European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 18, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 22 b the stars and stripes saturday april 18,1992 1992 Stanley cup playoffs rangers try icing history s Burden by John kre1ser the associated press Here a a breakdown of the 16 teams that begin nil Stanley cup playoffs this weekend the favorite new York rangers credentials Patrick division champs Best regular season record in nil for first time in 50 years. Why they can win map candidate Mark Messier gives them a 100-Point scorer leadership and mental toughness Brian Leetch is no la Stop defens Eman John Vanlies Brouck and Mike Richter Are top 1-2 goalie duo Good scoring balance excellent coaching Home ice Edge. Liabilities history they Haven to won it All since 1940 and have been to the finals Only three times since then getting out of their division the no la a Best will be difficult. Outlook a the team to beat but that could happen As Early As the opening round in the loaded Patrick  contenders Washington capitals credentials a second to rangers in division and Overall most improved offence Best Intra division record in league. Why they can win balanced offence 15 players in double figures excellent special teams big physical defense that can score too. Liabilities no a go to scorer Dino Ciccarelli is close if g Don Beaupre falters Rookie Jim Hrivnak and injury prone Veteran Mike list May not be up to the Job have Only made it out of the division once Outlook deep and solid. If goal ending holds up could win it  Canad fens credentials runaway Adams division champs Best defensive team in nil Why they can win a tradition 25 Stanley cups Patrick Roy is nil s top goaltender forwards and defense Check hard smart among fewest Power play opportunities and pigs against in nil. Liabilities limited offence Only one 30-goal scorer struggled to 14-20-6 finish on roast Outlook a should make it out of the division not Likely to beat the Patrick Champion but history could get in the  red wings credentials no. 1 Overall in Campbell conference and Norris division champions. Why they can win Steve Yzerman leads deepest three Man group of centers in nil rookies Niklas Lidstrom and Vladimir Konstantinov have provided mobility on defense Tim Che veldae has emerged As a top goaltender. Liabilities no reliable backup for Che veldae who led the nil in games played but has Little playoff experience history a they Haven t won since 1955 and Haven to made the finals since 1966. Outlook a should get out of the division and could make finals. Match up Well with rang another Chance to end the wait Fil photos 5 five stars will try again to end the new York rangers 52-year wait for another Stanley cup in the playoffs which begin tonight. The rangers go into the playoffs with the Best record in the National hockey league thanks to their goal ending tandem of John Van Biesbrouck upper left and Mike Richter upper right. Ranger skaters who la shoulder much of the Load include map Center Mark Messier Leface defens Eman Brian Leetch and Winger Mike Gartner. Ers and capitals. Vancouver canucks credentials smythe division champions Best season by far in team history. Why they can win Kirk Mclean is an All Star goaltender Pavel Bure is the no la a most sensational Rookie and Trevor Linden is talented and a Leader. Liabilities big but plodding defense with limited ability to join the play struggled badly after clinching division. Outlook a surprised everyone by winning division watch out for. Pittsburgh penguins credentials defending champions no la Stop offensive team. Why they can win nil scoring Leader Mario Lemieux Kevin Stevens Joe Mullen and Rick Tocchet Lead devastating attack strike Layoff has helped heal injuries. Liabilities still weak defensively poor penalty killing loss of coach Bob Johnson who died in november still hurts wont have Home ice Edge Patrick division is loaded Outlook its All  Angeles Kings credentials second in smythe division. Why they can win Wayne Gretzky is healthy and wants a championship for . Plenty of veterans with championship rings Kelly Hrudney is solid goalie. Liabilities weak at Center after Gretzky lots of Over-30 players who could Wear Down. Outlook Gretzky will have to carry them on his  oilers credentials five Stanley cups from 1984-90 one of no la a Best in second half. Why they can win g Bill Ranford is just two years removed from winning Conn smythe trophy As playoff map lots of Young legs balanced scoring. Liabilities a few veterans left to provide leadership no big gunner. Outlook cup no. 6 would be the most unexpected. Chicago Blackhawk credentials second in Norris division no. 2 defensively in nil. Why they can win a g de Belfour is almost As Good As he was last season when he was no la a Best c Jeremy Roenick is an emerging Star motivated Hawks trying to atone for last years first round upset loss. Liabilities a Chicago is a one line team and one line teams done twin championships Belfour must Excel a he did no to last year Outlook a cup drought Likely to reach 31  Likely new Jersey devils credentials most Points in team history. Why they can win a capable of beating anyone when they re All on the same Page Streaky g Chris Terreri could get hot. Liabilities a very weak offensively at Center poor finish Terreri a Back still not 100 percent Tough Patrick division. Outlook a not this year. Boston Bruins credentials a second in Adams made playoffs for 25th straight year nil record. Why they can win g Andy Moog and d Ray Bourque Are among no la a Best Adam Oates and Vladimir Ruzicka Are Fine 1-2 punch at Center liabilities re Cam Neely is gone leg injury but not forgotten a Bruins Aren t the same without him Moog overworked Little scoring after front liners. Outlook getting to semis would be a  sabres credentials third in Adams. Why they can win Pat Lafontaine Dave Andreychuk Alexander Mogiln unit is among no la a most dynamic c Dale Hawer Chuk set team record for assists. Liabilities weak defensively no established goal ending horrible on Road 9-24-7 have never beaten Boston their first opponent. Outlook could end drought against Boston but that a . Louis blues credentials third in Norris. Why they can win Brett Hull the no la Stop goal scorer is healthy again some scoring help from Brendan Shanahan and Craig Janney g Curtis Joseph also healthy again is improving. Liabilities a inconsistent All season Hull will be shadowed As he rarely is during the regular season not Strong defensively or on the Road. Outlook a few expectations which could be a  Minnesota North stars credentials fourth in Norris finalists last year. Why they could win they did it last Spring when Jon Casey got hot. He a played Well since return from minors. Liabilities Little spark All season poor on Road. Outlook a used up their Miracle quota last  jets credentials fourth in smythe. Why they could win Bob Essensa the Best goalie no one knows could turn into the reincarnation of Jacques Plante. Liabilities not much offence from forwards Essensa coming off a knee injury. Outlook a could make trouble for Vancouver in first round otherwise its vacation  whalers credentials fourth in Adams weakest of qualifiers. Why they could win because miracles do happen in sports. That s about the Only Way. Liabilities poor offence inconsistent defense unsteady goal ending fewest Home wins m nil. Outlook have a Nice summer