Earlier today, the league announced the starters for the upcoming All-Star Game.
Here's who that elite list of stars will include:
2008 Eastern Conference All-Star Team Starting Lineup
Goal: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
Defense: Andrei Markov, Montreal
Defense: Zdeno Chara, Boston
Forward: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
Forward: Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay
Forward: Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa
2008 Western Conference All-Star Team Starting Lineup
Goal: Roberto Luongo, Vancouver
Defense: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
Defense: Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
Forward: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit
Forward: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
Forward: Jarome Iginla, Calgary
From the look of things, two quick notes:
1.No Ilya Kovalchuk for the stacked East
2.The Western lineup with the exception of goaltender is made up of all Red Wings and Flames.
We'll have much more later on.
Covering the Rangers, Devils, Islanders and Sabres five years running along with the rest of the puckers!
BONY
Battle Of New York
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Rangers woes continue (Updated already)
Updated seconds after posting: This goes at the top because it is out of control. Marek Malik skated on the third line, yes the third line on offense with Parenteau and Hossa towards the end of practice. Shanahan is definately out. This just may be a game you want to record and play back a couple of times. Or maybe the complete opposite.
The Rangers haven't played a game since Saturday night, yet as the days pass, so do the bad fortunes. I need to use bullet form to fill you in on everything that is going on, so here we go.
- Brendan Shanahan did skate this morning, will try out the contusion on his knee in tonight's pregame warmups, but Tom Renney is leaning towards sitting him until Thursday to rest up.
- Martin Straka is out at least one week, possibly more. More will be known after he sees a doctor today to gauge his concussion.
- Sean Avery was slashed on December 30 against Montreal. Because of that slash, Avery has been placed on injured reserve. He played through the pain for the three game road trip, but it was too swollen to continue and a week off will supposedly solve that problem and then he will be good to go.
- Greg Moore was welcomed back to New York with a nice case of the flu. He did not skate this morning and may not play tonight.
- Pierre Parenteau has been recalled from Hartford. If Moore can skate tonight, the line of Parenteau, Moore and Nigel Dawes will be formed. This line has been together in Hartford, so we'll see what happens on the big stage. Chris Drury would move up to the wing with Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr.
So to recap; If Shanahan is out and Moore is in, the line combinations look like:
Drury - Gomez - Jagr
Prucha - Dubinsky - Hossa
Dawes - Moore - Parenteau
Orr - Betts - Hollweg
If Moore is out and Shanahan is in:
Dawes - Gomez - Jagr
Shanahan - Drury - Prucha
Parenteau - Dubinsky - Hossa
Orr - Betts - Hollweg
Shanahan and Moore in:
Dawes - Gomez - Jagr
Shanahan - Drury- Prucha
Moore - Dubinsky - Hossa
Orr- Betts - Hollweg
Shanahan and Moore out:
Dawes - Gomez - Jagr
Prucha - Drury - Hossa
Hollweg - Dubinsky - Parenteau
Orr - Betts - Strudwick
Marek Malik would be inserted back onto defense should Strudwick be forced to step in at forward.
No matter how you slice it, tonight's game is going to be a tough one. Kari Ramo is expected to be in net for Tampa Bay, and he has been much less than stellar since being called up to compete for a goaltending spot in Tampa.
I won't be around until just before game time, but I'll update around then if anything else breaks. These line combinations are in no way set in stone, and with six hours until puck drop, another call up may even happen. Tough time in Rangerland right now folks.
The Rangers haven't played a game since Saturday night, yet as the days pass, so do the bad fortunes. I need to use bullet form to fill you in on everything that is going on, so here we go.
- Brendan Shanahan did skate this morning, will try out the contusion on his knee in tonight's pregame warmups, but Tom Renney is leaning towards sitting him until Thursday to rest up.
- Martin Straka is out at least one week, possibly more. More will be known after he sees a doctor today to gauge his concussion.
- Sean Avery was slashed on December 30 against Montreal. Because of that slash, Avery has been placed on injured reserve. He played through the pain for the three game road trip, but it was too swollen to continue and a week off will supposedly solve that problem and then he will be good to go.
- Greg Moore was welcomed back to New York with a nice case of the flu. He did not skate this morning and may not play tonight.
- Pierre Parenteau has been recalled from Hartford. If Moore can skate tonight, the line of Parenteau, Moore and Nigel Dawes will be formed. This line has been together in Hartford, so we'll see what happens on the big stage. Chris Drury would move up to the wing with Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr.
So to recap; If Shanahan is out and Moore is in, the line combinations look like:
Drury - Gomez - Jagr
Prucha - Dubinsky - Hossa
Dawes - Moore - Parenteau
Orr - Betts - Hollweg
If Moore is out and Shanahan is in:
Dawes - Gomez - Jagr
Shanahan - Drury - Prucha
Parenteau - Dubinsky - Hossa
Orr - Betts - Hollweg
Shanahan and Moore in:
Dawes - Gomez - Jagr
Shanahan - Drury- Prucha
Moore - Dubinsky - Hossa
Orr- Betts - Hollweg
Shanahan and Moore out:
Dawes - Gomez - Jagr
Prucha - Drury - Hossa
Hollweg - Dubinsky - Parenteau
Orr - Betts - Strudwick
Marek Malik would be inserted back onto defense should Strudwick be forced to step in at forward.
No matter how you slice it, tonight's game is going to be a tough one. Kari Ramo is expected to be in net for Tampa Bay, and he has been much less than stellar since being called up to compete for a goaltending spot in Tampa.
I won't be around until just before game time, but I'll update around then if anything else breaks. These line combinations are in no way set in stone, and with six hours until puck drop, another call up may even happen. Tough time in Rangerland right now folks.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Evening Rangers update
Not much, but I didn't want to let this go too long without telling everyone. Martin Straka has been diagnosed with a concussion and has been ruled out for at least the next two games. Skating in his place on the top line today at practice was none other than Tom Renney's favorite kid, Nigel Dawes. Greg Moore skated on the second line with Sean Avery and Chris Drury, while Brendan Shanahan took the day off. If Shanahan was seriously injured, Moore probably wouldn't be on the second line, but the third with Brandon Dubinsky and Marcel Hossa. Instead, Petr Prucha remained there today, which could mean that Shanahan is merely day to day.
Still no word on Marek Malik. I'll check in with anything else.
Still no word on Marek Malik. I'll check in with anything else.
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
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!
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!
Roster moves for the Blueshirts
After an 0-1-2 Western Canada tour, the Rangers made some roster changes this morning. Ryan Callahan was officially sent down to Hartford on a conditioning stint. Hopefully he can regain his scoring touch that he exhibited last season and before the untimely knee injury. Being called up to take his place are Nigel Dawes and Greg Moore. They are also up to provide a little insurance as Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka are both question marks for tomorrow's game at home against Tampa Bay. Straka suffered a neck stinger when he went hard into the boards, and Shanahan has a leg bruise from his leg on leg collision with Dustin Penner. Both diagnoses are good news, as knee injuries and concussions would have been much more serious.
Also revealed today was that Henrik Lundqvist's father underwent brain surgery a couple of weeks ago. The netminder's father has been in Lundqvist's head over the course of his up and down play, which would explain his recent struggles. Best of luck to Henrik's father, and here's to hoping a speedy recovery for his and Henrik's sake.
There is no new news yet on the Marek Malik situation. If it is in fact true that he walked out on his teammates in Edmonton, then he does not deserve to be with them anymore. I was never a supporter of the boo birds that he receives at MSG, but if he is inserted back in the lineup, the chorus will be much louder than usual. A change of scenery would be best for everyone involved.
Should Shanahan and/or Straka not be able to play tomorrow, there would be some interesting line combinations. Anyone want to venture a guess? The only line that would remain the same would be the fourth line, so the options are a plenty. I'll check in later if I hear anything new, or tomorrow before the game.
Also revealed today was that Henrik Lundqvist's father underwent brain surgery a couple of weeks ago. The netminder's father has been in Lundqvist's head over the course of his up and down play, which would explain his recent struggles. Best of luck to Henrik's father, and here's to hoping a speedy recovery for his and Henrik's sake.
There is no new news yet on the Marek Malik situation. If it is in fact true that he walked out on his teammates in Edmonton, then he does not deserve to be with them anymore. I was never a supporter of the boo birds that he receives at MSG, but if he is inserted back in the lineup, the chorus will be much louder than usual. A change of scenery would be best for everyone involved.
Should Shanahan and/or Straka not be able to play tomorrow, there would be some interesting line combinations. Anyone want to venture a guess? The only line that would remain the same would be the fourth line, so the options are a plenty. I'll check in later if I hear anything new, or tomorrow before the game.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Undisciplined Rangers lose in shootout
My apologies for not finishing with my updates late last night. After that baffling third period, I couldn't take rehashing it in my mind to write it up. Derek has summed it all up nicely, so I'll just add my opinions.
--Brendan Shanahan's penalty was as undisciplined as it gets. It was stupid and led to the first goal. He doesn't make a habit of it, and has never done so in his 18 season career. That should tell you how frustrated these Blueshirts are getting. His collision with Dustin Penner left him writhing on the ice and caused him to miss all of one shift through the remainder of the third and overtime. He also could not participate in the shootout because of his left leg. Let's hope it is nothing serious, because we need him on the ice for us.
-- Martin Straka was also a little shaken up last night after going hard into the boards. He looked dizzy skating back to the bench, but came back for a couple more shifts. Here's hoping he's alright as well.
-- While there were tons of penalties in that third period and overtime, I didn't think half of them were necessary. Ryan Hollweg undoubtedly deserved a penalty, but a game misconduct and five minute major may have been unnecessary. Maybe just the five minute would have been sufficient, but as someone who preaches that the hits from behind need to stop, I can see how the referees were inclined to throw him out. Straka's hold, Blair Betts' goaltender interference, Joni Pitkanen's roughing and Jared Stoll's interference penalties were all calls that didn't have to be made, especially late in the third period and in overtime. Betts' was the only one that you could really argue, especially coming off of Chris Drury and Sean Avery running into Mathieu Garon.
-- Speaking of Garon; how do the Blueshirts manage to make mediocre goaltenders look like hall of famers? Garon is a good netminder, but not as good as the saves he was making last night. Three posts also doomed the Rangers.
-- There were some things I did like about last night's game, however. While Drury, Avery and Betts all crashed into Garon, they were playing hard to and around the net. If we want to regain the winning ways, we need to be tough in and around the blue paint. Avery was being a pest in front of the net on the game-tying goal by Drury (which was amazing to see) and was on the ice for only that reason. Jason Strudwick stepped in and did a fine job in Marek Malik's absence. He made some silly plays, much like Malik, but at 2.5 million dollars less, I'll take the occasional boneheaded move from him. He never makes the boneheaded moves that end up in our net either. There's no reason why he cannot remain in the lineup.
That's all I have on the Rangers front for now. There may be some lineup changes in the coming weeks, although I hope they will be of the "oh that makes sense" variety, and not the "Rangers trade Dawes and Prucha for Martin Ruchinsky" variety.
Not sure how many people have noticed, but thanks to Derek for some new additions to the blog's page. The youtube clips along the left are great, links to new websites have been added and we now get full league roundups. He has really stepped up in since Steve left. Kudos go out to him.
Enjoy today's football games. Go Big Blue. Please Eli, do not suck.
--Brendan Shanahan's penalty was as undisciplined as it gets. It was stupid and led to the first goal. He doesn't make a habit of it, and has never done so in his 18 season career. That should tell you how frustrated these Blueshirts are getting. His collision with Dustin Penner left him writhing on the ice and caused him to miss all of one shift through the remainder of the third and overtime. He also could not participate in the shootout because of his left leg. Let's hope it is nothing serious, because we need him on the ice for us.
-- Martin Straka was also a little shaken up last night after going hard into the boards. He looked dizzy skating back to the bench, but came back for a couple more shifts. Here's hoping he's alright as well.
-- While there were tons of penalties in that third period and overtime, I didn't think half of them were necessary. Ryan Hollweg undoubtedly deserved a penalty, but a game misconduct and five minute major may have been unnecessary. Maybe just the five minute would have been sufficient, but as someone who preaches that the hits from behind need to stop, I can see how the referees were inclined to throw him out. Straka's hold, Blair Betts' goaltender interference, Joni Pitkanen's roughing and Jared Stoll's interference penalties were all calls that didn't have to be made, especially late in the third period and in overtime. Betts' was the only one that you could really argue, especially coming off of Chris Drury and Sean Avery running into Mathieu Garon.
-- Speaking of Garon; how do the Blueshirts manage to make mediocre goaltenders look like hall of famers? Garon is a good netminder, but not as good as the saves he was making last night. Three posts also doomed the Rangers.
-- There were some things I did like about last night's game, however. While Drury, Avery and Betts all crashed into Garon, they were playing hard to and around the net. If we want to regain the winning ways, we need to be tough in and around the blue paint. Avery was being a pest in front of the net on the game-tying goal by Drury (which was amazing to see) and was on the ice for only that reason. Jason Strudwick stepped in and did a fine job in Marek Malik's absence. He made some silly plays, much like Malik, but at 2.5 million dollars less, I'll take the occasional boneheaded move from him. He never makes the boneheaded moves that end up in our net either. There's no reason why he cannot remain in the lineup.
That's all I have on the Rangers front for now. There may be some lineup changes in the coming weeks, although I hope they will be of the "oh that makes sense" variety, and not the "Rangers trade Dawes and Prucha for Martin Ruchinsky" variety.
Not sure how many people have noticed, but thanks to Derek for some new additions to the blog's page. The youtube clips along the left are great, links to new websites have been added and we now get full league roundups. He has really stepped up in since Steve left. Kudos go out to him.
Enjoy today's football games. Go Big Blue. Please Eli, do not suck.
Some extra Saturday stuff
With it being a very busy Saturday in the league, we figured we'd throw out some other extra stuff as well from other games:
-Toronto captain Mats Sundin's two goals in his team's 3-2 home loss to the Flyers gave him 20 for the season- making it the 17th consecutive season the 35 year-old Swedish pivot has scored at least 20 in his brilliant NHL career.
Sundin, who was taken first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989 has tallied 408 of his 543 with the Maple Leafs since coming over in a trade for Wendel Clark. No.543 last night moved him past Stan Mikita into sole possession for 25th on the NHL's all-time goalscoring list.
Swedish Finisher A Magnificent Mats (Most Consecutive Seasons of at least 20 goals-or-more)
Gordie Howe 22 seasons
*Brendan Shanahan 18 seasons
Marcel Dionne 17 seasons
Brett Hull 17 seasons
Mats Sundin 17 seasons
+Jaromir Jagr 16 seasons
*still active needing five goals to reach 19 straight
+active and needs nine more for 17 in a row
-Emergency third string goalie Ty Conklin continued his amazing story stopping all 35 Panthers shots in backstopping the suddenly surging Pens to a 3-0 shutout- their sixth consecutive win.
The 30 year-old journeymen who's with his third organization in two years has been utterly brilliant since being recalled from AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In six straight starts, he's allowed only eight goals. In fact, he's now seven-for-seven when he gets the nod in net for Pittsburgh, which trails first place New Jersey by just a point.
"Its nice, mostly because the team's been plying so well," Conklin told the Associated Press after yesterday's latest stellar performance. "Everything's a lot more fun when you win."
"When you have a goalie that can make the saves, he's giving you a chance to win, and this is what he's doing right now," Pens' coach Michel Therrien added.
It sure is a lot simpler when you've got a hot goalie. That it would come from such an unlikely source due to a high ankle sprain which has sidelined starter Marc-Andre Fleury makes it even more special for the Penguins.
Conk-ering All (Ty Conklin this season with Pens)
8 GP 7 GS Record: 7-0 2.00 GAA .939 Save Pct 2 SHO
-With another goal (No.32) plus two assists, Calgary captain Jarome Iginla remained red hot in leading his Flames to a 6-4 win over the NHL's worst team the LA Kings.
After a slow start under new coach Mike Keenan, the admirable 30 year-old power forward has turned it up carrying his team to wins in 11 of their last 14 to move up to 49 points- one fewer than division leader Vancouver.
In fact, when Iginla tallies, the Flames have a pretty good record this season improving to 16-4-3 after last night.
Iginla Lighting The Lamp With Regularity (A breakdown of Iginla's goalscoring this season)
October 12 GP 8 goals
November 14 GP 5 goals
Two month total 26 GP 13 goals
Since Dec. 1 17 GP 19 goals
Notes:
-Iginla has only failed to score a goal in five of the 17 games.
-The Calgary franchise has six multi-goal games during the stretch including a hat trick in a 9-6 win over Tampa Bay on Dec.13.
-Included was a five-game goalscoring streak from 12/11 - 12/18 in which he lit the lamp eight times.
-The goal last night made it three straight games with a goal (5 total). He's tallied eight times in the last six contests.
More Iginla (Goalscoring leaders for 2007-08 season)
Ilya Kovalchuk, Atl 33 goals
Jarome Iginla, Cgy 32 goals
Alexander Ovechkin, Wsh 32 goals
-With his OT winner in a 2-1 victory over the Islanders, Marek Svatos continued his bounce back season. After scoring only 15 times in 2006-07, the 25 year-old Avs' right wing already has one more goal than he did in 66 games last year.
Svatos has three goals in his last two games and six in his past seven.
-Toronto captain Mats Sundin's two goals in his team's 3-2 home loss to the Flyers gave him 20 for the season- making it the 17th consecutive season the 35 year-old Swedish pivot has scored at least 20 in his brilliant NHL career.
Sundin, who was taken first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989 has tallied 408 of his 543 with the Maple Leafs since coming over in a trade for Wendel Clark. No.543 last night moved him past Stan Mikita into sole possession for 25th on the NHL's all-time goalscoring list.
Swedish Finisher A Magnificent Mats (Most Consecutive Seasons of at least 20 goals-or-more)
Gordie Howe 22 seasons
*Brendan Shanahan 18 seasons
Marcel Dionne 17 seasons
Brett Hull 17 seasons
Mats Sundin 17 seasons
+Jaromir Jagr 16 seasons
*still active needing five goals to reach 19 straight
+active and needs nine more for 17 in a row
-Emergency third string goalie Ty Conklin continued his amazing story stopping all 35 Panthers shots in backstopping the suddenly surging Pens to a 3-0 shutout- their sixth consecutive win.
The 30 year-old journeymen who's with his third organization in two years has been utterly brilliant since being recalled from AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In six straight starts, he's allowed only eight goals. In fact, he's now seven-for-seven when he gets the nod in net for Pittsburgh, which trails first place New Jersey by just a point.
"Its nice, mostly because the team's been plying so well," Conklin told the Associated Press after yesterday's latest stellar performance. "Everything's a lot more fun when you win."
"When you have a goalie that can make the saves, he's giving you a chance to win, and this is what he's doing right now," Pens' coach Michel Therrien added.
It sure is a lot simpler when you've got a hot goalie. That it would come from such an unlikely source due to a high ankle sprain which has sidelined starter Marc-Andre Fleury makes it even more special for the Penguins.
Conk-ering All (Ty Conklin this season with Pens)
8 GP 7 GS Record: 7-0 2.00 GAA .939 Save Pct 2 SHO
-With another goal (No.32) plus two assists, Calgary captain Jarome Iginla remained red hot in leading his Flames to a 6-4 win over the NHL's worst team the LA Kings.
After a slow start under new coach Mike Keenan, the admirable 30 year-old power forward has turned it up carrying his team to wins in 11 of their last 14 to move up to 49 points- one fewer than division leader Vancouver.
In fact, when Iginla tallies, the Flames have a pretty good record this season improving to 16-4-3 after last night.
Iginla Lighting The Lamp With Regularity (A breakdown of Iginla's goalscoring this season)
October 12 GP 8 goals
November 14 GP 5 goals
Two month total 26 GP 13 goals
Since Dec. 1 17 GP 19 goals
Notes:
-Iginla has only failed to score a goal in five of the 17 games.
-The Calgary franchise has six multi-goal games during the stretch including a hat trick in a 9-6 win over Tampa Bay on Dec.13.
-Included was a five-game goalscoring streak from 12/11 - 12/18 in which he lit the lamp eight times.
-The goal last night made it three straight games with a goal (5 total). He's tallied eight times in the last six contests.
More Iginla (Goalscoring leaders for 2007-08 season)
Ilya Kovalchuk, Atl 33 goals
Jarome Iginla, Cgy 32 goals
Alexander Ovechkin, Wsh 32 goals
-With his OT winner in a 2-1 victory over the Islanders, Marek Svatos continued his bounce back season. After scoring only 15 times in 2006-07, the 25 year-old Avs' right wing already has one more goal than he did in 66 games last year.
Svatos has three goals in his last two games and six in his past seven.
Marek's Turnaround In 2007-08
2006-07 66 GP 15 goals
2007-08 38 GP 16 goals
Another bad loss by underachieving Blueshirts
Let's face it folks. This team just can't get it done against a Western Conference opponent. Heck. They couldn't even beat a bad Oilers team which once again failed to win in regulation even though the Rangers tried their best to hand them the game.
Only a last second tying goal by Mr. Clutch, Chris Drury off a brilliant stop of a hard Jaromir Jagr pass with Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker allowed the Blueshirts to come away with a brownie point at Rexall Place.
Before the game, leading goalscorer Brendan Shanahan talked about the lack of discipline his team had in their recent shutout loss in Vancouver. Then Shanny took a dumb slashing minor which led to the Oilers' first power play goal by Jarret Stoll.
The ill advised penalties continued in the third period when Ryan Hollweg foolishly boarded Shawn Horcoff from behind being assessed a match penalty and automatic game misconduct and probable suspension, especially given the energizer's reputation.
While it's true No.44 tried to let up, he still nailed Horcoff from behind and the Oiler center was in a prone position. So, you can certainly understand why he was ejected from the game.
It was totally unnecessary and came at an inopportune time for his team who very well could've won the contest in regulation if not for some splendid netminding from Mathieu Garon (29 saves).
That the major was followed by a Martin Straka hold only 15 seconds later summed up another mystifying night for this underachieving team.
Of course, the Oilers made them pay the price as Ales Hemsky setup Horcoff on the doorstep for his 17th with 8:31 left.
Sadly, the Rangers weren't done taking silly penalties. Jagr got into the act with a lazy trip with 3:48 remaining which easily could've meant no point. And on a night when other teams such as the Flyers, Bruins and Pens all won, the Rangers needed that point.
That's what it's come down to for this club. Against a team which sucked ass on home ice ranking dead last on the man-advantage. But here were the Rangers staring up at the scoreboard despite outshooting another opponent (31-25).
The saving grace was that Joni Pitkanen took a penalty with 62 seconds left giving the Rangers a power play. With Lundqvist pulled, they worked the puck around forever before Jagr found Drury, who got them a point by stopping the puck with his shin before depositing his 11th with seven seconds left.
After another needless undisciplined penalty- this time a Blair Betts goalie interference in overtime, Lundqvist made a couple of big stops and then Stoll went to the box for interference off a faceoff.
Anyone who's followed the Oilers slightly knows that they've been money in the shootout all season. So the Rangers really needed to go for the kill on their late PP. Instead, they passed the puck around during a dreadful 4-on-3 even with Straka failing to keep a puck in at the point for an offside. Un-freaking-believable!
This team flat out sucks right now! When are they finally going to show some urgency and wake the hell up already?!?!?!?!?!
Especially on a day where the first place Devils somehow didn't win or even get a point because Tim Thomas (19 third period stops, 42 overall) flat out stoned them, this was a chance to pickup two on their Hudson rivals.
But instead, they chanced it to the skills competition where Tom Renney couldn't even use his best shooter in Shanahan because he suffered a left knee injury when he collided with big power forward Dustin Penner late in the third.
Even the goalie let the team down in this one. Was anyone surprised given how pedestrian Lundqvist has looked the past month that he would let rookie Sam Gagner's wrister sneak through his pads?
That's how they lost. Of course Jagr was denied by Garon who somehow was turned into Patrick Roy by this Broadway gang which can't shoot straight.
I'm sick of Marcel "One Goal" Hossa. Ryan Callahan was a healthy scratch. He really needs to be sent down on a conditioning assignment to regain lost confidence.
When is our genius of a coach going to recall Nigel Dawes??? He of course factored into both Wolf Pack goals in a 3-2 home defeat to Lowell.
What else does the kid who put up as many points as Zach Parise in the 2003 WJC have to prove to get a fair shake? This team has zero secondary scoring right now.
Is it going to take a foolish trade where Dawes morphs into a Brian Gionta clone cause I can totally see that happening?!?!?!?!?!?!
Speaking of Gionta, he is the definition of a dirty player. All those sneaky hacks are starting to catch up as he's being nailed for it a lot more this season. And did anyone see that crazy finish at TD Bank Garden where No.14 and Boston captain Zdeno Chara were at each other's throats as the buzzer sounded? Slashes and all sorts of illegal stickwork were being done.
And why you ask? Because of the stupid instigator. Does anyone really think Gionta would be able to get away with all the stuff he does in front of opposing nets? And Chara's stick coming dangerously close to the Mighty Mite's neck was ridiculous. How dirty does it have to get?
If anyone wants a good read, try to pickup THN's Top 60 Game Changing Moments. No.52 is appropriately entitled, "Goon Hockey Is Done" and has plenty on the lack of accountability where players sticks continue to come higher. There's little respect today as compared to the game before the big change came into place starting in the 1992-93 season.
If you want to learn about the history of the game, pick up this special issue as it's very well written. I've gotten through the first 10 thus far.
Also, if you haven't picked up THN's Top 60 Post Expansion Era, please do.
Only a last second tying goal by Mr. Clutch, Chris Drury off a brilliant stop of a hard Jaromir Jagr pass with Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker allowed the Blueshirts to come away with a brownie point at Rexall Place.
Before the game, leading goalscorer Brendan Shanahan talked about the lack of discipline his team had in their recent shutout loss in Vancouver. Then Shanny took a dumb slashing minor which led to the Oilers' first power play goal by Jarret Stoll.
The ill advised penalties continued in the third period when Ryan Hollweg foolishly boarded Shawn Horcoff from behind being assessed a match penalty and automatic game misconduct and probable suspension, especially given the energizer's reputation.
While it's true No.44 tried to let up, he still nailed Horcoff from behind and the Oiler center was in a prone position. So, you can certainly understand why he was ejected from the game.
It was totally unnecessary and came at an inopportune time for his team who very well could've won the contest in regulation if not for some splendid netminding from Mathieu Garon (29 saves).
That the major was followed by a Martin Straka hold only 15 seconds later summed up another mystifying night for this underachieving team.
Of course, the Oilers made them pay the price as Ales Hemsky setup Horcoff on the doorstep for his 17th with 8:31 left.
Sadly, the Rangers weren't done taking silly penalties. Jagr got into the act with a lazy trip with 3:48 remaining which easily could've meant no point. And on a night when other teams such as the Flyers, Bruins and Pens all won, the Rangers needed that point.
That's what it's come down to for this club. Against a team which sucked ass on home ice ranking dead last on the man-advantage. But here were the Rangers staring up at the scoreboard despite outshooting another opponent (31-25).
The saving grace was that Joni Pitkanen took a penalty with 62 seconds left giving the Rangers a power play. With Lundqvist pulled, they worked the puck around forever before Jagr found Drury, who got them a point by stopping the puck with his shin before depositing his 11th with seven seconds left.
After another needless undisciplined penalty- this time a Blair Betts goalie interference in overtime, Lundqvist made a couple of big stops and then Stoll went to the box for interference off a faceoff.
Anyone who's followed the Oilers slightly knows that they've been money in the shootout all season. So the Rangers really needed to go for the kill on their late PP. Instead, they passed the puck around during a dreadful 4-on-3 even with Straka failing to keep a puck in at the point for an offside. Un-freaking-believable!
This team flat out sucks right now! When are they finally going to show some urgency and wake the hell up already?!?!?!?!?!
Especially on a day where the first place Devils somehow didn't win or even get a point because Tim Thomas (19 third period stops, 42 overall) flat out stoned them, this was a chance to pickup two on their Hudson rivals.
But instead, they chanced it to the skills competition where Tom Renney couldn't even use his best shooter in Shanahan because he suffered a left knee injury when he collided with big power forward Dustin Penner late in the third.
Even the goalie let the team down in this one. Was anyone surprised given how pedestrian Lundqvist has looked the past month that he would let rookie Sam Gagner's wrister sneak through his pads?
That's how they lost. Of course Jagr was denied by Garon who somehow was turned into Patrick Roy by this Broadway gang which can't shoot straight.
I'm sick of Marcel "One Goal" Hossa. Ryan Callahan was a healthy scratch. He really needs to be sent down on a conditioning assignment to regain lost confidence.
When is our genius of a coach going to recall Nigel Dawes??? He of course factored into both Wolf Pack goals in a 3-2 home defeat to Lowell.
What else does the kid who put up as many points as Zach Parise in the 2003 WJC have to prove to get a fair shake? This team has zero secondary scoring right now.
Is it going to take a foolish trade where Dawes morphs into a Brian Gionta clone cause I can totally see that happening?!?!?!?!?!?!
Speaking of Gionta, he is the definition of a dirty player. All those sneaky hacks are starting to catch up as he's being nailed for it a lot more this season. And did anyone see that crazy finish at TD Bank Garden where No.14 and Boston captain Zdeno Chara were at each other's throats as the buzzer sounded? Slashes and all sorts of illegal stickwork were being done.
And why you ask? Because of the stupid instigator. Does anyone really think Gionta would be able to get away with all the stuff he does in front of opposing nets? And Chara's stick coming dangerously close to the Mighty Mite's neck was ridiculous. How dirty does it have to get?
If anyone wants a good read, try to pickup THN's Top 60 Game Changing Moments. No.52 is appropriately entitled, "Goon Hockey Is Done" and has plenty on the lack of accountability where players sticks continue to come higher. There's little respect today as compared to the game before the big change came into place starting in the 1992-93 season.
If you want to learn about the history of the game, pick up this special issue as it's very well written. I've gotten through the first 10 thus far.
Also, if you haven't picked up THN's Top 60 Post Expansion Era, please do.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Rangers vs Edmonton
End of period two: Excellent period by the blueshirts leads to a 1-0 deficit. What bad luck the Rangers are having recently. Shanahan took a bad retaliation penalty after a non call on a slash, he turned around and hacked the Edmonton player and the ref saw that one. On the ensuing power play, Drury blocked the shot from the point with his stick, but it fluttered over Lundqvist's shoulder. Later on in the period, Sean Avery added to the post hitting spree that the Rangers are going on, after Garon was down and out of the play. Avery's backhander hit the post or crossbar, keeping the Rangers off the board. Jagr was also stoned by Garon, who is playing a fantastic game. Other than that play, Jagr hasn't had a very strong game. The Dubinsky, Hossa, Prucha line is playing well and has generated some opportunities, and the fourth line is up to their usual tricks, working hard and creating scoring chances. The energy is there, the scoring is not. Story of the season for the Rangers.
End of period one: Good back and forth period by both teams. Jaromir Jagr and Chris Drury each hit a post, Mattieu Garon robbed Shanahan and Lundqvist made some tough saves. There were a few bad penalties called for each team, Brandon Dubinsky got called for a weak trip, and Joni Pitkinen for holding the stick. The tempo was fast paced and there were a few good hits. Let's hope the Rangers keep up this energy through the remaining 40 minutes.
The Rangers take on the Oilers in a few minutes, so let me get some info out to everyone. Henrik Lundqvist is back in net and Brendan Shanahan is back on the second line. In an even better move, Jason Strudwick replaces Marek Malik on the blueline. Malik took the news very well, by storming out of the Edmonton arena with no particular place to go.
Tom Renney was unsure of who was coming out of the lineup to make room for Shanahan as of this entry. All 13 forwards were skating in the pregame, and everyone is healthy. I say give Ryan Callahan a night off. He needs to regain confidence, so maybe a stint in Hartford would be beneficial.
I'll check in like I did the other night, hopefully between each period. A much needed win is at stake tonight. Enjoy the game.
End of period one: Good back and forth period by both teams. Jaromir Jagr and Chris Drury each hit a post, Mattieu Garon robbed Shanahan and Lundqvist made some tough saves. There were a few bad penalties called for each team, Brandon Dubinsky got called for a weak trip, and Joni Pitkinen for holding the stick. The tempo was fast paced and there were a few good hits. Let's hope the Rangers keep up this energy through the remaining 40 minutes.
The Rangers take on the Oilers in a few minutes, so let me get some info out to everyone. Henrik Lundqvist is back in net and Brendan Shanahan is back on the second line. In an even better move, Jason Strudwick replaces Marek Malik on the blueline. Malik took the news very well, by storming out of the Edmonton arena with no particular place to go.
Tom Renney was unsure of who was coming out of the lineup to make room for Shanahan as of this entry. All 13 forwards were skating in the pregame, and everyone is healthy. I say give Ryan Callahan a night off. He needs to regain confidence, so maybe a stint in Hartford would be beneficial.
I'll check in like I did the other night, hopefully between each period. A much needed win is at stake tonight. Enjoy the game.
Friday, January 4, 2008
No Dawes mindboggling
So on an underachieving team which has exactly the same secondary scoring epidemic which plagued them last year, how is it actually humanly possible that Nigel Dawes continues to get the shaft from the Ranger organization?
At the halfway mark fresh off the latest disappointing loss (shutout 3-0 at Vancouver despite outplaying them for large portions) against a Western Conference foe, these "new and improved" Rangers have scored exactly 100 goals (2.44 average) and given up 101 (2.38 GAA). Pretty mediocre for all the great expectations they had.
In fact, not one Blueshirt shows up in the NHL's top 30 in scoring as of today Jan.4, 2007.
Who's fault is it? Is it coach Tom Renney who's attention to every detail continues to dress Marcel "1 goal" Hossa while Nigel Dawes (5 goals in 21 GP) is sent back to Hartford where he continues to tear up the AHL and doesn't belong? How else to explain the former 2003 fifth round pick's continued torrid scoring pace with the Wolf Pack where he's scored 11 goals and 30 points in just 18 contests?
What does the 21 year-old from Manitoba have to do to earn a spot on Renney's roster? Somehow, in 20 fewer games, his five goals place him sixth among Ranger forwards ahead of Hossa, Petr Prucha (4 goals) and struggling right wing Ryan Callahan (no pts in last 23 since goal on Opening Night).
Would anybody care to take a guess at who the forwards are ahead of him?!?!?!?!?!
We're going to exclude the hardworking fourth line of Ryan Hollweg, Blair Betts and club enforcer Colton Orr because they show up every night and continue to have solid chemistry providing energy.
How is budding rookie pivot Brandon Dubinsky supposed to put up points when his linemates can't finish around the net? The 2004 second round pick certainly is progressing. Shouldn't he have another scoring wing who can hit the net with regularity by now?
Not in the Ranger organization apparently where absurd logic seems to prevail when they're supposed to be challenging for the East's best record and a championship. Instead, they've been up and down with something definitely lacking which explains why through 41 games, we don't even know if this team will survive in this ultracompetitive conference.
Should they make the playoffs? Absolutely. But unless Renney's club starts kicking it into another gear, there will continue to be lingering doubts about how far a team with Jaromir Jagr can go in the Spring.
There's over a month left before the NHL trade deadline. That should be enough time for the organization to gauge if they're good enough or need a necessary change to improve.
Now all they have to do is come away with an actual win against a Western opponent tomorrow in Edmonton. Will it happen?
At the halfway mark fresh off the latest disappointing loss (shutout 3-0 at Vancouver despite outplaying them for large portions) against a Western Conference foe, these "new and improved" Rangers have scored exactly 100 goals (2.44 average) and given up 101 (2.38 GAA). Pretty mediocre for all the great expectations they had.
In fact, not one Blueshirt shows up in the NHL's top 30 in scoring as of today Jan.4, 2007.
Who's fault is it? Is it coach Tom Renney who's attention to every detail continues to dress Marcel "1 goal" Hossa while Nigel Dawes (5 goals in 21 GP) is sent back to Hartford where he continues to tear up the AHL and doesn't belong? How else to explain the former 2003 fifth round pick's continued torrid scoring pace with the Wolf Pack where he's scored 11 goals and 30 points in just 18 contests?
What does the 21 year-old from Manitoba have to do to earn a spot on Renney's roster? Somehow, in 20 fewer games, his five goals place him sixth among Ranger forwards ahead of Hossa, Petr Prucha (4 goals) and struggling right wing Ryan Callahan (no pts in last 23 since goal on Opening Night).
Would anybody care to take a guess at who the forwards are ahead of him?!?!?!?!?!
We're going to exclude the hardworking fourth line of Ryan Hollweg, Blair Betts and club enforcer Colton Orr because they show up every night and continue to have solid chemistry providing energy.
How is budding rookie pivot Brandon Dubinsky supposed to put up points when his linemates can't finish around the net? The 2004 second round pick certainly is progressing. Shouldn't he have another scoring wing who can hit the net with regularity by now?
Not in the Ranger organization apparently where absurd logic seems to prevail when they're supposed to be challenging for the East's best record and a championship. Instead, they've been up and down with something definitely lacking which explains why through 41 games, we don't even know if this team will survive in this ultracompetitive conference.
Should they make the playoffs? Absolutely. But unless Renney's club starts kicking it into another gear, there will continue to be lingering doubts about how far a team with Jaromir Jagr can go in the Spring.
There's over a month left before the NHL trade deadline. That should be enough time for the organization to gauge if they're good enough or need a necessary change to improve.
Now all they have to do is come away with an actual win against a Western opponent tomorrow in Edmonton. Will it happen?
Soft goals, bad penalties cost Rangers
In a game that started out with great physical play and featured some stingey defense, the Rangers were on the wrong side of a 3-0 shutout. Steve Valiquette let in a soft goal from the goal line, much like Henrik Lundqvist let in last night in Calgary, early on in the second period. Daniel Sedin added a two on one goal with brother Henrik that just squeezed through Valiquette's legs, and then Jason Jaffrey added a goal off of a terrible Marek Malik penalty at the end of the third period.
Tom Renney's return to Vancouver was not a pleasant one, even though the Rangers looked like the better team throughout much of the game. Blair Betts and Martin Straka both played fantastic games, but like the rest of the team, they didn't find the back of the net. The closest the Rangers came to a goal was a left post hit by Jaromir Jagr. Petr Prucha had some good opportunities, as did Marcel Hossa. Ryan Callahan was almost non-existant on the second line, and Sean Avery wasn't up to any of his usual antics.
Steve Valiquette is a capable backup, but tonight he showed some flaws. It's hard to win games when you don't score though, so even if the two softies that he let in were taken away, the Rangers still would have lost the game.
Dan Girardi took a few stitches on his left cheek after catching a Ryan Kesler stick to the face, but was right back on the ice in the third period.
It's hard to imagine Marek Malik ending the season in a Rangers jersey. The last two nights he has made some boneheaded plays, and he can't use the excuse of the Madison Square Garden crowd's booing is throwing him off. He had a nice rush up the ice, got a good shot off, but his lazy penalty sunk the Rangers at the end of the game. His constant turnovers and inability to keep up with the opposition's fowards without grabbing, tripping or hooking needs to either be addressed, or just ship him out. I have a hard time believing Thomas Pock couldn't be doing the same thing Malik is doing, at a fraction of the salary.
The Rangers are off tomorrow to travel to Edmonton. Saturday night's game will be at 10 pm again. The Oilers are no pushover either, and the Rangers need to come away with two points so that this whole western Canada trip isn't a total loss. Hopefully Brendan Shanahan will be healthy and back in the lineup. Henrik Lundqvist will be back in the cage and we should see some line flopping. Ryan Callahan might need a stint down in Hartford to regain some confidence and the scoring touch that everyone knows he has.
I'll check in with any news if it breaks tomorrow. If not, catch everyone on Saturday.
Tom Renney's return to Vancouver was not a pleasant one, even though the Rangers looked like the better team throughout much of the game. Blair Betts and Martin Straka both played fantastic games, but like the rest of the team, they didn't find the back of the net. The closest the Rangers came to a goal was a left post hit by Jaromir Jagr. Petr Prucha had some good opportunities, as did Marcel Hossa. Ryan Callahan was almost non-existant on the second line, and Sean Avery wasn't up to any of his usual antics.
Steve Valiquette is a capable backup, but tonight he showed some flaws. It's hard to win games when you don't score though, so even if the two softies that he let in were taken away, the Rangers still would have lost the game.
Dan Girardi took a few stitches on his left cheek after catching a Ryan Kesler stick to the face, but was right back on the ice in the third period.
It's hard to imagine Marek Malik ending the season in a Rangers jersey. The last two nights he has made some boneheaded plays, and he can't use the excuse of the Madison Square Garden crowd's booing is throwing him off. He had a nice rush up the ice, got a good shot off, but his lazy penalty sunk the Rangers at the end of the game. His constant turnovers and inability to keep up with the opposition's fowards without grabbing, tripping or hooking needs to either be addressed, or just ship him out. I have a hard time believing Thomas Pock couldn't be doing the same thing Malik is doing, at a fraction of the salary.
The Rangers are off tomorrow to travel to Edmonton. Saturday night's game will be at 10 pm again. The Oilers are no pushover either, and the Rangers need to come away with two points so that this whole western Canada trip isn't a total loss. Hopefully Brendan Shanahan will be healthy and back in the lineup. Henrik Lundqvist will be back in the cage and we should see some line flopping. Ryan Callahan might need a stint down in Hartford to regain some confidence and the scoring touch that everyone knows he has.
I'll check in with any news if it breaks tomorrow. If not, catch everyone on Saturday.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Rangers travel to Vancouver looking to rebound (Update - 10:45)
-- In-game update -- Man, I was wrong again. Prucha is in fact in, but not playing on the second line. Ryan Callahan has been moved up to play with Chris Drury and Sean Avery, and Prucha is playing with Marcel Hossa and Brandon Dubinsky. After a period of scoreless play, and Prucha playing well so far, Tom Renney may still make the switch. Callahan is due, as he hasn't scored since the first game of the season. We'll see how the rest of the game pans out, but period one was pretty physical, having Ryan Hollweg dropping the gloves a mere four seconds in. I may check in again after the second, if not, talk to you tomorrow.
- - Update - - 9:00 - - Brendan Shanahan is out for tonight's game, being replaced on the second line by Petr Prucha. Supposedly he experienced some back and neck stiffness throughout last night's game, and tonight he could barely look around without turning his whole body. Valiquette is still in, and by the looks of it, Malik is too.
Disappointing loss last night by the Rangers as the took on the Flames. One of those rare, bad goals that Henrik Lundqvist let in came back to bite the Rangers as Calgary beat them 4-3. Chris Drury had another stellar night in the faceoff circle, the offense looked like it was coming together and the defense was mediocre, but really should have been better. Just one of those games that you have to chalk up to the other goaltender being better and had Miika Kirposoff not been on his A game last night, the Rangers would have left with the two points.
Tonight's game gets no easier for the Rangers as they move on to Vancouver to take on the Canucks. Roberto Luongo will be knocking away Rangers' shots for the 'Nucks, while Stephen Valiquette gets the nod for the Rangers. Hopefully this forces the Rangers to step up on defense and not do so much running around. Vancouver isn't as quick as Calgary, but they have their fair share of offensive power up and down the lineup. Marek Malik looked off his game last night again, further fueling speculation that he is being shopped as the trade deadline looms closer.
I have to admit a mistake also, as last night I was certain Petr Prucha would be back in the lineup. He was not, Marcel Hossa was, and anyone who read last night collectively called me a liar. It echoed all the way up the Hudson. Tonight, I will say that he is likely to be in, but I make no guarentees. That's just to save myself should he not play. Hopefully I did not lose too many faithful fans with this blunder.
Tonight's game is a late one for us East Coasters. Turn on MSG at 10 to catch the game, and I will check in again tomorrow.
- - Update - - 9:00 - - Brendan Shanahan is out for tonight's game, being replaced on the second line by Petr Prucha. Supposedly he experienced some back and neck stiffness throughout last night's game, and tonight he could barely look around without turning his whole body. Valiquette is still in, and by the looks of it, Malik is too.
Disappointing loss last night by the Rangers as the took on the Flames. One of those rare, bad goals that Henrik Lundqvist let in came back to bite the Rangers as Calgary beat them 4-3. Chris Drury had another stellar night in the faceoff circle, the offense looked like it was coming together and the defense was mediocre, but really should have been better. Just one of those games that you have to chalk up to the other goaltender being better and had Miika Kirposoff not been on his A game last night, the Rangers would have left with the two points.
Tonight's game gets no easier for the Rangers as they move on to Vancouver to take on the Canucks. Roberto Luongo will be knocking away Rangers' shots for the 'Nucks, while Stephen Valiquette gets the nod for the Rangers. Hopefully this forces the Rangers to step up on defense and not do so much running around. Vancouver isn't as quick as Calgary, but they have their fair share of offensive power up and down the lineup. Marek Malik looked off his game last night again, further fueling speculation that he is being shopped as the trade deadline looms closer.
I have to admit a mistake also, as last night I was certain Petr Prucha would be back in the lineup. He was not, Marcel Hossa was, and anyone who read last night collectively called me a liar. It echoed all the way up the Hudson. Tonight, I will say that he is likely to be in, but I make no guarentees. That's just to save myself should he not play. Hopefully I did not lose too many faithful fans with this blunder.
Tonight's game is a late one for us East Coasters. Turn on MSG at 10 to catch the game, and I will check in again tomorrow.
Flames snap Ranger three-game win streak
The Rangers had been feeling good about themselves after finishing 2007 with a hard fought 4-3 overtime win last Sunday on home ice.
But they couldn't keep it going in the first of a challenging three-game Western Canada road swing- falling to Mike Keenan's Flames 4-3 last night at The Saddledome.
They never led as Hart candidate Jarome Iginla scored twice including a third period tally off a turnover and inept defensive coverage by every Ranger on the ice to restore a two-goal lead.
In perhaps his best game of the season, rookie pivot Brandon Dubinsky was rewarded for some hard work when he completed a give-and-go with Sean Avery to cut the deficit to 3-2 with six and change left.
But a really odd play broke the Rangers' backs. Off a faceoff, Martin Straka broke free from two Flames and was nearly in on Miikka Kiprusoff but lost control before trying a back pass to Michal Rozsival which didn't work as the defenseman who struggled all night wasn't set.
Instead, a hustling Kristian Huselius went the other way off the costly turnover and fooled Henrik Lundqvist with a tricky shot from an extreme angle down near the left boards.
The 25 year-old netminder was apparently expecting a centering pass and caught napping as he wasn't all the way against the post which allowed the puck to go in.
Just brutal. Totally inexcusable for Lundqvist who's been less than stellar for about a month now. Maybe it's the thoughts of a long-term extension which could be happening any day now.
The latest bad goal really hurt because leading finisher Brendan Shanahan tallied with 14 seconds to go. But it would be too little too late as Jaromir Jagr couldn't get a shot off as time expired.
This was a frustrating defeat because Kiprusoff (29 saves- many timely) totally outplayed Lundqvist. Given some of the quality chances the Rangers generated for the final 22-23 minutes, they easily could've been in overtime with at least a valuable point with another up for grabs.
Kiprusoff was that good IMO. He really was sharp and played like the former Vezina winner he is which bodes well for the Flames, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10 and really playing better hockey.
The other frustrating aspect of this loss was that once again, the Blueshirts came away without a win against a Western Conference opponent. I think that's now 0-5-1 against the West.
That's why they continue to trail the first place Devils (now up by three) who had a nice home win (3-2) over the Panthers where their franchise goalie Martin Brodeur shined in making 31 saves to allow Brian Gionta's five-on-three power play tally to hold up.
Eventually, the Rangers need to break through and it's not going to be any easier tonight at Vancouver against Roberto Luongo.
One other note from last night's action: Ilya Kovalchuk scored his league-leading 33rd and assisted on three other Atlanta goals including a Marian Hossa winner during a 5-4 OT win at Carolina.
Kovalchuk has been amazing this season. At the halfway mark, the exciting Russian sniper has 33 goals and 24 helpers for 57 points.
If he gets them into the postseason, he should win the Hart.
If you missed the highlights, be sure to go to yahoo and check out his awesome end-to-end PPG.
Also, John Buccigross appeared on our New York Hockey Report show last night. I'll link up the archive a little later. Fyi...actually, the link for the podcast appears at the top corner of the left part of our page. So you can just click on the NYHR link with our cool logo!
Many topics were covered including the very successful outdoor Winter Classic which drew the best network TV rating since Wayne Gretzky's final game. Plus plenty of league stuff as we talked about surprises and the seasons of Kovalchuk and the ageless Nicklas Lidstrom.
Be sure to tune in for our next show. It's usually every Wednesday between 9 and 10 over at blogtalk radio.
I need to get going now. See ya'll later.
But they couldn't keep it going in the first of a challenging three-game Western Canada road swing- falling to Mike Keenan's Flames 4-3 last night at The Saddledome.
They never led as Hart candidate Jarome Iginla scored twice including a third period tally off a turnover and inept defensive coverage by every Ranger on the ice to restore a two-goal lead.
In perhaps his best game of the season, rookie pivot Brandon Dubinsky was rewarded for some hard work when he completed a give-and-go with Sean Avery to cut the deficit to 3-2 with six and change left.
But a really odd play broke the Rangers' backs. Off a faceoff, Martin Straka broke free from two Flames and was nearly in on Miikka Kiprusoff but lost control before trying a back pass to Michal Rozsival which didn't work as the defenseman who struggled all night wasn't set.
Instead, a hustling Kristian Huselius went the other way off the costly turnover and fooled Henrik Lundqvist with a tricky shot from an extreme angle down near the left boards.
The 25 year-old netminder was apparently expecting a centering pass and caught napping as he wasn't all the way against the post which allowed the puck to go in.
Just brutal. Totally inexcusable for Lundqvist who's been less than stellar for about a month now. Maybe it's the thoughts of a long-term extension which could be happening any day now.
The latest bad goal really hurt because leading finisher Brendan Shanahan tallied with 14 seconds to go. But it would be too little too late as Jaromir Jagr couldn't get a shot off as time expired.
This was a frustrating defeat because Kiprusoff (29 saves- many timely) totally outplayed Lundqvist. Given some of the quality chances the Rangers generated for the final 22-23 minutes, they easily could've been in overtime with at least a valuable point with another up for grabs.
Kiprusoff was that good IMO. He really was sharp and played like the former Vezina winner he is which bodes well for the Flames, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10 and really playing better hockey.
The other frustrating aspect of this loss was that once again, the Blueshirts came away without a win against a Western Conference opponent. I think that's now 0-5-1 against the West.
That's why they continue to trail the first place Devils (now up by three) who had a nice home win (3-2) over the Panthers where their franchise goalie Martin Brodeur shined in making 31 saves to allow Brian Gionta's five-on-three power play tally to hold up.
Eventually, the Rangers need to break through and it's not going to be any easier tonight at Vancouver against Roberto Luongo.
One other note from last night's action: Ilya Kovalchuk scored his league-leading 33rd and assisted on three other Atlanta goals including a Marian Hossa winner during a 5-4 OT win at Carolina.
Kovalchuk has been amazing this season. At the halfway mark, the exciting Russian sniper has 33 goals and 24 helpers for 57 points.
If he gets them into the postseason, he should win the Hart.
If you missed the highlights, be sure to go to yahoo and check out his awesome end-to-end PPG.
Also, John Buccigross appeared on our New York Hockey Report show last night. I'll link up the archive a little later. Fyi...actually, the link for the podcast appears at the top corner of the left part of our page. So you can just click on the NYHR link with our cool logo!
Many topics were covered including the very successful outdoor Winter Classic which drew the best network TV rating since Wayne Gretzky's final game. Plus plenty of league stuff as we talked about surprises and the seasons of Kovalchuk and the ageless Nicklas Lidstrom.
Be sure to tune in for our next show. It's usually every Wednesday between 9 and 10 over at blogtalk radio.
I need to get going now. See ya'll later.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Rangers look for fourth straight against Calgary
The Rangers will be making their first trip into Calgary tonight in nearly five years to take on the Flames at 9 pm on MSG2. The Flames are an explosive team who are led by Mike Keenan, winner of the 1994 Stanley Cup with the Rangers.
Henrik Lundqvist will be back in the net against Jarome Iginla and the rest of the Flames. Petr Prucha will also return to the lineup, saying his sore wrist is good enough to shoot again. One player that I'm pretty excited to see for myself is Dion Phaneuf. He's a big, tough, physical defenseman who loves to play the body. He can also chip in a few points each game, making him a great all around player. He is young and looking for a multi-year deal, and rightfully so.
Newfound chemistry with the first and second lines will undoubtedly become the key element in the Rangers winning tonight's game. They'll have to be sound defensively and Lundqvist will have to be on his toes. Should be a good one tonight.
Lundqvist was in the news this morning as well. Him and Glen Sather are supposedly pretty close to hammering out a new contract, which they have until July 1 to come up with before Lundqvist obtains the restricted free agent tag. If no deal is reached before then, any team can steal him away with an offer sheet. Like we saw with Dustin Penner and Tomas Vanek over this past summer, this proves to be incredibly costly. The Rangers not only don't want to compete with a team offering an obscene amount of money, they don't want to lose out on him either. Many people around the league are confident there are just some t's to cross and i's to dot before the deal gets done.
Enjoy the game, back tomorrow before the Vancouver game.
Henrik Lundqvist will be back in the net against Jarome Iginla and the rest of the Flames. Petr Prucha will also return to the lineup, saying his sore wrist is good enough to shoot again. One player that I'm pretty excited to see for myself is Dion Phaneuf. He's a big, tough, physical defenseman who loves to play the body. He can also chip in a few points each game, making him a great all around player. He is young and looking for a multi-year deal, and rightfully so.
Newfound chemistry with the first and second lines will undoubtedly become the key element in the Rangers winning tonight's game. They'll have to be sound defensively and Lundqvist will have to be on his toes. Should be a good one tonight.
Lundqvist was in the news this morning as well. Him and Glen Sather are supposedly pretty close to hammering out a new contract, which they have until July 1 to come up with before Lundqvist obtains the restricted free agent tag. If no deal is reached before then, any team can steal him away with an offer sheet. Like we saw with Dustin Penner and Tomas Vanek over this past summer, this proves to be incredibly costly. The Rangers not only don't want to compete with a team offering an obscene amount of money, they don't want to lose out on him either. Many people around the league are confident there are just some t's to cross and i's to dot before the deal gets done.
Enjoy the game, back tomorrow before the Vancouver game.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Crosby and Pens take Classic in shootout
It came down to the game's most electricifying player Sidney Crosby against one of the better young netminders this game has to offer in Ryan Miller. Mono y mono.
With the game on his stick, the best the league has to offer already at just 20 years of age in season three wouldn't allow his team to lose in this well played Hockey Heritage outdoor Winter Classic.
Even with the snow in his eyes, as he calmly carried the puck skating towards Miller, the youngest NHL captain in league history faked left and then pulled to a stop and slipped the puck through the Buffalo goalie's five-hole to send the Penguins to a thrilling 2-1 shootout victory over the home Sabres before a record crowd of 71,217 screaming spectators at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
"Growing up, I played a lot outside," the rating 2006-07 Hart winner explained to the Associated Press about the vintage pond hockey he took part in factoring in on his team's only goal in regulation before deciding it.
Truer words couldn't be said about this extraordinary event- the second for the league since 2003 when the Canadiens defeated the Oilers in Edmonton. It was the first such NHL outdoor event in the United States.
"I like facing Sidney. I really want to stop him, obviously," the losing netminder said after keeping his team afloat with a strong third in stopping all 12 Pens' shots to earn his team a point. "I thought I made a good play to stay with him. I didn't think he made quite the play he wanted, but it worked out for him."
Truthfully, there were no losers on this special day in upstate New York.
"I'd love to do it again. I thought it was awesome," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff pointed out. "It was good for the game. It may not be the best hockey game because of the situation, because of the weather, because of the snow, but the atmosphere was incredible.
Even league commish Gary Bettman came to the same conclusion despite not your ideal conditions. But it sure was fun to watch adding an extra element which fans could appreciate.
"Based on the response, on our ability to execute, and the inquiries we're getting from other clubs for similar activities, this obviously is something we're going to look at again," a pleased Bettman said afterwards.
For former Sabre backup Ty Conklin, it was fitting that he was the winning netminder since the journeyman also took part in the first one when his Oilers fell to the Habs 4-3 before 57,167 on Nov.22, 2003.
The 31 year-old from Anchorage Alaska was very strong in making 36 saves including turning aside 13 of 14 in a busy second to keep the Pens afloat.
In two straight starts against his former team, Conklin allowed only one goal to lead Pittsburgh to a home-and-home sweep. Not too shabby. Plus his glove save on Maxim Afinogenov's backhand deke in Round Three of the shootout was awesome giving the stage to Sid the Kid to work his magic.
You have to give kudos to all the hard work which was done in preparing the facility, especially keeping the ice playable through wintry conditions.
Here are our three stars:
3rd Star-Brian Campbell (goal, 3 SOG in 24:50 TOI)
2nd Star-Ty Conklin (36 saves)
1st Star-Sidney Crosby (assist and SO winner)
With the game on his stick, the best the league has to offer already at just 20 years of age in season three wouldn't allow his team to lose in this well played Hockey Heritage outdoor Winter Classic.
Even with the snow in his eyes, as he calmly carried the puck skating towards Miller, the youngest NHL captain in league history faked left and then pulled to a stop and slipped the puck through the Buffalo goalie's five-hole to send the Penguins to a thrilling 2-1 shootout victory over the home Sabres before a record crowd of 71,217 screaming spectators at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
"Growing up, I played a lot outside," the rating 2006-07 Hart winner explained to the Associated Press about the vintage pond hockey he took part in factoring in on his team's only goal in regulation before deciding it.
"When you see 70,000 people jammed into a stadium to watch
hockey, it's a good sign. The atmosphere and environment, I don't think you can
beat that."
Truer words couldn't be said about this extraordinary event- the second for the league since 2003 when the Canadiens defeated the Oilers in Edmonton. It was the first such NHL outdoor event in the United States.
"I like facing Sidney. I really want to stop him, obviously," the losing netminder said after keeping his team afloat with a strong third in stopping all 12 Pens' shots to earn his team a point. "I thought I made a good play to stay with him. I didn't think he made quite the play he wanted, but it worked out for him."
Truthfully, there were no losers on this special day in upstate New York.
"I'd love to do it again. I thought it was awesome," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff pointed out. "It was good for the game. It may not be the best hockey game because of the situation, because of the weather, because of the snow, but the atmosphere was incredible.
"The hell with the cynics."
Even league commish Gary Bettman came to the same conclusion despite not your ideal conditions. But it sure was fun to watch adding an extra element which fans could appreciate.
"Based on the response, on our ability to execute, and the inquiries we're getting from other clubs for similar activities, this obviously is something we're going to look at again," a pleased Bettman said afterwards.
For former Sabre backup Ty Conklin, it was fitting that he was the winning netminder since the journeyman also took part in the first one when his Oilers fell to the Habs 4-3 before 57,167 on Nov.22, 2003.
The 31 year-old from Anchorage Alaska was very strong in making 36 saves including turning aside 13 of 14 in a busy second to keep the Pens afloat.
In two straight starts against his former team, Conklin allowed only one goal to lead Pittsburgh to a home-and-home sweep. Not too shabby. Plus his glove save on Maxim Afinogenov's backhand deke in Round Three of the shootout was awesome giving the stage to Sid the Kid to work his magic.
You have to give kudos to all the hard work which was done in preparing the facility, especially keeping the ice playable through wintry conditions.
Here are our three stars:
3rd Star-Brian Campbell (goal, 3 SOG in 24:50 TOI)
2nd Star-Ty Conklin (36 saves)
1st Star-Sidney Crosby (assist and SO winner)
Rangers click, keep rolling
I'm a bit late, as it was a pretty busy weekend, but it was a good weekend to be a Ranger fan. Derek has great wrapups if you scroll down some, so I won't go into any of that. It's great to see Jaromir Jagr, Petr Prucha and Chris Drury starting to get going though. The fourth line chipping in with a little offense is good to see too. Brendan Shanahan continues to be everything you expect from a veteran leader and the defense is looking strong. Henrik Lundqvist continues to rebound nicely from his mediocre streakd where he showed signs of being less than a goaltending god and chemistry is looking much better with each line.
All good things to see. Another welcome read that I saw this morning is that everyone's favorite defenseman, Marek Malik, has said that he is uncomfortable playing at Madison Square Garden, leading Glen Sather into looking into a trade. Even if it is just a salary dump and we get a couple of prospects, I would be ok with it. Jason Strudwick could step back into the lineup and we could call up Ivan Baranka, David Liffiton or Tom Renney's favorite Thomas Pock. or we could bring back another veteran defender in the trade, preferably an unrestricted free agent. We'll see.
The Rangers take on the Calgary Flames tomorrow, Vancouver Canucks on Thursday and Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. I'll be around for those games, and will break any news as it comes.
Happy 2008 to everyone.
All good things to see. Another welcome read that I saw this morning is that everyone's favorite defenseman, Marek Malik, has said that he is uncomfortable playing at Madison Square Garden, leading Glen Sather into looking into a trade. Even if it is just a salary dump and we get a couple of prospects, I would be ok with it. Jason Strudwick could step back into the lineup and we could call up Ivan Baranka, David Liffiton or Tom Renney's favorite Thomas Pock. or we could bring back another veteran defender in the trade, preferably an unrestricted free agent. We'll see.
The Rangers take on the Calgary Flames tomorrow, Vancouver Canucks on Thursday and Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. I'll be around for those games, and will break any news as it comes.
Happy 2008 to everyone.
New Year's Day Hockey Heritage Classic Liveblog Period 2: Pens-Sabres
2:19 PM: They're through 20 minutes at the revamped Ralph Wilson Stadium for the second NHL Hockey Heritage Outdoor Classic between the host Sabres and Penguins.
The Pens are out in front on a Colby Armstrong tally on the game's opening shift setup from who else but the game's best player Sidney Crosby just 21 seconds in.
It looks like the lake effect snow is all but done as kids get their chance to play pond hockey between stanzas. How cool is that? Probably something they won't ever forget.
The atmosphere is terrific with over 73,000 on hand to enjoy the festivities.
The biggest problem is that with snow comes delays. There were at least four different instances where they had to stop the game to repair chunks of ice. So maybe the first classic game in Edmonton five years ago against Montreal was better because it didn't drag.
Still, it's fun to watch as they prepare for period No.2.
SOG: Pit-11 Buf-9
Neither power play connected in four opportunities.
2:27 PM: The Sabres come out strong as Tim Connolly is denied by Ty Conklin. The center then comes back and sets up Brian Campbell's one-timer which beats their former backup to tie the score.
So two goals in this one both very early in each stanza.
2:31 PM: The action now is end to end which is very fun to watch. The Sabres were coming on at the end of the first and now are starting to dictate the play as Conklin stops another shot from 40 feet out.
2:33 PM: The Sabres nearly connect on an odd-man rush but the puck is centered past a trailer. Brooks Orpik nails a Sabre from behind into the boards. Man. That had to sting. It could've been a boarding call IMO.Conklin fights off another Campbell try. The Buffalo offensive blueliner is flying out there now and creating lots of chances for his teammates.
They go to the first break and it's a bit of role reversal so far.
SOG: Pit-0 Buf-6
2:37 PM: Campbell again jumps into a rush and Connolly nearly sets him up. It seems like the ice is better now. Not as many turnovers. Maybe the players are adjusting. Also, the intermission gave them a chance to prepare it more.
Campbell hits Malone. This is a much better period to watch. Lots happening.
10:00 remaining
2:40 PM: The period is flying by unlike the first which saw many stoppages including a few delays. There haven't been any penalties either which certainly has helped for any diehard puck fan to enjoy the action.
It's been well played.
Still tied at one apiece as they hit a break with under 10:00 left.
2:43 PM: As they return with the zamboni out at the halfway point, Darren Pang is talking to Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien who wants his team to be physical. They certainly need to compete better because it's been all Buffalo this stanza.
SOG: Pit-0 Buf-11
9:10 remaining
Only the netminding of Conklin has kept it tied as they showed a nice feature of Ryan Miller who took part in one of these when he led his college Michigan State to a 3-3 tie against rival Michigan back in 2001 with over 75,000 on hand at Spartan Stadium.
2:48 PM: Play continues and after a near connection from Buffalo, the Pens apply their first pressure of the period with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin teamed up. But still they aren't able to get through a stingy Sabre D who hasn't permitted a shot in the first 12:46 of the second as they touch up for icing.
2:50 PM: Thomas Vanek comes out off a faceoff but has a shot blocked. Then Conklin watches a Vanek one-timer from the high slot go off the crossbar.
6:35 remaining
2:52 PM: Now Connolly works a give and go with Ales Kotalik as his shot whistles wide. Still no shots for the Pens.
Fans aren't pleased that there was no interference call on the Pens. It appears the refs have decided to let them play as opposed to the four minors called in period No.1. Vanek made a nice move pulling up but defenseman Toni Lydman's shot was wide.
The Pens finally get a great opportunity but Sergei Gonchar's shot in the slot misses.
3:35 to go
Chances are 13-10 Buffalo despite no SOG for the Pens this period which tells you how well they came out. But really, the Sabres should be ahead by now. Only a couple of posts and Conklin has kept this thing tied.
2:10 left in a period which is flying by
Another Pen shot sails high and wide. Can they get a shot before this period ends? They're finally starting to get some attack time.
80 seconds remaining
With under 40 ticks left, the Pens generate a cycle but the Sabres intercept the puck and clear the zone. It appears they're going to finish the period without a shot as another try narrowly misses.
Time winds down as the buzzer sounds with the game still knotted at one.
Believe it or not, they gave the Pens credit for two shots. One by rookie Tyler Kennedy and the other by I couldn't figure out. It looked like neither even touched Miller. They were very generous. Might have something to do with the New Year.
Second Period scoring: 1:25 Brian Campbell 4 (Tim Connolly, Daniel Paille)
SOG: Pit-2 Buf-14
No penalties
SOG thru 2: Pit-13 Buf-23
Power Plays: Pit-0-for-3 Buf-0-for-1
We'll be continuing coverage over at my HB blog. I'll have a wrap up later on this fun filled day.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Drury and Shanahan spark Blueshirts to third straight win
There was a very entertaining game which took place at 33rd and 7th Avenue last night. Because unlike the Knicks who still are everywhere you look at The Garden with NBA All-Star ballots for that pathetic bunch, the Blueshirts actually are becoming watchable again.
Yes. They're now finding the offense which was missing for most of the first half. For the third consecutive game, they scored at least four and posted a well earned come from behind 4-3 overtime victory over the Canadiens in what was an electric atmosphere last night.
That's cause you had your share of Montreal supporters who made the trip from up north to support their team. Tell ya one thing. They sure make it interesting. In fact, I had a French Canadian come up to me before warmups and he was speaking gibberish which couldn't be understood. Then even made a joke about basketball. Classic stuff.
It seemed to be the same kind of supporters who went home bitterly disappointed last April when their team collapsed to miss the postseason at the Islanders' expense.
They chanted "Go Habs Go, Go Habs Go," which got the attention of Ranger fans who returned the favor with "Let's Go Rangers, Let's Go Rangers."
Maybe this is what I like about Canadian games. It creates a chaotic atmosphere full of energy. And because the Habs entered leading our Rangers by two points for fourth in the conference, the fans were into it from start to finish.
The best aspect was that the game itself wasn't a snoozer. It was back and forth probably played more at Montreal's frenetic pace. Despite each team getting the same amount of shots (21 apiece) on goalies Cristobal Huet and Henrik Lundqvist, many were of the quality variety testing them and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The Rangers struck first when Scott Gomez setup defenseman Dan Girardi's seventh at 10:14. But the Canadiens got a late Andrei Kostistyn power play tally to tie it taking advantage of an undisciplined Marek Malik hook after a giveaway.
As Habs fans were singing their patented, "Ole, Ole, Ole" song the Rangers came right back 17 seconds later to re-take the lead when Gomez made a brilliant rush and fed Jaromir Jagr for his 11th making it three straight for a rejuvenated No.68 with a goal.
They took the lead to the locker room. Apparently, they forgot to come out for the second because it was all Habs. A lazy Martin Straka hook in the offensive zone led directly to another Montreal PPG. Off a Marc Staal backhand clear attempt which was gloved down by former Ranger Alexei Kovalev, Tomas Plekanec setup an open Kostistyn for his second of the night at 14:31.
Montreal went ahead 2:36 later on essentially another man-advantage when during a delayed call on Blair Betts, the Habs got the extra attacker out and worked the puck around down low before the Kostistyn brothers combined to find an open Plekanec for an easy goal within 12 feet.
After being outscored 2-0 and outshot 7-1, the Rangers came out much better in the third and would get the tying goal. But not before having an apparent Fedor Tyutin goal wiped out when Toronto ruled against what looked like the equalizer. Instead, the puck hit both the crossbar and right elbow of the post. To the naked eye live, it looked in and didn't make the usual sound. But it appears the league ruled properly in reversing the call.
The Rangers could've let down after that bad break but on this night, they weren't taking no for an answer. Off a key faceoff win, Chris Drury went to the net and found a loose rebound off a deflected Paul Mara shot and scored his 10th to tie the game with 5:51 remaining.
It was the king of play you come to expect from Mr. Clutch. He has struggled in his first season on Broadway but he was huge late.
In OT, Drury again factored in on the deciding marker. Off a Roman Hamrlik turnover, he pushed a puck ahead to a streaking Brendan Shanahan who did the rest beating Huet top shelf on a breakaway 66 seconds in for his team-leading 14th to send the Blueshirt faithful home happy.
It was a very good character win. And an important one at that as the team prepares for a crucial three-game Western Canada road trip with stops in Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton. They have yet to beat a Western team this season. That must change as the calendar year changes to 2008.
The win wouldn't have been possible without a key save by Lundqvist on Plekanec minutes before Drury's tying goal. He only made 18 stops but several of them were high calibre. That's what you expect from King Henrik- one of the league's elite netminders.
Three Stars:
3rd Star: Brendan Shanahan, NYR (GWG 66 seconds into OT)
2nd Star: Tomas Plekanec, Mtl (goal, two assists)
1st Star: Chris Drury, NYR (tying goal and assisted on winner)
Game Highlights
Yes. They're now finding the offense which was missing for most of the first half. For the third consecutive game, they scored at least four and posted a well earned come from behind 4-3 overtime victory over the Canadiens in what was an electric atmosphere last night.
That's cause you had your share of Montreal supporters who made the trip from up north to support their team. Tell ya one thing. They sure make it interesting. In fact, I had a French Canadian come up to me before warmups and he was speaking gibberish which couldn't be understood. Then even made a joke about basketball. Classic stuff.
It seemed to be the same kind of supporters who went home bitterly disappointed last April when their team collapsed to miss the postseason at the Islanders' expense.
They chanted "Go Habs Go, Go Habs Go," which got the attention of Ranger fans who returned the favor with "Let's Go Rangers, Let's Go Rangers."
Maybe this is what I like about Canadian games. It creates a chaotic atmosphere full of energy. And because the Habs entered leading our Rangers by two points for fourth in the conference, the fans were into it from start to finish.
The best aspect was that the game itself wasn't a snoozer. It was back and forth probably played more at Montreal's frenetic pace. Despite each team getting the same amount of shots (21 apiece) on goalies Cristobal Huet and Henrik Lundqvist, many were of the quality variety testing them and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The Rangers struck first when Scott Gomez setup defenseman Dan Girardi's seventh at 10:14. But the Canadiens got a late Andrei Kostistyn power play tally to tie it taking advantage of an undisciplined Marek Malik hook after a giveaway.
As Habs fans were singing their patented, "Ole, Ole, Ole" song the Rangers came right back 17 seconds later to re-take the lead when Gomez made a brilliant rush and fed Jaromir Jagr for his 11th making it three straight for a rejuvenated No.68 with a goal.
They took the lead to the locker room. Apparently, they forgot to come out for the second because it was all Habs. A lazy Martin Straka hook in the offensive zone led directly to another Montreal PPG. Off a Marc Staal backhand clear attempt which was gloved down by former Ranger Alexei Kovalev, Tomas Plekanec setup an open Kostistyn for his second of the night at 14:31.
Montreal went ahead 2:36 later on essentially another man-advantage when during a delayed call on Blair Betts, the Habs got the extra attacker out and worked the puck around down low before the Kostistyn brothers combined to find an open Plekanec for an easy goal within 12 feet.
After being outscored 2-0 and outshot 7-1, the Rangers came out much better in the third and would get the tying goal. But not before having an apparent Fedor Tyutin goal wiped out when Toronto ruled against what looked like the equalizer. Instead, the puck hit both the crossbar and right elbow of the post. To the naked eye live, it looked in and didn't make the usual sound. But it appears the league ruled properly in reversing the call.
The Rangers could've let down after that bad break but on this night, they weren't taking no for an answer. Off a key faceoff win, Chris Drury went to the net and found a loose rebound off a deflected Paul Mara shot and scored his 10th to tie the game with 5:51 remaining.
It was the king of play you come to expect from Mr. Clutch. He has struggled in his first season on Broadway but he was huge late.
In OT, Drury again factored in on the deciding marker. Off a Roman Hamrlik turnover, he pushed a puck ahead to a streaking Brendan Shanahan who did the rest beating Huet top shelf on a breakaway 66 seconds in for his team-leading 14th to send the Blueshirt faithful home happy.
It was a very good character win. And an important one at that as the team prepares for a crucial three-game Western Canada road trip with stops in Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton. They have yet to beat a Western team this season. That must change as the calendar year changes to 2008.
The win wouldn't have been possible without a key save by Lundqvist on Plekanec minutes before Drury's tying goal. He only made 18 stops but several of them were high calibre. That's what you expect from King Henrik- one of the league's elite netminders.
Three Stars:
3rd Star: Brendan Shanahan, NYR (GWG 66 seconds into OT)
2nd Star: Tomas Plekanec, Mtl (goal, two assists)
1st Star: Chris Drury, NYR (tying goal and assisted on winner)
Game Highlights
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Ovechkin's four goals lift Caps over Sens 8-6
Alexander Ovechkin decided to join Russian comrade Ilya Kovalchuk in the 30-goal club this season. He just decided to do it with a vintage night Saturday against the East's best team up at Scotia Bank Place.
The exciting third-year 22 year-old from Moscow scored four goals and an assist in a high scoring 8-6 win over the Senators. It was his first career four-goal game.
Even more amazing was that he was coming off a leg cut suffered in an OT loss to the Penguins Thursday which needed stitches.
No matter as the former 2005-06 Calder winner pulled within two goals of league leader Kovalchuk who tallied once in a 5-0 Thrashing of Boston last night.
"Oh yeah, it was bothering me," Ovechkin later admitted to the AP. "It was a little bit of pain but it's OK, I feel pretty good tonight. My parents were here, they arrived from Moscow and I was excited. It was a great time."
No wonder he put on a show.
"What impresses me most is that he actually played tonight," Capital teammate Olaf Kolzig noted. "If you guys would have seen the gash on his leg and I know a lot of guys were, not begging him but leaning towards, 'Hey, you think you can play tonight?' He had a lot of courage and he put on a heck of a show."
The 14 total goals made for a tough night in net. Something Kolzig eluded to.
"It was definitely a ratings booster for the TV stations and I'm sure the fans got their money's worth, but I'm too old for these kind of games," he said. "It's going to force me to retire sooner than I want."
The game featured the first career hat trick for underrated Ottawa center Mike Fisher. He scored all three in the third period trying to lead a comeback from 5-2 down.
"It's frustrating to lose that one when we were kind of close and it was not a great game for us," Fisher said after tallying shorthanded, on the power play and at even strength to be tabbed as the game's 2nd Star in the loss. "That would have been sweet to be able to come back but overall we've got to be better. We can't put ourselves in that position."
Teammate Daniel Alfredsson also scored twice including on a penalty shot- becoming just the ninth shooter to beat a goalie in over 30 chances this season.
Caps' rookie center Nicklas Backstrom finished with a goal and two helpers as did Alexander Semin. Ex-Ranger Michael Nylander also scored twice in a wild game which saw nine players (Wsh-5, Ott-4) post multi-point nights.
It was Ovechkin's third career hat trick and first since Dec. 1, 2006 against Atlanta.
Here are the highlights:
Ovechkin's first career four-goal game
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Rangers and Islanders have big nights
A couple of statements were made by the two New York teams on this big Saturday night. Both posted impressive wins to keep pace with the Flyers and Penguins (both winners as well) and gain valuable ground on first place New Jersey.
For the Rangers, the road treated them extremely well at Air Canada Center where they got five power play goals (five in 10 chances folks) including a season high four points (PPG, three assists) from team captain Jaromir Jagr in a 6-1 dismantling of the Maple Leafs.
This was about as good a performance as they've had all season. From Sean Avery's mouth saying how he hated Toronto due to how "hockey obsessed they are" even though he's from there to backup Stephen Valiquette (27 saves) performing great yet again in his home town to the unreal night the power play had, it all clicked for the Blueshirts on this night.
There's really not much to say. That's how convincing this win was. For whatever reason, the road team owned the season series with the teams splitting four games with the Rangers prevailing twice up north while the Leafs got the better of it on Broadway. Toronto technically took the series by virtue of their one point in a shootout loss to Valiquette.
But any way you slice it, this was a nice measure of revenge for that embarrassing 6-2 home defeat over three weeks ago on Dec.6.
They got the first six on the Leafs outskating and outchancing them by plenty. And the best aspect was all the penalties called on Toronto were earned and they buried their chances.
This was really a breakout game for Tom Renney's club who returns to MSG later this early evening to host the Canadiens who come in having won two in a row and are tied for fourth in the conference with New York and two other teams.
When Betts scores from Orr and there's a Petr Prucha sighting- yes twice the Czech tallied to double his goal output to four- you know it's your night.
Rookie center Brandon Dubinsky netted three assists and Scott Gomez continued to play well adding a secondary helper to hike his point streak to a career best 11.
Brendan Shanahan scored his club-leading 13th on an absolute rocket on a five-on-three. Avery not only infuriated the Leafs drawing a power play but basically danced on their faces with an unreal no-look backhand pass to help Prucha snap a 17-game long drought.
"It's a miracle," the very happy Czech expressed to the Associated Press later. "I was waiting for it a long time, and I just want to keep scoring ... and get some confidence."
"My confidence was shaken just in front of the net and I couldn't score a goal," he added. "The one thing that was missing from my game was points. I'm just glad I did it tonight."
A great thing for the Rangers which hopefully Prucha can build on. Now if only they could get Ryan Callahan untracked.
Even Marek Malik is looking better these days since being reinserted. He's actually worked well with Paul Mara and is making quicker reads and decisions instead of complexing things in his end.
Two wins in a row is nice. But three straight before a new calendar year would constitute a winning streak and cause for optimism.
One other quick point. Nik Antropov has had a great season for the Leafs but how many times did we have to see the lanky Russian chop down Rangers with his stick coming high and slashing Prucha or Chris Drury without an arm going up?!?!?!?!?!
That's what's wrong with the officiating these days. They're so obsessed with calling every hook legal or imagined but are missing much more serious blatant infractions which can cause injuries.
Wake the hell up already NHL!
Now to the Islanders who had a great win of their own at an energized barn on the Hempstead Turnpike- posting a 5-2 victory on home ice to make it four straight over the first place Devils this season.
To be perfectly honest, this was quite an entertaining game which included a couple of great scraps. Every time we flipped it on, there was lot of stuff going on. A lot of edge out there with plenty of battles contested. You could see how badly each team wanted it.
I really enjoyed the Mike Rupp-Andy Sutton fight. That was awesome stuff. I only wish I had caught the one between David Clarkson and rejuvenated Islander captain Bill Guerin. Even Mike Comrie and Mike Mottau got into it in the first!
You didn't hear any moans or groans from the crowd. I wonder why. ;)
The Isles really played well the first 40 minutes and led on a shorthanded tally by defenseman Chris Campoli and a second period power play goal from Marc-Andre Bergeron.
They seemed in complete control for most of the second until Devils' leading scorer Zach Parise took a Brian Gionta touch pass and converted a mini-breakaway beating Wade Dubielewicz to the backhand for only his second goal in the last 10. It was very timely because it came with just 25 ticks left giving his team a much needed lift after being outshot 14-6 in the stanza.
When John Madden scored his 12th to knot it just 3:59 into the final period, the Devils clearly had the momentum and began taking it to the Isles generating some really good chances. But Dubielewicz was up to the task stopping 12 of 13 New Jersey shots on his way to 27 saves and the game's 3rd Star.
The goalie allowed his team to find their composure and finally a great individual effort by Trent Hunter resulted in Sutton's deciding marker with 8:17 remaining.
With his team changing, Hunter held onto the puck and gained the Devil zone. Then he maintained control until the change was complete and dropped a pass to Mike Sillinger, who in turn fed a cutting Sutton for a quick one-timer past Martin Brodeur for his first as an Islander.
"I think it's my first (game-winner) ever," Sutton acknowledged later on.
It really was just a smart play by Hunter and one which had Brent Sutter seething.
"When you play a team you haven't beaten yet in your division this year, you'd think there would be more of a sense of desperation to want to play one of your better games," the first-year Devil coach pointed out.
Of course, he was right. His team had plenty of incentive to come away with a 'W.' But the Fishsticks wouldn't allow it to happen Saturday as Sutton also assisted on Sean Bergenheim's insurance tally with 4:58 left which put it away.
Comrie added an empty netter to pull the Isles within five points of first despite being tied with the Flyers for last in the division. It just tells you how close things are in the Atlantic.
All in all, a good night for the two bitter New York rivals as we approach 2008.
For the Rangers, the road treated them extremely well at Air Canada Center where they got five power play goals (five in 10 chances folks) including a season high four points (PPG, three assists) from team captain Jaromir Jagr in a 6-1 dismantling of the Maple Leafs.
This was about as good a performance as they've had all season. From Sean Avery's mouth saying how he hated Toronto due to how "hockey obsessed they are" even though he's from there to backup Stephen Valiquette (27 saves) performing great yet again in his home town to the unreal night the power play had, it all clicked for the Blueshirts on this night.
There's really not much to say. That's how convincing this win was. For whatever reason, the road team owned the season series with the teams splitting four games with the Rangers prevailing twice up north while the Leafs got the better of it on Broadway. Toronto technically took the series by virtue of their one point in a shootout loss to Valiquette.
But any way you slice it, this was a nice measure of revenge for that embarrassing 6-2 home defeat over three weeks ago on Dec.6.
They got the first six on the Leafs outskating and outchancing them by plenty. And the best aspect was all the penalties called on Toronto were earned and they buried their chances.
This was really a breakout game for Tom Renney's club who returns to MSG later this early evening to host the Canadiens who come in having won two in a row and are tied for fourth in the conference with New York and two other teams.
When Betts scores from Orr and there's a Petr Prucha sighting- yes twice the Czech tallied to double his goal output to four- you know it's your night.
Rookie center Brandon Dubinsky netted three assists and Scott Gomez continued to play well adding a secondary helper to hike his point streak to a career best 11.
Brendan Shanahan scored his club-leading 13th on an absolute rocket on a five-on-three. Avery not only infuriated the Leafs drawing a power play but basically danced on their faces with an unreal no-look backhand pass to help Prucha snap a 17-game long drought.
"It's a miracle," the very happy Czech expressed to the Associated Press later. "I was waiting for it a long time, and I just want to keep scoring ... and get some confidence."
"My confidence was shaken just in front of the net and I couldn't score a goal," he added. "The one thing that was missing from my game was points. I'm just glad I did it tonight."
A great thing for the Rangers which hopefully Prucha can build on. Now if only they could get Ryan Callahan untracked.
Even Marek Malik is looking better these days since being reinserted. He's actually worked well with Paul Mara and is making quicker reads and decisions instead of complexing things in his end.
Two wins in a row is nice. But three straight before a new calendar year would constitute a winning streak and cause for optimism.
One other quick point. Nik Antropov has had a great season for the Leafs but how many times did we have to see the lanky Russian chop down Rangers with his stick coming high and slashing Prucha or Chris Drury without an arm going up?!?!?!?!?!
That's what's wrong with the officiating these days. They're so obsessed with calling every hook legal or imagined but are missing much more serious blatant infractions which can cause injuries.
Wake the hell up already NHL!
Now to the Islanders who had a great win of their own at an energized barn on the Hempstead Turnpike- posting a 5-2 victory on home ice to make it four straight over the first place Devils this season.
To be perfectly honest, this was quite an entertaining game which included a couple of great scraps. Every time we flipped it on, there was lot of stuff going on. A lot of edge out there with plenty of battles contested. You could see how badly each team wanted it.
I really enjoyed the Mike Rupp-Andy Sutton fight. That was awesome stuff. I only wish I had caught the one between David Clarkson and rejuvenated Islander captain Bill Guerin. Even Mike Comrie and Mike Mottau got into it in the first!
You didn't hear any moans or groans from the crowd. I wonder why. ;)
The Isles really played well the first 40 minutes and led on a shorthanded tally by defenseman Chris Campoli and a second period power play goal from Marc-Andre Bergeron.
They seemed in complete control for most of the second until Devils' leading scorer Zach Parise took a Brian Gionta touch pass and converted a mini-breakaway beating Wade Dubielewicz to the backhand for only his second goal in the last 10. It was very timely because it came with just 25 ticks left giving his team a much needed lift after being outshot 14-6 in the stanza.
When John Madden scored his 12th to knot it just 3:59 into the final period, the Devils clearly had the momentum and began taking it to the Isles generating some really good chances. But Dubielewicz was up to the task stopping 12 of 13 New Jersey shots on his way to 27 saves and the game's 3rd Star.
The goalie allowed his team to find their composure and finally a great individual effort by Trent Hunter resulted in Sutton's deciding marker with 8:17 remaining.
With his team changing, Hunter held onto the puck and gained the Devil zone. Then he maintained control until the change was complete and dropped a pass to Mike Sillinger, who in turn fed a cutting Sutton for a quick one-timer past Martin Brodeur for his first as an Islander.
"I think it's my first (game-winner) ever," Sutton acknowledged later on.
"Guys like Trent Hunter and Mike Sillinger deserve a lot of credit for the way they handled the puck. Hunter had it, and got it back to Silly. I
just tried to be there, and Silly found me and I just shot it as hard as I
could."
It really was just a smart play by Hunter and one which had Brent Sutter seething.
"When you play a team you haven't beaten yet in your division this year, you'd think there would be more of a sense of desperation to want to play one of your better games," the first-year Devil coach pointed out.
"For 30 minutes, we were a very average hockey team.
Then we woke up and played well the next 20 minutes. Then it looked like we
never learned how to play defensive zone coverage
before."
Of course, he was right. His team had plenty of incentive to come away with a 'W.' But the Fishsticks wouldn't allow it to happen Saturday as Sutton also assisted on Sean Bergenheim's insurance tally with 4:58 left which put it away.
Comrie added an empty netter to pull the Isles within five points of first despite being tied with the Flyers for last in the division. It just tells you how close things are in the Atlantic.
All in all, a good night for the two bitter New York rivals as we approach 2008.
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