If you are a Ranger fan, how can you not be absolutely in love with this team? Amongst the youngest teams in the NHL, the leaders on this team are not even 27 yet. Their allstar goalie is back to his old self come the playoff push, and guys are finally finding their place in the lineup.
I have been bashing Anisimov all season waiting for him to break out, and it finally looks like he is there. Anisimov now has 3 2pt games in the last 6 overall, and in 9 games this month has 10 points (5 goals 5 assists). He is not being pushed off the puck, he is in on the forecheck, and he is finally showing that chemistry with Callahan and Dubinsky.
And for all you people who don't like Vinny Prospal, go fuck yourself. You see what having him back in the lineup does for Marian Gaborik? Prospal now has 17 points in 20 games since returning to the lineup, and with the 'top line' actually producing, this takes the other teams top checking units and defense pairs off of the Callahan Dubinsky Anisimov line. As long as Gaborik is a Ranger, I am perfectly content with Prospal being on his opposite wing. Once the Rangers (hopefully) bring in Brad Richards, Sather should absolutely sign Prospal to another 1 year contract. Prospal and Richards played together under Torts in Tampa Bay and won a cup, and that combination with Gaborik on the other wing is absolutely deadly.
The biggest problem for this team (other than consistency) is what to do defensively. Lets look ahead to next season for a moment. Assume McCabe isn't resigned like he shouldn't be. Staal Girardi your top D pair. Sauer and McDunough are definitely making the team again next season. This leaves Eminger Gilroy Del Zotto and Dylan Mcilrath. A top prospect in the system, you have to assume he is going to be in consideration for a spot on the roster next season. As much as I have enjoyed Gilroy this season, I cannot justify giving him a contract this off season. The Rangers have a very talented young defensive core and Gilroy just does not have a future with this team. Steve Eminger. Honestly, I am a huge Eminger fan. He plays a tough game, and unfortunately he may not have a place on this team either come next season.
The Rangers have now won 6 of their last 7 including beating the Penguins on the road where we all know the Rangers get royally fucked by the refs. Fuck you Cindy Crosby. If the Rangers can finish the season in the 7th spot and draw the Capitals, we have a real shot to make a playoff run. The Rangers match up well with the Caps, having a 3-1 record against them this season.
Anyone else have the playoff beard going? You know I do.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Rangers clinging to 7th in East with shootout victory over San Jose
In a game that no one was giving the Rangers any odds, the blueshirts pulled out an impressive 3-2 shootout victory against another one of the West's red hot teams. Henrik Lundqvist was finally back to being the king in net, and backstopped the Rangers with 31 saves on 33 shots while San Jose carried the play for most of the game.
While this game is a story within itself, lets explore the big picture right now. With this win, the Rangers are back in 7th in the east with 76 points. Buffalo, after a devastating loss last night in Toronto, sits in 8th with 74 points but has 2 games in hand. Carolina has found it difficult to get points of late, posting a 3-5-2 record in their 10 contests. After a crushing 3-2 loss at the hands of the Blue Jackets, the Canes have fallen even further out of the 8th and final playoff spot. Carolina now has 72 points in 69 games and no longer controls their own destiny.
_______________________________________________________GR__ W_____ L___ OT___ PTS
While the Rangers have posted a 7-10-1 record since the Allstar break, their overall play has not been of concern. The Rangers have been a hard working grind it out team all season, and last night's victory over the San Jose Sharks not only proves that the Rangers can play with any team in the NHL, but you cannot count this team out of the playoffs just yet.
The biggest concern for the New York Rangers right now should be the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have left everyone flabbergasted by posting a 22-3-2 since Jan. 9th to put themselves in position to make a real run at the 8th and final playoff spot. If Zach Parise finds himself healthy enough to play even 5 of the Devils remaining 14 games, the Rangers will have to watch their heals. It is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup on the final day of the season, where the Rangers host the Devils at the Garden in a game that will most likely have playoff implications riding on it similar to last year's crushing defeat at the hands of the Flyers.
The Rangers control their own destiny at this point. If they can continue to keep up the intensity and the emotion that they have been playing with of late, don't be surprised if the Rangers not only make the playoffs, but play a very good series against the #1 or #2 seed in the East.
While this game is a story within itself, lets explore the big picture right now. With this win, the Rangers are back in 7th in the east with 76 points. Buffalo, after a devastating loss last night in Toronto, sits in 8th with 74 points but has 2 games in hand. Carolina has found it difficult to get points of late, posting a 3-5-2 record in their 10 contests. After a crushing 3-2 loss at the hands of the Blue Jackets, the Canes have fallen even further out of the 8th and final playoff spot. Carolina now has 72 points in 69 games and no longer controls their own destiny.
_______________________________________________________GR__ W_____ L___ OT___ PTS
| 5 | SE | 69 | 38 | 22 | 9 | 85 | ||||||||||
| 6 | NE | 69 | 38 | 24 | 7 | 83 | ||||||||||
| 7 | ATL | 70 | 36 | 30 | 4 | 76 | ||||||||||
| 8 | NE | 68 | 33 | 27 | 8 | 74 | ||||||||||
| 9 | SE | 69 | 31 | 28 | 10 | 72 | ||||||||||
| 10 | NE | 69 | 30 | 29 | 10 | 70 | ||||||||||
| 11 | SE | 69 | 29 | 28 | 12 | 70 | ||||||||||
| 12 | ATL | 68 | 32 | 32 | 4 | 68 |
While the Rangers have posted a 7-10-1 record since the Allstar break, their overall play has not been of concern. The Rangers have been a hard working grind it out team all season, and last night's victory over the San Jose Sharks not only proves that the Rangers can play with any team in the NHL, but you cannot count this team out of the playoffs just yet.
The biggest concern for the New York Rangers right now should be the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have left everyone flabbergasted by posting a 22-3-2 since Jan. 9th to put themselves in position to make a real run at the 8th and final playoff spot. If Zach Parise finds himself healthy enough to play even 5 of the Devils remaining 14 games, the Rangers will have to watch their heals. It is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup on the final day of the season, where the Rangers host the Devils at the Garden in a game that will most likely have playoff implications riding on it similar to last year's crushing defeat at the hands of the Flyers.
The Rangers control their own destiny at this point. If they can continue to keep up the intensity and the emotion that they have been playing with of late, don't be surprised if the Rangers not only make the playoffs, but play a very good series against the #1 or #2 seed in the East.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Playoffs?
I'm finally coming around. This team isn't making the playoffs. The fact that they can't win on home ice has really become a problem. An under 500 record at the Garden is just not acceptable anymore. Until this inexperienced Ranger team can learn to win at the Garden, the Rangers will continue to be in a fight for their playoff lives.
Look at 7-11 in the East. Would anyone honestly be surprised at this point if the fucking Devils make the playoffs? Especially with the word that Parise is skating again. If he gets back in that Devil lineup, they are making the fucking playoffs.
Buffalo played a fairly good game at the Garden last night. I would still say the Rangers lost that game rather than the Sabres win it, but somehow they walked away with 2 points at the Garden while we ended up with nothing. Rangers made Miller look like a fucking god in net, and if this team continues to be hot Buffalo could easily surpass the Rangers. They have 3 games in hand and are 3 points back.
As if that wasn't bad enough, you still have to worry about Carolina sitting in 8th. Cam Ward won that team a cup, and he can very easily catch fire. Paul Maurice already said publicly that Cam Ward enjoys playing back to back games. Eric Staal is having an awesome season, and if Skinner continues to put up points like he did in the first half, the Rangers will really have their hands full.
Thankfully Sather was able to do one thing right this deadline. Brad Richards was not worth the rental. At this point the Rangers have to be considered the front runner to land him on July 1st. Why trade away anything when you can sign him in a few months? Brian McCabe has also been a pleasant surprise. Although his defensive game may not be as good anymore, it is relieving to see someone who can handle the puck on the blueline for a change. With Staal's offensive game beginning to show this season, the Rangers could have a #1 powerplay pair. Defense hasn't been the problem for the Rangers so bringing in McCabe wasn't the worst move.
Marty Biron was a fucking disaster. If the Rangers do have any shot at making the playoffs now, Lundqvist is going to have to be unbeatable. Lundqvist will have to play every game, and we need to hope that the games he did get off during the season will be enough of a rest for him. He always seems to step his game up right before the playoffs, so I wouldn't be shocked if the Rangers were alright in net.
Living in Philadelphia fucking sucks. Flyers fans don't know shit about hockey. They all believe that Bobrovsky is the answer (or Boucher for that matter). While he has played well for a rookie, lets just be happy that Flyers didn't look to unload some depth for Tomas Vokoun. With all the moves that Florida made, it's rather odd that Vokoun wasn't moved. He probably has the most value on that Panther team. If the Flyers ever do solve that goaltending problem, they could be very difficult to beat, as if it wasn't hard enough already.
Also, take a look. If you could, rank your top 10 goalies in the nhl overall and name a few who didnt make the cut. Be realistic, I'm curious to hear how you view impact goalies around the league.
Look at 7-11 in the East. Would anyone honestly be surprised at this point if the fucking Devils make the playoffs? Especially with the word that Parise is skating again. If he gets back in that Devil lineup, they are making the fucking playoffs.
Buffalo played a fairly good game at the Garden last night. I would still say the Rangers lost that game rather than the Sabres win it, but somehow they walked away with 2 points at the Garden while we ended up with nothing. Rangers made Miller look like a fucking god in net, and if this team continues to be hot Buffalo could easily surpass the Rangers. They have 3 games in hand and are 3 points back.
As if that wasn't bad enough, you still have to worry about Carolina sitting in 8th. Cam Ward won that team a cup, and he can very easily catch fire. Paul Maurice already said publicly that Cam Ward enjoys playing back to back games. Eric Staal is having an awesome season, and if Skinner continues to put up points like he did in the first half, the Rangers will really have their hands full.
Thankfully Sather was able to do one thing right this deadline. Brad Richards was not worth the rental. At this point the Rangers have to be considered the front runner to land him on July 1st. Why trade away anything when you can sign him in a few months? Brian McCabe has also been a pleasant surprise. Although his defensive game may not be as good anymore, it is relieving to see someone who can handle the puck on the blueline for a change. With Staal's offensive game beginning to show this season, the Rangers could have a #1 powerplay pair. Defense hasn't been the problem for the Rangers so bringing in McCabe wasn't the worst move.
Marty Biron was a fucking disaster. If the Rangers do have any shot at making the playoffs now, Lundqvist is going to have to be unbeatable. Lundqvist will have to play every game, and we need to hope that the games he did get off during the season will be enough of a rest for him. He always seems to step his game up right before the playoffs, so I wouldn't be shocked if the Rangers were alright in net.
Living in Philadelphia fucking sucks. Flyers fans don't know shit about hockey. They all believe that Bobrovsky is the answer (or Boucher for that matter). While he has played well for a rookie, lets just be happy that Flyers didn't look to unload some depth for Tomas Vokoun. With all the moves that Florida made, it's rather odd that Vokoun wasn't moved. He probably has the most value on that Panther team. If the Flyers ever do solve that goaltending problem, they could be very difficult to beat, as if it wasn't hard enough already.
Also, take a look. If you could, rank your top 10 goalies in the nhl overall and name a few who didnt make the cut. Be realistic, I'm curious to hear how you view impact goalies around the league.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
McCabe was a steal
Anyone else agree that a guy on the point who can actually handle the puck is so nice to see? McCabe may not be what he once was, but the guy can really run a powerplay. They definitely still need to move the puck faster and Prospal cannot take a 1 timer to save his life, but it's an improvement. Maybe when Staal is healthy we can actually have a #1 pair on the powerplay.
3/1 Pregame: Buffalo Sabres Vs New York Rangers
New York Rangers 33-27-4 70 pts 7th in East
Buffalo Sabres 29-25-7 65 pts 9th in East
18 games remaining in the regular season for the Rangers and it's easy to say the Rangers playoff hopes rely solely on the shoulders of one man: Henrik Lundqvist. Rangers backup goalie Marty Biron suffered a broken collarbone during practice, so the Rangers have recalled Cam Talbot to back up Lundqvist the rest of the way. With Sather not having picked up a goalie prior to the trade deadline at 3PM yesterday, the Rangers will have to rely heavily on the King and if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs he will need to continue to be the Vezina trophy candidate he has become year in and year out.
At the deadline, Buffalo waived their captain Craig Rivet in order to clear cap and make room in the lineup for a much younger defense core, and also brought in Brad Boyes from St. Louis in exchange for a 2nd round pick. Boyes might just be one of the missing pieces for the Sabres, but the Rangers can dampen their playoff dreams tonight at the Garden with a big win.
Rangers are currently 2-0 this season against Buffalo with a 3-2 win at the Garden and who can forgot Stepan's opening night hat trick in the Rangers 6-3 victory in Buffalo.
More roster updates to come throughout the day.
Buffalo Sabres 29-25-7 65 pts 9th in East
18 games remaining in the regular season for the Rangers and it's easy to say the Rangers playoff hopes rely solely on the shoulders of one man: Henrik Lundqvist. Rangers backup goalie Marty Biron suffered a broken collarbone during practice, so the Rangers have recalled Cam Talbot to back up Lundqvist the rest of the way. With Sather not having picked up a goalie prior to the trade deadline at 3PM yesterday, the Rangers will have to rely heavily on the King and if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs he will need to continue to be the Vezina trophy candidate he has become year in and year out.
At the deadline, Buffalo waived their captain Craig Rivet in order to clear cap and make room in the lineup for a much younger defense core, and also brought in Brad Boyes from St. Louis in exchange for a 2nd round pick. Boyes might just be one of the missing pieces for the Sabres, but the Rangers can dampen their playoff dreams tonight at the Garden with a big win.
Rangers are currently 2-0 this season against Buffalo with a 3-2 win at the Garden and who can forgot Stepan's opening night hat trick in the Rangers 6-3 victory in Buffalo.
More roster updates to come throughout the day.
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