Katie Strang

  (4:00 PM)

Happy playoffs! We're four hours until puck drop of Game 2 of Eastern Conference Finals. Will get to as many questions as I can before heading off to MSG...fire away!

Adam from New York, NY [via mobile]

At the start of the post season I made the prediction that the Rangers would win the cup while going 7 in each series. Given the structure and hard nosed style of this team do you think that would help or hurt their chances?

Katie Strang

  (4:03 PM)

Hurt, tremendously. BY now I'm sure you have heard this stat: No team since 1987 (when the playoff format switched to a seven-game series) has gone on to win the Cup after being extended to Game 7's in each of the first two rounds. Beyond the mental and physical toll that takes on a team, you also have to understand the underlying issue. If a team needs seven games to dispose of each opponent, they don't possess the dominance to win the Cup

Joe (New Jersey)

any update on dubinsky?

Katie Strang

  (4:05 PM)

Nope. He's been working out off the ice -- and has been in pretty good spirits, all things considered -- but has yet to resume skating. No chance he plays during this round. Rangers would have to make the Cup finals for him to get back into the lineup. Even then, I'm still skeptical.

Chad (Mn)

Which team will zach parise sign with this offseason

Katie Strang

  (4:07 PM)

Count me among the small minority of hockey types that actually thinks there is a chance he will re-sign in New Jersey (IF, of course, they can afford to do so under the current financial constraints). Have to imagine that possibility only increases the deeper the Devils go. To think the team's post-season success will not have some bearing on his decision would be foolish, I think

Howie (near Buffalo)

Hi Katie. With all the talk about the young D on the Rangers, the one name that I find most curious is Mike Sauer. We haven't really been given an update on his post-concussion condition since January or so. Any timetable on his return (which I'm sure will be next season) and where he might slot in once he does get back?

Katie Strang

  (4:08 PM)

Done for the season. Not skating. Not even around the team. To me, very worrisome. Think the question now becomes: will he be okay to play next year, even?

Jim M (Ramsey)

Given that the NYR will not be able to keep ALL of those coming up on free agency over the next year, or two, do you think they may try to trade a higher paid player like Dubinsky to make room? Also, it seems that Prust has earned well deserved recognition for what he brings to a team, maybe enough to get him offers beyond what is comfortable for the NYR to pay (given the opportunity cost) for a player of his minutes. How do you see that shaping up when it comes time?

Katie Strang

  (4:10 PM)

I do not see Dubinsky back with the Rangers next season. They will try to trade him in the off-season. In fact, given the big-game gree agents they will target on July 1, they will HAVE to trade him to make room under the cap

Bobby mission veijo CA [via mobile]

Who do you think will win tonight the Rangers or the Devils?

Katie Strang

  (4:11 PM)

Devils. I actually thought they carried play throughout the first forty minutes, particularly the second. And, as we've seen, the Rangers have a hard time dropping the hammer against opponents. Guessing the Devils come out with a big game tonight at MSG.

Jerry (NYC)

What does Harrold bring that Larsson does not? Any noticeable differences a Rangers fan should see?

Katie Strang

  (4:13 PM)

Think he's considered to be a little more composed with the puck. Was asking his former BC and Manchester (AHL) teammate Brian Boyle about him recently and Boyle said he was surprised he didn't get a look sooner. Feels he is an NHL-caliber d-man that was the victim of a numbers game in the Kings organization.

Elisha (Nigeria)

Hey Katie. How many more seasons does Broduer have left in him? He's been on top of his game for a long time, but he must getting to the end of the road.

Katie Strang

  (4:15 PM)

40 years old, his 18th year in the NHL and you'd think he'd be ready to hang up the skates? Not quite. Lately, Brodeur has leaned significantly toward returning when asked about his future. A recent question asked by a fellow media member recently left me wondering: If they win the Cup, could that actually sway him the other way?

Michael M. (Hanover, N.H.)

If you had to identify one Ranger who has for the most part gone as an unsung hero so far in the playoffs, who would you choose?

Katie Strang

  (4:17 PM)

In terms of what his play personifies and not garnering much recognition, I'd say Ruslan Fedotenko. He's had his peaks and valleys throughout the past month, but he's a tailor-made playodd performer. Hard-working, grinding-type player that battles each night. Embodies the team's signature blue-collar style

John (New York City)

If the Rangers face the Kings in the finals, what would they offer that LA hasn't seen from the Western teams, if anything?

Katie Strang

  (4:17 PM)

A goaltender that is playing on par with Jonathan Quick?

Steve Shaski (Michigan) [via mobile]

Of the Rangers and Devils who do you think would match up with the Kings better? Granted the Kings win that series?

Katie Strang

  (4:20 PM)

Hey Steve! Actually, the Devils. NJ has better offensive balance and depth, in my opinion. The X-factor in each series for the Rangers has been goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, but Quick would be a challenge unlike one they have seen.

Tim (Manasquan, NJ)

Alot of talk about McDonagh's development out there after Game 1, but isn't it kind of an injustice to forget about Del Zotto's development as a two way player and Mark Staal finally getting back to the player we saw pre-concussion. Staal might even be there best defenseman so far this postseason. Is there a deeper group of defenseman out there?

Katie Strang

  (4:22 PM)

I think there have been times throughout the playoffs -- particularly last series -- where Marc Staal has been downright dominant. Forget what John Tortorella says about needing a training camp. Staal is as close as he's gonna get to his pre-concussion play. He's been huge for the Rangers' back end and they'll need him to continue stepping up if they want to advance.

Aaron (Long Island)

The Islanders organization has no accountability. Do you see them being active early in free agency?

Katie Strang

  (4:24 PM)

Nope. They will say they are "in the mix" for Parise. They may even make him an actual offer, unlike the Kovalchuk sweepstakes, in which they did not. But even if they can put together a significant deal for the franchise winger, Parise wants to win. Won't happen.

Brendan (FL)

Will the Islanders make any relevant moves this summer? I am not talking about elite players like Suter or Parise. Will we be able to get a second-line forward or a top-4 defenseman? Will we even resign Parenteau? We are sick of losing every year.

Katie Strang

  (4:26 PM)

Really don't see Parenteau re-signing. He has earned a significant pay raise, and for a guy that has bounced around the minors for most of his professional career, he'd be unwise not to take it. The Islanders will likely try to find another similar re-tread

@WordofDon (New Jersey)

So many great young players on the Rangers which has been the biggest surprise this year?

Katie Strang

  (4:28 PM)

Ryan McDonagh's ascension has been pretty mind-blowing start to finish. I just picture Bob Gainey with his head in his hands after every outstanding performance the young defenseman delivers. He is a tremendous skater (ask both Parise and Kovalchuk) that has proven capable of matching up against the elite players in the league. He can also provide offense. Glen Sather's shining moment as GM of the Rangers, without question.

Michael (Manhattan)

Do you think the Islanders can bring in a player like Semin through free agency? You have to think the team is under pressure to show some results.

Katie Strang

  (4:30 PM)

I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. Not a player you win with...as my colleague Scott Burnside mused during Game 7 of the semi-finals: Has there been a bigger player that has come up any smaller than Semin during that deciding game?

Jason (New York)

Any chance Zucc comes back to help the Rangers this round?

Katie Strang

  (4:31 PM)

Highly doubt it, unless they really feel they can use his creativity on the power-play. Skill guy, but not sure his game is what Rangers need in the playoffs

Jesse S. (Carmel, NY)

Katie, have you seen one of Ron Duguay's shirts in person? Is the aura it gives off more like "The Ten Commandments on the Top of the Mountain" or "The Sun on a Warm Summer's Morn."

Katie Strang

  (4:32 PM)

Funny you should ask, Jesse. I passed him on the street at 37th and 8th this afternoon. I don't know what surprised me more...to run into him randomly, or to find him wearing an altogether boring and pedestrian blue t-shirt

Dan S. (Newark, NJ)

Do you think that Marty's comments about injuring the Rangers players that block shots are going to have an effect in tonight's game?

Katie Strang

  (4:35 PM)

Not really. The Rangers certainly are not going to take heed. Their defensive structure is based around shot-blocking; tehy won't abandon that just because of a veiled threat that may or may not have been genuine (note: I was not present when he made those comments, so hard for me to say). And I honestly don't think the Devils would actually target the Rangers like that. These teams hate each other, but you'd like to think they some respect for each other

Kevin (NJ via Brooklyn)

Can the Rangers take advantage of the Devils' aggressive forecheck and score on odd-man rushes? Had chances Monday, didn't take advantage of them.

Katie Strang

  (4:36 PM)

They are going to have to. Devils forecheck really gave them trouble in Game 1, and as a few players admitted, forced them to make some adjustments. Rangers will have to make quicker passes, but yes, that type of aggressive play can also lead to more odd-man rushes and open ice on the other end as well

Katie Strang

  (4:36 PM)

They are going to have to. Devils forecheck really gave them trouble in Game 1, and as a few players admitted, forced them to make some adjustments. Rangers will have to make quicker passes, but yes, that type of aggressive play can also lead to more odd-man rushes and open ice on the other end as well

Jesse S. (Carmel, NY)

Katie, are you married? If you aren't, who would you rather have "announce" here comes the bride at your wedding....Doc Emerick, Sam Rosen, Kenny Albert, Howie Rose, Dave Maloney, Sherry Ross, Joe Michiletti, Butch Goring, Glen Chico Resch or....wait for it......Pierre Maguire?

Katie Strang

  (4:40 PM)

That is SUCH A GOOD QUESTION. And let me answer it the only way I know how because it features some of my favorite people in the business: Butchie to give me the pre-walk pep talk, Pierre to tell me "Have fun out there," as the music starts, Dave Maloney to do the step-by-step and Howie Rose with the iconic call after the exchanging of vows.

Katie Strang

  (4:41 PM)

Because there is no way that question will be topped, we will end there today, puckheads. Enjoy the game and see you next week!