A season worthy of celebration somehow turned into something else upon the conference final defeat to Florida, a series that saw the Rangers physically overrun despite being able to keep the scores close.

There really was no “Wait ‘Til Next Year” for the team that finished with the best record in the NHL while establishing franchise records for wins and points in a season. I guess there have been too many next years and too many next years that ended like this year.

(An existential question: When does this season become last season and when does next season become this season?)

A social media environment that is a cesspool doesn’t help.