Get used to this Rangers and Bruins fans. Not so much the outcome, as I expect that to fluctuate each game, but the style of play and length of the game. Maybe we should start a pool for how many minutes will be played in this series. These two teams are just so identical that I can’t imagine we see anything else. I just wish the Rangers wouldn’t have blown a game where our two boys from Minnesota scored.

The first twenty minutes were exactly what I expected from this series – good defensive hockey that just put everyone to sleep. I can’t say either team played poorly. I can’t say they played well either. Let’s just say both teams did what they were told to do. The result? Nothing happened in the first period.

» Continue reading “Minny Boys Score But It’s Not Enough As Bruins Win In OT”

Nice job shutting down Alex Ovechkin, Mac Truck. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

I don’t know if it was the high of a home victory, the roar of the hometown faithful, or just a wake-up call from Torts, but the Rangers really showed up tonight. Hitting, winning face offs, McDonagh sticking to Ovechkin like glue, Brassard getting two assists, Hagelin showing up with a goal and two assists, and Stepan with the game winning goal for the second straight game… it all added up to another 4-3 victory over the Caps.

» Continue reading “Rangers Tie The Series With Nail Biter Win”

This man is definitely a keeper if he plays like he did tonight. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

Going into this series, I thought these two teams were similar. They both were expected to be contenders but barely made the playoffs, with the Caps getting a higher position because the Southeast really is a horrible division. The Caps were better up front, the Rangers were better on the back end and while Lundqvist is a better goalie, Holtby becomes a brick wall when he sees the Rangers. Pretty even, right? Yet watching this series, I’m beginning to wonder if I was wrong. That maybe the Rangers truly are a team who deserves to just make the playoffs and the Caps are one who should have home ice in the first round. It looked that way tonight. Fortunately the score doesn’t always show the way it looks.

The Rangers started the game with all the momentum on their side. They had the crowd, who was even more pumped when they heard Marc Staal was in the starting the lineup. The first shift or two didn’t look bad. Then Washington took a penalty and it was all downhill from there.

The penalty was on Ovechkin. My first concern was him coming out of the box and going on a breakaway. Of course, after having a semi-competent power play, the Rangers bobble the puck and it squirts out of the zone as Ovechkin comes out of the box. He didn’t get a clear cut breakaway and Del Zotto was able to stop him from getting a clean shot. A minute later, the Rangers got pinned in their zone and the Caps took advantage to take the 1-0 lead.

» Continue reading “Caps Better Team But Rangers Take 4-3 Victory”

You should be smiling after the month you had! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Late last night, the NHL decided to make another spectacle of themselves by announcing in a TV special the schedule for the first round of the playoffs. From the reaction of those who decided to watch it, I’m glad I didn’t waste my time. Seriously NHL, just post it on the website and call it a day.

Anyway, the Rangers start their series on Thursday which isn’t ideal but isn’t the worst thing either. (Extra practice time as well as extra time to get guys healthy makes me not upset about the delay.) Here’s the full schedule:

Game 1: Thursday, May 2, 2013  7:30 PM ET New York at Washington. NBCSN, TSN, MSG

Game 2: Saturday, May4, 2013 12:30PM ET New York at Washington. NBC, TSN

Game 3: Monday, May 6, 2013 7:30PM ET Washington at New York.  NBCSN, TSN, MSG

Game 4: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 7:30PM ET Washington at New York.  NBCSN, TSN, MSG

*Game 5: Friday, May 10, 2013 7:30PM ET New York at Washington.  TSN, MSG

*if necessary

» Continue reading “Schedule Released + Stepan Gets Recognition”

Someone has to buy wine in the next few days… (Photo: Melissa Andus)

Two weeks ago, all the talk was about how great Henrik Lundqvist was playing…but he didn’t have a shutout. All he needed to do was play the Islanders and the Devils.

This afternoons game against the Devils really wasn’t fair. The game meant nothing to our rivals across the river and it was obvious from the first puck drop that they really didn’t want to be in the Garden today. Sure they got chances but they put a measly 20 shots on net and to show how difficult they were, Lundqvist was only the third star of the game after saving all of them. The Rangers, on the other hand, came out with a purpose. It was far from a 60-minute effort (which honestly worries me) but they did what they needed to in order to win the game and ensure they would not be heading to Pittsburgh next week.

» Continue reading “Lundqvist Shutout Sends Rangers Into Playoffs On High Note”

Tonight’s game between the Rangers and the Hurricanes could’ve gone one of two ways – the Rangers could’ve taken control from the opening face-off and earned a playoff birth the easy way or they could’ve let Carolina control the game and shown why many believed they would run out of time and head to the golf course early. Of course they managed to find a third option – play the first 25 minutes and then let the Canes take control before managing to steal the game in overtime.

A couple of lineup notes. First, on the Rangers side, Arron Asham missed tonights’ game due to the fact that he flew home to be with his wife for the birth of their fourth child. In his place, Matt Gilroy became a forward and played his first game since March 12th. Well I guess you can say he played although he only got 3:15 of ice time. (That said, that may have been due to what he did in that time not due to the fact that Torts didn’t want to play him.)

» Continue reading “Staalapalooza Ends With Rangers Clinching Playoff Birth”

800th career game for this man. Oh and he scored a goal while earning the Broadway Hat. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

The math for today’s Rangers-Devils game was simple – if the Devils won, their slim playoff hopes were still alive. If the Rangers won, their cross-river rivals would be making plans on the golf course a week from today. Sure it wasn’t the same as what the Devils did to the Rangers last year but the outcome felt good nonetheless.

The game started well as the first shot on net found the back of the net just 34 seconds in. The shocking part? The Rangers took that shot as Ryan Callahan banked one in off Brodeur’s skate to give the Rangers a lead they never relinquished. Since I bashed him when he won the Steve McDonald award, I need to give credit where credit is due – Callahan has been the player I know and love since he received that award. If that gave him the confidence he needed, then fine let him have it.

The home team almost doubled their lead a couple of minutes later but a Devils defender cleared the puck out of the crease. The onslaught continued as the Rangers completely controlled the first five or six minutes of the game. Not going to lie, I was a little surprised by that just because the Rangers starts haven’t been great and the Devils desperately needed this game.

» Continue reading “Rangers Return The Favor By Ending Devils Season”

It didn’t happen exactly like this since Boyle wasn’t on the ice but I love this picture and Zuccarello did get his first of the season.

Editors Note: Before we get to the recap of tonight, I want to give my thoughts and prayers to everyone effected by the tragic events in Boston yesterday. Being from NYC, I know exactly what that city is going through. I also know they are just as strong as NY was and will get through it. Thoughts and prayers from your friends to the south are with you guys during this time.

Tonights’ game between the Rangers and Flyers basically meant nothing to the home team. Yes, Philadelphia isn’t mathematically out but for all intensive purposes, they are done. The Rangers, on the other hand, desperately need all the points they can get to make sure they keep that hold on eighth place. So which team played their hearts out? The Flyers, of course. Honestly, I called this outcome before the game cause the Rangers are too damn predictable. Can’t wait till the Panthers game on Thursday…

After a nice tribute to the victims in Boston, the Rangers and Flyers took the ice and if I didn’t know better, I would think both teams played last night and had to travel to get to tonights’ game. (The Flyers did have that, the Rangers didn’t have an excuse.) Nine and a half minutes in, the Flyers finally made the Rangers pay as a puck deflected off a Ranger player (I think Zuccarello) right to Brayden Schenn who was wide open in front of Lundqvist because Anton Stralman was looking the other way and buried it.

» Continue reading “Rangers Lackluster Effort Gives Flyers Easy Win”

Hail to the king, baby! (Photo: Screen shot from Maple Leafs game overtime/ BlueShirtsUnited.com)

I should know better than to crow about any victory against the Penguins, no matter how big or small it is. Because that second game against the Penguins was no fun, no fun at all! So, the Rangers dropped in the standings, but are still hanging on to a playoff spot. They face the Islanders tomorrow, in what will be a great match up of long time rivals.

Good. Bad. I’m the guy with the keyboard. It’s the week in review:

» Continue reading “The Week In Review: Army Of Snarkness”

I think someone deserves to be honored for his hard work this year… (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The end of the regular season means the return of two annual events for Rangers fans. First is Blueshirts Off Our Backs, which is basically exactly what it says – Ranger players give their game worn jerseys to fans at the end of the final home game. Usually fans can nominate fellow fans for this honor but I haven’t seen anything this year so not sure how they will be giving them out. I do know it will take place after the Devils game on April 27th so if anyone hears anything, please let me know.

The other is the annual Steven McDonald award. One of my favorite points in the season is when Steven McDonald, a paralyzed New York City police officer who was shot in the line of duty, comes out and speaks to the team and the fans. His injuries cause him not to be able to speak in full sentences but he’s always able to get his point across and always puts a smile on everyones’ face. I’ll never forget the year he came out and said he had one thing to say then told the Rangers to “win” because if they did, they were in the playoffs. If my memory serves me correctly, they did that night.

As part of the ceremony, a check is awarded to his foundation in the name of the player selected by the fans who goes “above and beyond the call of duty”. It basically turns into a fan favorite award but I usually can’t refute who wins it. Three out of the past four years, it has gone to Ryan Callahan. (The lone exception being 2010-11 when Brandon Prust won it.) Rangers fans can vote for whoever they want and I do suggest you vote as often as possible. If you are unsure who to place your vote with, allow me to give you a suggestion.

Derek Stepan.

» Continue reading “Time To Vote Rangers Fans! Steven McDonald Voting Has Begun”