Deadline deals begin: Downie to Avs, Quincey traded twice

Steve Downie and Kyle Quincey were on the move as part of a three-team trade as Deadline 2012 heats up.

With less than a week to go in this year's trade deadline, a couple of moves were finally made. No. It didn't involve much rumored top fish Rick Nash, which is fine with me since I want no part of him.

However, two players were dealt in essentially a three-team trade. First, the Lightning sent rugged winger Steve Downie to the Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Kyle Quincey. Then, Tampa Bay flipped Quincey to the Red Wings for a 2012 first round pick and minor league blueliner Sebastien Piche.

TRADE BREAKDOWN

Colorado gets physical Downie, who can bang in corners and contribute on stat sheet. The 24-year old has 28 points (12-16-28) with 121 penalty minutes over 55 games. The former '05 first rounder of the Flyers spent four years in Tampa developing into one of the game's top pests. He now joins his third roster trying to boost the Avs' playoff chances.

Tampa Bay recoups another pick as Steve Yzerman continues to sell spare parts. He did well landing a second for Dom Moore and got another second, plus a third for Pavel Kubina, who was shipped to Philadelphia. Now, he gets a first round pick from Detroit, who's all in for another Cup. We don't know much about Piche other than he's already 24 and has been in the AHL.

Detroit acquires a top four defenseman who can relieve pressure off ageless Nick Lidstrom along with Nik Kronwall and Brad Stuart. Quincey, 26, was originally a Red Wing fourth round draft pick in '03. However, he only got into 13 games over three seasons before the Kings claimed him. His best year came during '08-09 in Hollywood when he totaled 38 points (4-34-38). LA dealt Quincey to Colorado in a failed blockbuster for Ryan Smyth. He's a solid blueliner capable of contributing with his 23 points (5-18-23) tied with Erik Johnson for most by a D this season. Now, he'll return to Hockey Town and try to help the Wings win another Cup.

Saturday Matinees for area locals

All three area locals are currently in action on a busy Saturday. The Rangers are visiting the Flyers. At last check, they led 2-1 after one with goals from Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik. Wayne Simmonds has the Flyer goal. The Blueshirts lead Philadelphia by six points for the division. So, it's a pretty big game. Our team also has two games in hand but another win would put even more distance between us and the Flyers.

Meanwhile, across the Hudson the Devils are hosting the Panthers, who lead the Southeast over Washington due to one less game played. Both have 61 points while third Winnipeg is three behind following a stunning 3-2 shootout comeback triumph over the Caps the other night. Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien scored 12 seconds apart to erase a late two-goal Washington lead. That division may only place one team in. So, whoever wins it is huge. The Devs are trying to bounce back from a tough home shootout loss in which they let a one-goal lead slip to St. Louis with Johan Hedberg victimized by T.J. Oshie for the only shootout goal. Only their third such defeat in 12 tries. Martin Brodeur is back in against former backup Scott Clemmensen. The Cats just surged ahead 2-1 on a goal from Kris Versteeg. Steve Bernier has his first for New Jersey while Sean Bergenheim has the other Florida tally.

On Long Island where they honored the past including former defenseman Kenny Jonsson prior to the start by inducting him into their Hall Of Fame, the Islanders and Kings are tied up at one. Dustin Brown just knotted it in the second. Michael Grabner got his 15th in the first from Mark Eaton and Kyle Okposo. It's Evgeni Nabokov against Jon Quick in net. The Isles need every win while LA's in a tight race with Phoenix, Dallas, Colorado and Minnesota for the final two spots.

Updating the Ranger game, Claude Giroux has tied it with his 22nd from Simmonds and Scott Hartnell. Might it be one of those three-point games later today? They've gotten to Henrik Lundqvist twice, which has to boost their confidence while the Blueshirts have tallied their two against Sergei Bobrovsky. And just as we're typing away, Callahan has his second of the day and third in two games on the Rangers' second power play goal of the game. This isn't a misprint. It actually happened! Stop the presses. Mike Del Zotto and Gaborik set it up. So, the Rangers now lead 3-2 with half of regulation left.

In other action last night, the Sabres earned a big two points by coming back to stun Dallas 3-2 in a skill competition. They rallied from a two-goal third period deficit, including Derek Roy's equalizer at 19:21 with Ryan Miller on the bench for an extra attacker. Nathan Gerbe's backhand top shelf beat Kari Lehtonen and Michael Ryder missed against Miller as Buffalo climbed to 54 points. They still trail Winnipeg by four and eighth Toronto by eight with 28 games remaining. They are hot though and there's still enough time left. Especially with Miller back on and Thomas Vanek scoring last night. Even Ville Leino is contributing. He had two assists in a 6-0 drubbing of Boston earlier this week. Buffalo hosts the Lightning tonight at 7.

The other game of note is Winnipeg visiting Pittsburgh. So far, it's the Jets leading 2-zip on goals from Kyle Wellwood and Alex Burmistrov. What a great story it would be if they somehow won the Southeast in their first year back. It should be some finish. We'll try to have more later.

Richie's OT winner bolts former club

All Brad Richards needed was his former club to end a slump. The '04 Conn Smythe winner delivered a clutch goal much like he had to win in Tampa Bay- scoring the overtime winner in an exciting Ranger 4-3 comeback win last night at MSG.

Richards entered ice cold with just one goal over the previous 12 games. Finding himself in the unfamiliar position of starting on the fourth line, the first-year Blueshirt who was brought in to add offense worked his way up throughout a spirited third with earlier goalscorer Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin. On a rare occasion where the power play clicked on a Callahan tip off a Michael Del Zotto shot, Richards was able to score his team-leading seventh game-winner at 2:37 of OT thanks to a great set up from Artem Anisimov. It allowed him to breathe easier as teammates jumped off the bench to mob him.

Most importantly, it was another example of a team not giving in following a disappointing showing against the Devils. In an odd yet entertaining affair in which the Lightning led twice, the Rangers picked themselves up with a great third and OT to prevent a losing streak. Playing with a sense of purpose after a second that saw backup Marty Biron let in consecutive Tampa goals off the sticks of Vinny Lecavalier and ex-Isle Bruno Gervais, the hosts attacked their opponents with vigor, creating a lot of chances. Mathieu Garon was steady. Brian Boyle missed an earlier opportunity when he rang one off the post but on kind of a fluky play, the checking center took a Hagelin feed and whipped the puck past the Tampa netminder, tying it with under 10 minutes left.

"It’s like other good teams that I’ve been on. There’s never a panic in the locker room,” Richards said. `We’ve been through it, and we’ve got a game plan. We’ve executed many times and we’re very confident.”

“I think it’s a mindset. If you have some success, and we have had some success in the third period, you try to go back to that,” Tortorella pointed out of his team's resilience. “We were playing well. They are such an opportunistic team, it doesn’t take much for them to score goals.”

Boyle's fourth point over the last six felt like poetic justice following a Dom Moore cheap shot knocked out linemate Ruslan Fedotenko. Amazingly, Moore only received two minutes for roughing for a blindside hit that made contact with his head from behind. Moments earlier, Fedotenko delivered a check to Moore. Was he paying him back? He denied it later. The hit was being reviewed by the league. John Tortorella refused comment. But Richards said it was the type of hit that needs to be eliminated.

As for the game's conclusion, the Rangers still needed a pair of Biron denials on leading goalscorer Steven Stamkos in the final minute of regulation just to make overtime. Stamkos had earlier burned Biron, Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman for a late first period goal on a nice backhand deke five-hole. It was his league best 36th of the season. This time, Biron got the better of the former No.1 overall pick. On a night where he wasn't required to make many stops, those were the best of his 14.

In OT, Anisimov and Del Zotto combined to force a turnover and then helped set up Richards' game decider. Anisimov took a Del Zotto pass and circled down low for a two-on-one and then made a great pass for Richie, who buried his 17th from a tough angle at the left side of a helpless Garon.

"Don't give up on that guy. It'd be the wrong thing to do," praised Tortorella of his star pupil he also coached with the Lightning to their only championship.

For a team that hasn't been lighting the lamp with regularity, it was good to see them dig deep against a team that's been hot of late, winning eight of 10 with only one regulation defeat. They made it tough on the Rangers with our team getting victimized by Tampa's skill. But the win made it the seventh time this season that the Blueshirts refused to lose two in a row. A great quality which allowed them to move five points up on idle Boston for the conference lead. With the Flyers edging the Leafs, it's a four-point lead for the Atlantic with the Devils seven out due to a shootout loss to St. Louis (4-3) and the Pens eight back. Another big test tomorrow with a visit to Philly who they've dominated thus far. It shouldn't be easy.

Rangers hit by Lightning Bolt

How fast is Steven Stamkos? Well, perhaps in hockey terms, he's the NHL's equivalent to Usain Bolt. The league's best offensive player continued to dominate, scoring and setting up two others in a 5-3 Lightning win over the Rangers which wasn't that close.


Just how bad were the Blueshirts? In keeping with the Thanksgiving tradition which most families will be celebrating, they were turkeys, getting completely outplayed by a much quicker Tampa club that dismantled the PK which came in having killed 24 straight. If there's such a thing as automatic, it's the Bolts' power play which boasts top scorer Stamkos and one of the game's best quarterbacks, Martin St. Louis. Naturally, our flat team took penalties and watched like Tinmen as they showed them how it's done. Moving the puck like a magnet, they connected three times, including an identical pair off Stamkos rebounds by Ryan Malone, who proved to be a headache.

The Rangers never established anything, falling behind quickly when Malone was allowed to bang into an irate Henrik Lundqvist and stuff home a rebound. Aside from forgetting to show the first 40 minutes, the road club was treated like garbage by the blind mice in stripes. Fairly appropriate considering how many times our goalie was mugged. Since when is it okay to skate into the crease and bang into the netminder without even attempting to get out of the way? This occurred at least four times and not a darn thing was done. Hell. They even nabbed Henrik for unsportsmanlike conduct (diving). They already stunk, getting only seven shots on Mike Smith the first two stanzas including a measly one the first 13-plus of the second.

Aside from our top line (Frolov-Anisimov-Gaborik) taking the night off, the Lightning had the puck most of the game due to total faceoff domination. I forget the numbers but I think we won like 22 and they had more than double. Do the math. It just doesn't compute. Our faceoffs have been an issue all year but they've escaped due to a great work ethic. Something that wasn't there.

From the goal out, it was a nightmare. To be fair, Lundqvist was left to fend for himself. He did let up a bad rebound on Malone's second PPG and should've had Steve Downie's one-timer from 40 out which ended all doubt, putting Tampa up 4-zip. It would late be credited to Brett Clark, who was to Lundqvist's side. Maybe he snuck a stick in but eh. It wasn't a good goal. Perhaps John Tortorella's decision to rest our franchise backstop backfired. He had a five day layoff. Whatever the reason, Lundqvist again wasn't what he needs to be allowing three-or-more for like the ninth 10th time. Disturbing.
I didn't even see the fifth goal but I'm assuming there wasn't much he could do. He is a stand up guy and admitted there were at least two he felt he made the wrong plays on but otherwise felt good and liked the way he responded in the third, including denying Malone's bid for a hat trick. Too bad nobody kicked the stuffing out of him.

With the Islanders and Devils more interesting, we kinda went away from this one. I also picked up a futuristic honoring my friend Lyndzay who's no longer with us eight months now. His family came in from Atlanta for Turkey Day. Getting back to the game, before I left Steve Eminger out of all people scored snapping the shutout off a nice setup from Derek Stepan. One of the few Rangers who competed. You can figure out the others. Tort threw his top line under the bus. Particularly Gaborik, who must be better. Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky always show as do Eminger, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, who deserves to be an All-Star. Too bad he won't get a sniff while Sean Avery racks up votes in the meaningless exhibition. If only Avery contributed on the score sheet. When the hell is the last time he drew a penalty? I know Tort doesn't use him properly but come on. He's underachieved. Besides, he's got a target on his back which apparently hit again because he had the audacity to stand up for a fallen teammate. So, the dopes tossed him (17 PIM). Probably was phoned in by the NHL Police.

At least they made it interesting late thanks to a Brian Boyle shorthander while I was out, texted by my Dad. That's TEN!!!!! TEN GOALS for Brian Boyle while a dog like Frolov is stuck on five. Congrats to the Boston kid. All the hard work has paid off. What a year. One other point which I mentioned in pre-game tweets. I wouldn't have matched the Arty line against Stamkos. Tortorella screwed up using them against the best line in hockey. Not shockingly, they got exposed. Why not try Boyle's energy do everything unit with Ruslan Fedotenko and Brandon Prust? God forbid we match our scoring lines against lesser lites giving ourselves a chance. The strategy made zero sense.

I know our D didn't play great but this was more a product of too many guys up front mailing it in. Sloppy turnovers and lazy penalties doesn't add up. Combine a lethal PP and it can get bad in a hurry. I know he hasn't gotten much of a shake from the coach but Matt Gilroy has played well. I'd really like to see him stay in the lineup when Michal Rozsival potentially returns in Friday's match at Florida. He probably won't because they refuse to sit Mike Del Zotto, who if he's not contributing is still a project in his end. I wish Joe Micheletti would just shut up already!

One miracle did take place in this travesty in the form of a five-on-three goal. Yes, this happened when Gabby setup Stepan, who ripped his fifth cutting it to 5-3 with like a minute and change left. D-Step now has eight points over seven games and got rewarded with 21+ minutes while Anisimov (9+) and Frolov (12+) rode the pine. That's what I admire about Tort. He will make examples of guys. Arty hasn't been good lately. They need better. And Fro has been a mystery all season. At least in Jersey, it's understood why his Russian comrade Ilya Kovalchuk can't score.

Trailing by two with under 60 seconds remaining, Tort pulled Lundqvist for a six-on-four. Gabby nearly cut it to one but his shot was blocked, allowing the Bolts to finally escape.


BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (PPG plus assist)
2nd Star-Ryan Malone, TB (2 power play goals)
1st Star-Steven Stamkos, TB (league leading 20th of season, 2 helpers)

Halak blanks Flyers

Jaroslav Halak blanks the Flyers, stopping all 35 shots to lead the Canadiens to a huge 1-0 win at a furious Wachovia Center which booed lustily as one would expect. Tomas Plekanec's 24th back in the first was the difference thanks to outstanding work from Halak who stoned a frustrated Philly team at every turn, including 14 clutch stops in a dominant third by a desperate home team. In fact, they outshot the Habs 14-3. However, couldn't get one past the Montreal netminder that's carried Les Habitants down the stretch.

Updating the playoff race, here's how it looks:

*1.Caps 112 Pts
*2.Sabres 96 Pts
*3.Devils 95 Pts
*4.Pens 95 Pts
*5.Sens 91 Pts
6.Habs 84 Pts
7.Bruins 82 Pts
8.Flyers 82 Pts
_______________
9.Thrashers 80 Pts
10.Rangers 78 Pts
11.Canes 76 Pts
12.Islanders 74 Pts
13.Panthers 74 Pts
14.Lightning 74 Pts

Only the Leafs, who have 71 are eliminated. Yet they're playing spoiler coming back to steal a point from the Rangers over the weekend and then stunning the Sabres, who are fighting for the No.2 seed last night. The Devils disappointing 2-1 shootout defeat to the Hawks which saw a seeing eye Kris Versteeg shot tie it with under 30 seconds left is included. By virtue of the one point, it allows them to vault past the Pens by virtue of owning the season series 6-0. Each club has five left along with identical 44-26-7 marks good for 95 points apiece. One less than Buffalo.

The Rangers continue to lead the Lightning 4-zip with under nine minutes left in the third. Assuming they win, that puts them at 80 points into ninth just ahead of Atlanta due to one more win and one fewer game played. They'd be only two back of both Boston and Philadelphia with five to go. The Blueshirts' next game is at Florida tomorrow night. The Panthers have given them trouble. So, nothing should be assumed.

When the game concludes, we'll have a recap along with full standings update.

Super first real statement

Super and this team don't usually go hand in hand. But you have to tip your cap at what the Rangers were able to do against an invisible opponent in Tampa. At least for 20 minutes, they thoroughly dominated the Lightning, outscoring them 4-zip.
The four-goal barrage was started by constant Brandon Prust who's quickly evolving into a fan favorite. Just his play alone merits the trade with Calgary a success. Since Tort moved Artem Anisimov to the fourth line with Prust and Jody Shelley, who also has played well lately suddenly the Ranger fourth line is effective. On the game's opening tally, a big hit by Shelley led to a turnover in the corner and then Prust came out with the puck and stuffed home his own rebound past Mike Smith to set the tone. Just 25 seconds later, ever improving Marc Staal lit the lamp again for two nil. With a punchless Tampa club going through the motions, former Bolt Vinny Prospal notched his 19th when his backhand went off a Tampa defenseman and in. The exclamation point on the statement period was Brandon Dubinsky scoring a power play goal when his low shot caromed off poor Kurt Foster who was too late with his stick sealing Dubi's career best 19th.

Amazingly, the Rangers only led in shots 7-6 but had the puck plenty and controlled the tempo. Tort also deployed Staal and Dan Girardi against the dangerous scoring line of Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Steve Downie. Thus far, the trio is without a shot all minuses. Can our club keep it up or will their be a mental lapse? One thing's for sure. Henrik Lundqvist could've spent the first at a beach. We'll see if it continues.

In one game they have an eye on, the Canadiens lead the Flyers 1-0 late in the second. What the Blueshirts hope for is one team wins in regulation, preventing the dreaded three-point game. Second underway. More later!

No April Fool's: Luck falls Rangers' way

On a day the Rangers stayed home and prayed for good results, they got exactly what they coveted on April Fool's Day no less. Not only was the Spring weather a welcome sight but the scoreboard was as well with the Islanders, Panthers and Capitals all cooperating to aid the idle Broadway club whose fate might get determined in sunny Florida this weekend.

First, the Panthers came into Beantown and dealt the Bruins a crushing 1-0 shutout loss thanks to clutch netminding from former Devil Scott Clemmensen, who turned aside all 36 shots in support of Keith Ballard's early goal. While that was taking place, the Rangers' No.1 rival the Islanders did something they hadn't in over two years. Beat the Flyers. Scott Gordon's club snapped a 15-game winless streak (0-12-3) in fine style by lighting the lamp six times in a 6-4 home win. On the strength of two more Blake Comeau tallies, they quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Ex-Isle Arron Asham got one back but Trent Hunter's ninth early in the third chased Brian Boucher, who permitted five goals on 24 shots. Jon Sim added his 12th which proved too much for a desperate Philly team to overcome as they fell to former netminder Martin Biron (31 saves).

The hat trick saw Eastern leader Washington snap a three-game skid by edging divisional rival Atlanta 2-1. Matt Bradley's third period marker along with Semyon Varlamov's 19 stops were the difference, preventing the ninth Thrashers from making it a four-way log jam for the final three spots occupied by the Flyers, Canadiens and Bruins. A huge dent to Atlanta's chances with only four games left all against stiff competition getting Pitt twice, the Devils and the same Caps.

As it stands right now, Philadelphia still is in sixth by virtue of one more win (38) than seventh Montreal, whose 37 are two better than eighth Boston. The trio remain stuck on 82 points with the Thrash's 80 two off the pace and the Rangers trailing by four. However, it's not that simple. With the Hurricanes gaining a point in a tough 2-1 overtime loss to Ottawa who clinched tonight and are just three behind fourth New Jersey, Paul Maurice's club sits 10th with 76 points. Starting with the Devils visiting Raleigh Saturday, they'll need to run the table with Tampa, Montreal and Boston on tap. Imagine if that 4/10 matinee at Boston meant something. Highly unlikely but you never know. Even the Islanders, Panthers and Lightning are still alive but can only get to 84 and need plenty of help to pull off a miracle.

Meanwhile, the Rangers now know that a successful two days in Florida means they likely are very much in play. True enough, they're 3-0-1 over the last four with just that devastating OT loss to the Leafs preventing a four-game win streak. Brownie points won't work anymore. It's all about the 'W.' Can an inconsistent team that according to WFAN talkie Steve Somers owns the second worst record next to Edmonton since their 7-1-0 start really put it all together with it all on the line? Conventional wisdom says no because they've failed to deliver. Flat performances in do-or-die spots versus Montreal, Boston and even St. Louis leave plenty of doubt. Hell. That first period against the Islanders before they woke up was an abomination. With six games remaining, they actually have more margin to work with, especially finishing with a home-and-home versus the hated Flyers. However, it won't come easy.

Bottom line. You just don't know what you'll get each night. This is a team capable of beating better competition and then falling on its ass against lightweights. Who knows what to expect tomorrow in Tampa? They better remember to check Steven Stamkos or it could be "lights out." The Panthers have always given them trouble. So, that sure ain't a gimme. Get through it and they conclude with four games in six including a challenging three in four beginning Tuesday in Buffalo with the pesky Leafs the following night back at MSG along with the first of two versus the Flyers on Friday 4/9. The final game is Sunday 4/11 at 3 ET in enemy territory.

Fasten your seatbelts. It could be a wild ride.

Big second rallies Rangers past Bolts

No Gaborik. No Del Zotto. No problem. In what amounted to a pivotal game before the Olympic Break, the Rangers made their Valentine's Day extra sweet by rallying back to defeat the Bolts 5-2 at The Garden this afternoon. A big second period proved to be the difference in their second consecutive win that moved them into 10th with 63 points, tying Tampa Bay who by virtue of one less game played, is ninth a point behind Montreal.

Following up a great character win in which they lost both Gaborik and Del Zotto with a rare victory on home ice was exactly the recipe. With their next game not till March 2 at Ottawa, the Rangers showed more fight in rebounding from a tough first by exploding for four goals in the second en route to their 28th win of the season. Erik Christensen scored twice and set up another to break out of a slump that saw him enter with only three points (all assists) over the past 14 contests.  The three points matched a career best that came against Boston on Mar.29, 2007, which coincidentally was his last multi-goal game. Nice to see the versatile waiver bargain get rewarded.

"I think it's been a steady climb since I got here," he said after also just missing his first career hat trick when a shot rang off the right post. "I was unsure of myself when I first got here, trying to keep my head down. I didn't know what to expect. Management had been working with me to become a more confident person, and a more confident player."

Christensen atoned for an undisciplined minor that negated a power play midway through the opening 20, stemming the tide. Both clubs came out playing tight defensive hockey with few shots. Following a Zenon Konopka-Aaron Voros scrap, the Rangers blew consecutive man-advantages with Christensen negating the second with a trip. Eventually, the Lightning capitalized on an abbreviated five-on-four when dangerous finisher Steven Stamkos sent a left point shot that changed direction off a sliding Ryan Callahan, fooling Henrik Lundqvist for the game's first goal. After a brief encounter between Matt Walker and Brandon Prust, Tampa kept it going with sustained pressure that led to Steve Downie deflecting home another Stamkos shot for a 2-0 margin 1:40 apart. Alex Tanguay added a secondary assist.

In a two-goal hole minus two top players, the Blueshirts came out flying during a huge middle stanza that saw them connect four times on 10 shots. It started early thanks to an unlikely player doing an unlikely thing. Sean Avery converted a penalty shot just 100 seconds in injecting life on the bench and the building. The oddity took place when off a Downie turnover inside his blueline, Artem Anisimov slipped a pass for Avery, who was hauled down from behind. Thinking penalty shot, he pointed to center ice and then was properly awarded the opportunity. What came next was more shocking with Avery coming in with the puck and going way wide to the left before snapping one past Smith from a tough angle for his seventh of the season. For a guy who hasn't scored much, it was a revelation. The goal was sweet, eerily reminding us of a No.11 that hangs from the rafters. Ser---iou---sly.

"Avery's shot was a great move and a big goal for us," Lundqvist expressed. "I challenged him a couple of times in practice and told him he would never do that move in a game. It was awesome."

Many instances this season, the Rangers have gotten scored on before a goal was announced, sucking the air out of MSG. It nearly reared its ugly head again. Out of all people, Nate Thompson who scored yesterday in a loss to his former team the Islanders, had a glorious chance to make it 3-1. Instead, a sliding Lundqvist stretched over to rob Thompson's point blank backhand, getting the glove out in the nick of time. Before they drew even, the rating Swedish gold medalist who'll hop on a plane with Team USA duo Callahan and Chris Drury stoned Martin St. Louis during a four-on-four. A Dan Girardi turnover led to a two-on-one with Victor Hedman backhanding one across for St. Louis, who was denied by Lundqvist. He kicked it out. With the crowd serenading the popular netminder with familiar "Hen---rik, Hen---rik," chants, the Blueshirts came the other way three-on-two with Christensen and Marc Staal setting up Vinny Prospal in the slot for the equalizer. It was his fifth goal in five games. With an assist later, he went into the break with eight points over that stretch.

Carrying momentum, the Rangers didn't let up. Using a relentless forecheck, they tilted the ice spending extended time in the Bolts' end. One sequence eventually led to Christensen's first of the day. Off some strong defensive work, they worked the puck to an open Michal Rozsival, whose point blast went just wide. But they recovered it and cycled back to Rozsival, who dished to Prospal. Feeling like a power play, he quickly moved it to an isolated Christensen who came out of the right corner and fired thru Smith's five-hole for the lead at 12:06. He wasn't done. On the next shift, an excellent read led to a breakaway. After stealing the puck from Martin St. Louis, he broke away and netted his fourth as a Ranger 1:46 later. Evolving into a three-on-one, the quick skating Christensen felt backcheck pressure and fired upstairs from the right circle for an unassisted tally, suddenly making it 4-2.

Despite being outshot 13-10, the Rangers had superior skill and goaltending. They also played sound two-way hockey, paying attention to every little detail transitioning for offense. As Dave Malonely noted, a page out of the Tom Renney book. Not a bad thing against an offensive-minded Tampa team that was victimized in its end.

A couple of days after standing up to the whiny Crosby Pens, the Rangers didn't back off at any point against a Lightning club that also has quite a few grinders. We already referenced the two fights with Konopka and Walker dropping the gloves against Voros and Prust. Their roster also features Colton Orr victim Todd Fedoruk, who exchanged pleasantries with Avery between benches. Thompson is no stranger to fighting and even slumping Ryan Malone (assist) can scrap. With our lineup more bulked up featuring newest Ranger Jody Shelley (8 shifts-2:51), who debuted donning his trademark No.45, the rough stuff shouldn't be an issue anymore. Not surprisingly, Shelley and Konopka had words following a shift but nothing materialized. A frustrated Downie tried to stir it up at the end of the second with he and Avery each getting matching roughs.

Perhaps that rubbed off on our D with Rozsival finishing every check and pushing guys away from the net while partner Staal had a strong game finishing plus-three. Even Wade Redden played with more edge. Emergency recall Corey Potter (21 shifts-15:37, 2 hits) was fine and Matt Gilroy sufficient.

Echoing Prospal's words about the well earned triumph Thursday, the Rangers finished the job with a workman like third. Out of Tampa's nine offerings, only a couple were dangerous with Lundqvist making a couple of tricky saves off redirects, including one from Downie. Other than two weird goals, he was superb turning aside the last 22 to shut the door. Exactly what they needed and must continue when the season resumes with 20 games left. The guys in blue, red and white also were disciplined, handing the Bolts only three power plays. In the win over Pitt, they permitted two.

Avery came close to scoring his second with Smith just getting a piece of a right circle shot against the grain. It didn't matter. When Drury sealed it with an empty netter for his 10th, it was the vet's 250th goal and 600th career point, getting congrats from an excited bench. Fitting for a guy who's played better with more important games coming for our country in Vancouver. Hopefully, he can help Team USA surprise many and continue the upswing down the stretch.

Notes: Enver Lisin was a healthy scratch again. ... Prospal-Christensen-Callahan were a combined plus-nine. ... Smith permitted four goals on 22 shots. ... Vincent Lecavalier was held off the scoresheet with just one shot and a minus-two rating. ...Only five Rangers didn't register hits (Callahan-5). Callahan also had four takeaways. ... Rangers blocked 15 shots to Tampa's eight with five players all getting in the path of two, including Anisimov, who made a key block during Bolts' power play in third.

... Having played 62 games, the Rangers are 28-27-7 with 63 points sitting in 10th a point behind the Habs. They visit Ottawa 3/2 and return home to host Pittsburgh 3/4 during a tough four in six day stretch that includes a visit to Washington and a second of back-to-back versus Buffalo at MSG.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Sean Avery, NYR (PS goal-7th of season, 4 SOG, 3 hits in 17 shifts-13:38)
2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (27 saves incl. final 22 for 25th win of season-3rd in 4)
1st Star-Erik Christensen, NYR (2 goals incl. GW, assist, 2 takeaways, hit, +3 in 20:42)

Islanders and Rangers both in action

Both the Islanders and Rangers are in action tonight. The Isles visit the Pens aiming for five in a row while the Blueshirts host the Lightning at The Garden, looking to follow up a six-goal explosion in a win over the Habs for two straight. Each game goes off at 7:30. We'll be in our Sec.411 Row F seats and back later with recaps.

Light Gate Conclusion handled well in all aspects

Well, as Hasan already posted, the Lightning and Devils finally completed Friday's game earlier before 3,000 who returned to The Rock in which fans were allowed to move down for the third. Tampa Bay held off New Jersey 4-2, earning a valuable two points that put them into a 11th place tie with idle Atlanta- four points behind Ottawa and Montreal. Busing back from Philly while the host Devs flew in following last night's overtime win in Brodeur land, it wasn't too conventional. But the Bolts still took Light Gate despite getting outscored 2-1. As one Dev fan on Twitter noted, that's gotta be a first.

It was a tough situation to be sure but both teams handled the adversity well, fitting in the final 29:12 to get on with hectic schedules the rest of the way.

“It was a little weird,” super soph Steven Stamkos expressed after getting his second of the game over two days. “We prepared twice for this game. It was a half-game and a half-game. The travel wasn’t bad. We were in Philly, so it was only a bus ride away. It was something a lot of guys haven’t experienced in a while. It felt like we were back in junior, but it was worth it.”

For winning goalie Mike Smith who finished with 33 saves, he actually flashed back to a couple of years back in junior for Sudbury when their playoff game against Toronto-St. Michael's encountered a similar electrical issue.

“We were up 3-1 in the series before the lights went out and we ended up playing the game the next day and lost in overtime, and ended up losing the series,” the Tampa Bay goalie noted. “It was a little better outcome this time.”

Of a game that needed just 67 minutes to finish off, perhaps goalscorer Travis Zajac summed it up best:

“It’s a little weird when you start a faceoff in the neutral zone and then you feel like you’re getting going and the period is over. I think going into it we felt we had a chance to come back and make it interesting. We skated well, made some plays, but it just didn’t happen for us.”

It wasn't ideal either for the same two referees Steve Kozari and Tim Peel, who both returned for the conclusion while linesmen Derek Nansen and Jean Moran subbed for David Brisebois and Don Henderson. Kudos must go out to the officials and a hard working crew who readied the ice on short notice. At least everyone made the best of an odd situation.


“Everything about this situation was odd, from Friday sitting around here waiting to see what would happen, to playing a game when you’re worried about something the night before,” Devil and new Team USA Olympic captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. “Under the circumstances, we handled it well. We played well all weekend. Now we move forward.”

Game To Resume At Future Date

Updating Light Gate, according to WFAN's Matt Loughlin via NHL spokesman Frank Brown, the game will be rescheduled at a later date with it being resumed with the Bolts up 3-0 with 9:12 remaining in the second period. There should be some sort of future announcement. The question becomes when. Hopefully, they'll be able to work at out ASAP because the points could be crucial for both teams. For the Devils, perhaps a top seed at stake while for Tampa Bay, maybe the playoffs.

We'll have a much better idea down the road. Special thanks to Matty and Sherry Ross for keeping fans informed during Devils postgame.

Light Gate A Black Eye For League

I know it's cheesy. But I can't think of anything else at the moment for what just happened in Newark. How else do you explain a two hour delay for a bank of lights that went out on a second-year arena? Wow. Lou Lamoriello has just termed it a circuit breaker. And PSE & G is there and won't get it fixed tonight. Haha. Maybe they should find a new sponsor.

Light Gate is what we're calling it because I'm too dumbfounded by the lack of communication, screwing over so many fans. It's not all the Devils' fault here as it was the genius at work with his little minions that couldn't decide at an appropriate time that it wasn't going to be resumed. What about the fans? Oh wait. They don't count. If you didn't figure that out by now following the lockout, then you've been living in a cave probably with Batman.

It's just a very bad situation where nobody wins. The teams both wanted to continue playing and Andy Greene via WFAN Devils postgame was quoted as saying, they figured 10-15 minutes at the most. Lou indicates that the plan was to get the players back out for a 10-minute warm up before starting up again. Sensible. We agree that you always side cautiously with safety coming first. Something a smart man like Lamoriello knows. It's a shame that it incovenienced so many with the fans not knowing until essentially two hours later.

Concluding on what is a very difficult press conference for Lou, he doesn't have the slightest idea if they'll resume with Tampa in front with 9:12 remaining in the second. What exactly does this say about the NHL? How clueless can they be? Is it fair for the Lightning to get screwed out of three goals and play it totally over? Who knows anymore. This is yet another example of poor leadership and it starts at the top. When will it finally change?

A Devilish Delay: Game Postponed

In a game our blogger is probably at, the Devils and Lightning currently are waiting to resume play. They've been delayed about an hour due to a power outage. With 9:12 remaining in the second period, the Devils were trailing the Bolts 3-0 when apparently, some lights went out at The Prudential Center.

Perhaps Hell was freezing over with Satan in disbelief over the score and decided to flip the switch. Tampa hardly came in on fire. So, it's pretty shocking that they're up three on the Eastern leader who never loses at home. The Lightning have three goals on seven shots against Martin Brodeur showing just how bizarre this Friday night is. Too bad it's not Friday The 13th. Is there a full moon out?

The Devils outshot their guests 14-4 in the first but trailed by one due to a Steve Downie power play goal. Thus far, special teams have been the story with Tampa connecting twice in three power plays while New Jersey is 0-for-2. Speaking to how weird it is to see the Devs down like this, the immortal Brandon Bochenski- who once was dealt straight up for Kris Versteeg- has his first goal in three years. Wonder who won that deal?

Steven Stamkos has also tallied his team best 22nd from Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier with the third marker coming with 9:56 left. A mere 44 seconds before the magic electric trick. This can't be what's meant by PSE & G Power Play. :-P

It's now over an hour delay in Newark. Per the Lightning on Twitter, a pic of Stamkos hoping to get back out there. We'll know more soon.

UPDATE: After much dilly dallying while fans patiently waited hoping for more hockey, the NHL has postponed the game. The issue is that this was the final regular season meeting, meaning they're going to have to find a date that works for Tampa and the Devils. Figure they'll continue from the point it got halted with the Bolts leading 3-zip with 9:12 remaining.

Most appalling is how long this process took with fans who attended having no clue as to what was going on. Why did it take so long for the NHL to come to a decision? It should've been obvious that when it got to an hour that there wasn't going to be anymore hockey tonight. Furthermore, this is embarrassing for the Devils as well because they didn't announce anything until the Lightning players had cleared the bench and the nets had been removed my the maintenance crew. How bizarre can you get? Fans aren't stupid. Many headed for the exits once they saw this, not waiting for PA announcer Kevin Clark's announcement which thanked fans for their patience. Huh? Why did it take so long? I'm at a loss for words.

Deadline deals

There have been already 12 deals today including the biggest one seeing Tampa center Brad Richards shipped along with netminder Johan Holmqvist to the Stars for Mike Smith, Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern.

As I am at work, it's very hard to update everything. But I did manage to find time during lunch break to list these deals and analyze them on my Hitting Back site.

So please feel free to check it out.

I'll try to have more later as I'm extremely busy today including a big concert tonight!

See ya'll later!

Time for change

I wish I had more time to say what I want here but I have a Hard Hits Special NFL Playoff show coming up at the top of the hour including a preview of the first ever Giants-Cowboys postseason match-up in the Divisional Round.

Maybe it's for the best because the other New York team who wears those same Giant colors is anything but these days.

The latest embarrassing loss to the East's worst Tampa Bay- I don't care if they cut it from 4-1 to 4-3 and had nine zillion chances to tie late- it's just another reason to feel if you're a Blueshirt supporter.

Screw all the injury excuses!!!!! I don't care and will be damned if any Ranger fan uses that for why this team can't consistently play close to 60 minutes of hockey and remains an underachiving bunch which could actually miss the playoffs.

This team needs to seriously consider making a change with the coach. I have had it up to here with Tom Renney. His insistence of rolling four lines late in this game cost his team any realistic chance to tie it.

Why with your bench short as is would you send out the stonehands fourth line which has a grand total of two goals at even strength when there's only 4+ minutes to go?!?!?!?!?!?!

Can anyone out there answer that?

With that, I'm done. Renney must go! This team just won't get the results the organization's looking for until they get someone in who's not afraid to pull punches.

Maybe I'll have more after.

Renney is a nice guy but not the right fit for this team. It's time to fire him and save the season from a humiliation.

Who's with me?

Quote of Day

Usually, the quotes they send from the NHL Today come from hockey players or coaches. But this one actually was made by NBA star LeBron James on 2006-07 Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby's impact:


HE SAID IT

“I know he’s great at what he does. They call him ‘Sid the Kid,’ he’s been
great for the Pittsburgh Penguins and what he’s able to do, as young as he is,
is pretty good. I know they compare him to me and I’m excited to be compared to a guy who plays the game the way he does.”

How cool is that? When most would figure a basketball star wouldn't even notice hockey, it turns out not to be true in LeBron's case.

And while it's fairly accurate that most puck fans can't stand basketball, not all athletes who play one of the two winter sports feel the same way about the other.

Just look at Jaromir Jagr as example No.1. The Ranger hockey superstar has gone to Knick games (hopefully not this season though as they suck) and even used basketball terminology and applied it to the game he plays.

If you've also watched how No.68 uses his ass to protect the puck and back in opposing defenders, it looks eerily similar to a low post player making a move trying to score a basket. But in Jagr's case, a goal in the net.

Team defense is actually similar in that you have to move with your man in the defensive end or they'll get free to score an easy basket. In hockey, it's a little more difficult because you still have to beat the goalie even with a quality chance.

But you have a much better opportunity to score if you get away from the defender and are one-on-one with the netminder.

Who would've believed that two totally different sports could be so similar? The more structured you are defensively with your system, the better chance you have of being successful in hockey terms. And the more fundamentally sound you are in your end, the better off you'll be if you want to go far in the NBA playoffs.

This explains why the Spurs have won three NBA titles in the past five years and four dating back to 1999 proving just how valuable Tim Duncan really is. Sure, it helps to have played alongside David Robinson and now the fundamentally sound core of Finals MVP Tony Parker and the versatile Sixth Man Manu Ginobili.

That's why high flying teams such as the Suns never win when it really counts. In the NHL, you have the Thrashers and Lightning who play wide open run and gun styles similar to the one Steve Nash runs in Phoenix. However, unlike Nash who has stars around him that can at least guarantee them some postseason success, Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa don't have enough pieces around their respective teams to even guarantee making this year's playoffs.

Whether it's the lack of consistent goaltending or D as is the case with both Tampa Bay and Atlanta, they're probably on the fringe as far as making the cut in the ultracompetitive East.

Maybe you never viewed these two different sports in this context. But it just goes to show you that LeBron appreciates how special a player Crosby is and can learn from him.


Now that rocks!

Devils Squeeze One Out in Tampa

A Big 3-2 victory for the Devils. Two goals for Brian Gionta, and one by David Clarkson on a brilliant feed by John Madden.

Four consecutive ROAD wins for New Jersey. They come home for Dallas, Montreal, Atlanta, Boston and Washington. Consecutively.

I'm scheduled to go Friday (MTL), Sunday (ATL) and the Friday afterwards (WSH).

8 Points out of 10 is particularly possible for this stand. Hell, 10 out of 10 is if Brodeur keeps playing at his God-ly standards. No Elias for 2 nights in a row and 2 wins.

Devils GameDay: TB vs. NJ, 7:00 PM, FSN (HD), WFAN

The Devils host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at The Rock. Be on the lookout for what Tortorella does with Lecavalier and St. Louis, in case he puts one of them for Richards. Also, the Devils MUST avoid penalties tonight, or it will be a long day for Marty and the boys. Right now, the Devils will look to get a rowdy crowd buoyed by students in Halloween costumes and hopefully out-sell the Nets, who have their home opener against Chicago tonight at the Brendan Byrne Arena, which is now painted with red trim. It made me chuckle while working the Jet game on Sunday.

Back on topic, a reminder that if you are a student and you wear a Halloween costume, you will be allowed into Prudential Center for $10. Hope to see some great costumes tonight, as the winner of the costume contest wins Hannah Montanna tix, which sell for about a zillion dollars.

Anyway, we all know the key will be Lecavalier and St. Louis getting on the board and the Devils, *chuckles*, Deee-fehhhhnse trying to stop them, with the aid of ''6'7, 230 lbs. defender Olli Malmivaara, as the Devils look to dress 7 defensemen tonight, don't be shocked if Mike Rupp sits it out.

On a final note, TSN has this game in Canada.

PREDICTION: Devils finally break the slump, but barely, in the shootout 2-1.

Tweaks to be Made

Devils lose 3-1 tonight to Tampa. Lecavalier with 2. Gionta the lone Devils goal.

Sutter needs to learn that there are times when you must matchup with the other teams best. Johnny Oduya and Mike Mottau out there with Lecavalier on O is not something that should ever repeat.

Brodeur played well, but the Devils gave Johan Holmqvist loads of confidence.

More Tomorrow.

Devils GameDay: NJ vs. TB, 7:30 PM, FSN NY, WFAN

Low Tech Preview for Tonight.

NJD Line Combos:

Defense

Vitaly Vishnevski - Paul Martin

Andy Greene - Karel Rachunek

Richard Matvichuk - Johnny Oduya

Forward Lines

LW Zach Parise C Travis Zajac RW Brian Gionta

LW Patrik Elias C Dainius Zubrus RW Nicklas Bergfors

LW John Madden C Rod Pelley RW Arron Asham

LW Jay Pandolfo C Sergei Brylin RW David Clarkson

According to Rich Chere.

Also, Kevin Weekes will backup Martin Broudeur tonight.

Keys to the Game:

1. Shut Down Both Offensive Lines. Keeping Richards, St. Louis and Lecavalier is likely the reason that the Madden-Pandolfo line has been split up. If they can neutralize both of their units, the Devils will have a shot at winning.

2. Forecheck. Put pressure on an already unstable defense, now without the injured Dan Boyle.

3. Put the Puck in the Net. Simple as that.

Prediction: Devils 3, Lightning 2.