This Is Just The Beginning

Numerous articles today regarding the subdued atmosphere in the Rangers lockeroom after clinching last night. As well as quotes from players down playing merely qualifying for the playoffs...

John Dellapina at the Daily News reports...

And that sentiment pretty much summed up the subdued reaction in a Rangers dressing room full of players who know they weren't assembled in the hope that they'd merely qualify for the playoffs. Center Scott Gomez, who came to consider making the playoffs a birthright during his seven career-opening seasons with the Devils, popped no champagne.

"It's expected, isn't it?" he said. "Sure, it's the first goal. And it was a learning experience for us all year. But we put it together at the right time. And yeah, there's no such thing as not making the playoffs."

Larry Brooks at The New York Post adds...

The New York Rangers have made it, but they don't have it made, that's for sure.

Because even though qualifying for the playoffs for a third consecutive season, after missing seven straight times going into the lockout, represents a measure of success, it isn't anything for the franchise to hang its hat on.

"There's no great celebration in here about making the playoffs," Scott Gomez said in a post-game locker room that was, as a matter of fact, a bit livelier than usual following a victory. "If that's your goal, then you're not going very far."

...I love the attitude the team is taking. Winning the Stanley Cup has been the goal for this team all year and despite more of a struggle than they anticipated to qualify for the playoffs its great too see their goal hasn't changed.