Hockey sage Johnny tries to make sense of the Rangers vs. Flyers series

The Rangers and Flyers open an Metropolitan Division quarter-final tonight over at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers finished second in the Metropolitan Division with 96 points while the Flyers were third with 94 points. Let's get a closer look at what matters.

The Rangers surrendered only 193 goals in the regular season while the Flyers gave up 235 (which is only one more than they scored all season as well). If you can hurry up and name the Philadelphia netminder go ahead and yell out his name. Go ahead. Well there you go, that's a big difference isn't it? Everyone knows Henrik Lundqvist is tip top come playoff time and always among the regular season top stat guys. Now, the Flyers haven't had a go to shut em down goaltenders since.....since....again, advantage Rangers.

Philadelphia had a better faceoff win % at 50% this season yet the Rags were ranked #11 at 48% while Philadelphia was ranked #14. Odd that. This is a very key stat for the team with a considered weaker defense and goaltending. The Flyers have to somehow win the faceoff game. The game within the game. Who were the top 7 teams this season in faceoffs? Boston, Anaheim, Colorado, St. Louis, San Jose, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. How'd they do in the standings? Exactly. Advantage? Up for grabs.

In Johnny's humble opinion the Flyers up front are terribly talented but terribly moody. If their game is working they are worldbeaters. Trouble for them come playoff time is there are too many ways to gank up their offensive machinery. You can goad them off their game. You can play in your face hard forechecking to keep them bottled up. Most of all you play a grind it out slam bang corners game. Orange and black always makes you look bigger than you are. Advantage? We'll see won't we? If the Flyers are willing to fight the entire seven games (oops, spoiler alert) then advantage Philly. It's been quite a while since they could say that however.

The Rangers playoff forwards take an even bigger step forward with Martin St. Louis skating for the Blueshirts. He's money come playoff time. If New York can get anything out of Rick Nash who is quickly getting a reputation for playing his way onto milk cartons this time of year, it would free up not only St. Louis but Derek Stepan and Brad Richards. We like the Rangers versatility up front and that they spread the goals around. We give the NY offense the advantage over the Flyers defense.

One area we do like the Flyers in is penalty killing. The Philadelphia 6 have improved markedly since Caraig Berube took over the pk duties last year before being named head man this year. Which brings us to...

Berube has had no playoff coaching experience and we think is pretty much coach because the Flyers bungled the firing of Peter Laviolette as the season was already starting and had no other options than Berube to be truthful. Alain Vigneault has more playoff experience in big games than Berube but checkered it is given all the talent he had in Vancouver and only made the Final one time. We'll give Vigneault the nod here obviously.

But which team, which city will have bragging rights Johnny?

Rangers in seven.

If you'd like to vent about the Devils go ahead

Very disappointing thus far and last night was a painful one to watch. Any advice you think you could share before this becomes a sweep?

It's here it's here!!

The first day of the Stanley Cup playoffs is finally here!!

Johnny's a little preoccupied with hockey today so he's giving the interns the day off to go spread Red Wings cheer all over the Garden State and NYC today. Don't be hatin'...

Devils and Rangers announces playoff schedules

The New Jersey Devils draw the Carolina Hurricanes while the New York Rangers will start the Stanley Cup playoffs vs the Washington Capitals. Playoff schedules for the first round are:

No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
Wednesday, April 15, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, New Jersey at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, New Jersey at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
*--Thursday, April 23, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
*--Sunday, April 26, New Jersey at Carolina, TBD
*--Tuesday, April 28, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Rangers
Wednesday, April 15, NY Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, NY Rangers at Washington, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 20, Washington at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22, Washington at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
*--Friday, April 24, NY Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m.
*--Sunday, April 26, Washington at NY Rangers, 2 p.m.
*--Tuesday, April 28, NY Rangers at Washington, TBD

* notes if necessary