Questions ahead of the National Hockey League play-offs - Part 4
Who will be the break-out star during the course of the play-offs?
The New York Rangers have not been playing like they have superstars in the teams but the way that they have combined and followed the traditional style of play has been exemplary. Though they weren’t as successful but finding a place in the play-offs is
a very important and a crucial feat for a franchise.
There is a lot of hope that the team will do well even though everyone is aware of the fact that the team is playing exactly the opposite of a squad that plays with superstars. However, the differentiating factor is that they play as a single unit with no
ambiguity while attacking and defending, which has led them to a lot of success.
The Rangers are without a doubt the teams to watch out for in the first round as they square off against the Washington Capitals. The Rangers are high on morale and will be flooded with confidence especially knowing that last year it was the eighth seeded
Montreal Canadiens who knocked the Capitals out in the first round, even though they won the Conference and were expected to go on and win the Stanley Cup.
Marc Staal will undoubtedly be one of key players in the Rangers line-up as he will be looking to defend and stop the attacking led by Alex Ovechkin, Captain of the Capitals. Staal is expected to come up with an important performance that will decide the
destiny of the Rangers and the Capitals as to whether they play in the play-offs or at home and watch it.
Goal-keeper, Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers is another one of the important players who is expected to do a lot during the course of the play-offs. However, the added benefit of Staal being very strong on the offence makes him all the more important for
the team. He has outperformed every other player in defence and with some superb offensive skill he has been one of the game changing players in the Rangers line-up.
If the Rangers want themselves to have any chance of winning in the first round series then it is no surprise that they will need Staal to come up with a performance which he is expected to show.
Which Veteran will teach the others a lesson?
If you are a National Hockey League follower and have seen some veterans playing in the last few months then you would surely look to Teemu Selanne for coming up with some game changing performances.
Selanne is 40 years old and he looks to be getting younger by each passing day. It seems as if he is the key to the lock that would unleash the Anaheim Ducks. Selanne along with Corey Perry has come up with splendid performances during the course of the
season and carried the entire weight of the team. It looks as if they have put the team into the play-offs on their own.
Selanne has been scoring goals from all sorts of ranges and from every angle. He also bagged his best season in the NHL which is amazing considering the fact that he did it at the age of 40.
He was involved in his first fight for over many years this past weekend and his ice hockey display has been an honour to watch.
Continued in Part 5
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