Thoughts: 1) I spent the night talking to a bunch of youse and trying to talk some sense about what we’re seeing with this Rangers team, and I just want to be clear. I am not defending what they’re doing on the ice, or their makeup. I wondered all along… Read More →
Don’t forget today’s noon Live Chat right here. You can check in from the ledge. Thoughts: 1) For a team that’s played just 16 games, there have sure been a a lot of them for which I really don’t have an explanation. 2) I thought it was fitting, though, that… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Even when you’ve been doing this as long as I have, and you’re sitting there writing about what an awful game you’re watching, sometimes you hesitate. I ask myself, is it just because the crowd is dead that it seems awful? Is it just because one team is… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Remember last year when the Rangers were almost always the more physical team, the team that won more battles and dictated play, and often the faster team? I thought this was a game that kind of reminded me of last year more than any other this season. 2)... Read More →
Due to technical difficulties … only have three interviews tonight, and one of them is brief. John Tortorella: Carl Hagelin: Derek Stepan:
Thoughts: 1) Martin Biron. Let’s talk about fairness here. Because it isn’t fair if every time this guy plays and the Rangers don’t win, that it’s his fault, or the fault of the decision to play him. He’s not going to go 8-0 or 10-0 or whatever. He’s 1-0-1. Three… Read More →
First and foremost, thanks to Carp for giving me a spot in the lineup. Most appreciated. Here we are, folks. A dozen games in the books already. Twenty-five percent of the schedule done, just like that. Sure, a truncated 48-game season is better than no season at all. But it… Read More →
Before we look back at last night’s mayhem, remember we will have a Live Chat right here at noon today. Should be some interesting discussion given what happened and how it happened last night. Be there. Or else. Thoughts: 1) I haven’t had the opportunity to say this in a… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) I don’t get too excited over goals sometimes. Carl Hagelin’s first goal went in off his leg or glove or something. His second goal, if Henrik Lundqvist had allowed one like that, you’d all be saying he stinks. But Hagelin played a wonderfully aggressive game. It was… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Let’s start with the kid. Or the kids. Please don’t go overboard with this 19-year-old, who isn’t going to score a goal a game, or two a game. But, geez, right off the bat J.T. Miller looks like he belongs, like he has the body and the ability… Read More →
The coach had some pretty good insights tonight on Brian Boyle and some of his other top players, including the goaltender and, without naming names, Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. He also spoke about replacing the middle of the lineup lost over the off-season. John Tortorella:
Thoughts: 1) I really wonder who John Tortorella’s tentative, scared guys are. Marian Gaborik? Michael Del Zotto (he doesn’t look tentative to me, but he made some woeful mistakes)? Brad Richards, who was demoted off the No. 1 line and terrible on the power play? Brian Boyle, who except for… Read More →
Here’s my story from The Journal News and LoHud.com: By Rick Carpiniello GREENBURGH – You could look at the Rangers’ moves on Monday as shuffling deck chairs, moving around a lot of spare parts. They could have zero impact whatsoever. Very clearly, though it’s early, the Rangers’ organization sees its… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) There’s going to be a lot of obvious stuff said in the next bunch of paragraphs because there was nothing subtle here. It was very obvious. For example, the Rangers had the puck for a lot of this game, more than in any other game this season. Did… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Wowzer. I don’t even know where to begin. That was just putrid. I thought there was a stretch there in the second period where the Rangers righted themselves a bit, and then they shot themselves in the skate with the Derek Stepan giveaway for a Sidney Crosby (who… Read More →
John Tortorella: Ryan McDonagh: Marc Staal: Brian Boyle: Henrik Lundqvist: Michael Del Zotto:
Here is my (unedited) column from The Journal News and LoHud.com: By Rick Carpiniello GREENBURGH – John Tortorella’s got a new toy, something he hasn’t had in his first three-plus seasons as Rangers coach. He has three legitimate first-line players, and with it the opportunity to put all those eggs… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) It is beyond stupid to think this team was going to stink it up all season. I don’t think they are where they need to be, and they still need to get more from the guys who play on the second line, or who are supposed to play… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Look at the guys who played important roles and/or played really well at times, or for most of last season, who have played poorly through all four, or parts of all four games this year: Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards to a degree; Marc Staal,... Read More →
REMINDER: We will have our third Live Chat of the season today at noon. Plenty to talk about, including the big win over Boston last night and tonight’s game against the 0-3 and very desperate Orange Crud. Be there. Or else. ******************************************** Here’s the MSG link to John Tortorella’s post-game… Read More →
