Mets Podcast: Looking on the Bright Side

RisingApple.com
Episode #103

It was my turn to host.  

We covered everything, Memorial Day Holiday style.

Plus, a 2003 season rant!

No Mets fans were injured during the making of this podcast.

The Rising Apple Report: Looking on the Bright Side of the Mets

Added, May 22, 2015
Las Vegas 51s: Steven Matz was human, 
yet effective enough to earn his 5th victory of season

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Sandy Alderson Can Improve the Offense with Dollars and Sense

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com 

  Sandy Alderson Can Improve the Offense With Dollars and Sense

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Rangers: Game 3 - Get Back to What Worked

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2014-2015

* * * STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS * * *

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME THREE

New York Rangers

vs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

FROM

Century Village Arena

in too hot Florida

NEW YORK RANGERS: Lessons learned over first two games.

In Game One, the Blue shirts did a great job initiating physical play.  In Game Two they did not because they were too busy killing off 6 penalties.

In Game One, the Blue shirts did well to get Ben Bishop away from his set position, and getting him to move laterally.  In Game Two they did not.  The Rangers need to get his skates and head moving in different directions, otherwise he is literally too big to get beaten straight on - (with Alex Ovechkin's slap shot, maybe).

Here comes the big one:

In games One and Two, the Lightning defense demonstrated little inclination to push Rangers players out from in front and away from Bishop.  Therefore, the Rangers can seemingly set up in front any time they chose with little to no resistance from Tampa.  Yet, they seemed reluctant to establish position in Game Two, particularly during their failed 1st period 5 on 3 opportunity, prior to Martin St. Louis' turnover.

Mission: Come out of Tampa with at least a split, but try like hell to reestablish home ice advantage.

We'll talk more later...



Mike

Newark Bears: Village Voice Open Letter to Chris Rock

From the desk of: THE DEFUNCT BRICK CITY NINE

LINK:

Chris Rock, Please Buy The Bears - 

Dear Chris Rock, here's how you can get more black people to watch baseball.

Includes Chris Rock's take on blacks in baseball: HBO's Real Sports/YouTube

Newark Bears: Sounds like a perfect fit.  I'd like to think it actually makes $en$e, but, economic reality says otherwise.

I would only add this, stated several times in this blog...

In light of Newark's rich baseball history, part of any renewed effort to field a Newark Bears baseball club again should involve a conversation to erect the finest Negro League museum this side of the Mississippi River.

Newark should, before another city does.




Mike

2015 NBA Draft Lottery at Barclays Center

From the desks of:  

THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH  and  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Home of the 2015 NBA Draft Lottery

New York Knicks anticipate having the best night of their season.

In the first ever NBA lottery, each team's logo was placed into an over sized envelope.  The envelopes in turn were placed in an over sized Bingo style spinning barrel.  Once mixed to Commissioner David Stern's satisfaction, he began the process of determining the order of selection for the June draft.  The last two envelopes remaining in the barrel belonged to the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.

Commissioner Stern reached in once more, and opened the envelope containing the Indiana Pacers logo.  Attending on behalf of the Knicks was then GM Dave DeBusschere, whom triumphantly pounded his fist on the table knowing the Knicks had just won the first ever NBA draft lottery.  

David Stern then performed the formality of reaching in the barrel one last time to reveal a Knicks logo, winners of the first overall pick in the 1985 NBA June draft.

Of course, the Knicks selected Georgetown center, Patrick Ewing, and the rest is history as they say...

The conspiracy theorists claim the Knicks envelope was placed in a freezer so that Commissioner Stern could distinguish their envelope from all the rest, and award the struggling NBA charter franchise the #1 pick.

With a 17-65 record, the New York Knicks only won 20.7% of their regular season games.  Tonight will represent the best part of their season.  They just so happen to have a 20% chance of landing the #1 overall pick in the upcoming June NBA Draft, and can do no worse than securing the #5 overall pick.

Steve Mills will be the Knicks representative at this year's ping pong ball extravaganza.  My first question is why?  My next question is, why is Steve Mills still employed by the Knicks?  Then I'd like to know why the hell Phil Jackson hasn't fired him yet?  

And now..., and now....!  Steve Mills and IsiahThomas work in the same building again!

Does anyone get the impression that if Phil Jackson doesn't win the #1 or at least the #2 pick, that he's as good as gone?  Reason being, he doesn't need this crap, so why torture himself?

• In 1985, Brooklyn's own, and St. John's University star forward Chris Mullin was selected with the #7 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.  Mullin is now in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and has returned to his Alma-mater to be their head coach.

Brooklyn Nets feeling the ramifications of Billy King's reign.

Five years ago at the NBA Lottery Show - because it has become just that, a side show replete with dwarfs, sword swallowing congenial twins, poodles with people faces, a teenage werewolf, and a bad dirty joke teller - Mikhail Prokhorov made his grand entrance upon the NBA landscape.

On national TV, he proclaimed with supreme confidence his intentions to win an NBA championship within 5 years.  When the host reporter asked what that plan entailed, Mikhail Prokhorov explained that if he told her, he would have to kill her - all in fun of course.

Five years later, the 1,825th and final day expired on Prokhorov's title mandate.

The Nets finished the regular season with a 38-44 record, which could have entitled them to the #15 overall pick in the draft.  However, Billy King traded the rights to this year's first round pick as part of the deal to acquire Joe Johnson.  The Atlanta Hawks, whom eliminated the Nets from this year's playoffs in six games, own the right to swap #1's with the Nets.  Atlanta will now have the 15th overall selection, and the Nets drop down to 29th.

That doesn't even begin to lend insight into the mess the Nets are in.  

Billy King's creation has gotten worse in each of the last three seasons, culminating this season in a sub .500 record.  He compromised the Nets #1 pick through 2018 as part of the failed trade to acquire Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.  He's additionally capped out AND paying the luxury tax.

Since the team's move to Brooklyn three seasons ago, the Nets have been in a supreme position to steal headlines, and outshine the Knicks, whom by their own folly have literally hit an all-time low. But, Billy King failed to seize the moment.  The most expensive team in NBA history turned into a miserable failure.  Billy King's machinations will have lasting ramifications, as noted, through the 2018 season.

 Whatever...

UPDATE

The New York Knicks 

will have the 4th overall selection in the June draft.

Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Two, Too Horrible to Watch

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Game Two Blues

2014-2015

Eastern Conference Finals

Series tied 1-1

I - NYR 2; TBL 1

II - TBL 6; NYR 2

III - WEDNESDAY

Game Two Final:

Lightning    6

RANGERS  2

NEW YORK RANGERS: That was just awful.

The Rangers played as bad a game as they have all post-season, if not worse.

Moreover, the 1st period was about as bad a period as they've played all post-season.

• Martin St. Louis seemingly forgot how to play hockey.  He had trouble with his footwork and   skating, he failed to convert a great pass in front and put it on net, and most glaringly, he turned the puck over with the Rangers in the midst of a 5 on 3 power play that resulted in a short-handed goal the other way.

• The regular season Chris Kreider reappeared.  Or, just to be clear should I say Stupid Kreider lost his bearing again...?  I'd swear someone spiked his Gatorade bottle with idiot juice.  After establishing position in front of Ben Bishop and cleaning up a rebound to tie the game at one, he committed just an absolutely idiotic penalty, and of course, the Lightning cashed in on the power play to make it a 2-1 game.

• Then there was Hagelin, who just decided to push the puck outside the offensive zone for no particular reason.

The Rangers played a particularly undisciplined game, and put Tampa on the power play 6 more times, in which they cashed in 3 times.

If they keep that up, they won't be playing in June.

More later.....



Mike

L.I. Ducks: Barnstormers and Mother Nature Stymie Flock

from the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Muddy Waters..

Mother Nature doused Long Island's attempt at a series split with the Barnstormers.

After rain delayed the start of the game in excess of two hours, the umpires finally made the call to play Monday night baseball in Lancaster.

With the Ducks holding on to a 3-2 lead, heavy rain began falling again in the top of the 5th, and threatened the game's official status.  They would get through it, managing to fit in 5 complete innings with the Ducks ahead.

However, the umpires ponderously made them continue playing through deteriorating conditions into the 6th inning.  After the Ducks went scoreless, they began barking from the dugout at the home plate ump.   With heavy rain continuing to fall, and loud protestations emanating from Long Island's dugout, and with 1-out in the bottom of the frame, Blake Gailen homered off Ian Marshall to tie the game at three.

After starter Ian Marshall walked the next batter, umpires incredulously called for the field tarps again.  The Ducks dugout was livid, maintaining the game should have been stopped after the 5th.

Just before midnight, the game was suspended with the score tied at three.  The game will be made up on a day to be determined.  This game needs to count towards the first half standings.

• Lancaster won Friday's series opener by a 6-2 score over Ducks starter Mark Rogers.  He allowed all six runs (all earned), on 6 hits and 5 walks.  He fanned 4 batters, and saw his ERA grow to a 4.82 mark.  His record fell to 1-2 after 4 starts.  Lew Ford was 4 for 4 with an RBI.

• On Saturday, the Ducks jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 5 innings, but then allowed Lancaster to post 7 unanswered runs.  Mickey Jannis started, and lasted 5 innings.  He allowed 4 runs 9 (only 1 earned), on 6 hits and no walks.  He fanned 6 batters, but took a no-decision.  Bruce Kern allowed 3 earned runs in relief of Jannis to earn the loss.  Reggie Corona was 3 for 4, and hit his first home run of the season.  It was Long Island's only extra base hit of the game.

• In Sunday's game, Lancaster's pitching fell apart late in the game, and helped push 5 runs across the plate in the 8th.  The Barnstormers issued a pair of bases loaded walks, and a wild pitch plated a third run.  Lew Ford's 2-out single then scored two more en route to an 8-6 Ducks victory.  Lew Ford and Reggie Corona both drove in 3 runs apiece.  Bruce Kern rebounded from Saturday's loss to earn the win in relief of starter John Brownell.  The Long Island ace exited the game after 6.2 innings pitched.  In earning a no-decision, he allowed 4 runs (3 ER) on 5 hits and 3 walks, with 7 strikeouts.

With an 11-12 record the Ducks remain in last place, and trail the Somerset Patriots by 4.5 games in the Liberty Division standings.  They are now headed to York, Pennsylvania, to take on the Revolution.

NEXT

Long Island Ducks

@

York Revolution

FROM

Santander Headquarters

PA

Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Time For A Carl Hagelin Reemergence; Game 2

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

STANDING TALL!

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Finals

Rangers lead series 1-0

I - NYR 2; TBL 1

II - MONDAY

GAME TWO

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

GOTHAM

NEW YORK RANGERS: Now that they've established a physical advantage, Blueshirts need to keep it up.

Did the Lightning's lack of playoff experience rear its young head in Game One?

For such a high scoring, skate and possession team such as Tampa to spend so little time in their offensive zone, to turn over the puck as much as they did, and to get limited to just 5 shots on goal in the 3rd period, the answer could very well be..., maybe.

The Rangers on the other hand, are very experienced.  After playing what seems like an eternity of gut-wrenching 1-point games, the tested Rangers have an overwhelming calm about them.  Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis won a Cup with Tampa.  Most of these Rangers went to the Stanley Cup finals last season, and several more have now been to the Eastern Conference finals 3 times with the Rangers in the last 4 years.

Did the Rangers also go old school on Tampa?

If you watched Tex's Rangers play a more physical game - initiating hits and throwing their bodies around with purpose, battling along the boards, pushing Bolts off the puck, causing turnovers, and blocking shots - like they used to under Tortorella, then the answer is definitively yes.

The Rangers out-jolted the Bolts by a 30-18 count, and their 10 takeaways somewhat off-set losing the face-off battle by a 30-23 margin.

Do I think the Rangers will maintain their physical edge?  They should!

They better!

The Need For Speed:

Did the Rangers also skate with speed reminiscent of an Alain Vigneault coached team?  You bet.  I guess Rangers fans CAN have it both ways, sometimes.., I guess.., (against the Lightning at least).

Attention Carl Hagelin - the Tampa Bay Lightning seem like a perfect opponent for him to get his game going into a higher gear, considering all the wide open hockey expected of these two teams and all...

In the previous round, Hagelin registered a mere assist in Game One, then got sand thrown in his motor by the very physical Capitals, whom not incidentally had the Rangers scurrying on defense for large portions of the series.

The Penguins on the other hand, are a step down in physicality, and with that being said, Hagelin's game improved as the series against Pittsburgh wore on.  He scored a goal in Game 3, assisted on Kevin Hayes OT winner in Game 4, and of course scored the overtime winning goal in Game 5.

Now with yet another down tick in physicality against the Bolts, I similarly expect an uptick in Carl Hagelin's performance as this series progresses.

Shake and Bake:

I think the Rangers can forget about beating Ben Bishop top shelf, unless they can put one through his chest.  His 6'7" frame covers a lot of net.  And if he can see the puck, he'll challenge shots, and stop them.

When Rick Nash set up Kevin Hayes for a clear shot on goal, Ben Bishop challenged Hayes straight forward, and made an easy glove save.  Later when Derick Brassard and Nash rushed 2 on 1, Brassard kept the puck and shot into the glove of a well positioned, and unflinching Bishop.

• By the way, the Nash/Hayes/Brassard line did not score a goal, but played a brilliant game together.  In yet another line tweak, Brassard and Hayes assisted on Moore's goal.  The aforementioned line, however, may very well turn into the leading unit this series, as the Kreider/Stepan/Fast line was last series.

In Game One, Bishop was instead the victim of two costly deflections.  More importantly, the Rangers were able to create, maneuver, and effectively operate in traffic.

Derek Stepan's goal came off Chris Kreider's initial shot from the slot, that deflected off a Bolt in front, and presented itself for Stepan to clean up.  Bishop got beat moving to his right.

The second Rangers goal came on Kevin Hayes' bad angle shot/pass from the left corner.  Dominic Moore skated around from behind net to create the disruptive traffic and wound up getting credit for the goal.  On the play, Bishop got beat moving to his left.

If Game One served as any indication, then the way to beat Ben Bishop is by causing disruptive traffic, and by getting him to move laterally.

Gotta shake him, and bake him.

ICYMI:
Blueshirts Short Circuit Bolts In Game One
Rangers Need To Keep Lightning From Sparking A Wildfire




Mike

Are the Mets hitters ready for the St. Louis Cardinals pitchers?

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

NEXT:

St. Louis Cardinals

@

NEW YORK METS

Are The Mets Hitters Ready For The St. Louis Cardinals Pitchers?

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Short Circuit Bolts in Game One

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Blueshirts Strike First!

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Rangers lead series 1-0

I - NYR 2; T.B. 1

II - MONDAY

NEW YORK RANGERS: Serving Up a Blue Line Special.

Derek Stepan picked up where he left off in Game Seven against the Capitals, by opening the scoring in Game One against the Tampa Bay Lightning with one of those morale breaking goals at 19:47 of the 2nd period.

No one expected Tampa to stay quiet for very long though.  Ryan McDonagh got called for a high stick, and at 6:45 of the 3rd, the Lightning scored on Andrej Palat's power play goal.

Despite the Rangers playing a very strong defensive game, giving Tampa a man advantage is something they can least afford to do, if only because of the Bolts already high potential for scoring.   The Rangers gave Tampa four power play opportunities - three in the 3rd period.

Can't do that boys!

On Saturday, they got away with it, but they'll need to tighten that up by Monday.

I fully expected the Bolts to visit the box more often than the Rangers this series, and still do.  In Game One however, they limited the Rangers to just two PP opportunities.  The Rangers went scoreless which makes them 6 for 40 in the post-season.

Dominic Moore was guilty of tripping at 15:05 of the 3rd, which could have spelled big trouble.  But, the Rangers did well limiting Tampa to just two shots.

Out of the box, Dominic turned the puck over in the offensive zone.  Roughly 20 seconds later, however, Kevin Hayes' feed from the left corner deflected off Dominic Moore's skate as he attacked the crease, and by Ben Bishop for what proved to be the game winning goal.

Game One Final

Lightning  1

Rangers    2

Coming with just 2:25 left in regulation, you might as well file Dominic Moore's goal along with the other demoralizing goals the Blueshirts have scored in either the opening or closing moments of a period.  It was close enough.

• The Rangers lost the face-off battle by a 30-23 margin.   Dominic Moore was 9 for 19 on face-offs (47%), Brassard was 6 for 13 (46%), and Derek Stepan was 7 for 16, (43.8%).  Tampa's Valtteri Filppula destroyed the Rangers, going 10 for 13 (76.9%)

The Rangers finally got off the snide.  Ben Bishop is now 8-1-0 in career against the Blueshirts.  On Stepan's goal, he was forced to slide right and got beat stick side low.  On Moore's goal, he was forced to slide left and got beat glove side low.

Just saying....

Dan Boyle still might be suffering affects from the hit laid upon by Brooks Orpik.  He nonetheless played near 18:00 minutes Saturday.  He and the rest of the blue liners limited the Bolts to single digit shots on goal in the 1st and 3rd periods.  The Rangers also posted 10 takeaways.  Tampa took 24 shots overall, with only one getting by Henrik Lundqvist.

The Rangers took 30 shots on goal.  Nice adjustment by Alain Vigneault moving Kevin Hayes up on the line with Rick Nash and Derick Brassard, whom led the Blueshirts with 6 shots on goal.  Dominic also happened to be in the ice with Brassard and Hayes in the closing minutes - another (in-game) adjustment by AV.

Ryan Callahan did not have a shot on goal.  He was credited with 2 hits though.  However, it was the Rangers who applied the body, outhitting the Bolts by a jolting 30-18 margin.

Mike

Brooklyn Nets: Billy King and the Mess of Flatbush

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

The Five Year Mission Failed.

BROOKLYN NETS: Instead of celebrating their first NBA championship, the Hoops of Flatbush are facing a rebuild without any nails, hammers, or wood, and the wrong guy in charge.

Yeah.., ouch!  Keep reading.

In the last three seasons, the Nets went from a 49-33 record during their inaugural season in Brooklyn, to a 44-38 record in 2013-14, to posting a sub par 38-44 record this past season in what proved to be a very weak Atlantic Division, and Eastern Conference.

That's called regression.

Let's jump right in, then, with the Atlanta Hawks recently opting to swap #1 picks with the Nets, as is their right dating back to the Joe Johnson trade.  The Hawks #29 overall pick in the upcoming 2015 draft now belongs to the Nets, while Brooklyn's #15 overall pick is headed to Atlanta.

Since we're on the subject of draft picks, the Boston Celtics will benefit from Billy King's benevolence till the year 2018.  As part of the trade to acquire Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Celtics received the Nets 2014 #1 pick, and are still due the Nets 2016 #1 pick, the option to swap 2017 #1 picks, and the Nets 2018 #1 pick.

Moreover, heading into Summer the Nets suffer from incredible salary cap inflexibility, not to mention being indebted to the NBA's luxury tax.  On that note, Alan Anderson, Thaddeus Young, and Brook Lopez, can all opt of of their deals and become a free agents.  If Billy King has intentions to retain Lopez and Young, it will potentially cost him yet more money.  That would leave very little to address the team's greater deficiencies.

Those are just some of the enduring ramifications stemming from Billy King's tenure, and five year (or three year..) failed mission to win his boss an NBA championship.

The NBA's most expensive team is now in need of a complete overhaul, although one is not likely because Billy King has created an unmanageable, and in all likelihood, an immovable mess.

When I last chimed in, I was about to lambaste Jarrett Jack for an utterly pathetic defensive effort in Game 5.  But, after getting blown out by the Hawks in Game 6, that became a moot point.

Today, the Nets situation is less promising than its ever been on Flatbush.  Meanwhile, Billy King still has one more year left in his contract.

Does this mean the Nets will be challenged to win 35 games next season?  My answer to that is - Once is an event, Twice is a coincidence, and Three times is a trend.  Read into that what you will.

All I know is that Joe Johnson said this -

"We never had that (chemistry) going into seasons.  That's probably the thing that hurt us most because you can have coaching changes but as players, you have to have cohesiveness to be successful in this league."

That's on Billy King, for his revolving door of both coaches and players.

This much I do know.  Billy King's 4th head coach in three years is astonishingly blunt, brutally honest, but speaks the truth.   Lionel Hollins demoted, and made bench players of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez.  I have yet to decide whether all of it helped, or hindered the team.

Among his more biting critiques:

On Deron Williams -

"He's not a franchise player anymore."

On Brook Lopez -

"He has some limitations.  ...there's a lot more that goes into a franchise player than just skill, so I don't even want to go there." 

On the team -

"I thought we had a higher basketball IQ as a group than we did.  I thought we had more toughness and all of that.   

...looking from the outside, that's why I always say until you come in and coach a team you don't know for sure.  I thought the skill level was better..."

Ouch!

He basically dumped all over Billy King's creation, and in fact, dumped on them all season long.

I don't know how King is going to improve this team.  He's got the entire organization in a bind.  We do not know if Mikhail Prokhorov has true intentions to sell, and if he's just trying to maintain a positive image.  That might explain why Mikhail Prokhorov hasn't fired him yet.

King's failure on the court should only be part of the owner's reasoning.  Marketing wise, I'd be focusing on Billy King's failure to seize the city as the Knicks were falling flat on their faces.  Over the last two seasons, Brooklyn was the only NYC representative in the playoffs, and as such, failed to encroach on the Knicks' popularity, never mind seizing the moment (or a Borough).

This is still a tenuous time for professional basketball in Brooklyn.  So far, fans kept their side of the deal.  They packed Barclays Center, and in all honesty, sometimes I had my doubts.  This can be a very apathetic, and on the more positive side, an ambivalent town.  The organization should now act before they lose something more than just games and money.  They need to worry about sustaining interest.  Therefore, a proactive approach is in order.

Billy King has been the architect of an incredible mess on Flatbush Avenue.  Someone else should be brought in to dismantle it, then rebuild it, quickly.



Mike

N.Y. Rangers Need to Prevent Lightning from Sparking a Wildfire

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Saturday Afternoon Fever

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Finals

GAME ONE

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

GOTHAM

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Best of Frienemies..

Regardless whether you spent your hard earned cash and bought one, or received one for your birthday, or as a gift for Christmas, there are many Rangers fans with a Ryan Callahan jersey hanging in their closet.

• For the moment, that's problematic.  Twenty years from now, not so much.

The former home grown captain and supremely popular Blueshirt, Ryan Callahan was the embodiment of everything John Tortorella wanted the Rangers to be.

Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman put in very admirable work for the Rangers as well.

That being said, I like to think that after the opening face-off, there are no such things as friends.

There's nothing wrong with a healthy respect for one's opponent, but, ti's the season for adversaries, enemies and foes.

Ryan Callahan (appendicitis aside) has actually been a minor contributor for the Lightning.  In 12 post-season games he has registered a mere 3 assists.  However, Callahan was acquired to add a respectable measure of front line toughness and grit, as the Tampa Bay Lightning are a less physical team than say the Washington Capitals, or the Rangers teams Callahan played for.

Under Barry Trotz, the Capitals executed a system right out of the John Tortorella manual, but the Bolts more closely mirror the Rangers under Alain Vigneault.  That makes Callahan's individual performance against the Rangers quite intriguing.

The Lightning swept the season series 3-0, and outscored them by a 15-7 margin.  However, all three games came before New Year's, when the eventual President Trophy winners were still languishing with an 11-9-4 record.

Season Series

I - (Nov. 17) T.B. 5; NYR 1

II - (Nov.26) T.B. 4; NYR 3

III - (Dec. 1) T.B. 6; NYR 3

In Game One, Ryan Callahan scored a power play, and an even strength goal.  

In Game Two, a power play goal, an even strength goal, and an assist.  

He had a negligible impact on Game Three.

For his part, Martin St. Louis has 4 assists in 12 post-season games.  Three came against the Capitals. He, like Callahan, has yet to score a goal in the playoffs.  But in three regular season meetings against the Bolts, St. Louis scored power play goals in Game One and Three.

Callahan finished the regular season with 24 goals and 30 assists.  St. Louis finished with 21 goals and 31 assists.  It would seem, then, the only real difference between the two would be their age.

Martin St. Louis did have his chances against the Capitals.  Opportunities presented themselves.  He was simply fire-walled by Braden Holtby like so many other Blueshirts.

On Saturday afternoon, the fans of Madison Square Garden will be cheering and encouraging Martin St. Louis, like they used to for Ryan Callahan, whom is now the enemy.

*          *          *          *

There is no getting around the fact Tampa can score goals, and score in bunches.  The Bolts led the NHL with a 3.16 goals per game average.  They presently have three skaters with double-digit points, while Tyler Johnson leads the post-season with 8 goals.  By contrast, the Rangers have only two skaters with 8 total points, but, were one of only three NHL teams (T.B., DAL) to average three goals or better per game this season.

• In 13 games played, the Bolts average 2.62 goals per game.  The Rangers are averaging exactly 2 goals per, over 12 games played.

Over two rounds of hockey, Tampa's best line (Ondrej Palat/Tyler Johnson/Nikita Kucherov) has produced what it has taken two Rangers' lines to produce.  In 13 games, they've combined on 17 goals and 14 assists, for 31 points.  Obviously, that does not account for Steven Stamkos or Ryan Callahan.

The Rangers line of Jesper Fast/Derek Stepan/Chris Kreider combined on 9 goals and 8 assists, for 17 points in 12 games.  The Rick Nash/Martin St. Louis/Derick Brassard line has combined on 7 goals and 12 assists for 17 points.  That's 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 12 games.

During the first half of the season, Steven Stamkos and Rick Nash ran neck and neck for the NHL lead in goals, that is, until Alex Ovechkin overtook them both.  Both forwards have struggled to score goals in the playoffs.  Stamkos has 3 goals and 7 assists in 13 games, while Nash has 2 goals and 5 assists in 12 games.

The Rangers power play, then, must become a decisive factor.  I believe they'll get ample opportunities because the Lightning will commit penalties.   Tampa finished 13th in the league in penalty minutes, averaging nearly 10 minutes per game.  The Rangers were 3 for 20 against the Penguins, and 3 for 18 against the Caps.   That's 6 for 38, good for a 15.8% rate of efficiency.  They'll have to do better this series if they want to hang with the Bolts, who's penalty kill finished the season 7th best.

Tampa's power play finished the season 14th best.  In the post-season, the unit has either scored in bunches, or not at all.  They were just 2 for 30 in the first round against Detroit, but were 7 for 20 in the second round against Montreal.  In two rounds they totaled 9 for 50, good for an 18% effective rate.  The Rangers had better keep their eye on Nikita Kucherov who leads Tampa with 5 points on special teams.  The Rangers penalty kill was ranked 6th best in the league.

Ben Bishop vs. Henrik Lundqvist

• Goalie Ben Bishop was one of only four goalies to post 40 or more victories this season.  He appeared in 62 games, and posted a 40-13 record, with a .916 SV%, and a 2.32 GAA.  In Round Two against the Canadiens, he allowed 13 goals in 6 games for a .940 SV%, and owns a .931 SV% for the playoffs.

• No team has allowed less goals in this year's playoffs than the New York Rangers.  Henrik Lundqvist should still be fresh, despite an exhaustive series against the Capitals.  He only appeared in 43 regular season games, and posted a 30-13-3 record, with a .922 SV%, and a 2.25 GAA.  He allowed 12 goals in 7 games to the Caps.  In 12 games, Henrik has a .944 SV% and a 1.60 GAA.

This will be a series of New York Rangers experience versus Tampa Bay's inexperience.  We'll see how much that works in the Blueshirt's favor.

And lastly, how about the Rangers win some face-offs, aye?  Even if they have to put Dominic Moore out there, then have him rush off the ice....  The Rangers need puck possession against the Lightning.

Otherwise, it's time.  Let the games begin.




Mike

The Friday Recap: Bartolo Colon thumped; Mets whitewashed 7-0 by Brewers

Here's tonight's Mets Game Recap

for RisingApple.com

Mets lose 5th in a row...

Bartolo Colon gets thumped; Mets whitewashed 7-0 by Brewers 

a/o Thursday, May 14

 Podcast Episode #102: The Coop, Greg Prince, the Gang, and Me

Check in every week for my

 Friday Night Recap

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

L.I. Ducks: Bridgeport continues dominance over Flock

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Bridgeport Bluefish 

win second straight series over 

Long Island Ducks

Bluefish Lead Ferry Cup Series 5-1

I - BPT 10; L.I. 2

II - BPT 9; L.I. 0

III - BPT 7; L.I. 6

*

IV - L.I. 5; BPT 2

V - BPT 7; L.I. 3

VI - BPT 9; L.I. 7

Long Island Ducks: Bridgeport Responsible For Half Of Flock's Losses.

After getting swept by the Bluefish in Bridgeport last week, the Ducks tried exacting their revenge, albeit unsuccessfully, against the Bluefish beginning with Tuesday's game at the Pond.

Long Island took series opener behind the pitching of John Brownell, and the hitting of Lew Ford.

Brownell faced 28 batters over his 7 innings pitched, and threw 98 pitches, with 63 (64%) going for strikes.  He allowed a pair of earned runs on 6 hits and one walk, and fanned 4 batters to join the league leaders with his third victory of the season.

Closer Ryan Kussmaul earned his league leading 6th save of the season.

Lew Ford was Tuesday's hitting star.  He went 4 for 4 at the plate, with a double and 3-run home run in the 3rd inning to help push the Ducks passed the Bluefish by a 5-2 final.

In Wednesday night's game, Ian Marshall made the start, and was opposed by Bridgeport's Scott Maine.

Marshall allowed earned runs in the 3rd and 4th innings, and exited to a no-decision after 5 innings pitched.

In the bottom of the 4th, Cody Puckett led the Ducks off with a double.  Jon Griffin and Jose Morales both singled to load the bases.   With 1-out, DH Blake Davis was hit with a Scott Maine pitch to force a run across the plate.  Then with 2-outs, Dan Lyons drew a walk to tie the game at two.  The Ducks, however, left the bases loaded.

The Bluefish then went on to tally 5 more runs against Long Island's bullpen.  Except for a Lew Ford home run in the 7th, the Bluefish bullpen locked down the Ducks for a 7-3 victory, and series split.

In Thursday's rubber game, neither starting pitcher fared well.  Eric Niesen toed the rubber for Long Island.  He faced 27 batters and threw 93 pitches, with only 56 (60%) going for strikes.  In 5 full innings pitched, he allowed 7 runs (5 ER) on 10 hits and a pair of walks, with 4 strikeouts.  He exited on the losing side of a 7-6 game.

Niesen was opposed by Bridgeport's Cory Riordan, whom only lasted 4.2 innings.  He allowed 6 earned runs on 10 hits and a walk, with one strikeout.  He earned a no-decision for his efforts.   Reliever Erik Braxton pitched to a pair of batters in the 5th, to earn the victory.

Despite 3 home runs and 14 hits by the Ducks, they found themselves on the short side on a 9-7 game.  Jon Griffin was 3 for 4 hit 2 home runs, and now has 4 for the season.  Dan Lyons was 3 for 5 with a double and RBI, and improved his average to a .290 mark.  At the top of the order, Bryan Sabatella and Reggie Corona combined to go 4 for 6 with 2 runs scored.

Lew Ford leads the circuit with 18 RBI.

Is Eric Niesen pitching out of his element?  Prior to this season, he made 312 career appearances, but only 76 as a starter.  The former reliever was pressed into the starting rotation this season.  He is 0-2 after 4 starts this season.  In 19 innings pitched, he has allowed 13 earned runs on 27 hits and 10 walks, with 20 strikeouts (4th most in Atlantic League).  In Thursday's game, his ERA grew from 5.14, to a 6.16 mark.

NEXT

Long Island Ducks

@

Lancaster Barnstormers

The Ducks are now 4-7 in their last 10 games, and leveled out at 10-10 for the season.  They presently trail the 1st place Somerset Patriots by 3 games.



Mike

N.Y. Rangers Eliminate Capitals in Overtime

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Semi Finals

Rangers win series 4-3

I - WAS 2; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; WAS 2

III - WAS 1; NYR 0

IV - WAS 2; NYR 1

V - NYR 2; WAS 1*

VI - NYR 4; WAS 3

VII - NYR 2; WAS 1*

*overtime

NEW YORK RANGERS: Broadway Blueshirts Are Headed Back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Second Straight Season Under Coach Alain Vigneault.

At 11:24 of overtime, Derek Stepen tap danced backwards into the glass.  Jesper Fast was first to greet him, and Chris Kreider was next in.  Then came the rest of the Blueshirts to join in exhausted jubilation.

Those three forwards were mentioned with increasing frequency as the series wore on. They were the Rangers best line, and the three skaters most responsible for leading the Rangers through a seven game series win over the gamely Washington Capitals.

Chris Kreider led the Rangers with 4 insanely timed goals in the series.

In Game 1, Jesper Fast scored his only goal of the series.  More importantly, he assisted on Kreider's opening goal in Game 2, and on Kreider's opening goal in Game 6.  He also assisted on Ryan McDonagh's Game 5 winning goal.

Derek Stepan's only goal was the series clincher.  He assisted on three of Kreider's goals, and also joined Fast to assist on McDonagh's goal, for a total of 5 points in the series.

Combined, the Kreider/Stepan/Fast line tallied 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points.

By comparison, the Nash/Brassard/St. Louis line totaled 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points.

For many periods throughout this series, the Rangers were badly outplayed by the Caps.  You can't play an inordinate time in the defensive zone and expect to come out unscathed - not unless you have Henrik Lundqvist in net.  Henrik faced 36 shots in Game 7, and stopped all but one by Alex Ovechkin.  Overall, he held the Capitals to an average of just 1.57 goals per game.

The King also joined Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur as the only goalies with six Game 7 victories.   His 42 saves in Game 6 were a post-season high.

The NHL's most lethal power play was held scoreless in three chances as well.  In fact, Washington's power play was held scoreless over the final 5 games of the series.  They were just 1 for 15 over seven games.

The Rangers lost 3 games in which they failed to score on the power play, and won 3 of 4 games in which they did score.  The Rangers were 3 for 18 in the series, for a 17% mark of efficiency.

The Rangers wound up outscoring the Capitals by a 13-11 margin.


More to come...



Mike