The news: Daniel Alfredsson did not skate, and Paul MacLean said there was no change in his condition, so you’d assume he will not play in Game 4 tonight. Again, it’s playoffs, so never say never. MacLean would not divulge his lineup, but Matt Carkner, back from his one-game suspension… Read More →
Morning skates are dull. I already knew that, but it’s been a while (since the Bryan Trottier regime) since I attended one on the road. The big news? Well, Daniel Alfredsson said he did suffer a concussion, and the Senators are not ruling out that he will play in Game… 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 →
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) 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 75. Start of a three-game trip through that goes through Minnesota and Winnipeg Tuesday and Wednesday. The Rangers have lost one in a row (PANIC!). But they have won two of three. But they have lost three of five. But they have won four of seven. But they have… 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 →
Game 74. Eight left after tonight. Holy mackeral. Ya boys on a two-game winning streak, finish out a seven-game homestand (4-2 so far) against a very, very desperate Baby Buffaloes team. The Baby Buffaloes have won two in a row, and haven’t lost in regulation in their last six (4-0-2).... 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 →
After further review: I said in the game review that John Tortorella pulled the same crap in Newark earlier in the season that Pete DeBoer pulled last night, causing that staged melee at the start of the game. Well, for the first time, I was wrong. To a degree. In… Read More →
First and foremost, thanks again to Carp for giving me the opportunity to take his place in the lineup for this game. There have been numerous occasions this season in which the Rangers goaltending has been the difference. Tonight, the tables were turned. Semyon Varlamov was a brick wall in… 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) 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 →
Leave it to my friend CCCP to make perfect sense. He did just around midnight as I was wrapping up the day with a headache. He’s right. A blog is a place for people to vent, and if that means a place to be negative or pessimistic or positive or… Read More →
Thoughts: 1) The Rangers have thieved games like this the past couple of years, but in most of those, it was Henrik Lundqvist doing the stealing. This one was hard to explain. Except that, as usual, the Rangers stuck to the plan, kept on playing, and somehow got two critical… Read More →
Without arguably their two most valuable players and leaders, the Rangers just chug along. Then they have to come from behind, have guys benched and banged up during the game. Doesn’t matter. No problem. Thoughts: 1) Martin Biron needed a good game, and let’s be honest, the Rangers needed him… Read More →
Game 62. Start of the toughest month of the year, and of Southeastern back-to-backs (at Tampa Bay tomorrow) and of three in less than four days (Boston at MSG Sunday at 12:30). Ya boys have won two in a row after an 0-1-1 skid (imagine, we’re calling 0-1-1 a skid?).... Read More →
I’m not going to attempt to talk some of you off the ledge. You’re nuts if you are in a panic over this little slide here. And if I knew a bookie, I’d put down a bet that the Rangers, because of who they are this year, will respond in… Read More →
Game 55. The Eastern leaders vs. the defending champs. Ya boys are 4-1 vs. the Bruins the last two seasons, including 1-0 this year (in Boston). The Rangers have won three in a row, are 7-1-1 in their last nine. Boston is 2-3 in its last five, including a shootout… Read More →
