The Rangers must deliver their best performance starting tonight to save their season.
AP Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Dear NYRangers:

You’ve given our fans plenty to cheer about all season. You’re facing a tough opponent who has made it difficult to score. That’s why you find yourselves in this predicament.

It’ll take every ounce of energy during shifts for tonight’s Game 5 to come out victorious. You must summon up the strength and show extra urgency to save the season. That means all 18 skaters and our goalie coming together for a common cause.

You’ll need to not only take the play to the Caps but go that extra mile to score on Braden Holtby. That means using your greatest asset. Your team speed to outhustle their D in front of the net. Get to those loose pucks and capitalize on second chances. That means burying them.

Most importantly, don’t stop skating. Show patience when it’s needed by waiting for the Caps’ players to go down and then skate to open space and get shots through. Make it count. When you have puck possession, drive the net and you’ll get rewarded. The extra commitment will pay off.

For the players who were part of last year’s special group, you’ve been here before. You know what it takes. Draw on your experience and stay positive. Don’t stop believing. Play with the same poise under pressure. Let them know that getting that fourth game will take a monumental effort.

To win, you must play with intelligence. Make smart decisions with the puck. Limit mistakes. Stay disciplined. To Henrik Lundqvist, you have played well in this series but haven’t been perfect. Like you did last year, you must be a brick wall to give your team a chance.

To the coaching staff. Think outside the box. If it’s not working early, don’t be afraid to make necessary adjustments. Roll the dice. Put our players in the best position to win. If that means changing it up, so be it. Your loyalty will be tested. Please remember that ultimately, it’s about winning. The season is on the line.

The fans are ready. We still believe in you. Leave it all out there.

True Blueshirt,

Derek Felix Section 419