Through 4 games this year, the Rangers have picked up 4 points. Through 4 games last year the Rangers picked up 4 points. Then why am I so ecstatic so far this year, and was a tad bit nervous (at least moreso that I have been at any point this year) last year?

Here are the Goals Allowed through the first 4 games this year:
2 – 2 – 2 – 1

Here were the Goals Allowed through the first 4 games last year:
2 – 4 – 4 – 6

Thats 7 VS 16. More than half as many goals. And that has more to do with the system, than the goaltending, although Henrik has been brilliant so far this year, and was not nearly as strong at the start of last year.

This is why most pundits, including myself (though im more of a pun, than a dit) feel the Rangers will be a true force this year. Not the offense, but the defense and goaltending. When you can get your entire team to buy into a defensive system, with the kind of offensive balance that this team has, you will be a tough team to play every time you are out there on the ice. Not to mention that tonight, Henrik didn’t even have to be all that great. Most of the shots were from the outside, with the crease being cleared almost immediately. Yes there was a post, and a good clear by Girardi, but those chances were few and far between, which is encouraging when you consider that team has several deadly forwards.

However it is not all hugs and puppies, Marek Malik was flat out brutal out there tonight, and Mara, though he improved as the play went on, wasn’t that much better himself. The tandem of Girardi and Tyutin have not only cemented themselves as our best duo, but are showing themselves to be nearly allstar caliber at such a young age. Very encouraging if you are a Ranger fan, especially when you consider that Sauer, Sauer and Sanguinetti all should be better than this tandem. Can you imagine a team so good that the 3rd pair is as good as any teams first pair?

Ok, ill let you chew on that for a while. In the mean time, enjoy some sweet caroline:

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The story of the second was quite simple. Olaf Kolzig was outstanding, amazing, ridiculous, miraculous….and…you know….pretty good. Rangers are utterly dominating the play, 5 on 5, 5 on 4, 5 on 3, 4 on 5….basically in every facet of the game, they looks really strong. That whole chemistry thing theyve been talking about for a while now seems to be settling in nicely. Thats 2 straight games where theyve looked stronger and stronger. But dont count the caps out just yet. Theres a reason why I picked them to win their division, they never quit, have some amazing forwards, and are backstopped by the most underrated goalie in the league.

The 3rd will be huge.

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Through the Rangers first 9 periods of hockey, I felt the defenseman and the goalie, for the most part, were the best players on the ice. Tonight though, the forwards are just flying, and our defense looks very pedestrian.

It starts with Marek Malik, who was beyond hideous in that period. He showcased his lack of footspeed, and his horrendous decision making process, and somehow will still end up being a +6 for the game. Michael Rozsival was only marginally better. Though he scored a goal, he has been out of position a lot, and he too has been turning the puck over. Finally Paul Mara was single handedly responsible for the goal against, completely missing his assignment on Ovechkin who undressed him like a 2 dollar hooker.

The forwards however are playing great hockey, and don’t think its just because of the powerplays, no, they are drawing those penalties through sustained forechecks, and hustle.

Also, I just wanted to note one thing regarding Marcel Hossa. Man oh man is the kid having a heckuva game or what?! Never separate him and Jagr, they just own the boards.

I like what I have seen of each of the 3 parts of our team, now they just need to tie all of them together to unleash their inner juggernaut.

-Inferno

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Wanted to let you know that YouTube has suspended my account. Even though I love making Rangers vids, I dont do them exclusively. I also alter a lot of existing videos, like music videos, or Family Guy stuff to make them funnier, different, etc. However YouTube deleted my account for having too much of that “other stuff”

I will be uploading my vids again under a different account, but not for a while.

Just wanted to let you know.

-Inferno

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