These are the two best keepers in the league, there's no doubt in my mind. Yet on this night it was the former Islander who outlasted his opponent. Roberto is still top notch. Both made tough saves but Henke wasn't "ON" and pulled himself after giving up five. Personally, I'd a pulled him after the fourth.
Yes, those of you pointing out the various problems on the Ranger blueline can take me to task. Tonight that very weakness was exposed to the max. I offer no excuse for the game tonight. The Rangers were out played in every aspect of the game until it became out of reach. Poor starts are one thing, this game was something else. Kudos to the 'Nucks but I can't imagine that anyone in Rangerland was/is happy right now. OK, I get it.
Let's not over react just yet. We all know that if Henke isn't on.....we don't win. That's a given, right? So let's see what happens now.
What? You think it's bad that we rely on our keeper so much? Ahem.....um, you do know I used to be a keeper right? That's our job. That's Henke's job as a NY Ranger. As much as the Rangers need Niki to score.....they need Henke to stop pucks. Tonight, Lundqvist did not stop pucks. About the only good thing coming from this night is that Aaron Voros scored a goal, thus bringing us that much closer to Brian Leeds drinking Dog Pee. So, there's that.
A drowning of sorrows beer me to all.
----}- Bird
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Anyone else seeing what I'm seeing?
Another two points in the bag where the two were not just handed to the Blueshirts. They had to take 'em. Trust me on this....that's a very good sign. I know, you'll counter with how this guy made a bad play and that guy did this. Look at the scoreboard, asshole. These points don't grow on trees. Your NY Rangers earned another TWO BIG POINTS.
Here's the recap.
OK, I admit to being in a bit of a bad mood as Ruutu has my blood up. If I was playing in that game I'm sure I would have been thrown out for something. I do give credit to the Rangers for not allowing the guy to change the outcome of the game. During the first period when all this Ruutu crap started, the refs expressed their displeasure with the guy as they clearly gave Voros a pass on a play where I believe he deserved a four minute minor. It was the reputation of Ruutu that allowed Voros to receive only the two awarded against. The refs spoke clearly as I see it. I still would have decked that guy.
So, Niki "Way Cool Jr." gets benched for a bit and the talking heads pick up on it. Say for a second that they were correct and Renny was trying to send the kid a message. What does his sjoot-out goal say in return? Just asking.
Check the Rodent for the happy recap.
BEER ME !
----}- Bird
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..............and he scores!
Chris Drury scored the winner in the Sjoot-out as the NY Rangers grabbed two points on a night that two were not really in the cards. Down 0-2 the Blueshirts had to rally back to tie it up late. The crowd at MSG that waited were treated to a hell of a comeback to tie, a scoreless OT and the Captain's shoot-out winner.
Henke was brilliant again as he out dueled Thomas in a low scoring but entertaining game. Dawes and Naslund scored in the third to get the game to OT. Both goals from the Beans came from D-men in the second.
In a game that most suggested was a test for the Blueshirts, the good guys acquired two points. Can we pass on the negative vibes for a night? I think not. Check the boards for posts suggesting the outster of various players, coaches and GMs. Don't cha just love Ranger fans?
Here's the box. Check the Rodent for a recap at some point.
A happy golfer's BEER ME to all.
----}- Bird
Barry Melrose took the L.A. Kings to the finals. That sentence alone raises eyebrows among hockey fans in the know. But it was that very sentence that got him the job with the Bolts....kinda.
Few if any experts thought this was a good idea. The new owners of the Lightning didn't listen. Mullet Melrose was given a three year deal for big bucks to lead the new look Bolts out of the cellar. He didn't get hired by Lawton, the GM nor did he hire his own coaches. Nothing about this seemed right so it should be no surprise that this has ended only 16 games into the season. Yet I am surprised.
The Bolts GM surely knows that it takes more than 16 games for a team to come together with all the new pieces. My guess, Lawton didn't make this decision he merely delivered it. So the same owners who anted up the bucks for Melrose have now cut him out. What does this say about the way they do business? Are they smart to have corrected a mistake so early or are they just plain dumb for hiring Melrose in the first place and then knee-jerking a decision just 16 games in?
I'm thinking both. Tocchet might do well as an NHL head coach. If the players did not respect the former Bud Ice peddler from ESPN will they respect Tocchet? I suspect the answer is yes. So in the long run this coaching change should help the team. Yet I can't help but wonder about this whole mess and what it says about the Lightnings' management team. If it doesn't work than you can look for the teams identity to be less about Tampa Bay and more from Orlando....as in Mickey Mouse.
Guys like Lecavalier and St. Louis who have won a Cup can't be happy. Mike Smith, the young keeper showed his frustration against the Rangers when he slashed Aaron Voros. Listen, no NHLer likes to be on a last place team. It gets even worse when you become the laughing stock of the league. At this point even Mickey and Goofy are laughing. And with the way management reacts.....Rick and his boys don't seem to have much time to turn it around. Tough spot eh?
The Rangers take on the red hot Bruins tonight. This could be a hell of a game. Check out the pregame over at Rangerland.
----}- Bird
Do you see what a difference specials teams make? Do you see what a difference being physical makes? Do you see what a difference a 60-minute effort makes?
I've complained about the power play all season. I've complained about the lack of a forecheck all season. I've complained recently about Aaron Voros not getting in front of the net like he had in the early going. (Boy, I complain a lot. My wife must be a saint.)
And when those things start to happen and work, this Ranger team actually looks like they deserve the record they have. Of course, as the Rodent points out, much of the credit goes to Henrik Lundqvist, as he has been beyond super all season long.
- Avery was fantastic at causing trouble in front of the net. Did I say Avery? Ha, of course I meant Aaron Voros. And if anybody cares, I think Mike Smith should absolutely be suspended for that wicked slash to the back of Voltron's leg. There was an intent to injure, it was done in anger, and if a skater had done the same thing they would certainly face discipline.
- I can't decide who was worse, Rozsival or Malik. Well last night it was Malik for sure. By the way, for the imbecile who found it necessary to scream out "Malik you suck" in the middle of the national anthem . . . get some perspective please. And a life.
- You see how the power play was changed up? Two goals on the same exact play, Callahan and Drury. I still wasn't thrilled with the 5-on-3 man advantages, but at least they scored this time.
- Glad to see Marc Staal finally net a goal in the 2008 calendar year. I was afraid he was jinxed after Stan Fischler said he was the next Lidstrom and would win a Norris trophy in the next four to five years. (Yes Stan really said that.)
- Way Cool, Jr. resumed his fine play. The move he made off the boards to feed Staal on his goal left the Tampa Bay d-man spinning in circles. By the way, I have NOOOOO problem with the cross checking penalty he took. After all, he was getting mugged over by the Lightning bench, and I want to see the Blueshirts standing up for themselves. I wouldn't mind Nigel Dawes or Petr Prucha putting an elbow or stick in somebody's mouth when they are getting head-hunted. Those are good penalties to take, and they make a difference as the season goes on. ESPECIALLY given the Rangers' hot start and great PK.
- And in the "poor choice of words" category, our nominee, Cameron Hope, regarding the NHL granting a compensatory pick to the Rangers to make up for the untimely death of Alexei Cherepanov: "It seems now as if that phrase is unintentionally precluding the deceased from being included as eligible for compensation. We understand that this is a sensitive issue, but with all due respect to Alexei's family and his memory, he is technically eligible to be drafted again next year."
Glen would do it too.
Tomorrow, it's the Rangers versus Ovechkin and a lot of Semin.
HDH
And apparently Tom Renney doesn't believe in change.
Because after a dreadful, embarassing showing in Toronto, and a dreadful, embarassing special teams performance Tuesday night against the Isles, it seems the lineup will remain the same.
So let me get this right . . . shake things up after wins, and stick to your guns after losses? Okey dokey.
We've been saying it here for quite some time now - the power play needs to be fixed or they have no chance this season. This isn't a recent phenomenon. The power play was awful last season as well. Look at it this way, if the Rangers had scored a power play goal Saturday to go up 3-0, the Leafs would have never had the energy or motivation to go on the five-goal-in-five-minute run. If the Rangers had been able to score a power play goal against the Islanders, and not given up those two shorties, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
And I don't care how good they have been, there is no place for the fourth line to get the last twenty seconds of the man-advantage. Freddy Sjostrom perhaps derserves a shot, but not Betts and Orr.
Tonight, the Lightning come to MSG after losing to Kevin Weekes and the Devils in a shootout last night. I would say that Tampa Bay should be tired and all, but the Isles played Monday before outlasting the Blueshirt Tuesday night.
The Bolts are a modest 4-3-3 on the season. The Rangers' power play is second worst in the league, and they are still ranked #27 in offense. The good news is that Tampa Bay is the worst offensive team in the league. Actually, that might be bad news, as this could turn out to be a snoozer.
HDH
So, how many games are you planning to attend live this season? I'm not asking season ticket holders...or maybe I am. I have heard that some are selling off games. It's only a matter of time before NHL clubs begin to feel the crunch that we every day people have been feeling for a while. Hell, some are feeling it already if you are to believe reports about the Florida Panthers.
For the past eleven years here at Hockeybird, we have avoided talking politics on the front page. Some of you know my political leanings.....but I see no reason to get into that. You get enough election coverage in the media. However, it's about time we look at how todays headlines will effect tomorrows NHL.
I hate the cap. It forces decisions about players to be influenced not on Ws and Ls but instead $$$. Since the lockout the cap has been raised each year as revenue for the NHL has increased. Anyone think that's a trend that will continue? I sure don't. If you think the Rangers possess little cap wiggle room now, think about the spot they'll be in with a lower cap next year. You think I'm off base here? Think about it. Do you really expect AIG to buy a box at MSG next season? How about some of the other companies recently in the news? There could be a few suites up for grabs. How about season tix holders....any chance there are some who have to make the hard choice and perhaps drop 'em for next season?
Folks, I have kids. I have bills to pay. My salary is lower and expenses are up. Do the math......I have lost Center Ice as of now. No more games for me. How in the hell am I supposed to cover the NY Rangers if I can't see the games? I suspect I'm not the only one in this sinking ship. While I don't even pretend to have answers to our economic woes.....those running for office do. My guess, they are fooling us as well as themselves. But that's a discussion for another site. The NHL better wake up to this mess.
The Rangers take on the up and coming Leafs tonight. The game will be featured as part of Hockey Night In Canada. Last week that telecast was blocked out here in the southeast on Comcast as the NHL network which is part of my package was scheduled to show it. Making matters worse, the two games were not even available on the Center Ice channels. Tonight's game is supposed to be shown on the NHL network as they again will be picking up HNIC. If it's blocked again there will be hell to pay.
This is a story I intend to pursue and if needed I will ask for your help.
On to the team......as Jim points out, we have a pretty good record so far eh? I continue to read message board postings slamming the team, it's players and coaching staff while I watch them win. It makes me wonder what some fans want. Perfection each and every night? Does each shift have to be played without any allowance for perhaps the other team making a decent play? Maybe it's just me but when I played it was obvious to me that many things happen on the ice during a game....and they happen so fast that sometimes.....well, sometimes it just doesn't go your way. There's a reason so few perfect games are pitched in MLB and the same applies to the NHL but in a much larger way.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that the Blueshirts can sit back and relax. There are indeed areas needing improvement if the club expects a trip to the finals. We have a long way to go before thinking about that. Yet it is interesting that Coach Renny declined to accept Sathers idea to have Shanny return. It's public knowledge that Slats and Shanny are friendly. It's not a far reach to think that Shanny and his agent had some type of info to hold out this long before looking at other teams. But the coach decided to decline....sticking with the current roster. Does Renny now wield that much power at MSG? It sure looks that way to me. It appears that it's his team. Not since Keenan has a NYR coach had that much roster control. As the season progresses, it'll be interesting to watch this issue and it's effect.
As you know, the NHL isn't the only league in the world. Sweden has a league too.....um, I do wonder about it's fan base though. It never occurred to me to bring sex toys to a game. I must be missing out on something eh? "Supporters of the Stockholm-based AIK ice hockey team scored an unusual hat trick of heckling on Tuesday night featuring dildos, profane banners, and a giant inflatable penis."
The Rodent suggested that the sky will fall on our Blueshirts the other day. I hope he's wrong.
Rangerland continues to entertain the masses. They get it.....this is supposed to be FUN!
Enjoy the game. Let's hope I can see Don Cherry tonight on the DVR when I get home. If not, Ed Schneider will be hearing from me.
----}- Bird
