Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Rangers Have 2 Playoff Stars
Going back to his days as the star of the 1989 Little League World Series, Drury has done nothing but win at every level. He does it by sending daggers into the opposition with heartbreaking goals. His 15 career playoff game-winners (44 in the regular season, too) make him the ultimate clutch performer, the ideal money player.
Drury, then with the Sabres, burned the Rangers last season by sending Game 5 of the Eastern Conference teams’ second-round playoff series into overtime by scoring with 7.7 seconds left in regulation. The Sabres won the game and eventually the series two nights later. This season, the Rangers are hoping fortune turns in their favor and Drury can make his magic happen for the boys in blue.
Pundits around New York City and the Rangers will tell you the veteran right wing has lost a step. They'll say his passion isn't there. They'll argue he's on his last legs. Could the real reason for Jagr's somewhat sub-par 2007-08 be that he has been training his body for the playoffs all along?
It's certainly possible, because there aren't many who have handled the NHL postseason better than this superstar, who scored four goals in the last three games and finished first on the Rangers with 71 points.
Jagr has been to the playoffs 14 times, producing 166 points in 159 games. He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992, and has been to the conference final four times. He has 72 goals and 94 assists. He has 14 game-winners. He has 22 power-play goals. He's a plus-35. He is a playoff legend."
Man I am getting excited about the game tomorrow. I can't wait to see what this team will do against a Devils team they have man handled so far. After watching Drury kill us last year I am looking forward to him putting the nail in the coffin against the Devils this year.
