[Untamed]

Originally Posted by alamantia

I didnt see the rangers trap yesterday

This is the first season where I have seen the Rangers effectively play a very defensive-minded game. It's a smart way to play. It's not the trap per-se (with the current rules you really can't play the trap), but it's a change of pace for the Rangers from their more typical offensive scheme.

The second thing they have going for them this year, which the Devils seemed to forget, is the benefit of having large, experienced players. The Devils have some fast, nimble skaters who are finesse style players. In the past, they were more of a power team, spending time just outside the crease, fighting with the defense for position to catch the deflection or rebound. They just don't have the big players to hang near the crease this year. On the other hand, the Rangers have the larger players with the 2-3 play makers they need to set up the play then fight up front for position / shots. Combine the size of the players with the defense scheme and its a wining combo.

Having said all that, the Devils spent time in #1 because they are a very good team. But this season the Rangers just figured the Devils out. Luck, and a major Devils blunder each game, help the Rangers win. They kept saying it all year - the team who blunders first, probably looses.

One thing we have to take note of here, for game 4 - each game the Devils continue to improve, to a win on Sunday. If the trend continues, and the Devils dont blunder, they could win the series.