This game was over 21 seconds into it when this happened:

You all saw it, it was brutal, but its part of the game. Colton Orr sent a message that I am SURE every team in the league got. Mess with us, get the plastic surgeon ready. Seriously though, Colton is a very good fighter, and once he gets his balance issues straightened out, and learns to throw them with his left, he’ll be up there with the best fighters in the league.

The real story tonight, in my opinion is Henrik Lundqvist. Did you guys see the graphic they showed on MSGNY? Henriks GAA since the allstar break is an UNREAL 1.75. Thats sick folks, goalies just shouldnt be able to put up those kind of number in this post lockout world.

Theres really not much else to say, except that Sean Avery has a role as an A or a C on this team in the future, and Ryan Callahan has likely played his last game in the AHL.

Projections:

How this works:

Basically what I do, is to take the points a team has managed till now, divide it by the games played, then multiply it by 82. That should accurately project what the team should finish like, unless there is an extreme streak one way or the other. I will no longer be including the points per game column because lets face it, you don’t care how many points per game!

As you can see, according to tonights calculations, I project the Rangers as MAKING the playoffs. Therefore using these numbers we can project what the Rangers would have to go over the remaining 8 games in order to secure the projected 91 points needed to secure the final playoff spot:

-Inferno

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That was easily one of the better Periods the Rangers have played all year. Fluid passes, dominating forechecks, and impressive speed. It all starts with Jagr who looks like a man possessed. The guy can taste the playoffs, and knows that the team, with the goaltending they are getting, can be dangerous in the playoffs.

I’m not convinced the 2nd goal was kicked in. I mean surely it hit off of Pruchas leg, and yeah, his skate was moving forwards, but was it kicked? Look at the play again, Pruchas leg starts moving forward, because the Flyer player directly behind him collides with his leg. HE kicks Pruchas leg forward which in turn kicked the puck in. Probably should have counted, but I’m not going to complain (unless we somehow blow this lead…no, that doesnt count as a jinx since it comes in parenthesis).

Henrik Lundqvist has given up a grand total of 2 goals in his last 11 regulation periods. You wanna talk great goaltending? Dont get much better than that.

-Inferno

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You want hockey? THAT is hockey. Lets ignore for a second Colton Orr’s Knockout punch on Fedoruk. The entire period was filled with spirited, hard nosed, NORTH AMERICAN hockey. You had some sweet moves by Prucha, some amazing saves by Henrik, and some ticked off hockey players. Give me that any day of the week over namby pamby overpassing hockey.

Thats all im going to say, give me more of this, im addicted.

-Inferno

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Anyone happen to catch the scores tonight?

Toronto…Win
Montreal…Win
Tampa Bay VS Islanders…3 point game.

sheesh, who forgot to do the hockey god dance this morning.

-Inferno

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Wow, were in 7th place. A month ago, who woulda thunk it, and yet, here we stand. Its very rare when I show emotion sitting on my comfy sofa with my feet up on my ottoman, but when Jagr (originally I thought it was Nylander) scored that goal, I jumped out of my seat, started screaming “ITS ABOUT TIME”, holding my arms up in triumph. Comon, admit it, you did it too!

This game was ALL about the unlucky bounces. The Penguins got burnt on both goals by multiple deflections, and the Rangers similarly deflected a puck right onto the tape of an opposing player. The Rangers also did yet another seminar on “How to make the opposing goalie look like Jacques Plante” I counted a MINIMUM of 4 times the Rangers had 3/4 of the net wide open and elected to shoot it directly into the out of position Thibault. Its just amazing how a goalie can play fairly well, and look like a world beater against us.

Still though, they say you make your own breaks, and for one night at least, we did.

How about the king Henrik Lundqvist? Yet another sub 3 goal game allowing only 1. The guy has just been remarkable. I dont know how you can justify sitting him for any games from here on out (unless the last game or 2 ends up being inconsequential for us). You want to talk about MVP, right now Henrik would get my team MVP vote hands down (league MVP has to be Crosby).

Also, kudos to the VS camera crew for catching several expletives uttered during tonights telecast, its hockey baby, cursing is part of the game!

Now, here are the Projections which I am sure you are all eagerly awaiting:

How this works:

Basically what I do, is to take the points a team has managed till now, divide it by the games played, then multiply it by 82. That should accurately project what the team should finish like, unless there is an extreme streak one way or the other. I will no longer be including the points per game column because lets face it, you don’t care how many points per game!

As you can see,according to tonights calculations, I project the Rangers as MAKING the playoffs. Despite the pojections showing the Rangers tying Islanders with 91 points I have given the Rangers the 7th spot due to them having 2 more wins than the Islanders. Therefore using these numbers we can project what the Rangers would have to go over the remaining 9 games in order to secure the projected 91 points needed to secure the final playoff spot:

-Inferno

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Kinda of a scary game from the Rangers perspective. Its one of those where they are doing (Almost) everything right except for scoring, and you kinda have this sinking feeling that theyll make 1 bad play, and Crosby/Malkin/Staal/Gonchar will make them pay. How did Sean Avery miss that open net….someone, anyone?!

Regarding the goalie interference call on Avery, not only was it a good call, but he probably should have been called for unsportsmanlike diving on the play. He tried to embellish the play by the Penguins defender (forget who it was right now) and in turn dove straight into Thibault. He shoulda got 2 + 2 imho.

-Inferno

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It actually benefited us that the incompetent reffing decided to take a nap in the first. While we probably should have got more PP’s than them (probably 4 for us, 3 for them) it probably benefits us to have it called this way. Lets face it, a PP that has Malkin and Crosby on it, and a PK that has Staal on it, scares the crap outta me.

It was a very good period for the Pens, I wasnt so happy with our performance. We played more passive than last night at times, and overly aggressive at others. I guess sometimes you gotta find that happy medium, im not sure they found it tonight.

-Inferno

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Sorry, I figured something about the “Luck of the Irish” would be really corny, and all I could come up with is Cally-Can….

Anyways, What a remarkable display of putrid hockey by the Boston Bruins. The Rangers really didnt do anything special in the game that they havent done in previous games, its just the Bruins just let the Rangers do whatever they wanted. Its really a shocker because of how close the bruins were to the playoffs, but with tonights loss, I am officially dropping them from the projections and calling them “eliminated”. I was more impressed w/ Henrik getting the shutout, he deserved it as he saved their butts in the first, and then got to coast through much of the rest of the game. Henrik has been nothing short of marvelous, and if not for the putrid start to his season, he might be in the running for the Vezina AND the Hart.

On to Ryan Callahan….I must admit, I still have some questions about him, and heres been my thinking all along for the kid. He doesnt do ANYTHING at elite levels, but he does EVERYTHING really really well. Its strange because he isnt blazing with his speed, but he can skate with 95% of the NHL easy, hes not huge, but he isnt afraid to hit or be hit, and yet somehow he puts up amazing numbers. I still call him one of the most opportunistic players ive seen in a good long while. He takes his few opportunities and cashes in on them all the time. Hes not like Brandon Dubinsky who you notice out there (unless of course he is sent down to Hartford) nearly every second he is on the ice, but when Ryan has the puck, he does special things with it. I guess the best way to describe Ryans game is…Smart….and if youve read any of my posts this year, you know thats one thing I love beyond just about everything else. Smarts is something such a small % of the NHL has its mind boggling, but this kid definitely has it. So far that matter does Dan Girardi, but ill leave that for another blog entry…

Here are tonights Projections:

How this works:

Basically what I do, is to take the points a team has managed till now, divide it by the games played, then multiply it by 82. That should accurately project what the team should finish like, unless there is an extreme streak one way or the other. I will no longer be including the points per game column because lets face it, you don’t care how many points per game!

As you can see,according to tonights calculations, I project the Rangers as NOT MAKING the playoffs. Despite the pojections showing the Rangers tying Carolina, right now the first tie breaker goes to Carolina as they have more wins. Therefore using these numbers we can project what the Rangers would have to go over the remaining 10 games in order to secure the projected 91 points needed to secure the final playoff spot:

-Inferno

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Anyone care to guess what the 3 stars of this game are going to be?

Avery:4 points
Callahan:First 2 Career NHL goals
Cullen 2 goals
Jagr: 3 assists
Lundqvist: Shutout (so far)

To me, the story of this game, was Thomas. Why on earth was he yanked? He was actually playing pretty well, but the team in front of him was just awful. He was yanked, the team in front of him continues to be awful, but the goaltending was just as bad. Wham you have 7-0 after 2 periods. I would REALLY like to see the Rangers hit a 10 spot here. I dont know why it matters, but it would be pretty cool. Of course I’m much more interested in the Rangers preserving the shutout for Henrik.

Lets just hope the Rangers have more goals left in them for the final 10 games after this right?

Btw….this Callahan kid….hes pretty good.

-Inferno

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Here were my pre game comments on the usual message boards…

get out with a win.

get out without any major injuries.
thats all i want.

So, was anyone else surprised when Martin Straka (who I already consider an IR player) was lying flat on the ice in utter agony shortly before being helped off of the ice with the help of 2 players? I know I wasnt.

My Bad.

Still though, the Rangers looked great, particularly Henrik Lundqvist who saved their butts there at the end. Rangers got sloppy, but Henrik was there to save the day….kinda like mighty mouse. hmm, maybe I’ll have some photoshop fun with that one a little later.

-Inferno

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