The Lindros alternative

Sporting News, The, Nov 13, 2000

The Rangers swept the rival Islanders as the Canadiens eliminated the Sabres in the next round. The unforgettable seven-game conference finals confrontation that resulted ended with possibly the most important goal in Rangers history.

The goal came in the second overtime of Game 7. Howie Rose, during his radio broadcast, made that famous call that Rangers' fans won't soon forget: "He scores! Lindros-Lindros-Lindros! Eric Lindros and the Rangers have one more kingdom to conquer, baby! The Rangers are headed to the finals!"

Los Angeles had emerged from the Campbell Conference. The hype for the Cup finals, pitting former teammates and old friends Wayne Gretzky and Messier against each other, was unprecedented. The matchup was billed as "The Great One vs. The Messiah" and manifested itself on several levels: It was Messier as disciple, challenging his mentor. It was Hollywood against Broadway for big-city bragging rights. It was a network-TV producer's dream come true.

The country was engulfed in hockey fever Even people who only occasionally followed sports knew about the series. Any available tickets were scooped up by corporations and celebrities, leaving only a few for the public. Crowds were an even mix of fair-weather fans and die-hard season-ticket holders. In each city, the game was the place to be.

After Los Angeles opened the series with a win at home in Game 1, the Rangers tied the series when Marty McSorley's penalty for having an illegal stick led to Lindros' tying goal. Jan Erixon scored the game-winner in overtime.

The teams split the next two games. In Game 5, Mike Richter stopped the Kings time and again on odd-man rushes, and Sergei Zubov scored a power-play goal, ensuring the shutout win.

With the Rangers up 3-2 in the series, the media mobbed Messier before Game 6, challenging the captain to make a prediction. "We will win tonight," Messier proclaimed. The words echoed throughout New York.

Messier was determined to back up his words. And he did, scoring a hat trick off three passes from Lindros to clinch the Cup.

During the celebration, Messier first passed the Stanley Cup to Lindros, the rookie who helped write the storybook season. Lindros, just 20, raised the glittering prize triumphantly over his head.

NEW YORK RANGERS 1992-93

President and G.M.: Neil Smith
Coach: Roger Neilson
Assistant coaches: Colin Campbell, Dan Maloney

                  Line combinations

Left wing             Center              Right wing

Adam Graves           Mark Messier        Eric Lindros
Esa Tikkanen          Sergei Nemchinov    Mike Gartner
Joey Kocur            Barren Turcotte     Paul Broten
Kris King             Jan Erixon          Tie Domi

         Defense pairings

Brian Leetch          Jeff Beukeboom
Kevin Lowe            Sergei Zubov
Joey Cirella          James Patrick

            Goaltenders

Mike Richter          Corey Hirsch

NEW YORK TIME LINE

6/20/92: Lindros traded to Rangers and Flyers.

6/30/92: Arbitrator Bertuzzi rules for Rangers.

3/19/93: Lindros sidelined by mild concussion.