Zuccarello: – We will be desperate, we also – Fædrelandsvennen

Mats Zuccarello (27) and New York Rangers face a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has struggled with injuries and thin stall in the first playoff game.

New York Rangers are among the hottest favorites to go all the way in this year’s Stanley Cup. – With hard work and luck, we can get far, says Mats Zuccarello.

Blåtrøyene took home “President’s Trophy” for having gathered the most points in the basic game. 113 points were also enough new club record.

But Zuccarello warns against believing that Rangers will get an easy way to the Stanley Cup finals because of it.

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– As long as you come to the playoffs’ve all teams ambition to win. We have too. It’s not like we think we should surf to the Stanley Cup final because we came first in the league. It’s going to be tougher this year than last year, said Zuccarello said.

Rangers release whatever another meeting with the Los Angeles Kings. Last year’s champions are not eligible for this year’s playoffs. But Zuccarello argue that the team has added the final loss behind them.

– We are finished. We focus on what we should do now, says Zuccarello.

Width

When it comes to the difference between this year and last year’s edition of the Rangers, believes Zuccarello that the width of the team has helped them this season.

Young players like Kevin Hayes, JT Miller and Jesper Fast has taken a step up. They have filled the void after veterans like Brian Boyle and Brad Richards disappeared last summer.

But even though the team has taken a step up does not Zuccarello hide that the team needs some luck.

– We may have a little more latitude than we had last year. But we had a good team last year – and we have a good team this year. One needs luck. You do not win the Stanley Cup without luck. With hard work and luck, we can get far, said Zuccarello.

Desperate

The first playoff series will be a reunion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the Rangers’ opponents in last year’s playoffs. The time was Penguins favorites but blåtrøyene turned from 1-3 to 4-3 victory in battles.

This year Pittsburgh struggled with injuries and thin stall. Not until the last lap secured made a playoff place. For a team with world stars such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is far below expectations.

– Of course they’re going to be desperate, but we will be desperate we. It’s playoff, said Zuccarello. (© NTB)