N.Y. Rangers: Canadiens Bounce Blueshirts From Conference Top Eight

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS



NEW YORK RANGERS - You Can't Blame Canada For The Broadway Blueshirt Dilemma.

 

Instead of methodically creeping forward,

the weight of our big blue glacier is bearing down on the Rangers.

 

Canada offered no quarter.  On a snowy night in the Great White North, Tex's Rangers were once again lost for direction.  And for the second time in five days, the Eastern Conference #1 seed  reminded the Blueshirts just how far off the beaten path they really are.  When the Rangers wake up in the morning, they will find themselves injured, depleted, and separated from the leaders - all eight of them.


Two games against the Canadiens; two losses -  With a loss to the Sens sandwiched in between, the Habs twice defeated what used to be a number eight seeded team.  Saturday night's loss effectively removed the Rangers from the Eastern Conference top eight clubs.  The Philadelphia Flyers now lead the Rangers by a point.


The Blueshirts' defense suffered major casualties.  Michael Del Zotto was already a pregame scratch. Ryan McDonagh had to leave in the second period after getting crunched into the boards from behind.  And Dan Girardi needed help off the ice in the third period after blocking a puck with his ankle.


On the forward lines, Rick Nash is still suffering from a mysterious, top secret injury.  Brad Richards still can't play hockey.  Carl Hagelin has cooled off.  Marian Gaborik was the latest to be shown the bench.  No Rangers player could find the back of the net.  And not one Blueshirt had more than three shots on goal.


Between the pipes, Montreal's Carey Price faced eighteen shots and stopped them all.  Martin Biron started in net for the Rangers.  He faced seventeen shots, letting three get by, all in the second period.


On special teams, the Habs were 1/4 on the power play.  But the one PP goal Montreal scored may have inflicted the most damage of all.  The trainers room is sure to be filled Sunday morning treating a rash of sore necks after the Habs had the Rangers PK heads swivelling, their bodies spinning, ankles twisting, and their sticks flailing at air.  Montreal's quick, accurate, one touch passing, made the Rangers PK look down right inept - What a clinic in power play hockey!  The goal needed to be seen.



Mike.BTB