Rangers Fans Should Still BELIEVE There Is Hope

Here's why you should not give up on the Rangers just yet.

This column is reserved for Rangers fans who BELIEVE. Who are not interested in some trade deadline shenanigans or assorted other nonsense.

The Maven will explain how a team that was shaky during the regular season still can win The Cup. Getting IN is all that matters.

Forget about the fact that the MSGers have staggered now and again; things change in the BIG season which starts in April.

The pessimist line goes something like this: "What's the point of getting in if the Rangers goes up against a team like Florida. It will be over and that's that."

The word "upset" was coined for a reason. Here are the best examples: CHICAGO, 1938. Coached by baseball umpire Bill Stewart, the Black Hawks finished below .500, but made the playoffs and won The Stanley Cup.

TORONTO, 1949: The Maple Leafs finished below .500, went to the Final against first-place Detroit, beat them in a four-straight sweep and won The Stanley Cup.

RANGERS, 1950: Although New York finished below .500 and had to play all seven games of the Final on the road, they took Detroit to double overtime in Game Seven and only missed the Cup by a hit goal post.

BOSTON, 1953: The 1952-53 first-place Red Wings were defending Stanley Cup champions and regarded as one of the strongest teams of all-time. Nevertheless the under-.500 Bruins knocked them off in six games and went to the Cup Final.

PHILADELPHIA, 1968: In the first year of expansion, the Flyers finished under the .500-mark yet reached the Stanley Cup Final.

MESSAGE TO THE RANGERS AND FANS: Don't let the pessimists get you down; get IN and you have a chance!