Yes, that’s right, kids. The sky is falling.
This was an unsightly loss, caused by a dreadful start and a God-awful defensive-zone breakdown late in the third period.
But … c’mon. Teams don’t have bad losses during 82-game seasons?
Thoughts:
1) What do you do if you’re a player or a coach and you don’t know why your team is sluggish, and you can’t seem to get out of it? I know, there’s no answer to that question. Or if there is, the Rangers don’t have it.
2) A lot of emphasis was put on the two non-calls against Gaborik. I thought on the first one he was tripped. I thought the second one deserved no penalty.
3) That doesn’t excuse the lethargy and the parade of lazy/careless passes that marked that power play, nor the play(s) that led to the short-handed goal—the final one by Gaborik.
4) That new No. 1 line sure looked lousy on the GWG. All three of them, and the two young third-pair defensemen.
5) I liked Stepan on the power play. He had a few gaffes, but also did some good things. I liked Staal there, too, except for one pass on the early PP that led to the SHG. Stepan was not to blame for the shorty.
6) Imagine if Alex Kovalev played. What’s that? He did?
7) I don’t know why they play these 5 p.m. games. It’s no excuse, but the arena was dead, and it’s an odd time for the players. Should have been worse for Ottawa, which played at home the night before.
8) Alex Frolov is inching closer to the prucha list.
9) Rozsival’s been pretty good since he got back. He played a few shifts with Staal yesterday. I like Staal-Rozsival and Girardi-Del Zotto a lot better than the other way around.
10) Sorry for the late post. Today I got off to the same kind of start the Rangers had last night.
11) That was not the type of loss after which you’d like three days off. On the positive side, the Rangers get to play the Senators again. Should be some payback theme.
——————
AP Photo, above.
139 Comments
Mandlebaum!
Turn out the lights, the party’s over…...
RIP Don Meredith
I second that, Izzy. Don Meredith was the QB in the first game I ever remember watching on TV—the Ice Bowl, against Bart Starr and Green Bay.
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/news/story?id=5890812
not only can’t frolov score he is terrible in his own zone getting the puck out.
he plays in slow motion and cannot shoot from more then 3 feet away… higgins actually was better then him, staggering…...........
Off topic … Pat Gillick is going into the baseball Hall of Fame. How is it possible that Gillick is a Hall of Famer (taking nothing away from what he did) ... and Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, Roger Maris have had no shot of getting in?
Hated Dallas, Loved listening to Dandy Don. Go figure…
At one point I was watching and thinking… “Who is that guy with the puck that looks like they’re skating in slush, is that Boogard? Oh… it’s just Froloaf. Duhhh.”
Frolov also wears his socks upsidedown…the stripes don’t belong around his ankles!
I thought Avery was the answer for the top line…lol!
I disagree about not wanting 3 days off after this game, Carp. Normally it would be good to get right back on the horse but the Rangers have had way too many 3 games in 4 nights and 4 games in 6 nights over the past month. I believe that 3 days off to regroup and rest a little is just what the doctor ordered right now. Let’s see how they play on Thursday.
sorry old coach. you are not allowed to disagree with me … i kid, i kid.
LOL Carp. I think you answered your own question. Pete Rose is well, Pete Rose. The other 2, well I think the reason is fairly obvious. :)
I am sorry Carp but if you dont know whey they play those 5 pm games then I will be able to provide you with an answer :)
They care about their fans from Europe allowing them to watch at 11pm instead of waitung until 1 am in the morning :) This is very respectful to all of those watching late at night needing to go to work the next day, and..
then I dont need to tell you how much better it is for the stomach to get the dinner two hours earlier after the game or do you like to sleep with a full belly late at night ???:)
Holy Carcillo !
77 degrees here in AZ today – brrrrrrrrr !
0 – 2 in the new jerseys.
Pete Rose should be in. Off the field stuff is off the field, I hate that double standard sports in general seems to have. As far as the game….yeah, it was ugly. Thursday couldn’t come soon enough.
Tony, it got up to 70 degrees yesterday here in NY… 35 in the morning, 35 in the afternoon.
2-0 against New Jersey…
Crack of Noon!
white waived, shocker!
morning ILB and all!
That was a game we would have lost last year. This team is better when it fights, it really is. Boogaard needs to get more ice time, but at least torts admitted he had a problem playing boogey.
Carp, while Stepan is definitely not to blame for the shorthander, you can’t help but feel like if it was a defenseman or more experienced forward, that bad pass doesn’t elude him so terribly that Kelly gets away, or, in the alternative, he would have interfered with Kelly to eliminate the potential breakaway.
Pardon Me….
a dman would have stopped it similar to what Rozy or Staal have done in the past?
hmmm…...?
give the kid a break. he was doing some pretty good things up there
and hopefully MDZ is learning something while sitting more.
jpg, first, I should apologize for using the Pardon Me persona as there is no game tonight.
Second, I’m not saying it was his fault, but yes, I think Staal and/or Rozsival do a better job of keeping Kelly from getting that breakaway, even if they have to hook/hold/interfere with him to do it.
That’s especially so in Rozsival’s case, since those tactics come quickly to him.
Young teams have games like that. We need to cure this aversion to home ice.
Was in attendance at the Garden yesterday & I agree with Carp about how dead it was. I could count on 1 hand how many times the place got loud, including the (non-hetero) Larry dance. The highlight of the night was shaking Dave Maloney’s hand when he walked by my section! Carp – did you get a look at his awful suit?!
All good points, Carp. I just have to disagree on #11. This is a type of situation when the teams’ heart is there, but the legs are not willing. 16 games in November coupled with the aggressive style this team has been playing. Add Torts unwillingness to roll four lines on consistent basis and you have a very tired team. Mental mistakes usually follow. The are also coming from that emotional back-to-back against Fishsticks. I think the schedule is finally reflecting on the games. Perfect three days to rest. Let’s see how they come out Thursday. Ottawa looked like very beatable, especially in their end, team.
Stepan should continue QBing the power play. Even if it was his fault, I’d be willing to take the risk. Let him grow. MDZ just isn’t cutting it at the moment. He needs more time too. I believe that Stepan could be very effective, but he should slide down to the left half boards more often.
SKY’S FALLING! TRADE LUNDQVIST GABBY STEPAN DUBINSKY CALLAHAN STAAL AND GIRARDI!!
On a serious note- I hate Frolov
lol James! Trade MDZ too!
On a serious note – I too dislike Frolov
Does the garden ever get loud anymore?
Trade Kreider too. He’s apparently too fast. I don’t like that.
Package him for Brad Richards!
Go Devils?
Me, the man and Laurel (AKA blogmama) at the game last night
http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?evgroupid=0&userid=newyorkrangers&gallery_id=2373874&image_id=6&pos=7
The Garden is the most overrated arena in Hockey. Fact!
We might sell out, but most of the real fans are not the ones getting those seats. The real fans are stuck in the Helen Keller section where you can’t hear them.
It would be a very bad knee jerk reaction by Sather to trade anybody for Richards right now. I can’t see any reasons why. If we looked like a serious contender, I’d say go for it. But he is going to be available at the end of the season for money. Why do I have a feeling that Sather may do it anyway?
Great pic Beth, Mamma. The pic of the game had to be Turturro though.
Well Shattenkirk the pic of the game after the one with mama, might be me with Spike Lee. We were sitting right by him
Speaking of Kreider, he had a nice game last weekend against BU. Kid’s got some serious speed and good hands.
lol ilb…because thats what Sather does. i’m sure just as it was with both kovalchuk and st louis…sather will want to do something stupid, he just wont have the cap room to do it
Is this the last time we can put todd white on waivers without actually doing something with him??
Beth
great pics girl!!!
thanks Wicks!
The loss was bush-league … that is all.
Last nights loss was so reminiscent of last years team.
Those are the games that kept us out of the playoffs, and most likely will keep us out this year.
I don’t have hope for this team, but I would like some of these kids to at least get some playoff experience, even if it means a quick first round exit.
Miami, it actually looked more like an amateur hour to me. I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Orr- all due respect- why are you so negative about this team? I mean they’re 16-12 and while they havent been overly impressive they’ve remained consistent. they havent gone on 3 or 4 game losing or winless streaks and they havent been getting shut out or losing games 7-2. The PP hasnt been great but it hasnt been as bad as the last few years and we have solid goaltending and a pretty balanced offense. Much worse Rangers teams have made it to the playoffs over the last several seasons.
Todd White is done. Only reason he stuck around were injuries to Drury and Prospal.
Frolov I gotta believe is on his way out too. I get the sense that his agent pushed him to sign with us as his last shot at staying in the league where he really wanted to go to the KHL. Don’t keep him around as long as Higgins and Kotalik, get him off the roster now.
Good afternoon all! beth, I look like I’m about to devour you both in that picture!
Ahem, not everyone in the Garden was quiet. Beth can attest to that :) and probably Spike Lee, but I doubt he’ll return your calls.
On a more consistent note, mama again did not get to talk to Aves at warren. Then again, wasn’t quite the night to pass the team and say great game…:(
>>Speaking of Kreider…got some serious speed and good hands.
Rico Fata had some serious speed; Marcel Hossa has good hands.
I just don’t think this team has what it takes to remain consistent. I have very little confidence in them.
In my eyes, I still see the same team as last year, for the most part.
It’s only December, a lot can change in a month.
“Rico Fata had some serious speed; Marcel Hossa has good hands”
And when you combine them, you get Kreider. Future Hall Of Famer.
Shattenkirk, yes, I caught Maloney’s suit. But you won’t hear me say anything bad about him. ...
ilb, you’re not allowed to disagree with me, either. lol.
beth, great pic.
Todd White is the first one overboard when Drury comes back. I don’t know if he goes to Hartford or if there is another option.
>>Spike Lee.
WHO? Were the Knicks playing next?
JBytes, he had a Knicks cap on too :)
beth
who was the hottie next to you and the man in the pic?
Did anyone see the crap assen ejection by the officials in the blues hawks game of scott and janssens? What a joke!!! PANSIFICATION!!!
wicky is my favorite today
the hottie next to beth was a supermodel that looks like she’s early to mid 30s who i happen to be lucky enough to call a friend :)
beth
nice pics!
Laurel…you’re such a mama sheyne! :P
that, too. beth, you and the man look awesome. terrific pics!
White should’ve been delivering pizza for Drury’s place since September. Bet you he has a nice Benz with sufficient cargo space to fit 30 pies.
tiki
didn’t look a day over 26 to me!!!!
ILB
yes, but can he drive an iphone??
Yeah, wicky, I’ll be happy to give him mine as long as it drives him right to Hartford.
What pics?
everyone is my favorite today!!!
I like that fact that Torts is somewhat protective of Stepan. I think this year, he is really trying to help the confidence of the younger kids and putting more blame on the veterans when they make a play that puts one of the kids in a tough spot.
Stepan is the real deal… he may not score 40 goals a season in his lifetime, but he is going to collect a ton of assists if we can get some guys who can finish.
My iPhone, that is.
Nice pics, finally saw them lol.
When are the Ranger’s going to have more than one breakout routine? The senators knew exactly what they were going to do and got right in their faces. They need to recognize when the other teams have them figured out and make like the Bowery Boys and use routine 4 or 5 and stop playing right into the other team. It was like Ottowa watched tapes on the plane and new exactly how to step into their passing lanes.
NYR needs Gordon Bombay as an assistant coach. He’ll help with the breakout.
Been reading the rumors about the team looking to grab someone from Minny. Carp – any thoughts?
The last one worked out great! LOL!
cant wait until thursday night
According to Eckland (because he never ever makes stuff up), it Pierre-Marc Bouchard from Minny. No thanks, unless they take Roszival.
Pierre-Marc Bouch-league? thanks…we have plenty of those…
Saving the $ for Richards makes me nervous though. Think Koval-suck…
Yes, Orr…the flying V is needed!!! lmao
Orr, I completely agree that last night was reminicent of last year’s team. There wasn’t much urgency or heart being displayed. They didn’t play a full 60 minutes. They were clearly mentally and emotionally drained from the back to back games against the Isles. Let’s give them a break and see where they are at after 3 days off and back in Ottawa Thrusday. There will be no excuse for a poor showing at that game…
However, the NYR are much better this year, than last, and the future looks bright. After watching the Rangers for 25 years, looks to me like we finally seem to have an assemblence of a real homegrown team developing. Not just some free agents thrown together in the summer.
Richards would make us better but still not a very legit cup contender. There are are more pieces to the puzzle needed than just a 1st line center to get to the promised land. We need another legit sniper (Hopefully that can be MZA) and, as wicky always says, a crease-clearing physically imposing d-man (hopefully that’s McIlrath). We also need some luck too. Look at the Sharks. They have a stacked team every year and can’t win in the playoffs….
The Rangers really need to mail in one year so we can get top 5 pick! It seems that will never happen in NY. I don’t know about you guys but, a 10th place finish isn’t any worse than 15th to me…
Check out this shift by jeff skinner. That is some pure talent carolina was able to grab there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEMXtcQzXLs&feature=player_embedded
Just catching up today…
Carp – absolutely love the comment about Kovalev; was at the game last night and actually don’t recall him being involved in anything!
A quote from Brooksie’s article yesterday. If this is true it is hilarious in so many ways.
“Finally, how about Bill McCreary giving Sean Avery a 10-minute misconduct on Friday at the Garden for telling the referee he wouldn’t be allowed into any of the clubs in the city, either?”
NYR could have drafted Jeff Skinner if they didn’t try so hard to make the playoffs in the final ten games.
Which all turned out to be a total waste.
NYR, this team definition has potential for the future, but I still don’t think they’re good enough to make the playoffs this year.
I figured they’d end up in 11th or 12th place, I predicted, but they might just end up in 9th again.
The defense still sucks, and Hank is still inconsistent.
Trading for a guy like Bouchard would be typical Slats. He always tries to bring in the star’s friend, or former teammate. Hmm, how many times has that worked out?
Steve C
What lanes? The Rangers don’t really have any passing lanes…they are adept at just throwing the puck around, and often just in general direction of a team mate and hope he’s skillful enough to snatch it before someone on the other team smears him.There’s an awful amount of itsy bitsy play in attacking zone, that is agonizing to watch.
Anybody like that show Skating With The Stars?
Two people almost died today during practice. One guy couldn’t breathe, and some chick got sliced by her partners skate blade.
Maybe they should have left that show in Canada with Danekyo and Ron Du-Glee.
I dont think I ever updated youse guys, so: My friend that had his 2nd heart attack probably about a month ago is doing great.
>>Pierre-Marc Bouchard from Minny.
Damaged noggin! Next rumour please!
ranger tix available
3/22 tues vs florida 7pm
section 330 aisle seats face value $110 for pair
email me baum27@aol.com if interested
thanks to ilb and doodie for taking some games enjoy. i will be home with my new son
P.M. Bouchard is one concussion away from retirement. pass
Trade Gilroy there for prospect max noreau ( defenseman who has scored over 20 goals past few seasons in AHL for houston)
Gilroy could probably score 20 goals down in the AHL.
We have too much depth on defense. I don’t see the point in bringing in more d-men.
They should trade for Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Marc Savard and fuse them together so they have one complete noggin and call him Pierre-Marc Savard.
LMAO Blue Seat Horror..also infuse Kotalik’s forearms too!
and true Orr!!
Is it true about Bouchard, or it’s just E5 type of BC?
It seems like Sunday afternoon games in December always go exactly like yesterday. For some reason when the temperature drops, so does the Rangers’ game.
Tiki
good to hear about your friend doing better.
probably just another rumor because he’s a former teammate of Gabby’s and Gabby needs some help. Similar to the “Dimitra to NY is imminent” crud that floated around last year.
Isn’t there something valuable out there via trade? Like maybe a used jock strap or a giant hockey helmet filled with cream cheese? We could trade Frolov straight up.
It’s so pathetic that we come here and even attempt to argue as to how and why a guy like Christensen fits in with Gaborik. Complete amateur-hour stuff.
I imagine Gaborik goes home every night and takes a shot of absinthe after having to deal with mickey-mouse passes from a weaksauce center who couldn’t even crack the fourth line on an EHL squad.
Give the man a first-line center, for Cookie Monster’s sakes.
Trade Christensen to Isles for P.A. Parenteau. Fire Sather!
ilb, it was a garbage rumor from Ecklund.
Are you kidding? Gabby’s body is so sensitive, if he drank absinthe, his throat would melt, and he’d sh*t out his stomach.
Thanks, Blue Seat
If not absinthe, then I hope he’s taking in some Single Barrel (Silver Select).
Christian Thomas25 games 21 G 16 A +16
9 goals in his last 7 games
I like this Thomas kid better than Christensen already …
Poti with three assists tonight. We should have never let him walk for free!
B Richards with another goal tonight … baller.
B Richards = 31 points
E Christensen = 11 points
B Richards = 1st line center
E Christensen = EHL journeyman
B Richards = $8 million
E Christensen = $800 thousand
B Richards = Old man
E Christensen = Dead man
That blue Penguins uni is the ugliest thing in the world!
B Richards = playoffs
E Christensen = golf at the municipal course
Brad Richards is not that old…he’s only 30
I think Richards will be a Ranger by the deadline. Return will be Frolov (dead money), Anisimov, Gilroy, a 1st, and a conditional 2nd (acquired from CAR in Sanguinetti deal) if he resigns with NYR. Any more than that and it ain’t worth it. That’s a fair return.
I wouldn’t give up Anisimov … instead, call up Redden and finish the deal with a sure-fire clincher from the Amateur-Hour League.
Trading for a player in his 30’s will automatically turn him into a 40 year old once he steps on the Garden ice.
If we give up Artie for Richards I’ll kill Sather.
I’d rather give Anisimov than Stepan or Dubinsky.
Why give up anything for someone that will be a free agent at the end of the year??
You’d actually give up a young guy for Brad Richards?
We’re not winning the Cup this year, next year, and most likely the year after that.
I’m all for trying, but try with what you have instead of giving it away for a quick fix that wont even work.
Madness!
Trade Artie, and I bet he turns into a mini-Datsyuk, or a mini-Fedorov.
Do you mean he ends up dating Kournikova?
That wouldn’t be a trade, Tank. It would be a suicide.
Andrew Ladd – 10 goals 18 assists 27 points in 27 games.
Dustin Byfuglyman – 10 goals 19 assists 29 points in 27 games
Both traded for a 2nd round pick and Ivan Vishnevskiy. Bwaha, poor Hawks.
Dallas is in financial trouble. Their ownership is unknown. They won’t get nearly what is Richards’ true market value not only because he would be a rental, but mainly because he has NTC. They will only be able to talk to a very few, if not a couple, if teams he’d be willing to get traded.
Kournikova is dating some loser who sings crappy music you hear at clubs. Artie never had a chance.
And he’s not getting a chance with NYR! Why would anyone trade him for Brad fuggin Richards.
Madness
Trading any talented prospect for him is total madness!
So I just managed to “blue screen” the POS (both definitions) machine at CVS … Surprise! It’s running Windows.
of teams…
Sweet spin-o-rama goal by Grabovski in the shootout.
STOUDEMIRE is an ANIMAL … go Knicks!
uncanny … Stoudamire is beastly … he should be centering Gaborik for all I know.
Miami- is he shooting left or right? :-)
MEMO ALL RANGER FANS
WATCH OUT FOR ATLANTA THEY WILL BE AROUND ALL YEAR.
RANGERS ATLANTA BUFFALO OTTAWA CAROLINA
5 TEAMS FOR 2 SPOTS
Don’t count out the Devils. You never know, they can completely turn it around.
The Isles are the only team we don’t have to worry aboot catching us in the standings, but we always play like sh*t against them.
Every time I watch the Jets, they lose. Interesting.
As a jet fan…
It is definitely not “go time”!!
It’s “go watch something else time”, for all Jets fans.
Haha Orr!!
Gaborik is going to have to wait till next season to get a #1 center and you all are going to have to watch Stepan and Christensen for the remainder of the season b/c anyone who advocates trading top prospects for Brad Richards is well clueless
Sundin is coming!
At least Guerin retired. Now I can have some peace of mind. I’m sure Slats was tempted.
Guerin can always un-retire! I bet he could outplay Frolov
lol @ sundin
CCCP
Not THE ugliest..
that’s reserved for the Wild’s regular uniform.
And that name…”The Wild” ...it’s so artsy, so, oh I dunno, so effete?
They could have had so many other names to choose from that they let slip by. Makes you really wonder about the folks calling the shots with that team.
I’ve seen half a dozen minor league teams with better names and uniforms.
I tell you what I’d like to see appear on this blog…...
A group photo of all the charter bone heads, who have maintained their connections here. and who’s who in the pic. OR..several shots of three or four at a time .
It would sort of bring to life all the folks who have been entertaining us with their wit and friendliness these past months and years.
I’d find room for that in my album in a NY minute.
I tell you what I’d like to see appear on this blog…...
A group photo of all the charter bone heads, who have maintained their connections here. and who’s who in the pic. OR..several shots of three or four at a time .
It would sort of bring to life all the folks who have been entertaining us with their wit and friendliness these past months and years.
I’d find room for that in my album in a NY minute.
Speaking of which…I have to say that watching these games without you all hovering in the background wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as it is now.
Bahahahaha the Jets..I think Jim Morrison said it the best- when the music’s over turn out the lights!
last
No you’re not….