The Playoffs without us? How Rude!

As Ranger fans - our season is over - but the NHL playoffs are continuing all around us. It's damned impolite of them - but this is what's happening.

So as hockey fans - we watch and root - mostly motivated by teams we want to see lose.

Already the hated Devils have played game 3 against the hated Flyers. Normally we'd root hard against Philly for edging us out of the playoffs by the barest of margins last Sunday (yes - it's only been 9 days).

But this is a special case. Our opponent is the Hated Ones - the New Jersey team named for Satan - the Devils. This is the team we dislike above all others - and so we root against Martin Brodeur and company even if it means success for the Flyers.

And so - when our old friend Blair Betts and his team beat Brodeur 3-2 in overtime to take a 2-1 series lead - this makes us happy. And game 4 is tonight.

And we're less happy when Ovechkin's team - the Washington Capitals - come roaring back from a 4-1 deficit to beat Scotty Gomez and the Canadiens 5-4 on Saturday to tie that series at 1-all and then had a blowout win last night to get a 2-1 series lead.

Likewise - since we - like all right-thinking non Canadians - hate Sidney Crosby - we were not happy when the 'Guins beat Ottawa 4-2 on Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead.

Last night Buffalo lost to Boston to take a 2-1 series lead - and I'm not sure who to root for there. The Sabre's Ryan Miller is an American sports hero for his great play in the Olympics for team USA - but Ryan has shown that he really hates the Rangers - and they seemed to go out of their way to make this tough for the Rangers down the stretch.

So tonight we root Flyers (even if it is hard to do) and Ottawa - even though that may be a lost cause.