There is a lot to be happy about tonight ladies and gents.? The Rangers had energy, they played a pretty good game, and they scored some important goals, but lets make sure we are 100% clear on one thing.? The refs played as big a role in this one as either team did.? Not only were several of the penalties called on the Ducks phantom nonsensical calls, but the refs basically ignored a half dozen infractions by the blueshirts.? Its good to finally say the reffing helped us, but in this case, I think it was the difference in the game.? Although the game winner was scored on a legit power play, the bulk of the game where the Rangers were on the power play helped to keep the momentum from building up for the Ducks.? Everytime they got on a roll, the refs called a penalty.? It was laughable, but it left me with a smirk on my face, and an “about time” eyebrow raise after each call.? I prefer evenly called games as they tend to be a better indication of who is the better team, but this one wasnt that.? The Ducks have every right to be unhappy, but frankly, I dont care.
On to the actual gameplay.? The Rangers played a VERY good road game, with the exception of Malik and Rozsival I was really happy with the way Tyutin, Ward, Rachunek and *yikes* Bozolinsh played.? They moved the puck along the boards and supported each other.? The forwards did a very good job of staying in the zone to support the puck till it was moved out.? Even Blair Betts scored a beautiful end to end goal, which vindicated his turnover that led to the first goal against (I believe he was the one responsible, I will have to watch a replay some other time).? The top line though had a pretty miserable game.? They were kept in their own zone for the bulk of the time and never got the puck deep and sustained any sort of attack.? The 2nd line was a different story w/ all 3 forwards playing solid games, particularly Prucha who was very active, in both zones, and even chipped in a goal.
Know why I am happy with this game most of all? The lineup, with the exception of pairing Bozo and Rachunek, made sense.? I think thats going to be a theme with me.? Just make sense!? When Renney puts his team in a position to win, its hard to find blame with him, but when he does stuff that doesnt make sense, then you cant understand whats going on.?
The power play is particularly worrisome as I covered in my 2nd period intermission post.? They dipsydoodle in the neutral zone for 90 seconds, dont get in, then finally a North American player, or Prucha has the common sense to dump the puck in.? The combination of Jagr, Rozsival, Straka, and Nylander absolutely REFUSE to dump the puck in, and the Ducks knew it, and waited for it.? Stacking all 4 defenders at the blueline and causing turnover after turnover after turnover.? It got to the point where I wish? I had a TV Brick.?
A pleasant surprise though was the play of Kevin Weekes.? I was expecting a double digit goals against total, and was shocked to see a rather steady Weekes.? Although he had few spectacular saves, he was there when the Rangers needed key saves, and was huge in the 3rd period and OT.? I still go with Henrik against the Sharks because his long term play is far more important to the Rangers than Weekes’, so it is important to get him out of this funk he appears to be in.? By the way, this was the 6th straight game the Rangers have allowed 3 goals or more, so there is still a whole heck of a lot of room for improvement.
The mission though is most definately accomplished.? We picked up the mandatory 4 points, albeit from a weird combination of 1 sucky team, and 1 elite team, with a game to go.? If the Rangers can get 1 point in San Jose the horrific loss at the Los Angeles Kings of Los Angeles…oh….wait…nevermind, what was I talking about?? Oh yeah, the loss will be forgotten, forgiven, and possibly looked at as the ACTUAL turning point for this Rangers team.
Rangers 3 Stars of the Game:
1)Aaron Ward. Ward played a steady strong game, and blocked about 67 thousand shots in this one.? Weekes should by the guy a Rolex or something for his performance tonight.
2)Petr Prucha. Petr would have been the 2nd star even if he did not score a key goal.? He was active in both zones, played a strong game, and readily gave up his body to stop pucks or keep plays going.? Petr really has had very few bad games this year, too many people are looking at his low goal total and not enough at his overall play.
3)Kevin Weekes. Weekes played a steady game.? Not a spectacular game, but he was there when we needed him, and definately deserves to be one of the 3 stars, despite Jagr getting the game winner.
*Why is Jagr not on here?? Simple, I do not believe in 1 play vindicating an entire game of horrid play.? Jagr was not good tonight, he had legs, yes, but he wasnt good, particularly on the PP where he forced entry into the zone rather than dumping it in.? Still the guy somehow gets a goal and an assist.? He truly is an amazing player though.
Final Score: Rangers 4 Ducks 3 (OT)
-Inferno