I had this really nice pun on Kevin Weekes’ name all planned out for this PGT, but then Kevin gives up one of the worst goals I have ever seen.? I mean….really, if you saw it live, you probably nearly upchucked like me, and were just praying to keep the 2 points.? Still though, I am a forgiving man, and Weekes’ earlier play, and subsequent play in this game was nothing short of superb.? The man stood on his head for 59 minutes, and if not for that horrendous goal, would have shutout one of the best offensive teams in the game.
Going into this 4 game west coast swing, I was praying for 4 points, but almost willing to accept two after the debacle at Los Angeles.? 72+ hours after that game, I am rejoicing in what can only be called, a complete success.? Look at it this way.? The Rangers win 2 in a row.? The Rangers win back to back. The Rangers win back to back with both games on the road. ? The Rangers win back to back with both games on the road against probably the 2 best teams in the entire league.? That my friend, is saying something.
Don’t buy the BS the Sharks announcers (McSorley and some other guy) were spewing.? Contrary to what they said, the Sharks actually played a REALLY good game.? They were agressive with their forecheck, and really didnt make many mistakes.? This is one game where you really have to credit the Rangers.? They played a good game, got some amazing goaltending, and got a much deserved 2 points.
The Rangers top 2 lines held their own compared to the top 2 lines of the Sharks, really they outplayed them for the most of the night.? I felt the top line in the game though was the Grier line of the Sharks, they played a nasty cycling game.? I’ll tell ya this much though, for such a big tough rugged team, the Sharks sure do fall down easily.? I dont know if I will call them flat out divers, but they definately are quick to fall over.?
By the way, whoever doubted my predictions that Colton Orr can be a regular player, outta send their apologies right now.? Orr played a heck of a game, despite being leveled a few times, he gave as good as he got, was never a detriment on the ice, and skated just fine.? This kid should play every night.
The D wasnt horrible, once again Ward and Toots were clearly the 2 best on the ice, as they are the only ones consistently taking the body, which stalls the offensive attack giving the Rangers forwards time to get into defensive position.? The other 2 though did not play the body, but its hard to argue with a 1 goal game, especially when the 1 goal given up was 110% on the goalie.? Rachunek and Bozolinsh is a disaster waiting to happen, I probably split those 2 up or cut their ice time down severly, I just refuse to believe those 2 turnover machines will play solid D consistently.
Jagr played with some intensity and fire, but man that hooking penalty he took, I wanted to strangle him.? As soon as I saw it, I knew it was going to be a penalty, and all I can think was, this guy is the captain, and he does that?!?!?!?!?? Seriously though, Jagr is the man, he played a flat out dominating game, and should have had a goal, but captains dont put their team down a man, late in a close game.? You just DONT do it…..EVER.
Brendan Shanahan is becoming quite annoying for me, mostly because he continues to play so damn well, im running out of cute puns or witty comparisons to draw towards him.? In all seriousness, the guy played a fantastic game, was agressive, and stuck up for teammates.? He played a fantastic 2-way game, and even picked up a goal and an assist.
You can not understate the importance of the loss to the Kings.? Although it seemed like the breaking point of what has been a miserable season thus far, it appears to be, at least for the time being, the catalyst for some FANTASTIC Rangers play.? I think the? usage of the word “Malleable” earlier tonight is really spot on.? Right now this team is bending, but they arent breaking, and it is really because of great team defense, and some good SMART decision making. Smart being the key (and appropriately bold fonted) word.? Smarts has been one thing the Rangers have not had for the most of the year.? They make dangerous passes rather than using the boards, not smart.? They try to stick handle into the zone when the dump in is conceded.? They pass pass pass instead of shoot shoot shoot. They take penalty after penalty after penalty.? This is something I have not seen, for the most part, in the past 2 games, and I pray to God it is a sign of things to come.
The important question now is, who do you play against the Sabers.? It is REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to bench a guy coming off of 2 huge wins against 2 of the best teams in the league, but on the flip side, getting Henrik right is probably more important to the long term betterment of the team.? If i’m Renney, and for once I am glad I’m not, I go with Henrik.? Weekes did his job, but if the Sabers come in and light him up, the Garden crowd will tear him a new one, whereas they just seem to never boo Henrik.? Save Weekes for the road games where the crowd reaction doesnt matter.? I just hate to see a guy get booed after playing so damn well.
Rangers 3 Stars Of The Game:
1)Kevin Weekes:? Seriously, were you expecting someone else? Besides 1 absolutely awful goal, he was downright unbeatable.? His positioning was great, and he DEFINATELY made some game savers, at least a half dozen before I stopped counting.
2)Brendan Shanahan: A goal, an assist, some great penalty killing, a “leadership” game played, what more can you ask of the guy….I’ll tell you what, he can come here and wash my car, its FILTHY!
3)Jaromir Jagr: I havent checked the official scoresheet, but my memory tells me the guy wasnt on the scoresheet, and he had a really boneheaded penalty late in the game.? Still though he played a dominating game, making Joe Thornton look just like what he is, the runner up to the real MVP Jaromir Jagr.
-Inferno
.? I felt the Rangers actually played a damn good period, Cullen goal notwithstanding.? The Rangers were very good in their puck support, and despite some bad turnovers, they bent, and bent, and bent, but never broke.? Also there is NO WAY the Sharks could continue playing at the level they were.? It is almost impossible to play like that for 60 minutes, so I knew that if the Rangers could just weather the storm, they would get their chance.? Did anyone else let out a girlsh scream of glee when Cullen scored? Just me huh? Anyways, you had to be happy with the feistiness of the team following all the crushing hits by the Sharks.? They fought back, and you could see a concerted effort by Hall, and Hollweg on their next shift to at least try to give it back as much as they could.? Prucha needs to keep his head up, but the kid never quits, which is why any idiot thinking of trading him should be shot dead.? You cant teach heart ladies and gents.