Rangers’ Eastern Conference Final History: Memorable Moments and Missed Opportunities
Introduction:
The Rangers have had their fair share of appearances in the Eastern Conference Final or Stanley Cup semifinal series since the NHL expanded in 1967. While these encounters have produced some of the most memorable moments in the team’s history, the Rangers’ success in these series has been limited, with a record of 4-9. Let’s take a closer look at some of these series and the key events that unfolded.
2014-15: Lightning 4, Rangers 3
In the 2014-15 season, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers, led by coach Alain Vigneault, faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a thrilling series. The Rangers showed their offensive prowess by scoring 17 goals in the three games played in Florida. However, their inability to find the back of the net at Madison Square Garden proved to be their downfall. Ben Bishop’s outstanding performance in net shut out the Rangers in Games 5 and 7, ultimately leading to their defeat.
2013-14: Rangers 4, Canadiens 2
The 2013-14 series against the Montreal Canadiens was marred by a controversial incident in Game 1. Mika Zibanejad’s collision with Canadiens’ Alexei Emelin resulted in a collision with goalie Carey Price. Price was unable to continue playing, and the Rangers took advantage of his absence to secure a 7-2 victory. Martin St. Louis’ overtime goal in Game 4 at MSG further solidified the Rangers’ dominance in this series. Ultimately, Dominic Moore’s goal and Henrik Lundqvist’s exceptional goaltending in Game 6 propelled the Rangers to their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1994.
1996-97: Flyers 4, Rangers 1
The Rangers’ run in the 1996-97 season featured legendary players Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. Despite winning Game 2 in Philadelphia on Gretzky’s hat trick, the Rangers struggled to maintain their momentum. Brian Leetch’s injury limited his effectiveness, and the Flyers capitalized on this advantage, ultimately winning the series in five games.
1993-94: Rangers 4, Devils 3
The 1993-94 season is etched in Rangers’ history as the gold standard for playoff series. After falling behind 3-2 in the series against the New Jersey Devils, the Rangers faced elimination. However, their captain, Mark Messier, made a bold statement by guaranteeing a victory in Game 6. True to his word, Messier delivered a memorable third-period hat trick, forcing a Game 7. Valeri Zelepukin’s late goal nearly crushed the Rangers’ dreams, but Stephane Matteau’s iconic double-overtime wraparound goal in Game 7 propelled the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals.
1978-79: Rangers 4, Islanders 2
The 1978-79 series between the Rangers and the Islanders holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. The Rangers, led by coach Fred Shero, defied the odds by defeating the Islanders, who had a significantly better regular-season record. Anders Hedberg’s game-winning goal in Game 5 and John Davidson’s stellar performance in Game 6 secured the series win for the Rangers.
Conclusion:
The Rangers’ history in the Eastern Conference Final is a mix of triumphs and missed opportunities. While they have experienced some of their most memorable moments in these series, their overall record of 4-9 highlights the challenges they have faced. Nevertheless, the Rangers’ resilience and determination have endeared them to their fans, leaving a lasting legacy in NHL history.
