So we go from one nation’s capital to the other. (See previous post for the whole Conference Semifinals schedule—and p.s. to NBC, it’s not the Stanley Cup semifinals, OK?). Thoughts: 1) That was one great Game 7. Seriously, I thought ya boys played a great game, as I expected them… Read More →
So we’re getting closer and closer to dropping the puck on the Garden’s first Game 7 in 18 years. The Rangers held a full practice today in Greenburgh, but skated without both Ryan Callahan (finger) and Brian Boyle (concussion). Boyle was to be expected. There’s been no further update on… Read More →
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 →
Carl Hagelin had his hearing with the NHL today and probably faces a suspension. Daniel Alfredsson is reportedly feeling better and will be re-evaluated tomorrow … which could be part gamesmanship: “Let’s see how many games Hagelin gets before we say Alfredsson’s OK.” Or it could be the reality of… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Matt Carkner won’t be suspended, but how do the officials allow a guy to just jump somebody and throw that many punches and get away with it. I know, the NHL’s belief is that the five-minute power play is more than enough punishment. Ridiculous. But he does have… 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 →
First the news … Ryan Callahan (personal reasons) and Marian Gaborik (flu) did not practice. Not a big deal. And Chris Kreider, as of this moment, hasn’t been signed … not that we know, anyway. Might happen today. Might not. Remember, he’s past the point of getting any money for… 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 →
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) So now it’s 50 wins, and all they need is to go 2-2 to tie the ‘93-94 team’s franchise record of 52. That’s secondary. Their magic number on Pittsburgh is three. That’s any combination of points the Rangers get or Pittsburgh fails to get that equals three. Simpler:... Read More →
Thoughts: 1) OK, so it’s 105 points with five games left, and while the Penguins have a game in hand, the Rangers have clinched the tiebreaker over the Pens. So if the Rangers go 2-3 for 109 points, Pittsburgh needs 10 out of a possible 12 points. If the Rangers… 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 →
Thoughts: 1) They still have a bunch of stuff to clean up, and still plenty of time to do it. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. But I have this feeling, and it’s just a feeling based on what I’ve seen from this team, and what I’ve seen… Read More →
Good to see that, after two pretty good wins over two pretty good teams, all it takes is a game in which a couple of mistakes turn into a loss against a desperate team playing well in front of a good goalie to return the panic level. Blame, blame, blame… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) This would have been more fun if they’d met a month or so ago, when they were both tearing it up. Would have been more of a measuring stick for both teams. 2) Would have been more fun for me, anyway, if the Rangers wore their traditional blue… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I have maintained that the synchronized fights are kind of silly and stupid, and most of the time they are. So I guess I’m a hypocrite and an imbecile … though I have also said that it’s different in a big rivalry game, and it’s different when there’s… Read More →
First of all, Brandon Prust is fine, John Tortorella said. Don’t have audio of this, but Pete DeBoer said: “I guess in John’s world you can come into our building and start your tough guys, but we can’t do the same in here. “He’s either got short term memory loss… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I did a lot of kidding the last few days about “Must-win” games and I really don’t believe there are any such things until you get to a game you really must win, like Game 82 the last two seasons, and Game 5 against Washington last spring. That… Read More →
Game 68. Ya boys, on their first three-game (regulation) losing streak of the season … so this is a MUST-WIN! Right? ;) The Rangers begin a seven-game homestand. Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal. Ryan Callahan (foot) and Michael Del Zotto (hip) are out. Brandon Dubinsky (sinus) hopes to return. Mats… Read More →
