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New York Rangers: Five Takeaways From Round One Victory Over Montreal Canadiens

By Kenneth Teape

Apr 22, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates with Rangers left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates with Rangers left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Check out our slideshow of some takeaways from the New York Rangers round one series victory over the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL Playoffs.

New York Rangers: Five Takeaways From Round One Victory Over Montreal Canadiens
Apr 22, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates with Rangers left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Rangers are advancing in the 2017 NHL Playoffs. The Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens in their first-round series 4-2. It was an upset based on seeding, as the Canadiens won the Atlantic Division and the Rangers were the top Wild Card team. As we have seen in the past, seeding means very little in the NHL Playoffs.

The Rangers came into the postseason playing some uneven hockey. They won their season finale but went 5-5-4 down the stretch. A big reason for that was Henrik Lundqvist getting injured, forcing Antti Raanta into the starting goaltender spot. Lundqvist returned to the ice to play in six of the final seven games but looked rusty.

The Rangers happy he shook the rust off in those games as he was a big reason for the Rangers defeating the Canadiens in this series. The Rangers went down 2-1 in the series, but then rattled off three consecutive victories to take the series.

Coach Alain Vigneault pressed all of the right buttons during the series and his players responded. He made some lineup changes throughout the series and they all seemed to work out in a positive manner.

The Rangers played a strong series against the Canadiens and earned the hard-fought series victory. They now wait for the winner of the series between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Before we begin focusing on that series, let’s wrap up the series against the Canadiens.

Check out our slideshow of the five takeaways for the Rangers from their first round series victory over the Canadiens.

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