N.Y. Rangers: In Need Of A Blue Line Bruiser

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS - Let The Rath Of Dylan Begin!

Despite Rick Nash's scoring woes in the playoffs, a lack of goals was not necessarily the reason why the Rangers lost to the Kings.  Three overtime losses made it plainly obvious that the Blueshirts need a big defenseman who can clear traffic from in front of the net, and whom also possesses a big shot from the point on power plays.

On that note, Anton Stralman probably had the best shot from the point (by a NYR defenseman) this season but is in no way the answer.  I do believe however that he played well enough to warrant a reasonable contract offer from Sather.

And on that note, any additional potential free agent signing will obviously cost money - lots of money.  How does Sather clear the space needed to facilitate such a deal?  For starters, John Moore is no longer needed. I'd make Raphael Diaz go poof, and I'm on the fence with regards to Kevin Klein.

I'll get into what forwards I'd consider sacrificing shortly.

This year's free agency period is less than two weeks away.  Pittsburgh's Matt Niskanen is perhaps the most notable defenseman on the list.  He will no doubt cause a bidding frenzy, and inevitably command major salad.  But I'm not sure he's right for the Rangers.  He is listed at 6'0" and 209 lbs., which does not exactly distinguish him in a line-up with Girardi, Staal, and McDonagh.

Coming off a career high 46-point season, while still only 27-years old makes Niskanen very attractive.  Pair him with Ryan McDonagh, and the Rangers are set for years to come.  Niskanen certainly handles the puck better than Girardi did against L.A.  He would also be a welcome addition on the power play.  But he's not going to be the one clearing bodies from Henrik's space.

As it currently stands, import Justin Falk is the Rangers largest blue liner.  Will he see more time next season. At 6'5" and 215 lbs., perhaps he should, right?

The Rangers also have their proverbial ace prospect in the hole.  It's time to let the Rath Of Dylan begin!   Dylan McIlrath was the 10th overall selection of the 2010 draft, and should be ready to bang bodies in the NHL next season.  He is listed as 6'5" and 215 lbs.  His game is well suited for clearing traffic and maintaining lanes of sight for Lundqvist.

So with that in mind, I would give still Matt Niskanen serious consideration.

I also have interest in (LAK) Matt Greene.  And why not?  He's still only 31 years-old, and listed at 6'3" and 232 lbs.  That's the kind of size that moves bodies.  Realistically however, the Rangers can only sign him at their price and terms, not his.  I'll pass on (LAK) Willie Mitchell though.

Montreal's Andrei Markov is good, but like Mitchell he's getting old, and has become injury prone, so I do not consider him much of an option.  However, I think (NYI) Dan Boyle could be a good complimentary fit for the Rangers.

The Forward$$$ - Glen Sather needs to clear cap space, and will most likely start by buying out Brad Richards.  It's the right thing to do.  In the salary cap era, his contract is an albatross.  Unfortunately, Mats Zuccarello and Brian Boyle may have priced themselves out of town as well.  MatsZuccs?  Yeah, it's all about the salad.

What say you?



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Game Three - Blueshirts Need To Protect Their House

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Series Tied 1-1

I - NYR 3; PITT 2*

II - PITT 3; NYR 0

III - MONDAY NIGHT
*OT

GAME THREE
Pittsburgh Penguins
vs.
New York Rangers
FROM

NEW YORK RANGERS: Did You Think The Penguins Were Just Going To Lay Down? Capitalize On Game One,  And Win At Home.

Sunday night, in the absence of scoring from Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard, Dominic Moore, Mats Zuccarello, Dan Carcillo, Carl Hagelin, Brian Boyle, etc., etc., the Rangers were shut out by Pittsburgh's Marc Andre Fleury.

The Rangers were held to single-digit shots in the first and last periods of Game Two, and were limited to 22 SOG overall.  Reason being, the Penguins played perhaps their best game of the entire season.  That happens.

Here's what's not happening.

In my best Winston Churchill impersonation, it brings me no joy in reporting the shot count is now up to 37 (which leads the Rangers) and still no goal for Rick Nash in 9 playoff games.  His supporters claim he is being careful of taking care of the little things, and skating well.  That's fine, but I would suggest the little things should be left to the aforementioned players.  I would also point out, he has only registered 4 assists. Clearly, much bigger things are needed from Nash.

Here's what else isn't happening...

But Sidney Crosby hasn't scored either!  The Rangers do not pay Sidney Crosby, nor does he wear a Blueshirt.  The princess is Pittsburgh's problem.

And another thing.....

The power play is now 0 for its last 29 attempts.  The last PP goal came in Game Two versus the Flyers. The Rangers are now 3 for 41 (.07%) in the playoffs.

In truth, Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers played well Sunday.  However, I was concerned how Jussi Jokinen blew by Anton Stralman on goal one.  Heading into the series, I said,

I anticipate Ryan McDonagh having a better series, but I'm concerned with Anton Stralman's and Kevin Klein's ability to keep up with Pittsburgh's forwards.  I think the last thing the Rangers want is for Pittsburgh to start skating around and gaining flow - yes, what Coach Vigneault likes to do.  But, Coach might want to also consider grinding on the Penguins, in an effort to slow them down.  That should also involve keeping Dan Carcillo and his physicality on a steady shift.

Dan Carcillo - another 11 minutes and 20 shifts at even strength.  That's fair.

On Pittsburgh's second goal, Kris Letang just got the (rebound) better of an unsuspecting Marc Staal.

That happens.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Work Overtime To Snatch Home Ice Advantage

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Tex's Rangers Steal Home Ice Away From Penguins

Rangers Lead Series 1-0

I - NYR 3; PITT 2*

II - SUNDAY

III - PITT @ NYR

IV - PITT @ NYR

V - NYR @ PITT

VI - PITT @ NYR

VII - NYR @ PITT

*overtime

GAME TWO

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

FROM

Steel City

NEW YORK RANGERS: We Have Ourselves A Series, As Pittsburgh Drops Opener On Home Ice.  Pressure Now Squarely On Marc Andre Fleury And The Mighty Pens To Square Series Before Entering Madison Square Garden.

Blueshirts Land First Blow In Metropolitan Division Prize Fight

Coach Vigneault was able to negotiate his team through a physical series against Philadelphia.  Among his adjustments, his timely implementation of Dan Carcillo was a key factor in the series.  Now, I have to credit Coach and say, a touch of Vigneault could be the difference in getting the Rangers through Pittsburgh.

Vigneault vs. Tortorella

The Rangers proved long ago, they can take a punch.  The criticisms levied against these new Rangers involved their inability, or willingness to punch back.  Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have done things differently for sure.  Where as I likened the Rangers under Tortorella to a big blue glacier grinding down teams in their path, who also many times settled things with their fists, Vigneault's team instead plays with a bit more refinement and polish, and above all, with shared responsibility.

The Rangers still continue to battle like heavyweights, just smarter under Vigneault.  Pittsburgh is clearly a far less physically threatening opponent than Philadelphia, but they're obviously a very skilled, and perennial powerhouse nonetheless.  That's where Vigneault comes in.

Under Torts, Benoit Pouliot would have never been on the ice to factor like he has.  After a series of bad penalties against the Flyers (if not after his first stupid penalty) Pouliot would have been buried deep in the basement of Tortorella's dog house, and Derick Brassard would have probably been in the penalty box having earned five for fighting.

Under Torts, the 4th line would have been nothing but a pipe dream.  Coach Vigneault deserves credit for not only creating a functioning four line system, but for assembling a 4th line that excels, and propels the Rangers.  In fact, he also established order throughout the four lines.  Under Torts, the top three forwards would have most likely been getting over-shifted.  Mats Zuccarello, the team's leading regular season scorer, would probably still be suffering from un-favored status, while Brad Richards would still be clocking in 24 minutes a night.

All that said, the Rangers and Penguins exchanged hey-makers in the first two periods, before gaining a measure of respect for each other in the third.  Then three minutes into the fourth round, Derick Brassard delivered Game One's knockout blow.

Benoit Pouliot and Brad Richards each notched their third goals of the playoffs.  Derick Brassard's first of the playoffs was a winner, and a reward for his 8th straight game of hard work.

Henrik Lundqvist faced 9 more shots (36 to 27) than did Marc Andre Fleury, and forced the game into overtime with a brilliant third period save.  But, as speculated, Fleury proved erratic between the pipes. Benoit Pouliot beat Pittsburgh's goalie like a rented mule on the game's opening score.  Then on the second score, Fleury's defensemen abandoned their posts, forcing him to over play Brad Richard's goal.  In overtime, Fleury actually got beat twice on the game's winning goal in overtime by both Pouliot and Brassard.

Sidney Crosby's post-season woes continue.  He was held to three SOG, and was a -3 for the game.
James Neal and Chris Kuntitz earned a measure of Blueshirt attention however, with 5 and 7 SOG respectively.  Rick Nash had 4 shots, and Derek Stepan had 5 shots for the Rangers.

For the new wave of Dan Carcillo fans, Coach Vigneault gave him 19 shifts in 10:00 minutes of ice time, all at even strength.  But, Coach Vigneault has so far resisted trying Anton Stralman's shot on the PP.

Both teams were scoreless in four PP opportunities each, so credit the Rangers for pulling out Game One at even strength.  The Rangers are now scoreless in their last 25 PP opportunities.

Although the Penguins had more SOG, the Rangers laid more hits and won more face-offs.

The Rangers obviously do not own home ice advantage as they did in Round One against the Flyers.  On Friday however, they helped themselves immeasurably, but only if they capitalize on their 1-0 series lead. They need an even higher sense of awareness now, and attention to detail.  I'm sure we all agree, the Rangers want the Penguins lingering around as little as possible.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: After Quick Garden Party, March On The Penguins Begins

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Win Series Over Flyers 4-3

I - NYR 4: PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - NYR 4; PHI 1

IV - PHI 2; NYR 1

V - NYR 4; PHI 2

VI - PHI 5; NYR 2

VII - NYR 2; PHI 1

2013-2014

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO ~ GAME ONE

FRIDAY NIGHT

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

FROM

Steel City

NEW YORK RANGERS: With The Penguins Looming, No Time To Enjoy Dan Carcillo's Demoralizing Goal, Or Benoit Pouliot's Back Breaker In Game Seven.

I'm not trying to detract from the Rangers Game Seven victory, but, boy, did Philly play flat.  I mean, not once, but twice, Rangers passes went through the legs of two Flyers defensemen en route to a pair of Game Seven goals.  That's what happens when there's a lot of standing around and watching, which describes Philadelphia's second period play.

Otherwise Steve Mason was doing cartwheels in net.  I can't really say Henrik Lundqvist won the battle of the goalies, although, all hail the King for Game Seven.  But, the head to head numbers against Ray Emery early in the series were not that great.  Even then, Philadelphia's mistake, or misfortune (due to injury) was inserting Steve Mason too late.

Philadelphia's problems were not between the pipes though.  The Flyers defensemen flat out failed.  In Game Five, they lost track of Brad Richards, and then Dominic Moore went through them like saloon doors in the wild west.  Along with what Dan Carcillo and Benoit Pouliot pulled in Game Seven, all Philly's defensive futility was on full display.  Both Hal Gill and Braydon Coburn had a particularly bad series.

As bad as they were, the Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvist, still needed a hero last night.  Henrik - because if they had lost, everyone would have come crashing down on him.  So, thank you Dan Carcillo and Benoit Pouliot- not the most likely of names, considering...........

Think about it - the Rangers got assists from Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Klein, Derick Brassard, and Anton Stralman.  Outside of MatsZucs, you know where I'm going with this, and IT will need to change by Friday. I understand Rick Nash played an effective game, but against the Penguins, he, as well as Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, and Derek Stepan(!) must generate more scoring.

On a more positive note, three cheers for Brian Boyle and the 4th line!

I also like Carl Hagelin's and MatZucs' speed against the Penguins defense.  The Penguins are going to try and out-score their opponents.  No secret there, and with Fleury between the pipes, that's a sound strategy. If the Ranger's bigger stars show up, Hagelin and Zucs can make a big difference, but, only then.  If they are made to carry the team, then.... fuhgeddaboudit.

Not surprisingly, the Rangers generated 2.7 goals per game against Philadelphia.  That will not due against the Penguins.  But, without getting cocky, Marc Andre Fleury might be just what the doctor ordered.  At both even strength, and particularly on the power play, the Rangers need to keep peppering Fleury with shots, and from all angles.  If they can continue generating 30+ shots per game, as they did against the Flyers, I like the chance that a few more pucks find net with Fleury guarding the pipes.

Here are the obligatory numbers:

The Penguins ranked 5th in the NHL in goals, while the Rangers defense ranked 4th.  The Rangers offense was 18th, and the Penguins defense ranked 10th.

The league's 15th rated PP just got worse.  What the hell happened to the Blueshirt PP that started off so well in games One and Two, that they would fail over the next five games spanning 25 scoreless opportunities?  Mind you, the Rangers were 2/6 in Game One, and only 1/6 in Game Two, then short circuited.

Coach Vigneault might want to consider adding Anton Stralman's big shot on the man advantage, because if the PP proves equally futile against Pittsburgh, the Rangers will surely lose.  The Penguins PK ranked 5th in the league.

On the other side of the equation, I fully expect the Penguins to exploit their PP opportunities.  They were #1 in the NHL.  Therefore, the most effective method for the Rangers to kill off penalties, is to not commit mistakes in the first place.  Although their PK ranked 3rd in the regular season, the Rangers were uncharacteristically guilty of far more needless and dumb (Benoit Pouliot) penalties in the first round against the Flyers.  They'll obviously need to employ more discipline this time around.

On that note, I expect the Penguins 5th line to play a major factor in the series.  The NHL can't have anything happen to their crowned princess, so I'm sure the stripes will have their whistles at the ready any time a Blueshirt even nears her majesty.  And why not..., the refs in the last series were horrible, with all their embellishment nonsense, and other such curious calls.  Crosby additionally failed to score a goal in the first round, so I'm sure the networks want him treated with extra care to get him going as well.

I anticipate Ryan McDonagh having a better series, but I'm concerned with Anton Stralman's and Kevin Klein's ability to keep up with Pittsburgh's forwards.  I think the last thing the Rangers want is for Pittsburgh to start skating around and gaining flow - yes, what Coach Vigneault likes to do.  But, Coach might want to also consider grinding on the Penguins, in an effort to slow them down.  That should also involve keeping Dan Carcillo and his physicality on a steady shift.

No time to dwell on much else.  It's time to drop the puck on Round Two.

Let's Go Rangers.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Grudge Match; Game Four

From the desks of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  &  THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

Battle of the Hudson

Game Four ~ Grudge Match

2011-2012

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Rangers Lead Series 2-1

I  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

II  -  NJD 3; NYR 2

III  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

TONIGHT

GAME FOUR

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

From

THE ROCK

Brick City - Newark

The King Lays Siege to Newark in Game Three

Rangers vs. Devils; Game Three at The Rock

Coach Torts Versus The Media

Devils Pounce On Blueshirts in Game Two

King Henrik Puts The Devils On Ice

Rangers Versus Devils ~ Eastern Conference Finals

NEW YORK RANGERS:

Tonight, We Dance Around The Fire!

The deeper these playoffs have gone, the longer Ranger Fans wait for their forward lines to dominate a game for a change, instead of looking to their goalie for miracles.  Well, that's what I've been doing.  In the mean time, the Rangers have three pairs of defensemen who've been contributing an overwhelming portion of the team's offense.  And the Devils?   They have done everything they've needed to do in order to get plenty of shots on Lundqvist.  But Broadway's liege has stopped them cold, as he's done to all comers in these playoffs.

That almost seems secondary now.  The real battle has just begun.  While the Media kept badgering Coach Torts to talk, he quietly compiled his own list of gripes against the Devils, but never aired them out; until Sunday that is.  He's been refusing to delve into any kind of outward exchange with the opposing coach or the Media.  Conversely, Peter DeBoer and Marty Brodeur continued to air out their grievances in public.  Now, finally, by speaking out Sunday, Coach Torts finally gave everyone what they wanted ~ a grudge match.

In response to Peter DeBoer's "head-hunter" barb regarding Brandon Prust, Coach showed up at his media session Sunday armed with accusations the Devils were setting picks on their power play opportunities, he voiced displeasure with Zach Parise's hit on Michael Del Zotto, and likewise expressed his annoyance with Dainius Zubrus' hit on Anton Stralman.  Coach was going to keep all that in-house, and between him and the League.  But the cat is out of the bag now.

What John Tortorella worked so hard to avoid in these playoffs is now front and center.  Damn if you do, and Damned if you don't, Coach.  The Media wanted it, and now they got it.  The inner beast in Coach has been summoned upon the instigation of a one, Coach Peter DeBoer.  Brilliant!  Remember, I like Caoch DeBoer.  But going forward, whether this becomes his folly remains to be seen.

Game Three ended with both teams feeling a little ill-tempered too.  Upon the final horn to end regulation, a scrum ensued surrounding Brandon Prust.  That won't happen in Game Four.  Brendan Shanahan suspended Prust one game for his elbow the back of Alex Volchenkov's head.  That doesn't mean the bad blood between these teams won't spill over tonight.  We'll see, as we have ill will between teams, dirty hits and other questionable player infractions to ponder, and two coaches finally engaged in a full blown war of words.

But what Coach DeBoer is trying so hard to accomplish in the now, still does not compare with what Coach Torts started working on back in October.   Coach Torts made it his business to make sure Henrik Lundqvist was fresh (fresher) for these playoffs, than in years and playoffs past.  Coach made the reluctant King sit for twenty-one games during the regular season.   They signed Marty Biron precisely to get that accomplished.   Henrik Lundqvist started 62 regular season games this season; his lowest total in six years.  If you don't think there a correlation between Coach Torts' plan and the fact Henrik Lundqvist shut out the Devils twice now in this third round series, you're stoned.

Outside of Chris Kreider, Coach Torts long ago ensured Henrik Lunqvist would be the freshest guy on the ice in Game Four tonight.  That fact continues to go unspoken.  Instead, the Media continues to prod Coach Torts for their columns.  If they just look at his methods and moves over a full season, and not just casually show up in April or May, they'd know full well Coach Torts is in full control of his team and his faculties, and has all his bases covered.  Which points directly to the reason why he treats the Media the way he does.

Instead, it is the Devils who seem rattled.  Their Coach and goalie are the chirpy ones.  On the ice, the Devils are proving to be the chippy ones as well.  And Zach Parise shuns the Media?  Those are the signs of a frustrated team.  Whether or not the Devils really have a sympathetic media on their side remains to be seen.  Coach DeBeor is trying his damnedest.  But Coach Torts seems well prepared to take them both on regardless.

The Rangers can make life very miserable for the Devils tonight.  The Devils know that, and are acting like it.  But if they do have any temerity to them, which I think they do, the Devils will salvage a game at home tonight and tie the series.  The odds say if they keep doing what they've been doing, eventually, some shots will find the net.  If only Henrik Lundqvist wasn't so well preserved by a coach who many think acts and behaves like a troglodyte.  Well, so far the Grunts lead this series two games to one.

But not so fast.  The Rangers are asking for trouble if they let the Devils hang around.  Especially if they are going to put New Jersey on the PP another five times.  Or let the Devils outplay them two out of three periods again.  Or let them take over thirty shots against Henrik Lundqvist again.  All that aside, the Rangers still came out in Game Three and played a much darker shade of Blue.  In order to secure another two wins against the Devils, they'll have to get even darker.  For the Devils will not go quietly into the night.

Tonight, everyone dances around the fire.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ It's The Ones They Don't See

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Lead Series 3-2

I  -  NYR 3; WASH 1

II  -  WASH 3; NYR 2

III  -  NYR 2; WASH 1

IV  -  WASH 3; NYR 2

V  -  NYR 3; WASH 2

III Triple Overtime

V Overtime

VI  -  WEDNESDAY

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Mark Messier Always Used to Say Winning Game Four Was the Hardest Thing to Do.


The King Needs His Horsemen; Game Four
One Hundred Fourteen Minutes Closer to Glory
War of 2012; The Blueshirts Are Coming
Bring On The Capitals!


Anton Stralman, who's found his way in and out of Coach Torts' dog house, scored the Rangers first goal of the night.  The Blueshirts wouldn't get their second until 6.6 seconds left in regulation time.  In between Ranger goals, Washington scored a second period goal to tie the game, and a third period goal to go ahead.


The Rangers' inability to get a shot on goal in Game Four wasn't the case in Game Five.  In Game Four, all they could muster were three shots on goal during the opening period.  In Game Five, the Rangers turned the tables on Washington with a 17-4 first period imposition of their will.  The Rangers led 14 shots to 2 by the time Washington committed their first penalty at 14:31 into the game.  But that power play, like many opportunities before, resulted in no goals, and no shots.


Throughout Game Five, the Rangers out shot Washington.  They took thirty-eight shots on goal, and had another twenty-five shots blocked, for over sixty attempts.  They shot from all angles.  The more shots the Rangers took, the more I thought the biggest difference was Washington's (and Ottawa's) goalie.  First Craig Anderson, and now Braden Holtby, seemed to stay one save ahead of the King.  All of us thought that was just too far fetched.  Yet, our frustration grows because Henrik is getting beat on screened shots and deflections.  The other team's goalie wasn't.


Henrik's Game Five line red two goals allowed off just fifteen shots for Washington upon them  scoring in the third period.  As this series has bulldozed along, Washington kept beating the Rangers at their own game just like Ottawa was doing until stopped.  There were also moments during the second and third periods of Game Five when it seemed as if a triple over time win seemed like too much effort to continually reproduce.


What is now clearly evident over the Rangers' two playoff series is, shots on goal do not matter.  What matters are the old standards - crashing the net, cleaning up slop, and above all, scoring on the power play.  It's always been like that.  In the playoffs, this is where games are ultimately won and lost.  That's how John Carlson put the Capitals ahead in the third.  It was only Washington's third PP goal of the series.  However, that goal was fast becoming the second straight PP goal that would send the Rangers off in defeat.  Game Four, for all intent and purpose, ended on Mike Green's third period PP goal.  Back in Game Two, you guessed it, Alex Ovechkin's power play goal was also the difference in winning and losing.  The three times Washington cashed in with the man-advantage, were fast starting to look like three game winners.


In the closing minute of regulation, Coach Torts already committed to pulling Henrik for the extra skater when Capitals' Joel Ward; unfortunate for him; got tangled up with Carl Hagelin and was whistled for a four minute double minor high sticking penalty at the 19:38 mark.


With the face off coming in the Capitals' zone and Henrik looking on from the bench, the Rangers' held a two man advantage.  Then it happened.  Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards were both crashing the net off a shot from the high left circle.  Callahan was first in but couldn't find the puck.  Then Richards rolled to his left and cleaned up the rebound, slapping it passed Braden Holtby with 6.6 seconds left in regulation.


On the PP continuation, at 18:26 of overtime, Marc Staal unleashed a booming shot from the high slot.  Rangers win.  Two power play goals won the game.  It wasn't the number of shots.  A little closer to the truth, the Rangers also finally scored one of those goals the opposition has been scoring against Henrik; the ones he didn't see or off some cheap deflection.


The Rangers lead this series 3-2, heading to Washington.  They now have two chances to win one game and advance into the Eastern Conference championship round.



OMENS or OTHERWISE:

*  Yes, with the clock ticking down on a Rangers loss, my mind did indeed flash back to the 1994 Eastern Conference championship Game Seven game between the Rangers and Devils, when New Jersey scored with seven(?) seconds left in regulation; in a game that wound up going into double overtime.  And how many times have we seen the Buffalo Sabres pull that off?

*  I haven't seen a team so blatantly manipulate the puck with their hands, like Washington did towards the end of Game Five, since the Vancouver Canucks did against the Rangers in the 1994 Cup Finals; - And for that matter, the Devils in the Conference finals.  Vancouver manipulated the puck more.  The Devils flopped on the puck.  Washington did both.

*  And yes, the Rangers and Devils are one game each away from a rematch eighteen years later.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ GAME SEVEN TONIGHT

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS - 2012 - QUARTER FINAL ROUND

Series Tied 3-3

I - NYR 4;  OTT 2

II - OTT 3;  NYR 2

III - NYR 1;  OTT 0

IV - OTT 3;  NYR 2

V - OTT 2;  NYR 0

VI - NYR 3;  OTT 2

TONIGHT

GAME SEVEN

Ottawa Senators

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

NEW YORK RANGERS:   In Game Six, the Blueshirts Showed Their Way Still Works Just Fine.


Thank you Brandon Prust.  Someone needed to finally take-on Chris Neil.  And it was long overdue.  I thought Mike Rupp would have been the one to drop gloves with that degenerate; as, in the grand scheme of things, Rupp is the more expendable forward.  But Rupp never even tried.  So all hail Prust for doing what needed to be done.


Game Six was the exact type game Ottawa played against us in Game Two.  In each case, and for both teams, that kind of effort made all the difference.  Ottawa was able to parlay Game Two into another pair of wins.  The Rangers are now in a position to parlay Game Six into a home-ice, Game Seven series clincher at Madison Square Garden.


There may be more men in these boys than we might have given them credit for.  Game Six was a prime game to lose.  Monday would have been the right way to crash and burn.  Instead, the Blueshirts came back with a strong, convincing, game in which they imposed Ranger Hockey upon Ottawa on their ice.  It was not the clinging to 1-0 lead late in the game affair that are as predictable as a coin flip.  In Game Six, they faced elimination and rose to the challenge.  That's very telling.  The Rangers showed their way still works just fine.


Similar to the manner Henrik Lundqvist related his disgust after Game Six to the Media, I think most Rangers; and why not - Ottawa fans too; are fed up with the Stripes.  I'm still wanting to know who Mike Rupp's first period roughing penalty was against.  He basically earned a trip to the box for roughing a mirage.  With thirteen minutes left in the first period, the Sens capitalized during the ensuing power play with a (who else) Chris Neil goal, putting Ottawa ahead by one.  That Chris Neil was even on the ice to begin with was a slap in the face by the NHL and Brendan Shanahan. 


And another thing - Henrik never saw that power play shot coming.  But we on TV saw that goal coming from a mile away.  Ottawa had TWO skaters camped right in front of Henrik, without so much as a tap, a push, or an "excuse me" from a Blueshirt player.  Whether on the penalty kill, or at even-strength, the Rangers need to do a substantially better job of clearing out all that traffic in front of Henrik in Game Seven.  In that regard, Marc Staal needs to have a renaissance game and throw his body around a little more.


For their part, the Rangers were two of seven on the power play.  Two goals are better than no goals.  In the playoffs, we all know PP scoring is paramount.  How Boston won a Cup without scoring a power play goal last season is beyond me.  But in Game Seven, the Rangers must make Ottawa pay for mistakes.  The Blueshirts most definitely need at least a goal, if not a pair, from their special teams.  If the Rangers just stay ferocious on the body and relentless on the fore check, the Rangers can goad Sens into the box.  Once we let them skate around freely, we'll be the ones in the box wasting time.  And we can't let them stretch-pass their way out of their defensive zone either.


The Rangers rode a huge second period to victory Monday night.  At nearly the nine minute mark, Derek Stepan scored the first of New York's PP goals to tie the game at one.  Later in the period, the Rangers discovered the knockout punch they've been searching within themselves for.  At 17:08, Brad Richards showed up to have a big moment upon scoring the Rangers' second PP goal of the evening for a 2-1 Rangers' lead.  Just before the period ended, the Blueshirt Blue Chip; Chris Kreider: finally broke through and scored his first goal as an NHL player.  After being turned away after numerous high quality opportunities, his first goal since joining the Rangers came at the 19:19 mark.


Marc Staal, Michael Del Zotto, Anton Stralman, Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, and Brad Richards; the younger gents of this team plus one; all either scored or assisted on the Rangers' three second period goals.  Absent from the Game Six roll call are Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan.  In the biggest game for the Rangers to this point in their remarkable season, they'll need their best players to show up and be factors in Game Seven.


The only real matter of the third period in Monday's game was whether Jason Spezza kicked in Ottawa's second goal of the game, or not.  The questionable goal came with just thirty seconds left in regulation time. Incredulously, the Toronto offices said the goal, which to me was clearly scored via a distinct kicking motion, counted.  With the way the series has been called so far, who can blame Henrik Lundqvist for being so hot as to speak his mind, for him, in an uncharacteristic fashion.  Just add that goal to the long list of horrific calls over the course of this series.


The King faced twenty-seven shots Monday and stopped twenty-five.  Ottawa ended the game with five more shots-on-goal than the Rangers took against Craig Anderson; who for a change, looked a little more human between the pipes.


Especially after Game Two, the Senators now seem to revel playing in MSG.  That must change tonight!  With Carkner and Neil around, the Rangers know they'll need eyes in the backs of their heads.  Compromised by a concussion or not, who isn't paying attention to Daniel Alfredsson?  But the skater that troubles me is Nick Foligno.  I want a set of eyes on him at all times.  In Game Six, Nick Foligno, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, and Jason Spezza, accounted for fourteen shots on goal.  Foligno had four.


For the Rangers, Brad Richards led the Rangers with three shots on goal.  Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan accounted for two shots each, as did a few others.  If I include Derek Stepan - two shots; and Carl Hagelin - two shots; the five together still do not add up to the Senators top four shot takers.  So just shoot!  And be in front to clean up any loose pucks.


Otherwise, just go out there and play Rangers' Hockey.  And believe, for our boys just may have learned how to seize the moment.







Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Blueshirts Fall in Devils Playground

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Devil's Playground Graffiti

NEW YORK RANGERS:   I Told You the Devils Were Serious.


Bad bounce; bad break; bad loss; and a bad way to start the official second half of the season.  Credit Martin Brodeur for outlasting Marty Biron and the Rangers last night.  But don't say I didn't warn you.  Brodeur is having fun again, remember?  Sure he looked like a mere fragment of his former self when he flopped into the dead cockroach position on Brian Boyle's goal.  And he looked rather old on Michael Del Zotto's goal as well.  But let a guy like that catch a break and allow him some extra time, and we're talking about how great he is again.

Game Two in this season's Battle of the Hudson series goes to the Devils.  Yeah..., like I said, - don't look now.  New Jersey's three way tie for seventh is yesterday's news.  They own the seventh spot all to themselves today with fifty-seven points.  Last year is a long time ago for them.  On February 1, 2012, the Devils are in possession of a playoff spot that eluded them last season like Bigfoot evades TMZ.  It's their spot to lose now.

For the Rangers, last night depends more on whether you're a glass half empty, or a glass half full person.  Me?  Starting Marty Biron against Martin Brodeur was cool.  I haven't been calling Biron the best back-up goalie in Hockey for nothing.  And being that Henrik played in the All-Star Game; why not?  We were less than a minute away from getting out of The Rock with a second win this season.  So we have to settle for one point.  We split two games on New Jersey's ice so far.  Look at it that way.

As you can tell, I'm trying to stick to the high road.  This was the first game back from the break and we should at least wait for a trend to develop before the Rangers see the Devils again next Tuesday.  We'll be in Buffalo tonight and then play host to Philly on Sunday.

If I wanted to really take issue with yesterday's game, consider the Rangers' three goals came from Stralman; Boyle; and Del Zotto.  The three have combined to score twelve goals all season.  Meanwhile, Zach Parise, Kovalchuk, and David Clarkson did what they get paid to do; score goals.  The three have combined to net fifty-three goals this season.  You know where I'm going with that, don't you?

So yeah, I think I'll stick with the high road for today.  Brian Boyle and Michael Del Zotto both exhibited polish and patience on their goals.  At least that tells me the Rangers' heads are in a good place.

TONIGHT

Battle for The Empire State

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Buffalo Sabres

From,

Western New York

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ All Stars; a Shut-Out; and Toronto

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS





NEW YORK RANGERS:   Blueshirt All-Stars Named;
My Notable All-Blueshirt Mentions; and a Forgettable Game Against the Ottawa Senators.



Chalk one up for a real stay-home defensemen, and for one of the over all good guys in Hockey.  Dan Girardi will take his place amongst the NHL's All-Stars this season when they all descend upon Ottawa, Canada.  For the un-drafted defenseman, it's been a long road.  Coach Torts came here and thought enough to trust the kid.  That trust has just been rewarded in a sense, as his selection is very well deserved.  If he's now an All-Star by NHL standards, then in the absence of Marc Staal, he's been a hero to the Rangers and Fans.  Girardi has been having nothing short of a stellar season, and as far as I'm concerned shook off a largely exaggerated reputation for being soft.  That's a separate discussion though.  For now, he's been throwing his body around quite commendably this season.




Joining Dan Girardi in the NHL's mid-season classic will be goalie Henrik Lundqvist and forward Marian Gaborik.  Turn a blind eye to Thursday night's shut-out loss against the Senators, and the least we can say about Henrik's season is he's been sharp as a razor blade.  Suffice to say, Henrik Lundqvist is among the elite goalies in Hockey today.  Marian Gaborik; the healthy Marian Gaborik; the real Marian Gaborik; is third in the NHL in goals, and leads the Rangers in points.  He's skating with speed; has been very decisive with his shots; and is firing off lasers at the League's goalies.







In the spirit of the All-Star Game, here is my list of Honorable Blueshirts:


1) - Marty Biron - He's only the best back-up goalie in all of Hockey and we're damn lucky to have him.  He's a mere 8-2 this season with non-ranked .922 Save Percentage and a 2.66 Goals-Against Average.  The man has been brilliant.


2) - Brian Boyle - The guy has done absolutely everything a coach can ask.  But the poor guy couldn't buy a goal in a flee market right now.  No one ever accused him of being a consistent goal scorer, but to say he's behind last season's pace is putting things mildly.  But then again, that's why Gaborik is here...right?  Boyle has been as solid as granite.  No goals is no problem.


3) - The Defense - Until now they've been without their leader; Marc Staal; all season.  His return comes just in time as Michael Sauer and Steve Eminger continue to miss games.  Led all season by All-Star Dan Girardi, guys like Sauer; Ryan McDonagh; and Michael Del Zotto in particular have all stepped up their games like ten year vets sporting playoff beards.  The thing is, these guys can't even shave yet but collectively are among the league's elite defensive units.  Then you have to marvel how guys like Anton Stralman and Stu Bickel have seamlessly fit in and played very well.


4) - Carl Hagelin - He looks like such a keeper.


5) - Brandon Prust - For his willingness to drop the gloves on what seems like a nightly basis.

BRING ON THE MAPLE LEAFS!

As for Thursday night's game against the Senators, it was their first loss of the new year and I've moved on already.  After a loss like that, it's usually best to hit the road anyway.  What else are we going to do, be mad they didn't win six in a row?  After back-to-back losses to St. Louis and Dallas, the Rangers went on a 9-1 run before facing Ottawa.  As for getting shut-out, the Senators played a defensively brilliant game.  Sometimes we have to credit the other teams ya know.  And I'll be honest, this morning when reminded we were playing Ottawa, my first thought was..., loss.  And for no particular reason either.




I was looking ahead to Saturday anyway.  I've been looking forward to this trip to Toronto ever since Deon Phaneuf put Michael Sauer out of commission with a concussion.  On that note,the Maple Leafs have pounded us in two previous meetings this season by identical 4-2 scores.  Through victory or defeat, we'll know far more about this Rangers team after this Maple Leafs game.




We're catching Toronto at a time when they've been playing very well of late.  And there's something a little unsettling about getting manhandled this season by Northeast Division teams.  Ottawa has owned the Rangers at MSG for years, and after Thursday's game, this season is no different.  Add in the two losses to Toronto and splitting games with Montreal, and the only real success we've had against this division came against Buffalo.  And don't look now, but the big showdown against the Boston Bruins looms ahead on January 21st.




Get ready Rangers Fans, I hope no one thought this was going to be easy considering how well we've played thus far.  We've only now just entered double digit losses for the season.  That's an incredible benchmark for this team and a testament to the work John Tortorella has done.  But I'm still committed to calling this a rebuilding team...., that's still trying to get better.




Let's Go Rangers!  Bring on the Maple Leafs!






Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Fifty-Four Points and Counting!

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS





NEW YORK RANGERS:   Coach Torts Could Care Less About the Stanley Cup!   And That's Just Fine By Me.   And Speaking of Fines, If I Had an Extra $30G Laying Around, I'd Gladly Pay Off His Fine Myself.





I'm sure had you passed a large enough jar around Madison Square Garden Thursday night, you would have had an arena full of Ranger Fans more than willing to cough-up three bucks apiece to pay off Coach Tortorella's $30G fine after comments he made about the officiating following Sunday's Winter Classic and still have money left over to throw him a fully catered party with.  Bad economy be damned.  And what the hell?!  He was right.  But Oooooo!  You can't say that.  Even his apology was right on point.  I'm certain the League wasn't conspiring against the Rangers.  But it sure as heck looked like it - and appearances in most cases, are everything.  So where can I mail my check?




After pounding Florida 4-1 on their ice just before The Classic, the Rangers withstood a feisty 1-0 start by Florida at the Garden, only to put the South Division leaders back down again.  Anton Stralman got that started with his first NHL goal which tied the game at one.  Ryan Callahan put the Rangers up 2-1 with a power play goal in the third period.  It was Callahan's fourteenth.  Then Florida scored again to send the game into overtime.




Regulation time may have cost Carl Hagelin a shoulder.  Hagelin took a strange hit on his way to assist in the corner.  He immediately dropped his stick, clutched his shoulder, and left the ice.




Now here's the good part.  Marian Gaborik the Sniper, is back.  Of the twenty-three (T-2nd) goals he's scored this season, we haven't seen one quite like that in two years.  His over-time winning shot from the slot was something out of yesterseasons.  Ranger Fans are now long removed from saying "about time!" or "thank goodness" to themselves.  Now we've re-accustomed ourselves to shouting "Yes!" as we watch at home , or chant "hey Hey HEY!" if we're at the game.  As good as Marian Gaborik has been this season, I still can't for the life of me understand what happened to him last season?  He must have been more hurt then we knew?  But who cares now right?  Can you say Comeback Player of the Year?




But wait, there's more!  Not only can you add over-time victories to the list of things good teams do - Say hello points number fifty-three and fifty-four.  With Philly's victory over the Blackhawks (52 points), and the Vancouver Canucks (53 points) idle Thursday, Your New York Rangers Are The NHL's Top Team In Points!




The New York Softies - the young and still rebuilding team, went from last in the Atlantic Division to start the season, and proceeded to weave their way through fourth and into third.  They took another step forward into second place.  And on Dec. 23, 2011, the Blueshirts said hello and goodbye to the Philadelphia Flyers when they staked their claim to first place in the division.  They haven't looked back.  Along the way, they established themselves as the number one team in the Eastern Conference.  And tonight, the New York Rangers will sleep knowing they, at least for a day, will be the number one team in Hockey.

*     *     *     *     *     *

I can't wait till our young boys gain a little more experience and start coming together.  We can be a good team some day.  But this coach is too impatient with them and way too strict.  And that's if he hasn't lost them already.  I'm not sure this coach's message is getting through.  Which is precisely the reason why Glen Sather should think about packaging some of these rooks at the deadline before they show their true colors.  Maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle with moderately skilled aging vets.  The '94 Rangers did it that way with the Oilers East...didn't they?




And why can't Torts be more like Rex Ryan and guarantee Stanley Cups?  What player doesn't think that's cool?  No, instead our drip says he can care less about the Stanley Cup.  All he's interested in is the next game.  All he wants his team to do is keep their minds on the small things, that when joined together, create bigger things.  What a drip.




Riiiight!




This Public Service Message Was A Proactive Reminder to Glen Sather.....  Hands Off!





Mike.BTB