Seriously? I need an address here pronto!? The Rangers scored 2 goals off of direct calls/non calls by the refs.? The first being the first period high stick redirection by Shanahan, and the second coming on the powerplay that led to Shanahans goal.? Just terrible reffing in this game for the Lightning.? Im sure Tortarella will have a lot to say during his post game interviews, but its ok, I’ll take it.?
Need further proof that the Rangers look at my blog? Just look at the reaction to my “Captain Craptastic” by Jaromir today.? Ok, so I’m a little full of myself, big whoop, wanna fight about it?? Where was I? Oh yeah, Jagr was just a monster in this one, he clearly was on a mission to redeem himself from a terrible outing last night, and did so with flying colors.? He drive the puck to the net, scored a goal, assisted on 2 others, and could have easily had another 4 goals from his line if not for some very good goaltending by ex-Rangers Holmqvist.
The first line truly was spectacular tonight, but the unsung heroes really was the third line, which just slammed the door shut on any chances the Tampa first line could have had.? I like that pairing, keep em together, and match lines more often Renney.? Hossa, Ward, and Betts played a very very very solid game today, and really should be our “Colin White” line that shuts down the other teams top line.? It could make our games a bit more competitive as we cut down on goals against.? Think it was a coincidence the team nearly had a shutout save a terrible mental breakdown in the final 5? ‘Twas not dear reader, the Rangers FINALLY matched lines (as any home team should) and used that ability to effectively neturalize one of the best lines in all of hockey.
Henrik Lundqvist has been another story.? Since giving up that terrible goal against the Devils, he has been a rock, a brick wall, an unstoppable force, an immovable object, a really really good goalie, a….you get the basic idea.? Hes been amazing, hes been the goalie the city of New York fell in love with (not in a gay way) last year.? For most of the game he was flat out lights out, and if not for some godawful defense by the Rachunek Bozolinsh pairing, he would have had his first shutout of the year, meaning all 3 of his career shutouts would come against teams based out of Florida….Ahh, thats why they pay me the big bucks, for knowing useless stuff like that….seriously though, when do I get paid for this gig?
Getting back on track, this game wasnt without its lows though.? Rachunek and Bozolinsh was simply an abomination on the ice.? They just couldnt get the puck out of their zone when they had the puck, and they kept turning the puck over on their breakout passes.? Frankly Ive never been a fan of that pairing as it seems like a nightmare waiting to happen, and this might have been that game (if not for some great goaltending and 2 very helpful posts). Want to know how I would pair up our current roster?? Tyutin with Pock, Ward with Bozolinsh, and Rachunek with Rozsival, but hey, thats just me, what do I know.
Rangers 3 Stars Of The Night:
1)Jaromir Jagr.? Captain Craptastic one day, Captain Courageous the next, ahh you gotta love the wonderful sport of hockey.
2)Henrik Lundqvist.? Stellar effort yet again for the young goalie.? Methinks the sophmore slump is over.
3)The Refs.? Seriously, without them I’m not sure this game would have been the laugher it ended up being.
-Inferno