Rangers vs. Islanders: The Rivalry - Game Two

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Thursday Night Hockey

 

The Rivalry - Game Two

Rangers Lead Series 1-0

I - NYR 4; NYI 1

 

 

Atlantic Division:

#1 - N.J. Devils        8-2-3

#3 - N.Y. Rangers   7-5-0

#5 - N.Y. Islanders  4-7-1

 

 

VALENTINE'S DAY SHOWDOWN

 

New York Islanders

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

Madison Square Garden

33rd Street and 8th Avenue

NYC

 

 

 

 

B'klyn/New York Islanders - Lack of Defense Is Getting Offensive.  Poor Goal-Tending Is Outright Insulting.

 

 

Doesn't anybody here know what defense is all about?  Good Grief!  Offensively speaking, Brooklyn's foster hockey club is doing many things right this season.  But their defense and goal-tending have been so wrong.  They are second to the Pens in the Atlantic Division with thirty six goals, and place seventh overall.  John Tavares is their triple crown scorer.  He leads the Islanders with fifteen points, on seven goals and eight assists.  The Isles also own the NHL's 5th rated power play and rank fourth on the penalty kill.  Yet, they are last in the Atlantic Division in goals against, and rank 29th worst overall.

 

 

This current five game losing streak the Islanders are on started when they dropped the back end of a home-and-home against the Devils.  They then lost to the Penguins and the Rangers.  You can't find fault with the Islanders offensive effort in their Saturday loss to Buffalo - not after taking forty three shots on goal against Ryan Miller.  The Sabres goalie was just unconscious.  But Evgeni Nabokov needed to do better.  He only faced fifteen shots all game.  The Isles limited Buffalo to single digit shots in all three periods.  Yet, Nabokov let three pucks get by him in a 3-2 loss.  For the season, he is sporting a troublesome .897 Sv% and an .300 goals against average.

 

 

Over those four losses, Islanders scoring dropped off.  They only scored five goals, including getting shut-out by the Devils.  This past Monday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, Long Island's  scoring reignited.  The Islanders had five power play opportunities and converted on four occasions.  However, Rick DiPietro allowed Carolina four third period goals, and six goals overall, in a game the Isles were leading 3-2 after two periods.  That was DePietro's second start of the season, and his second loss.  Combined, Rick DiPietro has faced fifty seven shots, and allowed ten goals, for an awful .833% save percentage.

 

 

Slumping to a 4-7-1 record, the Islanders currently reside at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, four points behind the Flyers, and six points behind the Rangers.

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Tweaking Roster Starting To Pay Off.  The Big Blue Glacier Is Starting To Lurch Forward.

 

 

One quarter of the regular season is done.  Since starting the season 0-2, the Rangers have posted a 7-3 record, and are currently riding a three game winning streak.  They scored twelve regulation time goals over that span - a marked improvement upon their season output so far.  Entering tonight's game against the Islanders however, they still remain at the bottom of the Atlantic Division in scoring.  They are currently 15th in the NHL.  Defensively, the Rangers rank 11th in goals against.

 

 

Thanks to Carl Hagelin with three goals in the team's last two games, the Rangers are showing signs of a break through.  Derek Stepan is starting to score, the Captain scored his third goal in nine games, and they received secondary scoring from Stralman, Asham, and J.T. Miller's first two NHL goals.  Unfortunately, Brad Richards, and to a lesser degree Marian Gaborik, continue to circle in holding patterns.  Yes, they both have nine points apiece in twelve games played respectively.  But those two are required to do so much more, and in a word, they are, not.  However, Rick Nash is starting to deliver on the hype, and is turning into everything Rangers fans anticipated he could be.  With each passing game, he gets more and more comfortable.  Through finding comfort, his skill is starting to prevail.  He recently scored only his third goal, but leads the Rangers in assists and points.  Marian Gaborik still leads the Rangers with six goals.

 

 

Coach Torts isn't the only one who thinks the accumilation of too-many-men on the ice penalties are egregiously ponderous.  Well, Coach said they "sucked!"  I just say ridiculous.  The Rangers are now up to six infractions.  That is more than they should have all season.  And Lord Stanley knows Tex's Rangers can't live life killing penalties.  Defensively, the Rangers rank 11th in goals against this season.  That is a considerable drop off from last year's effort.  On the penalty kill, they rank 13th at the moment, which also reflects a drop off from last season.  The Rangers 4-3 S.O. win over Boston shows how scoring can make mistakes like J.T. Miller's too-many-men infraction go away.  Later in the second period, Derek Stepan gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead, and all seemed well again.  When the Rangers aren't scoring, a mistake like that kills.

 

 

One aspect of the Rangers game that has remained consistent since last season has been the futility of their power play.  They currently own the 29th worst unit in the league.  As mentioned above, the Islanders recently scored four power play goals against Carolina.  They Rangers have four power play goals all season..!  Ryan Callahan has two of them.  The Islanders by the way, have thirteen power play goals this season.

 

 

Last Time They Met: Feb. 7, 2013 - Rangers 3; Islanders 1.

 

 

When they last met one week ago, J.T. Miller scored his first ever NHL goal just 1:29 into the game.  Twelve and one half minutes later, Marian Gaborik scored his sixth goal of the season.  Half way through the second period, John Tavares brought the Islanders to within a goal.  At the 18:11 mark, J.T. Miller answered for the Rangers with his second NHL goal of the night, and of his (then) four game career.  His power play goal made it a 3-1 game.  Just prior to the third period ending, Ryan McDonagh scored, unassisted, to close out a 4-1 victory.

 

 

Henrik Lundqvist faced twenty eight shots, and made twenty seven saves, to earn his fourth (of six) win of the season.  Evgeni Nabokov faced twenty four shots on goal, and only managed to save twenty one.

 

 

For a game, the Rangers and Islanders changed roles on the power play.  The Rangers were 1 for 2 with the man advantage.  The Islanders floundered, going scoreless in five attempts.

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day...Chump!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils: Newark Sweeps Home And Home From Penguins

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS - David Clarkson Continues Pitching His Fork Into Atlantic Division Foes.

Broad Street Demons In First Place At First Quarter Check Point

 

 

The Devils extended their first place lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins by sweeping both games of a home-and-home series.  Sunday evening in Steel City, David Clarkson's hot scoring touch continued with two more goals, bringing his season total to nine.  Along with Ilya Kovalchuk's fourth goal of the season coming in the second period, the Devils rode a 3-0 lead into the third session.  James Neal scored for Pittsburgh, to get them within two goals of Newark.  But Johan Hedberg made sure the Penguins scored no more.  The Devils back-up stopped twenty three of twenty four shots to record his second win of the season.


Pittsburgh had more shots on goal, more hits, and won more face-offs than the Devils.  Newark also committed more penalties.  The Penguins were 1 for 3 on the power play.  David Clarkson's second period goal made the Devils a perfect 1 for 1 on the power play.  David had five shots on goal in twenty one shifts to lead the team.  He and Patrick Elias, who assisted on Clarkson's PP goal, are now tied for the team lead with thirteen points.  Ilya Kovalchuk was next in with only three shots on goal in twenty eight shifts.


The Devils now lead the Atlantic Division with nineteen points, three points better than the Pens.  They are also riding a five game win streak in which they defeated the Pens twice, Tampa, the Rangers, and Islanders.  Their lone regular season loss incidentally came against Pittsburgh back on February 2nd.  The Devils are now 8-1-3 for the season.  One quarter of the regular season is now complete.




* Devils Playground Graffiti
Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Tony Parker Spurs Big Win Over Flatbush

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS - With His Other Bigger Mates On The Bench, Tony Parker Was The Star of Flatbush.


Tim Duncan could not play.  Manu Ginobili did not play.  The task was left to Tony Parker to carry the Spurs on the road.  And he did so superlatively.  In leading the Spurs to a 111-86 stampede over the Nets, Tony Parker ended his night in Brooklyn with a game high twenty nine points, plus a game high eleven assists as well.


His counter-part Deron Williams, was limited to fifteen points and three assists.  Deron Williams' night was emblematic of the Nets over all poor ball distribution.  The Spurs had twenty two assists. The Nets managed just twelve.  Even Brook Lopez had more assists than Deron.  In other words, the Deron Williams versus Tony Parker match-up was a one sided affair.


Parker pulled down three rebounds.  Deron Williams pulled down one.  But the Nets remained consistent in this department.  They out-rebounded the Spurs 39-28, led by nine each from Brook Lopez and Reggie Evans.


But here were the Nets biggest problems.


Tony Parker did not turn over the ball.  Deron turned the ball over three times.  For the game, the Nets turned the ball over eighteen times; the Spurs just seven.  And San Antonio knew how to convert.  The Nets allowed thirty points off turnovers.  The Spurs only allowed seven.


Otherwise, key the music, because here comes the same old song.  From the field, both teams managed seventy two, and seventy three shots respectively.  San Antonio shot 58.9%, while Brooklyn only managed 47.2% from the field, which, albeit, is an improvement over last game.  Both teams took nineteen three-point attempts.  The Spurs shot 63.2%, while Brooklyn lagged at 31.6%.  Joe Johnson shot 50% from the field, and finished with nineteen points.  Brook Lopez finished with eighteen points.


What also seems a little ponderous about this game, is that even without Tim Duncan, the Spurs still destroyed Brooklyn with points in the paint, by a wide 52-38 margin.  As such, San Antonio went to the line more often.  The last word, Brooklyn drops both games of the season series to San Antonio.


The Nets are now 29-22 on the season, and drop to 14-8 under P.J. Carlesimo.  The Brooks have lost six of their last ten games.  There is no time to wallow in doubt though.  Gotta get right back at it.  Monday night, the Nets are in Indiana to take on the Central Division leading Pacers.



Mike.BTB

New York Mets: The Bullpen 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Spring Training - Pitchers And Catchers - 2013

 

Part II - THE BULLPEN

PART I - Starting Pitchers and Catchers

NEW YORK METS - Please Pardon The Appearance.  Bullpen Still Under Reconstruction.


The Mets aren't looking for government handouts to help pay off their debts.  But their bullpen desperately needs relief assistance in the worst way.  Truth is, there are no readily available answers for their dilemma.  While the Mets aren't the only team to suffer this calamity, it just goes to show the value of a good, reliable closer.  This also goes to show how great the Mariano Rivera's in life really are.  Sorry for the cross town reference. 


Sandy Alderson tried renovating the bullpen last season..., remember?  Frank Francisco remains his largest free agent signing to date.  And I do mean large.  The Mets were not happy Frank-Frank showed up in camp last season out of shape.  His two injuries and subsequent surgery only exasperated an already terrible season.  He made forty eight appearances and only recorded twenty three saves.  That's a low save-to-game rate by any measure.  His 5.53 ERA was equally disheartening.  But he's back!  And he says He Is The Closer!  His manager Terry Collins (who's contract status beyond this season is still unresolved), agrees with Frankie.  However, Sandy Alderson, in so many words, expressed a lack of confidence in his 2012 acquisition.


Based primarily because Sandy Alderson signed Francisco to a two year $12 million dollar deal, he gets to survive the purge.  Relieved of their duties over the course of 2012 are - D.J. Carrasco, Miguel Batista, Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch, and Manny Acosta.  Tim Byrdak was originally set free by the Mets, but was re-signed to a free agent contract in December.


So if you're Sandy Alderson, how do you rebuild another bullpen?  Well, you put on your mining hat, and start prospecting the baseball landscape for pitchers....again.  The Mets took not one, but two looks at ex-Giants closer, Brian Wilson.  Several teams seemed interested in at least monitoring a private work-out held by Wilson.  But so far he has failed to impress anyone, especially for the guaranteed money he is reportedly seeking.  There were also rumors swirling the Mets could be considering failed ex-Detroit closer, Jose Valverde.  Those two examples are another way of saying - Yes Mets fans, the bullpen will be a source of agitation..., again.


LAST YEAR'S RETURNING PITCHERS:  Frank Rodriguez - Bobby Parnell - Robert Carson - Elvin Ramirez - Josh Edgin - Jeremy Hefner - and I'll include Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia.  All eight are on the active roster.


TRANSACTIONS:  Signed back in November to a free agent contract, Greg Burke is now on the 40-man active roster.  Additionally, Brandon Lyon signed a free agent contract with the Mets earlier this month.  He is on the 40-man active roster as well.


In addition to Burke and Lyon, Sandy Alderson signed six other pitchers over the winter to free agent contracts.  Scott Atchison, Pedro Feliciano, LaTroy Hawkins, and Carlos Torres are all non-roster invitees this winter/spring.  Aaron Laffey, and Tim Byrdak as noted, were also signed to free agent contracts back in December.  In one other free agent transaction, Alderson signed Dario Alvarez who will likely be assigned to low A-ball.


Who is the Closer?


If you're asking Frankie and Terry Collins, we already know the answer.  But Sandy has made his opinion well known.  The GM's acquisition of Brandon Lyon speaks very loudly.  Both pitchers throw from the right side.  So there can only be one - not a tandem.  This looks like a situation where the Mets will just pitch the hot hand, and be satisfied with depth.  Bobby Parnell is still good for the occasional spot save.


Frank Francisco is reportedly healthy now.  Ideally that should enhance his performance over last season.  If he can regain the form he displayed in Texas, the Mets would benefit handsomely.  His ability to strike out batters is still in tact.  He demonstrated that last season.  But he has to get his walks under control.  Last season, his hits allowed per nine innings also sky rocketed.  That needs to change as well if he is to claim and hold the closers role.


Perhaps Brandon Lyon is the more adaptable of the two.  He served as both closer and set-up man on his previous teams.  Make no mistake however.  He was signed to pose a direct challenge to Frank Francisco and the closers role.  Serving in set-up roles in both Houston and Toronto in 2012, he appeared in 67 games and pitched 61 innings.  He posted a combined 4-2 record, one save, with a 3.10 ERA.  Brandon allowed 57 hits, walked 20, good for a 1.246 WHiP, and struck out 63 batters.  He averaged 8.3 hits per nine innings, 3.0 walks, and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.  He saved 14 games in 2005, and notched 26 saves in 2008, both for Arizona.  In 2010, he posted 20 saves for Houston.


Bobby Parnell is coming off arguably his best season as a pro.  As a small reward, Parnell and the Mets avoided salary arbitration and reached agreement on a one year $1.7 million dollar deal.  Bobby is the Mets incumbent top set-up option.  The difference between being good and great for Bobby Parnell is that darn thing he calls a curve ball.  Let's call it for what it is - when he uses it late in the count, breaking ball is ineffectual and easy to lay off.  His curve is too horizontal - it's a slurve.  His curve is not the more classic twelve to six type curve ball; or even one to seven; or even two to eight.  Batters wait for the fast ball - foul off about four or so, then hurt him.  In other words, his lack of a better curve ball allows hitters to linger in the box.  Therein lies the knock on Bobby Parnell.  He still lacks an out-pitch.


Looking Left:


By default, Josh Edgin and Robert Carson will head north with the club.  They are lefties.  Nuf ced.  But seriously, Josh Edgin looks like a real keeper.  He capped off a handsome three year minor league career with last season's call up to Flushing.  His walks allowed spiked in Buffalo last year.  But on the big club, he actually brought his rate down by a full walk allowed per nine innings pitched.  In 25.2 innings for the Mets, he only allowed 19 hits and struck out 30 batters.


We won't hold Robert Carson's call-up against him.  After a few minor league seasons not really flourishing as a starting pitcher, the Mets converted Carson into a reliever last year.  In a split season between Binghamton and Buffalo, Carson posted a 3.86 ERA, and recorded 10 saves.  He also posted a combined 1.597 WHiP last season.  And after six minor league seasons, his career 1.521 WHiP is still unrepresentative of major league standard.


The third key left handed pitcher in the bullpen equation might again be Pedro Feliciano.  What he has left remains to be seen.  What we do know is that he is coming off a lot of rest at the Yankees expense.  Between 2008 and 2010, the Mets ran this guy into the ground.  He led the majors with 266 appearances over that three year span, with a high of 92 games in 2010.  Heading into 2011, Pedro Feliciano declined the Mets offer of salary arbitration, and signed a two year $8 million dollar pact  with the Bombers.  He got injured before the 2011 season began, and wound up never throwing a pitch for the Yankees.  He subsequently underwent rotator cuff surgery.  He'll be thirty-seven years old in August.


Also lurking around camp seeking employment are right handers Tim Byrdak and Aaron Laffey.


Looking Right:


RIGHT - Frank Francisco; Brandon Lyon; Bobby Parnell; Jeurys Familia; Jenrry Mejia.


Scott Atchison is thirty-six years old but coming off his best MLB season with the Red Sox.  In 42 appearances, he posted a 1.58 ERA in 51.1 innings.  He limited hitters to 42 hits and walked 9 for a stellar 0.994 WHiP, and struck out 36 batters.  Where is the red flag?  He is a fourteen year career minor leaguer, who missed all of the 2006, 2008, and 2009 regular seasons.


There's a reason LaTroy Hawkins has pitched for eight different teams since leaving the Minnesota Twins.......


The Mets brought Jeremy Hefner over from the Padres system.  He is still "only" twenty-six years old with no MLB experience to speak of.  But he has the potential to make LaTroy Hawkins look good by comparison.


Remember Elvin Ramirez?  In 21.1 innings last season for the Mets, he walked 20, and struck out 22 batters.  After five unremarkable years in the Mets low minors, last season was somewhat of a break-out season for the twenty-five year old.  While at Buffalo, he posted a 2.36 ERA in 33 games, and 42 innings pitched.  He struck out 41 batters.


Looking Forward:


So who do you trust?  I think Francisco will be better than people think.  Or at least better than last season.  Brandon Lyon is a fine addition - a very good decision.  And together, the Mets have two viable options to close games.  Depth is good either way you shake it.  Of course, I am still an unabashed Bobby Parnell fan.  And as noted above, Josh Edgin looks like a quality pitcher.  Without delving into the potential future roles of Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia, the list of pitchers I trust stops there.


The rest have some proving to do.





Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils: Newark Wrestles First Place From Penguins

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS


NEW JERSEY DEVILS - Look Who's Number One!


At just 0:44 of the opening period, David Clarkson got whistled for tripping.  Thirty nine seconds later, the Penguins' Brandon Sutter scored on the power play giving Pittsburgh an early lead.  Martin Brodeur then proceeded to stop the next twenty four pucks Pittsburgh shot on net.


While Marty Brodeur kept the Penguins scoreless the rest of the way, the Devils got goals from unlikely heroes.  In just his seventh NHL game, Stefan Matteau; the son of THAT Stefan Matteau-Matteau-Matteau; scored his first ever goal in the second period for the team that fell victim to his father's goal almost twenty years ago.  If you do the math, Stefan Matteau the Younger wasn't even born yet.


Midway through the third period, Adam Henrique gave the Devils their first lead of the night with a power play goal.  Then a little under three minutes later, 2013 acquisition and seldom used Bobby Butler scored his first goal as a New Jersey Devil, to seal Newark's 3-1 win over the Penguins.
 


Bobby Butler had two points on the night.  Ilya Kovalchuk and Andy Greene each had two assists. Pittsburgh won the face-off battle by a 32-28 margin.  But Newark won the shots on goal battle by a 28-25 difference.


Pittsburgh was content committing penalties.  The Devils had ten power play opportunities, and converted twice.  There's your difference in the game.  Marty Brodeur took care of the rest.


With this victory, the Devils wrestled away first place of the Atlantic Division from the Penguins.  The Devils now have seven wins and seventeen points on the season versus sixteen points for the Pens.  The conclusion of this home-and-home set with the Penguins moves to Pittsburgh Sunday evening.  The game will mark the exact one-quarter point of the Devils season.



Mike.BTB

New York Mets: Pitchers and Catchers 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS - PORT ST. LUCIE OR BUST!

 

South bound on I-95 - Loaded up and truckin'.  The Mets are gonna try and do what many say can't be done.  They got a long way to go, and a short time to get there....

 

Hey Mr. Met, ya got your ears on?  Just keep an eye out for them smokies.  Out!..

 

 

Spring Training 2013:

Mets Year Fifty Two of the Amazin' Era

 

I - Behind the Plate


The Mets appear to have rectified their catching situation via a motivated buyer in the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Jays clearly feel the A.L. East can be had, and are sparing no expense to ensure they remain in contention for a division title.  As such, bye bye Josh Thole - Hello Travis D'Arnaud.  He was the main component in the R.A. Dickey deal.  Travis may not break camp and head north with the big club.  But as they say in the business, he is a blue chipper who will arrive in Flushing shortly.  Lingering knee worries dating back to June 2012 seem safely behind him now.  With any luck, all that remains for d'Arnaud is to spend some time at Las Vegas, then fulfill his promise upon arrival in Queens.  Simple....right?
 

 

Travis d'Arnaud was a #1 selection in 2007 by the Phillies.  He immediately became the Mets #1 organizational prospect upon arrival from Toronto.  In pre-2012 rankings, Baseball America had him ranked #17 on their top prospects list.  Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com currently ranks Travis d'Arnaud the #6 prospect in baseball.  Over the last two seasons Travis has shown promises of power.  With 424 at-bats at AA-New Hampshire in 2011, he batted .311, stroked 21 home runs, and posted a .542 slugging mark.  With 279 at-bats in 2012 at AAA-Las Vegas, Travis batted .333, hit 16 home runs, and slugged at a .595 clip before having his season cut short by a knee injury.  Keep in mind however, many consider the Pacific Coast League to be a very hitting friendly circuit.
 

 

Sandy Alderson's plan however seems to be starting the season with John Buck behind the plate.  Perhaps not so much in hitting average, Buck will be an appreciable improvement over Josh Thole with a bat.  John Buck, a nine year veteran also acquired in the R.A. Dickey trade, can hit with some power and can contribute some needed production towards the bottom of the order.


Backing up John Buck will most likely be Anthony Recker.  The Mets claimed him of waivers last year from the Cubs.  He is twenty-nine years old with twenty seven major league games under his belt.  Non-roster invitees Landon Powell and Juan Centeno will be in camp competing for a back-up role as well.  Oakland selected Powell in the first round of the 2004 June draft.  Last season he was granted free agency by Houston.  Sandy Alderson signed him last month.  Juan Centeno (23 yrs old) is a six year minor league veteran of the Mets system.  In 281 at-bats at Binghamton last season, he batted for a .285 average.


II - The Starting Rotation


Farewell R.A. Dickey and Mike Pelfrey.  It's time to move on now.

 

Bienvenidos to Johan Santana's swan song.  It is really a shame to talk about Johan in the following regard, but with Johan's 2013 total compensation amounting to roughly $31 million bucks, and taking up a disproportionate 33% (+/-) of the payroll pie, the Mets can't wait to see him go.  I reckon in order to trade Johan and attempt to receive a respectable return, the Mets would have to pick-up at least twenty three to twenty five million dollars of his 2013 salary.  If the Mets can get another team to pick up any portion of his salary at all, they should seriously consider a move.  Hell, they should even consider eating the whole check.  Anyway you look at it, the money is already spent.  So why not try and realize a return for Johan.  Within the context of the Mets continuing rebuilding effort, an overwhelming package of prospects isn't really necessary.  Teams recognize the Mets potential motivation to trade Johan.  So if they can get some solid talent in return, the venture would be worth the effort.  Then who knows.  If Johan proves worthy prior to the trade deadline, a motivated contender just might be willing to pony up a small yet premium package for his services.


This is the man who kept the Mets playoff hopes alive as 2008 wound down to the last two crucial games of the regular season.  Under do or die circumstances, Johan pitched a three hit shutout on three days rest over the Florida Marlins.  The Mets hopes of returning to the playoffs then ended however with Tom Glavine's next start and subsequent self-implosion.  The Mets would never again contend for the remainder of Johan's contract.  Of course, Johan Santana will forever be known around Flushing as the pitcher who threw the club's first ever no-hit game.  Most Mets fans will agree with me, that we are happy someone of his stature finally got it done.


However, don't go patting yourselves on the back just yet Mets fans.  You booed him in his first ever start at Shea Stadium during a loss to Ben Sheets and the Milwaukee Brewers - Ponderous in a season he won his third ERA title.  When he takes the mound for the first time this season, make sure and do the right thing.  If it's Opening Day, even better.  Let him feel your appreciation right off the bat, in what will be an uncomfortable season of saying good-bye.


Over his Mets career, Johan has been hobbled by knee problems, and sidelined with shoulder issues.  In his return last year, Johan was hittable by his standards, and maintained an un-Santana like 4.85 ERA until his season was prematurely ended by fatigue.  Additionally, Johan's walks were up considerably as well.  His strikeouts however were right on point.  He is now making a second attempt to pitch in his first full campaign since the 2010 season in which he logged 199 innings in twenty nine starts.  With any appreciable return to form, the Mets can reasonably get fourteen wins out of him.  And even if he only brings his ERA down to his career average of 3.20, that would be a major improvement over last season.


If Jon Niese continues to progress as he has, the 2013 season could turn into a breakout year for the Mets lefty.  The Amazin's would be helped immeasurably if Jon Niese can step his game up, and grab the reigns of the starting rotation.  Once Johan Santana departs the team, the Mets rotation will be largely populated by young, and relatively inexperienced pitchers.  Jon Niese seems like the perfect guy right now, to lead the likes of Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, and hopefully soon, Zach Wheeler, into the 2014 season.


Dillon Gee appears to be all systems go after surgery to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder last year.  All is not perfect however.  He is still susceptible to numbness in his fingertips during cold weather.  Can Dillon regain his old form so soon after surgery?  He no doubt has a big test ahead of him.  He began light throwing two weeks ago.  All I can say is everyone will be monitoring Dillon Gee's Spring Training very closely, and with great anxiety.


Sandy Alderson said Matt Harvey will be entering the 2013 season with no pitch restrictions placed upon him.  He is a free range hurler now.  This kid seemingly has it all - the skill, demeanor, and fortitude of a winner.  This will be his first full major league season, and as a fan, I can't wait.  But as such, he'll be graded on a curve.  However, there's no denying after last year's arrival in Flushing, the anticipation of his potential has excited all Mets fans.  In ten starts, he averaged ten strikeouts per nine innings pitched, and limited opposing hitters to 6.4 hits per nine.  He hit three batters which is okay by me too.  In 59.1 innings pitched, he posted a 2.73 era.  If he can bring his walks down, who knows what he can achieve.


The biggest question Mets fans want answered is - When is Zach Wheeler getting here?  Patience Mets fans; patience.  Haste makes waste.  Zach spent most of his 2012 season at Binghamton, then made six appearances at Buffalo:

BINGHAMTON:
Games - 19
Record - 10-6
ERA - 3.26
Innings - 116
Hits - 92
Walks - 43
Strikeouts - 117
WHiP - 1.164
Hits/9 - 7.1
Walks/9 - 3.3
Strikeouts/9 - 9.1

BUFFALO:
Games - 6
Record - 2-2
ERA - 3.27
Innings - 33
Hits - 23
Walks - 16
Strikeouts - 31
WHiP - 1.182
Hits/9 - 6.3
Walks/9 - 4.4
Strikeouts/9 - 8.5


Zach Wheeler clearly needs to bring his bases on balls down a bit.  Otherwise he seems on the right path towards a Flushing debut.  But after starting the season at Las Vegas first.  How long that lasts seems totally up to Zach Wheeler.  The newest member of the starting rotation is Shaun Marcum.  He'll be the Mets fifth starter.  If Zach Wheeler excels at AAA and warrants a promotion, either Marcum or Dillon Gee seem the likely candidates to surrender their turns in the rotation.


By the time Frank Francisco went down with an injury and the Mets started their July swoon, three members of the Opening Day starting rotation were out of commission.  Only Dickey and Jon Niese made it till the end.  But while the rotation stayed strong over the first three months of the season, so stayed the Mets.  As was the case in 2012, health therefore seems to be the determining factor for success in 2013, or not.  The starting rotation and the infield are the team's strengths in that order.  Perhaps offensively, the line-up can provide a little more than they did last season, and give these guys some runs to work with.


Up Next  -  THE BULLPEN.



Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Brooks Filibustered In D.C.

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS - Old Habits Are Hard To Break.


Last night's visit to the nation's capital was an abysmal fail.  The Nets scored their second lowest point total of the season against the (15-35) Washington Wizards.  You can't put lipstick on this pig.  I only wish I were talking about the government.  But if we should take anything away from this game, it would be this:

"Just a lot of bad habits...., then we start pointing the finger and getting a little selfish. We just got to get out of that habit."  -  Deron Williams after loss.

That is disturbing, but only echoes Gerald Wallace's rant from just over a week ago.  So at least we know there are two players who recognize there is a problem.

Friday Final

NETS      74

Wizards  89

The vocal Deron Williams led all players with forty minutes.  He tied for game high with twenty points, but his ball distribution was limited to five assists.  Deron also took a game high twenty shots.  Lopez took eleven shots, and Joe Johnson twelve.  The three combined on 37% shooting.  In the second quarter, the Nets only made four of twenty two shots.  So what are you going to do when you're consistently shooting below 35% from the floor? - See the Lakers game, and many others this season.  In the meanwhile, what scoring they lack from the field they are making up for by consistently getting to the line.  But even then, they only shot 59% from the stripe last night, making 19 of 32 shots.  By contrast, Washington shot 91% from the line.


When you lose the second quarter 30-11, where do you point the finger first - at low scoring, or poor defense?  To that effect, the Nets held their opponent to under ninety points.  Or, do we try a completely different tact, and point a finger at how, for a very good rebounding team, the Nets continually get out-scored in fast break points?  Something has to give, because if you didn't notice the Wizards beat the Nets at their own game.  With a big boost from Nene's twenty points (double-double, 11 rebounds) Washington out-scored Brooklyn 32-30 inside the paint.  The Nets barely out-rebounded the Wizards by a 47-45 margin.  Brook Lopez pulled down eight; seven on the defensive end; and blocked another four shots.  He was limited however to thirteen points.


On a side note, Andray Blatch has no particular love for the Wizards these days, not after they amnestied him to relieve themselves of his contract.  The crowd in D.C. reciprocated last night with a little bit of their own local love.  They delighted in a rather futile night by their former forward.  In sixteen minutes off the bench, Andray only managed five points and four rebounds.  The crowd also reveled in Andray's futility from the line, as he only converted one of six attempts.


Next up - a rematch against the San Antonio Spurs at Barclays Center.  The last time they met was on the last day of 2012 in San Antonio.  The Spurs whooped up on Brooklyn 104-73 to hand P.J. Carlesimo his first loss as Nets coach.  The game also resulted in Brooklyn's lowest offensive output of the season.  Last night against Washington, the Nets came within one point of tying that mark.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers; Drop Islanders Early and Often

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

The Rivalry - Game One

 

THURSDAY FINAL

Islanders     1

RANGERS  4

 

 

Game Two - February 14th

VALENTINE'S DAY

...no love lost.

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Rangers vs. Islanders - The Rivalry - Game One

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE RIVALRY

 

 

 

GAME ONE of FOUR

 

Islanders

vs.

RANGERS

From,

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

33rd Street and 6th Avenue

NYC

 

 

 

New York Islanders - Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club Trying To Keep Hold Of Third Place, and Bury Rangers Further Down In Division Standings.

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Will Blueshirts Respond To Coach Tort's Recent Criticisms?

 

 

The rumor is Brian Boyle will be a healthy scratch tonight, and that there is a chance Ryan Callahan plays tonight versus the Islanders.  Dan Girardi might also be missing his second consecutive game.  The NHL-CIA would only reveal that Girardi is suffering from a lower body injury.  Many people died getting that information.  I now live in fear.

 

 

On the other bench, Coach Capuano arrives to the Garden sporting a rather handsome shiner after getting hit by a puck recently.  That comes after missing the season opener due to kidney stones.  On the ice, the Islanders will finally have Lubomir Visnovsky manning their blue line again.  The 37-year old global traveller was in trouble with the Isles when he refused to report back to the States once the League's  lock-out was lifted.  All seems straightened out now.

 

 

The establishment; the Rangers are staring themselves in the face.  Coach Torts called out some players, accusing them of playing scared.  The Rangers have depth issues - big depth issues regarding their third and fourth lines.  And Rangers fans may not want to hear this, but their (my, our) goalie, Henrik Lundqvist is struggling.

 

 

In the other net, Evgeni Nabokov has steadied the ship.  Even at thirty seven years old, he's still stopping pucks well for the Isles.  The soon to be Brooklyn hockey club is young and getting better.  Offensively, they are scoring.  They torched the Penguins earlier this season, and made a spirited comeback the last time they met, but fell short in a 4-2 loss.  Four Islanders have four or more goals.  Michael Grabner is the leader with five goals.  John Tavares, Matt Moulson, and Keith Aucoin each have four.  Through nine games, the Islanders have scored nine more goals than the Rangers.

 

 

The Islanders are in third place of the Atlantic Division, one point better than the Rangers.

 

 

ISLANDERS  -  W-4  L-4  OL-1  PTS-9

RANGERS     -  W-4  L-5  OL-0  PTS-8

 

 

I'm off to the game.  Ought to be a good one.  Come back for my reaction later tonight.

 

 

 

Mike.BTB 

N.Y. Giants: Jerry Reese Wields His Sword

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE


NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL - The Big Blue Purge Has Begun.  Salary Cap Forces General Manager's Hand.


Call this Blue Wednesday.  Giants general manager Jerry Reese acted swiftly and decisively.  The rebuilding of the Giants has commenced...again.  Jerry Reese spent a second consecutive day pairing down the salary cap by releasing team veterans.


On Tuesday, the Giants parted ways with linebacker Michael Boley.  For at least two seasons now, the Giants linebacking corp has needed considerable upgrades.  But I believe no one ever speculated the Giants should start by cutting Michael Boley, who has arguably been their best linbeacker.  If Jerry Reese believes this is a good move, that's all I need.  In truth, Michael Boley provided little impact in his four seasons with the G-Men.  The club will saving $4.25 million dollars by releasing Boley.


Then today, Chris Canty and enormously popular Ahmad Bradshaw were given their releases as well.  Bradshaw has been increasingly hobbled in recent years by numerous ankle and foot injuries.  However, Jerry Reese found his upcoming 2013 $3.7 million dollar salary even more prohibitive.  It is still possible Ahmad could be asked back, but only at a reduced rate.  If you remember, the Giants asked Brandon Jacobs to re-work his deal in order for them to re-sign Bradshaw to a free agent deal two seasons ago.  The free agent contract Chris Canty signed four years ago also became a drain on the Giants.  The club will save $6.5 million dollars by releasing him.  Although hobbled by injuries of his own, Chris Canty is going to be a hard body to replace.  In both stopping the run, and keeping younger team mates accountable, his presence will be missed.


Combined, the three moves shave roughly $13 million dollars off next season's projected salary cap.



Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Dwight Howard Watches Lopez Drop Thirty In Loss To Lakers

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TUESDAY FINAL:

Lakers  92

NETS    83

 

 

Next: Wednesday, @ Detroit

 

BROOKLYN

vs.

Pistons

 

 

 

BROOKLYN NETS - Kobe Bryant Punctuated Tuesday Night's Loss With A Serious Display of DAMN!


The Nets were playing at home.  The Lakers had no Dwight Howard, no Metta World Peace, and were without Pau Gasol towards the end of the game.  Yet the Lakers ended the game on a 10-0 run, and the Brooks lost by nine points.  L.A. outworked Brooklyn in the 4th quarter, which is nothing new for this team. And Kobe Bryant punctuated the night with a serious display of Damn!!  After the game, Kobe likened his drive into the lane to the parting of the Red Sea.


Further hindering the Nets, their bench contribution was negligible.  But when you shoot 34.8% from the field, you're begging for trouble.  The Lakers shot 45.1% from the field.  Otherwise, the Nets dominated the glass, pulling down fifty two boards versus L.A.'s forty.  Each team cancelled each other out from the free throw line with fifteen points apiece.


So how do you fix poor shooting?  Well, you can attempt higher percentage shots by dropping the ball into the low post....I guess.  So that's what the Nets did.  With Dwight Howard looking on from the Lakers bench dressed in a suit, Brook Lopez responded with a game high thirty points.  Only problem with Tuesday's loss was everyone else was launching bricks.  Hello Joe Johnson.  Hello Deron Williams.  And hello Gerald Wallace.  The three combined to make twelve shots in thirty eight attempts.  Brook Lopez finished the night with a double-double; thirty points and eleven rebounds.  Seven of his rebounds came on the offensive glass.  Brook also blocked three shots and was 8 for 10 from the line.  But only three other Nets went to the line, and attempted a mere eight shots between them.


The Nets are now 28-20 for the season.  Where do they go from here?  Where ever they go, speculation is sure to follow them until they play with consistency against better teams of the league.  The Nets have still yet to distinguish themselves among other NBA contenders.  To question their cohesiveness and collective ability is still warranted.


Next up - Road Trip!  The Nets will be in Detroit tonight, and will then hop a flight to D.C. to play the Wizards.



Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils Take First Battle of the Hudson

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

Battle of the Hudson

 

Final:

Rangers  1

DEVILS 3

 

 

Look what the Devils did to the New York Rangers...again.  Martin Brodeur, Patrick Elias, and David Clarkson were most responsible for denying the Rangers a measure of revenge against the team which eliminated them from last season's Eastern Conference finals.

 

 

After allowing three third period goals against Pittsburgh, and getting the next game off, Martin Brodeur returned fresh to stop twenty four of twenty five shots and earn the 660th victory of his career.  Other than a Chris Kreider shot and score from point blank range, the NHL's all-time wins leader made a series of remarkable saves reminiscent of last years playoff effort that had the Rangers so frustrated.

 

 

Devils fans no doubt must be happy with the return of Adam Henrique.  He quite literally picked up where he left off against the Rangers - celebrating a goal.  In just his fourth game back, he opened up the scoring Tuesday night with a first period goal; his second of the season.  Patrick Elias picked up the primary assist.  It was the first of three assist the Devils all-time winger would accumulate Tuesday night which tied a career game high.  That raises his team leading total to eight for the season.

 

 

The second assist on Henrique's goal went to David Clarkson.  Just yesterday I made mention of Clarkson's quick start.  Coming into the game, he led the Devils with five goals and nine points.  After dispatching the Rangers, David Clarkson skated off the ice with seven goals and twelve points in just nine games.  The Devils need Clarkson to replicate his breakout 30-goal season he had last year.  For the moment, the Devils couldn't ask for more.
 

 

For the game, Devils forwards made a first period mess in front of Henrik Lundqvist that the Rangers goalie had a hard time cleaning up.  The Devils were 1 for 4 on the power play.  The Rangers were held scoreless in five opportunities.
 

 

The Devils win their fifth game, and gained their thirteenth point of the season.  Pittsburgh defeated the Islanders, and therefore the Devils could not gain ground on the Atlantic Division leader.


Meanwhile, the Blueshirts malady continues.  At The Rock in Newark, "Rangers Suck!" was the anthem of the night.  For starters, Dan Girardi was scratched from Tuesday's game.  He is suspected to have suffered an injury against Tampa.  Then to literally add insult to injury, the Rangers had four first period power play opportunities and came up empty each time.  Marian Gaborik led the Rangers with five shots on goal.




Mike.BTB



New York Giants: Tuna Headed To Canton

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK GIANTS - The Big Tuna Gains Membership Into The Canton Club.

Member: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013

 

Bill Parcells

Head Coach - New York Giants

1983 - 1990

 

 

Why Bill Parcells needed to wait a second year for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is  beyond me.  However with this year's correction, he now takes his rightful place along side the other Giants greats and legends already enshrined in the Hall.
 

 

The Bill Parcells Giants will never have the word "Flashy" used to describe them.  They were grunts in their most basic form.  Parcells teams brought back and thrived playing a more primitive form of the game.  Bill reintroduced Smash Mouth Football into the National Football League.  In both defense and running the ball, Bill Parcells assembled perhaps one of the strongest teams in NFL history.  He didn't care if the other team knew what play the Giants were running.  Parcells merely dared you to stop them.

 

"Run with power men!  ..........that's why you lift all those weights." - Bill Parcells

 

It was actually coach Ray Perkins who began the slow process of re-establishing the New York Giants to their lost former prominence.  He brought the Giants back to the playoffs in 1981 after a long, dormant period in Big Blue history.  But when Coach Perkins left to coach Alabama, it was Bill Parcells who took over, and transformed Big Blue into a nightmare for the likes of the great Bill Walsh and the 49ers and Joe Gibbs and the Redskins.  Of course, his greatest achievement was turning the Giants into two time Super Bowl champions.

 

 

Bill Parcells was old school in every sense.  He was hard on his players.  If he didn't like you, or worse yet didn't respect you, then you had a real problem on your hands, not to mention potential unemployment issues.  Ask Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler about that.  But if you were one of "his guys", then you were mint.  He'd still be hard on his guys.  But there was an unconditional trust between them.  As tough as he was, and as mean as he could be with the media, even us fans knew that underneath his menacing exterior, was the cuddly heart of a fuzzy bear.  When he stepped down as head coach after winning Super Bowl XXV, not only was I devastated, I thought the Giants would never be good ever again.  I thought that as a grown twenty three year old adult, and life long football and Giants fan.  Coach Ray Handley only reinforced that notion.

 

 

Two Super Bowls are his Giants legacy.  Funny thing is, for much of his time here, it seemed as if the Giants struggled mightily to gain respect and success, because the style of football they played was laborious.  But if you understood it, the game plan was glorious.  Bill Parcells led a team that could play with anybody.  But the clashes against the 49ers are what I relish most from that era.  Bill Parcells guided his teams beyond the best of the best.

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Dwight Howard Visits Mr. Lopez' Neighborhood

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

TONIGHT

 

Los Angeles Lakers

vs.

BROOKLYN NETS

FROM
BARCLAYS CENTER

Flatbush Avenue, Kings County

BROOKLYN NETS - May Dwight Howard's Visit To Flatbush Avenue Be a Fleeting One.  Brooklyn Already Has An All-Star Center.  His Name Is Brook Lopez.

"We're happy with Brook, and the team we have now..." - Deron Williams

The Nets and Lakers last met just prior to Thanksgiving.  The Nets under former coach Avery Johnson visited Los Angeles while in the midst a five game winning streak and beginning the season with a 6-2 record.  But Kobe Bryant dropped twenty five points on the visiting Brooks, and Dwight Howard dominated the boards with fifteen rebounds en route to a 95-90 Lakers victory. Dwight Howard also scored twenty three points and blocked four shots in forty one minutes.


By comparison, Brook Lopez played thirty seven minutes that game.  He also scored twenty three points, which led the Nets, but only pulled down seven rebounds, and blocked no shots.  In that game, Pau Gasol pulled down eleven boards, and combined with Howard to account for twenty six of the Lakers forty three rebounds.  Metta World Peace was next in for L.A. with eight rebounds.  As mentioned, Lopez had seven boards for the Nets.  Then Reggie Evans pulled down a team high eleven boards, and Kris Humphries had another ten.  The Nets out-rebounded the Lakers for the game by a 46-43 margin.  It can be argued that perhaps the Lakers were at their optimal rebounding capabilities that night.  They have roster and D'Antoni(!) issues (among others), and certainly lack another body coming off the bench who would give them another ten board night.  Earl Clark?  Jordan Hill?  While the Nets, it can be argued, still had Andray Blatch in reserve.  Andray saw limited minutes in L.A.  So on a night when Dwight Howard was at his best and Gasol ended in double digits as well, the Nets still had that covered.


Now, the Lakers (22-26) must come to Brooklyn as a sub .500 team, and play in Barclays Center for the first time, where the Nets (28-19) are 18-8 at home.  Dwight Howard in all likelihood will not play.  He missed the last two games compromised by his ailing right shoulder.  Despite this recent setback, he has actually played in three more games than Lopez this season.  But in his first season  after back surgery, although playing relatively well, Dwight is not playing up to his accustomed standards.  He is averaging 16.5 points per game.  That marks his lowest average as a center, and his lowest average since his second season in the league when he played power forward.  His current 11.9 rebounds per game are similarly his lowest mark as an NBA center, in addition to being his lowest mark since he averaged 10.0 boards per game playing power forward as a rookie.


Today, the Nets play for P.J. Carlesimo.  And in his fifth season in the league, Brook Lopez is headed to his first All-Star game; as is Dwight Howard.  At current, Lopez is the league's highest scoring center.  His 18.7 points per game top DeMarcus Cousins, Chris Bosh, Al Jefferson, and in fifth place, Dwight Howard.  Brook has maintained his seven rebounds per game average, and is also averaging 2.2 blocks per game.  After playing just five games last season and suffering a minor setback earlier this season, his overall minutes are down.  If Lopez was playing his usual thirty three +/- minutes per game, as he averaged over his first three years (Howard is averaging almost thirty five minutes per game), he in all likelihood would be averaging over twenty points this season.  In the Nets last four games, Lopez scored twenty or more points against Chicago, Miami, and Houston.  And of course, it never hurts to mention Dwight Howard is a 49% free throw shooter.  At least Brook Lopez is 73% from the line.


Dwight Howard had his chance at facilitating a trade to Brooklyn and playing with Deron Williams.  But not only did he blow it, that time is also passed.  The book on Dwight Howard, in my view, is closed.  Let him come to Flatbush and either participate on the Barclays Center hearing-bone court, or let him sit nicely dressed on the sideline spectating.  In either scenario, when the game is done let him leave, and take the never ending scuttlebutt of Dwight Howard to Brooklyn with him.  We have no need for him here.  Last time I checked, Brook Lopez was doing just fine.  It's just like Deron Williams said......., and Brooklyn is happy with him too.





Mike.BTB

Rangers vs. Devils - Battle Of The Hudson - I

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

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

 

TUESDAY NIGHT
Game One of Four

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

New Jersey Devils

From

The Rock,

NEWARK



 

 

The rematch is upon us.  Lets get ready to rumble..!  And for Coach DeBoer and Coach Tortorella, it's hello douche bag!  Good to see you again.

 

After last season's Eastern Conference championship round, the Rangers/Devils rivalry should be full steam ahead again.  For now, the Devils hold sway.  As of Monday, Newark has eleven points and sits in second place of the Atlantic Division behind Pittsburgh.  The Rangers have eight points and find themselves in fourth place just ahead of Philadelphia.

 Since 1982-1983, the Rangers and Devils have met 218 times during the regular season.

The Rangers enjoy a slight advantage in the all-time series.

N.J. Devils; W-90 L-94 T-27 OL-7 Pts.-214 Goals-659

N.Y. Rangers; W-101 L-84 T-27 OL-6 Pts.-235 Goals-722

 

 

 

New York Rangers: Mike Rupp Exiled To The Wild of Minnesota for Pair of Younger Forwards.


It's a new season.  But I'm sure there is no love lost between the two coaches.  Only now Torts has a problem on his hands.  The former Devil, Mike Rupp, is now a former Blueshirt as well.  The New York Rangers parted with their second top fighter from last season.  Mike Rupp was traded to the Minnesota Wild.  It was a good pick-up by the Wild, as Rupp will give them size and toughness at no real tangible cost.  The Rangers get younger, but not much else.  That leaves Coach Torts with Stu Bickel and Aaron Asham as his top glove droppers.


This Rangers dilemma is still evolving.  But I'd still like to think my incessant complaining over Mike Rupp this season precipitated this trade.  As if...but I am definitely enjoying a bit of validation when this blog said A) - this roster needs definite tinkering at forward, and B) - Mike Rupp needed to go.  The ice time he was getting was preposterous.  Last season, Brandon Prust led the team with twenty fights.  Rupp was second on the team with twelve.  Stu Bickel was third with six fights.  Prust, and now Rupp, are gone.
 

 

In return for the big lumbering Mike Rupp, the Wild will be sending the Rangers centerman Darroll Powe and Nick Palmieri.  Powe is six years younger that Rupp, and is a defensive minded forward. As with Rupp, the Rangers shouldn't expect any scoring out of this kid.  He is also about thirty pounds lighter than Mike Rupp too.  Palmieri is twenty-three years old, and plays right wing.  Palmieri most likely seems headed to Connecticut.  And word on NHL Network is Darroll Powe will join him.  Upon the trade, the Rangers also called-up J.T. Miller and Brandon Mashinter.


The Rangers responded nicely to getting beat rather handily by Pittsburgh last Thursday.  The Penguins' effort was in itself unspectacular.  That means the Rangers were down right pathetic suffering through a 3-0 loss.  But then against the Lightning in Tampa, the Rangers held on to a 3-2 lead to give back-up goalie Martin Biron the win in his first start of the season.  Rick Nash scored his second goal of the season and continues to be the Rangers best player.  I want to see him be a little more greedy with the puck and shoot more.  Marian Gaborik leads the Rangers with five goals.  And an unlikely Taylor Pyatt is second with three goals this season.

 

 

 *   *   *   *

 

New Jersey Devils: David Clarkson And Steve Bernier Overshadowing Ilya Kovalchuk.


In the early going of the post Zach Parise era, David Clarkson has stepped up to fill the dreaded scoring void.  He has five goals in eight games, and nine points in all.  Clarkson scored a career high thirty goals last season.  Right now he is operating at an accelerated pace.  I tend to believe as Clarkson goes, so go the Devils.  Steve Bernier is second on the club with three goals.  Ilya Kovalchuk is still stuck on two.  The Devils recently played four straight games that went into overtime.  They lost three times and dropped one in shoot-out.  This is a very short season.  If Ilya doesn't find his form of just two or three years ago quickly, the Devils will find themselves on the losing side of many more overtime sessions to come.  They rank among the bottom fourth in conference scoring.  However, some things about the Devils never change.  Only two Eastern Conference teams have allowed less goals than Newark.  Within the division.., none.


Newark and back-up goalie Johan Hedberg are coming off a shut-out victory over the Islanders - a game which halted a streak of four games without a win.  Prior to the Isles, the Devils suffered their first regulation time defeat of the season to the Penguins.


In game two of the season against Philadelphia, Martin Brodeur extended two of his all-time NHL records.  In addition to earning his all-time leading 658th career win, he also recorded his all-time leading 120th career shut-out.  Also of note, with a goal and two assists in game four of the season against Montreal, Patrick Elias scored his all-time franchise leading 900th point of his Devils career.




Mike.BTB