N.Y. Rangers: Coach Quinn Returns With Mixed Results

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RETIRE #4 ALREADY!!!

Adam Fox has now registered points in ten consecutive games.  The streak ties a Rangers record shared by (among others) Ron Greschner and Brian Leetch.

In fact, Fox has 18 points over his last ten games with two goals and 16 assists.

The sophomore blueliner finished his rookie season with 42 points and a plus-22 through 70 games and placed fourth in the Calder voting.  This season, Fox to date has notched four goals and 29 assists through 36 games.  His 33 points presently are the second-most points by a defenseman this season behind Victor Hedman.  Saturday's game also marked the seventh time this season he's registered multiple points in a game.

Making his NHL and Rangers debut, Vitali Kravtsov generated three shots on goal while participating in 14 shifts during 10:45 minutes on ice.  He joined fellow Rangers' first-round draft pick Filip Chytil, K'Andre Miller, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere.

🏒

Buffalo is the lone NHL team still with single-digit victories and own a league-worst minus-46 point differential.  Saturday's win over the Rangers was only their eighth this season for their still league-worst 22nd points of the season - six points behind the Ducks and seven behind the Red Wings.

But the Rangers apparently never received the memo.  In two straight games against the worst team in the league, the Rangers fail to win either during regulation time.

Artemi Panarin opened the scoring at 10:02 of the first period with a power-play goal on feeds from Fox and Chris Kreider.  Panarin's second goal of the night came at 17:52 of the second period, assisted by Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox.

Buffalo's Casey Mittelstadt tied the game the first time at 13:01 of the first.  In the third period, Artemi Panarin got beat in the defensive end, which led to Victor Oloffson's game-tying goal at the 16:19 mark.

Joining Panarin with a minus-one for the game were Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Strome, K'Andre Miller, and Jacob Trouba. 

After a scoreless overtime, Buffalo's Linus Ullmark outlasted Igor Shesterkin in the shootout.

The Rangers were 4-2 in Coach Quinn's absence.  Mika Zibanejad scored 16 points while Coach was away; twelve of those points came in two games against the Flyers.  They are now 2-1-1 since Coach Quinn's return, and Zibanejad has notched just one point.

Otherwise, the Rangers' centermen came up empty once again with just five shots on goal and no points.  Pavel Buchnevich had more shots on goal than the Rangers' centers combined.

Chris Kreider is no different.  The erratically effective forward is averaging just two shots per game.  But I put that more on David Quinn and his inability to establish a team identity.  With just under a half-season left, Kreider might very well reset his career-high in goals.  Just imagine Kreider spending more time shoving bodies in front and cleaning up rebounds.  Apparently, Quinn can't.

At one point, Quinn paired Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko with Pavel Buchnevich.  I don't mind the line, per se, but I'm getting tired of his inconsistencies and constant reactive line changes.   

Yeah, I'm looking at the guy calling the shots.

N.Y. Rangers: Jean Ratelle Honor Is Long Overdue

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS..!!

*   *   *  19  *   *   *

336 Goals ~ 481 Assists ~ 817 Points

Career: 491 Goals ~ 776 Assists ~ 1,267 Points
ELECTED to HALL OF FAME: 1985

RANGERS ALL-TIME LISTS

Games Played: 6th

Goals: 2nd

Assists: 3rd

Points: 3rd

Plus/Minus: 4th

NEW YORK RANGERS: Jean Ratelle Finally Getting Sweater Hoisted to the Rafters Alongside Blueshirt Greats.

Jean Ratelle was a member of the famous GAG line (Goal a Game line) featuring Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield, and Ratelle at center. 

He recorded six hat tricks during his Rangers career.  In 1971-1972 Ratelle slashed 46/63/109, while leading the NHL with 40 even strength goals, and a 25.1 shot percentage.

I only saw Jean Ratelle play for the Rangers during his final season with the club.  In 1975, he and Brad Park were famously traded to the Boston Bruins.  This occurred shortly after the Rangers parted ways with the great Eddie Giacomin. 

Had I been a little older at the time, I'm sure I would have gotten upset over the situation.

Then again, maybe not.

Jean Ratelle was 35-years old at the time of the trade.  Perhaps the Rangers front office (The Cat) did the right thing.  As a kid, I nevertheless knew this was a huge deal.  After which, I continued becoming only somewhat familiar with Vic Hadfield, and a little more so with Rod Gilbert, whom retired after the 1977-1978 season.  By then I had finally become a full blown, albeit still young Rangers fan.  In exchange for Ratelle and Park, the Rangers received Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais.  And it was those ensuing Rangers of the mid to late 1970s featuring Espo, Ron Greschner, John Davidson, Nick Fotiu, Don Murdoch, Walt Tkaczuk, Dave Maloney, Ron Duguay, et al, that I first became hopelessly passionate about.

Jean Ratelle is the ninth player to have his sweater retired by the Rangers, but only the eighth number being hoisted up to the rafters.  The number nine is retired in honor of both Adam Graves and Andy Bathgate.

And for that, I must digress ...

... because the Rangers have gotten this all wrong.  And believe it or not, for a change it's not Jim Dolan's fault.  The sweaters of Harry Howell (3), Andy Bathgate (9), and Jean Ratelle (19), all should have been retired by previous owners long ago - certainly before those of Mark Messier (11), Mike Richter (31), Brian Leetch (2), and Adam Graves (9).

Blame Sonny Werblin, or Gulf+Western, or Paramount, or ITT Corp., or whomever.

This honor is long overdue.

When Will The Rangers Finally 

Raise Ron Greschner's Jersey 

Among The Greats?

N.Y. Islanders: Welcome to the Neighborhood Fellas

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

A Sign of Things to Come

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: Hello Boys!  Keep your dog off my grass, move your car on street cleaning day, and we'll be okay.   And don't park in front of my driveway either!  I won't tell you twice.  Oh, and any of your tomatoes that grow on my side of the fence are mine.  Otherwise, welcome to the neighborhood jackass.  Don't forget what I said!

The time has come for me to reluctantly welcome Flatbush Avenue's latest professional sports franchise.

Don't get me wrong.  I think this is great for Brooklyn.  In that respect, I'm okay with them playing in my back yard.  You know me, I'm Brooklyn first, and Brooklyn always.

As a fan, however, the irony of it all is still very conflicting for me.

I am a Rangers fan.  Some of my best times came at the New York Islanders expense.  The Rangers portion of this TROLLEY BLOG is named Raise Gresch With The Greats largely because of Ron Greschner's goal against the Islanders in the 1979 Eastern Conference finals.

After more than a decade of dysfunction since Greschner's goal, sweeping the Isles in the opening round of the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs was sweet as honey.

Back as a teen in the 1980's, I could not have disliked a franchise, or their players, more.  I only ever developed a sports hatred for two local teams - the Yankees and Isles, and I hated the Islanders more.

That makes them my #1 nemesis, doesn't it?

Denis Potvin will still suck!  I know why Rangers fans say it.  I'm just not so sure less experienced Rangers fans know why they're chanting it.

I will indeed don my Rangers jersey, get on the train headed to Barclays, and cheer the Rangers against the Islanders.  Count on it.

All that said, my regular Trolley Riderz know this blog threats them very fairly.  I call it as I see it - right down the middle.  In fact, I believe I've treated them even better than that, well in fact.  The proof is a mere click away.

I'm older now, and more subdued.  Trust me.

Nets and Islanders Back Together Again:

Unlike the Isles, I embraced the Nets with open arms.

The Knicks were the second team I ever learned to root for.   I latched on during Clyde Frazier's final years with the club.  I am a Knicks fan.

But, as with my situation with the Rangers, I can't stand ownership.  Dolan has been maddeningly involved in Knicks matters since gaining control.  He is completely hands off, however, when it involves the Rangers, and so most fan vitriol was deflected towards Glen Sather.

The Isiah Thomas era really drove me over the top, and so I mentally disconnected for a while, but not before Bruce Ratner revealed his plan to purchase the Nets and relocate them to Brooklyn.

The treatment of Donnie Walsh, and subsequent acquisition of Carmelo Anthony further continued driving a wedge between the Knicks and me.  I made no secret of my dislike for Melo, and Melo Ball, and Melo's World.  He and Dolan just became too much, leaving the door wide open for a Nets invasion.

I am a Nets fan, now.  It's weird to say.  Thing is, I never hated the Nets like I did the Islanders, and so, since the day news broke and for 10 long years until groundbreaking, I savored every moment of the process - protests included.  But I proclaim my fandom, because I feel it.  Ten years of anticipation conditioned me.

Timing is everything I guess.

I'm still a Knicks fan, just a bitter and spiteful one.  So, yes, I have an unresolved conflict on my hands.

As an aside, I feel the Islanders and Nets should still be together in Long Island, the way it was back in the 1970's.  It's nevertheless good to see the Nets and Islanders reunited under the same roof again.

If moving the Isles to Brooklyn keeps them in the area, then so be it.  I'd rather that, than see them move to Seattle, Kansas City, or Canada.

Long Island hockey is too steeped in history to have it leave the metro area.  At least this way, Long Islanders can retain their connection with the team, albeit via the LIRR.  It's a necessary compromise.

So let it be done.

Come back for the TROLLEY renaming ceremony, when I'll retire Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club, and give the Islanders an new TROLLEY identity.

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