Game 7. 2 words that just make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I woke up this morning to go to the gym at 6am (sick brag) and have been anxious ever since. We know anything can happen, we watched the Bruins fall in OT last night after I decided the game was as good as done with 4 minutes left in the 3rd up 1. No ill words for the Bruins, we need all the good karma we can get.

Let’s talk Game 6 real quick before we start getting hyped for tonight. I was there, I was in the building and holy cow was it the place to be. I’ve been going to that building for roughly 25 years at this point and Saturday night was one of the best times I’ve had there in recent memory. After the Devils did exactly what I said we couldn’t let happen and got ahead early I was starting to get worried. But then, we were able to get one on the PP (shocking I know) right before the close of the period with another PP on the way going into the 2nd tied-up.

The 2nd period started and we were firing on all cylinders like the Rangers we know. We need that team to come out tonight and I know they will. The New York Rangers love to make things difficult and thrive with their backs against the wall. It was an onslaught of offense. Mika finally showed up and got one, Bread looked good wheeling and dealing, the defense was still a little eh making some boneheaded plays again (looking at you Key, step it the fuck up) and Igor was Igor. Devil fans were silenced and Garden faithful smelt blood in the water.

We closed things out 5-2 and not gonna lie I celebrated in Manhattan like we just won the cup. Foolishly, but I saw some friends I don’t get to see too often these days and seized the moment ending up at the Comedy Cellar late show and was a waste of human life on Sunday hence the lack of blog.

Back to the lecture at hand. Remember how I said Saturday night was the most important night of 2023? I lied, it’s actually tonight. Am I super confident? No, not exactly. But I will say this, the Devils made a really dumb mistake Saturday night and pulled Akira after I want to say the 4th goal. I understand the shakeup, but to do that to a young goalie with how he played that’s just the wrong move for your team. Hopefully, it shook his confidence to the core and if he plays tonight he comes out shell-shocked with PTSD from Saturday. And if they don’t go with Akira hopefully Vanecek is second-guessing himself too thinking whether or not he’s good enough to be the anchor after being pulled post-game 2. Spoiler alert, he’s not. I respect my opponents more than one should, but fuck the Devils. This group is talented for sure, but I think they’re rattled. Game 7 in the NHL is like no other beast and I don’t think these kids have what it takes to show up under the bright lights. That’s 100% me being a fan lying to myself to make me feel better, but that’s what this blog is all about right?

I think after Saturday the boys come out firing on all cylinders. I know I’ve said this after every single game so far, but everyone knows what has to be done and after watching some of the press conferences post-game 6 it’s public knowledge. People have been calling for Patty Kane’s head as of late but you’ll never hear that sort of stuff from me. I strongly believe that both he and Vlad (not that Vlad hasn’t so far) will show up and show out because they’ve both been here before and know what needs to be done. The same can be said for both Mika and Bread. The two absentees have both shown up when it mattered last year after lackluster performances and I guess I get it thanks for coming out when it counts, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say we needed you to just be here all the time.

There are going to be two guys I lean on tonight to make sure the job gets done. #20 and #31. Igor is frustrated, especially after the shit show that was game 5. I know he’s going to be an absolute wall in between the pipes tonight and he (and of all us for that matter) will not be satisfied with any other result. Seriously though, this is the one guy who’s played every single period like his job depended on it, something we can’t say for the rest of the roster. Igor has been absolutely stellar throughout the playoffs so far and if you know me well enough you know that he and I had quite the rough patch last year, I’m very happy to announce I’ve come around, at least for now. And then of course, MY captain, Christopher James Kreider. This guy is fucking Superman as far as I’m concerned. He is doing everything he can to get us to move on and he’s playing like the true veteran and leader he is despite whatever letter is on his chest. I just saw on Twitter that with a win tonight, Kreids becomes the most winningest Game 7 player in history or something along those lines. Let’s make it happen, why not us?

I am ready. I am ready to be hurt. I am ready to go through my floor celebrating by jumping up and down. I am ready for whatever team shows up tonight at 8 pm. Just know that if this is goodbye (it won’t be because once I collect my thoughts I’ll put out a reflection blog on the season if need be) it’s been a hell of a goddamn ride. Hopefully, we can spare Garden faithful a trip to the cardiologist and get out alive in regulation, but this is the New York Rangers, and it’s never easy. Play the song, stay hungry.