What a weird year….

Now, don’t get me wrong…no one is happier about the Ranger victory over the Devils last night and the sudden reversal of fortune against their cross river rivals then yours truly.

But no one can discount the oddity about the series this year. When was the last time the Rangers had EVERYTHING go their way against the Devils? When? Try 1997 folks. In the playoffs. That was the last time, the Rangers had any karma about them, and had the Devils number. In fact, it had been a one sided series ever since Adam Graves did a Matteau like wrap around against Martin Brodeur to win Game 5 of the Semi Finals and continue the Rangers Cinderella run that year, where they eventually fell to Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals, in 5 games.

Well, now the tide has finally turned. And that’s all well and good. But let’s take a step back for just a sec.

Not that I’m trying to poo-poo the excitement and happiness in Rangerland this morning, but just remember, in 1994, the Rangers also took every game against the Devils in the season series. But once they got to the playoffs, it was a completely different story and the Rangers, for all the lore of the Messier guarantee and the Matteau double OT winner in Game 7, were very lucky to get out of that series alive.

So before everyone starts predicting revenge for 2006, just keep in mind that as quickly as the tide has turned back in the Rangers favor, it can just as quickly be turned back again the other way. And also, these 7 victories will mean NOTHING if they don’t play well against the Pens and the 'Sticks this week and get some victories. They still need wins. And it will mean even less if on the last day of the season, they need to beat the Devils and they somehow manage to lose. And make no mistake, if on the last day of the season the Rangers are somehow still fighting for their playoff lives, don’t think for a second that the Devils will not come out jacked up, and ready to beat them. Mets-Marlins, last day of the season this past year, ring a bell?

But putting all that aside, it was another great victory last night for the Boys in Blue!! As you know, I was at the game, and the playoff atmosphere certainly added to what was a very intense, very close and at times, very chippy game. Both teams were crashing the boards, and the nets for that matter, as our favorite L.B. Sean Avery, “accidentally” fell on top of the Great Mar-Tan again, who, of course, took exception to that and elbowed Avery in the head. Fair enough. Avery probably deserved it. But the Rangers got the last laugh, as Colin White took a roughing penalty in the mist of the scrum, and scored on a power play goal by Brendan Shanahan for a 1-0 lead, 5:21 into the 2nd period.

The controversial 3rd goal by Nigel Dawes late in the third period was just that, as Broduer, who was attempting to steer the puck away, instead steered it right into the on rushing Dawes, who was being hooked by Devil Winger, Travis Zajac, fell into Brodeur, and the puck went in the net off of Dawes shoulder. The goal held up under video review and thus was your game winner. A lucky goal indeed, but hey at this point in the year, you take them anyway you can get them!

Anyway, here are the links with the game recaps. First the Daily News, then The Post, then NHL.com.

So now the boys have tonight and tomorrow off, before returning to the ice on Sunday for a 12:30 pm tilt against the Pens in Pittsburgh and then again on Monday night at the Garden. I’m not expecting a home and home sweep by any means. But if they can garner a split of the two games and maybe get one of them into OT, then I’ll be happy. I’m more concerned about the home and home coming up against the Fishsticks. They need to take both of those games, cause the last thing anyone wants is to head into Newark on Sunday, needing to beat the Devils. I don’t care if they are 7-0 against them or not!

But for tonight it’s score board watching time, as the Devils play the Flyers tonight. And then tomorrow, the Senators play the Bruins at 1 pm, and then 'Sticks play the Flyers later that night. So everything could be jam packed standings wise come Sunday!!