I think it is crystal clear to all of you that the Rangers did not play well, and if not for being bailed out in a HUGE way by Henrik Lundqvist they dont get any points at all.? The Panthers did not play good hockey for the first 30 minutes of the game, and were only marginally less crappy than the Rangers for the rest of the game, yet came close to winning this game several times.? Interestingly Sandis Bozolinsh was on the ice for all 3 Panthers goals.? Anyone surprised?? Well, I am surprised that Malik wasnt on the ice for one of them after his horrendous giveaway to Jokinen, but no, in all its not surprising that Bozolinsh was on the ice for all those goals against.? In fact if you care to look it up, I wouldnt be surprised if he has been on the ice for over half the goals against since hes come back.? Worrisome indeed.
Did anyone else notice Jagr looked a few teeth shy after taking a highstick?? Youch, that had to hurt.? The first line had some excellent shifts this game, can’t really complain about them too much, but the second line were on their heels most of the game, and Petr Prucha was taken off the puck just about everytime he touched it.? I dont know if it is just that the Panthers are so much bigger and stronger than your average team that they can push him around and take the puck, or that he is being tentative post-facial injury, but it is worth following closly in subsequent games.?
Henrik Lundqvist was simply fantastic in this one.? Though his poor decision to overplay the shot on the first goal cost him an easy one, I hardly fault him for it as the man was left all alone to score.? Henrik did give up 3 goals which wont help his GAA much, but he was downright brilliant, standing on his head for several shots.? He still is giving up too many rebounds and is going down far too early, but his focus and reaction time look as good as ever.? He should be given several games to play in a row one would think.
Tom Renney attempted to try a few different things on the powerplay in this one, not sure if you all noticed it or not, but he tried putting adam hall on the first unit once (though I think it was because Jagr took a stick to the face), and seemed to play his 3rd and 4th lines a bit more than usual, or if not, then they were more noticable than usual, either way a good sign.
This team desperately needs youth and enthusiasm, can you say Nigel Dawes and Thomas Pock?
Friday night will be a huge test for the Rangers as they visit my local team, the first place Atlanta Thrashers.? Atlanta can beat you in a LOT of ways, and theyve got oodles of scoring, though their record is a tad bit inflated because of the large number of games they have played.?
Rangers 3 Stars Of The Night:
1)Henrik Lundqvist.? The kid was phenomenal, making game saving save after save.? He was poised, and wasnt caught out of position.? I think the 3 game benching was actually a good thing for him.
2)Martin Straka.? Scored 2 goals on slappers, how often do you see this guy hit the net even once with a slapper, let alone SCORE twice!?
3)Jaromir Jagr.? Great game for the captain, had control of the puck, and was drawing a crowd? to help free up his linemates.
-Inferno
