N.Y. Rangers: Lightning Strikes MSG

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Former Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan Scored Two Goals In Return To MSG

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Time May Have Come To Promote Dylan McIlrath.

I swear I watched a bunch of girl scouts lash out over the (clean) hit Dan Girardi sustained from Ivgeni Malkin!  I saw a lot of grappling in the corner, but not one punch.

You just can't let hits like that go unchallenged.  It's not that I want someone to get a black eye.  It's just that teams have been taking advantage of the Rangers for two seasons now, so I guess this is welcome to season three.

It's painfully obvious the Rangers do not have the type of player to police the ice; Glen Sather ensures that.  I blame him.  Things like Colton Orr and Brandon Prust, and Sather's feeble attempts to correct his folly with Donald Brashear and Derek Boogaard come racing into my brain!

With the Lightning in town Monday night, I was also reminded of Glen Sather's inability to manage the salary cap.

About Monday....

Without even trying to be physical, Tampa showed once again how soft the Rangers can be.

I watched Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucjerov set camp in front of Henrik Lundqvist and play a leisurely game of tic-tac-toe for Tampa's opening score.

Then I watched Ryan Callahan easily shove Dan Girardi completely out of position and score a power play goal to give Tampa a 2-0 1st period lead.

• The Rangers have 7 PP goals this season; Callahan has 2; just saying....  Callahan even pushed around MatsZuccs at one point, because everyone can, and does.

After a mindless neutral zone turnover by Rick Nash resulted in a breakaway goal by Steven Stamkos, the Lightning had their 4th potential goal of the evening waived off after literally pushing Lundqvist clear out of his crease.  No Bolts player received even so much as a dirty look.

Shortly thereafter, I watched Palat and Johnson again, with Alex Killorn blitzkrieg their way to an unhindered 4th Tampa goal.

The 5th Tampa goal was not a garbage time goal; it was just a garbage goal.  Two Rangers defensemen (who shall remain nameless) failed to matriculate the puck from behind their net, much less initiate an effective breakout.  Ryan Callahan swooped in to arrest the puck, and scored his second goal of the evening, capping off a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden.

Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos are now tied with 12 goals each this season, with the difference being Stamkos plays with Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle, and has his team in first place with a 13-4-2 record, while Rick Nash now plays with Martin St. Louis, whom together have helped the Rangers achieve an inconsistent 7-7-4 record.

Teams like Columbus and Toronto have already shown what happens to the Rangers when games really get physical.

In summary, the Rangers are playing soft, ineffective defense.

They can potentially improve their strength, size and presence in front of Henrik Lundqvist, while at the same time perhaps adding a measure of toughness in other scenarios.  Perhaps it's time to promote Dylan McIlrath again - and this time, for good.

McIlrath, 22, is listed at 6'5" and 220 lbs.  He would instantly become the Rangers biggest   defenseman, and arguably their most physical.

What could it hurt?  In his absence, perhaps a lot.




Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Glen Sather Decommissions Captain Callahan

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: I Think Glen Sather Could Have Paid Ryan Callahan, But Ultimately Soured On The Very Popular Captain, And Salivated Over Martin St. Louis.

Later this month, Knicks fans are going to protest team owner, James Dolan, in front of Madison Square Garden.  I say Rangers fans should additionally rise up, don their jerseys, join them, and make the recent uprisings in Ukraine look like a frat party.

Woe to all of us.  But, at least for Garden hockey fans, Glen Sather (in name, because no one ever sees him) is the buffer between us and ownership.  Knicks fans do not have such luck or separation.  When it comes to the Garden's basketball team, the owner has become very hands-on, and attends every home game.  With the Rangers, Dolan hired Sather, then left the building.  But I honestly could not tell you how much better off the Blueshirt Brotherhood is because of it.

Glen Sather has to be one of the most unaccountable team executives during my lifetime as a New York sports fan.  In a bit of irony, former Knicks GM's Al Bianci and Isiah Thomas are also on my short list.  Not coincidentally, two of these men were hired by James Dolan.

Now, the ol' spineless silver back, Sather has stuck again.  After failing to reach a contract agreement with Ryan Callahan, the GM traded the now former Rangers captain to the Tampa Bay Lightning, in exchange for 38-year old sniper/forward Martin St. Louis.

Simply put, I'm pissed off as all hell, and yes, it's purely emotional.  With respect to sports, favorite teams, and athletes, the older you get, the more jaded fan you potentially become.  When the more impressionable days of our youth are long gone, it gets harder to draw up a list of favorite players.  There is less interest in doing so, than say, a 10-year old might invest.  By the time you reach my age, you've been completely polluted by the business side of sports, and all the varied nuances of the modern athlete.

Ryan Callahan was an exception.  He was a joy to root for.  Sports still brings out the kid in all of us.  Even today, sometimes a player comes along that you can't help but welcome into your private circle.  Sometimes a player comes along and leaves a lasting impression on even the most cynical older fan - one who makes you root like a kid again.  Currently, maybe Derek Jeter, David Wright, or Eli Manning makes your list.  But, Ryan Callahan was most certainly on my short list of home team dudes - "my guys" as Bill Parcells used to say.  It's an increasingly harder club to get into.

That's pretty much the extent of any rant I might want to deliver.  I'm just very sorry to see Ryan Callahan go, and Glen Sather stay.  Woe to all of us indeed.

The GM wound up trading three draft picks leading up to Wednesday's deadline.  Two draft picks accompanied Ryan Callahan to Tampa, while Sather sent another to Vancouver for a defenseman.  The lost draft picks my very well become inconsequential matters, but at this rate, Sather is making them quickly disappear.  A pick is still a pick.  I guess less picks only makes Gordie Clark's off-season research that much easier to tackle.  The Rangers will be without a #1 pick in 2015, and are now minus two picks in the 2014 draft.  Back in 2013, Sather traded his 2014 #6 pick in the Justin Falk deal, but previously picked up Minnesota's #6 pick in the Gaborik trade.

While Ryan Callahan may have been stiff on his end regarding negotiations, I feel the GM and Callahan were too close not to reach a deal.  So, I put the failure to sign Callahan squarely on Sather, and point at his complete and utter mismanagement of the now nine-year old salary cap system.

At the same time, I do not believe Callahan was deserving of such a large contract.  Without securing an additional player, a pure scorer that is, inking Callahan to such a deal would have been nothing short of prohibitive.  And truth be told, his offensive output just did not warrant such a pact.  Goals are what the Rangers need most, and Callahan was finding the net far too infrequently.  Sure he was one of my favorite players, but you know - money changes everything.

Sather actually commented this afternoon, saying if this deal hadn't come together, that he had a second trade option in hand.  That may be so, or not.  There is a strong sense Sather simply soured on Callahan, and salivated at the chance to secure Martin St. Louis' scoring potential.

Despite his advancing age, Martin is still an elite scorer, and one hell of a hockey player.  For this year and next, the Rangers will be getting a genuine goal scorer who can create his own opportunities.  They will benefit from having him.  I'm sure Brad Richards is happy.

Beyond that, the Rangers will get nothing, similarly as if they would have let Callahan walk away as a free agent.

On that note, I'll end this here, as the Toronto Maple Leafs just scored in overtime, to defeat the Rangers by a 3-2 final........

More soon.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Potential Core Casualties

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2014 STADIUM CLASSIC

Wednesday Night Final:

New York Rangers   2

New York Islanders  1

Friday Night Final at the Garden

New York Islanders   1

New York Rangers    4

New York Rangers:  The Captain Now At The Core Of The GM's Latest Folly.

Does anyone foresee a visit to the Stanley Cup Finals this year?  A friend of mine, who's hockey opinion I respect very much, believes it more than possible.  He noted scoring is up, the power play is functional, and that Alain Vigneault's system is finally sinking in.  He also believes the acquisition of another physical defenseman and a 20-goal type scorer at the trade deadline, could be enough to propel the Rangers, at least into the conference finals.

With all sarcasm intended - is that all?

Flat out - I do not share his optimism.  One of the reasons why I was such a staunch supporter of John Tortorella was because he altered Sather's way of operating.  Tort's affect on the GM, and the results on the ice spoke for themselves.  I understand why Torts no longer coaches off-Broadway, but without him, I'm afraid the organization has once again lost its philosophical discipline and long range focus.

At the heart of the matter, is Glen Sather's continued (decade long) mismanagement, and deconstruction of a team (and spirit) that went to the conference finals two seasons ago.

Trading Michael Dell Zotto for Kevin Klein was actually a good move.  Del Zotto earned the ire of two different coaches, so there was justified cause.  He started out so promisingly, but then devolved as a defenseman.

Want to trade someone?  Trade Marc Staal while we still can.  You heard me right.

If you know me, I tend to lash out more when the team is doing well.  On that note, the Rangers are 10-5 in the new year.  I've been relatively silent since Christmas, but no more.  My mid-winter break is over, and I'm pissed.  So let's get on with this.

I would have traded Henrik Lundqvist...!  Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi are now tentatively on the trading block because the team can not afford to fit them (or anyone else for that matter) under the cap.  After Rick Nash, Brad Richards, and now Lundqvist, there's little room left to sign or retain depth and quality.

On Lundqvist - how dare I even suggest trading The King?  The short reason is, I'm tired of being a .500 team in perpetuity.  As long as the Rangers continue to operate like a .500 team, the longer they will draft in the middle of the pack.  It is that simple.  Mediocrity breeds more mediocrity.  Prior to signing Lundqvist to a long term deal, the number of teams that would have lined-up with offers would have been considerable. Especially in hockey, with a top selection, the odds of drafting a franchise player increase exponentially. Trading Lundqvist would have potentially netted the Rangers two high draft picks.  Believe me, the only reason such a notion even crossed my mind had/has nothing to do with Henrik's off-season thus far.  This had everything to do with the play of Cam Talbot.  Now that Glen Sather made Lundqvist the highest paid goalie in the NHL, this possibility is all but squashed.  The King's new contract practically makes him immovable.

Free agents to be Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi are the first potential casualties.  The latest word is the club wants Ryan Callahan's matter resolved by the start of the Olympics, which means by Thursday.

If you remember, John Tortorella initially identified Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky, and of course, Henrik Lundqvist as his core.

Two seasons ago are fast becoming "the good old days"....  So, f_*k it - humor me Glen Sather.  Trade them all..!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Rick Nash Shoots For The Stars

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

 

Priority One: Keep Rick Nash On The Ice

THURSDAY FINAL:

Rangers  3

Stars       2

NEW YORK RANGERS: Now That The Key Offensive Players Are Back Together Again, Let's Keep Them That Way!

I always thought Rick Nash possessed a unique combination of size, speed, toughness, and skill.  While with Columbus, I also felt he played in a tough division - the former Central Division, versus Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Nashville.  Yet, he hasn't thrown his body around like I envisioned, and has done even less to defend himself while with the Rangers.

I sometimes wonder if I misjudged him from afar.

Rick Nash has suffered two concussions this calendar year, or one in each of his last two seasons with the Rangers.  He has survived two straight games now.  Yes, that's an early dig against...everybody.  Before returning to the ice against Boston, he had not played since the third game of the season - literally knocked out of action by a first period elbow to the back of his head on October 8th, courtesy of San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart.  Last season, Boston's Milan Lucic administered the blow that concussed Nash.

Nash led the Rangers with 5 SOG in his first game back against the Bruins, and tonight, scored his first goal since returning against the Stars.  He is looking sharp; not rusty.  How fortunate for the Rangers....

If the Rangers intend on keeping Rick Nash on the ice, healthy, and productive, they will have to protect him, and if need be, in a very proactive manner.  If the situation necessitates using their fists, then drop gloves and start ripping off helmets.  Rick Nash also needs to do a better job of making opponents second guess themselves.  Trust me, players in this league are acutely aware of who they can and can't take liberties with.

This goes for all Tex's Rangers.  They currently have Ryan Callahan, Rick Nash, Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan and Brad Richards all together again.  Therefore, rogue skaters and runs at Rangers players must cease now.




Mike.BTB

Martin Brodeur Tops Hockey Night In Metropolitan Division; NJD, NYR, NYI

Hockey Night In Metropolis

 

THURSDAY FINAL STANDINGS:
N.Y. Rangers   8-8   16 points
N.Y. Islanders   6-7-3   15 points
N.J. Devils   4-7-4   12 points
 

From the desk of:

RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Columbus Blue Jackets

From

Some Arena In Ohio

FINAL
Rangers        4
Blue Jackets 2
 

• Here come Tex's Rangers!  They began Thursday night's play with a 7-8 record, and 14 points.  They had achieved one more victory, but one less point in the standings than the third place N.Y. Islanders.  The Rangers posted a 5-3 record in their last eight games entering tonight, in which they limited each opponent to a pair of goals or less.  This evening, they continued their positive streak, with another 3-2 victory.  Two more points gives them 16, which thrusts them into third place of the Metropolitan Division.

• The Rangers visited Columbus to face the Blue Jackets and catch up with old friends.  For Derick Brassard, John Moore, and Derek Dorsett, this was their first time back in Columbus.  For Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik, it was a chance to welcome old friends to their new home arena.  Rick Nash, unfortunately, could not attend the reunion.  But it was an even older blast from the past who had something to say.  Former Rangers defenseman Fedor Tyutin scored in the first period to tie the game at one each.  Carl Hagelin opened the scoring with his third goal at the 4:16 mark.

• The game got very chippy in the second period.  Fedor Tyutin leveled Taylor Pyatt with an elbow to the head.  Pyatt left the ice.  Brandon Dubinsky was taking runs at J.T. Miller.  Ryan Callahan answered everyone with a PP goal off a strong effort in front of the net, and a  deflection.  It was Callahan's second point of the game and fifth goal of the season.  Later in the period, and within a minute of each other, both teams traded goals to make it a 3-2 Rangers lead.  Car Hagelin scored his second of the game unassisted.  Ryan McDonagh scored on an empty net to cap off the evening, and seal a 4-2 Rangers victory.

• The Rangers have 20 goals in their last 6 games.

• Cam Talbot started in net for the Rangers.  He faced 34 shots and made 32 saves - some very big ones.  Cam is now 3-1 this season.

 

From the desk of:

BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

 

New York Islanders

vs.

Carolina Hurricanes

From

South of the Mason Dixon Line

FINAL
Islanders     0
Hurricanes  1
 

• The Islanders began the evening with a 6-6-3 record, and 15 points.  As mentioned, that placed them third in the Metropolitan Division.  They were 3-3 in their last six games heading into Carolina.

• Thomas Vanek has played four games since being traded from Buffalo, and has one goal and a pair of assists.  The Captain, John Tavares is not the club leader in points, goals or assists.  The distinction of points and assists leader goes to Kyle Okposo, who has 19 points and 14 assists.  Frans Nielsen is the team leader with 8 goals.  Tavares has 7 goals and 10 assists, and is tied with Frans Nielsen with 17 points.

• The Islanders are teetering though.  Including tonight, they have allowed more goals (36-40) than they have scored.  General manager Garth Snow needs to take a concerted look into shoring up his blue line.

 

• Defense wasn't necessarily a problem on this night, but offense was.  The game remained closely contested after Radek Dvorak put Carolina ahead 6:39 into the first period, and remained that way heading into the third.  But John Tavares had one shot on goal all game, as the Isles mustered 21 shots, but couldn't generate any scoring.  There were no rebounds to be had, as Hurricanes goalie Justin Peters pitched a clean shutout.  The Islanders were 0/3 on the power play.

• Young Kevin Poulin started between the pipes again.  He earned his first victory of the season against the Boston Bruins.  Late, with 2:52 left in the third period, Poulin made a HUGE save to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Hurricanes, but the offense failed to compliment an overall very solid effort.  Poulin faced 24 shots and stopped all but one.  His record drops to 1-3 on the season, but certainly looked sharp.

 

• The Islanders loss allows the Rangers to slip past them in the standings.  The Long Islanders  are now 6-7-3 on the season.

From the desk of:
 BRICK CITY DEMONS

 

New Jersey Devils

vs.

Philadelphia Flyers

From

Broad Street

South Philly

FINAL
Devils  3
Flyers  0
 

• The New Jersey Devils entered tonight's game in a bad way.  They are still without Bryce Salvadore and Ryane Clowe.  Martin Brodeur is even on record saying he'd consider waving his no-trade clause if that would help the club.  The Devils entered tonight's action in seventh place of the Metropolitan Division with 3-7-4 record and 10 points.  One of those victories was a 4-0 drubbing of the Rangers in Newark.  After losing their first seven games of the season, they started tonight's game in Philly with a 3-4 mark since.  That's a start.

• Philadelphia fans serenaded their team to a chorus of boos as they skated off the ice at the conclusion of the second period.  The visiting Devils led 1-0 on a first period Eric Gelinas (2) goal just 1:57 into the game.  In truth, the Flyers couldn't have played any less inspired.  During the third period, the scoring was changed on the goal by Gelinas.  Adam Henrique (5) was credited with the goal instead.

• Recently called-up Cam Janssen scored in the third period to give the Devils a 2-0 lead just 3:01 into the third period, and the boooo's continued to rain down upon the Flyers.  When Jaromir Jagr scored New Jersey's third goal of the evening on an empty net, the Flyers fans really let their team have it.

• Marty Brodeur started in net for the Devils, and added to his pair of NHL all-time records.  He earned victory #672 of his career, and notched shutout #122 as well.  For the Devils, their 4th victory of the season, and 12th points of the season.  Marty faced 22 shots and stopped them all, for his third victory of the season.

Three Stars of the Night:

1) - Martin Brodeur
2) - Carl Hagelin
3) - Philly Crowd!



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Big Win Over Caps Overshadowed By Bigger Loss Of Ryan Callahan

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

 

Rangers Fans Get "Thumbed" In The Eye

NEW YORK RANGERS:  That's One Big Win For Tex's Rangers, But One Giant Loss For Blueshirts Kind.

The Rangers looked and played like they were happy to be back in familiar surroundings Wednesday night, even if it was in Washington.  The enigmatic Capitals turned out to be a welcome elixir for the beleaguered Rangers, even though the Caps have more problems than a math book too.  That should not take away from the kind of game the Blueshirts played though.  They've shown incremental progress of late.  But the Rangers still have a long way to go before proving anything.

My attitude hasn't changed much.  In fact, very recent attempts to play man-to-man defense looked very keystone cop at times.  Overall, the defense still finds themselves in places on the ice Henrik is not used to, and as a result is facing a wider range of shots he's likewise not accustomed to.  Three cheers go out to John Moore for scoring a goal however.  I'm still not over an increasing lack of toughness, but it was nice to see Justin Falk mix it up in the first period, and the Rangers actually out-hit the Caps by a wide 35-21 margin.  That's a tangible positive.

Certainly not last, Ryan Callahan was already being tasked with having to do too much.  He easily led ALL forwards Wednesday night with twenty-eight shifts and 22:06 minutes of ice time.  Alex Ovechkin took twenty-two shifts.  Callahan also led ALL forwards with five hits, and led the Rangers with six shots on net.  Only Alex Ovechkin took more shots, but Callahan had the only goal by a forward.  Oh, and he was asked to kill penalties too.  Now, Ryan Callahan will miss the next several weeks with a broken thumb.  He'll join Rick Nash and Carl Hagelin on the list of players the Rangers can least afford to lose.

Here is more evidence that Alain Vigneault is just as guilty as the previously ousted coach when it comes to shortening the bench.  While Callahan topped everyone with 22:06, Ovechkin saw 21:40 minutes, but no other player surpassed twenty-one minutes.  Derick Brassard and Brad Richards were the only other two Rangers forwards to clock twenty minutes.  The Caps had five different forwards eclipse twenty minutes.

It is now J.T. Miller's and Taylor Pyatt's big chance to shine.  In fact, Glen Sather's newly assembled crew is all together now.  Miller, Pyatt, Brassard, Derek Dorsett, Benoit Pouliot, Jesper Fast, Dominic Moore, John Moore, Darroll Powe, Justin Falk are all Glen Sather's bright ideas to improve a club that went to the Eastern Conference finals two years ago.

All we need now is for Chris Kreider to become the next Manny Malhotra - the Rangers former number one pick of the 1998 draft, and the seventh pick over all, whom the Rangers wound up trading to Dallas for three sticks and a bag-o-pucks.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Sather Continues Softening The Blueshirts

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

 

Feeling increasingly alone?

NEW YORK RANGERS: Yet Another Indication It Is Open Season On Tex's Rangers - Can Someone Please Place GM Glen Sather On Waivers!?

This is essentially the same team as last year, just with a new coach.  But you know what I heard after each game so far?  They need to get back to what was already ingrained into them regarding defense, and that they need to get back to doing things they already know how to do.  That screams of the stuff they used to pay keen attention to while playing for John Tortorella.  It also sounds like a lot of reminiscing by the players to me.  How do you feel about your exit interviews now boys?  They have this look about them as if wondering - what did we ask for?  To that I'll say again - you can't always give players what they want!

On that note, the GM continues to take away what this team needs most - toughness.  I wasn't exactly the biggest supporter of Aaron Asham.  He was inconsequential really.  But he did bring a measure of physicality to the ice, which is something the Rangers have methodically removed from their locker room over the last two seasons.  Glen Sather placed Asham on waivers today.  And there goes the last player who was willing to flat out fight if it meant protecting the honor of a team mate....  As a side note to this matter, Rick Nash is expected to miss at least the next two games while still suffering concussion symptoms after taking an elbow to the back of the head against San Jose.  That said, there is now one remaining player on the roster now who will stand against indiscretions taken against the Rangers.  That skater wears the C on his uniform.  He can not police the competition alone.

...And all this came against western conference clubs, who aren't necessarily known for playing intensely physical games.  The more one looks back on the Kings games, the more it looks like an aberration.  The Rangers are finally heading back east, so what do you think is going to happen now?  While getting back within their own conference might change team fortunes on the ice, I expect even more teams to push the Rangers around.

Goalie Marty Biron was also placed on waivers.  Who didn't see that coming?  Marty wasn't necessarily Alain Vigneault's favorite to back-up Lundqvist out of camp.  Biron just happened to be the best of the worst.  He never managed to recapture his effectiveness from two seasons ago, and now will contemplate retirement.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Ryan Callahan Is Back, But Where Are The Goals?

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: Who Needs To Do What, And How Often Do They Need To Keep It Up In Order To Win Games?

Meet the new boss.  In their first game of the season, the Rangers scored a power play goal by defenseman Marc Staal.

Same as the old boss?  No goals from the forward lines during even strength; Rangers lose 4-1 to the Phoenix Coyotes.

I shake my head to the new revolution.

The Captain, Ryan Callahan should be back on the ice tonight at the Office Supply Arena when the Rangers take on the Los Angeles Kings, who always present a supreme challenge.  Another challenge facing the Rangers is once again, where will they get their goal scoring from.  The returning Ryan Callahan has to be counted on for thirty goals this season.  After all, the offense is supposed to be opening up under new coach Alain Vigneault, right?

There are some other obvious names who need to supply goals.  Carl Hagelin needs to be counted on for at least twenty to twenty five goals this season.  Like Callahan, Derek Stepan needs to come within the twenty-five to thirty goal range.  On the next tier of scoring, I think the Rangers would greatly appreciate fifteen goals from Brian Boyle.  If Mats Zuccarello adds another fifteen, better for the Blue Shirts.

On the extreme end of things, Rick Nash needs to be a forty goal scorer.  Period.  Then, the Rangers 800 lbs. gorilla on skates needs to transform himself into an effective player again.  Brad Richards is up against IT in the worst way.  No player likes to be up against IT.  The Rangers have to get at least twenty goals and sixty points from Brad Richards to justify that money.  Even then, he would fall woefully short of living up to his contract.  So here's hoping he has a little renaissance man in him.

The wild cards are going to be players like Derick Brassard, Taylor Pyatt, and Derek Dorsett.  Down the line, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Brandon Mashinter and Darroll Powe will need to be reconsidered for a part on Broadway as well.

I like the Rangers depth on the blue line.  The more goals they get from their defensemen, the deeper they can conceivably advance in the post-season.  I hope that wasn't assuming too much though.  The biggest question worth answering is - can Marc Staal become a fifteen, or even a twenty goal scorer again?  He reportedly had an excellent training camp, and incidentally scored the Rangers first goal of the season.  In the three seasons spanning 2008 through 2011, Marc Staal scored fifty-three goals, then was felled by a lengthy concussion.

Dan Girardi hasn't registered double digit goals since he scored ten during the '07-'08 season.  Last year he scored two in forty-six regular season games.  With some more experience under his belt, Ryan McDonagh could conceivably chip in ten goals.  Michael Del Zotto is a wild card.  During the '11-'12 season, he was a forty-one point player, with ten goals in seventy-seven games played.  In forty-six games last season, he was a twenty-one point scorer.  This season, Del Zotto needs to play smarter hockey and chip in with forty-five points.

After that, any one else is welcome to step up and contribute.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Sizing Up The Blueshirts

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Big Blue Glacier Has Melted.

It's time to drop the puck again, but the Rangers will be doing it without Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin, as both are still working back from shoulder surgery.  I wonder how Callahan really feels regarding John Tortorella's departure?  After all, Torts made him the model to follow; the ideal player; and the Captain.  He basically spent three seasons building around Ryan Callahan.  Moving forward, at least Carl Hagelin won't have to play looking over his shoulder anymore.

I guess we need to welcome back center Dominic Moore.  Remember the HMO Line; Halweg, Moore, and Ortmeyer?  You might say Glen Sather outlasted Derek Stepan and his agent, as the Rangers center signed for closer to the club figure than their own proposal.  Two years from now, we'll have to renegotiate all over again.  I'm looking forward to a hefty contribution from Derick Brassard.  I like J.T. Miller and of course it's always good to see Brain Boyle.  Brad Richards is the lone center man with any accompanying baggage.

On the wing, I like Jesper Fast.  I think he can be an effective, physical two-way player, who also skates with speed.  If he and Carl Hagelin can share a line together, their combined speed can create problems for defensemen.  I liked last year's acquisitions of Taylor Pyatt and Derek Dorsett.  Along with Rick Nash, Pyatt in particular gives us good size on the forward line.  I can't get myself to shake pom-poms over Aaron Asham and Benoit Pouliot though.  Lastly, we know the deal regarding Mats Zuccarello.

When Michael Del Zotto has his head screwed on right, the Rangers can skate two defensive lines that rival any in the league.  Of course that also depends if Marc Staal continues to fully recover from a lengthy concussion.  Slowly but surely we started getting back the old Staal last season.  I'm hoping this season, he's back on his game for the entire haul.  I like John Moore.  He and Justin Falk instantly became our two biggest defensemen.  Moore weighs in at 214 pounds, while Falk is listed at 215 lbs.  At 6'5", Justin Falk is also an inch taller than Marc Staal.  Anton Stralman is the littlest blue liner - coming it at 5'11" and only 190 pounds.  The Rangers are going with seven defensemen to start the season.

Henrik is the King.  What more is there to say, other than the club better get him signed to a contract.  On the ice and between the pipes, Coach Alain Vigneault's system is going to create a whole new condition for Lundqvist.  He will see more pucks and they will be coming from more angles than he was used to.  His mates won't be blocking nearly as many shots this season either.  Marty Biron is back to caddy Henrik.  In last year's shortened season, Biron was never able to fully establish himself in his role as back-up.  The schedule didn't allow for very well planned out breaks for Lundqvist.

What I really want to know is, when a member of the opposition takes their first run at Lunqvist, who will be sticking up for him?  Granted, the Rangers added much needed size, but the toughness remains to be seen.  Circling back to John Moore, that's why I like him.  He can take care of himself and doesn't seem hesitant to mix it up.

Two seasons ago, the Rangers led the league in fighting, and in particular, led in fights within the first five minutes of a game.  They dictated the play more back then by imposing themselves and their style.  The key player in all that was Brandon Prust.  In his absence, the Rangers sorely lacked that effect last season, and it showed!  As a team, they spent far too much time getting pushed off the puck.

There's a new sheriff on Broadway, and his name is Alain Vigneault.  His hockey style is western. The Rangers spent three years moving forward with the power of a glacier, then met some resistance last season, and so Glen Sather started changing things up.  Now the plan is to skate with speed like - wind driven snow?

What's done is done.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Lost In Metropolis

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

 

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Next Era Of Blue Shirt Hockey Begins In The Arizona Desert.

Let's be clear, I always felt the Vancouver Canucks were a soft team playing in a weak division.  The Rangers generally never had any problems defeating them.  Now we've switched coaches, and I feel Vancouver stands to benefit more.

I'm still not sure John Tortorella should have been fired.  Whether he deserved to get fired is a different matter.  He did.  The players exit interviews obviously spoke loudly and clearly.  In hind sight, if you didn't arrive upon the Rangers rebuilding effort via the initial two talent waves, there was a certain degree of paralysis by analysis players suffered in trying to adjust to John Tortorella's system; whether home grown or imported, Kreider, Gaborik, Nash, Richards - you name it.

Generally speaking, all Torts had to do was allow his skilled players to be just a little more creative and free with the puck, and not preoccupied with committing a mistake.  The grunt mentality was perfect for a group of raw kids in need of a system and structure.  But Torts didn't bend with the addition of supposedly higher end skilled players.  His system in effect dumbed his stars down.  I'm interested to see if and how the Sedin brothers adjust to him and his grinding style.  To an extent, any good coach adapts to his players, except John Tortorella.

I'm additionally not entirely sure what happened last season, and ponder whether last year was just a minor setback, a step backwards, or an indication of things to come?  In other words, was last year the beginning of another downturn?  So soon?  The Rangers lost something more than just a playoff series.  The Rangers clearly were not a harmonious group following the work stoppage.  In the three previous years, they gained considerable forward momentum.  Last year however, they struggled through unforeseen consequences of a roster upheaval.  Despite that, I still knew the Rangers identity under Tortorella, albeit last season, Glen Sather apparently began changing it.

Enter Alain Vigneault - he will supposedly allow more creative freedom on the ice.  Only in this case, you should really say hello to western style hockey.  Expect our blue liners playing further away from net, and expect Henrik Lundqvist to face many more shots.  I'm also terribly interested to know how many shots Rangers players will be blocking now?  I'd venture to guess the total will drop by at least half.

Mix all that in with smaller goalie pads, and smaller nets this season, and instead of torturous 2-1 games, I guess we should expect more thrilling TV friendly 4-3 games then?  In Alain Vineault's defense, perhaps he will finally establish a third and even a fourth forward line, and actually stick with them, with adjustments as needed along the way, unlike Torts who consistently formulated his lines as the game went along.

The Rangers are now a full two seasons away from being the toughest, most fighting penalized team in the league.  The first game against the vastly improved Philadelphia Flyers will demonstrate how well this style doesn't play on this side of the Mississippi, and I'm not looking forward to it.

And so, this is how the 2013-2014 regular season starts, acquiescing to players and allowing them take more chances on the ice.   Okay, but I still believe you can't give players everything they want.

How I Long For A Return To The Patrick Division:

What in the name of Lester Patrick is this Metropolitan Division?  I get the league needed some minor re-alignment, but this is by far the worst shake-up since I became a hockey fan over thirty-five years ago.

• METROPOLITAN DIVISION - NYR, NJD, NYI, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricane and Columbus Blue Jackets.

If you're old school, you might like having the Caps back within the division as it was back in the Patrick Division days.  But all this means life just got exponentially tougher for the Blue Shirts.  Only the top three teams clinch playoffs spots.  The rest fall into the field.  Say hello to the other new division foes, Carolina and Columbus.

The 800 Pound Gorillas In The Room:

• Brad Richards - where do we go from here?  Coach Alain decided playing wing on the first line along with Stepan and Nash is the place for him.  Otherwise, he might be the most expensive question mark in the league.  He is certainly by far, the most disappointing Ranger.  The Blue Shirts are capped-out to high hell, and his salary is officially an albatross.  A solid turnaround performance would go a long way towards getting the Rangers back in the playoffs, but until proven otherwise, the consensus says Brad Richards is done.

• The Salary Cap - Derek Stepan barley got in, and Henrik Lundqvist's deal looks to becoming a problem.  Glen Sather has no flexibility.  Fire Glen Sather!

• The Power Play - supposedly Alain Vigneault is going to make a difference, and teach the Rangers a better life through successful power plays.  Good luck with that coach.

• Casualties - Captain Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin are both coming off shoulder surgery.

• Rick Nash - over the course of a full season for a change, will he be the player the Rangers thought they were acquiring?  Under Alain Vigneault, the answer is maybe.

Mike.BTB

Henrik Lundqvist's Sore Shoulder Means Forward Lines Need To Step It Up

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

 

2012 - 2013

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Round Two - Semi Finals

 

Boston Leads Series 2-0

I - BOS 3; NYR 2*

II - BOS 5; NYR 2

*overtime

 

 

GAME THREE

 

Boston Bruins

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - The Better The Forward Lines Play, The Less Action Henrik Will See.


I found myself disagreeing with Coach regarding many things this season.  My son never got over his treatment of Sean Avery.  Frankly, neither did I.  We could really use a player like Avery right about now.  I digress.  Nor did I appreciate Tortorella's recent dress-down of Carl Hagelin.  I know coaches only say things about their players when they want them to hear it.  What Torts had in mind, I don't know.  Coach's characterization of Hagelin's struggles on the PP were rather two face considering his season long protection of Brad Richards.  That's the guy who's PP performance and overall play deserves a tongue lashing.


But when it comes to questioning or critiquing Henrik Lundqvist into a microphone or to a reporter, I'm behind Coach Torts one hundred percent.  I'm not going there either.  After eight seasons of brilliant goaltending, Henrik Lundqvist has earned at least that.  I'll tell you how to react to Game Two - silently.  Because any audible rant as it pertains to a goalie who stopped 92% of all regular season shots taken against him in his career is irresponsible.


Next year Henrik Lundqvist will most surely win his 300th NHL game, but yes, he is still looking to hoist his first Stanley Cup.  If he had to do that yesterday, his shoulder might have been too sore for lifting. If you've ever bruised your shoulder, you know its nature is to feel worse before getting better.  The best report out of Rangers camp since Game Two regarding Henrik's shoulder was that it was stable.  How vaguely unreassuring.  Henrik added today, it was under control.  That means pain management to you and me.


There is no getting around Lundqvist had a bad Game Two, and that the Rangers did many things right.  The Rangers benefited from Boston's sixteen give-aways, and wound up with more SOG, including numerous quality chances.  Credit Tuukka Rask.  The Rangers also won more face-offs.  It is still wholly unfair to demand perfection from Henrik however, when he is surrounded with such overall offensive ineptitude, on the power play in particular.  Fewer and fewer of us civilians have  confidence in this offensive system anymore and the lack of goals it creates.  In the name of Patrick Lester, they can't even enter the offensive zone with a man advantage, much less score.  Two power play goals in the playoffs?  They were 0 for 5 in Game Two.  Save me Henrik's overtime record.  Goalies like Marc Andre Fleury, who got the stuffing beat out of his pads by the Islanders, can't hold Henrik's stick, yet Pitt's offense gets him through round after round, and year after year.  Goals cover up many many mistakes and poor play.  We're lucky Henrik is cool cat, because he goes off somewhere after nights like Game Two, and performs his ancient Swedish pagan meditation ritual, then returns to the ice good as new.  But this is not a case of - here we go again.  Henrik put it best in saying this is a different round against a better team.  So if there is a directive for the Rangers forwards to follow heading into Game Three, it would be to show up in defense of their goalie, play in Boston's zone, stay low and go right at their defensemen, punish Tuukka Rask, score goals, and protect this house!


It was nice that Rick Nash finally decided to score.  Perhaps he can inspire Brad Richards now.  But if you're like me, you stopped relying on the names on the back of their jerseys last round.  This is my position on Rick Nash - once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a trend.  Show me.  In the mean time, Derick Brassard, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, and Ryan Callahan have been the primary scorers, and they'll need to continue doing so.  Their mission - Make Tuukka Rask lose this game.


The blue liners are not without blame.  Dan Girardi and Michael Del Zotto need to play better than they did in Game Two.  All of them need to do a better job of keeping the slot closed to traffic, and keeping Henrik's lanes clear.  They should be alert to all Bruins skaters and all four lines because every Boston player minus one, had at least one shot on goal in Game Two.  Four different Bruins topped out at three each.  Conversely, the Rangers had five players with four shots on goal and three players with no shots.  That tells me the Rangers are pressing with limited line-ups, while the Bruins are sharing the puck and throwing fresh lines on the ice.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers Fall In Overtime; Coach Plays Power Play Blame Game

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

GAME TWO FINAL

Rangers   0

Capitals   1

overtime

 

Capitals Lead Series 2-0

Rangers vs. Capitals - We Meet Again

New York Rangers Need To Clean Up Their Act

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Even I Can Not Let Coach Pass The Blame Regarding His Power Play Unit.  The PP Futility Has His Name Written All Over It.


The numbers do not exactly inspire me to run out and play the lottery.  In fact, they suck.  In Game Two, the Washington Capitals overwhelmingly out-shot the Rangers by a 38-24 margin.  The Caps were additionally 1 for 2 on the power play, which happened to include the game winning goal in overtime.  For all sixty-eight minutes of Game Two, the Rangers failed to score a goal against Braden Holtby, to include three power play opportunities.  Nor did the Rangers have any shots on goal during overtime, while the Caps had eight.  Rick Nash and Brad Richards combined to take seven shots on net.  New Blueshirts forwards Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, Darroll Powe, and Taylor Pyatt all combined for another four scattered shots on goal.  Newbie defenseman John Moore added one shot too.  That's twelve shots by the previously mentioned players.  Washington on the other hand was served by Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson who both posted seven shots on goal each.  And the biggest number of them all - the Rangers have scored one goal in the last 128 minutes of playoff hockey.


Even a hockey Captain can not lead if he does not have and army of skaters behind him.  Outside of the blue liners, Ryan Callahan logged in the most overall ice time for the Rangers.  He also led the team with five shots on net, and a team high eight hits.  So where does that leave a king?  Or rather, what more does Henrik Lundqvist have to do?  Score a hat trick?  Instigate a fight?  Clear his own crease?  Go down ice and take out Braden Holtby himself?  Because for the second consecutive playoff series against the Blueshirts, the Caps goalie is putting on a clinic.  Holtby has now recorded his first career playoff shutout, and has stopped fifty-nine of sixty Rangers shots on net.  Meanwhile, I believe the game winning goal deflected slightly off Derek Stepan - Henrik never had a chance against an otherwise straight forward slap shot from the slot.  He'll still receive crap even though he stopped every shot in regulation, and eleven more in overtime.  That's why this game was ultimately destined to incur misguided blame - see below.


Life under John Tortorella has evolved into a one mistake affair - don't make one.  It is no secret that a single mistake is all it takes to ruin a whole night's worth of grunt work.  Washington's PP goal  eight minutes into overtime was just the latest example of that.  Tex's Rangers took it on the chin because of a delay of game penalty against Ryan McDonagh.  Too many mistakes doomed the Blueshirts in Game One, and one huge gaffe ruined them in Game Two.  That delay penalty was like taking a too many men on the ice penalty to start Game One - Ponderous!  I empathize with Coach Torts to a point.  These aren't infractions committed by brutish players behaving badly.  Instead, these are mind numbingly stupid penalties.  For a team that probably couldn't even score in a woman's prison with cartons of cigarettes in hand, and for a team that has less goals than Paris Hilton, mistakes are far more destructive to the Rangers than they should be.

"We're just too stagnant," New York coach John Tortorella said. "We're almost paralyzed." - ESPN
 

That came in response to a question regarding being 0 for 7 on the power play after two games.  While Coach's assessment may be true to a certain extent, there is only so much he can pass off on the players.  Rangers fans, including myself are familiar with the unit under Torts, so there is no blowing smoke up our posteriors.  Even staunch Coach Torts disciples like myself will admit the problem comes partly from a lack of originality on Tortorella's part.  The fact that numerous players have been in and out of his system over the years, and the results remain the same point towards the coach.  He has been the constant variable in a consistently horrific power play.




Mike.BTB

New York Rangers Need To Clean Up Their Act In Game Two

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

National Hockey League - 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs

 

TODAY

 Round One - Game Two
 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Washington Capitals

FROM

Enemy Ice

Nation's Capital

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Killing Us Softly With Their Wrongs.., Killing Us Softly...With Their Wrongs...

Blueshirts Must Do Better To Stay At Even Strength

Game One - We Meet Again

Final

Rangers   1

Capitals   3

Win one game on the road, and bring the series back home - that's the standard operating procedure, isn't it?  Things have to change prior to Game Two, and certainly before this team enters Madison Square Garden Monday night.  Getting called for too many men on the ice just 0:34 after the puck dropped in Game One of the playoffs was inexcusable.  That's the same way we started the season, and to regress at this point, is wholly unacceptable.  In fact, I can't even believe we are discussing it.  I'm sickened by it.  Pittsburgh did not score on the ensuing power play.  Was it a case of no goal, no harm?  Hardly.  That's two minutes the Rangers aren't mustering offense.  Last year, Rangers Hockey used to be about spending the opening five minutes trying to set a tone for the rest of the game.  I do not know when the Rangers effectively did that last.  Instead, an early penalty started the Rangers off in a defensive posture.


Then there are your stupid penalties - like Aaron Asham's illegal hit to the head at 6:26 of the second period.  This time, Alex Ovechkin made the Rangers pay with a power play goal thirty-three seconds later.  The game was only tied 1-1 thanks to Carl Hagelin's tenacity and first period goal.  Otherwise, the Rangers allowed Washington five power play opportunities over the first two periods.  That's playing with fire.  Somehow, the Rangers managed to out-shoot Washington over the first two periods, by a slim 24-23 margin.  The Capitals shots on goal however were finding net, while those of the Rangers were not.  Washington scored two more even strength goals against Lundqvist, before the second session expired.  Meanwhile, goalie Braden Holtby was giving the Rangers flashbacks of last year.


While giving up a cheap (Lundqvist) goal is something we are forced to grow accustomed to, that still doesn't speak to the Rangers one goal for the game.  Just 5:31 into the third period, Michael Del Zoto got called for slashing, and the Rangers were forced on the kill yet again.  From the first drop of the puck, to the final buzzer in Game One, the Rangers just kept filibustering their own effort in Washington.  Any and all momentum just kept getting stuck in place.


The Rangers went scoreless in their four power play opportunities, and punctuated the night when they failed to score cleanly during a five on three opportunity in the second period.  For the game, The Rangers out-shot Washington by a 36-30 margin.  Take away Rick Nash's eight shots, and Alex Ovechkin's five, and the Rangers still out-shot the Caps 28-25.  However, there is a major disconnect here.  Brad Richards had one shot on goal all game.  He and Rick Nash both led all Rangers forwards with exactly 17:42 even strength minutes each.  Unlike Richards, Rick Nash had eight shots on goal to lead the Blueshirts, but no goals against Braden Holtby.  Welcome to the rivalry Rick.  Who knows how many more shots the Blueshirts could have taken were it not for killing ten minutes in penalties.  The same can be said about Washington.


All I know is, look who scored the Rangers goal, and who assisted - Hagelin (1), from Ryan Callahan, and Ryan McDonagh.  The other day I said, -

It's hard to tell which Brad Richards will show up, and what contributions some of the newer Rangers will make. I still say it is incumbent upon Ryan Callahan to lead Derek Stepan, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin, Matts Zuccarello, Stu Bickel, Brian Boyle, and all the other Rangers who've been together, to lead the charge.
 

This year's new acquisitions are by no means off the hook.  They absolutely need to perform if the Rangers are to be successful.  But who do you trust?




Mike.BTB

New York Rangers: The Washington Capitals - We Meet Again.

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2012 - 2013

First Round

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

 

Game One

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Washington Capitals

FROM

Enemy Ice

Nation's Capital

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Blueshirts Face Huge First Round Challenge Versus Old Rivals.


Here we go again.  For the fourth time in five years, the Blueshirts will face off against the Washington Capitals in Lord Stanley's tournament.  The Caps won the first two battles of 2008-2009, and 2010-2011, before bowing to the Rangers in game seven last season of the second round.  So if I may, the rivalry is renewed.


Since his hiring in February of 2009, John Tortorella has been a constant behind the Rangers bench, while the Caps are on their third ice master.  Former coach Bruce Boudreau famously created frigid atmospheres upon his visits to Madison Square Garden.  The man was never short for words and usually preceded his visits with a riff of amusing zingers.  But trying to tame the wild born ice devil, Alex Ovechkin, ultimately got him fired.  Dale Hunter took his chances against Torts' Rangers last season, and damn nearly pulled off a seven game series win.  But Hunter stepped down and in came no nonsense Adam Oates.  I have a lot of respect for Oates, especially as a former player.  To close out the regular season, he had his team playing their best hockey of the season, and not incidentally, were among the top two hottest NHL teams down the stretch.  I do not imaging Adam Oates losing his bench composure unlike John Tortorella can, and in the playoffs, has.  Adam Oates brings a brand new dynamic to this post-season rivalry.  Tortorella needs to be at his chessboard best and think less of - may the better grunt win.


The Rangers were methodically inconsistent regarding their abbreviated regular season, while the Caps were a first half/second half, Jekyll and Hyde team.  In the end, they posted near identical records.  We can forget all that now.  Alex Ovechkin played rejuvenated hockey under Coach Oates' new (old) system and went on to lead the NHL in goals with thirty-two.  The Rangers new stud import, Rick Nash, scored twenty-one goals in his first season with the Blueshirts.  Ovechkin has been through this match-up several times before.  Nash has not.  But Brad Richards has.


It's hard to tell which Brad Richards will show up, and what contributions some of the newer Rangers will make.  I still say it is incumbent upon Ryan Callahan to lead Derek Stepan, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin, Matts Zuccarello, Stu Bickel, Brian Boyle, and all the other Rangers who've been together, to lead the charge.  Granted, it will be harder to do without Marc Staal.  Of the new guys, Derick Brassard stands to have the most impact heading into Round One.  Brian Boyle's and Ryane Clowe's injury status are still questionable.  Perhaps Tyler Pyatt has something extra in his game for the playoffs.


I'm interested to see what purpose players Coach Torts suits up this evening.  Will he over-prepare heading into Game One?  Or, react after Game Two?  In any event, I guess we're left with Aaron Asham fighting the majority of our battles.  I find that troublesome.


At 26.2%, the Washington had the regular season's best power play in all the NHL, but were 27th on the penalty kill.  The Rangers were 11th on the PK, with an 81.1% kill rate, but only 23rd overall on the power play with a 15.7% mark.  Washington was 4th overall in goals scored, while the Rangers rated 15th in the league.  Defensively, the Blueshirts were the 4th stingiest team, while the Caps were 18th.  Picking up where they left off last year, slightly different styles will meet up somewhere in the middle, and turn this series into a grind.  What else....


Washington looks to be a better team than last year's version, while the Rangers are clearly different, and not as good.  Or, not yet.  Maybe it took forty-eight games to finally get things clicking correctly off Broadway.  We'll see.


Young goalie Braden Holtby should be no stranger to Rangers fans.  He matched Henrik Lundqvist save for save in last year's playoff.  Holtby stymied the Rangers, and nearly stole the series.  This season he posted a 2.38 GAA in thirty-five starts, to go along with a .920 save percentage.  The Rangers liege posted a 2.03 GAA in forty-three starts, with a .926 save percentage.


That's it.  Let the games begin.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Captain Callahan Leads Blueshirts Through Hurricanes

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS - The Captain Leads. Ryan Callahan's Overtime Goal Propels Blueshirts Onto Postseason.


"THAT'S IT!" - Charlie Brown.


....Not the fact that the Rangers blew a 2-0 lead, (Good Grief!), and came back to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime, and in doing so clinched a playoff spot.  I'm talking about Carl Hagelin's first period pass from the left circle to Derek Stepan filling the slot.  I haven't seen that particular set up from Torts' Rangers, it seems like, forever.  The play looked similar to the crazy-ass open skating style of western conference hockey.  Yech!


Captain Callahan got credit for the secondary assist on Stepan's goal.  In overtime, Captain Callahan scored the game winning goal on assists from Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh.  If that sounds more like a blast from the past, it should.  And that's the way it needs to be from here on out.  With many new players joining the fold, the Rangers garnered vastly different results this season.  The playoffs are the playoffs however, where good teams win, and lesser teams get weeded out.  If these Rangers are as good as last year's Rangers, throw the regular season aside, for the post-season will tell us.  But until this team reaches the Eastern Conference finals, the debate over departed players versus the imported ones will continue.


Brad Richards scored the game tying goal on a power play with three minutes left in regulation.  It was a huge score for him personally, and the team as a whole, considering their pathetic loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, and that Winnipeg was ahead 2-1 over the Canadiens this evening, until Montreal pulled away.


Tuesday's loss by the way, was brutal - just brutal.  I'm glad I kept my mouth shut.  I can not say after today however, no harm done.  I disagreed with how Coach played Henrik.  I would have given Henrik Tuesday off.  Had the Rangers won, I would have given him off Thursday as well.  He started forty of forty-six games heading into Carolina.  This is all academic now.  Henrik will no doubt sit out Saturday's season finale against the Devils.



Mike.BTB

New York Rangers: Fans To Devils - "Season's Over!"

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

 

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

 

Rangers Lead Series 2-1

I - NJD 3; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; NJD 2

III - NYR 4; NJD 1

IV - Saturday

NEW YORK RANGERS - Win Over Devils Gives Blueshirts Three Point Lead Over Winnipeg Jets For Eighth Seed.


I was there Sunday.  There was no revenge factor for me - just winning.  Regardless, MAAR-TY! was the anthem of the night. And it was fun.  Sunday's chant started a little earlier than most, thirty-four seconds into the game actually.  That's when Captain Callahan put the Rangers on the board, and sent the Blueshirts on their way.


The game was a bit unusual to watch as Rangers/Devils clashes go.  Neither team seemed to play with any aggression to speak of, towards each other.  It was more like a - Pardon me, Excuse me type of game.  In fact, Coach DeBoer was the most agitated person in the Garden last night.  And for good reason.  His Devils were in the midst of being eliminated from this year's playoff race, and going down without a fight.  If you remember, by this time last year, Coach DeBoer and Coach Torts were already exchanging slings and arrows.  This year, Sunday, Coach DeBoer vented on the stripes for good reasons, team motivating reasons, and no reason at all.  It's all he had left.  SEASON'S OVER!  SEASON'S OVER!  Coach DeBoer was reminded over and over by the crowd.  Not so much for him, but for me, there was a great atmosphere at the Garden, in an otherwise conflicting season.  The Rangers now have three games left to secure this eighth seed, or, their season will be over as well.


Tex's Rangers have now scored eighteen goals in the last three games.  Last night, the Captain scored the first and last goal of the day.  Derek Stepan continued his strong season with a first period goal, his sixteenth, and Taylor Pyatt added his fifth.


Henrik Lundqvist has started the last eleven games in a row, and twenty of the last twenty-one Rangers games.  The Blueshirts next game is Tuesday, against the Panthers in Florida.  Even though every point is critical right now, Coach Torts might want to consider giving Henrik the night off.  It would figure to be Henrik's last game off for whatever run the Rangers can muster.  Marty Biron made three starts in February.  He made his next start on March 10th, then his last start came on March 30th.  Henrik started forty games this season, Biron, six.  Henrik currently owns a 2.08 GAA, and a .927 save percentage.  Giving Lundqvist Tuesday's game off is a risk, but one worth taking.  The Winnipeg Jets are currently three points behind the Rangers, in ninth place with forty-nine points.  After Florida, the Rangers play in Carolina, and wrap up the regular season against the Devils again.  IF...Biron gets the start in Florida, and wins, I would give him another start in Carolina, before saddling up Henrik for a potentially, long bumpy ride through the conference.  What say you?




MIke.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Escape Ottawa With A Point

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS - In Rick Nash's Absence,

Captain Callahan Tried Doing It All, And Almost Did.

Sens Back-Up Goalie Ben Bishop Outlasts King Henrik

During Seven Rounds of Shoot-Out.

 

Blueshirts Still Holding On To Eighth Seed

 

Thursday Final:

RANGERS  2

Senators      3

shootout

Skating without Rick Nash for the second straight game, the Rangers earned a precious point on the road - their tenth in their last seven games.  The Rangers are 6-3-1 in their last ten games, and 8-6-2 on the season.  So why aren't I happier?


The Rangers fell behind early; too early; six and a half minutes into the game early; to the Ottawa Senators, who took the Rangers to seven games in last season's playoffs.  Both teams then continued to do very little other than scar the ice until the third period.  Midway through, Ryan Callahan finally got the Rangers on the board, with a game tying, power play goal.  It was Ryan Callahan's third pp goal this season, and only the Blueshirts seventh of the year.  Roughly one minute after Callahan's goal, Ryan McDonagh put the Rangers ahead.  But hold on there Tex!...  At 13:19, Brian Boyle got whistled for holding.  And you know what comes next.  The Sens Mike Zibanejad scored a power play goal to tie the game at two-all.  Both teams spent the overtime session scarring up the ice some more.  Then into shoot-out they went.  By the time they finished after seven rounds, the Rangers were losers of two out of three shoot-outs in their last five games.


The Rangers scoring only came after Sens goalie Craig Anderson was taken out bowling pin style, by a free sliding Chris Kreider.  One of the league's top goalies left the game with a sprained ankle.  That just added to an already ruinous injury situation for Ottawa.


Marian Gaborik led all Rangers with seven shots on goal in thirty one shifts.  He and Derek Stepan led all forwards in ice time.  Taylor Pyatt was next high man with five shots on goal.  Brad Richards  only managed two shots in twenty five shifts.  Called up from Connecticut to help out, Brandon Mashinter fired off one shot on goal in nine shifts.  In twelve minutes of even-strength ice time, Chris Kreider managed no shots, administered four hits, and eliminated one goalie.


The greatest shoot-out goalie in the known universe has looked normal in his last two extra-curricular challenges. Granted, the Rangers needed to do a better job when you consider it took seven rounds to decide a winner Thursday night.  Six Rangers - Gaborik, Stepan, Richards, Hagelin, J.T. Miller, and Kreider, all failed to score in the shoot-out.  Where was Marek Malik when we needed him?  Ryan Callahan, the Captain, again, was the only Blue-shirt to slip one by Sens back-up goalie Ben Bishop.


Otherwise, King Henrik faced thirty seven total shots, allowing two regulation time goals.  On the game's opening Ottawa score, Dan Girardi fell and buffed the ice, leaving Henrik stranded by himself against Jakob Silfverberg, who converted a short-hand opportunity.  And there ya go.  That upset me most, because this game followed one of the Rangers more pathetic performances of the season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against the Canadiens.


On Saturday, the Rangers will face the Canadiens again in Montreal.  The Habs are number one in the Eastern Conference; tied with the New Jersey Devils with twenty four points.  They lead the Northeast Division by two points over Boston.  By gaining a desperately needed point against the Senators, the Rangers maintained their number eight seeding in the Eastern Conference with eighteen points - only one point better than Tampa Bay.  The Rangers will get a chance to clash with the Lightning shortly, this coming February 28th.  In the Atlantic Division, the third place Rangers trail the first place Devils by six points.


* The Rangers still aren't saying what ails Rick Nash.  He missed a practice prior to last week's game against the Capitals, but did in fact play against Washington.  He then missed the last two games against the Habs and Sens.




Mike.BTB