N.Y. Rangers: New Off-Broadway Order

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RETIRE GRESCHNER'S NUMBER!

The Chris Drury/Gerard Gallant Era Begins

How appropriate that the Rangers should start the new season against the Washington Capitals.  Lest we forget, it was Tom Wilson's indiscretions against Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin that generated a season-ending maelstrom at Madison Square Garden.  

To this day, I'm still very conflicted over the way last season, and the former regime came to an abrupt and fateful end.  I was a major proponent of Jeff Gorton and John Davidson and in lockstep with their rebuild.  However, a continued lack of physicality remained an outstanding issue and was brought to a head after playing Washington.

Yes!  Jim Dolan meddled in Ranger affairs unlike any other time since being handed stewardship of the team by his father.  That is an entirely different conversation.  In any event, I was still never wholly comfortable and settled with the new front office for as long as Glen Sather remained in the room - again, another conversation.

I heard all the rumors and scuttlebutt and read every account, and I am still unable to decipher what exactly happened and whether I agree with any of it or not.

That being said, I am yet to protest the respective dismissals of Gorton and Davidson.  Nor am I averse to moving forward under Chris Drury with Gerard Gallant as head coach.

This was easily the strangest off-season in my life as a Ranger fan.

Insofar as Wednesday night's opener, 

... terrible.

Five goals allowed on 27 Washington shots on goal, three goals allowed on the power play, and two second-period goals scored within 0:24 seconds of each other.

Alexandar Georgiev looked out of sorts, just 22 saves and none on the penalty kill.

Big money man Mika Zibanejad led all forwards with 25 shifts and 20:26 minutes but generated no assists, no goals, and not a single shot on goal.

I do not want Chris Kreider as captain of this team, although he did score the Rangers' only goal.

N.Y. Rangers ~ N.Y. Islanders; The Rivalry - VI

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE RIVALRY - VI

NYR Lead Series 3-2

I - Oct 15; NYI 4  -  NYR 2

II - Nov 15; NYR 4  -  NYI 2

III - Dec 22; NYR 4  -  NYI 2

IV - Dec 26; NYR 3  -  NYI 0

V - Feb 24; NYI 4  -  NYR 3*

* Shoot Out

 

New York Islanders

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

From,

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

33rd Stree at 7th Avenue

NYC

 

NEW YORK RANGERS:   What!?  Me Worry!?

For the first time this season, the Blueshirts have lost three regulation time games in a row.  Additionally, New Jersey was the first team to defeat the Rangers three times by administering them a 4-1 physical pounding on March 6th.  In the Rangers' very next game, Ottawa became the second team to accomplish the feat when they also pounded out another convincing 4-1 win over the Blueshirts.  Then came that unfortunate game against the Chicago Blackhawks.  Of the last three games we've played, that was the game I wanted most.  For me, it was one of the more deflating losses of the season.

Suddenly the view from the top is getting a little more crowded and a lot more perilous.  Teams are getting better all around the Rangers while they keep put-putting around.  Pittsburgh is just on a flat-out tear.  Philadelphia has a goalie who can stop pucks again.  And with a win over the Islanders Saturday night, the Devils are still winning too.

There are fifteen games left in the regular season.  And don't look now, but the drop from first place in the Eastern Conference to fourth place is only four points away.  If the Penguins over-take us in the Atlantic Division, it's chutes and ladders for the Blueshirts.  Pittsburgh just happens to be playing their best hockey of the season right now while the Blueshirts are just now stumbling into a down turn in fortunes.

Brad Richards finally scored a goal though.  But then again, it came in the final minute when Coach pulled Henrik for the extra skater against Chicago.  So let's go ahead and ask now; - Is Richards finally going to come through and become the big name, high priced, free agent center, SLASH, scorer, the Rangers have spent an inordinate amount of years and money in search of?  Because if he's not, it's time we stopped pampering him.  If he's not going to be that player for us, when do we start calling him out for what he's been, which has been nothing more than a healthier version of an inconsequential Chris Drury.

Chris Drury's failure on Broadway is what helped precipitate the Rangers' youth movement in the first place.  So in that respect, all hail Chris Drury.  But praise futility at your own expense.  Brad Richards came here under far different circumstances.  He was expected to be a game changing player for us.  We don't need any more savvy veterans who lead young kids by being a good guy.  We need a player who's going to take his Captain's lead, and be a threat skating at his side.

Nothing is going to change about this team.  We know who we are.  And so leave the playoffs alone for a moment.  We are about to start a run of seven consecutive games at home.  The name of the game for right now is winning points.  Let's beat the Islanders and get two points.  Then lets beat the Hurricanes and get two points before the Penguins come to town.  And then we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.  What will help us most between now and next Thursday..., is points.  Keep the points on our side heading into that game.

Are you worried?  Don't freak out yet.  Let's see what playing at home does for us first.

That is all.  See you at the game.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ NHL Playoffs; Round One Preview

2010-2011

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS

NEW YORK RANGERS

8th Seed ~ 44-33-5 ~ 93 Points ~ 3rd Place Atlantic Division

VS.

Washington Capitals

1st Seed ~ 48-23-11 ~ 107 Points ~ 1st Place Southeast Division

GOALS FOR:

Rangers 16th ~ 233

Capitals  19th ~ 224

GOALS AGAINST

Rangers  5th ~ 198

Capitals  4th ~ 197

POWER PLAY
Rangers  18th ~ 16.9%
Capitals  16th ~ 17.5%

PENATLY KILL
Rangers  10th ~ 83.7%
Capitals  2nd ~ 85.6%

NEW YORK RANGERS:  The Rematch!

Blueshirts Seek Revenge Against Washington for 2009 Playoff Elimination.

Two years ago in the opening round of the NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs, we held a three games to one advantage over the Washington Capitals.  Then four things happened to us that ruined our season.

ONE - Washington's Coach Bruce Boudreau yanked his starting goalie; Jose Theodore in Game 4 and inserted a rookie; Semyon Varlamov.  Varlamov played in six games for the Capitals during the entire 2008-2009 season.  Did I say SIX games?

TWO - Coach John Tortorella benched Sean Avery in Game 5.  He was arguably the Rangers' best player that series.

THREE - Coach John Tortorella received a well deserved one game suspension in Game 6 of that series. 

Is it all coming back to you now?

FOUR - ...and out the door.  The New York Rangers lost Game 7. 

The Rangers blew a three games to one lead.  They lost three in a row.  They lost the series four games to three.  They lost.  I like the pain of being repetitive and saying we lost as many ways as I can.  I say, Embrace The Pain!  Because we'll know not to do it again.  Perchance to dream...

Warm-Ups ~ Rangers vs Capitals; 2008-2009  NHL Playoffs

NEW YORK RANGERS:  PARTNERS IN GRIND

For me personally, the move of the series was Coach Boudreau swapping out his goalies.  What a bold move.  And Varlamov, the rookie, played like a ten year Pro in return for the opportunity.  This season, Coach Boudreau triggered an equally bold move similar to the way he inserted Varlamov in-series two years ago during the playoffs.  Coach Boudreau demanded the Capitals play defense for a change, from the mid-season on.  We caught the Capitals in mid-lesson a pair of times this season.  Learning a new defensive system didn't come to the Caps right away.  But just in time for these playoffs, they seem to finally get it.  Hurray for us.

Two years ago, the experts kept reiterating over and over again that if Sean Avery turned out to be the Rangers' best player on the ice, they'd lose the series.  They turned out to be right.  But the fact remains, Sean Avery was staging a clinic against Washington.  But both he and Coach Tortorella decided to lose their minds at the same time and well....., we just spiralled into the toilet.  There's little chance of that scenario playing out again.  Coach Torts has limited Sean Avery's minutes all season long and made him a healthy scratch several times down the stretch.  There is little to no trust at all on Coach's part to work with.  With Chris Drury back, there's no reason to believe Coach Torts will allow Avery to skate meaningful minutes throughout this series. 

But you know what?  Both Coach and Avery are unpredictable.  Avery can very well squeeze himself into the line-up if Coach remembers just how good he was against the Caps two years ago.  But before we say there is hope for the embattled forward, ask yourself if Coach Torts is willing to exponentially increase his risks of putting Washington on the power play?  Put that way, it's not so personal anymore.

The quality and quantity of young Rangers called upon to fill needs over the last two seasons makes that Washington series two years ago seem like a very distant memory.   We finally got around to at least start disassembling that team of two years past.  Those who remain suffered injury riddled seasons.  But that season was presented to you by the Ranger's Old Guard. 

Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, and Marc Staal were still under different tutelage then.  Today they are the young vets driving the New Ranger Guard.  In this year's version of the Rangers, the older veterans compliment them.  True, Ryan Callahan will be lost for what could be the remainder of the playoffs, but the quantity of young, gritty hockey players on this roster, might be able to over-come his loss.

The question in this series is which team adapted faster and is better adjusted to their Coach's demands?  Have the Capitals mastered the defense Coach Boudreau asked of his team more quickly than the young Rangers have gained maturity to be strong minded enough in order to meet the physical challenges of NHL playoffs?

Stepan, Zuccarello, Sauer, Anisimov, and McDonagh are all pretty much entering the Unknown Zone.  The regular season was just a quiz compared to the test they will start taking Wednesday night.  Get plenty of sleep and eat your Wheaties, Boys.  This won't be easy.

The Rangers won the season series against the Capitals three games to one.  If that gives the Rangers nothing else, it gives them confidence they can tame Washington long enough to win four games before they do.  But if we do something stupid like think we are their equal...? - We will surely lose.  A tally of the end of season numbers indicate the Rangers and Capitals are very close in most offensive and defensive categories.  But we seem to play best when we appear over-matched on paper.  So, the Rangers must stay true to the plan and take care of all the little things, so that the bigger things will take care of themselves.  Cliche'?  Yes,  But in our case, - True.

As a Rangers fan, because Callahan is out, you have to be thinking, - if only Chris Drury can ride the wave of his goal scored against the Devils into and through the playoffs.  A blast from the past performance by the Ranger Captain would be most welcome.  He's certainly been through this before and will be able to shed a lot of light as to what it takes to win playoff games and impart some of that knowledge on the young guys.  But remember I said this; - IF Chris Drury is skating upwards of 19:00 minutes a night, it means we're killing off too many penalties.  That's just food for thought.

Ruslan Fedotenko and Coach Torts have done this before also.  There will be growing trust in Fedotenko moving forward.  Likewise, I see Vinny Prospal getting a lot of ice-time.  He's been on fire since returning from a bad knee finishing with twenty points in the last twenty games.  He scored in his first game back this season and went on to score the last goal of the regular season for the Rangers against the Devils.  If his knee is up to the grind, he may lead the Rangers in minutes over several of these games.

This team is still in dire need of the occasional goal from Wojtek Wolski, Brandon Prust, and Brian Boyle.  They will all have to score at least a goal each in this series if it goes deep.  Marian Gaborik is still yet to perform like the 40+ goal scorer of last year and it appears as if Coach Torts is losing more confidence in him by the day.  Gaborik was increasingly benched for long periods during games down the stretch.  I am terribly interested to see what line the beleaguered forward gets put on.  But if there's a time for last year's Gaborik to show up, there's no better time than now.

Outside of Ryan Callahan, I have left "the core" for last. 

This may sound bold, but I am expecting Marc Staal to have a HUGE series.  Great players need great moments to unfold before them.  Then, they seize it.  I think the challenge of these playoffs will bring out the animal in Staal and that our back-line star is about to become unleashed.  I think he has finally grasped the concept of anger.  Enter Alex Ovechkin and all that's left is to drop the puck and watch it happen.

My picture from 2008-2009 playoffs vs Washington.

The challenge of the playoffs is also knocking on Brandon Dubinsky's door.  These playoffs may very well determine whether or not Brandon Dubinsky is a New York Ranger for the long term.  Round One and any subsequent playoffs for the Blueshirts are now his ocean to sink or swim in.  He is the Rangers' leading scorer this season, but I think it's hardly a representative number.  I am not picking on Dubinsky.  I'm merely stating there is another level of play that must be achieved by our beloved forward, and it needs to be tapped into now; when the team needs it most, and while his Partner In Grind is down with a busted ankle.  Is Brandon Dubinsky the core player that Coach Torts always says he is?  Brandon Dubinsky needs to prove that out right now.

And of course, our biggest weapon against the Capitals is obviously our goalie; Henrik Lundqvist.  I apologize for wasting a lot of your time.  All I had to say was everything starts and ends with Henrik and we could have called it a night.

Can anyone see Coach Torts giving Chad Johnson a start?  ...Didn't think so.

After riding Henrik Lundqvist for seventeen consecutive starts to end last year's season, he needed treatment on his knees after amassing 73 starts in total.  He was breaking down more-so than we knew.  After Marty Biron's injury this season, Henrik has started twenty-seven consecutive games to end the season.  Playoff game one, will be number twenty-eight.  But Marty Biron still enabled Henrik to keep his starts at a lower number than last year before he went down.   The King looks, and says he feels great.  His 36-27-5 record; 11 shut-outs; 2.28 GAA and .923 Save percentage back that up.  The bottom line here is that our goalie is better than their goalie.

Nothing we do is easy.  But we do many things well.

It's going to take all seven games and it may not always be pretty,

but I'm picking the Blueshirts in Seven.

ENJOY THE REMATCH

LET'S GET OUR REVENGE

From 2008-2009 NHL Playoffs

LET'S GO RANGERS

RECENT POSTS

The Blueshirts Are A Tale Of Two Teams

Devil of a Game; Hell of a Night

Who Needs Sean Avery Now?

My photos

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ Devil of a Game; Hell of a Night

The Rangers Are In The Playoffs!



The Sounds and Voices Of An Instant Classic:
Game #82 was especially excruciating for me.  I had tickets to the game but had to work and was forced to listen to the game on radio.  All Hail Dave Maloney and Kenny Albert who never, ever call anything short of a great game!  From the streets of Bay Ridge, I was shouting HEY! HEY! HEY! during all of early Saturday afternoon.  Their radio call will be one of the more memorable games I've ever listened to.  But of course, it will be memorable only because we won.

GAME #82

Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

FINAL

New Jersey Devils ~ 2

NEW YORK RANGERS ~ 5

NYR Finish Season ~ 44-33-5 ~ 93 Points

3:00 p.m.

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Blueshirts Turn Back the Reaper!  But Denying The Devil(s) Only Bought Them Four More Hours Of Life.

The game every Ranger fan dreaded versus the New Jersey Devils got under way at Madison Square Garden early Saturday afternoon; much earlier than Carolina's game against Tampa Bay would.   In the their final game of the regular season, they absolutely needed two points and a Carolina loss in order to qualify for the playoffs.  Anything less, and they'd be out, having let a playoff spot they've held on to for so long, get away.

It did not start well for the Blueshirts.  With only 2:03 gone by, Ilya Kovalchuk literally found a puck that took a not so funny bounce off the boards.  He cashed in on a good break for the Devils and gave them the early 1-0 lead.

Then, in what must undoubtedly be one of, if not the most important contributing factor in deciding this game for the Rangers was the return of Chris Drury.  At his best, he's been known to be in the right place at the right time and score the big, important, gotta have goal.  He hasn't necessarily been quite that guy here and his Captaincy is repeatedly questioned by many.  But on his first shift, in his first game back from a second lengthy injury this season, THAT old, great moment-Drury showed up when he came storming in from the far corner towards net and backhanded the tying goal under Marty Brodeur, only 1:11 after Kovalchuk's opening goal.  It was the Captain's first goal of the season and it could not have come at a more critical time for the Rangers.  That goal was a reward for an unheralded good guy, who throughout all his setbacks and self-admitted ineffectiveness, always maintained a correct attitude about his status on the team.  But that goal kept the Rangers and their heads in the game because it was such a quick response.  And maybe just as importantly, that goal kept the MSG crowd loud and raucous in support of their Blueshirts.  Even Coach Torts, if you watched the highlights, for a split second, could be caught smiling behind the bench when Drury scored, but quickly wiped it off.  That speaks a ton as to how Coach feels about Drury.  Coach was never known as an in-game smiler.

Now think of something in life that really makes you angry.  Here's one of mine; - Giving up a goal with less than a minute to go in a period.  And so, I was angry when Ilya Kovachuk scored his second goal of the game with only 0:42 left in the first period to put the Devils back up by one.  That left MSG's crowd with the coming 20 minute intermission to stew over their dilemma and ponder their future.

Commenting on the second and third periods after the game, Coach said they didn't necessarily out-hustle the Devils more-so than they scored opportunistic goals.  But we know opportunistic goals in Coach's system are by design.  And so the Rangers began to exert what little control they held regarding anything beyond tomorrow.   However way you classify the three second period goals scored by the Rangers, they were greatest trio of goals they'd score in a second period this season.

Opportunistic goal number one of the second period came quickly at 1:52 of the period when Wojtek Wolski's shot found net.  With the score now even at two goals apiece, the Blueshirts had themselves a new game.  Opportunistic goal number two of the period came at 11:59, when Ryan McDonagh, like Drury, found the most crucial time in the Rangers' season to score his first goal of the season.  Incidentally, it was the first NHL goal of his career and the most important goal of the Rangers' entire season.  McDonagh's goal eventually proved to be the Rangers' game-winner.

Then came the insurance goals.  At 16:06 of the second period, Brandon Prust netted the Rangers' fourth goal of the game slamming home a rebound off a Brandon Dubinsky shot taken from Brodeur's right.  And after a full forty minutes played in the Rangers' last game, they were now owners of a 4-2 lead with only twenty minutes left in their regular season. 

This was a 4-2 lead the Blueshirts needed to protect in order to just stay alive for a playoff spot.  After eighty-one games and two periods of Hockey, the Rangers were charged with winning the final twenty minutes if only to have the rest of their fate determined later in the day when the Hurricanes would host the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Many would argue the best defense is a good offense.  The Rangers gave a little credence to that notion.  Insurance goal number two came at 10:35 of the third period.  Vinny Prospal returned to the Rangers' line-up twenty games ago after what seemed to be an eternity for the team and the forward.  And he's been Hercules in a Blueshirt ever since.  With twenty points in his returning twenty games back to action, it was only fitting that he should score the last Rangers' goal of the afternoon and seal this desperately needed victory for the Rangers.
The final score was Rangers 5;  Devils 2.  Happily, instead of the Rangers' season being over, the Blueshirt's day was only half done but not without being riddled by anxiety.  The Rangers and their fans still had the matter of a Hurricanes/Lightning game left determining their playoff status.

7:00 p.m.

Rebuffed in New York, The Grim Reaper Sought To Snatch The Blueshirts' Season In Carolina.

A win by Carolina and the Rangers were out of the playoffs and the Hurricanes were in.  With a Carolina loss, the Rangers would return to the playoffs after missing out last season by one point. 

With so much going for them over the final quarter of the season, the Rangers somehow found themselves in less control of their future than they did this time last season when they were trying to claw their way into the playoffs.  But their chances of making the playoffs last season remained in their hands right up until that last shot got by Henrik Lundqvist in the shoot-out versus Philadelphia which definitively ended everything for the Blueshirts.   This year as the season wound down, they were desperately trying to hold on to what they fought to so hard to achieve.  However, when game eighty-two on the schedule rolled around and went final, to Coach Torts' dismay, the Rangers found out 93 points still wasn't good enough to earn a playoff spot (yet).  After a season which brought so much injury, reconstruction on the fly, growth, on-ice improvement, and large strides forward as an organization, there was only so much the Rangers could do to remain alive.  They played their way into a situation where they needed help.

How ironic is it, that the fate of the Rangers' playoff hopes now rested with the team who fired John Tortorella and making him available to become coach of the New York Rangers?  John Tortorella's former team, the Tampa Bay Lightning and their willingness to beat the Carolina Hurricanes, because this game would have no bearing on their own payoff slot, were what stood between the Rangers and the post-season.  The Rangers already did what they could earlier in the day.  They'd have to wait now, for a final score from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

Hurricane goalie Cam Ward has had some pretty incredible games this season stopping what seemed like millions of shots to me.  He was a horse down the stretch leading the League in starts and was third in wins with thirty-seven.  But in all honesty, I felt the Tampa Bay's pure scorers would be just a little too much for Cam Ward to overcome this game.  The Hurricanes and Lightning split a home-and home back on March 25th and 26th.  So, I was counting on him being off for one night.  After losing a 2-1 OT duel to Buffalo, Ward stifled and shut out Detroit 3-0 while stopping 42 shots on goal in game #80 for Carolina.  He followed that up with a 6-1 near blanking of Atlanta in game #81 leading into the finale versus Tampa Bay.

Once they dropped the puck, from a Rangers' point of view, things went very right, very early for the Blueshirts and Tampa Bay.  Half way through the first period, the Lightning were already staked to a 2-0 lead and Ranger fans were feeling slightly better about their chances.  When the first period ended, the Lightning were ahead 3-0.  A fourth Tampa goal in the second period forced the Hurricanes to go into panic mode.  They scored once, but the session ended with Tampa Bay leading 4-2 after two.  Two Tampa empty net goals late in the third period ended any chance the Carolina Hurricanes had of coming back.  By 9:30pm Saturday night, Carolina was done, and I'm sure their fans will debate whether they ever showed up last night in the first place.

Above the Mason/Dixon Line, news of Carolina's 6-2 loss was met with Blueshirt Fan exuberance.  The New York Rangers are in the Playoffs.  In the end, 93 points was just good enough.

9:30 p.m. Saturday

We can all exhale now.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ Blueshirts Need Sympathy From The Devils

Please allow me to introduce myself, 

I'm a man of who bleeds Ranger Blue.

I've been rooting well over thirty long years,

for a Team that disappoints you.

And I was 'round in nineteen seventy-nine,

When Greschner's goal caused Islanders pain.

Made damn sure the Isle fans,

dropped their heads, and cried in vain.

Pleased to meet you,

Hope we win this game.

But what's puzzling me,

Is the nature of our pain.

I stuck around Seventh Avenue,

When we chanted Glen Sather's name in vain.

And here we are in game eighty two,

chasing the eighth playoff spot yet again.

I wrote a check,

At the owner's behest,

For renovations,

And the bars they'll make.

Pleased to meet you,

We have to win this game!  Ooh Yea.

But what's puzzling me,

Is why Avery can't get into the game!  Oh Yea!

Woo Who    Woo Who

I remember with glee,

When Messier scored three.

When he guaranteed that game,

And won for you and me!

Woo Who   Woo Who

I shouted out

what ails the Rangers,

When after all,

it was Chris Drury.

Let me please introduce myself,

I'm a fan that bleeds Ranger Blue.

They socked us with a 29% increase,

And they want us to keep Glen Sather too.

Pleased to meet you,

I hope you feel my pain.

But what's confusing you,

Is the fact Here We Go Again.

So if you meet me,

have some empathy,

have some sympathy,

then run away in haste.

Use all your given speed to flee,

or our Karma will lay your soul to waste.

Um Yea! 

Get Down!

WoooWho   WoooWho  WoooWho 

What's my name?

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON - VI

Dancing With The Devils

GAME #82

Last Chance To Make

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

vs

New York Rangers

From

MADISON HELL GARDEN

NEW YORK RANGERS:  There are exactly sixty regulation minutes left in the Blueshirt's season.  And we still don't know who will show up Saturday.

The Devils' valiant charge towards the playoffs fell just a little bit short.  Just a smidgen of a better start and the Rangers wouldn't even be in this conversation.  IF the Devils had managed to get their act together just a wee-bit earlier, the Rangers are definitely out of the playoffs and tomorrow's game is mute instead of it having meaning only to the Rangers' chances at the post-season.  But I know, Devils fans know, and we Rangers fans all know, New Jersey would love nothing more than to invite misery over for dinner because we all know misery loves company.  Devil fans won't have the playoffs to enjoy for the first time in a very long time.  But they can still have tomorrow.  Beating the Rangers would make them feel good; I'm sure.

I'm not trying to take credit for common knowledge.  If you followed my Ranger posts, you know full well I predicted this long ago.  It's not something I'm happy about.  But it's something we all sensed was going to happen.  We are playing the New Jersey Devils on the last game of the season, needing two full points for a chance to make the playoffs.  The Rolling Stones have a song that describes our dilemma beautifully.  It's called Dancin' With Mr. D.  As you see, I've had the Rolling Stones on the mind tonight.

The Rangers are a big stone, rolling downhill, gaining momentum, and right out of the playoffs.   That's how critical ONE game is during this time of year.  And the Rangers have certainly tripped over their fair share of rocks to get them in this situation...Again.

Will the team that made mince-meat out of Washington a few times this season show up Saturday?  Will the same team that defeated the Flyers twice in their last two meetings show up?  Will the team who played their biggest game of the season against Boston and won this year's series against them show up?  Pittsburgh; Montreal; Vancouver; San Jose; Chicago; - We beat them all.  Will that team show up tomorrow against the New Jersey Devils?

OR, will the team that played down to Buffalo's back-up goalie; the team that played down to Atlanta's back-up goalie;  the team who couldn't get up for a game against Florida and Ottawa; the team that got thoroughly whooped-up on by the New York Islanders....show up?

Will it be no goals; one goal?  Or will it be five goals or six?  Which is it going to be?  Talk to me Saturday at about 3:30pm.

as of Thursday

THURSDAY'S FINAL

Atlanta Thrashers 3

New York Rangers 2

MADISON SQUANDER GARDEN:

Tie breakers are not in the Rangers favor.  The only thing they had in their favor was two season saving games versus Philadelphia and Boston.; being able to play the last three games of the season at home; and managing to hold on to their own destiny.

All that is now off the table.  The Rangers officially need help.  How they continually play smart, spirited and winning Hockey against the League's more elite teams, then offer up stinkers like they did against the fading Thrashers is beyond comprehension.

Know this; If the Rangers season is lost, never forget the names of Jhonas Enroth and Ondrej Pavelec.  Those are Buffalo's and Atlanta's goalies respectively.  Both of them shut the Blueshirts out.  After you ingrain those two names and games into your medulla oblongata , remember how the New York Islanders thoroughly punked us out and there-in lies your explanation as to why the Rangers fell in the standings like a piano out of the sky.

Sean Avery ~ 8:19 of ice time?  Really Coach?  Don't tell me it's not personal.



Friday Night Freights For The Rangers

April 8, 2011

FINAL

CAROLINA HURRICANES ~ 6

ATLANTA THRASHERS ~ 1

FINAL
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS ~ 3

BUFFALO SABRES ~ 4

O/T

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

#1 ~ Washington

#2 ~ Philadelphia

#3 ~ Boston

---------------------------------------

#4 ~ Pittsburgh

#5 ~ Tampa Bay

#6 ~ Montreal ~ 94 Points
#7 ~ Buffalo ~ 94 Points

#8 ~ Carolina ~ 91 Points *(own tie-breakers vs NYR)

---------------------------------------

#9 ~ NEW YORK RANGERS ~ 91 Points

It's just us, and Carolina. 

Buffalo clinched their playoff spot Friday night.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ Who Needs Sean Avery Now!?

New York Rangers:  Coach Torts Needs Avery!  That's Who.

Someone will have to pick up the slack now that Ryan Callahan has been lost to injury.  But not only that, the person or people now responsible for being Coach Torts on the ice need to make sure Coach doesn't do anything loopy in light of his (our) loss.  Losing Ryan Callahan now, could very well make Coach lose his mind.  Everything Coach Torst wants this team to be, is embodied by Ryan Callahan.  Now Skipper has lost his Little Buddy and I'm worried.  Coach trusts no one like he does Callahan.  With no one else to trust besides Henrik and Marc Staal, Coach must not be allowed to get too experimental with his forward lines.  Tinkering is one thing; overhauls are another.  Does it make a difference the way Coach has juggled his lines this season?  Yes, it still matters, because it was looking as if Coach knew which nine forwards he'd be riding into the potential second season.  Now that all changes.

Who will Coach Torts slot into the line with Dubinsky and Anisimov?  Will he move Marian Gaborik up?  Will he give Derek Stepan another promotion?  Which ever way you care to ponder this, Sean Avery is officially a Ranger again whether Coach likes it or not.  After a season of shunning the forward and limiting his minutes, Coach Tortorella must now look to Sean Avery to fill in for Ryan Callahan, in some form or capacity, and keep the Rangers' playoffs aspirations buoyant.  But when you get right down to it, Avery is the logical choice to pick-up Callahan's minutes, because anything beyond Avery as a solution is too complicated and involves too many moves to the lines.

It's funny how life goes around in circles.

Sean Avery's penalty minutes compared to the rest of the team are sky high (although Brandon Prust is a close second).  We know this.  But if you are familiar with Avery's game, you know he does most things well.  He has been very effective when Coach Torts lets him on the ice and when Sean doesn't put himself in the penalty box.  But if there has been one major flaw in Sean Avery's game this year, it's he hasn't been able to finish a play.  We know he digs in the corners, is a good skater, and passes very well.  He's usually in position and anticipates just as well.  He creates plays from behind the net and is a tenacious fore-checker.  But all that has not translated into goals for Avery.  It's been nothing short of tough luck because, like I said, he does everything else well.  But the lack of scoring has been something that has plagued the team as a whole.  The team's scoring chances and Avery's chances have been there this season, but sometimes they and he, just seem to get stymied by a goalie who decides to play his career best game against the Rangers.

The bottom line here is Coach Torts and Sean Avery need to find some common ground to work on, so this team can continue moving forward.  And even I'll admit, this is all fine and well, but Sean Avery also needs to play disciplined Hockey.

I've heard early rumors Coach Torts is thinking about using Matt Gilroy on the wing.  Really?  C'mon Coach, you've been so good this year.  Don't start doing wacky things now.  We all know Ryan Callahan is to Coach Torts what Yogi Berra was like to Casey Stengel.  They both hated playing without their "Guy".  But Gilroy on the wing is a complete panic move.  There is absolutely no reason to even contemplate such an idea when the obvious "solution" to life without Callahan right now is Sean Avery.

You have a guy Coach.  All you have to do is look to your left and you'll see him at the end of the bench.  He's been there the whole time.  Just call his number and he'll come-a-skating, ready with stick in hand.

Remember back two years ago, when the rest of the Rangers were choking away a three games to one lead against the Capitals and a young goalie named Varlamov in the playoffs?  I'm sure you do.  Then you'll also remember Sean Avery put on a clinic as to how the game of Hockey is supposed to be played.  I'm not saying Sean is still that guy more nights than not.  I'm just trying to jar a memory of Sean Avery in a Ranger jersey during the playoffs.  And if you don't remember how well he played that series, consider yourself officially reminded.

There were no playoffs for this team last year.  If they're not careful, there will be no playoffs for them this year.  But the last time this team made the playoffs, Sean Avery was busy being the Rangers' best player.

So how about it Coach?  It's time to get Sean Avery on the ice and give him important minutes again.  It's not what I want.  It's what the team needs.  And John Tortorella needs to do so by impressing upon his beleaguered forward, he's being sent out with the full confidence and trust of his Coach.

If you've noticed, I haven't made one mention of Chris Drury throughout all this.  That's because I'm not interested.

"There's not need to fear" - Sean Avery is here. 

It's time for UNDER DOG's REVENGE!

March 6, 2011

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS:

#1 ~ Washington ~ 105

#2 ~ Philadelphia ~ 103

#3 ~ Boston ~ 99

#4 ~ Pittsburgh ~ 102

#5 ~ Tampa Bay ~ 99

#6 ~ Montreal ~ 93

#7 ~ Buffalo ~ 92

#8 ~ NEW YORK ~ 91

--------------------------------

#9 ~ Carolina ~ 87

Yesterday ~ March 5th

Buffalo 4;  Tampa Bay 2

While the Rangers were off yesterday, Buffalo downed the Lightning and gained a point over the Blueshirts.

Buffalo has two games remaining ~ FLYERS; @Blue Jackets,  End April 9th.

Today ~ March 6th

Detroit 0;  CAROLINA 3

Carolina earned their 89th point tonight with a 3-0 shut-out of the Detroit Red Wings which puts them a mere two points behind the Rangers for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Carolina has two games remaining after tonight ~ @Atlanta; LIGHTNING,  End April 9th.

Last Two Games of the Regular Season for NYR

vs. Atlanta; New Jersey - End April 9th.

THURSDAY

Atlanta Thrashers

11th Place ~ 33-34-12 ~ 78 Points

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

8th Place ~ 43-32-5 ~ 91 Points

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

33rd Street and 7th Avenue

Thrashers vs Rangers: Pre-Game:

Atlanta faded down the stretch.  They got as close as 10th place (I believe) then fell back into the pack.  They have lost two straight coming onto this game and are fresh off a Tuesday night loss to Nashville.  They are still a team which represent nothing but trouble to the Rangers.  These two teams are special team units passing each other in the night.  In the last seven games the Thrashers have given up one lone goal on their last nineteen times on a power play kill.  The Rangers power play, even with the addition of Brian McCabe still hovers around 17% which ranks 16th in the League.

The Rangers were riding high coming off back-to-back wins over Philadelphia and Boston.  Then they were rocked with news they lost their un-official Captain; Ryan Callahan as he busted an ankle blocking a shot.  But that's what the Coach demands.  He expects the Rangers to sacrifice their bodies and block shots.  Somehow he's managed to get them all to buy in.  But sometimes it costs us.  We've played before without Callahan, and now we'll have to do it again.

The Carolina Hurricanes shut-out the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 Wednesday night.  Their eighty-nine points moves them to within two points of the eighth place and idle Rangers with two games remaining.

That means the Rangers game against the New Jersey Devils on April 9th to close out the season, will have a direct bearing on the Rangers playoff chances.  The only form of control the Rangers maintain for themselves relies on the Blueshirts getting three points out of the next and final two games.

They are cutting this awfully close aren't they?  And now they must do it without their heart and soul.



UPDATED March 7th:
I wrote all this yesterday but then fell asleep and didn't publish.  So excuse the post if it sounds a day late.  Even though Coach Torts has made decisions about the lines tonight, nothing I said really changes much.  If Coach goes through with this, and plays Gilroy on the wing instead of utilizing Sean Avery, he should be committed to a nut house.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ The Battle For A Playoff Spot Has Begun

So Chris Drury is pretty much done huh?  Bye! 

Does this mean Sean Avery will officially get the least amount of ice time now that Drury and Derek (what ever happened to) Boogaard officially won't?  Does anyone even know where Derek Boogaard is anymore?

So who gets the "C" now?!  That's the $7 million dollar question isn't it?
Watch Torts give it to Prospal.  I just know it!  WHY do I sense that?
GRrrrrr!

Let's do this one more time:  Give the C to either Marc Staal or Ryan Callahan.  Then Dubinsky is the A along with whoever isn't Captain.

Remember what I said about Carolina?  Well it's coming true.  They just leapfrogged Atlanta.  And we're next!  And you know what I'm going to say next right?  G'head..take a second and guess.

If we don't get our game together, the Devils are going to keep winning and beat us out for the 8th playoff spot.  How miserable would that be?  I know you feel it too.  Don't lie to yourself like I'm trying to do.

By the way...Congratulations to Jacques LeMaire on his 600th NHL win as a Head Coach!!

But as far as the Rangers moving forward?  Gaborik doesn't seem like he's going to start scoring in bunches for us ever again.  So I don't know how we are going to score.  I don't know who's going to score.  I don't know if we'll ever score on a Power Play again.  I just don't know right now. 

Back in October, we all knew more or less, we'd be battling for the 7th or 8th playoff spot. 
So here we are; in the heat of the battle I guess.  Fight on Boys... in-spite of the zany ways Coach Torts doles out ice-time.  You can start tonight with a win over Atlanta.  And hey, we're pretty good on the road right?  It's at home we can't win a damn game.

...And that was my cranky Pre-Game:  Here's to hoping they don't get me mad.  I'm going to wait and see how tonight's game plays out first, before I apply some actual coherent thought to this.  (All I know is Avery better get AT LEAST 17 minutes tonight).

Game Time is T-minus 15 minutes.  Better lace-em up tight Boys!

TONIGHT

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Atlanta Thrashers

..somewhere down in Georgia

Let's Go Rangers!

Mike.BTB

Rangers/Devils ~ BATTLE OF THE HUDSON IV

BATTLE of the HUDSON   IV

Thursday; February 3, 2011


New Jersey Devils

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

I'll be there!  Look for the #4 Greschner jersey.

New Jersey Devils:  It Just Keeps Getting Worse For Devils, Just When Coach LeMaire Has Team Playing Better.

The Devils are coming off a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators at The Rock Tuesday night.  Since January 9th, the Devils are 7-1-1 in their last 9 games.  They are playing for respect as a playoff spot is very unlikely at this point.  But they are still a talented collection of players that can make some of the Atlantic Division teams very miserable down the stretch.  They followed up a win over Pittsburgh back on January 20th by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers on the 22nd at a time when everybody is having problems with the Flyers.  Either it was just a matter of time before they collectively started to play better Hockey together, or Coach LeMaire is starting to have his affects on the team.  In either case, it's probably way too late anyway. 

In three meetings against the Rangers this season, the Devils are win-less.

The biggest news out of the Land of Devils was a Bloomberg report the Devils were put up for sale by Owner Jeff Vanderbeek.  The Devils have released their statement regarding the matter, and you can read the entire summary and Jeff Vanderbeek's statements HERE.  While there is potentially a stake of the team for sale, it's not Mr. Vanderbeek's.  His stated intention is to remain as Majority and controlling Owner of the New Jersey Devils.  Mr. Vanderbeek's partners are the ones who seem to want out.  Mike Gilfillan and Ray Chambers referred back to their original intentions for backing the Devils and the Prudential Center which was to help boost Newark along with revitalization efforts.  Feeling like they have achieved what they set out to do, their interests in the team are now up for sale.

Trouble has been pounding on the Devils' door looking to wreak havoc for years:

*First and foremost, the debt on the new arena and overall attendance are still not in sync.  The Devils continue to draw around 88% capacity (on the good side) in spite of the new arena and efforts to improve the surrounding area in Newark.  For the most part, they never really enjoyed the intended appreciable spike in attendance like they hoped.

*There has been for some time, a contentious battle with the City of Newark over back-rent payments, parking revenue sharing, and payments for infrastructure costs associated with the site the Devils were responsible for per the construction agreement.  Most of these issues may or may not have all been settled.  But it does nothing to take the sour taste out of their mouths after having gone through a bitter haggle with the City.

*Diminished results on the ice; beset with an onerous contract to Ilya Kovalchuv, and being dead-last in the NHL standings, I'm sure are exasperating any sentiment to sell the team.  The three partners were not all in agreement offering Kovalchuk that contract.

*The reality that the End of an Era is at hand, once Martin Brodeur retires, compounded by their spot in the standings my give one (an owner) a bleak outlook for the future of the team.

*Then there is the never-ending Devils' coaching dilemma to contend with.  Jacques LeMaire has already announce he will not be returning next season to Coach the Devils.

*Without knowing the details of their Partnership Agreement, it's possible Jeff Vanderbeek may have to sell his stake also.


Now here's a rub..  The Buffalo Sabres just got sold.  The Dallas Stars and the Los Angeles Kings are undergoing their own ownership turnovers.  The question is how many more buyers are out there looking to purchase into a Hockey team as a minority owner (if indeed Jeff Vanderbeek stays on) in an area/fan base that won't fill arena seats to capacity...and who have a restrictive Salary Cap problem on their hands.

And here's the food for thought...  There's always Kansas City and their brand new arena with no tenant, and Quebec who is clamouring for another NHL team.  What if the Devils are made to be sold in full?  A new owner can get out of the lease agreement with the Prudential Center with money of course.

The Devils escaping the NY/NJ area would shape up to be the easy part.  Keeping them here however, has a small but real chance of turning into something difficult to stop.  But of course these are just my speculations gone wild.

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Blueshirts Suffer From Getting Healthy.

*No Crosby; No Malkin; No Ranger Win.

*Vinny Prospal is Coming Back But There Is Only One Place For Him To Play.

**Jordan Staal was ejected from the game between Pittsburgh and the Rangers Tuesday night with a Match Penalty; for intent to injure, as he punched Brandon Prust with his glove on.  There will be no suspension for Staal.


The game?  With no Crosby or Malkin in sight, a 2-0 lead against the Penguins went "POOF"! 
They ALL skated with cement blocks on their feet...(eh hem; Girardi and Del Zotto I think may have broken an ankle pivoting on one of the goals against, if I'm not mistaken).

Pittsburgh answered back with three goals in the second period to take the lead 3-2.  Then with less than a minute left in the second period, Ryan Callahan scored on a deflection during a Rangers' Power Play to make the score three all.  That's the way regulation time ended.  And that's the way Over Time ended also.  They went to a Shoot-Out to decide who skates away with the second point.  Fleury outlasted Henrik Lundqvist in extra, extra innings, and a long night at the Garden due to the late VERSUS start time, turned into a long trip home for the crowd in miserable weather.  The Ranger lost at home again.  They are now 12-12-2 at Madison Square Garden. this season.

Sean Avery was limited to 9:32 minutes.  Ponderous!  Only Drury and Newbury had less.  In his nine and a half minutes, Avery had just as many shots on goal as anybody.  I just don't know anymore!  Everytime Coach Torts jacks up Avery's minutes, he takes them away the very next game.  His last game before the break Avery logged 22:00 of ice time paired with Gaborik.  And Gaborik hasn't played better than he does with Avery this season.  Ponderous!  ...The Rangers committed four penalties and none by Avery.  Isn't that part of the fear?  His 140+ PIM?  So, what is it Coach?  What's the deal?  Shift to shift, he's arguably one of the Rangers' most consistent players and he's caused ZERO trouble.  It's Ponderous now.

I was surprised to see Brandon Dubinsky play last night.  But I'm dreading Vinny Prospal's return tomorrow versus the Devils.  Newbury is probably on his way back to Connecticut as we speak to make room for Prospal.  That's fine.  But I'm dying to see where Vinny Prospal's playing time will come from; or more accurately, at who's expense?  I understand Coach Torts has a lot of good feelings towards Prospal, but he must be relegated to the fourth line to start out.  Being a healthy scratch over the next two months is a pipe-dream.  I get that.

But allow me to list the names and you tell me who you would deflect ice time from and give to Prospal:

*I'll stick to the Wingers.

*Marian Gaborik?  No.
*Ryan Callahan?  No.
*Brandon Dubinsky?  No
*Brandon Prust?  No.
*Sean Avery?  You know me...Hell No!
*Mats Zuccarello?  I wouldn't.
*Wojtek Wolski?  I wouldn't

Why even bother talking about players out of position. What Centers we have are set without Prospal causing a domino effect. It needs to be considered because of the way Torts mixes and matches within a game and breaks line integrity.



So where does that leave Vinny?  Yep...He must be in the fourth row!  The only factor alleviating this situation, if by only a fraction, is Ruslan Fedotenko will be out for another month.  If the roster stays healthy is it stands right now, Kris Newbury and Erik Christensen might have seen their last bit of action on Broadway this season.  For Prospal, that's fair enough.

The problem I have is I don't want Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury to disrupt any part of our game that was built with hard work in their absence (and/or for Drury) lack of productivity.  We are where we are and we are who we are this season with little to no contributions from those two players.  This team has evolved away from the team they signed-on to.

So far with Chris Drury, Coach Torts is getting it right.  Last night Chris Drury didn't see action in the third period and only had just over 9 minutes of ice time for the night.  Again, it's not my want to criticize Chris Drury, but he has become the most inconsequential player on the team.  And I'll say it until it happens...The C must be taken from his jersey, and applied to Marc Staal's.  Your team Captain can not be on the fourth line and missing whole periods due to lack of effectiveness.  In the face of the hustle, grit, and new, young, eager legs, now on this team, Chris Drury is completely mis-cast.  And now Vinny Prospal returns very far removed from game speed and timing, and I feel is similarly mis-cast on this New Rangers Team.  The last time Prospal played on Rangers' ice, we wore one of the "A" on his jersey.  All I'm saying is that should not be the case when he returns!

I'm already clear on all that.  Marc Staal should be the New York Rangers Captain, while *Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky are the two A.  That would be more truly representative of this team's identity.

But back to Prospal and Drury, let them be 2/3 of one of the most notable fourth lines in Hockey history (if by name only).  IF.. they can manage that.  But mark my word, if Sean Avery comes anywhere near the fourth line again, I'll flip.  From this moment forward, to relegate Sean Avery to eight and nine minutes or less, is indefensible and damn near impossible for Coach Torts to explain or rationalize without me yelling BULL.

As far as finally getting our forward lines in order, the excuse in the beginning of the season for all the line juggling was that Torts was in observation of..,  and feeling-out mode.  Before injuries really took effect, Torts juggled lines to try and infuse more offense.  Then the injuries did set in, and we were forced, obviously to juggle the lines like a circus clown out of necessity.  But what we all talked about was a return of our regulars to stabilize the lines and gain some continuity again.  Right?

Well, here we are.  Coach Torts has all his wingers back and according to the "past speak", our forward lines should get settled down now...right?  So why do I feel like Coach Torts is going to try and magically kick-start Marian Gaborik into high gear again by reuniting him with his old line mate from last season; a Mr. Vinny Prospal?  There is just now way the soon to be 37 year old (this month) is going to be up to snuff right out of the box.  I couldn't care less if he was able to chase down a chicken like Mick made Rocky Balboa do.  He should not be given minutes that are taken away from Avery, Zuccarello or Wolski.; - UNLESS they are earned the hard way; from the fourth line up.



Enough.  I'm going to the game.  That's why I'm posting tonight.


Let's Go Rangers!





Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ Back To The Ice vs. PENGUINS

Welcome to the Home Stretch.  The drive for a playoff spot starts now.
 
Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi will return to action tonight.  
Brandon Dubinsky, Erik Christensen, and Ruslan Fedotenko will not.  Vinny Prospal is scheduled to return Thursday night.

For Pittsburgh, SID "the slew" CROSBY, and Ivgeni Malkin will be out of action tonight.

I can't think of a better way to start the drive towards April than by beating the Penguins at home.  The Rangers need to start winning more games on their Home Ice.  Improving upon their 12-11-2 record at MSG needs to start tonight and Thursday against the Devils.

Vinny Prospal is finally making his 2010-2011 season debut Thursday.  All I know when he does get back, he should not be wearing an A on his sweater as he did when he last skated for the Rangers.  I do not believe that will be the case.  But that time has past, and he no longer fits on this team. We are getting ever closer to number crunching time for Coach Torts with players returning from injuries.  When Prospal returns for Thursday night's game against the Devils, he had better be on the fourth line with Chris Drury, if he has to play at all.

If Vinny Prospal can play his way off the fourth line, fine.  It means he outplayed someone.  But not until then do I want the team chemistry, good play, and hard work ethic brought by Wolski, Newbury, Stepan or Zuccarello disrupted.

Avery and Gaborik will be paired.  Prust and Boyle will be paired.  Callahan and Dubinsky (upon his return) will be paired.

Where does Vinny Prospal fit now?  Answer ~ He doesn't!  And Coach shouldn't waste our time trying to get an OLD, Square peg in a round hole.  It's fourth line or bust for Prospal along with Drury and Fedotenko (when he gets back).

Oh Yea!  Drury ~ Take the C off his jersey and give it to MARC STAAL!!
RYAN CALLAHAN ~ A
BRANDON DUBINSKY ~ A

That's the way it needs to be now!

TONIGHT

Pittsburgh Penguins

31-15-4   66 Points

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

29-20-3   61 Points

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Mike.BTB

N.Y. RANGERS ~ More Grinding Awaits The Blueshirts

NEW YORK RANGERS

NYR ALL*STARS

Marc Staal - D

Henrik Lundqvist - G

Record ~ 29-20-3;  61 Points

Third Place - Atlantic Division

Sixth Seed in Eastern Conference

GOALS FOR: 148

In Conference ~ 8th

Overall ~ 12th

GOALS AGAINST: 126

In Conference ~ 4th

Overall ~ 7th

Current Relevant Injuries:

*Ryan Callahan

*Brandon Dubinsky

*Erik Christensen

....They are all due back and should be in good working order.

Apathetic Injuries:

*Alex Frolov - He became the new Nick Zherdev.  He was supposed to come here with a suitcase filled with 20+ goals.  Instead, he showed up with a brown paper bag filled with rocks.   He's done for the season and out of our hair.

*Vinny Prospal - Who knows when he's coming back and he'll turn 36 yrs old in February.  He must never again have the "A" on his jersey.  As a matter of fact, just don't give him his jersey back.  We've washed our hands of him.  Even if he comes back healthy tomorrow, there is no way to incorporate him into the plan now.  The team Vinny Prospal "played on" has moved on.  He should not be able to come back on the ice, (if cleared), and steal minutes from any of the Boys or more importantly, Sean Avery.  That's just rant-talk, but if he does come back, he must be a daily healthy scratch or relegated to the fourth line with Chris Drury.

*Derek Boogaard - He came in out of shape, over-weight, and in his fights he was slow and outmatched.  What happened to this brawling 28 year old Heavyweight Champ?  If you saw him in a WILD uniform, he was a beast.  Then, he came here to become the Least he could be.  I thought this was a great signing at the time!  Unbelievable.  He's most likely done for the season also.

GOALIE:

We love Henrik don't we?  He's our Liege...for sure.  Our All*Star Goalie is indispensable to us.  Well, our KING better get his House in order then.  I know you really can't compare the two sets of numbers, but Marty Biron has a better SV% and GAA than our starter.  That's just a little play on numbers.  But, Our Guy, the modern-day innovator of the Stinker, needs to be a lot more consistent; That's all.  He's had a peeks-and-valleys season.  His 21-16 reflects that.  In his last 5 games tending net, he - Lost-Won-Lost-Won-Lost.

Our inconsistent Goalie does however lead NHL Net Minders in Shut-Outs with seven.  But when he's bad, he completely falls apart.  But in Henrik we trust, and I'm sure we're in agreement that he'll be fine.

Marty Biron, after a hot start, has cooled.  But he should still continue providing us with capable back-up support.  Coach Torts should be able to get what he wants out of Marty, and that's a fresher Henrik Lundqvist in April.

DEFENSE:

The Human Turnover and Blueline Blunder, Michal Rozsival is gone.  Wade Redden, for the moment is safely toiling far away in NHL Siberia.

In the mean-time, Michael Sauer and Ryan McDonagh continue to learn and impress.  Steve Eminger, Matt Gilroy and Dan Girardi (who should be skating again when play resumes) should all be given their due credit for their parts in making the Rangers 7th in the NHL in Goals Against.

Marc Staal has not only emerged as an NHL Star, he's become the Rangers true leader on the ice.  He, and all our current young Defensemen, to include Michael Del Zotto (I heard you boo), have far exceeded the caliber of play in the neutral zone and defensive ends more than any other tandems of Blueliners in the last seven years.

Glen Sather can really do himself and his reputation some justice if he can plunk down a solid Defenseman at or before the trade deadline to reinforce a squad being spread really thin.  The Rangers need someone with size at the position who can Crunch!  Dan Girardi, give him credit, can not be the one sticking-up for Marc Staal when someone lays a questionable hit on him.  Additionally, we're not making teams pay enough of a price for loitering in front of Henrik.  Our Goalie resorted to taking matters into his own hands one game when he got his turf crashed into by Atlanta.

That must stop.  Glen Sather has to find someone that will give other teams something to think about other than taking liberties on our goalie and crashing our net.  We need someone who can stand somebody up and stop a rush cold in their tracks at the defensive blueline.  We need Crunch.

We play defense well.  We control the neutral zone more effectively than we did in the past; we make better outlet passes out of our zone and transition well; and over-all we're just being smarter under Coach Torts.  Offensively speaking, the D can work with what we already have in hand.  What Glen Sather needs to do is get that Cruncher who will stay home waiting for invaders.

FORWARDS:

We might still be waiting for Marian Gaborik to arrive at full force, but their is no denying he's been most effective this season when he's been assigned to a line with Sean Avery at his side.  Gaborik has clearly been putting in his work and has actually been skating well and positioning himself in the right places.  So maybe it's only a matter of a few more games following the All Star break before he'll start to put the puck past goalies at last year's rate.  His opportunities have been there and he's completely healthy now.  He stumbled upon some success earlier in his season with Ruslan Fedotenko at his side.  But he hasn't been better than when he plays with Avery.  And that's exactly where Coach Torts should leave THEM; ....Together. 

Without the aid of hyperbole, I think it's very safe to say, there are fewer players in Hockey today who play better down low and from behind the net than Sean Avery.  I can't express that sentiment enough.  He is at his best from behind the net; not just digging out pucks and winning battles; but by using vision, anticipation and precision, his passes from behind net are killer.  Marian Gaborik now has a new line-mate whom he can greatly benefit from.

Going into the break, Coach Torts had Avery's minutes cranked up to 22 a game.  But that was born of necessity.  Otherwise, Coach Torts has consistently limited him to about 6 minutes this season.  At this point, it's not a Man-Crush I have, it's just that Avery has been that good and well behaved to boot.  Sure his penalty minutes are astronomical.  But are they really?  Please!...ok?  Take away from his PIM the fact that he can't catch a break from the whistle blowers and his PIM time goes down to a more respectable and less detrimental "high" number.

Michal Rozsival Wojtek Wolski has paid-off handsomely since being acquired.  Artem Anisimov has been a little up and down, but mostly good.  He along with Wolski, Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello have provided the Rangers with youthful enthusiasm and inspired, hungry play.

And who are we without Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle?!  We'd quite literally be an ECHL level club without those two.  All conversations about this team's backbone and guts stop right here with them.  It wasn't the intended plan.  That's just the way it is.  And thank goodness!  Coach Torts has juggled every single player on his forward lines like bowling pins, flaming torches, and canteloupes; everyone except Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle that is.  They have been superlative together and Coach never even gets close to tampering with the pair.

The biggest dilemma facing the Rangers right now is not having Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky on the ice.  We've pulled out some gutsy wins in their absence, but they are the core, along with Marc Staal, of this team.  Not until their return can Coach Torts get some normalcy back into the lives of his Forward Lines.  That will go a long way towards eeking out more W's.

...AND

This may hurt, but it's the truth; - Chris Drury has become an outright drain on the system.  He is our least effective forward right now and he's bcome the most inconsequential player on the team.  Yet...! - this continues to go unspoken about by the Media experts.

Well folks, I have news for them.  I said this already once before.  It's time to take the C off Chris Drury's jersey and sew it on Marc Staal's.  He's your Captain now.  And when Brandon Dubinsky returns to action, he should do so with an A sewed on his jersey to go along with Ryan Callahan.

It's high-time the team made these changes to better reflect their identity.  Those three are the core of this team.  They should be made to wear the letters on their jerseys.  The way things stand right now with the Captain buried on the fourth line and Vinny Prospal's A out since forever...things remain skewed.

Make the change.

....So?

We've played 52 games... and in spite of our injuries, it looks like we are a playoff contender.  We are certainly a Top-10 NHL team.  In our conference we are presently 6th and of course only 8 make the tourney.  Montreal is in the 7th slot with 59 points and Atlanta is holding on to the 8th slot with 57 points.  The top team on the outside looking in would be Carolina.  The Carolina Hurricanes give me the creeps!  If any team is going to make life uncomfortable for us down the stretch, it's going to be them.

I think what we have now is what we'll go with after the trade deadline passes.  What can Glen Sather realistically do that won't cost too much in the way of losing players?  Which of our players would you make available?  I'm struggling with that aspect of the trade deadline as we speak.  And then does he try to secure a  defenseman or another forward, or both?

Coach Torts says this is more about building from the ground..up.  Glen Sather?  His original plan was such a complete failure.  And now thankfully to that failure, we have a very gritty, likeable, hard working, bunch of kids who apparently can play Hockey and can win games too!  Glen Sather's original plan was so bad, it's got us all buzzing about the playoffs on the back end of his mistakes.  Necessity was the Mother of this invention; Not Glen Sather; - So go figure.  But the reality is that if Sather's plan hadn't gotten injured in-mass, we wouldn't have been able to call up these kids and see how well they play together.

The hope here is that Coach Torts continues to exert his influence on Sather, and he continues to steer these kids the right way; which he has.  Is it safe to say Coach Torts has been the biggest influence on this entire club since he was brought in, but more particularly this season?  Yes indeed.  It's accurate and a fact.

He's cracking a hard whip.  And this team seems to like it.  Then he cracks it harder and they ask for another one.  That's the kind of team we have.  It's tough and gritty.  It's almost Spartan like how Coach Torts has brought them along.  They're just trying to out-work other teams while rising up to the challenges and adversity of playing physical Hockey without a reliable high-powered scoring threat.

The season will continue to be a hard grind towards April.  And now at the All*Star Break, I think everybody; Coach, Players and Fans alike, have finally grown comfortable in our own skin.  We know who we are and how we need to be in order to succeed.  That definitely means us fans too.

We've been a damn good Hockey club on the road.  But the Rangers need to be a better team at home.  If that means we fans have to make the place a little more nuts and hostile than usual for the visitors, then that's what we have to do!  It's not like we can't.  But all kidding aside, we do need to improve upon our home-ice record.

...And speaking of improvement, can anything be done to improve our Power Play?  Who knows!  It goes to show we're not a great team.  But we are a very good team and a tight bunch.

Being a 6th seeded team is a matter of perception as to whether you think that's the mark of a good team or not.  I guess that all depends which way your team is headed.  In our case, we've put in a lot of hard work and effort to earn our position.

More grinding awaits.



Tuesday night we host the Penguins who are still without Sid The Slew Crosby, as he still suffers from the affects of a concussion.  Then Thursday night, The Battle of the Hudson resumes against the suddenly resurgent New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden.


Let's Go Rangers!






Mike.BTB