Why I Dislike Ranger Fans.

I write about hockey way too little.

I’m a Devils fan. And as a result, I have a distinct distaste for the New York Rangers. I’ll even root for the Islanders, sometimes, but I just can NOT stand the Rangers. I try to be partial sometimes. I say, “Wow, look at that rookie goalie go.” Or, “Wow, Jagr’s actually enjoying himself.” I give them credit this year for not being full of overpaid washed up losers.

The thing is, if the teams existed in a vacuum, we’d be all fine and dandy. I could enjoy the game as just a game, and whatever happens, happens. I root against Detroit because I like upsets. I root for Calgary because I like Canadian teams to make a dent. I root for Buffalo because I like a team that can roll four lines. And, as bizarre as it sounds, I actually root for the Flyers now and then, despite the fact that lots of kids in south jersey prefer the Flyers over Devils. Which is completely understandable, given proximity.

But the thing is, Ranger fans are dumb. It’s the blind patriotness that gets to me. “OMG DEVILS SUX0R, RANGERS RULE.”

Can’t we be rational? Rangers have had one lucky season in sixty years or so. Their savior delivered a cup in `94, and Mike Richter had two good knees. Cool. I’m not going to get all sore over Matteau’s wraparound. Yeah. Nobody will forget him. Maybe Ranger fans will remember their series with Vancouver, but history buffs will probably be more likely to remember that legendary series with the Devils, and Messier’s guarentee.

What is the point of saying that Richter is better than Brodeur? Hey, I like Mike Richter. Richter with two good knees was one of the best american goalies in the world. But three stanley cups and an olympic gold medal, plus a couple vezinas? Even if Ranger fans make the excuse, “Well, that’s because Brodeur saw three shots a game”, well, hello, that implies that the Devils played awesome defense. Of course, if you make the point about the Devils playing good team defense, they claim the Devils ruined the game. Which completely ignores the fact that the Devils have lead the league in scoring a couple times. Seriously, look it up. Sykora/Arnott/Elias knocked in a couple of goals.

And then there’s the knock against the `95 Stanley Cup. What, were the Devils playing a different season from everybody else? Didn’t the defending stanley cup champions get swept by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round? Was the hangover so long that they forgot to practice during the lockout? Please. Everybody played the same amount of games, and everybody’s on a clean slate when the real season (the playoffs) starts.

And then there’s the knock about the Devils simply because they’re a Jersey team. That pisses me off more than anything else. That’s the best you can say, that they’re a Jersey team? These are the same people who LIVE in Jersey, and root for the Rangers. Goddamn it, if you don’t like Jersey, LEAVE. There’s too many people here as it is. Idiots. At least people in South Jersey can use the proximity excuse. I don’t mind that nearly as much.

Can’t the Ranger fans just accept that they’ve had some shitty seasons? The Devils have riden an eleven game winning streak to end the season and steal the Atlantic Division away from the Rangers, while the Rangers have sputtered through the second half and have lost five straight. The team playing in front of Brodeur? Rafalski, with all due respect, is not Scott Niedermayer. White, with all due respect, is not Scott Stevens or Ken Daneyko. Paul Martin may play half a game, but he’s still young.

I’ll be the first to say that I do not think this Devils team is nearly as deep as in years past. It’s been the fourth-liners who have really made a splash in the playoffs, in years past. Anybody remember the Crash Line of Peluso-Holik-McKay in `95? McKay is easily one of my favorite players. I remember Turner Stevenson during the 2000 run. Who scored the cup-winning goal in 2003? A big man by the name of Michael Rupp.

Should this team win the Stanley Cup? Only if Brodeur wins the Conn Smythe, period. There’s simply no other way.

Should this Devils team hand the Rangers their ass? Yes. If the Rangers win, a certain rookie goalie will have to earn his wings, and Jagr will have to play like he’s still in Pittsburgh and is willing to go seven games.

That said, the Game One is being broadcast at 3 PM, and I haven’t seen live hockey on TV in a long time.