New York Rangers fans finally got some closure on that listless round 2 Game 5 performance against the Carolina Hurricanes, and, does it make a lot more sense now!
According to Larry Brooks, the hockey hall of fame writer and Rangers beat reporter for the New York Post, a nasty "flu-like illness" had made its way through the Rangers' locker room.
No wonder Filip Chytil was out for games 4-6 with «Illness», after returning from a six month absence in Game 3 and looking spry. It also explains why Chris Kreider was a question mark for Game 6 before he pulled off that epic natural hat trick in the third period to seal the series.
Fortunately, the boys rallied in Game 6, coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the third to clinch the series victory and fend off their division rivals one last time.They've got a sweet six-day break before the next showdown. Head coach Peter Laviolette says most of the squad is back in fighting shape, which is music to fans' ears as they gear up for the ultimate battle against the reigning Eastern Conference champs, the Florida Panthers.
Game 1 of this highly anticipated final four best-of-seven series kicks off on Wednesday in the Big Apple. Hopefully, the flu bug left the locker along with the storm of the Hurricane in round 2 and everyone is completely healthy for the latter part of the Stanley Cup ride.
