The future is here

For anyone who hasn't been listening to reports from around the league, there is not a single team in the Eastern Conference who wants to play the New York Rangers in the playoffs (prior to the most recent Callahan injury). If the playoffs started today, the Rangers would be facing the Washington Capitals, a team that New York has already taken 3/4 from, and a team that is currently without Alexander Semin. If Washington happens to top Philadelphia for the top seed in the East, the Rangers could draw the ailing Flyers in the first round. Living in Philadelphia, I can tel you the entire city is in disarray. Without Pronger, the Flyers are not as strong defensively, have a powerplay that makes the Rangers powerplay look like the best one in the league, and goaltending that is mediocre at best (and it shows with them recalling Leighton right before the playoffs). Had Callahan not suffered a broken leg by playing his game and laying out infront of a 100mph Zdeno Chara slapshot, the Rangers could not only pull out a first round upset, but really do some damage in an Eastern Conference that no one seems to want to run away with.


Last nights game vs the 3rd seeded Bruins was a defining moment for the New York Rangers franchise. 14 of the last 16 games against Boston have been 1 goal games (or 2 including an empty net) and it appeared for the first 30 minutes that this game would not be characteristic of these two teams. Vinny Prospal earned the first star of the game by jump starting the Rangers comeback and tallied twice in the 2nd period to pull the Rangers within 1. From that point on, every New York Ranger fan believed that this team would find a way to pull it out, especially earning a powerplay in the first 2 minutes of the third. When they didn't cash in, things began to look bleak as minutes seemed to just fall off the clock.

That's when the "future" leaders on this team took control and elevated their game. Callahan Anisimov and Dubinsky spent a good minute in the offensive zone before Callahan spun a beautiful backhand pass to Dubinsky infront of the net who buried it behind Thomas to tie the game. The once shell-shocked crowd erupted, and everyone in the Garden believed it would happen. Sure enough, Sauer cashed in less than 2 mintues later, and Stepan added an empty netter to seal the most remarkable win of the season.



Unfortunately, Callahan plays the way he does and it came back to bite the Rangers in the ass. Fearless and willing to do anything he must to propel his team to victory, Callahan blocked a Zdeno Chara slapshot and suffered a fractured ankle and is now out indefinitely. Although this is a major loss for the Blueshirts, maybe it is just what this team needs to develop into the resilient playoff contender we all hope they will. After such an inspiring performance by the heart and soul of this team, Callahan's departure leaves an opening for a handful of players to step up and become real impact players on this team.

Without Callahan I think we can all agree that the Rangers playoff run will not be as great as we all expected moments after the final horn sounded at the Garden last night. This team has 4 outstanding young rookies on it, and a solid core of young players who will all gain a lot from this experience. Come next season, barring any major injury, expect the Rangers to make a real run deep into the post season. Especially if Sather is able to land the rumored superstar brad Richards. Richards would finally give Gaborik the support he needs, and will keep the other teams top defensive pair off Anisimov Callahan and Dubinsky. With a little more freedom for that unit, don't be shocked when Callahan and Dubinsky break the 60 point mark, and Anisimov tops 50, all setting career highs.

At this point, (and I never thought I'd say this) pray the Rangers draw the Flyers in the first round. Briere is out of the lineup, Pronger's return is uncertain, and the Flyers goaltending is atrocious. Even without Callahan, the Rangers uptempo style of play and superb defensive play SHOULD be able to hold Philadelphia's dynamic offense at bay.

One more thing to note. Dan Girardi is the most underrated defensive defenseman in the NHL. He as well as Callahan jumped in front of a Zdeno Chara slapshot and was shaken up. Girardi and Callahan bring that intangibles to the Rangers' game, and this team CAN AND WILL make a real playoff run in the very near future.