Richards breaks Isles' back as Rangers run streak to seven

There it was. Matt Moulson injected some life into his struggling team. After he buried a John Tavares saucer pass for a power play equalizer, Nassau Coliseum was alive. There were the Islanders, who entered with only one win in 10, all knotted with their longtime nemesis from Manhattan. The Rangers rolled in winners of six straight. None of that mattered when one of the game's best rivalries was renewed. You could feel the intensity both on the ice and in the stands where noise was at a feverish pitch. It didn't matter what the teams' records were in the second grudge match of six. This was no holds barred.

That's how you could describe almost any game the Rangers and Islanders play. Battles all over the ice. Hitting. Scrums. Fights. Penalties. Goals. Goaltending. Yes, last night's latest installment had all those key factors which exemplifies exciting hockey that's on the edge. Unfortunately for the Long Island hosts, they fell just a little short again, dropping a tough 4-2 decision for their 10th defeat over the last 11. Challenged by their coach Jack Capuano, the Islanders gave a valiant effort. However, the latest big ticket Ranger star delivered the crushing goal late that decided it. The Rangers signed Brad Richards for such moments. Richy Rich didn't disappoint notching the game-winner with 4:55 left in regulation. The Islanders came oh so close with Andrew MacDonald hitting a post in the dying minute but couldn't get one more past Henrik Lundqvist, who was brilliant finishing with 31 saves.

“It’s frustrating,” Capuano lamented after his team's latest defeat. “We played one of our better games. ... We have to get secondary scoring to win."

That's been a huge problem for the Isles who fell to 4-8-3 and sit dead last in the East with 11 points. Fifteen games in, a club many felt would challenge for the playoffs is already digging a hole. They trail eighth Ottawa by eight points with defending champ Boston turning it around. It could be a long climb with New Jersey and Tampa Bay likely to be in the mix. Don't discount Carolina either. In an improved conference with early surprises Toronto and Florida, the Islanders can ill afford to have another lull like last year that got Scott Gordon canned.

"It's frustrating. These are the ones you really have to learn from. [The win] was right there [for the taking]," second-year blueliner Travis Hamonic said. "We had it. We made just one mistake and it ended up in our net. At the end of the day we have to learn from that, and now this one is put away. It's a bad feeling. This is a feeling we don't want anymore."

While the Rangers are sitting pretty in a three-way log jam behind first overall Pittsburgh while tied with fifth Philadelphia, the Isles have their work cut out on a pivotal homestand. It shouldn't get any easier when Montreal and Boston visit tomorrow and Saturday before Capuano's club travels to Pittsburgh where Sidney Crosby could be awaiting if the latest rumors are true about a possible return this weekend. They also host the Flyers and Devils next week with a home-and-home in Newark following Black Friday. The Isles end the month with a visit at Buffalo. Not an easy game in the sched. Especially when you're not finishing. Outside of leading scorer Tavares' line, they've been firing blanks.

It didn't help that they ran into one of the game's best in Henrik Lundqvist, who aside from a softy to Frans Nielsen, stood on his head. King Henrik made acrobatic stops, including a signature header before diving across with the right glove to rob an Islander of a certain goal. The Islanders also got brilliant netminding from Evgeni Nabokov, who couldn't quite make it two for two against the Blueshirts despite 26 saves. A few were sparklers, including a sprawling stop to deny Derek Stepan's stuff try with the Isles' goalie down and out. The problem was Josh Bailey's feeble clear attempt cost them dearly. Tied at two with dueling chants from a galvanized crowd, one mistake decided it. Bailey tried going up the middle but his soft backhand was easily intercepted by Brandon Dubinsky, who quickly dished to an open Richards who did the rest- blasting one upstairs with Ryan Callahan screening a helpless Nabokov.

"Whenever you play in this building, it’s up and down, and you never know what’s going to happen,” Ranger coach John Tortorella said. “Richie has had some big plays for us early on here. I thought that it was probably one of his better games.”

“We signed him for nine years. That’s exactly why we signed him,” Lundqvist noted of Richards' heroics. “A guy like that, he has a tendency to step up at the right time. His focus is good when it comes down to the final minutes, when you need that extra play. It’s great to see.”

Early on, Sean Avery got the party started scoring for the second consecutive game when he steered home his own rebound. His sudden emergence was rewarded with the once exiled Ranger getting 12 minutes, including a big shift late where his forechecking kept the Islanders pinned in. Nielsen replied back less than three minutes later when his high wrister trickled off Lundqvist's glove, squaring it. Hamonic and P.A. Parenteau combined to spring Nielsen for his fourth. Avery renewed pleasantries with Mike Mottau following matching roughs. Apparently, the ex-Devil can't let go. So, the two fought 69 seconds into the second. It wasn't the only scrap with Brandon Prust battling Islander enforcer Matt Martin 1:45 later.

Though the Isles were better in the second testing Lundqvist, an unlikely source scored the lone goal when Steve Eminger of all people took a brilliant Callahan cross-ice feed and beat Nabokov five-hole. “I saw him creeping in a little bit,” Callahan said. “I was trying to buy him a little bit of time to get him back there. I saw him and made the pass.”

The Rangers had a golden opportunity to salt it away but failed on an extended five-on-three late in the second with Richards hitting goal post. Credit the Isles' penalty killers with outstanding work, blocking a few shots that never reached Nabokov, who was there when needed. That left the door open. After the Blueshirts failed on another power play in the third, two straight penalties finally bit them with Moulson getting his fifth from Tavares and Nielsen to level it with 13:02 remaining. That allowed Richards to play the hero late. A mad scramble late didn't tie the game despite several chances. Eventually, Callahan scored into an open net with under a second left, icing it.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star: Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (31 saves)
2nd Star: Frans Nielsen, NYI (goal-4th of season, assist)
1st Star: Brad Richards, NYR (GW w/4:55 left)

Round One: Tavares hat trick TKO's Rangers

John Tavares' hat trick victimized Marian Gaborik during the Isles' 4-2 win.

Round One was a TKO by John Tavares. Led by the third-year star, the Islanders won the first big match-up between blood rivals- doubling up on the Rangers 4-2 last night at energized Nassau Coliseum. In what amounted to an entertaining, rambunctious and in your face brand of hockey one comes to expect when these New York rivals get together, it was Long Island prevailing over Manhattan thanks to another offensive explosion from Tavares. After being shutout the first two games, the blossoming superstar has eight points over the past two, including his first hat trick of the season along with a helper- factoring in on every Islander goal.

"You're not going to say no to production like that. It's nice to produce. It's what I do best, obviously," Tavares pointed out of his second straight four-point outing. 

"I still see him as a goofy kid. But he's committed to being one of the best players in the league," teammate Matt Moulson praised after notching a goal and assist in the Islanders' third consecutive win. "He's playing with a lot of confidence. When he does that, he can be a scary player. And he's only going to get better once he matures and understands what he's capable of."

Aided by a slew of undisciplined Ranger penalties, Tavares and Co. had no trouble taking full advantage, going two-for-eight. That proved to be the difference with Jack Capuano's club remaining poised unlike their nemesis. Conversely, John Tortorella's team went blank in four chances while drawing the ire of an impatient coach who is tired of using Europe as an alibi for their slow start.

“There is no excuses here,” the displeased Ranger coach said. “We lost a hockey game. That team played better than us, they were more disciplined than us. I don’t want to hear about Europe, I don’t want to hear about if it’s a penalty or not a penalty. We’re not disciplined enough, and Europe has nothing to do with tonight’s game.”

Twice, the road team fought back from one-goal deficits during the first two periods. However, more penalty trouble eventually led to Tavares' winner, which came just seven seconds after Dan Girardi was nabbed for interference. Off a faceoff win, JT91 slipped to the left in the high slot where Islander captain Mark Streit passed through for a ridiculous deflection that Henrik Lundqvist had no chance on. It was the kind of hand eye coordination that makes the franchise player special. Along with improved skating, strength and conditioning, the 21-year old center looks poised for a big year. Similar skill was required on his first power play goal of the night midway thru. With Ryan Callahan out of the box, the Isles still were on the man-advantage thanks to a dubious delay of game call on Brian Boyle. Regardless, Tavares made them pay when he backhanded a low Streit rebound in for his first of the game.

Earlier, Tavares helped set up Moulson's opener off a Ranger turnover. He and P.A. Parenteau combined on a broken play that allowed Moulson to use Steve Eminger as a perfect screen for his second of the season at 12:04 of the first. Before they could get comfortable, the Rangers responded with better even strength play- forcing Evgeni Nabokov to make some tough stops in a busy first (14 saves). Somehow, the Blueshirts survived a loss of discipline that included a bench minor and a foolish Callahan boarding minor which wasn't smart. A great play by Derek Stepan allowed Marian Gaborik to tie it. Moved up to the top line, the sophomore out of Wisconsin made a great backcheck in the neutral zone and then Brad Richards sprung Gaborik, who easily beat Nabokov five-hold to knot it at one. The play of Stepan was one of the bright spots with a backhand lead nearly setting up another Gaborik tally only to see Nabokov deny his backhand deke later.

“There were a couple of times where we kind of took over the game, but unfortunately we took a few penalties and it kind of killed that momentum that we had,” an observant Lundqvist noted after playing a third straight solid game but having nothing to show for it. King Henrik finished with 30 saves. “We have to work even harder to be more disciplined out there.”

A turning point came when Boyle was called for delay of game while on the PK. During Callahan's second minor of the seesaw contest, Boyle killed off 15 seconds without ever closing his hand on the puck. However, ref Steve Kozari felt differently at the urging of the hometown fans amidst a mixture at a soldout (16,234) Coliseum. Despite the Ranger captain returning, they couldn't deny Tavares, who along with Streit and ex-Devil Brian Rolston combined for a 2-1 lead. With Lundqvist busy (13 saves) keeping his team afloat, the reunited checking line of Boyle, Brandon Prust and Ruslan Fedotenko got it tied before the second concluded. Off a forced turnover from Fedotenko, Prust quickly steered a wraparound off Frans Nielsen's skate past a stunned Nabokov to tie it at 18:26.

Oddly enough, it was Nielsen's acting skills which later helped the Islanders kill off a valuable two minutes late in regulation. Prior, Tavares already had No.2 off a great redirection with Girardi off. The Rangers have run into penalty trouble without anchor Marc Staal. They also were without Mike Sauer with ex-Hab Jeff Woywitka faring alright in an abbreviated role (12:27). That forced Tortorella to pair up Mike Del Zotto with rookie Tim Erixon, who was up and down along with his partner. The Swede is still learning. He took a minor and also passed up on two good chances to shoot. Del Zotto meanwhile was more aggressive offensively but is still shaky in his end. 

Meanwhile, the Isles got strong play from Andrew MacDonald, who made several solid defensive plays along with Travis Hamonic. That along with better control allowed the hosts to earn a hard fought victory. They neutralized the Draft Line of Callahan, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky with only Anisimov pulling his weight. Ineffective nights from two of the Ranger leaders forced Tortorella to go with the top line and Boyle's down the stretch. It didn't matter when a turnover led to Parenteau finding Tavares, who hit the open net for his third career hat trick, sending everyone home. 

“We’re probably ready for a good trip,” Tavares said after leading his club to a 3-1 homestand before they head to Florida for two games versus the Lightning and Panthers. “It’s always a great way to develop chemistry. It was a huge start for us, and other than the first night we took full advantage of it.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (2 SOG, 3 hits, takeaway in 18:36)

2nd Star-Mark Streit, NYI (2 primary assists, 3 SOG in 24:50)

1st Star-John Tavares, NYI (1st hat trick of season/assist, 3rd career, +2 in 17:29)

A New Look

It's summer. So, we altered our look a bit to try to cool off from all this heat. Now, when you visit Battle Of NY, you won't be reminded of the beating sun or classic autumn colors that we can only wish upon for the moment. Instead, the ocean greets you, which feels appropriate. Yeah. The blue waves would be good right about now. A day at the beach enjoying the water. Something that's a necessity in the dog days.

In my head, it's easy to project what my team along with 29 others will look like two and a half months from now. Just to see the Winnipeg Jets and their cool fans back will be exciting to follow. I'm glad the Rangers have an early trip following the Euro invasion to King Henrik's homeland. Sure. It's due in large part to the World's Most Renovated Arena, which was all closed off when me and Justin met a buddy in Manhattan. But to get the chance to see Winterpeg's reaction to having a team again will be worth it. And they visit us early on too. Of course, they are still situated in the Southeast, which I'm sure isn't ideal for the rest of the division, etc. It is what it is.

Will Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik fly as you could hear a proud Gordon Bombay urging to his Ducks? Garden Faithful can only hope. Who will flank them? Is Wojtek Wolski a prime candidate assuming he's not bought out to clear another $3.3 million on the cap? The 25 year-old forward is skilled but has often teased fans, which explains why he's on his third roster in three years. Blueshirt Banter had a strong take on keeping him for the year before he can go free. Perhaps Wohlski can reemerge into Wolski as a perfect complement. The size is there and he's a solid forechecker. It's a matter of consistency. John Tortorella doesn't screw around. Questions on the ex-Yote along with potential trade candidate Erik Christensen, Sean Avery and wild card Mats Zuccarello won't get answered for a while. The first order of business is does Slats retain Wolski, who was acquired for Michal Rozsival. We'll see.

In the mean time, we'll kick back and have a cold one. As Michael Del Zotto tweeted, 'Is it October yet?'

Rangers-Sabres Preview: Battle Of New York looms large tonight, Enroth over Miller???

The stakes couldn't be any higher. When the seventh seeded Rangers visit Western New York tonight against the eighth Sabres, two points separate the teams with six games remaining. The Rangers enter with 87 points, winners of eight of 10- bringing a 23-14-1 road record that ranks only behind the Canucks, Flyers, Bruins and Red Wings. The Sabres have 85- their lead over ninth Carolina down to three due to a 4-3 loss in Toronto combined with the Canes' 3-2 shootout triumph in D.C.

Speaking of those Canes, they'll be in Montreal playing at the same time. You can bet there will be some scoreboard watching. Even with the emphasis on what's in front of each, some peeking at the festivities north of the border. It should make for quite a couple of hours if you're a fan of any of these clubs jockeying for playoff position as we count down to the final frantic week.

For Buffalo, they must have short memories after losing to bitter nemesis Toronto in a very exciting game that saw them combine for seven goals. The Sabres fell behind by two twice before rallying to tie it on lightning strikes from Jason Pominville and Rob Niedermayer 30 seconds apart in the third to stun the Leafs. But Toronto leading scorer Mikhail Grabovski shelved his 28th just past Ryan Miller to keep the Leafs alive in the race. With 80 points and only five left, they'll need to keep winning and get help.

It was a blown opportunity for the Sabres to push ahead of the idle Blueshirts due to the shootout tiebreak that puts more of an emphasis on regulation/overtime wins. Instead, Lindy Ruff's club made things more complicated for themselves with Carolina very much in play with a lot depending on what happens a few hours from now.

“I had a chance to set the tone on my end and didn't do it, and it just kind of went from there," lamented losing goalie Miller who wasn't pleased with a goal he allowed to Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf from the blueline that got the ACC jumping. Figure the rating Vezina winner to be locked in after permitting four on 35 shots while rookie James Reimer made some clutch stops late for his 18th victory. It's probably too late for the 23 year-old former '06 fourth round pick to put his name into a packed Calder race that includes headliners Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, Corey Crawford along with the Islanders' Michael Grabner.

Whenever the Rangers and Sabres meet, the goalie battle is always the main attraction, pitting Henrik Lundqvist against Miller. Though Miller's having a down season, he's fully capable of shutting down the opposition on any night. There's plenty of incentive against his sizzling counterpart who enters 8-1-1 with a 1.67 GAA, .936 save percentage and three of his league-high 11 shutouts coming over the past 10 starts, boosting his Vezina candidacy against stiff competition featuring Tim Thomas (9th SHO in 3-0 win over Hawks), Carey Price (27 saves for 35th W in 3-1 win over Thrashers) and Pekka Rinne. It will be King Henrik's 21st consecutive start.

UPDATE: In a stunner, the Sabres are expected to start Jhonas Enroth. The 22 year-old Swede doesn't have much experience with nine career starts. Eight have come this year with the '06 second round pick 5-2-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .906 save percentage. Respectable numbers but he hasn't started since 3/13, winning a wild 6-4 conventional shootout over Ottawa with 34 saves.The timing seems iffy. Maybe Ruff's trying to send a message to his team that last night was unacceptable. It should be noted that historically, the Rangers don't fare well against unknowns. So, if in fact Enroth is in, who knows.

Both teams know they can't rely on help from the Habs- a team they're still trying to catch. Montreal ended a near record futility of being blanked three straight times by pulling out a 3-1 home win over Atlanta, all but ending the Thrashers' season. Montreal has 89 points but owns the new tiebreak over the Rangers and Sabres. This is the final meeting between the state rivals with the Rangers holding a 2-1 edge. The last time they played at HSBC was the infamous season opener featuring Derek Stepan's hat trick debut, highlighting a 6-3 win. The other two games at MSG both were decided by identical 3-2 margins with the Blueshirts taking the second meeting on an Artem Anisimov OT winner while Buffalo returned the favor in regulation with Jochen Hecht's tally holding up.

“There’s enough there. Doesn’t matter what team,” Tortorella told Jim Cerny on a nyranger.com feature. “I know everybody is concerned about the standings, but we can only worry about us.”

Figure it to be tight.

Gabby tricks Isles in ugly win

Marian Gaborik celebrates after recording hat trick in wild Ranger 6-5 win over the Islanders in first of a home-and-home series. The rematch is later tonight at The Garden.

Twenty-one goals. That's how many the Islanders and Rangers have totaled after another wild game that featured 11 in what amounted to an ugly win for the Broadway club. They can thank Marian Gaborik, whose second hat trick of the season allowed the Rangers to prevail 6-5 over the Islanders before less than a sellout (13,742) at Nassau Coliseum.

Much like the first game of one of the best rivalries, Round Two featured many momentum shifts along with fluky goals that you never saw coming. When it comes to these two teams, perhaps we should have known better after how the Rangers dominated the first 19 minutes, jumping out to a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Erik Christensen and Ryan Callahan. But the unusual began when Islander tough guy Zenon Konopka was able to deflect a James Wisniewski shot through surprise starter Martin Biron with 49 seconds left.

The Islanders carried momentum with a much better second, resulting in three straight goals with John Tavares connecting with Matt Moulson while Brandon Dubinsky watched and then Rob Schremp blasting his third from inside the blueline with Dubi again not making much of an attempt. It's those kind of moments which make you wonder about Dubinsky, who came out like a house on fire. Since Gaborik returned, the spark is gone. If they're going to invest in their future next summer, the inconsistencies need to stop. On a night linemates Callahan and Derek Stepan gave better efforts, the newly formed USA Line went a combined minus-eight. Dan Girardi, beaten in front twice also was on for two goals against.

Yeah, they won despite everything. But as John Tortorella noted in the post game with Sam Rosen, they found a way to win in spite of themselves. The fiery coach also credited Jack Capuano's scrappy Islanders for coming harder and not quitting. Would you expect anything less from them in this heated rivalry? Bottom line: These games take on a life of their own. Good thing Tort pulled Biron because he gave up two softies and the team looked dead only to reawaken on a fortunate bounce with Brandon Prust getting a piece of a Marc Staal shot that caromed off an Islander. Gaborik steered them back in front when his centering feed for Callahan banked in off an Islander.

It was that kind of game. Thanks to a tremendous effort from rejuvenated Sean Avery, Gaborik tallied twice more in the seesaw third. Given an opportunity to play on the top line with Gabby and Erik Christensen, Avery was awesome, outskating and outhustling the Islanders on the cycle. He won so many battles creating all sorts of room for the Big Ticket to work his magic. The line combined for eight points (4-4-8, +8), dismantling a D that's still without Mark Streit, Milan Jurcina and Mike Mottau. Yeah. They got good mileage out of rookie Travis Hamonic (assist, +1 in 19:04) and returning starter Andy MacDonald (Even in 22:25). But the Long Island hosts were simply overwhelmed by our new line.

Credit the Isles for clawing back from two again with Michael Grabner redirecting a Radek Martinek point shot and Blake Comeau seeing his shadow, even if it was another bizarre one that just snuck over the goal line much to Henrik Lundqvist's disbelief. Just like that, it was tied once more with 5:50 left. But on the very next shift, another brilliant play by Avery led to Gaborik's trick with Sean keeping a puck alive and then feeding Christensen, whose change up fooled Rick DiPietro long enough for Gabby to lift Wisniewski's stick and bury it. All it took was 25 seconds to break the Isles' backs. Oh. They fought till the buzzer but couldn't draw even.

A few observations:

-The checking line of Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust were on for Prust's big response right after Tort switched goalies. In particular, Boyle and Prust have been factors all season. Where would this team be without them?

-Derek Boogaard threw down with much smaller Trevor Gillies who did a good job holding off Boogey Man after taking a couple early. Boogaard was more noticeable than Alex Frolov, who was buried on the fourth line with Artem Anisimov, who at least showed a pulse. It's no secret both Russians need to be better.

-Michal Rozsival was steady in 19+ while partner Mike Del Zotto adequate even making a pair of defensive gems. If only Del Zotto knew how to hit the net. He could've put the game away.

-John Tavares' two helpers were his first multi-point outing since a hat trick recorded versus Florida on Oct.23. It was just his third two-or-more effort of the season.

-Ex-Blueshirt P.A. Parenteau was instrumental, setting up a pair including Comeau's oddity which of course was his first since he last played us. How is that possible?

-During the Isles' first comeback, Rob Schremp was tremendous, skating circles around the Ranger D and making things happen. Best game I've seen from him.

-Maybe Matt Martin, who beat Mike Sauer in an earlier fight, should've engaged Avery off the faceoff. Tied at five, he didn't and look what happened. Normally, you don't want your players fighting when your team comes back but Avery and his super line were going. At the very least, he could've taken Avery off the ice. Martin btw finished minus-three with the one scrap.

-Sauer needs more than 13 minutes of ice. He's already established himself as a top four. Defensively, he's superb and rarely gets caught out of position.

-Despite so many goals, there were only three power plays and yes, the Rangers actually scored one.

-A forgettable night for DiPietro, who permitted six on 26 shots including a bad rebound that resulted in Gabby's winner.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rob Schremp, NYI (3rd of season, 2 SOG, takeaway, +1 in 16:06)
2nd Star-Brandon Prust, NYR (2nd of season, 2 SOG, hit, blocked shot in 16:27)
1st Star-Avery-Christensen-Gaborik, NYR (4-4-8 incl. Gabby hat trick/assist, 11 SOG, +8)

Battle Preview: Rangers and Islanders set for home and home

Sean Avery and James Wisniewski meet again in Part I of a classic home-and-home series when the Rangers and Islanders do battle tonight at The Coliseum before returning to MSG tomorrow.

Tonight is Part I of a classic home-and-home between bitter rivals. Whenever the Rangers and Islanders get together, the names on the backs of the jerseys don't matter. Emotions run high, which will certainly be the case over the next 24 hours when the true Battle of New York takes place. It's Manhattan versus Long Island. Broadway meets Old Country Road. City against country. Fast paced takes on laid back.

Whatever you refer to it, it's one of the best rivalries going. The Rangers and Islanders meet for the 230th time in the regular season at Nassau Coliseum. The Blueshirts lead the all-time series 108-97-19-5 (108-102-19). They're 46-60-8-1 off the Meadowbrook, including a 6-4 loss in the only game this season on Oct.11. A typical wild affair that featured 10 goals and five lead changes with the Islanders prevailing by scoring the last three with former Ranger P.A. Parenteau tying it and Ranger killer Blake Comeau finishing off a three-point night. Rick DiPietro was the winner, stopping 29 shots while Henrik Lundqvist permitted five on 31 taking the loss. Figure it to be a rematch in net with DP pitching a shutout over the Devils five days ago to finally snap the Islander 14-game winless streak. Lundqvist meanwhile has been stronger since returning, backstopping the Rangers to road wins over Florida and Nashville before losing to the Pens in a game he was blameless. Scratch that as Lundqvist sits with Martin Biron getting the call instead.


Does John Tavares get it going or is this the night Marian Gaborik busts loose? Will Comeau again burn his favorite target or can Brandon Dubinsky rediscover the touch that had him with 10 goals in his first 13 before fizzling out since Gaborik returned. A day where James Wisniewski and Sean Avery renew acquaintances after the immature gesture during a stoppage that got the Islander blueliner suspended. The best aspect is the teams get to do it again tomorrow at Madison Square Garden. Home ice hasn't meant a lot recently. Even if the Islanders held serve in Game No.1, usually the road team has fared better. Does it start in half an hour?

A new coach is added to the rivalry with Jack Capuano finally winning his first in place of Scott Gordon. Can he outfox John Tortorella? The fun gets started soon and continues tomorrow. Like Chanukkah and Christmas rolled into one. Fire it up cause it's sure to be interesting.

Arty wins it in overtime

Artem Anisimov's second goal won the game for the Rangers at 1:32 of overtime over the Sabres 3-2.

This time, the Rangers weren't going to allow another blown call to cost them on home ice. Instead, they stuck with it, prevailing over the Sabres 3-2 in overtime thanks to hero Artem Anisimov, who got to a loose puck and wired his second of the night past Jhonas Enroth at 1:32.

Arty's big night along with a strong game from ex-Sabre Martin Biron allowed the Blueshirts to prevail in Marian Gaborik's return. He may not have scored and who could playing with Alex Frolov and Erik Christensen but at least his guarantee was backed up. In his first game back since the third game of the season, Gabby looked decent missing on a couple of chances while showing the acceleration that makes him a threat. He nearly helped setup a goal but as usual, Frolov choked with a gaping net drawing boos. We'll try not to dwell too much on that or Christy's bad turnover that nearly led to Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy sealing it. Why Vanek didn't shoot we'll never know.

At the very least, it allowed the Rangers to come down and score with some good work done by Fedotenko to help keep the play alive following Dan Girardi's shot which was blocked by Buffalo defenseman Jordan Leopold. However, before he recovered the puck Anisimov snuck in and surprised Enroth top shelf for the game-winner. That both Fedotenko and Arty were in on it was well deserved for both as each played excellent games and got rewarded. Nice to see. Especially for Fedotenko who ended a 10-game drought when his hustle allowed him to poke home a loose puck for the lead in the first period. Unfortunately, another inadvertent whistle robbed him of a second which probably would've made things easier.

Instead, it was another one of those seesaw struggles for John Tortorella's club at home. They came out forechecking strong in the first, getting particularly effective play from newly formed checking unit Fedotenko, Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust. Their hard work led to one of two power plays, which both looked good with Gabby back in. The club kept pucks alive and generated chances but couldn't beat Enroth. It was the extra effort of the new grind line that resulted in Fedotenko's first in 11 games. A strong Boyle forecheck kept the play alive and then Prust and Mike Sauer combined to get the puck to the net where Enroth couldn't hold on before Fedotenko chipped it in at 14:04.

After dictating much of the play, the Rangers fell back a little in the second with Sauer pushing pest Patrick Kaleta from behind for a boarding minor, which saw Paul Gaustad come to the aid of his fallen teammate. They gave Gaustad and Fedotenko matching roughs while Sauer served his two. His teammates picked him up with outstanding work done by Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Mike Del Zotto and Steve Eminger. The forwards also helped with Boyle, Derek Stepan, Callahan and Dubinsky all making good reads, preventing Buffalo from getting a sniff. However, the Sabres gained momentum from it, forcing Biron to make a few tough stops. His rebound control was good. Especially considering that he was not told he was starting until Henrik Lundqvist arrived sick, basically putting it on Marty's shoulders.

Another failed five-on-three kept Buffalo afloat. On it, Tort used his timeout only to see Tyler Myers use his reach to clear the zone. At five-on-four, they didn't get much done, increasing the frustration level. The powerless play went 0-for-5, getting worse as the game progressed. When you blow a big chance like they did, it usually comes back to bite you. A fluky play allowed Buffalo to tie it when on a delayed penalty, rookie Tyler Ennis chipped a loose puck past a protesting Biron, who thought he had possession for a whistle. However, replays showed he never had control which is why Ennis was able to convert at the doorstep. His second in 24 hours. Roy and Vanek drew the helpers.

The second's conclusion was wild. First, following an icing in which Lindy Ruff burned his timeout, Brandon Dubinsky won the draw. The puck eventually came around to Callahan who chipped it back to Dubinsky, who quickly centered for Anisimov in front for a gimme. His third ended a nine-game drought, giving the Rangers back the lead with 48 seconds left. We're safe, right? Not so fast. On the very next shift, the Sabres came right back scoring another weird goal thanks to grunt work from their fourth line. Cody McCormick and Rob Niedermayer combined to get the puck to Mike Grier, who buried it with 2.8 seconds left stunning MSG and sending me into a Tweetfest. :P Here were a couple summing up my thoughts as to how such a play occurred:

Rant One


Rant Two

Rant Three

Yeah. I was not pleased. Staal didn't play poorly by any stretch. But I just can't comprehend what he and Danny G were doing on that play. Callahan was the only guy in front. One concept which has to change for this team is this business with opposing players cruising through our crease and running our goalies. Would it kill one of our D to actually get in front of them and push them out? Rant over.

Early in the third, more controversy happened when Fedotenko looked to have restored our lead. This time, he steered home another loose puck with the whistle coming some five seconds later. Three games in a row, this team loses out on a goal. One because Bill McCreary thought there was a hi-stick on the Blues. Fine. He made an honest mistake. They lost by a goal and had plenty of time to tie it. Then you had the atrocity the other night in which Fedotenko put us ahead only to be called for incidental contact. Perhaps but it seemed pretty shady. Tonight's took the cake. It definitely should've counted. When will this disorganized league change that rule. It's awful.

With the game still up for grabs, Gaustad took a minor with under nine left in regulation. Absolutely zilch got done. Del Zotto in particular stunk, fumbling the puck at the point. Sure. He got one or two shots through but his confidence isn't there. Anyone can see it. Still can't get over Matt Gilroy getting one PP shift. What in God's name does Tort have against Hobey, who actually was solid in his 13+? I just don't get it.

As if the refs weren't bad enough, they invented a call on Boyle for tripping when he did no such thing. I guess aggressiveness isn't allowed in this wussified league! Someone should send 100 copies of Slap Shot to Bettman making him cry in his panties. The game is regressing. Dial up The Beatles HELP! At least the Rangers killed it, forcing OT. The four-on-four was fun with each New York club going for it. First, a lousy turnover by Christy led to a two-on-one for Vanek and Roy. After Vanek faked out our D, he had the puck in the same position as his shootout winner past Johan Hedberg. But he opted not to shoot, instead passing for an open Roy at the side, who never got off a shot. If that epic fail doesn't sum up Vanek's career, my name's not Derek Felix.

The missed opportunity allowed the Rangers to come down and earn the decider off what else but hard work. Fedotenko and Anisimov combined to work the puck to Girardi, whose shot was blocked by a sliding Leopold. But Fedotenko didn't give up and when Leopold missed, Anisimov quickly fired past Enroth for an exciting finish that saw an emotional Tort pump his fist and probably say, "Hell yeah!" Or something to that effect. A much needed home win, ending a two-game skid and putting us back over .500 (8-7-1) with Tom Renney's struggling Oilers visiting Sunday afternoon. Let the ass kissing begin. :P

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Artem Anisimov, NYR (2 goals incl. OT winner at 1:32, 5 SOG, 3-2 draws, +1 in 14:49)
2nd Star-Martin Biron, NYR (29 saves incl. 10/10 in 3rd, 1st win as Ranger-2nd overall at MSG)
1st Star-Ruslan Fedotenko, NYR (2nd of season, assist, 4 SOG, hit, +2 in 15:52)

Rangers awaken in time to edge Islanders

If tonight wasn't a microcosm of what's been a trying season, I don't know what is. The good news is the Rangers won to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. The bad is that neither the Devils nor Leafs cooperated. Notice we didn't mention Boston or Atlanta because they did what they were supposed to. Our team needed help from a loathesome rival and Brian Burke's guys north of the border. Unfortunately, the downside of Ilya Kovalchuk happened along with an ugly Toronto power play, allowing both teams ahead to hold serve. Patrice Bergeron's OT winner with 18.3 seconds left gave the B's 82 points- putting them into a three-way tie with idle Philadelphia and Montreal. Nik Antropov's 24th goal held up giving the Thrashers a 3-2 victory to move up to 80 points with five games left.

As for the Blueshirts, they awakened just in time to comeback and edge the Islanders 4-3 off the Meadowbrook. The club's third win in four (3-0-1) gives them 78 points, remaining two behind ninth Hotlanta and four out with six games to go. Boston's desperation 1-0 shutout OT triumph over New Jersey makes it less likely for John Tortorella's club to qualify for a fifth consecutive postseason. Amazingly, our post-lockout ('05-06 thru '08-09) is one of the longest active streaks, trailing the Red Wings who haven't clinched No.19 along with the Devils (lucky No.13 in a row). Calgary, who also looks like toast- has made the playoffs five straight seasons dating back to their miraculous run to the Cup Final pre-lockout. San Jose made it six. So, that puts us fifth. Correction: Per BroadwayBlue, we were tied with the Ducks. Loose translation: The Bettman dream has come true. P-A-R-I-T-Y

How to describe tonight's unpredictable/chaotic Ranger venture that allowed them to survive with their heads intact? Two words. Roller coaster. As evidenced in our prior rant, they couldn't have sucked any worse during a lifeless opening 20 minutes that were illustration A as to why this team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs. Anything they could do to foul up their situation beyond recovery, they tried. Lack of discipline. Be thy name Wade Redden leading to a fourth bench minor against your biggest rival, who of course were only too glad to cash it in via a seeing eye Mark Streit power play goal that went right past Henrik Lundqvist's glove. Lack of intensity. Allowing a much more determined Islander club hell bent on revenge to win every single battle in the uncompetitive first driving the NYR Twitter Universe mad. If only the nicolewesttts, JPLSs, NYRangerRealitys, carolena10s, howie9416s, antheias, nhenry5s snowkitten35s, EpicKaitlins played. There's only so much they can do. Instead, we watched in horror as a turnover led to Blake Comeau's marshmallow shot fooling Lundqvist. When the puck went off his pads and in off the post, it just screamed 'Classic tease.' Before the madness ended, my quick rant was up, almost daring them to wake up from the mushroom cloud they were stuck in.

Thankfully, Dwayne Roloson cooled off by permitting a Vinny Prospal stinker from a dreadful angle to give the Rangers life. Apparently, it also awoke Olli Jokinen who'd been as much of a help to our Drive For Five as Donald Brashear. The Jokester's first point since he was relevant (okay maybe not quite) got the juices flowing. And for the first time in weeks, he contributed a goal that tied it stunning everyone in the Coliseum. Even all the Ranger fans sitting near the glass had to be in a drunken daze wondering if they'd really witnessed it. He took full advantage of Kyle Okposo breaking his stick, stripping him of the puck before whizzing one upstairs for an unassisted tally.

By that point, the Islanders already blew their opportunity to take command of the game, severely misfiring on a two-man advantage following a brutal Brandon Prust hit from behind on John Tavares. Somehow, it was called just two for cross checking. In our view, it easily could've been five and a game. How they saw fit to call only a minor is beyond me. JT91 had no protection and could've gotten seriously hurt. But because he was able to get up and skate on his own power, a bush league call. Still, the Isles didn't do anything worth a dime with it and it wound up costing them the game. In fact, after outshooting their hated rival 9-4 over a dominant first, they were outshot 15-6 and outscored 3-zip in a dismal second that had to drive Scott Gordon nuts. For everything his club did right early, they reversed. Unable to convert on a couple of odd-man rushes, they watched Jokinen tie it and then left Marian Gaborik wide open for his 40th with 2:45 remaining, putting the guests ahead for good. Chris Drury outhustled an Islander to a loose puck behind the net and Aaron Voros centered it to Gaborik who snapped one through Roloson's wickets.

Gaborik's fourtieth is the second time in three seasons he's hit 40, also doing so in a healthy '07-08 with the Wild in which he established career highs in goals (42), assists (41) and points (83). In Game 70 for the Rangers, he became the 17th player in franchise history to score 40 and first since Jaromir Jagr's club record 54 in '05-06. Even with some of the slumps the Great Gabby's hit on an otherwise offensive starved team, Year One has been pretty good. The goal was his 80th point of the season. He needs three points to match a career best and four in the final half dozen to surpass it. He also played in almost every Olympic game for Slovakia scoring a few more while being hobbled. Not bad for a guy whose durability was severely questioned. The Rangers are going to need more from him if they're to have any chance.

Before the period's conclusion, Trevor Gillies took an ill advised roughing minor on Prust. After initially throwing him down post-whistle and then playing innocent, he twice went after Prust along the boards including a silly punch with his glove on, forcing the refs to call it. I think he saw the ice just once more. A late Islander shot a split second after the buzzer led to pushing and shoving from both sides involving P.A. Parenteau and Okposo. Playing his second game since a recall for injured Sean Avery, Parenteau again was effective in a scoring role for Tortorella. He later set up Marc Staal's decider. Michal Rozsival started it with a solid defensive play in his end before making a perfect outlet to Parenteau, who then cut and dished for Prospal leading to a two-on-one. He quickly moved the puck to an on-rushing Marc Staal, who caught Roloson moving with a quick low wrister that extended to 4-2 with less than 15 minutes left. Staal's sixth was his first since 1/19, ending a 25-game drought. The third-year blueliner was steady along with Rozsival with each logging big minutes throughout.

With nothing going on, the Islanders finally made it interesting when another odd Comeau offering went right past Lundqvist for his third multi-goal game in six weeks. He also had a hat trick on 3/2 vs Chicago and a pair on Valentine's Day vs Ottawa. No question the third-year forward's evolving into a solid player for the Isles. They have to be pleased with what they've gotten from the former '04 second rounder who improved to a career high 14 goals and 30 points tonight. Sean Bergenheim added an assist as did Mark Flood, who recorded his first NHL point. Congrats.

Unfortunately for the home club, Comeau's second of the night which made it 4-3 with still 6:33 remaining was as close as they got. To Lundqvist's credit, he steadied following the poor first turning aside 18 of the last 19- finishing with 25 saves en route to his 31st win. The 3/25 victory over who else but Martin Brodeur and Co. allowed him to make NHL history, becoming the first goalie ever to win 30-or-more in his first five seasons. Even if gimmick induced, major props to Henrik for being the one rock we got. I get on him a lot but he's been essentially naked this season and is poised to finish with the second highest save percentage of his career. No small task.

The Islanders pulled Roloson late but never really threatened as the Blueshirts did a good job in their end, getting a nice clear from Prust who must've had a laugh afterwards due to the Islanders' failure to stick up for Tavares. Inexcusable if you're an Islander fan. For the Rangers, they at least remembered there was a game and saved themselves from humiliation and virtual elimination. But with the teams in front of them four clear and Atlanta showing no indications of collapsing, it looks like they might have to win out. Does even the most homeristic Ranger fan actually believe they can do that?

For now, they'll continue the six-game road swing to Florida with the next one at the Lightning Friday and then to Florida the following day. In desperation mode, they finished March with a 6-5-3 record.
M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y.


BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Michal Rozsival, NYR (4 hits, 3 blocked shots, +1 in 27:51)
2nd Star-Blake Comeau, NYI (2 goals-career best 14, 4 SOG, +1 in 17:45)
1st Star-Vinny Prospal, NYR (18th of season, assist, 3 SOG, +3 in 20:28)

Trade Deadline Show Live 9-10 Tonight

We'll be on hosting a special Battle Of New York show centering around today's record-setting deadline that saw the most deals ever consumated. Even if none were particularly earth shattering, there are still winners and losers. I'll review that as well as some of the prior deals before the break that could impact things the rest of the way. Plus some discussion on the memorable gold medal game between the USA and Canada. 


Deadline Day Show


Call-in No: 646-652-2543

Big difference between two teams

It's easy for us to hate the Islanders because that's in our blood. Potvin Sucks! Islanders/Rangers is a great rivalry that brings out plenty of passion on both sides. It's what Battle of New York stands for. Two bitter rivals since the Islanders' inception in 1972 where the intensity spills over into the stands. Sometimes albeit irrationally. The games take on a whole different meaning. With all due respect to the Devils who are in a battle with the Long Island club, there's only one true rival for our club.

Hint: It's the one who's wearing the nice traditional dark blue and orange jerseys. What separates them from the Rangers is how hard they compete daily under the leadership of Scott Gordon, who should be in the mix for the Jack Adams if they get in the playoffs. He has done a magnificent job, getting his cohesive group to believe. Just a look at how organized that power play was, converting not once but twice on Colin White's major tells the story. Scary to say but they easily could've had four on it against one of the league's better defensive teams. Such quick passing and actual battles being won in the trenches to keep plays alive. Hungry players putting on their hard hats getting dirty.

When has our power play ever been like that? There in lies a big part of the problem, explaining why there's such a big difference between these two teams. One fights for every inch of ice, sacrificing all the time as evidenced by not allowing the Devils one shot in 20 minutes before Zach Parise got a lucky bounce right off Freddy Meyer to tie it, ending New Jersey's decade PP drought. Kyle Okposo- who tied the game and assisted on Jack Hillen's PPG- felt his team didn't come to play in the first which the Devs led on captain Jamie Langenbrunner's early tally. Imagine any Ranger saying that. So, they came out gangbusters outplaying the Devils by a wide margin. Sure. They're tied as they begin the third due to a tough break. But do you think it will stop them from giving everything ounce to earn victory, moving past a lifeless Ranger club down 5-zip in Montreal on HNIC no less?

Hell no! Because that club cares which can't always be said for the pathetic guys wearing the white, red and blue jerseys tonight. Too often, that's been the case. So, we might loathe the Islanders but it sure is a lot easier to respect them. They care!

Emotional DP Triumphant in Coliseum Return

It had been a long time since Rick DiPietro felt the love on home ice. After all, it was only his second start since returning and first at Nassau Coliseum in over a year. Against one of the conference's better teams, he outdueled Vezina candidate Ryan Miller in a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory before a happy crowd who showed him the love with the familiar, "D---P, D---P" chants.

“Always in the back of my mind I knew I’d be back to this point, sitting in front of you guys after a big win,” an emotional DiPietro said while repeatedly thanking everyone for their overwhelming support. “I am sure when I get a chance over the next couple of days to let it sink in I’ll be pretty excited.”

Fittingly, his first win didn't come easy. Not with the Sabres rallying back from a two-goal deficit on goals by Mike Grier and Drew Stafford. But DP didn't allow Stafford's putback with 11:25 left in regulation to spoil his much anticipated comeback in front of the hometown fans who supported him in unison. Facing his 2006 USA Olympic teammate, the 28 year-old who was making just his seventh start over two years kept the Islanders alive, stopping 11 of 12 shots in a third controlled by Buffalo. Their forecheck pinned the Isles deep, generating chances along with a 12-4 SOG edge. Only some sharp netminding allowed the hosts to reach extras.

Neither club could get one by the two American goalies, taking it to the skill competition. Here, DiPietro's mettle was really tested. After Rob Schremp went backhand deke upstairs in Round One, Jason Pominville went five-hole to tie it in the second frame. Following a Josh Bailey miss, Thomas Vanek's short side high shot missed a chance to clinch it for Buffalo. The drama continued when Matt Moulson beat Miller with a perfect forehand but DiPietro couldn't stop Stafford, who picked five-hole forcing another round. DP atoned by thwarting Derek Roy's bid with a strong pad stop from in tight, earning more "D---P" chants.

In Round Six, this time rookie John Tavares- who ended a 10-game drought with a putback of a Kyle Okposo shot-  easily beat Miller forehand top shelf to once again give DiPietro the chance to clinch it. This time, it was Jochen Hecht who extended it by shooting over a sprawled DP, who committed too early to groans. Both Okposo and Clarke MacArthur were denied forcing it into Round Eight. Scott Gordon sent out Trent Hunter and he didn't disappoint, moving in tight before wiring one off the bar and in. With the Isles one big save away from jumping back into the top eight, the spotlight was all DiPietro's. Curiously, Lindy Ruff chose instigator Patrick Kaleta over Tyler Myers. With it on the line, Kaleta made a good move but his forehand deke try was forced wide by a quicker DP, who pumped his fists before teammates mobbed the emotional goalie.

“I was trying not to cry on the ice,” DiPietro expressed while sporting a neat mustache and goatee. “That’s the one thing I told myself. I wouldn’t cry. It’s an emotional time for me. It’s been a long time coming, been a rough road. Just to get the win was amazing.”

 "I can't tell you how good this feels," he added of putting the Islanders in eighth a point behind the Rangers. "It's satisfying, but there's still a lot of work to be done. You can't get complacent."

Now that he's back, the bigger question is can he sustain it. The good news for the Islanders is they have Dwayne Roloson, who's done a great job. That should make Gordon's job easier as he won't have to overplay DiPietro.

"When we can stop talking about this, it will be a great day, but it's on me to stay healthy and prove to everyone that I'm back at 100 percent," DP assessed. "It's up to me to try to avoid situations where I put myself in danger of getting hurt, but I'm gonna play the way I'm accustomed to playing."



As for the coach, he praised his guy for being more patient after all the knee surgeries.


"Looking back on it, I never felt I really knew how bad he was hurt," Gordon said. "He did a good job of making us believers and to his credit, he wanted to play. Unfortunately, he had an injury where you couldn't fool your body. It just wouldn't allow him to do the things he needed. This year he didn't try to hurry it up, he went about it the right way."

Now, maybe the Islanders will reap the benefits.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Drew Stafford, Buf (tying goal w/11:25 left in regulation, SO goal, +1 in 14:04)
2nd Star-John Tavares, NYI (goal ended 10-gm drought, SO goal, 5 SOG in 16:55)
1st Star-Rick DiPietro, NYI (31 saves incl.11/12 in 3rd, 5/8 in shootout)

New Year's Puck

Tonight, 2009 ends for good. For us East coasters, it's less than seven hours till the ball drops. Apparently, that already has happened for one of our Battle teams.:P There actually is a game between the Habs and Cats now. And for any WJC followers, Tedenby and Josefson scored for Sweden against Finland. The big one takes place at 8 between USA and Canada in Saskatoon. I hope our boys pull it off silencing those nimrods who boo our team. But not holding out much hope there.

Three of four BONY teams do battle tonight. The Rangers visit the Candy Canes at 7:30 while the Islanders are in Ottawa at 7. And a possible Cup preview in the Windy City between the two best teams at present, the Devils and Blackhawks going off half an hour after the big game I'll be locked into. What? You really thought I'd be glued to my pathetic team after last night.


I'd say more but am about to head out and finally sign up for Planet Fitness. Part of my 2010 New Year's Resolutions. I want to thank Hasan, Brian and Underdog for their contributions and of course our fans. Without the readers, this blog would be useless. Thank you to all. Wishing a Happy and healthy New Year!

Okposo's big night lifts Islanders past Rangers

The Islanders continued to dominate the Rangers at MSG, winning for the ninth time on Broadway over a lucky 13 (9-3-1). The hero was Kyle Okposo, who snapped an 18-game drought by netting the overtime winner with 47 seconds to spare, lifting the Kings of 33rd and 7th to a 3-2 win over their bitter rival.

“It felt like a pretty big relief. To get the win that way, it felt pretty good,” the pleased 21 year-old Islander forward said after a goal and two assists in a dominant performance versus his favorite opponent. Figures that I didn't start him. “I’ve played pretty well. I think I’ve been playing like that for quite some time, but the puck was just not going my way. Tonight it did.”

It looked like the Isles would take care of business in regulation. Especially after getting a goal in each of the first two periods, taking a two-goal lead to the locker room thanks in large part to Okposo, who entered last night with only one assist in his last half dozen. Nothing stopped him from tormenting a weak Ranger D which couldn't deal with his line flanked by Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey all night. The former 2006 seventh overall pick's size wreaked havoc as he and linemates combined for six points (2-4-6) and a plus-six on a night John Tavares was relatively quiet without a shot.

In the game's opening shift, the Rangers came much harder than they did over a week ago. However, Dwayne Roloson was sharp and remained that way throughout, finishing with 36 saves. His goaltending along with an odd call on Sean Avery for unsportsmanlike after he took a hit from behind before pounding Bruno Gervais allowed the road team to get their post-Christmas legs. What ensued were some sloppy play from the hosts, who turned it over at the blueline to setup the Isles' first goal. Off a Dan Girardi one-timer that had no chance, predictably getting blocked, the Rangers never recovered, allowing the trio of Bailey and Okposo to easily feed Nielsen for a tap-in at 7:45.

It only turned uglier as the Rangers continually turned the puck over in the neutral zone while not testing Roloson in an odd stanza that saw each club register five shots, making paint dry on the old Garden walls behind us. In between, there also were two more bizarre calls, including a Brian Boyle delay of game which canceled out a Jon Sim hold of the stick. I realize there was only one referee due to the dreary rain storm, but if he held Boyle's stick first, how does our two-bit scrub wind up in the box as well? Anyway, the latter was another from the Avery Rules in which he got nabbed for goalie interference despite being pushed into Roloson outside the paint. Something John Tortorella alluded to later. Bettman hockey.

I didn't see much of the second due to a lengthy and more interesting debate with one of the best fans in our section about how screwed this team really is due to the contracts Slats can't get out of. We discussed pretty much everything from not bringing back Zherdev to our failed drafts along with the lack of a No.1 center who could help a ton. I won't bother naming the guy who came up. While the fun debate heated up with even a cool security guard weighing in along with my Dad, the Rangers butchered a power play- somehow permitting a shorthanded goal to scrub Blake Comeau. That half his markers and three of just 11 points have come at our expense would be so sad if it wasn't so predictable. Apparently, Mike Del Zotto and Ally (new female name for this joke) Kotalik turned it over at center and Okposo sprung Comeau for a clean break, which he cashed with a nice backhand deke five-hole for 2-zip with less than 16 minutes left in regulation.

Almost immediately, the "Fire Sather" chants started which we paid no mind to. What's the point? At this rate, the inept Slats will never lose his job. But the cost will continue to go up even if they miss the playoffs. Normal in Loser Vi$ion. With Roloson shutting the door on 15 Ranger offerings, it looked like we'd suffer another humiliation. But that quickly changed as our guys decided to put their hard hats on and make a game of it, outshooting the Isles 15-5 in the third. They got results thanks to hard work with Brandon Dubinsky playing one of his best games as a Ranger, scoring twice to force OT. His first came off some solid work from Chris Drury, who teamed with a shaky Michal Rozsival to get the puck to the net where it rebounded out to Dubi for a gimme, cutting to 2-1 with 13:53 left.

Suddenly, the Blueshirts came in waves, making life difficult for Roloson, who still dealt well with the traffic getting a piece of tougher shots and also having a post or two on his side (Dubinsky and Del Zotto).The Islanders took two penalties including an undisciplined bench minor with over three minutes remaining. But our power play couldn't cash. When Tort opted not to pull Henrik Lundqvist for a six-on-four, it looked like the effort would be wasted. But as I stood there with a nice family with kids watching downstairs near the Play By Play, some great work from Dubinsky resulted in the equalizer.

With Henrik off for an extra attacker, Del Zotto hustled to keep the puck in with over a minute to spare, pushing it into the right corner. Dubinsky then outmuscled Andy Sutton for the puck, eventually getting it to Ryan Callahan. Cally then worked a give-and-go with Rozsival before firing at the left circle, which an open Dubi deflected home with 46.6 to go, giving the kids something to cheer about. It was the only chance they had because Rollie was stopping everything. Nice to see some of our core guys get rewarded on a night Gaborik was held in check despite five shots.

"It makes it a little harder," Dubinsky pointed out. "Your juices are flowing, you've got the momentum, you're excited about tying the game and getting a point. You want to fight to get that second one and use that energy.

"We had some chances, but unfortunately they found a way to get one past Hank."

Unlike most typical four-on-fours where the damn gimmick determines the extra point, both New York clubs went for it, giving us an entertaining five minutes. The way these games should be decided. The Rangers pressed but a sliding Roloson made a great stop on a Callahan redirect and got some help from snake bit Chris Higgins, who overskated a gimme. We talked a lot about him and everyone agreed that the guy has a tremendous work ethic, winning tons of battles at even strength or PK. It's a shame he can't get one because he really gives great effort. His luck must change if this team is to make a push over this next six weeks prior to the Olympic Break.

Unfortunately, as usually happens when you miss opportunities to win it, it comes back to bite ya. With the kids thinking shootout (even I was), the Ranger tandem of Rozsival and Marc Staal backed in too much, allowing Okposo and Nielsen to gain the blueline. What followed was a nice pass play with Mark Streit working as a forward down low, quickly feeding a vacated Okposo for an innocent looking wrist shot from 45. But the puck changed direction off a sliding Gaborik fooling Lundqvist for the winner. Still one he should have had. Just watching the replay and seeing his reaction afterwards, you could tell how much it burned him inside. Sometimes, it's those kind of shots that decide these games.

While Tortorella was right that his team didn't quit, fighting hard to comeback from two to earn a point, it wasn't enough. Against the Islanders in our building, it isn't about silver linings. Once they tied it, they had to win it, making it five straight. Instead, a sour taste was left with again the little brother stealing our thunder. Even if a whiny Isle fan bitched about getting a bloody nose (probably cause he was mouthing off), we came out losers. Four of six games have been played against the guys from Long Island and the Rangers only have one win to show for it. Three lousy points and 0-2 at MSG with one more left. Islander fans who went cheered loudly and should because once again, even on a night their team got only 22 SOG, they found a way to win.

Okposo's big night.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dwayne Roloson, NYI (36 saves incl.28/30 in periods 2 & 3)
2nd Star-Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (2 goals incl. GT w/47 secs left in regulation, 5 SOG, 2 hits, 12-4 draws, +1 in 23:59)
1st Star-Kyle Okposo, NYI (OT winner-snapping 18-gm goal drought, 2 assists, 3 SOG, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots, +2 in 17:05)

1st Annual All Battle Christmas Team

Getting into the holiday spirit, we want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, Kwanza and Festivus during the best time of year! Appreciate what you have and celebrate life. Enjoy all that it gives us. I'm very appreciative for a loving Mom, Dad and the best brother anyone could ask for. Plus all my friends who enjoy my chaos. I love being able to have fun and raise the roof and give 'em some proof cause ya 'll know I speak the truth like Babe Ruth! ;-)

Haha. Okay. That crazy ass rhyme was for Channukah Harry and Santa and his little helpers. Now, to other things puck related. So, when we went to Freehold with our quite jovial Buffalo blogger, we hit up Dick's Sporting Goods and I bought an Eric Lindros stick and puck for 17 and change. Yes. I've never played hockey before. However, I am getting fit and want to also get a net and tape for my first ever stick and fire some shots in the back during this icy winter. Maybe me and Just can play catch like the good 'ole days. :) I'm really in a good mood. It all feels right. Speaking of puck, it's time to honor those who haven't been naughty the most through the first chunk of the season. In our first annual All Battle Christmas Team, we're going to select those players who deserve the best this holiday season has to offer. So, get out your Sabre, Devil, Islander and Ranger stockings!

1st Annual All Battle Christmas Team

G-Ryan Miller, Sabres 31 GP 21 Wins 1.99 GAA .935 Save Pct. 4 SHO


D-Andy Greene, Devils 32 GP 5-16-21 4 PIM +11 4 PPG 3 GW 


D-Tyler Myers, Sabres 36 GP 3-16-19 10 PIM +6 PPG 5 PPP 

LW-Zach Parise, Devils 35 GP 15-25-40 8 PIM +20 2 PPG 13 PPP SHG


C-John Tavares, Islanders 38 GP 16-12-28 10 PIM 8 PPG 15 PPP 2 GW

RW-Marian Gaborik, Rangers 35 GP 26-23-49 14 PIM +10 12 PPG 19 PPP SHG 2 GW


Since we were accounting for all four Battle clubs, we did our best to balance it out. Miller over Marty because he's the reason Buffalo is where it is. If it ended today, he'd sweep the Hart and Vezina. Something, sadly Jose Theodore last did. Sabre fans recall a certain Dominator owning the sport a decade ago. Brodeur is having another fantastic season and will be in the hunt. Also tough was taking JT91 over the trio of Prospal, Roy and Zajac. All have had good seasons but the Wiz Kid is pacing his club in key offensive categories as a teenager, keeping them afloat which must be factored in. Greene was a no-brainer for how well he's performed, going from a healthy scratch to the Devs' most valuable player so far, beating out MB30 and The Zach Attack. Myers was a better choice than Del Zotto due to playing on a better team. Plus he's a little better overall. Rounding out our list is the Great Gabby, who's been everything advertised, earning every cent. The Rangers are four over with the Big Ticket in the lineup. Without, they'd be dead last.

Congratulations to all. May they get everything on their Christmas Wish List tomorrow!

The Breaking Point On Long Island?

Lately, the Islanders have been in a funk. Ever since their win at MSG which drew John Tortorella's ire on the other side of the intense rivalry, they haven't won a game. In fact, Scott Gordon's club has been outscored 12-4 in three straight losses (all on home ice) to the Rangers, Canadiens and the Lightning, who got the last three in a 4-2 win yesterday. If you exclude the Isles' 2-1 Garden triumph, they've dropped the other four by a combined 19-5 with Florida routing them 7-1 eight days ago.

Since returning home where they'll be until New Year's Eve, the Islanders haven't given their fans much to cheer about. Not when you drop four of five and are outscored 20-7, hurting your playoff aspirations in a mediocre bottom half of the East where a couple of wins can leapfrog you over others. At 13-17-7- the low water mark on the Meadowbrook, the Isles suddenly find themselves in 13th with their 33 points only ahead of the dismal Flyers who lost again and the lower than low Candy Canes, who the Rangers beat in Raleigh. Due to the poor stretch, the Islanders trail eighth Florida by six points.

The good news is they have one game at hand. The bad is that there are four other teams in front of them. That doesn't include the Bruins, Thrashers and Senators, who all are separated by one total point from fifth to seventh with the Cats lurking behind. Yep. The Devils, Capitals, Sabres and Penguins should feel pretty good about themselves. All have proven to be good teams who have to be taken seriously. Though we expect Buffalo to get challenged by the B's. If those five make the cut, that leaves 6-8 for the other clubs to scramble for including the Islanders, who must get back on the winning track against the Leafs tomorrow before visiting 33rd and 7th the day after Christmas on Saturday.

Win and it's not all bad. However, you'd have to be locked in a cave to not notice all those Hab fans who turned Nassau Coliseum into their own arena during Saturday's 3-0 shutout of the Isles. A reported 3,000 bused from Montreal to cheer their Canadiens on Blizzard Day. While there was a valid reason for Islander fans not to turn out, it was pretty disturbing to see all the Montreal supporters having their way at a place their team has owned. Only the names were different from Koivu, Kovalev and Higgins with even Scott Gomez joining the fray on a night All-Star defenseman Andrei Markov returned in fine fashion tallying twice. On a night Jaroslav Halak stopped all 40 Islander shots in their tracks, the traditional "Ole, Ole, Ole" chants could be heard along with even "Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Hey Hey, Good---bye" ringing as the final minutes wound down.

How would you feel if you were Charles Wang? Embarrassing stuff. Especially for a franchise that while uncertain off the ice, is on the rise on it featuring wiz kid John Tavares, who paces all rookies in goals (15) and points (27). Four better than Devil Nicklas Bergfors and No.3 overall pick Matt Duchene. When you include the Rangers' Mike Del Zotto, Philly's James Van Riemsdyk and Buffalo's Tyler Myers, there's plenty of local flavor in the Calder discussion. Lots to get excited for.

If only the Islanders had stronger support. Who could blame a fanbase that continues to pay up the nose due to the faulty SMG arrangement in which the organization gets nothing from concessions, helping explain the cost. Still, it doesn't bode well. Especially for Wang's Lighthouse vision. What if he and Nassau County could actually try something called negotiating to reach something that would work for both parties, keeping a team rich in tradition where they belong? On Long Island! While the league continues to be in the Isles' corner, you have to wonder what might happen if something doesn't get done. A scary thought for this Ranger blogger, who enjoys one of the best rivalries in sports. Rangers-Islanders are fun on the ice and in the stands where you can feel the energy and electricity flowing. Whether it's on Broadway or off the Southern State, the games always take on an extra meaning.

I've said it before. I can't imagine life without the classic Battle Of New York. We need the Islanders.

Lundqvist makes statement in badly needed win

Any Ranger fan can tell you who the real leader of this team is. In what's been the most challenging stretch of his career, Henrik Lundqvist manned up after yesterday's no show, taking everyone to task. In backstopping the Rangers to a badly needed 5-2 win over the Islanders in the Coliseum rematch, it was the King who stepped up, finishing with 35 saves- finally snapping the team's five-game winless streak (0-3-2).   On an emotional day that began with a shouting match between healthy scratch Wade Redden and coach John Tortorella, the Rangers got back in the win column thanks to Lundqvist's heroics that included 14 saves in a lopsided first period that saw the host Islanders do everything but finish.

“It is late December and the important thing is for us to become a team and play as a team and play for one another,” a relieved Tortorella said. “I don’t think we’ve gotten there yet.”

Much like last night, they dominated early, outshooting their bitter rival 14-4. The trouble was Henrik wasn't cooperating, stopping the Isles in their tracks. Aided by the game's first two power plays, they built an early 9-zip edge. But a razor sharp Lundqvist wouldn't allow them to get a lead, flat out robbing Rob Schremp with a great leg save. It set the tone for the rest of the night in which his teammates eventually relaxed, even scoring twice in the troublesome first.

The entire first half of the stanza saw the common theme of the Islanders playing solid D while attacking at every opportunity. However, a Mark Streit holding minor handed the Rangers a power play. Though they took the collar in two chances at MSG, the PP had shown some life. A resurgent Ryan Callahan opened the scoring when he buried a Marian Gaborik feed in front with 6:24 left to give his team the lead. At that point, the Islanders held a 12-2 SOG edge but were behind. Amazingly, the Rangers came out with a two-goal lead when a stunning event took place.

Invisible captain Chris Drury- who many including us wanted made an example of along with a furious Tinman- actually showed a pulse by doing something he hadn't done since Oct.19 when things were much better. Yes, he scored a goal. The play was started by Michal Rozsival, who justified Tortorella's faith in him by playing by far his best game of the season. The much maligned defenseman who's the only one along with Lundqvist left from the 2005-06 post lockout team, made a great outlet to setup a two-on-one. Sean Avery's low shot rebounded off Dwayne Roloson right to Drury, who deposited it for just his third 4:50 later, emphatically pumping his fist in a rare show of emotion. At that point, I looked at my Dad and knew they were winning. Even if my brother wanted them to lose to see if the rumor of Slats getting the hook was true. Something I never bought anyway. Especially with the holiday roster freeze.

“It’s happened a lot of times in this building. They come out flying and we have a tough time settling in,” Lundqvist pointed out. “It was important for me personally, and for the team, to stay in there. I don’t know how we had the lead after the first period, but we did.”

Despite three penalties including an undisciplined bench minor which they killed off thanks in large part to Lundqvist, the Rangers led by two into what had to be a much calmer locker room. They had to know they were fortunate to be up. As both astute Islander 'casters Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe alluded to, their team could easily have been up 2 or 3-0. But not today thanks to the goalie, who played like a true captain. His big saves allowed teammates to gain confidence. With them still on a man-advantage, Callahan got his second only 27 seconds in when he took a Gaborik feed and came out of the corner untouched to stuff one past Roloson. It was his fourth in four games and fifth of the month. If there has been one positive, the alternate captain had been steadily improving. Now, he's getting rewarded and actually is up to nine goals. Second behind the Great Gabby.

Trailing by three, the Islanders didn't quit getting one back from Andrew MacDonald, who took a Streit pass and beat Lundqvist high glove for his first career NHL goal, slicing it to 3-1 with still more than half left. But in another good period in which they outshot the Rangers 14-12, the home club couldn't draw any nearer due to the goalie, who was at his best in the late minutes of the second, highlighted by a nice sliding stop of a Trent Hunter tip try from in front. This is what hadn't been happening during this stretch. But it also had to feel nice to actually have three goals on the scoreboard for just the fifth time in the last month.

The Rangers also played with more edge, making Islanders pay for coming near their meal ticket with even Rozsival getting involved. A refreshing change. Dan Girardi threw his weight around nailing Isles every chance he got and even Drury had a good clean hit. The ruggedness led to a five-on-three early in the third which they cashed. Already on the PP, after Lundqvist had closed the door on a Blake Comeau shorthanded bid, there was pushing and shoving. Frans Nielsen didn't like that Rozsival and Vinny Prospal shoved him away from Lundqvist, coming back with a punch with his glove on. It led to a scrum which resulted in one more Islander in the box. Though Rose and Jaffe had a point about how three Isles wound up in against two Rangers with Prospal somehow not while Mike Del Zotto was (huh), the original was going to Nielsen, which is why they came out ahead. On the ensuing PP, Prospal dished across for Gaborik, who buried his league-leading 24th, restoring a three-goal lead. Callahan drew an assist.

Finally in control, the Rangers added one more for insult when rookie Artie Anisimov abused Freddy Meyer and John Tavares for his first goal since Nov.23. The lanky Russian had fallen out of favor and been relegated to fourth line status. But all night, he played hard and finally got rewarded. Off a play started by Girardi, Anisimov took a Callahan drop pass and then went around Meyer powering his way toward the net before stuffing the puck past Roloson with Tavares in the background. A similar highlight reel goal to the two he scored in preseason versus Boston and Detroit. Amazingly, his six markers tie him with Prospal and deserving scratch Ales Kotalik for third most. Makes one wonder what he could do with more minutes.

“We played well, but Lundqvist obviously had one of his better games," a disappointed Tavares lamented after being held off the score sheet. “We played hard. It’s a little frustrating because this one we thought we could’ve had.”

To the Islanders' credit, they didn't give up. A nifty Nielsen redirect of an Andy Sutton shot got them within 5-2 with 4:46 remaining. Despite some solid pressure, it was as close as they got thanks to the game's First Star. Lundqvist. The passionate man who deserves the 'C.'

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Michal Rozsival, NYR (2 assists, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots, takeaway, +1 in game best 26:37)
2nd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (2-2-4, 1st career four-pt game, 4 SOG in 20:26)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (35 saves incl.14/14 in 1st, 27/28 1st 40 minutes)