Can we please stop blaming the guy on the bench who isn’t wearing a jersey in this picture? (Photo: Melissa Andus)

I’m going to be honest and tell everyone I missed the game yesterday. I usually work my life around Rangers games but sometimes I just can’t and this was one of those times. So I’m not commenting on the game itself, just my take from what I heard afterwards.

First of all, I have no idea if fans are blaming Ryan McDonagh but they shouldn’t be. I hate that penalty, I hate when any player takes it, and I’m one of the first to yell at them for it. That said, it’s not his fault the Rangers are no longer able to kill a penalty nor could score a goal (something that honestly isn’t his job) during the first 67 minutes of the game. And hearing how he was afterwards, sorry I’m not blaming him.

Nor am I blaming Tortorella.

» Continue reading “Why Are Fans Blaming Tortorella For Loss?”

This is a very angry face from a man known for angry faces (Photo: screenshot from Canadiens post-game/ BlueshirtsUnited.com)

So, the Rangers are still in a playoff spot, thanks to the Devils’ inability to win in the shoot out and thanks to the Penguins for taking down the Islanders even without Sidney Crosby. But Tortorella’s face up there pretty much speaks to the feelings of the team right now: they haven’t scored in the last two games, games where they needed points.

Its going to be a pretty tough week, so brace yourselves. We gotta be triceps, biceps, arceps hard! It’s the week ahead:

» Continue reading “The Week Ahead: Could Someone Score, Please?”

Last night wasn’t a good night and Torts was pissed about it. He should be. Why are we talking about this? (Photo: Melissa Andus)

John Tortorella is a polarizing figure. You either love him or you hate him. I get that and personally, I’m okay with it. There are days where I hate him but for the most part, I think he’s a pretty damn good coach and have no problem having him on my side. There are plenty out there who don’t agree.

Case in point – last night, after the Rangers absolutely choked away two points, Torts was pissed. After watching the game, I can’t say I blame him. So his postgame press conference went a little something like this:

» Continue reading “WAH! Torts Gets Mad When His Team Plays Poorly!”

I love watching these two score against the Penguins almost as much as I think they love doing it. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

The game didn’t start well. But then again, games against the Penguins never do. But this one started so poorly that Tortorella used his timeout at 5:43…of the first period. Unfortunately without 24/7, we will never exactly what he said. But it worked. And by the end of the night, the talk was back to the fact that the Penguins blew another game against a division rival.

Oh and a bad hit by a Ranger on his former teammate.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: An Early Timeout Leads To Victory”

Callahan & Tortorella discussing a move by Jagr during intermission. (Photo: screen shot from Episode 3 courtesy of Puck Daddy.)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

This one is actually one year ago today last night as episode 3 aired on December 28th right after the Caps game. I actually remember hoping the post game didn’t run over because I didn’t want to miss any of 24/7. I’m pretty sure I ended up missing the end of the post game.

Episode 3 was based mostly on the game between the Rangers and Flyers that took place right before Christmas – the one the Rangers won so we knew the episode would be good for Rangers fans.

Little didn’t we know what else we were in store for as our boys also took us to their personal Christmas party and we got to watch one of them buy a Christmas tree. Of course, they showed the Flyers too as the game where Laviolette had a run in with a Dallas player took place during this week as well so lot’s of videos to get to.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: HBO 24/7 Episode 3″

I feel the same way you do when I first wake up from a nap. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

Better late than never, right? Episode two of 24/7 holds a special place in my heart for two reasons – we got to see another side of my favorite defenseman and favorite coach. Look, this is no secret but yes I am a female. I love a good fight and a great hit but I also love the sentimental stuff. This episode gave me that.

It also gave us some great quotes. “Montreal, typical” anyone? And of course, another head shaking moment from our favorite crazy goalie. Let’s get to it.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: HBO 24/7 Episode 2″

I know I should put up a picture of Thornton with this post and make some snide remark but Cally was the number one star of the game plus is so much better to look at. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

It took ten games but the Rangers finally did something on October 31, 2011 that they hadn’t done yet that season – they outshot an opponent. One day I will sit and figure out how many times that happened over the 2011-12 season. I’m going to guess less than half. It amazes me how that team did so well knowing these stats.

As for the game itself, it brought us some beautiful goals and even better comments after it ended. You know which ones I’m talking about.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Who You Calling Soft?”

Torts was not happy after this game. I can understand why. (Photo: clyde/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

I’m going to be completely honest to start this recap – I don’t remember a single thing about this game other than the post game press conference by Tortorella which lasted all of 23 seconds as he made the quote in the title.

In looking up the recap, which you can see here if you really want to, I remember why he said that. Not only did the boys get shutout 2-0 by the Oilers, they got outshot 27-19. The Oilers were a young team with an average goalie in net and all the boys could muster were 19 shots? You can understand why Torts was pissed.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: We Sucked From Head To Toe”

With training camp scheduled to begin in a couple of weeks, Rangers players have slowly been making their way back to NYC. Yesterday the boys got together for their first team event of the 2012-2013 season – Coach Tortorella’s Dog Walk.

As rumored, almost the entire team attended with some bringing their own dogs. Have to say the best picture of the day was Brian Boyle with his little chihuahua! The only ones missing were Marian Gaborik (injured, guessing rehab is in Europe) and Martin Biron and Mike Rupp (who had previous engagements). Although it hasn’t been confirmed, I’m pretty sure Michael Sauer wasn’t there either (more on him later).

» Continue reading “The Team Is Back Together!”

I expect that scowl to be a smile this weekend. (Photo: Jesse Spector/flickr)

When discussing a Tortorella coached team it’s not unusual to hear mention of the players currently in his “doghouse”. (Marian Gaborik can tell you plenty about it.) This weekend, though, when mentioning his doghouse Torts has something completely different in mind – an actual house for dogs.

» Continue reading “A Different Type Of Doghouse For Torts”