NYR vs. NJD: Battle of the Hudson - III

From the desks of:  

THE BRICK CITY STYX  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Devils lead series 2-1

I - NJD 3; NYR 2

II - NYR 5; NJD 2

III - NJD 4; NYR 3*

*shootout

THURSDAY FINAL

Rangers   3

Devils       4

shootout

The Rangers entered Thursday's game winners of three straight.  Newark, meanwhile, was seeking to extend their own two-game winning streak.  Both teams took to the ice at the Rock each seeking their 20th victory of the season.  

Only one team, however, seemed up for the task.

The defenseless Rangers permitted 48 shots on goal against Henrik Lundqvist (23 in the second period) of which he turned away 45 of them.  And for that they should be very thankful, because if it weren't for their liege, the Rangers do not escape Newark with a point.

New Jersey beat Alain Vigneault at his own game.  They were clearly the faster team; period.  Hell ... Kyle Palmieri quite nearly beat the Rangers by himself.  Meanwhile, the Rangers played as poorly as they possibly could without actually putting the puck in the wrong net.  The Devils made them pay for every mistake, and the Rangers committed many.

With a victory, the Rangers could have pulled even with the Devils with 43 points.  Instead, the Devils victory over the Rangers ties them with (idle) Washington for first place of the Metropolitan Division with 45 points.  The Rangers, meanwhile, remain in fourth place behind Columbus.

Don't look now, but Newark's youngsters are exhibiting staying power.  After slipping in November with a 6-6-2 record against predominantly Western Conference teams, they've seemingly regrouped with a 6-3-1 December record to date, featuring notable victories over the Blue Jackets, Kings, Stars, and Ducks.

Nice job by Brian Boyle in scoring the game tying (pp) goal in the third period, then netting the game winning goal in shootout.

N.Y. Rangers: Back To The Eastern Conference Finals

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Round Two

Rangers Defeat Penguins 4-3

I - NYR 3; PITT 2*

II - PITT 3; NYR 2

III - PITT 2; NYR 0

IV - PITT 4; NYR 2

V - NYR 5; PITT 1

VI - NYR 3; PITT 1

VII - NYR 2; PITT 1

*overtime

2013-2014

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Finals

MONTREAL CANADIENS

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

NEW YORK RANGERS: Glen Sather Suplanted Much Of The Team's Toughness, But Alain Vigneault Coached The Blueshirts With A Lot Of Balls.

Brian Boyle spent the night throwing his body around, blocking shots, and silencing the Penguins fans by putting the first puck of the night passed Marc Andre Fleury.

Was it me?  But did the Rangers then go into a prevent defense?  I was agitated to say the least.

In the 3rd period, the Rangers opted for quick shifts, but continued playing not to lose.  What ever you call it, I thought Alain Vigneault was dancing with the devil.  In the end however, it went down as a brilliant defensive effort.

As I was saying, midway through the 3rd, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis failed to capitalize on a two on one break, that I felt would come back to haunt them.  By the 10:00 mark, I was just waiting for the other shoe........

At 5:15 it almost fell off.  With the teams playing 4 on 4, Henrik Lundqvist was confronted with a furious Penguins assault on net, but The King held his ground.

Then I damn near blew a gasket at 3:14, when the Rangers willingly gave up the offensive zone and retreated back into a preventative posture again.  I thought - these sick bastards were just begging for overtime.

It never got to that.  Henrik Lundqvist made Brad Richards' 2nd period goal stand.  The King faced 36 shots in all, and turned away all but one.

The Rangers pulled it off.  While the Rangers were posting three straight victories, Henrik was limiting the Penguins to just a goal per game.  He has now won 5 straight Game Seven matches.

Tex's Rangers have arrived at the half way point.  They're going to the Eastern Conference finals.

Hopefully, this also silences those who demanded Henrik Lundqvist win a series by himself.  Our King is a benevolent king.

*           *          *          *

Can I have some salt, pepper and ketchup on the crow please?

If you ride The Trolley, or just follow RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS, then you know I've been one of the Rangers biggest naysayers this season, right through Game Four.  So, now, it's time I gave Coach Vigneault all the credit he deserves.  He did what other Rangers coaches could not, which was defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in a playoff series.

He matriculated his team back from a 3-1 deficit, damn near flawlessly.

There was no shot in hell, Coach Tortorella would have let Chris Kreider play down his mistakes.  There would have been less of a chance that Dan Carcillo would have seen ice time.  Benoit Pouliot would have surely been buried deep in Torts' dog house, what with all his dumb penalties particularly in the 1st round.   And, we know with certainty, that there would have been no 4th line to speak of, with a 3rd line being a highly questionable proposition as well.  That's just scratching the surface.  So, I'm here to give the "devil" his due.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Vote No To Game Seven, Finish Tonight!

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Lead Series 3-2

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 - TONIGHT

GAME SIX

New York Rangers

vs.

Philadelphia Flyers

FROM

The Broad Street Octagon

NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts Give Bullies A Bloody Nose In Game Five; Look To Knock Out Philadelphia Tonight.

FINISH!

You know what I say - once is an event, and twice is a coincidence.  But, the Rangers scoring four goals in every other game is now a trend, or so we hope.  I'd settle for a 2-0 shutout tonight.  Try me.

The Rangers were actually out-shot in Game Five, but took a 3-2 lead in the series on the strength of their somewhat least likely scorers.  Steve Mason's teammates certainly failed him on two of them.  Mason had no answer for Marc Staal's booming shot from the left dot.  However, on the Rangers second goal, Mason accounted for every one in front of him, except Brad Richards who lurked off net.  During a loose puck scrum, four Flyers descended on the crease, left Richards uncovered, and paid a price.  Later, Mason was then failed by his teammate's piss poor puck handling on Dominic Moore's goal.

Without knowing which Steve Mason awaits them in Game Six, it behooves the Rangers to generate more shots, similar to the first two games.

Of course, Mason was a non-participant during Brian Boyle's closing goal.  There's no doubt the Rangers have 4th line fever.  After all the hard work he's put in this series, Brian Boyle finally scored.  Good for him.

Brad Richards scored his 2nd goal of the playoffs, and Martin St. Louis was robbed of the Rangers potential sixth goal of the game by non review-able whistle.  The big guns have by and large, shown up - all except Rick Nash.  He leads the team with 23 shots on goal.  So, the chances have been there.  He's just able to finish.  If he doesn't get going, the Rangers themselves risk not finishing.

Oddly enough, the Rangers have won three games without his scoring, and with a sputtering power play.  If I didn't know any better, in Game Five, it looked like the Rangers took a page out of the Flyers play book.  I watched the Blueshirts play after the whistle, I saw them crash Steve Mason, I saw them make questionable hits (they got away with..), and saw them glove wash a few faces as well.  I saw the Rangers play with an edge the Flyers did not match.

Another Flyer-like similarity was the Rangers putting Philly on the PP an uncharacteristic 5 times in Game Five.  While, the Blueshirts were only afforded 3 opportunities (and went scoreless).

The big question for the Rangers is, should Dan Carcillo play in Game Six?  I'm not as insistent on him playing like I was heading into Game Three, but I still think he should be strongly considered.  J.T. Miller deserves minutes too, and just may get 'em.

No one wants the series to return to Madison Square Garden.  We can do without a Game Seven for a change.  Finish!

And Let's Go Mets too.




Mike,BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Mixed Results In Canada

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

They Better Bring Their Backbones To Vancouver With Them

NEW YORK RANGERS: This Is No Time For Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde.

In a game the Blueshirts could ill afford to lose, they blew it.

The Blueshirts found themselves down 2-0 in the opening period of last Friday's game against the Flames - a team in the Western Conference second division, the 13th seed if you must.  Brian Boyle's 4th line provided the Rangers best scoring chances, but to no avail.  The Rangers went into the 1st intermission behind by a pair.

The diligent work put in by the Rangers 4th line paid off in the 2nd period however, as Brian Boyle got the Rangers on the board early in the 2nd period.  Then in the blink of an eye, the Rangers tied the game 51-seconds later at 2-2, on a Rafael Diaz shot, and a series of well directed deflections.

The Rangers kept momentum on their side, and went on to score their third goal in the span of 3:27, as Brad Richards put the Rangers ahead by a 3-2 score.

But before the second period was through, the Rangers squandered their one goal lead.  Calgary answered back with another pair of goals to reassert control.  And that's all there was.  The Rangers were singed by the burning flames of defeat - their five game winning streak snapped. Two desperately needed points lost to a sub .500 team.

After a week receiving praise and exaltation from the home crowd, Henrik had nothing short of a bad opening game on the road.  He faced 28 shots, allowing four to get by - some rather ponderously.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs to earn their 85th and 86th points of the season, tying the Rangers.

*    *    *    *

Early Sunday afternoon, the Boston Bruins lent the Rangers a helping hand by defeating the Flyers 4-3 in Philadelphia, decided by shootout.  So, heading into the evening, the Rangers desperately needed to capitalize on Philly's misfortune.

A well played game against the Edmonton Oilers would propel the Rangers into the Eastern Conference 5th seed, and give them sole possession of 2nd place over Philly in the Metropolitan Division as well.

With 61 points, the Oilers entered the evening's game dead last in the Western Conference.  Timely scheduling right?  That's what I said of the Calgary Flames, who, with 69 points, are second to last in the Western Conference.

Mats Zuccarello gave the Blueshirts a 1-0 lead late in the first period, and the Rangers steamrolled the Oliers from then on, to the tune of a 5-0 final score.  Cam Talbot was between the pipes, and earned the shutout.

Two more points in the books.

TUESDAY NIGHT

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Vancouver Canucks

from

Way Westward In The Great White North

As of Monday night, the Rangers needed 4-points in order to tie, and supplant the Tampa Bay Lightning as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, and gain a home ice advantage.

Next on the Rangers docket - Coach Vigneault's old stomping grounds, Vancouver, where the Rangers can expect nothing short of a war against their former coach, and a desperate Canucks team attempting to qualify for the playoffs.

The month of March is now done.  The time for growing of the beards has arrived.  The onset of April signals the chase for Lord Stanley's Cup will begin shortly.  Before then, six more games remain in the Rangers regular season.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Devils Dance To First Victory

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

 

A King Under Siege

NEW YORK RANGERS: Peter DeBoer's Four Lines Too Much For Depleted Rangers.

New Jersey's collective blue-liners were sporting a horrible +/- rating right up until the Rangers came along, and single handedly turned around many a Devils' defensemen season.  The riches of a 4-0 victory were spread throughout the team though, as no Devil registered better than a plus-two.

Early in the opening period, the Rangers got out-hustled by a Devils forecheck, who cashed in on the game's first goal.  The Rangers meanwhile had one shot on goal in the first ten minutes of play. Then Adam Henrique slapped a screaming puck from the left circle past through Lundqvist for a 2-0 lead. Two more New Jersey goals later, and Devils goalie Cory Schneider took care of the rest.

It is hard to explain how, or why Brian Boyle was the best Rangers player on the ice, yet didn't lay a single hit on anyone.  He led the Blueshirts with four SOG, and won 9 of 13 face-offs.  But some-where in Coach Peter DeBoer's full usage of four lines which challenges the Rangers depth is your answer.  Four different forwards scored for New Jersey.

It is worth noting that Boyle, Derek Dorsett, J.T. Miller, Benoit Pouliot and Derek Stepan were all +/- zero.  Thrust into hasty action, Miller had three shots on goal and threw his body around a little bit.  Taylor Pyatt's night wasn't as good.  He was a minus-one, with only one shot on goal in more minutes and shifts than Miller.

How do we say - Henrik Lundqvist was not good.  The Devils owned a 4-0 second period lead with a total of sixteen shots on goal.  Henrik only faced nineteen all night.  Henrik is now 2-4-0 this season, and far away from his career percentages.  His current 3.45 goals against average is light years away from his career 2.27 mark, while his current .890 save percentage is well below his .920 career mark.

The New Jersey Devils are winless no more, while the Rangers road trip to ruins continues full steam ahead.  Victories over Los Angeles and Washington still appear to be nothing more than isolated moments of clarity.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Henrik's Turn To Steal Game Five

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2012 - 2013

Stanley Cup Playoffs - Quarter Final Round

 

SERIES TIED 2-2

I - WAS 3; NYR 1

II - WAS 1; NYR 0*

III - NYR 4; WAS 3

IV - NYR 4; WAS 3

*overtime

 

GAME FIVE

TONIGHT

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Washington Capitals

FROM

A Place Named After The Phone Company

Washington D.C.

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - The King of the Blueshirts Returns to Nation's Capital.

 

The 4-3 final score of Game Four didn't tell the whole story.  The Blueshirts defense was very good.  Without the services of Marc Staal again, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh and John Moore all played excellent games, once again holding Alex Ovechkin to no goals.  Overall bad play from Michael Del Zotto however, and a pair of soft goals allowed by Lundqvist almost conspired against the Rangers.

Otherwise, mission accomplished.  It was important for the Rangers to deflate some of Braden Holtby's confidence these last two games at the Garden.  In the first period when Holtby foolishly came way out of his crease to play a puck, and was forced to scramble back, he slid right past the goal mouth like Wile E. Coyote in Ice Capades.  Unsettled goalies do dumb things like that.  He then was helpless to stop Carl Hagelin's booming second period slap shot from the left circle.  Holtby allowed a PP goal to Dan Girardi inside the opening minute of the third period.  And before the final buzzer, the Blueshirts punctuated Holtby's night with some tic-tac-toe passing around the crease on Derek Stepan's goal.  That is as wide and varied an attack you'd want to confront a goalie with.  Holtby was way too comfortable during the first two games in Washington.  Eight goals and two games later, we now have ourselves a series.

Except for the last ten minutes of the second period, the Rangers played a rather complete game.  Brian Boyle was brilliant on the face off.  The Rangers won 34 face-offs versus 19 for Washington.  They also laid the body all night long - 38 hits to 20 for the Caps.  They kept penalties limited to two, and created quality shots in open ice.  Three or four times, the Rangers made good passes from the dots into the slot - See Matt Zuccarello.


And now, with Braden Holtby on the ropes, perhaps it's time Henrik Lundqvist steals a game for us on the road.  He can't be that snake-bitten, can he?  There is no arguing Henrik has allowed several soft goals this series.  Tonight, the Blueshirts need their Liege.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Brad Richard Shown Bench In Third Period

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

 VALENTINE'S DAY HEART BREAKER

 

Thursday Night Final:

ISLANDERS   4

RANGERS       3

Shoot-Out

 

Home From The Game - First Reaction

 

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Brian Boyle Plays A Good Game At Brad Richards' Expense.  Coach Torts Benches Richards In Third Period.  Kept Him Off Power Play Shift.

 

Aaron Asham and Eric Boulton Drop Gloves at 5:25 of First Period

 

 

LOOK WHAT JOHN TAVARES DID TO THE RANGERS.....AGAIN!

John Tavares didn't just tie the game in the second period, and win it for the Islanders when he put a puck behind Martin Biron in the shoot-out.  John Tavares and his line dominated the time they spent on the ice, and skated circles around the Rangers.  I should know.  I was at the game.  What's more, that was the second consecutive game he outplayed every Blueshirt skater.


In the context of a forty eight game schedule, Thursday night was a melt-down.  What else do you call a game in which the Rangers ended the first period up 2-0, then surrendered three straight goals before Carl Hagelin, who through pure effort, bailed them out with a rare power play goal, and a regulation tie?


I noticed Chris Krieder and Stu Bickel did not play.  But Brian Boyle was back on the ice for the first time in three games, and it came at Brad Richards' expense.  Coach Torts put a leash on his forward after a horrific attempt at a cross ice pass was intercepted at the defensive blue line.  On one hand, Brian Boyle was playing an exceptional game.  However, it was clear, Brad Richards had entered the in-game dog house.  This was right in line with Brad Richards' overall greater struggles this season.


Richards was benched for the first half of the third period.  He additionally was skipped over during a third period power play shift.  During the night, Brian Boyle skated with Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik instead.  Richards was reunited with Gaborik in overtime.


The Islanders win their first game in their last six tries.  The Rangers three game winning streak comes to an end.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers; Drop Islanders Early and Often

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

The Rivalry - Game One

 

THURSDAY FINAL

Islanders     1

RANGERS  4

 

 

Game Two - February 14th

VALENTINE'S DAY

...no love lost.

 

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Coach Torts Has Been Pushing Rookies Since His Arrival.

 

 

First, it warrants saying, John Tavares was the best skater on the ice Thursday night.  Okay Islanders fans, that is all.

 

 

The Rangers made a symbolic leap forward Thursday night.  They arrested third place from the Islanders with a convincing 4-1 win at the Garden.  And for a night at least, it looked as if Coach Torts successfully arrested the Blueshirts situation and corrected their way.

 

 

For the moment, J.T. Miller is making Coach Torts look good.  His ice time is coming at the expense of Brian Boyle, who apparently landed in the doghouse.  In just his second NHL game since being called up from Connecticut, Miller scored the game's opening goal after only 1:29 minutes of play.  The Islanders were defeated right then.  The Rangers rookie also gave the power play a jolt with a second period goal, which in effect makes his coach look even smarter on two fronts.  Say this about John Tortorella.  Where many coaches cringe at the mere sight of rookies, Coach Torts challenges them and throws them into the fire.  He has done that since his arrival.

 

 

On a side note, give continued credit to the Rangers Gordie Clark for the now years long and steady stream of prospects flowing through the Rangers system.  Twenty-one year old 2009 #1 draft pick  Chris Kreider and nineteen year old 2011 #1 draft pick J.T. Miller are merely the latest to arrive on the off-Broadway ice.

 

 

But consider what really happened Thursday.  Ryan Callahan returned, and Marian Gaborik scored his sixth goal of the season.  Those are clearly good things.  But the Rangers needed J.T. Miller to be the difference against the struggling Islanders.  Just ponder that for a moment.

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

New York Rangers: Importing Scorers Has Been Mixed Bag Of Pucks

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

TONIGHT

 

2013

National Hockey League

TEX'S RANGERS

REGULAR SEASON OPENER

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Boston Bruins

FROM

Not The Boston Garden

Legends Way, North End

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS:

Four Blueshirt Points Of Interest and Concern (and Worry)

1) - Improve the Power Play - The Rangers, it turns out, were very very good last season - just not great.  An overall lack of key scoring hurt.  But an abysmal power play killed.  In consecutive seasons, Brad Richards and Rick Nash have been brought to New York with the expectation they can help turn the PP unit around and have it become an offensive weapon for a change.  Because let us be honest here.  The Rangers power play has short circuited ever since Sergei Zubov last manned the point two decades ago.


2) - Give Marty Biron twelve to fifteen starts unless otherwise dictated by necessity; or it adversely affects Henrik's timing; or Marty proves it is a bad idea.  With the additional back-to-back games and an overall compressed schedule, he will obviously get his chances.  I know giving Biron that many starts seems a bit much.  Henrik would still get 33/35 starts.  Once the playoffs start, Marty Biron will effectively disappear.  However, should something unfortunately befall Henrik Lundqvist, Marty Biron will need to be up to game speed, meaning playoff speed.  In a short season scenario, everything moves fast.


3) - Will the real Brad Richards please stand up?  See below.  But all we need from Brad Richards is to be Brad Richards.  Judging by the way he performed in the playoffs, we might get it.  Then again.......


4) - Who will fight our battles now that Brandon Prust is gone?  Mike Rupp?  Brian Boyle?  Okay..., then who?    ...............(*sigh*)...............?  I thought so.  With all due respect to our Captain, the Rangers are shy in the pugilist department.  For the moment, lets leave Rick Nash out of this one.  He is a qualified tough guy.  Otherwise, this is highly concerning to me.  The Rangers led, or were among the top two (which?) NHL teams in fighting majors last season.  Now fear this.  Brandon Prust led the Rangers by far, engaging in twenty regular season fights last season.  Mike Rupp came in second with thirteen.  Stu Bickel..! - exchanged hey-makers twelve times.  Good for him.  Labelled as a bit soft, the dearly departed Brandon Dubinsky is next on the list with six fights.  Then...., Brian Boyle comes in with three.  How important is fighting to the Rangers overall game?  It depends how many fights they themselves instigated, and how many times they needed to meet the challenge.  Was their willingness to drop gloves born of necessity because veteran teams like Philly, Pittsburgh, and others thought they could take their liberties against a very young club?  Or was fighting inevitable because of their rabid, and possessed-like grinding style?  Go figure...



Finally!  It's Time To Drop The Puck And Get Broadway's Big Blue Glacier Moving FORWARD Again.

Is Marian Gaborik The Rangers Version Of Howard Johnson?

The most glaring problem facing the Rangers these past two seasons has been their ability, or inability, to score the big goal, a put-away goal, the Say Goodnight Gracie type goal.  More simply, the Rangers just need to score more goals, period.  For it is heartbreaking when fifty nine minutes of hard work and effort falls through a crack in the ice due to one very brief or fleeting defensive lapse or misplay.  With alarming frequency in last season's playoffs and culminating against the Devils, any deviation from perfection without the puck torpedoed their game.  They possessed the puck just fine.  They just couldn't find net.  Other times, they over-possessed and failed to get off shots.


The Rangers lost their bearing in the neutral zone as well.  But teams adept at scoring can many times outscore their mistakes.  The Rangers never could.  The goals the Blueshirts did score oft times came only after a supreme physical effort - the kind of effort it takes to grind granite into sand.  And as fans, we were going to buy into it no matter what.  But to their credit, Coach Torts and the team moved forward with the steady movement and power of a glacier as long as they could.  Maybe by the time they faced the surging Devils, the long grind of the Rangers style of play just caught up to Team Torts...  Or, maybe they just couldn't score.  Everything would have been fine, as is, if they could only have mustered a goal or two more.


Mind you, that's at even strength.  Because worse yet, when fans would rather fore go a power play just to continue playing at even strength, that's a problem.  The power play has been a dilemma; a crisis even; for the Rangers - not an advantage.  And that is so unlike many John Tortorella teams of the past.


Rick Nash was imported to address such issues.  This is what I said a few posts ago:

...securing a second high profile player in consecutive years (also) brings expectations. So hello Rick Nash. This ain't Columbus chum. Show me.  Rick Nash is actually the player the Rangers have been seeking on the wing for decades, or at least since the days Nick Fotiu played. Difference being, Nash is a legit scorer. He is big, and tough like Fotiu was, but a vastly more skilled forward than Fotiu could ever aspire to be. And he's young. He is entering his prime years. Alas, recent years of making mistakes with forwards such as Scott Gomez and Chris Drury seem like ages ago - perchance to dream.

On paper, this acquisition is a home run.  However, until they drop the puck to start the season, let us just keep it at that.  Because the fact is, the Rangers still have carry-over issues with two of their other recent, and fairly recent high profile acquisitions.


Will the real Brad Richard please stand up?  I'm not complaining.  This blog gave him a season's grace.  And after all, he had big moments in last year's playoffs.  But Brad without a doubt struggled during the regular season.....mightily.  So much so, Coach Torts had no choice but to demote him to the fourth line for a time.  That can not be the case this season.  But he only needs to be Brad Richards, not a savior.


With Nash on board, everyone should be carrying a lighter load, and benefiting.  But then again, that's what we fans said when the team acquired Marian Gaborik.  And we said it again when we acquired Richards.  I know many of the real cynical fans, and even some more moderate ones can't help but think, even fleetingly....., here we go again.


Within a four season stretch, the Rangers (ideally speaking) have now acquired their top three scorers.  Marian Gaborik was the first.  During Marian Gaborik's '07-'08 season with Minnesota, he scored forty two goals.  The following season, injury limited him to seventeen games and thirteen goals.  He returned healthy for the '09-'10 season, but only he now played for the Rangers.  In his first season wearing a Blueshirt, he matched his career high set two seasons ago, by scoring forty two goals.  The next season, he managed sixty two games played, but only scored twenty two goals.  There was much speculation as to whether he played the season injured.  At the end of the season, he admitted he did.  Last year, Marian Gaborik "the sniper" returned.  For the third time in the last five alternating seasons, he topped (41) the forty goal mark.  He did in fact play through injury again through last season's playoffs.  Marian Gaborik is now coming off shoulder surgery, but appears quite ready to get going.  But which Marian Gaborik will the Rangers be getting?  The forty goal scorer, or, the alternating stinker scheduled to appear this year?  In local terms, he is like the Howard Johnson of hockey.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ The King Lays Siege to Newark in Game Three

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

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

RANGERS LEAD SERIES 2-1

I  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

II  -  NJD 3; NYR 2

III  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

IV  -  Monday Night

Rangers vs. Devils; Game Three at The Rock

John Tortorella Versus The Media

Devils Pounce on Blueshirts in Game Two

The King Puts Devils on Ice

Rangers Versus Devils; Eastern Confernce Finals

 

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Coach Torts Makes The Big Move.  Henrik Lundqvist Makes The Big Saves.  The Rangers' Defense Continues To Score The Big Goals.


John Tortorella threw the media a bone Saturday afternoon.  Either that, or someone above his head told him to cool out.  Or, was that just "post-big-win" John Tortorella speaking after Game Three?  In any case, will the Media mock the gesture, or will they play it straight?  The Sunday Papers await.


But while I'm at it, who in the Media is going to make a big deal that Stu Bickel was a healthy scratch after playing a horrendous Game Two?  I told you Coach was going to make him disappear.  I didn't need Coach to say anything in order to know that.  How many even noticed?  Like I said in Coach Torts Versus The Media, he treats all his players on an individual basis according to a team concept.  Different methods work for different players.  Coach Torts yelled at Stepan while on the ice, he yelled at Hagelin while on the bench, he nailed Gaborik to the bench, and scratched Bickel.  If you guys just report what you see, you'll better understand the methods to his madness without having to badger Coach Torts about it.  If players are not contributing to the team, within the spirit of team, or the Tortorella way, Coach said it very simply, they won't find the ice.


The Devils dominated the first half of Game Three..., again.  Just like they had for roughly four of the previous six periods of hockey before Saturday.  In the second period, after Henrik made one of his more miraculous saves against Ilya Kovalchuk during a furious second period surge by the Devils, Coach Torts had finally seen enough.  He called a time out, assembled his team together at the bench, and ripped them a new one.  In the ensuing minutes, the Devils continued to dominate play.  But by the time they reached the midway point of the second period, the Rangers' iceberg-like grind started to lurch forward again.


Over the first two periods, the Devils out-shot the Rangers twenty-six shots on goal to fourteen.  The Rangers put New Jersey on the power play three times over that span as well.  And for the most part, the first thirty-five minutes of the game were spent in the Rangers' defensive zone.  But the Devils kept getting turned back by Henrik Lundqvist time and again.


What ever Coach Torts said to his team during the second intermission, apparently worked.  The Rangers came out in the third period with purpose again.  It's the same two periods to one ratio they've been playing to so far.  Only, unlike the Devils, the Rangers have been cashing in on less opportunities.


At 3:19 into the final session, Dan Girardi scored on the second of the only two power play opportunities the Rangers would get all game.  Brad Richards picked up the primary assist by winning the face-off.  The Rangers lost the face-off battle by the way.  But one minute and fifty-seven seconds later, Chris Kreider deflected a Ryan McDonagh shot past Martin Brodeur to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead with 14:03 to go.  Ryan Callahan picked up an assist on the play.


With just over two minutes left in regulation, Peter Deboer pulled Martin Brodeur for the extra attacker.  Ruslan Fedotenko and Brian Boyle assisted, as Ryan Callahan foiled Coach DeBoer's strategy at the 17:47 mark by scoring into an empty net.


Henrik Lundqvist continues to be, not only the Blueshirts', but the NHL's MVP.  He needed to make thirty-six saves in order to record his third shut-out of these playoffs and his second over the Devils this series.  Marty Brodeur only faced twenty-one shots, and let two pucks get by.


Don't forget, in spite of a renaissance season for Martin Brodeur, he's still susceptible to the occasional stinker.  In Round One against Florida, Martin Brodeur was pulled by Coach DeBoer a game after shutting out Florida.  Against Philadelphia, the Devils routinely scored four goals a night, against A) - a goof-ball of a goalie, and B) - a very undisciplined Flyers team, who couldn't bring Jersey down to their level of un-sportsmanship.  And for all Marty's complaints about the MSG ice, and the boards, only the Rangers have truly been the victims, if not just unlucky, with regards to a bouncy puck. Improved ice surface, such as in The Rock, just serves to benefit the Rangers then.., No?


And to those who demanded Henrik Lundqvist be ultra-great in the previous round, and save the Rangers from elimination, or risk having the crown removed from The King's head, your liege has just recorded his second shut-out in the Eastern Conference Finals; not the second round.  There will be no lifting of his crown.  Not by your decree.


It is very unlikely the Devils will ever score four goals in a game this series.  It's even less likely the Rangers do it.  Yet, the Blueshirts continue to live off the scoring of their defensemen.  In Game Three, Dan Girardi (3) scored yet again in these playoffs.  Thus, the Blueshirts still manage to remain a game ahead of their competition through pure will and inch closer to the NHL Finals with the slow methodical power of an iceberg.  No one actually gets to see icebergs move.  But when you look back at the path they carved through a valley, you marvel at the power.


Back in the second period, Brandon Prust planted an elbow to the back of Anton Volchenkov's head.  The Devils' defenseman went down for a moment, but continued playing without incident or indication he may have suffered a concussion.  It was a play that will no doubt be reviewed by Brendan Shannahan.  There's less doubt Brandon Prust has a suspension coming his way as well.  After the game, Coach DeBoer called the play - "Head Hunting!" on Prust's part.  Coach DeBoer didn't mince any words.  I wouldn't go that far in defense of Prust.  But what Coach Deboer said is hard to argue.


Head Hunting aside, the Battle of the Hudson is also rapidly turning into an escalation of words.  And it is mostly coming from the Devils.  Martin Brodeur has been most vocal, sharing his disdain for the Rangers, the MSG crowd, and New York City itself.  After Game Two, he spoke derisively about the Garden's ice, the boards, the glass, and everything under the famed, spoked MSG roof.  And now Coach DeBoer just kicked things up a notch with his claims of head-hunting.  So now the Rangers, and John Tortorella in particular, has a two front Media battle on his hands.


In the case of Coach DeBoer and the Media, "the enemy of my enemy, is my friend."  When Coach Torts last directed a comment Peter DeBoer's way, the Rangers' Coach told him to shut up.  Coach Torts may have satisfied the Media Saturday, but how will the Media react when he clams up again?  And what if the Devils keep trying to get under the Blueshirt's skin through the Media?  We are only going on Game Four.  Most certainly, there will be so much more added to this drama.  And why shouldn't it start tomorrow?  Zach Parise ran off without speaking to the Media after a loss on home ice.  Is Torts not answering questions still worse?  Drama indeed - as it is, Game Three ended with tempers flaring.  The carry-over from Brandon Prust's hit, into Game Four will be something to monitor.


On yet another front, the battle of adjustments continues.  After the Rangers served in Game One, Coach DeBoer made adjustments to increase the Devils' speed and open opportunities with a stronger forcheck than New York's.  That, and David Clarkson happened to the Blueshirts.  He factored heavily in New Jersery's Game Two win.  But with no impact from David Clarkson, the Devils have dropped two now.  David had one shot on goal all game.  Coach Torts' biggest Game Three adjustment came when he called time-out.  Now it's DeBoer's turn again.  Or, do the Rangers take two in Newark?


This series is still going the distance.  The Devils will readjust.  The final adjustment comes in Game Seven.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Game Six Filibuster in Washington

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

GAME SIX FINAL

Rangers   1

Capitals   2

Score Corrected from 2-0 final on 5/10/12  9:43 a.m.

Just goes to show I didn't watch the last minute of play and tuned out!

SERIES TIED 3-3

NEW YORK RANGERS:  The Blueshirts Will Either Wilt

or Shine Under the Bright Lights Off-Broadway.

Game Seven ~ Saturday Night

WASHINGTON CAPITALS SCORE THEIR THIRD GAME-WINNING POWER PLAY GOAL!

It is what it is.  Like I said in my last post - He who scores on the power play, wins.  On Alex Ovechkin's power play goal at just 1:28 of the first period, the Russian sniper simply meandered into the slot when two Ranger defenders inexplicably vacated the space.  Ovechkin was left wide open for a one-timer and the eventual game winner.  I know Coach Torts is going to freak in the film room over that one.  Meanwhile, the Rangers had a four minute opportunity and came up empty.  On the night, they were 0 for 5 with the man advantage.  The rest of the game is all about hockey drills and fundamentals.  Simple.

The Capitals have won three games by a decisive power play goal.  If not for the Rangers scoring with seven seconds left in Game Five, it could have been four.  It IS simple as that.  There's much to pick-on about Game Six for sure.  But the bottom line is, Washington has scored three game winning power play goals.  I'll say it again and again.  They only have four PP goals all series.  Almost everyone has mattered.



The Rangers pretty much got shut-out by Braden Holtby in a 2-1 Game Six in Washington.  The Rangers took thirty one shots on goal.  Holtby stopped all but one shot inside the final minute of regulation.  Henrik Lundqvist made twenty twenty-one saves.   ...all academic - It's now back to Seventh Avenue for the Rangers' second consecutive Game Seven at the Garden in these playoffs.



And so, a second call to arms is in order - the King's Horsemen must come through.  All of them.



Brian Boyle must reestablish his presence.  Ruslan Fedotenko and his experience must find a way to contribute again as well.  Artem Anisimov needs to stop being so up and down.  Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin need to turn their speed into a weapon again.  Include Derek Stepan, and here in lies a group of players the team can really use a goal from.  In Game Seven against Ottawa, those winning goals came from our defensemen; Girardi and Staal.  That's risky business heading into Saturday night.  The Rangers preferably need to score a little more conventionally with their forwards this time around.



Brad Richards has pretty much carried the Rangers through the playoffs to this point.  There can be no issue with him, even should he not factor this Saturday - much.  But it is incumbent upon Marian Gaborik, of course, and our Captain, Ryan Callahan, to help deliver the Rangers into the next round in some way shape or manner.



I just can't see hanging this on Henrik Lundqvist, although, yes, everything hinges on him.  Jason Chimera drifting into the crease unmolested and left to clean up a rebound is Henrik's fault?  That was goal number two in a virtual white-wash, but that needed to be asked.  Speaking of Jason Chimera, the man was a beast all night, up and down the ice.



It is incumbent upon the forwards of this team to stop making Braden Holtby look like Tony Esposito, Ken Dryden, and Patrick Roy all rolled into one.



That's my first pass.  More to come.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Whoa Canada; Blueshirts Facing Elimination

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

OTTAWA LEADS SERIES 3-2

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

*II and IV - overtime*

VI  -  MONDAY

NEW YORK RANGERS:  All Roads Lead Through Ottawa.

The Senators are at the Gates.

Showdown at The Garden; The Rematch

Life of Brian

It's a Series Now; Game Three

Captain Callahan and the Blueshirts Pound the Sens

Game One; Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Senators finally got their man.  They've been targeting Brian Boyle all series.  The Rangers' best player this series, was finally caught up to, and put out of action thanks to Chris Neil's blind-sided thuggery.  In my last post, I said point blank:

"I really didn't think Mike Rupp was going to have much of a role in the playoffs. Not against the Senators anyway. But maybe there's something for him to do after all. How about putting a stop to Chris Neil for starters. He needs to be eradicated. How's that for getting to the point? And Rupp just might be the guy to do it. Come up with a better plan, and get back to me on that."

Mike Rupp never did give Chris Neil something to ponder.  And as a result, Neil was free to stalk, and lay a high hit to Brian Boyle's head at mid-ice.  Boyle played a few more shifts, but was effectively removed from the game with a concussion.  But look at Brian Boyle now.  He'll potentially be missing because we failed to take proactive measures like Ottawa did in Game Two of this series.


In light of the 25 game suspension Raffi Torres received after delivering a similar type hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa, which caused the Blackhawk to get taken off the ice on a stretcher, it will be terribly interesting to see how Brendan Shanahan handles this case.  Chris Neil went un-penalized for his hit on Boyle, as all four on-ice officials failed to observe the major infraction in civility.  Instead, they called Ryan Callahan for roughing when he stood up for Marian Gaborik after he received a questionable hit.  The whistle on Mike Rupp for charging was also questionable to say the least.


The officiating has been flat-out horrific for both teams during this entire series.  At times they suffer complete blindness in both eyes, then overcompensate their ineptness with mindless whistles.  In particular to Brian Boyle's case, a linesman stood and passively watched Brian Boyle get beat-on by Matt Carkner in Game Two.  Hockey Fans understand stepping in to the fray is the responsibilities of the Orange Stripes.  But they lost me when they called Dubinsky for a third-in infraction.  Likewise with Chris Neil's hit on Boyle.  They missed the greater sin.  Just as when Marian Gaborik was the recipient of another questionable hit, the Stripes were quick to whistle Callahan for protecting a team mate when the on-ice officials wouldn't.

Regardless, the Senators continue to legislate play and out-Blueshirt Tex's Rangers at their own game.  Ottawa has done the pounding into the boards, authored said open ice hits, and crashed the net on their way to a 3-2 series lead.  They have kicked up their game a notch from the regular season like a good veteran team should.  The Rangers have not.  There has been no extra gear for the Blueshirts.  They are running at the same levels they have all season.


The superb goal tending of Craig Anderson is giving me flashbacks of the playoff shutdown effort a young Semyon Varlamov, then of the Washington Capitals, authored against us just a few short seasons ago.  In Game Five, Craig Anderson stopped the Rangers cold.  The Blueshirts took a series high forty-one shots on goal, with not even one getting by for a score.  Anderson shut-out the Rangers 2-0 Saturday night, and is the biggest reason the Rangers are now facing a first round elimination going away.


Ottawa managed twenty-nine shots against Henrik Lundqvist.  Unable to see through a screen, Jason Spezza blasted a first period shot passed Henrik from the top of the right circle at the 9:18 mark.  And that was all the real scoring this game would feature.  From then on, it was greatly a matter of Craig Anderson outlasting Henrik Lundqvist.  Which he did in brilliant fashion.


The Rangers never could get that one tying goal against Anderson.  With less than a minute left in regulation, Marian Gaborik turned the puck over at the red line.  Jason Spezza took hold and capped off Ottawa's night with an empty net goal; his second goal on the game; to close out Game Five by a 2-0 final.  The series shifts back to Ottawa where the Rangers must win if they are to bring the series back to 7th Avenue for a deciding Game Seven.


Ryan Callahan tried putting this game into his own hands like a good Captain would.  After jumping to Marian Gaborik's cause, Callahan took to crashing the net, but was called for yet another penalty; this time goalie interference.  A very short time later in the third period, Callahan was stoned by Craig Anderson on a break-away opportunity.


The power play fared no better.  The Rangers were scoreless in four opportunities.


The Rangers will have Carl Hagelin back for Game Six in Ottawa.  While his three game suspension has been served, there is still no determination as to whether Daniel Alfredsson will return from the concussion suffered as a result of Hagelin's hit in Game Two.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ The Life of Brian

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS:  King Henrik Reigns Over Ottawa.

GAME THREE FINAL

New York Rangers   1

Ottawa Senators       0

I - Rangers 4; Senators 2

II - Senators 3; Rangers 2

Rangers lead series 2-1

Chris Kreider made his NHL and Rangers debut Monday night in Ottawa.  The Rangers' blue chip is just the latest kid to come through the Blueshirts' door and seamlessly fit right in; just like the guy he replaced; Carl Hagelin; did after the start of the regular season.  He played things by the book; committing no mistakes.  And he almost scored a goal for his efforts while playing on the first line with Marian Gaborick and Brad Richards.


In Game Three of this playoff series, the kid witnessed up close and first hand, what NHL brilliance looks like.  In a word, Henrik Lundqvist was - Great.  He made thirty-nine saves and allowed no goals.  After the game, Henrik said he was still upset over letting Game Two get away from them. Meanwhile, spent the better part of Monday night taking out his frustrations on the Senators, and had a few choice words for the Stripes the more Ottawa bumped him as well.  Most of Henrik's saves were of the incredible variety.  And too many came in the game's final two minutes from point-blank range.  But Henrik stopped them all.  He carried his team with only one goal scored on the night.


That goal came from Brian Boyle.  He did it again!  The marked man with a bulls eye on the back of his jersey scored his third goal of the series with twelve minutes to go in the third period of an intense Game Three.  He didn't just score the winning goal and play another supurlative game.  He's having the series of a lifetime.  Just prior to scoring, at 7:07 the Sens went on the power play after a Callahan trip.  Boyle intercepted a puck in the Rangers' zone and chugged up ice where got slashed on a short-handed opportunity that negated Ottawa's power play.  That's the kind of night Boyle had.  As a matter of fact, the Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust Line was stellar all night long.  And the King made their effort stand up.


The last two minutes of the game were absolutely frantic however.  At the 2:00 mark, the Sens headed up ice.  But the Rangers forced a turnover in the neutral zone and dumped the puck back in Ottawa's end.  Brad Richards wound up clanking one off the crossbar.

Then, the other end of the ice turned into a heart attack in waiting.  Henrik stopped a pair of shots that get by any other goalie in the League.  What a pair of saves!  Then with their inability to clear the puck from the zone, Henrik made another save; and another; and another.  Finally, with twenty-four seconds to go, Dubinsky made the last clear.


The Rangers win Game Three 1-0 behind a shut-out performance from their goalie, and from a forward who is arguably the Rangers' best player right now; Brian Boyle.  It's his world right now.  We are merely along for the ride.


With this win, and for the moment at least, the Rangers have re-established their home ice advantage again and lead the series two games to one.


The Senators' Craig Anderson was equally magnificent minding Ottawa's net.  He stopped the Rangers cold on a number of occasions.  Like when with 4:55 left in the game, he made a brilliant save on a Callahan breakaway.  In the game, the Rangers had many quality chances the Ottawa goalie turned us away on.


The Rangers recommitted themselves to their defense Monday night.  They regrouped and regained their composure after getting knocked off track last Saturday.  If you take a look at Pittsburgh, who are now down 3-0 to the Flyers, they are presently the poster child for losing composure.


Just keep playing Blueshirt Hockey boys!




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ It's a Series Now; Game Three

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Pictures from Game Two

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Just Keep Playing Blueshirt Hockey.


I wonder how the Refs like their payoff, in American dollars or Canadian?  Because Saturday's Game Two against the Sens was one of the worst officiated games I ever witnessed.  Yeah, I was there, and what I saw made me sick.  And not because the Rangers lost in overtime either.  I'm still waiting for someone to show me where Brad Richards deserved a roughing penalty.  Sorry, that one was a little lost on me.  Just as an elbow to Ryan Callahan's head went unpunished.  At one point, two pucks appeared on the ice at the same time.  Way to go guys!


Sometimes I forget this isn't the old NHL from my childhood, when players still policed each other.  This league of never ending rule modification is getting farther and farther away from what's in the best interest of their players.  In the League's system, you get to be an on-ice rogue for as long as you act first and don't target the head.  Do that, and odds are you'll get away with something.  But don't you dare retaliate.  Or at least that's the way Brendan Shanahan sees things.  Because apparently, what's good for one player, isn't necessarily good for the other.


When I was growing up, players thought twice before perpetrating any kind of crap upon each other. Why?  For fear of getting their ass kicked - Period.  I will only say the Player System was far more successful in striking an equilibrium between players, thuggery, and a hockey game, than the Big Brother legislation technique practiced by the League today.


Bottom line, Brendan Shanahan served Carl Hagelin a three game suspension for a hockey play that ended rather high to the head of Daniel Alfredsson, which resulted in yet another concussion for the Sens' forward.  It wasn't any different than the elbow Ryan Callahan took.  Difference was, Callahan kept playing seemingly undeterred.  While Alfredsson did not return to Game One action.  Meanwhile, Matt Carkner only received a one game suspension for premeditated violence upon Brian Boyle.


This just wreaks of the call against Adam Graves for a slash to the wrist of Mario Lemieux back in 1992, that supposedly broke the Penguins' star's wrist.  While Graves sat out his suspension, Mario Lemieux returned to play and helped eliminate the Rangers from the playoffs.  It sucked then.  This sucks now.


Aside from all that, and losing, Saturday's game was actually a great game to be at.  And say what you will, but the Senators did what they needed to do at the precise time they needed to do it.  The Sens took a time out from Hockey to send their own message at MSG Saturday.  It was smart on their part now that they are headed back to Canada, and have wrestled home ice advantage away from the Rangers after literally knocking the Rangers off their game.


It took roughly twenty-two minutes to get through the first 2:30 of the game.  That's because the Sens'  Matt Carkner stalked Brian Boyle and assaulted him in retaliation for shenanigans stemming from Game One.  Brandon Dubinsky was labeled as a Third-In during the ensuing melee, and along with Carkner, was served a Game Match penalty.  On the way off the ice towards the locker room, Brandon Dubinsky did his best to channel his rage on a water cooler before disappearing from sight for the rest of the evening.

The Stripes try and assess the damage of the opening melee.

Matt Carkner is led off the ice after assaulting Brian Boyle.

Dubinsky's ejection would hurt the Rangers dearly late in the game.  Boyle and Dubinsky are usually on the ice together.  In Dubinsky's absence, Brian Boyle was forced into taking face-offs the rest of the evening.  Dubinsky's defense, fore check, and overall physicality would have been a welcome presence in the third period.  With him on the ice, maybe Ottawa doesn't tie the score late in the third period.


And maybe if Michale Del Zotto doesn't knock yet another puck inside his own net, we win that damn game!  Michael Del Zotto has done that before.  I like him, but he better get his crap together now.  He takes far too many unnecessary chances handling the puck in front of Henrik.  And that needs to be corrected.  It's the second time in the last month and a half I watched him score on our own net.  I find that absolutely PONDEROUS!


The rest of the story goes like this - Overtime.  Loss!

The Rangers and the Sens are now tied at a game apiece as the series shifts to Ottawa for the next two  games.


Just regroup and play Ranger Hockey boys.  I personally don't think the Senators can sustain their toughness all series.  That's more our style of play.  At some point, Ottawa will need to go back to doing what they do best, which is pass, skate with speed, and move without the puck.  The Sens did what they had to do Saturday.  But were it not for a Del Zotto and some bad breaks, they should be down 2-0 this series.  The Sens were fortunate to gain a tie.  There are only so many minutes the Sens can afford to keep Chris Neil on the ice.

TONIGHT

Game Three

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Quarter Finals

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Ottawa Senators

From,

The Great White North

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Captain Callahan and Blueshirts Pound Sens

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Stanley Cup Playoffs

QUARTER FINAL ROUND

GAME ONE FINAL:

Ottawa Senators       2
New York Rangers    4

Rangers lead best-of-seven series 1-0

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Ryan Callahan is a Big Hit Under
the Bright Lights Off-Broadway.

The Ottawa Senators' success in Madison Square Garden over the last few regular seasons meant absolutley nothing Thursday evening during the opening contest of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs' quarter-final round.  To the Rangers, there is no previous history.  There are no prior failures.  For the Blueshirts of 2011-2012, there is only right now.

Ottawa promptly peppered Henrik Ludqvist with fourteen shots on goal, and largely carried the first period play.  Brandon Prust and Stu Bickel committed a pair of overly aggressive penalties, which the Rangers successfully killed off.  The Rangers themselves were 0 for 1 on the PP in the first period and mustered only eight shots on goal.

But it was the Rangers' Captain; Ryan Callahan; who seized upon the first big moment of the game and wound up setting the tone for the night.  At 12:01 of the opening period, he out-muscled Filip Kuba in front of Craig Anderson and wristed a shot past the Ottawa goalie into the back right corner of the net, for a Rangers 1-0 lead.  The Captain then took it upon himself to turn up the physicality of the game.  He found and flattened Matt Gilroy into the Ottawa back boards.  Then found and drove a shoulder into Jesse Winchester at mid-ice.



In the second period, the Rangers missed an amazing opportunity to make it 2-0 game, when after Craig Anderson came way too far out of his net, the Rangers missed a shot at the empty goal.  But it was Ottawa which continued to out-shoot the Rangers over the first half of the period.  With seven minutes left, Michael Del Zoto got whistled for a very questionable tripping penalty in the Rangers' zone which the Blueshirts successfully killed off for a third time in two periods.



The Blueshirts then struck again.  Rising up as if on que, the Rangers' leading regular season scorer cashed in on a crafty play.  Marian Gaborik netted his first goal of the second season with three and a half minutes to go in the second period.  After a fake, a hesitation, and some fancy stick handling, Gaborik slipped an (unassisted) puck passed Craig Anderson for a 2-0 Rangers lead.



The Rangers carried play now, and managed to draw a hooking penalty by Filip Kuba.  They wound up being unsuccessful on their second power play opportunity of the night.  But with less than a minute left in the second period, Brian Boyle gave the Rangers what they were looking for.  A lot of hard work to keep a play alive in the Sens zone paid off for Boyle, as he scored the first ever playoff goal of his career.  The Rangers took a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.



The Rangers came out in the final session and continued to dictate the pace of the game.  And early in the third period, the Rangers fore-check started to take it's desired effect.  They forced a turnover behind the Ottawa's net when Carl Hagelin stormed in upon his man and separated the puck.  He found Brad Richard skating down the slot who recieved a good pass and wristed the Rangers' fourth goal of the evening behind a bewildered Craig Anderson.



Halfway through the third period, Daniel Alfredsson finally did what he does so well.  He deflected a shot towards net beyond Henrik Lundqvist for the Sens' first goal of the evening.



With twelve minutes left, the Rangers went on their fourth power play of the evening.  And for the fourth time, they came up empty.



For most of the third period, each team limited the other to just two shots on goal.  And wouldn't you know, with less than three minutes left in the game, Ottawa made their third shot of the period count.  The Sens pulled within two goals but had little time to score two more.



With only seconds left on the clock, Ryan Callahan took a shot from the Ranger end towards an empty Ottawa net but missed.  He might have missed, but it was appropriate that he should take the last shot of the game.  He scored the Rangers' first goal, and laid some pretty big hits over the course of the game.  The Captain's Rangers won Game One, of their quarter-final series against the Ottawa Senators by a 4-2 final score.



Ottawa's two third period goals did little to diminish Henrik Lundqvist's stellar effort tonight.  Although the two goals did tarnish it a bit.  On Alfredsson's goal, Henrik had absolutely no defensive help.  The second goal, well, it was scored off a hell of an angle.  There's no taking away however, Henrik was huge.  He faced thiry-two shots and turned back thirty.



For the Rangers, their big names stepped up big time.  Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik, and Brad Richards all showed up to shine in the bright light Off-Broadway.  And it couldn't have been possible without the supporting cast of Brian Boyle, Artem Anisimov, Carl Hagelin, and solid play by the Blueliners.



If there is a way to start a seven game playoff series, this was it.  The Rangers got off to a questionable start.  But before the game got away from them, Coach Torts called a time out and readjusted his team's attitude.  The results from that moment on, led to a satisfying Game One victory.



Hey!  Hey!  Hey!




Mike.BTB