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 →
Game 69. Ya boys no longer on a losing streak … and everybody but them looking ahead to Pittsburgh and Sid the Skid Crosby Thursday. So I guess this is not a Must-win game. Henrik Lundqvist is down with the flu, so Martin Biron starts in goal and Chad (Ochocinco)... Read More →
Not even worth putting up the audio. John Tortorella was asked if he can say whether Ryan Callahan’s or Michael Del Zotto’s injuries are getting to be more long-term at this point, and he said no. And he was asked if they’re both still day to day and he said… 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 →
John Tortorella said some good stuff in his pre-game. Also a funny moment or two. I mean, funny to hear. John Tortorella:
Bizarre night topped by Jim Dolan, all smiles and giggles, popping into John Tortorella’s press conference. I think what happened is that Dolan was in Tortorella’s office and the coach asked him if he wanted to do the press conference instead of Torts. And Dolan took the dare and went… Read More →
First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you get to spend it with people who are more important to you than the Rangers are. Be thankful for what’s really important. And here’s a little piece of info for you: The Winter Classic jerseys aren’t going to be white. They’re going to… Read More →
Told ya. This game was exactly what I expected … except that it really wasn’t very nasty. Come to think of it, other than the fights in the stands, it wasn’t nasty at all; and as I recall, last year the Rangers played better and played tougher in games that… Read More →
First the news, as you’ve probably seen/heard: Mats Zuccarello after playing 7:31 on nine shifts on a mish-mosh fourth line with no bite, was sent to the Connecticut Whale. Kris Newbury will be recalled for the Rangers trip to Vancouver tomorrow. Well, that audio experiment didn’t work … I’ll try… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) Yay! Skills competition. Pretty serious lack of skills in this one. Brad Richards lost the puck at center ice, and the winning goal was a complete whiff. 2) The Rangers shouldn’t fight the opponent’s goons unless it’s absolutely necessary. So far they have had two staged fights, and… Read More →
From the NHL: RANGERS’ MATS ZUCCARELLO FINED $2,500 FOR BOARDING NEW YORK (October 7, 2011)—New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for boarding Los Angeles Kings forward Kyle Clifford in NHL Game #5 on Friday in Stockholm, Sweden, the… Read More →
Forwards The look all changed when Brad Richards signed for $60 million over nine, years. Throw a legit No. 1 center onto any roster and it trickles down mightily. Now the Rangers have an elite playmaking center to play with Marian Gaborik, who had a terrible second season (22 goals,... Read More →
Regarding Sean Avery … I don’t think he was/is going to play much at all this season if he stayed/stays. Mike Rupp, for one, completely takes away his position in the lineup, and is a much, much better and more versatile player. Mats Zuccarello had a great camp. You could… Read More →
(Editor’s note: Anybody interested in doing reviews of the Sunday or Monday games? If so, e-mail me at rcarpini@lohud.com) Another round of cuts coming today for John Tortorella. As I’ve said all along, there really aren’t a lot of spots available for new guys. The Rangers still need to keep… Read More →
John Tortorella: On the post-practice event in which members of the FDNY and NYPD hockey teams were interspersed with Rangers players for a scrimmage game and a shootout. Tortorella, by the way, was the happiest guy on the ice when some of the firemen and cops scored on Henrik Lundqvist…. Read More →
Here is my column about Bruce Boudreau’s whining, etc., from The Journal News and LoHud.com today. John Tortorella: I asked him about what Fedotenko means to the team, for the column I’m writing: “He is a guy that, he’s been good. He’s been good in the series. He does all… Read More →
You guys know me. I’m big on anniversaries. Is it really 12 years since The Great One’s farewell game at Madison Square Garden, April 18, 1999? Holy smokes. —————————————- Here’s the official announcement on Zuccarello: NEW YORK RANGERS TRANSACTION UPDATE New York, April 18, 2011 – New York Rangers President… Read More →
Not much news. Same lineup. Eminger and Zuccarello prucha’d. Quotes from the coach in a bit, and some from Bruce Boudreau as well. John Tortorella: “Same personnel. Emmy and Zucc will be out.” On whether the Capitals have taken runs at Staal: “Oh, well, I’d do it. That’s part of… Read More →
Wow. Pretty good Game 1. I’m sure you weren’t thrilled with the outcome, and sure you weren’t thrilled with the play that decided it. Thoughts: 1) I thought Marc Staal and Dan Girardi had some strong game, with loads of minutes, taking and doling out lots of punishment. Alex Ovechkin… Read More →
