a heart-pounding game 6 victory, Henrik Lundqvist was unbeatable! After another nightmarish game 5, the King stood his ground and put the Rangers into the Stanley Cup Finals with his first shutout of these playoffs. Poetic justice.

The only goal was generated by the 4th line and scored by another lovable Ranger in Dominic Moore. He like the team rose from tragedy when he lost his wife to cancer to put this team in the Finals. And we can’t forget the heart of Marty St. Louis, who lost his mother when the Rangers were down 3-1 to Pittsburgh. He was instrumental in getting the Rangers back and scored the opening goal on Mother’s Day. Simply special.

And the RANGERS are HEADING TO THE FINALS!!!

THE CUP BEGINS 6/4/14

The Stanley Cup Finals start on Wednesday 6/4. NY awaits the winner of the Western Conference Finals which has the Kings up 3-2 on the Blackhawks. All the experts say the East has no chance against either. I say BULLSH!T!

Our Blueshirts are tried and tested. They have the hearts of lions and the will to win. They will give either one of those teams hell. Led by Henrik Lundqvist, Marty St. Louis and Ryan McDonagh, we have as good a shot as anyone to become the Stanley Cup Champions!