Saturday Could be a Great Day

For those of you who are unaware of the current standings situation now that the Devils have been eliminated, an intriguing little situation has arisen here in the final weekend. Yes, if the Canes win on Friday night, the New Jersey Devils could eliminate the New York Rangers from the playoffs on Saturday. Yes, you are reading correctly.

Oh, what a glorious day it could be. If the Canes win in regulation or overtime against the Thrashers, they will be tied with the Rangers in points and ahead in the standings by virtue of having more non-shootout wins. So if the Rangers lose to the Devils in regulation on Saturday, they would be ELIMINATED from playoff contention. Even if the Canes lose Friday, we can give them a second chance to bury the Rangers if the Devils can come through with a regulation win.

Think of the abuse us Devils fans have had to take this year from those fools in Blue this year. Think of every time they piled on when the Devils were down and out in the first half. Think of the way that they always try to dismiss the Devils because they play across the Hudson. Think about every snide remark about April golf plans, even after the Devils had their miraculous turnaround at the midpoint of the season. Now think about the opportunity to form every one of those comments into a stick and two hand them over the head with it.

Now I tend to be more of a hater, and maybe not everyone gets as much out of watching rivals lose as I do, but if you don't get tremendous glee out of seeing the Rangers gag away a playoff spot, then you should reevaluate your stance as a Devils fan.

Rangers fans (most of them, at least) are an obnoxious and ignorant bunch of hockey fans. The delusions of grandeur are rampant when you consider that the Rags are one of the least successful franchises in the history of the NHL (they have won exactly one Cup in the last seven decades). Quick, does anyone know how many Conference Finals 'King' Henrik has advanced to in his NHL career? Anyone? That's right, a big fat squadoosh. Zero. Rags fans will jump at any opportunity to tell you about their "storied" franchise, the BROADWAY BLUESHIRTS. Playing in Madison Square Garden does not mean your team is good. Over the past decade or so, it would seem to indicate the opposite. They can have their "history" and I will take actual, tangible success.

So while the Devils have missed out on the playoffs for the first time since I was hammering home Lunchables in the cafeteria of my elementary school, I would sleep a little easier knowing we took the Rags down with us. So on Saturday, make sure you have your hating shoes strapped on tight, because this could be a damn good time. Get tickets to the Garden if you can so the salt can be applied to the freshest wound possible.

If you have any further comments on why the Rangers and their fans are just the worst, feel free to share below. HATE HATE HATE.