First things first: Whew. I thought I was going to have to bring some shrinks with me for the Live Chat today at noon. Thought I was going to be talking people down. Now I am going to have one happy group. Be there at noon, with questions, comments, whatever…. Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I’m not going into a gigantic rant about the Alex Ovechkin cheapshot on Dan Girardi because it’s a distraction and the Rangers don’t deserve a distraction with the way they played Game 4. … And I don’t want to call for a suspension because Brendan Shanahan and the… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I don’t know why I always feel this way, maybe because I’ve seen so many series go this way, but I still expect it to be 1-1 after two games. 2) Game 1 probably didn’t seem as close as it really was, but it was. The Capitals didn’t… Read More →
John Tortorella: Brad Richards: Henrik Lundqvist: Marc Staal: Chris Kreider: Artem Anisimov:
Thoughts: 1) Well, there goes my Rangers in 5 prediction. Back to Kanata Monday. Yee-freakin-hah! 2) This has been an odd series, IMO, in that I thought Ottawa’s best game start to finish was Game 3, a game the Senators lost, and one of those many, many games this season… Read More →
First the big news of the day: Daniel Alfredsson had a “setback” according to the Senators, and did not skate today. So, though you take everything with a grain of salt in the playoffs, and never rule out anything, it doesn’t look as if he’ll be available for Game 4…. Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Oh, Captain. Ryan Callahan set a tone early, as usual, found a way to score an uglier-than-hell goal—and he’s made that an art form—and helped will his team to victory. I know, that’s a bit dramatic, because he sure wasn’t alone. You’d have a tough time finding anybody… Read More →
************************************************* FORWARDS: Ottawa’s known as a skill and finesse team, and that is certainly true of its first line. Jason Spezza scored 34-50-84, Milan Michalek had 35-25-60, and captain Daniel Alfredsson (who has scored more points — 1,082 — than any active player who hasn’t won the Stanley Cup,... Read More →
Happy Easter. In case you fell asleep, Vancouver won the Presidents’ Trophy by beating Edmonton. Big whoop. These are the first-round matchups, with the schedules to be announced today at 1 p.m. Since it’s a holiday, I doubt I’ll be interested at that hour, so youse will have to rely… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Well, the ending and the post-game sure saved me, because I had no idea how I was going to fill out an entire review on this game. 2) This is why some people hate John Tortorella, and this is also why his players love him. That was an… Read More →
First things first. Our live chat today has been moved to 2 p.m. so that those of you who are going to be trying to get playoff tickets when they go on sale at noon can do what you have to do. Then get back here and join us for… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Things got awfully simple thanks to Philly yesterday. Would have been more simple, obviously, if the Rangers had been able to finish things off. So they go to the final three games—at Philly tomorrow, at Pitt Thursday, home against Washington Saturday—needing a point, or for Pittsburgh to lose… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Mentioned this after the game last night. It’s getting late, and when it’s this late, a three-point lead is big. It’s even bigger when you have the tiebreaker in your pocket, as the Rangers do. So in effect, it’s a four-point lead on Pittsburgh with six to play…. Read More →
Game 73. Start of the Foxwoods Final 10 … ooops, sorry. The sixth of a seven-game homestand (3-2 so far). Ya boys have won one in a row and three of the last five, but are 3-5 in their last eight. The Winged Wheels are winless in five (0-4-1) and… Read More →
John Tortorella spoke tonight about Dan Girardi being nominated by the New York chapter of the PHWA for the Masterton Trophy; about making the playoffs and preparing for the playoffs, about Artem Anisimov needing to learn to keep his head up: John Tortorella:
Game 72. Ten left after tonight. Can that really be? The Rangers can clinch a playoff spot with a point tonight, even if it’s a Bettman Bonus Point for losing. Ya boys have lost two in a row, five of seven. They play the fifth of a seven-game homestand. And,... Read More →
Game 71. Ya boys have lost four of their last six. They play the fourth of a seven-game homestand (2-1). Henrik Lundqvist returns from the flu and starts in goal. Ryan Callahan (foot) and Michael Del Zotto (hip) also return. Tim Erixon, called up from Connecticut today, will play on… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) That is the best team in the East, no doubt at all, with the best skill, a goalie who can get hot and stay hot, and a team that can play it rough and nasty, or any which way, and on an absolute roll. And Kris Letang… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I could not have dreamed the Rangers would be where they are without Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik paying on the first line together all year. Imagine if this works now? Imagine if the Rangers finally have that legit first-line with two proven first-line players and a rookie… Read More →
A Tough Night in Chi-Town. Thoughts: 1) Welp, it’s official. Your 2011-2012 Rangers have finally hit a slump. First time this season the Rangers have lost 3 in a row in regulation. It was bound to happen. We all know every team has that one time of the year when… Read More →
