Game Preview NYR at WPG: Wolski returns

Tonight, the Rangers will visit Winnipeg for the first time since NHL '96 was in stores. Sega Genesis was hot along with Super Nintendo. There were no PS3's, Ipods, Iphones or Ipads.

Fifteen years later, the rebirth of the Winnipeg Jets has been evident with every seat sold filled with tremendous support. When they defeated the Pens for their first home win last week, it was 15 years in the making. Fans went wild as the final minute wound down. This is the kind of atmosphere the Blueshirts must contend with tonight in their final road game before arriving for Thursday's home opener at the World's Most Renovated Arena.

Known as the former Thrashers, who have made a living tormenting us, Winterpeg hosts the first of four meetings. Last year, they took three of four including a damaging win at MSG that nearly ended our season. Indeed, players like Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, Alex Burmistrov and Nik Antropov gave us fits. Even Jim Slater did. Don't forget Ondrej Pavelec, who can make the highlight reel save look routine. If only he got more help. Winnipeg plays an exciting style based around their speed and skill. They can really come at you in waves. Given our D issues, this should be a stiff test. Can they prevent the new Jets from dominating down low?

Much depends on the invisible Draft Line of Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and Ryan Callahan, who really need to get their act together. I already got on Cally and Dubi, who are two of our leaders that haven't been pulling their weight. I realize they have hefty raises. But there are no excuses. Anisimov hasn't been bad but you'd never know it by his statline of just two assists. He hasn't taken foolish penalties and filled in admirably on the PK, which btw needs our top forward American duo out instead of in the box watching teams capitalize. After how John Tortorella erupted in Edmonton, everyone must respond. The slow starts are disturbing. We can't be stuck on 8-9 shots with nearly 40 minutes played.

Henrik Lundqvist cramped up the other night and was replaced by Martin Biron, who at least saw his first action since preseason. I'd hardly call three saves much to go by. But it's a virtual lock that our capable backup will get the call later. At times last year, the team played better in front of him than King Henrik. I'm hoping for a similar game.

I know Tort shook up the lines the other night. With Wojtek Wolski finally returning from a groin injury that caused him to miss the opening six, no more Erik Christensen. Wolski's best assets are his size and forecheck ability. Something that's been lacking. Figure Tort to slot him in on the fourth line with Kris Newbury and Mike Rupp. If Christy plays over Newbury, I might toss an object at the wall. Newbury is a much better fit for that line. EC doesn't fit anymore. He's too perimeter oriented and inconsistent. It's hard to fathom that this waste is still on the roster while Sean Avery is banished to Hartford and Mats Zuccarello the same.

I'd like the coach to keep Derek Stepan with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. With Brendan Bell struggling in his Ranger debut, figure Jeff Woywitka to be back in.

Projected Lines:

Stepan-Richards-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Wolski-Newbury-Rupp

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Erixon
Eminger-Woywitka

Biron
Lundqvist

Thrashing takes destiny out of Rangers hands

Brian used to refer to Atlanta as an automatic loss for Buffalo because everytime they played, the Thrashers took it to his Sabres. I guess the same applies to my team, who last night couldn't get out of their own way- suffering a humiliating 3-0 shutout to a team that's made the playoffs once in their existence. None of that mattered. Not even on an emotional night where former officer Steven McDonald presented Brandon Prust with the Extra Effort Award with two-time recipient Ryan Callahan on crutches showing support to thunderous cheers.

Despite another riveting speech from McDonald that included, "We win. You lose," the Rangers just couldn't. It didn't start out badly by any stretch with their first few shifts pinning the Thrashers deep, generating chances on Ondrej Pavelec. The problem was the young netminder didn't cooperate, stopping all 29 shots en route to his fourth shutout of the season. The Rangers took the first four shots but couldn't get the all important first goal, which may have sent Atlanta in retreat. Instead, they came on following a couple of strong shifts from Prust's line with Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. Once the Thrashers began taking the play to us, it was evident that we were in for a long night. A couple of very tough saves from Henrik Lundqvist foreshadowed a heartbreaking script. When he squeezed the pads together to rob Dustin Byfuglien in the second, the look on his face was one of, 'Uh oh. If I give up one, we're going to lose.'

That's how superior the Thrashers were. A team with skill and speed who just aren't a good match-up for our team. No surprise that they felt quite comfortable on the Garden ice, where they've now won five straight. Sadly, the Rangers are 3-13-3 over the last 19 versus Atlanta. Honestly, I think all three wins came via the shootout. I was concerned going in because of this danger. Plus the loss of Callahan was felt with our attack not as strong. Marian Gaborik isn't even an ounce of what Callahan brings, which explained why it didn't take long for John Tortorella to break up Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and the listless Gaborik, who failed miserably in a big game. If our fate is sealed by two Carolina wins and I see no reason why they'll suffer the same end result in Atlanta tonight, you really have to wonder what's going on inside Gaborik's head. Is it the injuries he had? Is it just mental? Can anyone explain the lack of burst coming from his skates with opponents easily able to recover when he has a step? Between the mind numbing inability to score when our team needs it and the lazy play away from the puck like allowing mere mortal Eric Boulton to escape for the crusher a few minutes into the third, you have to ask if he'll be back. Will anyone take that salary? For some reason, Gabby just doesn't fit the system.

Everyone else gives maximum effort. Even on a night they didn't have it, the try was there. The execution wasn't. Anyone could see how lucky they were not to be down after one. So, when Islander stiff Rob Schremp took full advantage of a dreadful Sean Avery turnover for the game's first goal, it wasn't a surprise. However, seeing Atlanta captain Andrew Ladd split our top pair badly, dusting Dan Girardi before going backhand deke on Lundqvist, was stunning. Both Girardi and Marc Staal had games to forget with each on for two of three goals against. Tortorella's not wrong when he states that nobody played well. Even if Boyle came close, drawing iron before the roof collapsed, our team looked disjointed. You can't tempt fate twice. Against Boston, they got a mulligan. I knew after the second goal, there would be no comeback. Considering that I already wasn't feeling well, I headed for the car and listened to the third where Dave Maloney was beside himself after Gaborik's error.

Maloney questioned Tortorella sitting our most skilled forward out the remaining 15:41 in Game 81 trailing by three. Yes. He made a brutal mistake. But at that point with the team needing him and more shifts for Anisimov, who also found himself on the bench much of the third, they had to play their best. Conversely, Avery wasn't punished for his lazy clear that's been a trait ever since he returned to Broadway. You figure it out. Erik Christensen, who didn't look half bad between Avery and converted right wing Matt Gilroy, received increased minutes. The same player whose role had reduced to almost zilch aside from shootout specialist. Sometimes, the coach's decisions baffle. Especially with one more game to play tomorrow afternoon (12:30 ET) against the Devils.

It might not even matter. If the Canes win out, even if we beat the Devils and finish tied in the standings with 93 points, Carolina gets in by virtue of one more regulation/overtime win (35-34). The only prayer is that the Thrashers somehow summon up the same energy against a rested opponent tonight in a more than half empty building and do us a huge favor. I just can't see that happening. Not the way the battle tested Hurricanes are playing. Cam Ward's on a role and Eric Staal, Erik Cole and Jeff Skinner are carrying them. Their best players are playing like it and that spells doom unfortunately for us.

I can honestly say if they win tonight, I'm not going to bother going tomorrow. For what point? Even if we win, I just can't see the Canes losing at home to Tampa Bay with their season on the line. It's like Hasan says. When they do make it, watch out. Every indication is that Carolina will win out and then eliminate whoever they face. I'd love to be wrong because I could easily that being us. It's too bad they didn't meet the challenge yesterday. Now, it's our of their control.

Hope for a miracle.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (23 saves)
2nd Star-Eric Boulton, Atl (6th of season)
1st Star-Rob Schremp, Atl (GW goal, assist)

Uneven Rangers Thrashed

There are going to be nights like this. You just hope they don't come at the expense of players as was potentially the case for an already shorthanded Ranger club, who were thrashed literally and figuratively by a more determined Atlanta bunch who after nearly blowing a 5-2 third period lead, held off the Broadway hosts 6-4.

The loss halted a three-game win streak. What John Tortorella's guys did so well during it is what they didn't Tuesday. In spite of a strong start in which alternate captain Ryan Callahan scored his second in two in the opening minute, the Blueshirts were often sluggish by Craig Ramsay's more physical squad that won battles all night. It all added up to a deserved defeat, which had Tort fuming afterwards. If this team wants to be taken seriously, they can't take nights off. In this case, at least two periods and that maybe generous. Already without Marian Gaborik, Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal, they now could be facing life minus second-year pivot Artem Anisimov, who left the contest with an ankle injury. Early word is it's not too promising. They also could be without Michal Rozsival, who hyperextended his knee. He's a gamer. So, if he misses any time, then you know it's bad.

Up one, the Rangers didn't finish the first period well. After a shaky start, the Thrashers began to dictate with their speed and forecheck, which was an issue. Especially grinders like Chris Thorburn and Ben Eager, who gave our D fits. They nearly combined to set up one-time Ranger Nik Antropov but surprise starter Martin Biron snuffed it out. Eventually, Atlanta's hard work paid off with a superb second which saw Rangers caught flatfooted while doing too much stick checking. Never was this more apparent than on Bryan Little's tying marker in which he took an Andrew Ladd pass in his end and then went coast to coast by Sean Avery and undressed both Marc Staal and Biron for a highlight reel goal, going to the backhand. Amazingly, it was his first. Why does that always seem to happen to us? Adding insult to injury, pest Eric Boulton scored later.

The Thrashers continued to outplay the Rangers, who couldn't be bothered to take the man. This time, a turnover led to a four-man rush with a streaking Evander Kane intercepting a pass from a teammate before turning Anisimov inside out and then wiring his sixth off the right post for Atlanta's first lead. It was at that point that Tortorella had seen enough, calling timeout and then chewing out the bench. At least they responded thanks to Sean Avery, who again had a standout performance. Boy, has he ever been a different player. This time, he outhustled Brent Sopel behind the net. A pinching Dan Girardi kept the play alive and then Avery did the rest, stuffing one home past Chris Mason for his first of the season.

However, they couldn't sustain thanks to a horrible pinch by Staal who was just brutal. Not to kill what's supposed to be our No.1 defenseman. But he has been less than adequate so far. There have been too many instances where our "shutdown guy" has gotten beaten. He is earning close to $4 million because Glen Sather overpaid Girardi, who at least is holding up his end of the bargain. This is Staal's fourth year. It's time for him to start earning that raise. Back to the pinch from Hell. Let's just say it led directly to another first goal. This time, it was ex-Devil Niklas Bergfors who picked high glove on Biron to give Atlanta the lead for good. Our backup was honest, admitting that he could've done more. In particular, Dustin Byfuglien's unscreened power play blast from the right circle which followed Boulton's early tally 49 seconds into the third was the back breaker. His glove was again victimized.

Suddenly up by three, the Thrashers couldn't handle prosperity. With Anisimov out, vet Todd White stepped up and scored his first in just his second game. Off a turnover which both Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky forced, White put home a rebound cutting it to 5-3. Before you knew it, as Dad and I were watching his Giants end Cliff Lee's night, it was suddenly a one-goal game thanks to do everything forward Brian Boyle. You really have to admire what he's done thus far. He came into camp in better shape, having improved his skating and finishing checks. Something, we rarely saw last year. He no longer is a waste. Also elevated with rookie Derek Stepan struggling again at MSG, Boyle combined with Avery and revelation Ruslan Fedotenko to make things interesting. Off some grunt work by his linemates, Boyle cleaned up in front for his third, giving the home club two goals in 131 seconds, pulling within one.

Unfortunately, that was as close as they got with Atlanta doing just enough to hold off the comeback. In particular, Byfuglien was a beast not only notching the winner and firing rockets but from a physical standpoint, he broke up plays and did a stellar job taking our smurfs off the puck. That kind of attention to detail from one of four former Cup champion Hawks resulted in the bad guys coming out of Manhattan with two points. Big Buff's familiar teammate Ladd sealed it with an empty netter.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Sean Avery, NYR (1st of season, assist in 15:43)
2nd Star-Alex Burmistrov, Atl (1st career NHL point-assisted on Kane's 6th, penalty drawn in 17:18)
1st Star-Dustin Byfuglien, Atl (PP GW w/14:59 left, game high 6 SOG, +1 in 23:24)