As you know by now, Sean Avery suffered a lacerated Spleen, and possibly was in cardiac arrest (I have read conflicting reports about that). Sean is a fighter. He’s going to be a-ok, and, God willing, will be a Ranger for the rest of his career.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

I swear to God, it feels like someone kicked me in the nuts as hard as humanly possible right now. Last year, I was pretty OK after the Drury goal against us. Right now I feel like I am unable to process human emotion. This is so much worse because we lost because of our own player (Ryan Hollweg) not because of a herculean effort by the other team.

UPDATE:

Ok, so here I am, a few hours after the fact, and I am still numb, but I’m going to power through this. I think this game came down to a few big things, and one huge thing. Lets start with the big things. The Rangers had 2 chances on 2 separate 5 on 3’s and didn’t score a goal. No team, particularly one struggling to score with the man up, can feel good about their game after that. Not scoring on 5 on 3’s is as bad as being scored on. It deflates you, and really kills your momentum. Next, but not in game chronological order, Marty Straka shanked a puck 4 feet wide with a completely 100% wide open net that could have notted the game at 1 early. Yeah he redeemed himself later, but Id like to think that could have given us a 2-1 lead, rather than being a redeemer.

Then you have Henrik Lundqvist. I am not going to kill the guy, because I think all the goals he gave up were tough shots to stop, perhaps shots he had no chances on. With that said he didn’t make a single game changing stop. Its the argument I usually steer clear from because I’m not a big believer in your goalie having to steal you wins, especially in a series where he has been flat out spectacular. People love to kill him, and some people love to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps I am in the latter group, but with that said, I wish Henrik had stopped one or 2 of those goals. Maybe he should have, maybe he shouldnt have, but I don’t think he made a single spectacular save in the game. And we just arent good enough to win if that is the case.

Now, the huge thing. You all know what it is. Ryan Hollweg. He cost us the game, the series, and the season all in one, epically idiotic play. The Rangers have all the momentum in the world. ALL OF IT. They had just scored 2 goals, rang one off the pipe, had the puck in the Penguins zone for what seemed like a month and a half, and what happens? The same thing that has happened at least twice before this year. Ryan Hollweg, caught up in the emotion of trying to make a play, takes a terrible boarding penalty (that was clear as day, its an inarguable call) which takes all of our momentum, hands it to the Pens, and effectively kills our season. Remember, its not about the eventual goal we gave up, its about the complete loss of momentum on one play.

Do you have any doubts, any whatsoever, that if Hollweg doesnt take that penalty, we go on to win this game? I know I don’t. The way the Rangers, and more importantly Jagr were playing, it was only a matter of time. I know it, you know it, everyone knows it. Then, on one play, it was all over. Gone, another defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

And this is bad guys, this hurts, this hurts a whole lot. Like I said earlier, this hurts more than the Drury goal, because it wasn’t another team beating us (imho). It was one of our own players sabotaging our entire game on a reckless play he has done a quite a few times before. I’m not going to get on Renney here, because that argument will come on a later day. But you do have to question Renneys decision making in putting him on the ice at that point in time. I understand the thought process. Ryan gives energy, he can skate, he can hit, maybe he can keep the pressure going. But when you have the other team on their heels like that, you don’t put on your offensive inept grinder out there. You put in your scorers, to keep applying offensive zone pressure, till the other team cracks.

Ryan Hollweg. Goodbye, I never want to see you in Rangers blue ever again.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

-For the record, I stole the live blog idea from Sam Weinman when he did it last year, sorry NYRangersCast!

-If we lose this series, im blaming these new edge shaving cream commercials. i swear our team hasnt looked good since those retarded commercials started.

-Sjo on the line with Gomez makes a ton of sense. Hes got the speed to keep up with Gomez and Avery.

-Anyone who has ever said they wouldn’t want Marian Hossa on their team, I hope you are paying attention.

-HOW DID THEY NOT SCORE!??!?!?!?!?!?!?

-Only Straka can miss a wide open net by 4 feet that damn close to it.

-Jagr needs to be brought back next year, no doubt whatsoever.

-Christ, did we just have 3 turnovers within 10 seconds right in front of our own net?!?!?!?

-Marc just plasters Jordan.

-New York playing great. Particularly Jagr.

-Wow, Rangers got so damn lucky.

-Rangers taking the body. I love what im seeing out there.

-I dont think thats going to count.

-This….is playoff hockey.

-Now that I see the replay, that had better count.

-YEAH BABY@!!!!

-Ugh. Let me ask this, why is Malkin out there and Jagr is in the penalty box?

-4 Minutes!?!?

-This is just crushing. Rangers playing very stupid out there.

-I still want to know why Jagr was in the penalty box for roughing, but his boxing partner, Malkin, conveniently gets to stay out and assist on the go ahead goal? Also, how did Callahan get 4 minutes for that play? There is no way you can draw blood from the shaft of your stick hitting a guy like that, unless he breaks his nose, and you woulda seen blood pouring outta his face if that was the case. What the hell was that?! This game aint over folks. Not with the way the Rangers played in the first period. They should be leading this one 1-0, not trailing 3-1.

-Were winning this game. I dont know why im saying this now, down 3-1, but I just got a feeling, that this team is coming back with a big time push in the next 2 periods.

-The comeback starts here. Rangers PP.

-2 man advantage. You have to score here.

-Another 5 on3. YOU HAVE TO F****** SCORE HERE!!!

-PATHETIC. 2 separate 5 on 3s and no goals. DISGUSTING.

-Thats 1. Dont doubt my precognitive skills.

-Thats 2. Dont doubt my precognitive skills.

-Leave it to Hollweg to give away all the momentum.

-Hollweg. What a guy. Possibly costing us the series.

-I don’t know what to say about that period. Coming in trailing 3-1, I was confident we would come back and win this one. After Hollweg took that penalty, and seeing 2 of our centers go out with injuries, and perhaps something wrong with Jagr because he missed his last shift, I’m not so sure anymore. We’ll see what the Rangers are made of.

-Redirection. Impossible to stop.

-Backman, great play brother.

-Season Over. I dont know what to say.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

Rangers Review | Comments Off

They held serve. Good for them. But this series isn’t over just yet. Rangers have to win game 3. Period. It goes without saying that we need to win this game. We need this team to hold serve just like they did last year against Buffalo. This is no different fellas. We played a pretty good game, against a Penguins team that played, well, what else can you say, a damn near perfect game, and got beat. Really, if not for a quick whistle, this game might still be going on. But let’s not be too focused on that guys. I think its important to acknowledge 1 thing. The Penguins really played a much better game than us today, because lets face it, they are a better team than us. They have more weapons, they are younger (in their better players), stronger, faster, hungrier, etc. If not for Henrik playing practically Zeus like, this game is 6 or 7-0.

That said, it isn’t panic time yet. They haven’t beaten us at home, and MSG has the best fans in the world. If any group of people can spur its team to a 2-2 tie, its our fans.

I’m going to leave it at that. We can still win this series, it’s up to the fans to keep the Garden rocking from start to finish.

It ain’t ova, till its ova.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

- Games about to start, and I am finally recovering from the flu. Rangers 5, Pens 1, Fleury pulled in the 2nd.

-Crosby Dive Counter:0

-Excellent Pressure by the Rangers 3rd line.

-2 soft calls so far. Each team not getting away with much of anything.

-5 goals allowed or not in the first game, Henrik has been spectacular in this series.

-BTW, I love putting Prucha Sjostrom and Betts together. Orr can’t keep up with the speed the Pens have.

-Rangers 3rd line by far and away the best out there for the Rangers.

-Crosby Dive Counter:1

-Rangers getting men to the net. I love the way they are playing right now.

-Great hit by Avery, good defense by Rozsival and Staal.

-Sean the Menace? What the hell is this dinky ass music??!!!

-Great save by Fleury there.

-Huge kill coming here.

-Cant fault Henrik. Hes been inhuman, but eventually that pressure is going to generate a goal.

-That better be a penalty on Hossa…

-Jesus Shanny, can you back away any more from a huge goal mouth scramble??!

-Well, thats not the way to start a period.

-Good pressure there. Rangers havent given up, neither should their fans.

-Wow, when was the last time Shanny won a battle for a puck?

-Quick whistle costs the Rangers a tying goal.

-Wow, this is probably the series right here. Do you chance it and pull Henrik?

-Tough loss to swallow.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

-Almost 7. Let’s do this!

-Heh, where were all these fans a few years ago when this team was almost bankrupt.

-Nice dive.

-PK looks awful, giving up high quality chances from high quality zones.

-All Pens right now.

-Backman, just the worst under pressure defenseman out there.

-DOOBZILLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Eh, kinda a weak call against the Pens, I’ll take it though.

-Good call on Shanny, he gets away with that a lot.

-Pretty good period by the Rangers. I’m really sick over here guys so I’m not going to type too much, looking at the screen hurts my head.

-2nd periods have always been bad for us. Le’s see what happens here.

-Hmm, goal? No goal?

-Personally, I think it was a no goal, but it’s pretty hard to tell to be honest.

-COUNT IT BABY! WOOOOOOOOOOO DRURY, CAPTAIN CLUTCH!

-SEAN AVERY! 2nd PERIOD JINX!? I THINK NOT!!!

-Defensive zone coverage has been superb by the Rangers. Tom Renney coaching a perfect game here tonight.

-Looked like an own goal. How many of those are going to go in on us, Jesus Christ.

-Heh, Backman, just garbage. Sidney abuses him. What did I say about Backman? Worst under pressure defenseman out there.

-Sidney draws a call. Yuck, this is huge.

-2nd period mission accomplished, keep the lead. Now, play a strong 3rd period at even or better.

-Ugh, how did that go in?

-Heh, there is the Rangers defense for ya folks. That is exactly what I warned you guys about.

-Nevermind, Gomez baby! Sorry guys, im having trouble even keeping my eyes open. I’ve been so sick these past few days I nearly passed out walking down the stairs. It’s tough for me to even react to plays right now.

-Wow, Rangers go on the PK, Crosby draws yet another one.

-Crosby draws it, Crosby more or less finishes it. Think the refs didn’t have a hand in this one? Think again.

-No post game wrap tonight guys. Im heading straight to bed as soon as this one is over.

-5-4. Rangers tried to outgun the Penguins, and paid the price for it. Good night.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

Offense
VS	Edge
Despite thoroughly trouncing the Devils offensively scoring nearly 4 goals per game, the Rangers are definitely handicapped in this particular matchup. Let’s face it. It’s not even a contest. If this series ends up being who can score more goals, the Penguins will destory the Rangers in 4, possibly 5 games. You get into a track meet with these guys and you are signing your own death certificate. The Rangers have the scorers necessary to score enough to win, but not the kind of offensive depth to go toe to toe with a goliath like offense that the Penguins have. On the Penguins side you have an offense capable of beating you north south, east west, on the power play, short handed, upside down, inside out, and however else you can possibly think of playing. They averaged nearly a half a goal per game more than the Rangers did, and their power play was a lethal 20.4% compared to a pedestrian 16.5% the Rangers sported. No contest here, edge Penguins…by a mile….by a really long mile.

Defense
VS	Edge
This is what it is all about for the Rangers. Despite my rant about how the Rangers can play offense without sacrificing defense, they need to be especially careful in this series to never put themselves in a position to be defending multiple odd man rushes, or consistent pressure. They need to control the puck in the offensive zone, and, most importantly, the forwards need to play defense like they have never played defense before. Marc Staal and Michal Rozsival will be looked at to stop a lethal top line. The problem is, which top line are we talking about? They have Malkin, Hossa, and Crosby, and 1 of those 3 seem to be on the ice every single shift. What other team in the NHL can boast 3 elite, top line forwards basically on the ice for an entire game? Look for Staal and Rozsival to play 25-29 minutes a night, and Backman and Mara to see very little ice time. The Rangers are going to live and die with their young defenseman. If Tyutin and Girardi can play at an even for the series, we are in good shape, if these 2 are torched like they were last year against the Sabres, say good night, its over. With that said let’s not forget that even though the Rangers had the #4 defense in all of hockey during the regular season, the Pens were not bad at all themselves sporting the 10th best defense in the NHL. They have a physical guy in Orpik, and a puck mover in Gonchar. They play a pretty good defensive game, but benefit a lot from most teams being weary to push the attack for fear of getting caught for a rush against. When you play like that (as the Rangers absolutely must), the Penguins benefit by not having to contain too much sustained pressure during a game. I still think the Rangers play a better system thanks to a more concerted effort by all 18 skaters to play well in their own zone. Edge Rangers, but not by as much as you would like.

Goaltending
VS	Edge
Look at their stats. Fleury had a .921 SV% this year, Henrik had a .912, Henrik had the better GAA 2.23 to 2.33, Henrik had more shutouts, 10 to 4, and had more wins 37 to 19. So while Henrik definitely has the advantage, I can’t call it an overwhelming one. Fleury has been good this year. I hate on the guy almost as much as I hate on Uncle Daddy, but Fleury isn’t an embellisher, and he isn’t past his prime. He is just entering it. The question is, how does he react to an offense that doesn’t lay down and die (Sens) in a pressure filled environment with the season on the line? Honestly, I have my doubts. Henrik on the other hand is never even a question. He will come through way more often than not, and when the chips are on the line, he plays his best. Advantage Rangers, particularly if this series goes deep.

Coaching
VS	Edge
You guys all know about my infamous Renny rants, but I will give the man his due in this one. I think he is a much better coach than Michel Therrien. I think Therrien basically lucked out into the cushiest job in the NHL. Have 3 franchise forwards (Staal, Crosby, and Malkin) all under the age of 25, couple that with one of the best 2-way forwards in the game (Hossa) and just sit back and watch the magic. Just like I complain that Renney doesn’t get enough out of his players, I think we have to acknowledge that the Penguins are a much better team on paper, and that to get them this far Renney had to work a lot harder than Therrien. Advantage Rangers, big time.

Final Prediction
VS	Edge
The key to this series, IMHO, is Sean Avery. If he can get under the Penguins skins like he did against Atlanta and New Jersey, I think the Rangers take this series in 6 games. If he can get them so focused on him, and get Marc Andre Fleury thinking about him every single shift he is out there, then I think we have a huge advantage in this series. On the other hand, if the Pens play like the Sabres did, and just completely ignore the guy, and go about their business, I think the Pens wrap this up easily in 5. So there is my prediction, either Rangers in 6, or Pens in 5, depending on how Sean Avery is handled by the Pens. Since I just can’t leave it at that, I will flip a coin. Heads, Rangers in 6, Tails Penguins in 5… And the toss… Heads! Rangers in 6!	In 6

 

 

Rangers Review | Comments Off

After facing one of the biggest divers in NHL History, we are on our way to face the next great diver.

Predictions in a day or 2.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

Yeah yeah, I know, we won, we beat the team I hate more than any other in all sports (tied with the Red Sox). Yeah, the Rangers played a gutsy game, and really dominated the Devils for most of the game. Yeah, the Rangers once again did the thing I hate most in sports by sitting on a lead in the 3rd. But forget all that for a moment. After watching the game, after watching all the post game stuff, and seeing the Avery - Uncle Daddy moment, all I wanted to talk about was, how well the game was reffed tonight.

I mean, seriously, let’s all take a minute to reflect back on a truly horrendous reffing experience that was forced upon us through the first 4 games of this series. But give credit to Fraser and Marouelli, they made all the right calls in the game, and none of the truly egregious plays went unpunished. Sure, they let Sean Avery get run all night long, but you know what? I am ok with that. Let the physical stuff within the game go as long as its not ridiculous. But call the things you have to. Have the guts to call the Penalty shot late in the game with the series on the line for the Devils, because you know what? That was a great call, and not a clear cut penalty shot play either. He could have called it just 2 for tripping, but I give him credit for making the right call and not wussing out. Give credit to the zebras folks, they called the game the way it should be called.

Now, I believe a hockey game was played tonight. Yes indeed. Thanks to a truly well reffed game, the Rangers closed out the Devils and sent Uncle Daddy home to his wife…er…sister in law….err…..pet midget….eh, whatever, either way Uncle Daddy is going him, and thats great. Because it was such a well reffed game, there was a lot of flow to this one. The Rangers really played well in the first, and in the second, despite giving up 2 goals in the 2nd to narrow the lead to 4-3. Let’s face it, there were 2 lucky, flukey, goals that got by Henrik that he really didn’t have a chance at. It happens, good teams overcome it. Rangers did just that, by playing a putrid defensive 3rd period. You know how I stand on this by now. The 1-4 is just retarded, all it does is lead to more problems (penalty shot anyone?!) and gets you away from a style of game that got you this far. I hate Tom Renney for this aspect more than anything. Playing exactly like they did in the first 2 would have led to more goals for, fewer chances against, and perhaps a power play or two. YOU DONT NEED TO SACRIFICE OFFENSE TO PLAY SMART DEFENSIVELY!!!!!

Ugh, but, I am not going down that road again, just search on the right for “prevent defense” or “1-4″ and im sure youll find any number of my previous rants on the subject.

Really, what more is there to say? The Rangers out talented a pretty talentless team. Those guys get by on blood, guts, and heart. They showed a lot of it to keep this series close, as you would expect of them, but in the end talent, and goaltending won out. Henrik gave up 12 goals, 5 of which were complete flukes. Uncle Daddy gave up bad goal after bad goal after bad goal, and im sure through all of it, he will still throw his teammates under the bus and blame everyone else but himself. What else do you expect from the biggest classless piece of crap in the NHL today? I give Sean Avery credit for even trying to shake the scumbags hand, honestly, I probably would have crosschecked the guy right on the kisser, but then again, I really hate his guts.

MVP of this series? Id give Co-MVP’s to Marc Staal, and Jaromir Jagr. In the end, Sam and Joe were right, the Devils just had no answer for the Dubi-Jagr combination. I don’t think Straka was much of a factor in this series (despite having some numbers), I think the Dubi-Jagr duo has just become an unstoppable pair, and with perhaps more room to navigate in during the next series, we might see an even more explosive effort by the two.

Now, we just sit back, and look forward to round 2. My personal preference would be if the Flyers and Bruins advance, then we play the Flyers, and the Pens can play the Bruins. Second choice would be if the Capitals and Bruins advance, then we play the Caps. Third choice would be if the Capitals and Habs advance, then we play the Habs. 4th choice would be if the Habs and Flyers advance, because then we have to play a red hot Penguins team that I want no part of.

One last thing. 11-1-1. Thats our record against the Devils this year. Ouch, talking about dominating a team…

Rangers Review | Comments Off