Tonight make it a 7 and 7

The Tri-State's remaining two hockey franchises who actually try and compete at the NHL level have their seasons on the line tonight.

First the Devils who are in Homestead Florida (Game 7 in Homestead Florida sounds so bad, Game 7 at Centre Bell or TD Garden or even Joe Louis Arena sounds like it's a BIG 7th game unlike, well, Homestead) tonight hoping to steal a win and advance to the conference semi-final. During the regular season the Devils set an NHL record in success at killing off penalties. During the playoffs the Panthers power play has been nothing short of imposing. They are over 30% on their success rate. So Devils fans, as if you weren't there already let's say the Devils chances tonight grow exponentially if they can keep the Panthers from scoring up a man. We're going to go ahead and call the netminding tonight even. Yes Martin Brodeur is a first ballot hall-of-famer but that does nothing tonight. He's been shaky but for a couple starts in this series. He's no longer the guy you trot out in a huge game and just expect to win. Those days are over. Scott Clemmensen and Jose Theodore don't exactly fill the crease with the hologram of Terry Sawchuk either so do not despair Devils fans. Johnny thinks the Devils have too much pride and enough of an old guard from days of yore they can sneak past Florida tonight. We'd bet one of the Devils vets like Elias or Sykora could have a huge hand in winning tonight. Of course if Parise or Kovalchuk decide to have a three point night who is to quibble?

Why the Devils will win: The Devils have the guys who have been there before and the Panthers don't.
Why the Devils won't win: Marty Brodeur is shaky.

The #1 seeded New York Rangers play their game 7 vs Ottawa tonight at Madison Square Garden. For all the consternation of NY hockey pundits and radio lackeys, the problem with the Rangers is pretty obvious; scoring. Marian Gaborik isn't going to become the playoffs leading scorer anytime soon. It's really great that the Rangers have built their team and reputation on hard work. Fantastic. Hard work gets you so far then you need guys to put pucks in the onion bag. Lundqvist is a very very good goalie who hasn't gotten the offensive support he's needed. TWO Rangers have showed up to play offense against the Senators. Any guesses? Yes, one is Mike Richards who was paid big cash to score big points. Richards has 5 points in 6 games. Who is the other? Captain Ryan Callahan? Former cup winner Ruslan Fedotenko? Regular season 17 goal shooter Derek Stepan? Nope, the Rags second leading playoff scorer is Anton Stralman with FOUR points. Johnny thinks tonight will truly be won or lost by the goalkeeping. Craig Anderson has been very strong for Ottawa. Lundqvist is fast becoming a hard luck goalie come playoffs.

Why the Rangers will win: It's King Henrik in MSG
Why the Rangers won't win: The road team in these playoffs has been winning at an alarming rate, ie see the Boston vs Washington game last night if you'd like to see the blueprint as to how Ottawa will play tonight.

Devils and Rangers win the Devils will play Philadelphia (Ask the New Jersey State Police Commissioner if you too can get a police escort south to Philly for games 1 & 2) and the Rangers will host Washington. If the Devils win and the Rangers lose it'll be the Devils actually HOSTING the Capitals.

So it's a 7 and 7 night with the Rangers puck drop at 7 pm and the Devils starting at 8:30 pm.