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NHL Playoffs: 5 reasons why New York Rangers won’t win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts on the bench with teammates Tanner Glass (15) , Kevin Klein (8) and Dan Girardi (5) as the Rangers play with an empty net against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts on the bench with teammates Tanner Glass (15) , Kevin Klein (8) and Dan Girardi (5) as the Rangers play with an empty net against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Terrible Seeding Luck

Chalk this one up to bad luck and a questionable at best playoff system. The Rangers finished with a better record than the New York Islanders. What is their reward for that accomplishment? They have to stay in the Metropolitan Division playoff bracket and face arguably the two best teams in the Eastern Conference in the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals (should the Caps advance, which is never a given).

The Rangers are a tough team that have proven that they have what it takes to win in the playoffs. Henrik Lundqvist covers so many of their flaws and he can consistently keep them in games. However, can he lead them to victory against the two best offenses in the Eastern Conference? Likely not.

Pittsburgh’s speed should be able to take advantage of the Rangers and their lack of speed. New York’s blue line in particular is slow and beaten up. Expect the Penguins to capitalize on that. Even if the Blue Shirts pull off the upset that would be much larger than their seed suggests, they’d have to face either the President’s Trophy winning Capitals or a Flyers team that will be motivated to win in honor of the late Ed Snider. That’s a task that will be too tall for the Rangers.

Next: 4. Injuries

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