Why You Move Derek Stepan for Rick Nash I have been watching the National Hockey League for over 40 years and even a non-professional like me can identify who may be a special talent and who, despite his youth, and ability to make an occasional ”wow” pass, is merely an ordinary player and… Read More →
So, after a few hours of work, then a few hours of yard work, I settled into my chair to watch golf. God, I love the U.S. Open. Then I finally opened the Sunday papers (yes, kids, those are actually made of paper, and you turn the pages to read… Read More →
The last file today is with the coach. He spoke for about 20 minutes, touching on a number of topics — even violating his own edict that he wouldn’t discuss individual players. Here it is… John Tortorella: Some highlights… • On future expectations for Chris Kreider: “He’s going to go… Read More →
First, I see somebody thinks, because Ryan Callahan wouldn’t admit to an injury means he wasn’t injured. Hello? He held his stick with one hand the entire ECF. He kept his right hand in his pocket for all interviews. He was obviously injured, but he will never use an excuse…. Read More →
One last time … or at least, one final game review. We’ll have a lot more to discuss, analyze, etc., over the coming days and weeks. Maybe we can do a Live Chat during the coming week and talk it all out. Thoughts: 1) I’m trying to feel your pain,... Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I am not completely sure what to make of this Game 5, and from the array of comments last night (with more to come today, no doubt) not sure what you guys make of it either. Do you look at the start, which wasn’t as bad, probably, as… Read More →
A few quick notes: • Henrik Lundqvist entered Game 5 6-1 with a 1.29 goals-against average, a .959 save percentage and two shutouts after Rangers’ losses this postseason. He allowed four goals on 16 shots Wednesday night, including three on the first five shots. • Marian Gaborik stopped a five-game… Read More →
Rangers-Devils Game 5. Ya boys are 1-1 in Game 5s, and have won both series anyway. Expecting some changes for the Rangers tonight. Brandon Prust returns from his suspension, and it looks as if Stu Bickel goes back on defense for Steve Eminger. Whether Brandon Dubinsky (or Mats Zuccarello, or… Read More →
Brandon Dubinsky, Mats Zuccarello and Kris Newbury all skated with the big team at the morning skate, and John Tortorella said that Brandon Prust will return from his suspension and that there could be additional changes to the lineup tonight. But anybody who’s guessing what those changes might (or might… Read More →
Rangers-Devils Game 4. The Rangers enter the seventh game in these playoffs in which they’ve had a chance to go up by two games in a series … and they have yet to accomplish that. Brandon Prust will serve his one-game suspension for elbowing Anton Volchenkov to death (he didn’t… Read More →
Brendan Shanahan’s dart hit “1” on the dartboard. I’m not saying Brandon Prust shouldn’t have been suspended, because he did after all elbow Anton Volchenkov in the head (and I wonder if they’ve managed to scrape Volchenkov off the ice yet). I am saying that what Prust did was not… Read More →
First, Brandon Prust had his hearing with Brendan Shanahan via phone today, said he was able to argue his case for his elbow to the head of Anton Volchenkov, and then went out to join an optional skate, not knowing if he would be suspended. Some gamesmanship going on, too,... Read More →
Rangers-Devils Game 3. Same lineups … at least same for the Devils … haven’t heard that officially from the Rangers, though there wouldn’t be any changes coming unless there’s some trickery regarding Brandon Dubinsky. Very doubtful, IMO. UPDATE: Steve Eminger is in for Stu Bickel. Fully expect a much better… Read More →
FYI, before I turned on the recorder, Brandon Prust was saying that the teams don’t like each other. And he said it twice. I’ll have a link to transcripts, I think, from the Devils later on. John Tortorella: Henrik Lundqvist: Mike Rupp (former Devil): Brad Richards: Ryan Callahan: Brandon Prust:... Read More →
Don’t forget, we’ve got a Live Chat coming up at 2 p.m. Be there. Capisce? ****************************************** The news: Brandon Dubinsky’s still on crutches, his right foot in a boot. Mats Zuccarello still wearing a removable cast on his wrist and not practicing with the team. A bunch of the Rangers… Read More →
Rangers-Capitals Game 3. Then we get a nice little hockey vacation and a stupid matinee for Game 4. Thank you, NBC. I am not expecting any lineup changes for the Rangers tonight, though I supposed it’s possible that Steve Eminger goes in for Stu Bickel. I doubt it. Brandon Dubinsky… Read More →
The news from D.C.: Brandon Dubinsky is on the trip, but did not skate. Mats Zuccarello continued to skate before practice, but left the ice when the morning skate began. Alex Ovechkin is expected to play with Nick Backstrom tonight, which means more minutes, you would think. John Tortorella: Henrik… Read More →
The news: Brian Boyle skated during an optional practice, and said he felt better. Brandon Dubinsky did not skate and is on crutches, which doesn’t necessarily mean anything in terms of the severity of his injury. Remember that Ryan Callahan was on crutches between games when he was playing with… 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 →
FORWARDS: This is obviously where the Capitals are most dangerous, and most confusing. Alex Ovechkin is coming off what is seen as a bad year (yet he scored 38 goals). He was benched at times in the Boston series. But he loves playing against the Rangers, especially at MSG, and… Read More →
