NHL PLAYOFFS : Rangers Give Their Fans a Reason for Confidence

This is the NHL’s 75th season. In New York, Ranger fans have spent the last 52 of those seasons waiting to get their hands back on the coveted Stanley Cup.

This is the year, they figure.

They will get some arguments in Montreal, Vancouver, Detroit and a few other spots as the playoffs finally begin this weekend.

But the biggest arguments are past. They happened in a New York hotel earlier this month when striking players and infuriated owners nearly ended the season prematurely.

Instead, what has become the longest NHL season, because of the 10-day strike, moves into its peak time, the playoffs.

The first-round, best-of-seven matchups:

SMYTHE DIVISION

Vancouver (first at 42-26-12) vs. Winnipeg (fourth at 33-32-15): The Jets finished the season with five victories and have solid Bob Essensa in goal. But that doesn’t figure to be enough against the best Canuck team ever, a squad led by Russian rookie Pavel Bure and goalie Kirk McLean.

Prediction--Vancouver in five.

Kings (second at 35-31-14) vs. Edmonton (third at 36-34-10): This is one series that could be close enough to be decided by the home-ice advantage.

Prediction--Kings in seven.

NORRIS DIVISION

Detroit (first at 43-25-12) vs. Minnesota (fourth at 32-42-6): The North Stars nod at their fourth-place finish and smile, thinking of their improbable leap last season from the fewest victories of the 16 playoff teams all the way to the finals. Not this time. With a balanced offense--three 30-goal centers and a conference-high 320 goals--and Tim Cheveldae in the net, the Red Wings will be too tough.

Prediction--Detroit in six.

Chicago (second at 36-29-15) vs. St. Louis (third at 36-33-11): The Blues would have been hard-pressed to get past the Blackhawks anyway. But with Brett Hull having to carry too much of the offensive load on his sore back and Adam Oates in Boston, forget it.

Prediction--Chicago in six.

PATRICK DIVISION

New York Rangers (first at 50-25-5) vs. New Jersey (fourth at 38-31-11): With Mark Messier on offense, Brian Leetch on defense, and John Vanbiesbrouck or Mike Richter in goal, the Rangers will be hard to stop. The Devils certainly won’t do it.

Prediction--New York in four.

Washington (second at 45-27-8) vs. Pittsburgh (third at 39-32-9): Improving their offense by 72 goals from a year ago to 330, the Capitals gave the Rangers a stiff fight in the Patrick Division. But in the Penguins, Washington is facing an even more potent offense (343 goals). If Mario Lemieux’s sore shoulder holds up, the defending Stanley Cup champions will yet be heard from.

Prediction--Pittsburgh in seven.

ADAMS DIVISION

Montreal (first at 41-28-11) vs. Hartford (fourth at 26-41-13): The Canadiens slumped at the end, going winless over their last eight games. But that shouldn’t give false hope to the Whalers. Patrick Roy in goal and a suffocating defense will prove too much for Hartford.

Prediction--Montreal in four.

Boston (second at 36-32-12) vs. Buffalo (third at 31-37-12): The Bruins brought in a lot of new faces this season, several from the Olympics. They meshed at the end, going 3-0-2 in their final five games. The Sabres have offense in Pat LaFontaine with 46 goals and Dale Hawerchuk with 98 points, but a major question in the net.

Prediction--Boston in six.

Conference finals--Vancouver vs. Chicago. Rangers vs. Montreal.

Stanley Cup finals--Rangers over Vancouver.