Thanks for finally showing up! Too bad the rest of the team is exhausted (Photo: Melissa Andus)

So… this is starting to look familiar, isn’t it? The Rangers opening their series on the road with two straight losses. While I think the Rangers are looking much better in the second round than they did in the first, drawing out the first round to seven games didn’t do the team any favors in terms of fitness and reserves. So, we’re still missing Clowe, Staal, and Powe, the defense is clearly exhausted, and a 1 in 5 road record is… not great.

Well, let’s beat this dead horse!

» Continue reading “Not Even Nash Can Save Rangers In Second Loss To Boston”

Henrik is getting his shut-outs in the post-season! (Photo: Melissa Andus)

So, for a few minutes there, I was worried that this game was going to turn into the Boston-Toronto game, where Boston came back from a 3 goal deficit to win in overtime. But that didn’t happen. Lundqvist scored his second shut out in a row and the Rangers broke their streak of never winning a game 7 on the road with a 5-0 victory over the Washington Capitals. Congrats boys. Now we head to Boston for round 2….

» Continue reading “Rangers Move On To Face Boston After Five Zero Win In Game Seven”

Even Nash couldn’t score against Holtby today. I really am starting to dislike this man. (Bridget Samuels/ flickr)

Sooo that was an ugly game.  No score through regulation and then an overtime loss on a stupid penalty. On the plus side, we got Boyle and Dorsett into the line up to replace Newbury and Kreider. On the minus side, well, they got shut out by Holtby. Thanks a lot NHL for making deflecting the puck into the crowd a delay of game penalty. Ugh.

» Continue reading “Rangers Fall In Overtime Loss And Give Caps A Two Game Lead As Series Heads To New York”

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”

A couple days ago, I said this man needed confidence. Four goals later, including first career hat trick, I would say that isn’t an issue anymore. (Photo: Robert Kowal/flickr)

You get a goal! And you get a goal! And you get a hat trick! Cause why the heck not throw one of those in?

Seriously, I don’t even know where to begin on the Rangers-Sabres game I just witnessed. Thirteen Rangers had points, a record was broken, a milestone hit, and more importantly the Rangers actually took control of a game they had to win. It was a lot of fun to watch. Even better was the regulation win eliminated both the Sabres and Flyers from playoff contention.

The first eighteen minutes of the game was a choppy, feeling out period for both teams. A couple of chances for both sides but nothing worth talking about. I thought it was going to be another nail biter. The moment the clock hit 18:30 of the first period, all hell broke loose.

First it was Carl Hagelin wrapping the puck around the net and banking it in off a Sabres defenseman with 1:18 remaining in the period. Stepan and Lundqvist got the assists on that one. Yes, Lundqvist got an assist. The next shift, the Rangers looked like they were going to give it right back but 57 seconds later, Brad Richards took a shot from the right faceoff circle that hit another Sabre and went past Miller to make it 2-0. Zuccarello got the only assist on that one. Seventeen seconds after that, Miller fanned on a clearing attempt and Ryane Clowe buried it to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead to end the first period.

Needless to say the Rangers fan base was in shock and thought they had seen it all. They had not.

» Continue reading ““Cookie Monsters” Score Eight Goals To Eliminate Sabres From Playoff Contention”

One of these guys had a great game tonight. The other, not so much. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

In what was a more or a less must win game, the Rangers came out and did something surprising – they actually won. Convincingly too. Unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy all of it. Why was that? Cause I was pissed at the Rangers fan base.

Before the game, the Rangers presented the annual Steven McDonald award. I love listening to him speak and tonight was no different as he asked that we dedicate the rest of the season to Martin Richard, the eight year old Bruins fan who died in the bombings on Monday. Then he told the Rangers to make that one extra play to make this season memorable. All was well.

Then his son took the mic and said Ryan Callahan won the award again. Are you serious Rangers fans? Do you even watch the games? Honestly I want someone to look me in the eye with a straight face and tell me Callahan deserved it this year. I love him. I do. But he didn’t deserve it this year. I know he’s playing injured but I don’t care. There are guys who have shown more effort, who were just plain better. I was honestly fuming till the end of the first period. I’m still pissed but knowing Tortorella said Stepan deserved it makes me feel a little bit better.

Okay, rant over. But I haven’t forgiven you guys for this. As for the game, the captain finally was himself so if winning that award woke him up, I guess I can accept it. But only cause we need him so it was nice of him to help out in the first period as he finally looked like the Callahan I know and love.

» Continue reading “Ryan Callahan Gives “Extra Effort” As Rangers Win”

Cheer up, Dan Girardi. You scored the game winning goal! (Photo: Derrick Bostrom/ flickr)

What a game! The Rangers gained two points and their first shut out of the season in a hard-fought overtime victory against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. Dan Girardi scored on a high rising shot to the upper right corner of the net at 3:11 of overtime with a nice pass from Brassard setting him up to go to the net. Nice work by Brassard, showing more of the talent gained in the Gaborik trade.

» Continue reading “Lundqvist Nets First Shut Out And Girardi Scores Game Winning Goal Against Isles”

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”

This should probably be a picture of Nash but I feel like I’ve used him a lot so go look at the guy who needs to pretend it’s a contract year every season. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

It was no secret the Rangers didn’t play a good game on Saturday night. They played twenty minutes and got saved by Henrik Lundqvist. For some reason unknown to me, Lundqvist was back in net tonight but he couldn’t save the boys this time as numerous defensive breakdowns sealed the Rangers fate.

The first action of the game came seven minutes into the first when Steve Eminger was tripped up on an icing call. He stayed down for a few seconds but was able to get up on his own and didn’t miss a shift. As expected, the Rangers did nothing on the power play opportunity.

Two minutes later, the Rangers had a good chance as Dan Girardi, who honestly did not have a good game, hit the post. Of course the Leafs took the puck up the ice and missed the post on their shot instead putting it in the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The boys had a couple of chances after that before the end of the period but weren’t able to get anything past Reimer.

And now I need to rant.

» Continue reading “Rangers Choke Away Chance To Move Up In Standings”

I know you wanted a shutout but every other number tonight was amazing. Plus you got the win. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

It’s a known fact you need goal scoring to win hockey games. The Rangers have learned all too well what happens when you can’t put the puck in the net. But every once in a while, you need your goalie to steal a game for you. And that’s why the Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist who most definitely stole tonights’ game by making 48 saves against the desperate Hurricanes.

The Rangers lineup remained the same but they definitely dodged a bullet as the Canes Alex Semin was out with an upper body injury. One less “S” to worry about but unfortunately the Staals and Skinner were still there. And Skinner was his usual pesky self all night. (Side note: I do like little Jeff but he can be a brat sometimes. For someone with that talent, he doesn’t need to be.) I honestly expected Biron to play tonight but I guess it’s a good thing we had the King instead.

» Continue reading “And That’s Why They Call Him The King”