I wasn't around last night to watch the draft lottery, which had about thirty seconds of suspense once the top five started being revealed and the Isles were at #5 instead of the #4 spot they were slated to pick in. Instantly, that meant that one of four teams (#5 Ottawa, #6 Atlanta, #7 Columbus or #8 New Jersey) could move up and moments later Bill Daly opened the #4 envelope to reveal a Devils logo and putting two Battle teams in the top five. Not only did moving up four spots in the draft represent our first bit of good luck off-ice in quite some time but also showed that perhaps good karma does exist after all.
Too often in sports, teams do get rewarded for tanking - including at least one team in our division who shall remain nameless (cough Mario cough) - but in this case the Devils got rewarded for playing the game the right way in the second half and not tanking, even the last game of the season when losing would have meant going from 8th to 6th and having a theoretically better chance of winning the lottery and moving up to #2. As a result of the Devils winning the lottery, the top three remained intact and the Oilers will pick first overall for the second straight year.
Would I have liked it if winning the lottery actually meant getting the first overall pick? Sure, but those are the rules in place and they have been in place for years. Funny thing is since our team's never anywhere near the lottery I had no idea how it worked before - that one team got picked and a team outside the top five could win the lottery but only move up four spots. So long as the NHL doesn't change their rules mid-stream to screw us again I'm fine with it. At least we don't have to give up our first-round pick this year, which would have been an utter disaster.
With this season having gone the way it had, I was half expecting Atlanta to win the lottery, not only bumping us to ninth but also given the fact they were sixth after losing their final game, and we went from sixth to eighth winning the final game. I could have easily pictured that win costing us six spots. Instead we got rewarded for winning in an odd way, although don't tell that to the four teams - the Isles, Ottawa, Atlanta and Columbus - who moved down a spot because of our win. Ironically there was more suspense involved in me checking my phone for the draft order after getting out of the movie I went to, since the NHL Gamecenter app wouldn't load for the longest time. When I finally did, I saw the draft order and was like holy **** when I saw the Devils were fourth.
Perhaps though it's fitting we finally had a bit of good luck the minute the '10-11 season ended and '11-12 began for us and the thirteen other teams not in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which start tonight.
Covering the Rangers, Devils, Islanders and Sabres five years running along with the rest of the puckers!
BONY
Battle Of New York
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Picking The Playoffs
It's that fun time of year again. For 16 teams, they dare to dream of hoisting Lord Stanley in the warm month of June filled with champagne and Cup parades. Last year, it was finally Chicago's moment to celebrate their first Cup win since the days of Bobby Hull in 1961 with Patrick Kane playing the hero, stunning the Flyers in sudden death. This year, the defending champs didn't know they were in until the Stars lost to the Wild on the final day of the regular season. Now, they play the role of underdog against the odds on favorite President's Trophy winner Canucks, who are having a special season but have gone out two straight years to those Blackhawks. Will it be a third for Roberto Luongo or is the year the Cup finally returns to Canada for the Canucks first championship?
That and a whole lot more, we'll try to answer in this exciting playoff preview filled with predictions and who will be left standing at the end.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Round One
(1) Capitals over (8) Rangers in 6
(7) Sabres over (2) Flyers in 7
(3) Bruins over (6) Canadiens in 6
(5) Lightning over (4) Penguins in 6
Analysis: Too much pressure on Caps to bow out early to Rangers minus Ryan Callahan. The Flyers were our preseason Cup pick but question marks in goal and with Chris Pronger are bad timing for hot Sabres who can expose weakness and boast better netminding. Bruins-Habs is as good as it gets but Boston's too big and strong for Habs. Unless Carey Price steals it, we can't see a deep Boston club losing. The Bolts are hot and Vinny Lecavalier's back. Pens will have problems scoring unless Sid The Kid returns. Marc-Andre Fleury is their best bet.
Conference Semis
(1) Caps over (7) Sabres in 6
(3) Bruins over (5) Lightning in 5
Analysis: Ryan Miller could make things interesting but a more talented and healthier Cap roster prevails thanks to Ovechkin. Boston's size will create problems for high-tempo Bolts. Physicality will prove too much.
Conference Final
(3) Bruins over (1) Caps in 6
Analysis: Unless Tim Thomas folds, this should be the year Boston returns to the Final for the first time since the days of Adam Oates, Cam Neely and Ray Bourque. Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic lead a strong Bruins club in search of first Cup since '72 (Orr, Espo).
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Round One
(1) Canucks over (8) Blackhawks in 6
(2) Sharks over (7) Kings in 6
(6) Coyotes over (3) Red Wings in 7
(4) Ducks over (5) Predators in 6
Analysis: Canucks are deeper and better. Ryan Kesler should have a big series and Christian Ehrhoff's emerged into a tower on the blueline. Luongo's experience over Corey Crawford. It'll be heated but Vancouver can't lose this time. If the Kings had Anze Kopitar, I'd take them over Sharks. Sharks boast too many weapons including Calder hopeful Logan Couture. The 'Yotes came close last year. Unless Henrik Zetterberg plays, they should finally win franchise's first series since the '87 Jets. Ilya Bryzgalov and Keith Yandle are difference. Pekka Rinne and Shea Weber give Nashville a chance but too much Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and Norris pick Lubomir Visnovsky.
Conference Semis
(1) Canucks over (6) Coyotes in 5
(4) Ducks over (2) Sharks in 7
Analysis: Canucks have too much firepower for Coyotes. Big series for The Sedins and Alex Burrows. The Sharks are deeper but would you go against Perry, Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf? Ducks blueline also is underrated with Francois Beauchemin and Toni Lydman plus rook Cam Barker. If they lose, it'll be because of goaltending where Ray Emery's the guy with Jonas Hiller (vertigo) sidelined.
Conference Final
(1) Canucks over (4) Ducks in 7
Analysis: A rematch of '07 this time goes to 'Nucks, who are more balanced up front and on back end with Kevin Bieksa, Alex Edler and Keith Ballard big minute loggers. The goaltending also favors them. Look for scrappy additions Max Lapierre, Raffi Torres, Chris Higgins and Jeff Tambellini (yes that guy) to contribute at key moments. It should be enough to get them to their first Final appearance since '94.
STANLEY CUP
(1) Canucks over (3) Bruins in 6
Analysis: The battle between Neely's former team that gave him away and the one he emerged into one of the game's premier power forwards much like protoge Lucic, should be intense. A sexy goalie match-up featuring Vezina frontrunner Thomas versus Luongo, who has never performed well on the big stage. A contrast in styles between the magician-esque Sedins and the in your face B's led by Lucic, overlooked duo David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, along with Nathan Horton and warrior Mark Recchi. A battle on the blueline featuring Ehrhoff and Zdeno Chara. The Canucks' talent should win out along with better depth on the back end. If it comes down, it should be a fantastic series. If they're ever gonna do it, now's the time.
Stanley Cup Champs-Vancouver Canucks
Conn Smythe-Ryan Kesler
That and a whole lot more, we'll try to answer in this exciting playoff preview filled with predictions and who will be left standing at the end.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Round One
(1) Capitals over (8) Rangers in 6
(7) Sabres over (2) Flyers in 7
(3) Bruins over (6) Canadiens in 6
(5) Lightning over (4) Penguins in 6
Analysis: Too much pressure on Caps to bow out early to Rangers minus Ryan Callahan. The Flyers were our preseason Cup pick but question marks in goal and with Chris Pronger are bad timing for hot Sabres who can expose weakness and boast better netminding. Bruins-Habs is as good as it gets but Boston's too big and strong for Habs. Unless Carey Price steals it, we can't see a deep Boston club losing. The Bolts are hot and Vinny Lecavalier's back. Pens will have problems scoring unless Sid The Kid returns. Marc-Andre Fleury is their best bet.
Conference Semis
(1) Caps over (7) Sabres in 6
(3) Bruins over (5) Lightning in 5
Analysis: Ryan Miller could make things interesting but a more talented and healthier Cap roster prevails thanks to Ovechkin. Boston's size will create problems for high-tempo Bolts. Physicality will prove too much.
Conference Final
(3) Bruins over (1) Caps in 6
Analysis: Unless Tim Thomas folds, this should be the year Boston returns to the Final for the first time since the days of Adam Oates, Cam Neely and Ray Bourque. Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic lead a strong Bruins club in search of first Cup since '72 (Orr, Espo).
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Round One
(1) Canucks over (8) Blackhawks in 6
(2) Sharks over (7) Kings in 6
(6) Coyotes over (3) Red Wings in 7
(4) Ducks over (5) Predators in 6
Analysis: Canucks are deeper and better. Ryan Kesler should have a big series and Christian Ehrhoff's emerged into a tower on the blueline. Luongo's experience over Corey Crawford. It'll be heated but Vancouver can't lose this time. If the Kings had Anze Kopitar, I'd take them over Sharks. Sharks boast too many weapons including Calder hopeful Logan Couture. The 'Yotes came close last year. Unless Henrik Zetterberg plays, they should finally win franchise's first series since the '87 Jets. Ilya Bryzgalov and Keith Yandle are difference. Pekka Rinne and Shea Weber give Nashville a chance but too much Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and Norris pick Lubomir Visnovsky.
Conference Semis
(1) Canucks over (6) Coyotes in 5
(4) Ducks over (2) Sharks in 7
Analysis: Canucks have too much firepower for Coyotes. Big series for The Sedins and Alex Burrows. The Sharks are deeper but would you go against Perry, Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf? Ducks blueline also is underrated with Francois Beauchemin and Toni Lydman plus rook Cam Barker. If they lose, it'll be because of goaltending where Ray Emery's the guy with Jonas Hiller (vertigo) sidelined.
Conference Final
(1) Canucks over (4) Ducks in 7
Analysis: A rematch of '07 this time goes to 'Nucks, who are more balanced up front and on back end with Kevin Bieksa, Alex Edler and Keith Ballard big minute loggers. The goaltending also favors them. Look for scrappy additions Max Lapierre, Raffi Torres, Chris Higgins and Jeff Tambellini (yes that guy) to contribute at key moments. It should be enough to get them to their first Final appearance since '94.
STANLEY CUP
(1) Canucks over (3) Bruins in 6
Analysis: The battle between Neely's former team that gave him away and the one he emerged into one of the game's premier power forwards much like protoge Lucic, should be intense. A sexy goalie match-up featuring Vezina frontrunner Thomas versus Luongo, who has never performed well on the big stage. A contrast in styles between the magician-esque Sedins and the in your face B's led by Lucic, overlooked duo David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, along with Nathan Horton and warrior Mark Recchi. A battle on the blueline featuring Ehrhoff and Zdeno Chara. The Canucks' talent should win out along with better depth on the back end. If it comes down, it should be a fantastic series. If they're ever gonna do it, now's the time.
Stanley Cup Champs-Vancouver Canucks
Conn Smythe-Ryan Kesler
Series Preview (8) NYR vs (1) Caps: Exciting finish sets up rematch
Finally, after a couple of days, I can try to make sense of what happened this weekend. I'm not going to lie. I never thought the Hurricanes were losing at home in front of some of the best fans with their season on the line. Full credit to Jack Adams candidate Guy Boucher and his overlooked Lightning who could surprise a few this Spring. Big kudos to the Rangers, who wouldn't go down without a fight in front of the Garden Faithful- coming back to earn an emotional 5-2 win over the enemy Devils.
Of course, the Devils wanted to end our season. Wouldn't you if it was the first time in 15 years you weren't in the playoffs and had a chance to beat your closest rival? So, it wasn't too surprising that the Devs came out strong thanks to a brilliant first period from Ilya Kovalchuk, who scored and set up both his team's goals, giving them a 2-1 lead with a rocket in the final 30 seconds. It's funny but as much as it was supposed to hurt that the Devils' best player scored a potential crushing goal late in the first, I just didn't feel that alarmed. Perhaps it was because I knew our team wouldn't give up when they haven't all season. As brutal as the loss to kryptonite Atlanta was, this was still do or die with the chance to put it all on Carolina. My feeling was, 'Let's beat the Devils and end on a high note. Whatever happens happens.'
That realistic approach made it easier to focus on the remaining two periods. Even the funny scalpers outside were discussing our fragile plight. None of it meant anything if the Blueshirts didn't respond one final time against a Hudson rival that beat us the last two times, intent on playing spoiler. What we got was the heart and passion that exemplifies what this team has been all about. It already was fun seeing much maligned captain Chris Drury, making like Willis Reed (sarcasm folks) to score his first of the season in quick reply to Kyle Palmieri's redirect. Ironically, when I learned he was returning, I tweeted that it wouldn't surprise me if he scored a big goal, which has defined his career. Sometimes, you just get a sixth sense. I was really happy for him. That it was also set up by Mats Zuccarello, who replaced Sean Avery, was even better. John Tortorella didn't stand pat, reinserting Drury, Zuccarello and opting for more mobile Matt Gilroy over gritty Steve Eminger.
The thing I admire about Tort the most is his willingness to change things up and make guys accountable. Even Marian Gaborik, who sat a long time in that humiliation in Game 81. The former Lightning coach who's won a Cup doing it his way, does it more by feel instead of by the book. That approach allowed us to come back against Boston just to reach Saturday. By not being afraid to mix and match, it's allowed our roster to get comfortable with each other. So, if he does it in the first round rematch versus Washington, they should be more familiar, making for an easier transformation.
Most encouraging were the five different goalscorers, including emerging freshman Ryan McDonagh, who picked a great time for his first career NHL goal- becoming the 19th different Ranger to score a deciding goal, epitomizing the kinda T-E-A-M they've been. Something that wasn't lost on Tortorella prior to getting help from his ex-team, who held off a late Carolina rally for a 6-2 win.
Now, that growth can continue for the sixth youngest team as they prepare for a Caps' team that's adjusted their style for the postseason. No longer is Alex Ovechkin just a one-way player but good in all three zones along with an improved D that features gifted rookie John Carlson along with Dennis Wideman, Scott Hannan and Jeff Schultz but could be without Mike Green, who's still recovering from a concussion due to a Derek Stepan elbow during the Rangers' 6-0 rout a couple of months ago. According to reports, Green has taken part in team workouts and is available for Wednesday. However, it's uncertain if he'll play.
The Blueshirts can't concern themselves with that. Instead, they'll march on minus emotional leader Ryan Callahan, who despite missing 20 games, tied with Gaborik for second in team scoring with a career high 48 points, including personal bests in goals (23), assists (25), power play goals (10) and game-winners (5). The latter two which he paced the club. No question they could use his physical presence in all facets, including the front of the net where goals could be at a premium. Washington rookie Michal Neuvirth had a superb year winning 27 games in 45 starts while posting a 2.45 GAA, .910 save percentage and four shutouts. If the Rangers get to him, '09 hero Semyon Varlamov is capable. So, while Henrik Lundqvist should give them an edge, it might not be as definitive considering the Caps' more defensive style.
Against the Devils, Drury, Wojtek Wolski, McDonagh, Extra Effort winner Brandon Prust and Vinny Prospal tallied. That kinda balance is exactly what the Rangers need to have a shot versus a talented top seeded Cap squad led by Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, that also boasts a strong supporting cast featuring Mike Knuble, Brooks Laich, Jason Arnott, Jason Chimera, Matt Hendricks, Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and dangerous rookie Marcus Johansson. Indeed, the Caps are formidable and will want to prove the two humiliations (7-0 and 6-0) are a thing of the past. The Rangers took the season series 3-1, also edging Washington in a shootout 2-1 thanks to budding soph Artem Anisimov.
This is a team we match-up well against. Perhaps because they play similarly despite more talent, the Rangers think they can win. Having Lundqvist on our side helps but it cannot turn into two years ago where Washington controlled throughout, wearing out our goalie who didn't benefit from Tortorella's blow up or the Sean Avery controversy. I still doubt we win anyway. This year's club is deeper and more together. Better equipped to go toe to toe with Washington, who actually scored five fewer goals (219) than us (224). Subtracting the do everything Callahan will be tough to replace. That's why it's imperative for Gaborik to forget his awful regular season and just focus on the playoffs. The Rangers need him to be a game breaker. I have faith in everyone else, figuring Dubinsky, Anisimov, Stepan, Prospal, Brian Boyle and Prust will lead the way. Speaking of Boyle, his scoring slowed down but his importance is huge because his line injects energy and plays defensively responsible against top scoring lines. Can they slow down Ovechkin, who found his groove late? Being able to forecheck will be key.
It remains to be seen who Tortorella will start in Game One. Wolski certainly earned it along with Drury. So, we're guessing Avery's out while a more skilled guy like Zuccarello gets his first crack at the playoffs. I could see him going back to Eminger over Gilroy but that would hurt our team speed. We'll see. Does enigma Erik Christensen have any goals in him? He's the unknown. The talent's there. In a series like this, he could make a difference. Does Tort dare reunite Christy with Gabby and Prospal, trying to catch Lightning in a bottle?
I think the best aspect of this team is our D which won't have to rely as much on Marc Staal and Dan Girardi thanks to the stellar play of rookie tandem McDonagh and Mike Sauer. I know Tort will lean heavily on our top pair but he must not shy away from sticking with what's worked. It's the unflappable play of McDonagh and Sauer, our toughest D since Beuke- who are just as responsible for where we are. If there are no jitters, that top four should be a strength. We have better quickness than Washington. Particularly if Tortorella goes with Gilroy to play with Bryan McCabe, who needs to be a factor on the power play.
What I'd Like To See:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Zuccarello
Prospal-Stepan-Gaborik
Prust-Boyle-Fedotenko
Christensen-Drury-Wolski
Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy
Lundqvist
Who Concerns Me: Johansson cause he's a different player who has sick moves and is extremely dangerous. Our team is familiar with how to defend the Caps' Big Three. Johansson could be an X-factor along with gritty types Laich, Knuble, Arnott, etc. The Caps' depth hurt us last time.
What Must Happen: Big series for Gaborik, Dubinsky, Prospal, Anisimov, Staal, Girardi and Lundqvist.
Under Radar: The Boyle line has been a constant throughout. Their play will play a huge role in this series. Keep an eye on Stepan, who finished strong and looks poised for a good first round.
Special Teams: Power play and penalty kill are always important. Staying disciplined against the Caps is a must, even if we don't know how effective Green is if he goes. Let Lundqvist see the shots.
Intangibles: The Caps have something to prove, intent on finally reaching the Cup. The Rangers lost to them two years ago with at least seven players experiencing an excruciating loss. The longer the series goes, the better our chances.
Prediction: Minus Callahan, it'll be difficult to replace what he brings. This is the type of series he'd be huge in. I really believe we win if No.24 plays. I just feel too many things have to break right for us to prevail.
Caps in 6
Of course, the Devils wanted to end our season. Wouldn't you if it was the first time in 15 years you weren't in the playoffs and had a chance to beat your closest rival? So, it wasn't too surprising that the Devs came out strong thanks to a brilliant first period from Ilya Kovalchuk, who scored and set up both his team's goals, giving them a 2-1 lead with a rocket in the final 30 seconds. It's funny but as much as it was supposed to hurt that the Devils' best player scored a potential crushing goal late in the first, I just didn't feel that alarmed. Perhaps it was because I knew our team wouldn't give up when they haven't all season. As brutal as the loss to kryptonite Atlanta was, this was still do or die with the chance to put it all on Carolina. My feeling was, 'Let's beat the Devils and end on a high note. Whatever happens happens.'
That realistic approach made it easier to focus on the remaining two periods. Even the funny scalpers outside were discussing our fragile plight. None of it meant anything if the Blueshirts didn't respond one final time against a Hudson rival that beat us the last two times, intent on playing spoiler. What we got was the heart and passion that exemplifies what this team has been all about. It already was fun seeing much maligned captain Chris Drury, making like Willis Reed (sarcasm folks) to score his first of the season in quick reply to Kyle Palmieri's redirect. Ironically, when I learned he was returning, I tweeted that it wouldn't surprise me if he scored a big goal, which has defined his career. Sometimes, you just get a sixth sense. I was really happy for him. That it was also set up by Mats Zuccarello, who replaced Sean Avery, was even better. John Tortorella didn't stand pat, reinserting Drury, Zuccarello and opting for more mobile Matt Gilroy over gritty Steve Eminger.
The thing I admire about Tort the most is his willingness to change things up and make guys accountable. Even Marian Gaborik, who sat a long time in that humiliation in Game 81. The former Lightning coach who's won a Cup doing it his way, does it more by feel instead of by the book. That approach allowed us to come back against Boston just to reach Saturday. By not being afraid to mix and match, it's allowed our roster to get comfortable with each other. So, if he does it in the first round rematch versus Washington, they should be more familiar, making for an easier transformation.
Most encouraging were the five different goalscorers, including emerging freshman Ryan McDonagh, who picked a great time for his first career NHL goal- becoming the 19th different Ranger to score a deciding goal, epitomizing the kinda T-E-A-M they've been. Something that wasn't lost on Tortorella prior to getting help from his ex-team, who held off a late Carolina rally for a 6-2 win.
"We are doing things the right way, the way we are building this team. I think it is very important for this team to get in (to the playoffs) because that is part of growing as a team, getting that experience in the playoffs."
Now, that growth can continue for the sixth youngest team as they prepare for a Caps' team that's adjusted their style for the postseason. No longer is Alex Ovechkin just a one-way player but good in all three zones along with an improved D that features gifted rookie John Carlson along with Dennis Wideman, Scott Hannan and Jeff Schultz but could be without Mike Green, who's still recovering from a concussion due to a Derek Stepan elbow during the Rangers' 6-0 rout a couple of months ago. According to reports, Green has taken part in team workouts and is available for Wednesday. However, it's uncertain if he'll play.
The Blueshirts can't concern themselves with that. Instead, they'll march on minus emotional leader Ryan Callahan, who despite missing 20 games, tied with Gaborik for second in team scoring with a career high 48 points, including personal bests in goals (23), assists (25), power play goals (10) and game-winners (5). The latter two which he paced the club. No question they could use his physical presence in all facets, including the front of the net where goals could be at a premium. Washington rookie Michal Neuvirth had a superb year winning 27 games in 45 starts while posting a 2.45 GAA, .910 save percentage and four shutouts. If the Rangers get to him, '09 hero Semyon Varlamov is capable. So, while Henrik Lundqvist should give them an edge, it might not be as definitive considering the Caps' more defensive style.
Against the Devils, Drury, Wojtek Wolski, McDonagh, Extra Effort winner Brandon Prust and Vinny Prospal tallied. That kinda balance is exactly what the Rangers need to have a shot versus a talented top seeded Cap squad led by Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, that also boasts a strong supporting cast featuring Mike Knuble, Brooks Laich, Jason Arnott, Jason Chimera, Matt Hendricks, Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and dangerous rookie Marcus Johansson. Indeed, the Caps are formidable and will want to prove the two humiliations (7-0 and 6-0) are a thing of the past. The Rangers took the season series 3-1, also edging Washington in a shootout 2-1 thanks to budding soph Artem Anisimov.
This is a team we match-up well against. Perhaps because they play similarly despite more talent, the Rangers think they can win. Having Lundqvist on our side helps but it cannot turn into two years ago where Washington controlled throughout, wearing out our goalie who didn't benefit from Tortorella's blow up or the Sean Avery controversy. I still doubt we win anyway. This year's club is deeper and more together. Better equipped to go toe to toe with Washington, who actually scored five fewer goals (219) than us (224). Subtracting the do everything Callahan will be tough to replace. That's why it's imperative for Gaborik to forget his awful regular season and just focus on the playoffs. The Rangers need him to be a game breaker. I have faith in everyone else, figuring Dubinsky, Anisimov, Stepan, Prospal, Brian Boyle and Prust will lead the way. Speaking of Boyle, his scoring slowed down but his importance is huge because his line injects energy and plays defensively responsible against top scoring lines. Can they slow down Ovechkin, who found his groove late? Being able to forecheck will be key.
It remains to be seen who Tortorella will start in Game One. Wolski certainly earned it along with Drury. So, we're guessing Avery's out while a more skilled guy like Zuccarello gets his first crack at the playoffs. I could see him going back to Eminger over Gilroy but that would hurt our team speed. We'll see. Does enigma Erik Christensen have any goals in him? He's the unknown. The talent's there. In a series like this, he could make a difference. Does Tort dare reunite Christy with Gabby and Prospal, trying to catch Lightning in a bottle?
I think the best aspect of this team is our D which won't have to rely as much on Marc Staal and Dan Girardi thanks to the stellar play of rookie tandem McDonagh and Mike Sauer. I know Tort will lean heavily on our top pair but he must not shy away from sticking with what's worked. It's the unflappable play of McDonagh and Sauer, our toughest D since Beuke- who are just as responsible for where we are. If there are no jitters, that top four should be a strength. We have better quickness than Washington. Particularly if Tortorella goes with Gilroy to play with Bryan McCabe, who needs to be a factor on the power play.
What I'd Like To See:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Zuccarello
Prospal-Stepan-Gaborik
Prust-Boyle-Fedotenko
Christensen-Drury-Wolski
Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy
Lundqvist
Who Concerns Me: Johansson cause he's a different player who has sick moves and is extremely dangerous. Our team is familiar with how to defend the Caps' Big Three. Johansson could be an X-factor along with gritty types Laich, Knuble, Arnott, etc. The Caps' depth hurt us last time.
What Must Happen: Big series for Gaborik, Dubinsky, Prospal, Anisimov, Staal, Girardi and Lundqvist.
Under Radar: The Boyle line has been a constant throughout. Their play will play a huge role in this series. Keep an eye on Stepan, who finished strong and looks poised for a good first round.
Special Teams: Power play and penalty kill are always important. Staying disciplined against the Caps is a must, even if we don't know how effective Green is if he goes. Let Lundqvist see the shots.
Intangibles: The Caps have something to prove, intent on finally reaching the Cup. The Rangers lost to them two years ago with at least seven players experiencing an excruciating loss. The longer the series goes, the better our chances.
Prediction: Minus Callahan, it'll be difficult to replace what he brings. This is the type of series he'd be huge in. I really believe we win if No.24 plays. I just feel too many things have to break right for us to prevail.
Caps in 6
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Lemaire retires after Devils' final game
Thankfully there was no more pain or drama than neccesary involved with Jacques Lemaire stepping away from the Devils' bench this time. There was no hour-long show to announce his decision, no three-month wait while ESPN reporters camp out on his lawn (well for hockey, maybe it would be CBC) and no waffling. Before the game he announced his decision in the locker room to retire after today's contest and the Devils sent him out as he deserved to be sent out - as a winner. While their 3-2 win over Boston this afternoon meant nothing in the standings, it was meaningful to a coach who's all class and got a team who'd lost all pride to play with passion, even with no tangible reward for it other than the respect of its fans.
On Fan Appreciation Day, the Devils put on a good show with some unexpected goalscoring. After Patrik Elias got the team's first early on in the game, Boston later tied it just after a power play and the game stayed at 1-1 until the third period when of all people Vladimir Zharkov got a breakaway and put the puck past Tukka Rask to give the Devils a lead they wouldn't relinquish. For Zharkov, it was just his second goal in 78 NHL games between last year and this year. Rookie defenseman Alexander Urbom added another later in the period - his first NHL goal. Urbom rejoined the team just this afternoon, after playing seven games very early in the season but spending most of the year in Albany.
Perhaps fittingly in a bizarre end to a bizarre season, as the Devil fans stood and cheered the end of the game, the lower bowl became packed with visiting Nordiques fans, who were concentrated in the balcony much of the day but were allowed to crowd the steps of the lower bowl as the final buzzer approached. And just as the crowd - Devils and Nords fans alike - was ready to explode, Boston scored with less than four seconds left, delaying the inevitable for a minute or so before finally the Devils sealed their win. Though I didn't notice this at the time, Lemaire gave hint of his intentions by shaking the officials' hands after the game.
While I wouldn't have minded a return by the 66-year old Lemaire, I'm happy that he now gets to enjoy life with his family. Something he was doing before an old friend (Devils GM Lou Lamoriello) asked him for a favor in late December, to see what he could do with a team that was 9-22-2. He didn't have to come back, but he did - showing the regard he has not only for Lou but for the organization as a whole. Ultimately the Devils' run for .500 came up one game short, but it's remarkable that a team which was nineteen under at one point wound up just a single game under by year's end. Having done all of us proud, he gets to exit in a much better fashion than after last year's drab second half and playoff exit, with a fanbase's restored respect and admiration.
Lemaire's legacy with the Devils is that he gave this franchise credibility and respect twice - the first time in 1994 when they had never really had either to begin with, apart from one Cinderella playoff run in 1988. The second time came this year, when a team who had won for years suddenly became a laughingstock who lost its way, on its way to a historically bad season for a non-expansion team. Once again, Lemaire brought respectability back to the Devils with a 29-17-3 record (which included a league-best 28-10-3 in the second half of the season) and players who had lost their confidence regained their form. His return and experience also proved invaluable to the ten rookies that suited up for at least one game this season. Even if Lemaire will be gone next year, his impact will still be felt.
Upon leaving, he said his only regret on coming back was not making the playoffs. Among anyone associated with the team this year, he's perhaps the only one who's blameless in that. My only regret on him leaving is that I don't get to hear his entertaining press conferences anymore. Usually personable, sometimes funny but always knowledgeable. Perhaps that describes the man as well as his press conferences, along with a word I used in the first paragraph - class.
Thank you once again, Jacques. Enjoy your retirement now.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Devils' lost season nears end in Newark tomorrow
Through the last couple of weeks I've let Derek and Brian have the stage as far as blogging, since after all their teams had playoffs to chase and ultimately attain and ours was just playing out the string for the most part, other than today where they had their one chance to do something to leave a good taste in what's been a poor season for the most part. With a chance to knock their bitter rival out of the playoffs, all the Devils sans Ilya Kovalchuk came up small in a 5-2 defeat, including Martin Brodeur, whose overall record against the Rangers I don't want to see ever again. It's too much of a reminder of what used to be. Before the lockout, Marty was every bit as good against the Rangers as he was against his hometown Canadiens, at least in the regular season. Now, not so much.
Granted, you have to say the Rangers were the healthier, grittier team and there's a reason they (and the Sabres) are going to the playoffs and we aren't. In a way it almost makes me feel better that the final playoff number in the East wound up being 93 points. That means the Devils would literally have had to earn 73 of a possible 82 points in the second half to make it. Wouldn't have mattered how many games we lost to Ottawa, that hole was just too deep to make up. To their credit, the Devils tried and made it fun for two months but ultimately this season will be remembered as one fiasco on top of another, from the Kovalchuk cap saga this offseason to the John MacLean thirty-three game nightmare and now one final letdown in Game #81, where if the Devils had won they would have guaranteed themselves a standing ovation on Fan Appreciation Day tomorrow, as well as a chance to finish over NHL .500.
Unfortunately the possible final game in the great coaching career of Jacques Lemaire will probably see the team get booed, although one has to say at least he's going out on a better note than last year's playoff loss would have been. He breathed life back into a corpse and not only gave us two good months of hockey (two more than we had any right to hope for after the first half) but also helped rookies like Nick Palmeri, Mattias Tedenby, Jacob Josefson and Mark Fayne develop as well as brought out the best in $100 million man Kovalchuk, whose 21-goal second half and overall improved play at both ends of the ice proves he can indeed acclimate to the Devils' system, at least under the right coach.
Really though, I've had enough not only with speculating on the Devils' future, but also with this hockey season in general. Carolina going flat in a must-win game at home against a Tampa team with absolutely nothing to play for is the final insult. You wish they could have thrown up a clunker in the clutch like that against us at least once considering we've lost three crushing playoff series to them since 2002. And now the Rangers luck into the one team they have the best shot against - the Caps, who they beat by a touchdown just about every game they've played this year and should have beaten them in the playoffs two years ago if not for a couple of unfortunate incidents involving Sean Avery and John Tortorella.
A while back when the Devils were still going well, I thought I'd wind up ending the season with my final blog before Fan Appreciation Night on a happier note. Right now though, there are things in life to be happy about - but my sports teams aren't among them. Wake me when the NHL playoffs are over, but with our luck this year the Finals will probably be Rangers-Canucks.
Granted, you have to say the Rangers were the healthier, grittier team and there's a reason they (and the Sabres) are going to the playoffs and we aren't. In a way it almost makes me feel better that the final playoff number in the East wound up being 93 points. That means the Devils would literally have had to earn 73 of a possible 82 points in the second half to make it. Wouldn't have mattered how many games we lost to Ottawa, that hole was just too deep to make up. To their credit, the Devils tried and made it fun for two months but ultimately this season will be remembered as one fiasco on top of another, from the Kovalchuk cap saga this offseason to the John MacLean thirty-three game nightmare and now one final letdown in Game #81, where if the Devils had won they would have guaranteed themselves a standing ovation on Fan Appreciation Day tomorrow, as well as a chance to finish over NHL .500.
Unfortunately the possible final game in the great coaching career of Jacques Lemaire will probably see the team get booed, although one has to say at least he's going out on a better note than last year's playoff loss would have been. He breathed life back into a corpse and not only gave us two good months of hockey (two more than we had any right to hope for after the first half) but also helped rookies like Nick Palmeri, Mattias Tedenby, Jacob Josefson and Mark Fayne develop as well as brought out the best in $100 million man Kovalchuk, whose 21-goal second half and overall improved play at both ends of the ice proves he can indeed acclimate to the Devils' system, at least under the right coach.
Really though, I've had enough not only with speculating on the Devils' future, but also with this hockey season in general. Carolina going flat in a must-win game at home against a Tampa team with absolutely nothing to play for is the final insult. You wish they could have thrown up a clunker in the clutch like that against us at least once considering we've lost three crushing playoff series to them since 2002. And now the Rangers luck into the one team they have the best shot against - the Caps, who they beat by a touchdown just about every game they've played this year and should have beaten them in the playoffs two years ago if not for a couple of unfortunate incidents involving Sean Avery and John Tortorella.
A while back when the Devils were still going well, I thought I'd wind up ending the season with my final blog before Fan Appreciation Night on a happier note. Right now though, there are things in life to be happy about - but my sports teams aren't among them. Wake me when the NHL playoffs are over, but with our luck this year the Finals will probably be Rangers-Canucks.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thrashing takes destiny out of Rangers hands
Brian used to refer to Atlanta as an automatic loss for Buffalo because everytime they played, the Thrashers took it to his Sabres. I guess the same applies to my team, who last night couldn't get out of their own way- suffering a humiliating 3-0 shutout to a team that's made the playoffs once in their existence. None of that mattered. Not even on an emotional night where former officer Steven McDonald presented Brandon Prust with the Extra Effort Award with two-time recipient Ryan Callahan on crutches showing support to thunderous cheers.
Despite another riveting speech from McDonald that included, "We win. You lose," the Rangers just couldn't. It didn't start out badly by any stretch with their first few shifts pinning the Thrashers deep, generating chances on Ondrej Pavelec. The problem was the young netminder didn't cooperate, stopping all 29 shots en route to his fourth shutout of the season. The Rangers took the first four shots but couldn't get the all important first goal, which may have sent Atlanta in retreat. Instead, they came on following a couple of strong shifts from Prust's line with Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. Once the Thrashers began taking the play to us, it was evident that we were in for a long night. A couple of very tough saves from Henrik Lundqvist foreshadowed a heartbreaking script. When he squeezed the pads together to rob Dustin Byfuglien in the second, the look on his face was one of, 'Uh oh. If I give up one, we're going to lose.'
That's how superior the Thrashers were. A team with skill and speed who just aren't a good match-up for our team. No surprise that they felt quite comfortable on the Garden ice, where they've now won five straight. Sadly, the Rangers are 3-13-3 over the last 19 versus Atlanta. Honestly, I think all three wins came via the shootout. I was concerned going in because of this danger. Plus the loss of Callahan was felt with our attack not as strong. Marian Gaborik isn't even an ounce of what Callahan brings, which explained why it didn't take long for John Tortorella to break up Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and the listless Gaborik, who failed miserably in a big game. If our fate is sealed by two Carolina wins and I see no reason why they'll suffer the same end result in Atlanta tonight, you really have to wonder what's going on inside Gaborik's head. Is it the injuries he had? Is it just mental? Can anyone explain the lack of burst coming from his skates with opponents easily able to recover when he has a step? Between the mind numbing inability to score when our team needs it and the lazy play away from the puck like allowing mere mortal Eric Boulton to escape for the crusher a few minutes into the third, you have to ask if he'll be back. Will anyone take that salary? For some reason, Gabby just doesn't fit the system.
Everyone else gives maximum effort. Even on a night they didn't have it, the try was there. The execution wasn't. Anyone could see how lucky they were not to be down after one. So, when Islander stiff Rob Schremp took full advantage of a dreadful Sean Avery turnover for the game's first goal, it wasn't a surprise. However, seeing Atlanta captain Andrew Ladd split our top pair badly, dusting Dan Girardi before going backhand deke on Lundqvist, was stunning. Both Girardi and Marc Staal had games to forget with each on for two of three goals against. Tortorella's not wrong when he states that nobody played well. Even if Boyle came close, drawing iron before the roof collapsed, our team looked disjointed. You can't tempt fate twice. Against Boston, they got a mulligan. I knew after the second goal, there would be no comeback. Considering that I already wasn't feeling well, I headed for the car and listened to the third where Dave Maloney was beside himself after Gaborik's error.
Maloney questioned Tortorella sitting our most skilled forward out the remaining 15:41 in Game 81 trailing by three. Yes. He made a brutal mistake. But at that point with the team needing him and more shifts for Anisimov, who also found himself on the bench much of the third, they had to play their best. Conversely, Avery wasn't punished for his lazy clear that's been a trait ever since he returned to Broadway. You figure it out. Erik Christensen, who didn't look half bad between Avery and converted right wing Matt Gilroy, received increased minutes. The same player whose role had reduced to almost zilch aside from shootout specialist. Sometimes, the coach's decisions baffle. Especially with one more game to play tomorrow afternoon (12:30 ET) against the Devils.
It might not even matter. If the Canes win out, even if we beat the Devils and finish tied in the standings with 93 points, Carolina gets in by virtue of one more regulation/overtime win (35-34). The only prayer is that the Thrashers somehow summon up the same energy against a rested opponent tonight in a more than half empty building and do us a huge favor. I just can't see that happening. Not the way the battle tested Hurricanes are playing. Cam Ward's on a role and Eric Staal, Erik Cole and Jeff Skinner are carrying them. Their best players are playing like it and that spells doom unfortunately for us.
I can honestly say if they win tonight, I'm not going to bother going tomorrow. For what point? Even if we win, I just can't see the Canes losing at home to Tampa Bay with their season on the line. It's like Hasan says. When they do make it, watch out. Every indication is that Carolina will win out and then eliminate whoever they face. I'd love to be wrong because I could easily that being us. It's too bad they didn't meet the challenge yesterday. Now, it's our of their control.
Hope for a miracle.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (23 saves)
2nd Star-Eric Boulton, Atl (6th of season)
1st Star-Rob Schremp, Atl (GW goal, assist)
Despite another riveting speech from McDonald that included, "We win. You lose," the Rangers just couldn't. It didn't start out badly by any stretch with their first few shifts pinning the Thrashers deep, generating chances on Ondrej Pavelec. The problem was the young netminder didn't cooperate, stopping all 29 shots en route to his fourth shutout of the season. The Rangers took the first four shots but couldn't get the all important first goal, which may have sent Atlanta in retreat. Instead, they came on following a couple of strong shifts from Prust's line with Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. Once the Thrashers began taking the play to us, it was evident that we were in for a long night. A couple of very tough saves from Henrik Lundqvist foreshadowed a heartbreaking script. When he squeezed the pads together to rob Dustin Byfuglien in the second, the look on his face was one of, 'Uh oh. If I give up one, we're going to lose.'
That's how superior the Thrashers were. A team with skill and speed who just aren't a good match-up for our team. No surprise that they felt quite comfortable on the Garden ice, where they've now won five straight. Sadly, the Rangers are 3-13-3 over the last 19 versus Atlanta. Honestly, I think all three wins came via the shootout. I was concerned going in because of this danger. Plus the loss of Callahan was felt with our attack not as strong. Marian Gaborik isn't even an ounce of what Callahan brings, which explained why it didn't take long for John Tortorella to break up Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and the listless Gaborik, who failed miserably in a big game. If our fate is sealed by two Carolina wins and I see no reason why they'll suffer the same end result in Atlanta tonight, you really have to wonder what's going on inside Gaborik's head. Is it the injuries he had? Is it just mental? Can anyone explain the lack of burst coming from his skates with opponents easily able to recover when he has a step? Between the mind numbing inability to score when our team needs it and the lazy play away from the puck like allowing mere mortal Eric Boulton to escape for the crusher a few minutes into the third, you have to ask if he'll be back. Will anyone take that salary? For some reason, Gabby just doesn't fit the system.
Everyone else gives maximum effort. Even on a night they didn't have it, the try was there. The execution wasn't. Anyone could see how lucky they were not to be down after one. So, when Islander stiff Rob Schremp took full advantage of a dreadful Sean Avery turnover for the game's first goal, it wasn't a surprise. However, seeing Atlanta captain Andrew Ladd split our top pair badly, dusting Dan Girardi before going backhand deke on Lundqvist, was stunning. Both Girardi and Marc Staal had games to forget with each on for two of three goals against. Tortorella's not wrong when he states that nobody played well. Even if Boyle came close, drawing iron before the roof collapsed, our team looked disjointed. You can't tempt fate twice. Against Boston, they got a mulligan. I knew after the second goal, there would be no comeback. Considering that I already wasn't feeling well, I headed for the car and listened to the third where Dave Maloney was beside himself after Gaborik's error.
Maloney questioned Tortorella sitting our most skilled forward out the remaining 15:41 in Game 81 trailing by three. Yes. He made a brutal mistake. But at that point with the team needing him and more shifts for Anisimov, who also found himself on the bench much of the third, they had to play their best. Conversely, Avery wasn't punished for his lazy clear that's been a trait ever since he returned to Broadway. You figure it out. Erik Christensen, who didn't look half bad between Avery and converted right wing Matt Gilroy, received increased minutes. The same player whose role had reduced to almost zilch aside from shootout specialist. Sometimes, the coach's decisions baffle. Especially with one more game to play tomorrow afternoon (12:30 ET) against the Devils.
It might not even matter. If the Canes win out, even if we beat the Devils and finish tied in the standings with 93 points, Carolina gets in by virtue of one more regulation/overtime win (35-34). The only prayer is that the Thrashers somehow summon up the same energy against a rested opponent tonight in a more than half empty building and do us a huge favor. I just can't see that happening. Not the way the battle tested Hurricanes are playing. Cam Ward's on a role and Eric Staal, Erik Cole and Jeff Skinner are carrying them. Their best players are playing like it and that spells doom unfortunately for us.
I can honestly say if they win tonight, I'm not going to bother going tomorrow. For what point? Even if we win, I just can't see the Canes losing at home to Tampa Bay with their season on the line. It's like Hasan says. When they do make it, watch out. Every indication is that Carolina will win out and then eliminate whoever they face. I'd love to be wrong because I could easily that being us. It's too bad they didn't meet the challenge yesterday. Now, it's our of their control.
Hope for a miracle.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (23 saves)
2nd Star-Eric Boulton, Atl (6th of season)
1st Star-Rob Schremp, Atl (GW goal, assist)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tracking The Race: Perry explosion ousts Iginla's Flames
The playoff races continue to be eye popping, especially in the West. While out East, it's still three teams for two spots with the Canes winning last night over the Red Wings, the West picture got a bit clearer thanks to wins from the Kings, Blackhawks and Ducks last night. LA's 3-2 shootout win over Phoenix clinched a playoff berth- vaulting them to fourth over the Predators with 98 points. The Coyotes need one point or any loss from the Stars or those behind them to wrap up a second straight postseason.
In the game of the night, the Hawks posted a wild 4-3 overtime win over old Norris rival St. Louis, increasing their chances of defending the Cup. Chris Stewart forced OT by powering past Duncan Keith and rifling one upstairs on Calder candidate Corey Crawford. In danger a second consecutive night of losing out on a valuable point, Crawford delivered a couple of money stops and captain Jonathan Toews beat Ty Conklin on a breakaway, lifting his team to the huge triumph. Toews' 32nd goal gave Chicago 95 points, who need just two more to qualify.
The Flames knew they needed help from San Jose even if they won. In the Battle Of Alberta, Calgary took care of business on the strength of captain Jarome Iginla's hat trick in a 6-1 rout of Edmonton. He once again scored 40 in a season, doing so for the fourth time in a brilliant career that's also included a 50 goal campaign in '07-08. Down the stretch the classy superstar was brilliant, putting up 14 points (9-5-14) over the last six games, featuring his second hat trick of the season. Since March 1, Iginla's scored a ridiculous 17 goals along with 10 assists, totaling 27 points- erasing doubts that the 33 year-old was on the downside. It's a shame that we won't get to see one of the game's brightest stars in the playoffs. If only they'd brought in Jay Feaster earlier to replace Daryl Sutter. During the run, Iginla's moved up to third in goals behind Rocket Richard leader Corey Perry (50) and Steven Stamkos (44) while tying Alex Ovechkin for sixth in scoring with 85 points (42-43-85). If not for a torrid pace from Perry, who now is front and center in the Hart discussion with The Sedins, Martin St. Louis, Tim Thomas, Carey Price and Pekka Rinne, Iginla would probably be at the top of the list for rescuing his team. Instead, he won't be part of the playoffs.
Meanwhile atThe Pond Honda Center, the Sharks were no match for Perry, who continued his scoring assault by notching his third hat trick of '10-11 along with a helper in a 6-2 demolishing of their close California rival. So spectacular were the first two goals that they'll be replayed for quite a while with one an amazing forehand, triple deke to the backhand, roof job on a helpless Antero Niittymaki, who made his first start in 35 games, finally giving Finnish countryman Antti Niemi a night off. The poor ex-Flyer had no chance.
Ironically, the tear has him a point (28-27) better than Iginla since March. Going a step further, Perry is 25-20-45 since the All-Star break. No wonder he's at the top of many MVP lists. The Ducks aren't in yet with Dallas holding an extra game that includes a pivotal home-and-home versus the Avalanche tonight and tomorrow. With a home-and-home against the rival Kings tomorrow and Saturday, the Ducks can punch their playoff ticket by winning. They sit seventh in the West due to more regulation/OT wins than the Hawks, who also have two remaining in a home-and-home traditional theme versus chief rival Detroit Friday and Sunday. If Dallas wins its final three including a visit to Minnesota on the final day of the season, that would put them at 97 points. However, they'd come up short if tied due to the new tiebreaker. So, the Stars still need help. Quite fascinating stuff.
The East race is well documented with the Sabres (92 Pts), Rangers (91) and Hurricanes (89) all battling for the final two spots. For Buffalo, one point will ensure them a second straight postseason. They face the Flyers at home tomorrow and travel to Columbus Saturday. The Rangers need three points. A win tonight versus Atlanta would put them in good shape, forcing the Canes to stave off elimination tomorrow against those same Thrashers in Georgia. They could need to beat the Hudson rival Devils Saturday to wrap up the playoffs for a fifth time in six years. Meanwhile, Carolina will watch the action later and then battle Atlanta and finish with Tampa at home Saturday.
In the game of the night, the Hawks posted a wild 4-3 overtime win over old Norris rival St. Louis, increasing their chances of defending the Cup. Chris Stewart forced OT by powering past Duncan Keith and rifling one upstairs on Calder candidate Corey Crawford. In danger a second consecutive night of losing out on a valuable point, Crawford delivered a couple of money stops and captain Jonathan Toews beat Ty Conklin on a breakaway, lifting his team to the huge triumph. Toews' 32nd goal gave Chicago 95 points, who need just two more to qualify.
The Flames knew they needed help from San Jose even if they won. In the Battle Of Alberta, Calgary took care of business on the strength of captain Jarome Iginla's hat trick in a 6-1 rout of Edmonton. He once again scored 40 in a season, doing so for the fourth time in a brilliant career that's also included a 50 goal campaign in '07-08. Down the stretch the classy superstar was brilliant, putting up 14 points (9-5-14) over the last six games, featuring his second hat trick of the season. Since March 1, Iginla's scored a ridiculous 17 goals along with 10 assists, totaling 27 points- erasing doubts that the 33 year-old was on the downside. It's a shame that we won't get to see one of the game's brightest stars in the playoffs. If only they'd brought in Jay Feaster earlier to replace Daryl Sutter. During the run, Iginla's moved up to third in goals behind Rocket Richard leader Corey Perry (50) and Steven Stamkos (44) while tying Alex Ovechkin for sixth in scoring with 85 points (42-43-85). If not for a torrid pace from Perry, who now is front and center in the Hart discussion with The Sedins, Martin St. Louis, Tim Thomas, Carey Price and Pekka Rinne, Iginla would probably be at the top of the list for rescuing his team. Instead, he won't be part of the playoffs.
Meanwhile at
“Fifty is a huge number,” beamed Perry after increasing the NHL's streak of 50 goal scorers to six post-lockout. “Everybody talks about it, (but) not a whole lot of people get to do it and be in that category. It hasn’t really sunk in.”Perry's recent dominance that features a current 10-game point streak (14-8-22) has elevated the Duck to second in scoring with his 97 points (50-47-97) only trailing Daniel Sedin (41-59-100)
“It’s a tip to all of us when he can get 50, but it still takes a special player to get there,” proud linemate Ryan Getzlaf praised of Perry's work that's seen him rip up NHL goalies for 19 goals over the last 14 games. “He’s one of those guys who rise to the occasion. He plays playoff hockey any time you need him. He has proven time and time again he can play in those big games and have results.”
Ironically, the tear has him a point (28-27) better than Iginla since March. Going a step further, Perry is 25-20-45 since the All-Star break. No wonder he's at the top of many MVP lists. The Ducks aren't in yet with Dallas holding an extra game that includes a pivotal home-and-home versus the Avalanche tonight and tomorrow. With a home-and-home against the rival Kings tomorrow and Saturday, the Ducks can punch their playoff ticket by winning. They sit seventh in the West due to more regulation/OT wins than the Hawks, who also have two remaining in a home-and-home traditional theme versus chief rival Detroit Friday and Sunday. If Dallas wins its final three including a visit to Minnesota on the final day of the season, that would put them at 97 points. However, they'd come up short if tied due to the new tiebreaker. So, the Stars still need help. Quite fascinating stuff.
The East race is well documented with the Sabres (92 Pts), Rangers (91) and Hurricanes (89) all battling for the final two spots. For Buffalo, one point will ensure them a second straight postseason. They face the Flyers at home tomorrow and travel to Columbus Saturday. The Rangers need three points. A win tonight versus Atlanta would put them in good shape, forcing the Canes to stave off elimination tomorrow against those same Thrashers in Georgia. They could need to beat the Hudson rival Devils Saturday to wrap up the playoffs for a fifth time in six years. Meanwhile, Carolina will watch the action later and then battle Atlanta and finish with Tampa at home Saturday.
Atl/NYR Preview: Canes put pressure back on Rangers
It's a race to the finish line for both the Rangers and Hurricanes with each doing their part to achieve meaningful hockey this Spring. It's already been interesting with the Rangers rallying from three down to stun the Bruins with five unanswered the other night. The Hurricanes responded with a convincing 3-0 shutout of West powerhouse Detroit in Raleigh on the strength of 42 saves from former Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward, who was at his best in the first period, stopping all 19 shots.
The Canes finally solved Jimmy Howard with a pair in the second off the sticks of Derek Joslin and Calder frontrunner Jeff Skinner, whose wraparound with 1:11 left all but ensured the big win. Detroit generated quality chances but even when Ward wasn't stopping them in their tracks, he had some help from a goalpost, which denied Pavel Datsyuk's tying bid. Datsyuk certainly was dangerous but no Red Wing could solve Ward, who turned it up and looks like he'll be awfully tough to beat in Carolina's final two regular season games at Atlanta tomorrow and home for Tampa Bay Saturday. Ward and a strong Canes' PK held off a Detroit two-man advantage before Eric Staal cruised down the other way and promptly set up sizzling linemate Erik Cole for the final tally. Staal set up all three goals while Ward recorded his fourth shutout (16th career) as Carolina pulled within two of the Blueshirts, who host those Thrashers tonight.
One team can play a huge role in who makes it. Over the next 24 hours (30 for those keeping track), the Thrashers will try to spoil it for either the Rangers or Canes. Both teams must remember to show up to the rink on time because Atlanta is very formidable- boasting dangerous Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom on the back end while captain Andrew Ladd leads the offense up front that includes budding sophomore Evander Kane, ex-Bruin Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Nik Antropov and grinders Anthony Stewart and Chris Thorburn. Ondrej Pavelec can also be a pain if he gets hot. The Thrashers don't play much D, which explains Pavelec's solid .910 save percentage. By no means will Atlanta roll over for either club. Especially the Rangers, who have to do it without emotional leader Ryan Callahan against a team that owns them. Entering tonight, they have yet to take a game in the season series, dropping two in regulation and one in overtime. In fact, the last four times Atlanta's visited MSG, they've sent the Garden Faithful home unsatisfied. If that happens tonight, it could be fatal. The Rangers are looking to reverse a trend that's seen their opponent go 12-3-3 against them over the last 18 meetings.
Getting off quickly would definitely be a good idea. The Thrashers have nothing to play for outside of pride. Score early and perhaps they'll go away. Minus Callahan, the Rangers will need everyone to step up including MIA Act Marian Gaborik, who should see important minutes possibly with Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky. Gaborik hasn't scored in seven straight and likely won't play with Vinny Prospal, who should start with Derek Stepan and Wojtek Wolski. It'll be interesting to see what John Tortorella does as far as Gaborik who was shifted to the checking line with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust, helping set up Mike Sauer's exciting game-winner. Does he keep him on the energy line, hoping it rubs off or will we see Gabby reunited with Erik Christensen? Speaking of vanishing acts, Christy has again disappeared after a great stretch in March before a futile finish. Matt Gilroy is expected to dress as a forward, something the former Hobey Baker winner did in college before making the switch. How much will Tort use a talented player with offensive insincts?
Assuming Gabby starts with Boyle, here's what we see:
Avery-Dubinsky-Anisimov
Prospal-Stepan-Wolski
Prust-Boyle-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Christensen-Gilroy
Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Eminger
Lundqvist
You know with Tortorella, nothing's etched in stone. He'll do whatever he can to get the most of a team that's been resilient all year. Now, they face even more adversity with the enemy Devils licking their chops at the prospect of ruining what's been a feel good story. The task is simple. Like Adrienne said to Rocky after giving birth in Rocky II:
From #NYR Tweep @BigGun_s: #Rally4Cally
The Canes finally solved Jimmy Howard with a pair in the second off the sticks of Derek Joslin and Calder frontrunner Jeff Skinner, whose wraparound with 1:11 left all but ensured the big win. Detroit generated quality chances but even when Ward wasn't stopping them in their tracks, he had some help from a goalpost, which denied Pavel Datsyuk's tying bid. Datsyuk certainly was dangerous but no Red Wing could solve Ward, who turned it up and looks like he'll be awfully tough to beat in Carolina's final two regular season games at Atlanta tomorrow and home for Tampa Bay Saturday. Ward and a strong Canes' PK held off a Detroit two-man advantage before Eric Staal cruised down the other way and promptly set up sizzling linemate Erik Cole for the final tally. Staal set up all three goals while Ward recorded his fourth shutout (16th career) as Carolina pulled within two of the Blueshirts, who host those Thrashers tonight.
One team can play a huge role in who makes it. Over the next 24 hours (30 for those keeping track), the Thrashers will try to spoil it for either the Rangers or Canes. Both teams must remember to show up to the rink on time because Atlanta is very formidable- boasting dangerous Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom on the back end while captain Andrew Ladd leads the offense up front that includes budding sophomore Evander Kane, ex-Bruin Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Nik Antropov and grinders Anthony Stewart and Chris Thorburn. Ondrej Pavelec can also be a pain if he gets hot. The Thrashers don't play much D, which explains Pavelec's solid .910 save percentage. By no means will Atlanta roll over for either club. Especially the Rangers, who have to do it without emotional leader Ryan Callahan against a team that owns them. Entering tonight, they have yet to take a game in the season series, dropping two in regulation and one in overtime. In fact, the last four times Atlanta's visited MSG, they've sent the Garden Faithful home unsatisfied. If that happens tonight, it could be fatal. The Rangers are looking to reverse a trend that's seen their opponent go 12-3-3 against them over the last 18 meetings.
Getting off quickly would definitely be a good idea. The Thrashers have nothing to play for outside of pride. Score early and perhaps they'll go away. Minus Callahan, the Rangers will need everyone to step up including MIA Act Marian Gaborik, who should see important minutes possibly with Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky. Gaborik hasn't scored in seven straight and likely won't play with Vinny Prospal, who should start with Derek Stepan and Wojtek Wolski. It'll be interesting to see what John Tortorella does as far as Gaborik who was shifted to the checking line with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust, helping set up Mike Sauer's exciting game-winner. Does he keep him on the energy line, hoping it rubs off or will we see Gabby reunited with Erik Christensen? Speaking of vanishing acts, Christy has again disappeared after a great stretch in March before a futile finish. Matt Gilroy is expected to dress as a forward, something the former Hobey Baker winner did in college before making the switch. How much will Tort use a talented player with offensive insincts?
Assuming Gabby starts with Boyle, here's what we see:
Avery-Dubinsky-Anisimov
Prospal-Stepan-Wolski
Prust-Boyle-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Christensen-Gilroy
Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Eminger
Lundqvist
You know with Tortorella, nothing's etched in stone. He'll do whatever he can to get the most of a team that's been resilient all year. Now, they face even more adversity with the enemy Devils licking their chops at the prospect of ruining what's been a feel good story. The task is simple. Like Adrienne said to Rocky after giving birth in Rocky II:
"Win! WIN!!!!!"
From #NYR Tweep @BigGun_s: #Rally4Cally
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Habs clinch, Sabres inch closer, Canes take on Wings, Wild Wild West Preview
This wild race is winding down. Last night, one of the four teams wrapped up a playoff spot with the Canadiens posting a 2-1 overtime win over the defending champs at The Bell Centre. Controversial rookie defenseman P.K. Subban's power play goal won it for the Habs, allowing them to make the playoffs a second straight season. The lowscoring Original Six club can thank Carey Price, who was outstanding finishing with 42 saves, including a few close calls late in regulation on tricky deflections. It was his goaltending that saved Montreal's bacon and certainly is worthy of a Vezina and Hart candidacy. Though he'll probably get left out of the MVP discussion with frontrunner Daniel Sedin, Corey Perry and Henrik Sedin all in the mix along with darkhorse Jarome Iginla if the Flames somehow sneak in.
While the Habs took care of business to clinch, the Sabres inched closer to a second straight postseason of their own, doubling up the Lightning at home 4-2 on the strength of Thomas Vanek's sixth career hat trick. Following Ryan Malone's early goal for the Bolts, Buffalo responded with three straight including a pair from Vanek that allowed him to reach 30 for the fourth time in his career. Tim Connolly followed with his 13th, which stood up as the winner thanks to Swede rookie Jhonas Enroth, who again was sharp minus Ryan Miller- finishing with 23 saves. Enroth's strong play has allowed the Sabres to win three of four (3-0-1). Who would've thought that a once perceived weakness could be the ticket to meaningful Spring hockey? Credit Lindy Ruff and the organization for entrusting the '06 second round pick with the backup job over vet Patrick Lalime, who drove our Buffalo resident batty. The Lightning didn't even get a look late thanks to stellar D from Ruff's club, who were so good that Guy Boucher's team couldn't even get Dwayne Roloson to the bench. With less than 15 seconds left, Vanek picked Martin St. Louis' pocket and fired into a vacated net as Roloson watched hopelessly, completing the trick. Buffalo is one point away from the playoffs. A Carolina OT or shootout loss would allow them to clinch tonight.
Speaking of the Hurricanes, they face a must win tonight at home versus the Red Wings. So much for the schedule makers doing them any favors. On that note, can anyone explain why such a crucial contest involves the other conference. Echoing Brian's sentiments with his team finishing in Columbus, what the heck? The final week, you should play only your conference. Preferably rivalry games like the Devils visiting the Rangers Saturday. In any event, the Canes trail the Rangers by four with three left. Their extra game is tonight at 7 ET in Raleigh. The tiebreak has the Blueshirts leading Carolina 34-33 in regulation/OT wins. A win puts the pressure back on the Blueshirts, who learned Team MVP Ryan Callahan broke his leg after blocking a Zdeno Chara shot the other night. If the Canes pick up only a point, a Ranger victory tomorrow versus the Thrashers would allow them to wrap it up. Carolina's gotten great play from Erik Cole, Eric Staal, Calder hopeful Jeff Skinner and Cam Ward. The game is meaningful for Detroit only if they want to pass San Jose for the West's second seed. They've already won the Central over Nashville.
As a hockey purist, it'd be more interesting if the Canes won, putting the pressure back on us. As a Ranger fan, I'd certainly welcome a Red Wing win but am not expecting it. If we're going to make it minus our emotional leader, I'd rather earn it. As I've said before, let's win out.
The Western race is much more exciting with only the three division winners in while the Preds, Coyotes, Kings, Ducks, Hawks, Stars and even the Flames scramble for the remaining five spots. In order to have any shot, Calgary must win their remaining two against Alberta rival Edmonton later and at arch enemy Vancouver on Hockey Night In Canada. Assuming the Flames do what must be done, that game should have meaning. But the Flames need plenty of help with Anaheim, Chicago and Dallas all having three left. The Flames cannot catch Nashville (97), Phoenix (96) or LA (96). There are four games of interest for West observers. Chicago hosts the Blues looking to bounce back from a tough OT loss in Montreal, which had Joel Queeneville fuming about the 10 minors his team received. Facing an old Norris rival who'd like nothing better than to play spoiler, is no picnic. Then there's the aforementioned Alberta clash between the Flames and Oilers at The Saddledome. This rivalry is one of the best and is worth watching after Detroit-Carolina. Then you have another intense rivalry California style between the Ducks and Sharks at The Pond. San Jose is still fuming from their first round ouster two years ago as the top seed. Need I say more? And finally, the Yotes and Kings break the tie in the standings at Staples Center. The best aspect is it's all rivalry games. Here's when each plays:
Stl @ Chi 8 ET
Edm @ Cgy 9:30 ET
SJ @ Ana 10 ET
Phx @ LA 10:30 ET
While the Habs took care of business to clinch, the Sabres inched closer to a second straight postseason of their own, doubling up the Lightning at home 4-2 on the strength of Thomas Vanek's sixth career hat trick. Following Ryan Malone's early goal for the Bolts, Buffalo responded with three straight including a pair from Vanek that allowed him to reach 30 for the fourth time in his career. Tim Connolly followed with his 13th, which stood up as the winner thanks to Swede rookie Jhonas Enroth, who again was sharp minus Ryan Miller- finishing with 23 saves. Enroth's strong play has allowed the Sabres to win three of four (3-0-1). Who would've thought that a once perceived weakness could be the ticket to meaningful Spring hockey? Credit Lindy Ruff and the organization for entrusting the '06 second round pick with the backup job over vet Patrick Lalime, who drove our Buffalo resident batty. The Lightning didn't even get a look late thanks to stellar D from Ruff's club, who were so good that Guy Boucher's team couldn't even get Dwayne Roloson to the bench. With less than 15 seconds left, Vanek picked Martin St. Louis' pocket and fired into a vacated net as Roloson watched hopelessly, completing the trick. Buffalo is one point away from the playoffs. A Carolina OT or shootout loss would allow them to clinch tonight.
Speaking of the Hurricanes, they face a must win tonight at home versus the Red Wings. So much for the schedule makers doing them any favors. On that note, can anyone explain why such a crucial contest involves the other conference. Echoing Brian's sentiments with his team finishing in Columbus, what the heck? The final week, you should play only your conference. Preferably rivalry games like the Devils visiting the Rangers Saturday. In any event, the Canes trail the Rangers by four with three left. Their extra game is tonight at 7 ET in Raleigh. The tiebreak has the Blueshirts leading Carolina 34-33 in regulation/OT wins. A win puts the pressure back on the Blueshirts, who learned Team MVP Ryan Callahan broke his leg after blocking a Zdeno Chara shot the other night. If the Canes pick up only a point, a Ranger victory tomorrow versus the Thrashers would allow them to wrap it up. Carolina's gotten great play from Erik Cole, Eric Staal, Calder hopeful Jeff Skinner and Cam Ward. The game is meaningful for Detroit only if they want to pass San Jose for the West's second seed. They've already won the Central over Nashville.
As a hockey purist, it'd be more interesting if the Canes won, putting the pressure back on us. As a Ranger fan, I'd certainly welcome a Red Wing win but am not expecting it. If we're going to make it minus our emotional leader, I'd rather earn it. As I've said before, let's win out.
The Western race is much more exciting with only the three division winners in while the Preds, Coyotes, Kings, Ducks, Hawks, Stars and even the Flames scramble for the remaining five spots. In order to have any shot, Calgary must win their remaining two against Alberta rival Edmonton later and at arch enemy Vancouver on Hockey Night In Canada. Assuming the Flames do what must be done, that game should have meaning. But the Flames need plenty of help with Anaheim, Chicago and Dallas all having three left. The Flames cannot catch Nashville (97), Phoenix (96) or LA (96). There are four games of interest for West observers. Chicago hosts the Blues looking to bounce back from a tough OT loss in Montreal, which had Joel Queeneville fuming about the 10 minors his team received. Facing an old Norris rival who'd like nothing better than to play spoiler, is no picnic. Then there's the aforementioned Alberta clash between the Flames and Oilers at The Saddledome. This rivalry is one of the best and is worth watching after Detroit-Carolina. Then you have another intense rivalry California style between the Ducks and Sharks at The Pond. San Jose is still fuming from their first round ouster two years ago as the top seed. Need I say more? And finally, the Yotes and Kings break the tie in the standings at Staples Center. The best aspect is it's all rivalry games. Here's when each plays:
Stl @ Chi 8 ET
Edm @ Cgy 9:30 ET
SJ @ Ana 10 ET
Phx @ LA 10:30 ET
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Callahan leadership one to behold
There he was setting up his Draftmate Brandon Dubinsky for a thrilling tying goal that brought the Garden out of their seats after the Rangers had fought valiantly from a three-goal deficit to tie the Bruins. And when rookie Mike Sauer, who always seems in the right place, snuck a seeing eye shot through Tim Thomas, there was No.24 again in True Blue sacrificing for the good of the team, even if it came at a costly price.
It takes an awful lot of guts and determination to get in front of a Zdeno Chara shot. The league's most feared man who when he's winding up, you fear the worst like a goal being scored. So, Ryan Callahan laid out the body one more time, making a full out dive to block the league's hardest shot that was clocked at nearly 106 MPH at the All-Star Skills Competition in Raleigh back in late January. This is the kind of heart and soul player Callahan has become for the Rangers. Not only does he do all the dirty work, but also is second in team scoring with a career high 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points. There isn't anything the former fourth rounder won't do. Whether it's throwing a crunching hit- a category he still ranks 12th in with 224 despite missing 19 games, or getting in the path of a shot, Cally does whatever it takes for his team to be successful.
When he returned from a busted hand from what else but blocking a shot, Callahan elevated his play to the best level it's ever been. Since Feb.1, he leads the Blueshirts with 13 goals and 24 points over 27 games while playing the same gritty style that's admired not only by teammates but opponents as well. Even Chara was upset when he learned that Callahan is expected to miss between six to eight weeks for a broken ankle that won't require surgery.
Callahan also ranks fifth among all forwards with 77 blocks. Despite playing only 60 games with his regular season done, the recently turned 26 year-old Rochester native achieved new highs not only in goals, assists and points but also in power play goals (10) and game-winners (5), which both pace the club. What else would you expect from a man who gets the most out of his 5-11, 185 pound frame?
Now, the Rangers must go on without him. They have two games left with the Thrashers in town Thursday and the Hudson rival Devils crossing the river Saturday. This team has been resilient all year. It will be up to other players to step up. On a team that boasts five 20-goal scorers with Draft Mate Artem Anisimov one shy of making it six, it's back to work for Tortorella's guys who'll summon whatever energy they have left to play the way their next captain does daily. Now, it's up to Dubinsky, Anisimov, Stepan, Boyle, Prust, Prospal, Gaborik, Staal, Girardi, Sauer, McDonagh, Avery, Fedotenko, Eminger, McCabe, Christensen, Wolski, Gilroy and Lundqvist to do what needs to be done. The situation remains the same. Win and they're in. Don't rely on help.
Something tells us inspiration won't be a problem. Do it for Cally.
It takes an awful lot of guts and determination to get in front of a Zdeno Chara shot. The league's most feared man who when he's winding up, you fear the worst like a goal being scored. So, Ryan Callahan laid out the body one more time, making a full out dive to block the league's hardest shot that was clocked at nearly 106 MPH at the All-Star Skills Competition in Raleigh back in late January. This is the kind of heart and soul player Callahan has become for the Rangers. Not only does he do all the dirty work, but also is second in team scoring with a career high 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points. There isn't anything the former fourth rounder won't do. Whether it's throwing a crunching hit- a category he still ranks 12th in with 224 despite missing 19 games, or getting in the path of a shot, Cally does whatever it takes for his team to be successful.
When he returned from a busted hand from what else but blocking a shot, Callahan elevated his play to the best level it's ever been. Since Feb.1, he leads the Blueshirts with 13 goals and 24 points over 27 games while playing the same gritty style that's admired not only by teammates but opponents as well. Even Chara was upset when he learned that Callahan is expected to miss between six to eight weeks for a broken ankle that won't require surgery.
“You watch teams that end up going far in the playoffs, shot-blocking is a must,” prideful coach John Tortorella said on the injury to the Rangers' MVP. “That’s just a given for us in what we have to do.”
Callahan also ranks fifth among all forwards with 77 blocks. Despite playing only 60 games with his regular season done, the recently turned 26 year-old Rochester native achieved new highs not only in goals, assists and points but also in power play goals (10) and game-winners (5), which both pace the club. What else would you expect from a man who gets the most out of his 5-11, 185 pound frame?
"You can’t really say enough good things about him as a player and as a person and as a leader in this organization,” praised captain Chris Drury, who's begun skating and taking part in team practices despite not being ready. “We’re going to miss him, and miss him a lot. He plays in every situation and does all the little things, does all the big things. He’s just been great. He’s going to be a big loss for us.
“As he would want us to do, want the guys to do, is play hard without him, kind of move on, win some games, and put a smile on his face that way.”
Now, the Rangers must go on without him. They have two games left with the Thrashers in town Thursday and the Hudson rival Devils crossing the river Saturday. This team has been resilient all year. It will be up to other players to step up. On a team that boasts five 20-goal scorers with Draft Mate Artem Anisimov one shy of making it six, it's back to work for Tortorella's guys who'll summon whatever energy they have left to play the way their next captain does daily. Now, it's up to Dubinsky, Anisimov, Stepan, Boyle, Prust, Prospal, Gaborik, Staal, Girardi, Sauer, McDonagh, Avery, Fedotenko, Eminger, McCabe, Christensen, Wolski, Gilroy and Lundqvist to do what needs to be done. The situation remains the same. Win and they're in. Don't rely on help.
Something tells us inspiration won't be a problem. Do it for Cally.
Historic comeback rescues Rangers
At 3-0 down, it looked over. In a game they needed, the Rangers were all out of sorts looking up at a huge three-goal hole to a tough Bruins club set on adding another crushing chapter to a classic Original Six rivalry. When Chris Kelly skated untouched and beat Henrik Lundqvist shortside, it seemed insurmountable with less than half of regulation left. At that point, Boston won every battle, earning their big lead by going to the dirty areas to score the first two before Kelly surged past Ruslan Fedotenko and stunned an already antsy Garden crowd, who rained down the home team with more boos.
It would've been easy to say, 'It's just not our night.' On the Bruins' first pair, they scored right after the Rangers blew chances. All season long, that's not what this team is about. There have been few nights where our guys didn't compete with one coming at the hands of the Islanders a few days ago. If it's true they were sluggish in the second of another challenging back-to-back against a top three seed, you wouldn't have known it the way the Blueshirts responded to adversity. Led by Vinny Prospal's two goals, John Tortorella's scrappy bunch put together a historic comeback to stun the B's 5-3 before a raucous atmosphere at MSG. Never before in the unique 85 year history of one of the oldest rivalries, had the Rangers climbed back from a three-goal deficit to defeat the Bruins.
The joy Prospal has when he scores is so positive that it has to inspire the rest of the roster. It doesn't take much to inject life into a team that was skating in quicksand prior. Tortorella tried everything, altering every line in a desperate attempt to awaken his club, who knew full well that a loss would mean scoreboard praying. It would've allowed the Hurricanes to control their destiny.
Boston had only lost once in regulation when leading after two periods, bringing a 20-1-2 mark into the fateful final period. None of that meant anything. Even though the Bruins sat back, which drew the ire of coach Claude Julien afterwards, they reestablished their tight defense, keeping the Rangers on the perimeter while also putting together a couple of strong shifts with less than 10 minutes left. As the seconds ticked down, it looked like it would be another heartbreaking defeat on home ice where a poor start cost us. The Bruins even came close to scoring with Michael Ryder driving a long slapper off the crossbar.
Even more daunting was the inept play of Marian Gaborik, who went through the motions on more than one shift. Other than a couple of quality shots that Tim Thomas snuffed out in the first, he was invisible. Something Milbury alluded to on the Versus postgame. He was moved to Brian Boyle's line. Boyle also was having a tough night with his line caught on for Nathan Horton's 25th that saw all five Rangers standing around when the Bruins went in front by two. As fate would have it, the unlikely duo combined for the biggest goal later. Before they could, the Blueshirts still had to get it tied. With seemingly nothing working, Tortorella finally went back to the Draft Line, reuniting Callahan, Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov for a key shift. On a determined shift, they wouldn't be denied with Callahan sending a backhand feed in front for Dubinsky, who outwaited Thomas before tucking home a backhand to miraculously tie it before being mobbed. On the play, Marc Staal kept the play alive with a good pinch. Ironically, it was his great keep and pass that started the comeback. Without those two plays, they're cooked.
With the crowd now in a frenzy, Tortorella cameback with Boyle, Gaborik and Brandon Prust. On what appeared to be a broken play, Boyle took a whale of a hit to get the puck to Gaborik, who finally did something by sending seeing eye backhand pass that somehow went through to a pinching Mike Sauer, whose soft shot went thru Thomas' wickets just enough before Johnny Boychuk could keep the puck out. If they weren't crazy before, you should've heard them now. My Dad who was fortunate enough to go, said it was unbelievable. One can only imagine. Just seeing it on TV was enough to send me into a state of shock. My brother, who I watched a majority of it with had left to see our friend one last time before she flew back to Atlanta. Of course when it ended, I wound up there too. But I just wasn't leaving until I saw the end. Good thing too because I texted him twice and his response was, "Yes!"
"That was unbelievable,” a pumped Sauer expressed. “I never scored a goal and it got that loud, that is for sure. The boys were excited and the fans went nuts.”
Sometimes, it's moments like that that make you a fan for life. This is why we live and die with this T-E-A-M. Once up, they weren't going to allow the Bruins to tie it. Ryan Callahan sacrificed again by making a ridiculous diving block of a dangerous Zdeno Chara shot that unfortunately broke his ankle. Of course, everyone's favorite Ranger earned huge pops. Such a shame that a day later, we find out he's out between six to eight weeks but won't need surgery. If this team gets in and pulls a first round upset, who wants to bet Cally somehow returns if there's a Game Six or Seven in the Eastern Conference Semis? Don't put it past the heart and soul of these Blueshirts.
When Stepan hit the empty net, one of the most memorable regular season comebacks in club history was complete. It came at a price but this team's proven before that they can overcome obstacles. The latest challenge for the Rangers, who'll have to do it without Callahan with Atlanta Thursday and New Jersey Saturday both at home. Forget about what Buffalo does tonight against Tampa or what happens tomorrow between Carolina and Detroit. This win was our 34th in regulation/overtime, giving the Rangers a four point lead over the Hurricanes, who now have immense pressure. In fact, a Sabre win tonight and a Cane loss would clinch for Buffalo, who now trails us by a point for seventh. The Rangers are tied at 91 points with the Canadiens, who hold the tiebreaker and play their extra game tonight against a desperate Chicago team. The only way we finish ahead of them is by winning our last two or a complete collapse by Les Habitants. I'm not counting on anything. Let's just win out and silence the detractors.
Take care of business. It's all in front of them.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (tying goal-24th w/3:48 left)
2nd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (ENG, assist, outstanding hustle)
1st Star-Vinny Prospal, NYR (2 goals-7th, 8th and tremendous energy)
It would've been easy to say, 'It's just not our night.' On the Bruins' first pair, they scored right after the Rangers blew chances. All season long, that's not what this team is about. There have been few nights where our guys didn't compete with one coming at the hands of the Islanders a few days ago. If it's true they were sluggish in the second of another challenging back-to-back against a top three seed, you wouldn't have known it the way the Blueshirts responded to adversity. Led by Vinny Prospal's two goals, John Tortorella's scrappy bunch put together a historic comeback to stun the B's 5-3 before a raucous atmosphere at MSG. Never before in the unique 85 year history of one of the oldest rivalries, had the Rangers climbed back from a three-goal deficit to defeat the Bruins.
“It’s a feeling that you can’t describe when you hear that many people going crazy,” tying hero Brandon Dubinsky said after scoring the third unanswered goal with 3:48 remaining off a brilliant feed by Ryan Callahan to send the Garden into bedlum. “We fought so hard for so many months and we needed these two points. That part of it makes it even that much more emotional.”Dubinsky's biggest goal of the season wouldn't have been possible without the heroics of Vinny Prospal. A prideful man who fought tooth and nail to get back in the lineup after so many setbacks with his knee. At one point, there were even rumors that his career might be over. For myself, I never expected him to return because it sounded bad and I wanted to be realistic about the chances. I disagreed with my Dad whenever the topic came up. He maintained that the team would be better off with a more long-term view while I insisted that Prosp was an underrated cog who brings skill along with leadership. Never has that been more evident than in his play down the stretch. The 36 year-old Czech, who Mike Milbury mistakenly thought was part of Tort's '03-04 Bolts' Cup, plays with such enthusiasm that it rubs off on his younger teammates. After he scored off a goalmouth scramble 62 seconds later, steering home Wolski's rebound, he pumped his fists and was telling the guys they're back in it on the bench.
The joy Prospal has when he scores is so positive that it has to inspire the rest of the roster. It doesn't take much to inject life into a team that was skating in quicksand prior. Tortorella tried everything, altering every line in a desperate attempt to awaken his club, who knew full well that a loss would mean scoreboard praying. It would've allowed the Hurricanes to control their destiny.
“We didn’t want to have to watch and see what Carolina did (Wednesday) night,” Dubinsky said. “We want to keep ourselves in the driver’s seat.”Instead, Tort found magic in a bottle with reemerging rookie Derek Stepan between Prospal and Wolski. The trio suddenly took over, scoring a huge second goal before the middle stanza ended. The play was made possible by a hustling Stepan, who beat a Boston defenseman to a loose puck, pushing it to Wolski behind the net, who then turned and set up Prospal in front for his second straight in 6:52. Suddenly, the Rangers were very much alive, trailing by only a goal entering the third.
Boston had only lost once in regulation when leading after two periods, bringing a 20-1-2 mark into the fateful final period. None of that meant anything. Even though the Bruins sat back, which drew the ire of coach Claude Julien afterwards, they reestablished their tight defense, keeping the Rangers on the perimeter while also putting together a couple of strong shifts with less than 10 minutes left. As the seconds ticked down, it looked like it would be another heartbreaking defeat on home ice where a poor start cost us. The Bruins even came close to scoring with Michael Ryder driving a long slapper off the crossbar.
Even more daunting was the inept play of Marian Gaborik, who went through the motions on more than one shift. Other than a couple of quality shots that Tim Thomas snuffed out in the first, he was invisible. Something Milbury alluded to on the Versus postgame. He was moved to Brian Boyle's line. Boyle also was having a tough night with his line caught on for Nathan Horton's 25th that saw all five Rangers standing around when the Bruins went in front by two. As fate would have it, the unlikely duo combined for the biggest goal later. Before they could, the Blueshirts still had to get it tied. With seemingly nothing working, Tortorella finally went back to the Draft Line, reuniting Callahan, Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov for a key shift. On a determined shift, they wouldn't be denied with Callahan sending a backhand feed in front for Dubinsky, who outwaited Thomas before tucking home a backhand to miraculously tie it before being mobbed. On the play, Marc Staal kept the play alive with a good pinch. Ironically, it was his great keep and pass that started the comeback. Without those two plays, they're cooked.
With the crowd now in a frenzy, Tortorella cameback with Boyle, Gaborik and Brandon Prust. On what appeared to be a broken play, Boyle took a whale of a hit to get the puck to Gaborik, who finally did something by sending seeing eye backhand pass that somehow went through to a pinching Mike Sauer, whose soft shot went thru Thomas' wickets just enough before Johnny Boychuk could keep the puck out. If they weren't crazy before, you should've heard them now. My Dad who was fortunate enough to go, said it was unbelievable. One can only imagine. Just seeing it on TV was enough to send me into a state of shock. My brother, who I watched a majority of it with had left to see our friend one last time before she flew back to Atlanta. Of course when it ended, I wound up there too. But I just wasn't leaving until I saw the end. Good thing too because I texted him twice and his response was, "Yes!"
"That was unbelievable,” a pumped Sauer expressed. “I never scored a goal and it got that loud, that is for sure. The boys were excited and the fans went nuts.”
Sometimes, it's moments like that that make you a fan for life. This is why we live and die with this T-E-A-M. Once up, they weren't going to allow the Bruins to tie it. Ryan Callahan sacrificed again by making a ridiculous diving block of a dangerous Zdeno Chara shot that unfortunately broke his ankle. Of course, everyone's favorite Ranger earned huge pops. Such a shame that a day later, we find out he's out between six to eight weeks but won't need surgery. If this team gets in and pulls a first round upset, who wants to bet Cally somehow returns if there's a Game Six or Seven in the Eastern Conference Semis? Don't put it past the heart and soul of these Blueshirts.
When Stepan hit the empty net, one of the most memorable regular season comebacks in club history was complete. It came at a price but this team's proven before that they can overcome obstacles. The latest challenge for the Rangers, who'll have to do it without Callahan with Atlanta Thursday and New Jersey Saturday both at home. Forget about what Buffalo does tonight against Tampa or what happens tomorrow between Carolina and Detroit. This win was our 34th in regulation/overtime, giving the Rangers a four point lead over the Hurricanes, who now have immense pressure. In fact, a Sabre win tonight and a Cane loss would clinch for Buffalo, who now trails us by a point for seventh. The Rangers are tied at 91 points with the Canadiens, who hold the tiebreaker and play their extra game tonight against a desperate Chicago team. The only way we finish ahead of them is by winning our last two or a complete collapse by Les Habitants. I'm not counting on anything. Let's just win out and silence the detractors.
Take care of business. It's all in front of them.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (tying goal-24th w/3:48 left)
2nd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (ENG, assist, outstanding hustle)
1st Star-Vinny Prospal, NYR (2 goals-7th, 8th and tremendous energy)
Never Trust A Bruin...
As the Buffalo Sabres fans had a day off after the emotional 2-1 win at Carolina on Sunday, the focus was shifted to Madison Square Garden, where the Boston Bruins were in town to play the New York Rangers.
Now granted, the Carolina Hurricanes are the focus for the Sabres right now to ultimately clinch a playoff spot in the 2011 Eastern Conference playoffs, but one couldn't think it would be nice to have another team behind the Sabres in the standings.
As the game started, the Bruins jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and it appeared that one of the arch rivals of the Swords was actually going to help us on this Monday evening.
But about 2 hrs after this, it was clear as day: Never trust a team from Boston when you can do the work yourself.
In recent vintage Boston Bruins fashion (a trait they have seemed to learn from some Ottawa Senators team of the past), the 'Ruins' had an epic collapse yet again, as the Rangers stormed back and won 5-3 in front of a raucous crowd at MSG.
To not give the Rangers credit for crawling back into the game and ultimately winning it is unfair, but Boston showed yet again, they cannot be trusted for help.
Tonight the Buffalo Sabres entertain the Tampa Bay Lightning, in yet another 3rd game in 4 night stretch that seems endless (something this league needs to fix, less games perhaps? Never, that is TOO easy!). Tampa Bay won the first two meetings of the season, and Jhonas Enroth, the hero of the win at Carolina, will be in between the pipes again.
NOTES:
The Sabres are 6-1-2 over their last 9 games.
If the Buffalo Sabres win tonight, and the Carolina Hurricanes lose in regulation in Motown against the Red Wings on Wednesday, the Sabres will clinch a playoff spot.
Ryan Miller remains day-to-day and there appears to be a possibility he can return by the weekend.
The Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday and close out the season at Columbus. Strange to see an Eastern Conference team close out a season against a 'Western' conference team like Columbus. Hear that Uncle Gary? Change the division and conference names!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Not this time!
It was all too fitting. The Rangers again in a hostile environment taken to a shootout versus the hated Flyers. Considering what was at stake in Game 79 with Carolina playing Buffalo later, it was easy to flashback to Game 82 a year ago when mere mortal Brian Boucher outdid Henrik Lundqvist in the skill competition, getting his team in the playoffs and soon on a run that didn't end until Game Six of the Stanley Cup to Hawk hero Patrick Kane.
Would the same cruel fate happen again? Luckily, Olli Jokinen wasn't available for Sunday's critical 3-2 shootout triumph that allowed Lundqvist and his Ranger teammates to breathe easier. Most importantly, thanks to Erik Christensen and Wojtek Wolski, who each beat Sergei Bobrovsky in the first two rounds, the Rangers had their revenge- gaining the valuable extra point that puts them at 89 entering another huge match tonight when Boston visits MSG. Coupled with the Sabres' 3-2 overtime win over Carolina, the Rangers are eighth two points clear of the Hurricanes, who also have three games remaining. Both teams have 33 wins in regulation/overtime. However, the Canes own the season series, which becomes the second breaker if they wind up tied at season's conclusion.
Here's the deal. Win tonight and the Blueshirts put immense pressure on Carolina, who will then trail by four. Do it in regulation/OT and they'll also lead the Hurricanes by one under the new format, which would make it even more daunting. Thanks to rookie Marc-Andre Gragnani's first NHL goal that caromed off two Canes past Cam Ward, it prevented Carolina from staying only a point back while keeping the seventh Sabres a point up on us. Well, technically two due to more reg/OT wins.
For John Tortorella's resilient club who erased the lifeless performance in Long Island with a more familiar gritty style that's made them rootable, they can't concern themselves with what the Canadiens, Sabres and Hurricanes do. The focus must be about taking care of business, which includes tough Northeast division winner Boston later on Versus at 7:30 ET. A game that should be no picnic with the Bruins still vying for higher position in the East, trailing the Flyers and Capitals by four with an extra game being played today. The Bruins are difficult anyway with Vezina frontrunner Tim Thomas, former Norris winner Zdeno Chara, power forward Milan Lucic and a bevy of smart forwards who get in on the forecheck and can strike quickly.
Figure it to play out similarly to Lundqvist's league high 11th shutout on March 26 in Beantown. The Rangers could be without goalscorer Ruslan Fedotenko, who only played five minutes in the third after getting banged up. If the undervalued key addition can't go, Whale call up Kris Newbury will replace him, likely on the fourth line with shootout aces Christensen and Wolski. Sean Avery, who only played five minutes, would see more shifts playing with Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle.
The Rangers matched their team record set in '93-94 by recording their 24th road win. They finish the 2010-11 regular season 24-16-1 (24-17), hoping it's not the final time they play away from The Garden. Now, they get the last three at home in a place that hasn't been as easy. Entering tonight, they're 18-16-4 on home ice. In other words, a losing record (18-20). In what's going to be a chaotic week, nothing can be assumed. Even if Carolina gets the Red Wings Wednesday before finishing with Atlanta and Tampa Bay, the goal is simple. Hold serve with the Garden Faithful throwing all their support to get this hard working team in the playoffs. With the basketball tenant, the Knicks clinching their first postseason since '03-04, there's even more scrutiny.
The Rangers have the Bruins, Thrashers Thursday and the Hudson rival Devils Saturday, who you know would love nothing better than to end their season. Here's a noble suggestion. Win the first two to not put themselves in an unenviable position.
Nobody ever said it would be easy. Not with a young roster that's been carried down the stretch by Lundqvist, who will make his record 24th consecutive start. They'll need the same level of sacrifice and commitment to get it done from Staal, Girardi, McDonagh, Sauer, Callahan, Dubinsky, Boyle, Prust, Anisimov and even Prospal who's shown so much coming back from a knee that could end his career. Even Gaborik got the uniform dirty yesterday, coming hard on the backcheck to break up scoring chances. If only No.10 would remember his main duty and score a couple over this do or die stretch.
It's time for the boys to stand up and fight for their right at home. Go all Beastie Boys and defend their turf. Do so and they're back in the postseason for a fifth time in six years since the lockout. Do it not and it will be a long offseason. It's up to them.
Would the same cruel fate happen again? Luckily, Olli Jokinen wasn't available for Sunday's critical 3-2 shootout triumph that allowed Lundqvist and his Ranger teammates to breathe easier. Most importantly, thanks to Erik Christensen and Wojtek Wolski, who each beat Sergei Bobrovsky in the first two rounds, the Rangers had their revenge- gaining the valuable extra point that puts them at 89 entering another huge match tonight when Boston visits MSG. Coupled with the Sabres' 3-2 overtime win over Carolina, the Rangers are eighth two points clear of the Hurricanes, who also have three games remaining. Both teams have 33 wins in regulation/overtime. However, the Canes own the season series, which becomes the second breaker if they wind up tied at season's conclusion.
Here's the deal. Win tonight and the Blueshirts put immense pressure on Carolina, who will then trail by four. Do it in regulation/OT and they'll also lead the Hurricanes by one under the new format, which would make it even more daunting. Thanks to rookie Marc-Andre Gragnani's first NHL goal that caromed off two Canes past Cam Ward, it prevented Carolina from staying only a point back while keeping the seventh Sabres a point up on us. Well, technically two due to more reg/OT wins.
For John Tortorella's resilient club who erased the lifeless performance in Long Island with a more familiar gritty style that's made them rootable, they can't concern themselves with what the Canadiens, Sabres and Hurricanes do. The focus must be about taking care of business, which includes tough Northeast division winner Boston later on Versus at 7:30 ET. A game that should be no picnic with the Bruins still vying for higher position in the East, trailing the Flyers and Capitals by four with an extra game being played today. The Bruins are difficult anyway with Vezina frontrunner Tim Thomas, former Norris winner Zdeno Chara, power forward Milan Lucic and a bevy of smart forwards who get in on the forecheck and can strike quickly.
Figure it to play out similarly to Lundqvist's league high 11th shutout on March 26 in Beantown. The Rangers could be without goalscorer Ruslan Fedotenko, who only played five minutes in the third after getting banged up. If the undervalued key addition can't go, Whale call up Kris Newbury will replace him, likely on the fourth line with shootout aces Christensen and Wolski. Sean Avery, who only played five minutes, would see more shifts playing with Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle.
The Rangers matched their team record set in '93-94 by recording their 24th road win. They finish the 2010-11 regular season 24-16-1 (24-17), hoping it's not the final time they play away from The Garden. Now, they get the last three at home in a place that hasn't been as easy. Entering tonight, they're 18-16-4 on home ice. In other words, a losing record (18-20). In what's going to be a chaotic week, nothing can be assumed. Even if Carolina gets the Red Wings Wednesday before finishing with Atlanta and Tampa Bay, the goal is simple. Hold serve with the Garden Faithful throwing all their support to get this hard working team in the playoffs. With the basketball tenant, the Knicks clinching their first postseason since '03-04, there's even more scrutiny.
The Rangers have the Bruins, Thrashers Thursday and the Hudson rival Devils Saturday, who you know would love nothing better than to end their season. Here's a noble suggestion. Win the first two to not put themselves in an unenviable position.
Nobody ever said it would be easy. Not with a young roster that's been carried down the stretch by Lundqvist, who will make his record 24th consecutive start. They'll need the same level of sacrifice and commitment to get it done from Staal, Girardi, McDonagh, Sauer, Callahan, Dubinsky, Boyle, Prust, Anisimov and even Prospal who's shown so much coming back from a knee that could end his career. Even Gaborik got the uniform dirty yesterday, coming hard on the backcheck to break up scoring chances. If only No.10 would remember his main duty and score a couple over this do or die stretch.
It's time for the boys to stand up and fight for their right at home. Go all Beastie Boys and defend their turf. Do so and they're back in the postseason for a fifth time in six years since the lockout. Do it not and it will be a long offseason. It's up to them.
Note To Canes Fans: This is OUR house!
Yes, Raleigh is approximately 700 miles from Buffalo (depending on how you drive there). The culture is different, where Buffaloians live and die with the results of the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres, and fans in the Carolinas are generally more concerned with drafting in NASCAR then Cam Ward.
And today, the crucial battle was played in Raleigh NC between the Buffalo Sabres and the Carolina Hurricanes.
You could not tell based on the reactions for the Sabres.
In what has become a home away from home for the Sabres, Buffalo grinded out the biggest win of the year to date, with a 2-1 OT win at 'Buffalo South' and stunned the Hurricane faithful.
For whatever reason, Carolina fans have taken to message boards to complain over and over about the behavior of Sabres fans at their arena for the Canes games.
Do not believe me? Here is an excerpt from a article in the Charlotte Observer:
"I find every Buffalo game unpleasant," said Chuck Wright, a Hurricanes fan who skipped the Hurricanes' earlier home game against the Sabres for that reason. "There are a lot of Buffalo people who live here now for jobs and the lifestyle, and they're big Sabres fans and big Bills fans, and that's fine.
"But some of the behavior is just - I don't want my kids exposed to it, the F-bombs and over-the-top type behavior. It's like they're trying to prove something because they're on enemy turf.
Well I wonder if they take a look in the mirror at how their fans react at NASCAR games, at College Football and Basketball games in the state of North Carolina. Would Chuck Wright be complaining about their behavior?
Highly doubtful.
Why do Canes fail to see this? Because Buffalo fans care more about hockey then they do, and they cannot match it. End of story. And THIS is why it pains me that the Canes have a Cup, and the Sabres had 4 defencemen out for Game 7 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals.
And I will be damned as a Sabres fan for almost 28 years now if I will sit back and watch our fans painted with a broad brush. The majority of our fans are loyal, and respectful. Maybe Canes fans should look in the mirror at how some of them act at the games too.
But apparently in Carolina, it is a one way street.
Canes fans: Enjoy the off season, because it is coming fast.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Scoreboard Praying
There'll be plenty of scoreboard watching praying today. This is what it's come to for the idle Rangers who don't play till tomorrow's predictable NBC clash at the Flyers. Just dandy. You know Philly is licking their chops from that 7-0 humiliation that also came on NBC. They should be in a foul mood after falling to the Devils last night with the Jersey kids getting a Patrik Elias hat trick. Speaking of the Devs, they're still alive and visit Martin Brodeur's favorite target hometown Montreal.
Believe it or not, Ranger fans will be rooting for their most hated rivals. With the Canadiens only two up (technically 3), the Devils can do us a favor if Brodeur does what he usually does. Plus they are playing for pride, having not been eliminated yet. So, they should be amped up with Zach Parise finally back in the lineup. Will the Zach Attack score in his return? Ranger fans don't care as long as the Hudson rival wins. Doubly important for Brian's Sabres, who have to deal with Alex Ovechkin and the Caps in D.C. That should be no picnic. Though Washington isn't playing for much, it looks like Swedish wonder Jhonas Enroth gets the start with Ryan Miller still banged up. Buffalo also plays tomorrow when they visit Raleigh for a pivotal match against those Canes.
Meanwhile, Carolina looks to win again when they visit Long Island. Yes, the same Islanders who dismantled the Rangers in what amounted to their Stanley Cup, now must be counted on to stop the Hurricanes. How many disgruntled Blueshirt fans actually think that's going to happen? Exactly. If we don't win tomorrow, we're screwed. Then, it's Boston next onVersus with the Thrashers and Devils left. Of course, if you heard Brian on the No Goal Sports show Friday on BlogTalk along with myself, The Program's own Chris Wassel and quirky Dan Wheeler, you'd have thought the Sabres were done. The usual stuff from the most classic person I know for way too long. :P If you dare, catch the replay here. But I must warn that the first two hours were our baseball predictions and other assorted banter before puck took over in the witching hour.
The cool thing about tonight if you're not locked into a compelling Final Four that features Cinderella VCU versus Butler and powerhouses UConn and Kentucky, is every game comes on at 7. So, there'll be plenty of flipping. Between that, the Final Four and the always must watch Hockey Night In Canada feed featuring the Leafs and Sens, it will be chaotic. By 9:30, we should have a pretty good idea what the standings look like. Perfect timing since I'm heading out to celebrate a birthday party for a close friend in the city.
Fasten your seatbelts.
Believe it or not, Ranger fans will be rooting for their most hated rivals. With the Canadiens only two up (technically 3), the Devils can do us a favor if Brodeur does what he usually does. Plus they are playing for pride, having not been eliminated yet. So, they should be amped up with Zach Parise finally back in the lineup. Will the Zach Attack score in his return? Ranger fans don't care as long as the Hudson rival wins. Doubly important for Brian's Sabres, who have to deal with Alex Ovechkin and the Caps in D.C. That should be no picnic. Though Washington isn't playing for much, it looks like Swedish wonder Jhonas Enroth gets the start with Ryan Miller still banged up. Buffalo also plays tomorrow when they visit Raleigh for a pivotal match against those Canes.
Meanwhile, Carolina looks to win again when they visit Long Island. Yes, the same Islanders who dismantled the Rangers in what amounted to their Stanley Cup, now must be counted on to stop the Hurricanes. How many disgruntled Blueshirt fans actually think that's going to happen? Exactly. If we don't win tomorrow, we're screwed. Then, it's Boston next on
The cool thing about tonight if you're not locked into a compelling Final Four that features Cinderella VCU versus Butler and powerhouses UConn and Kentucky, is every game comes on at 7. So, there'll be plenty of flipping. Between that, the Final Four and the always must watch Hockey Night In Canada feed featuring the Leafs and Sens, it will be chaotic. By 9:30, we should have a pretty good idea what the standings look like. Perfect timing since I'm heading out to celebrate a birthday party for a close friend in the city.
Fasten your seatbelts.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Islanders turn Rangers into April Fools
Just for the record, it snowed today. This isn't some cruel April Fool's joke. As I somewhat predicted, mother nature is getting the last laugh. Be that as it may with baseball opening up in frigid conditions, the Rangers are in their own cold spell. A night removed from a lackluster effort that allowed Jhonas Enroth to shut them out in Buffalo, the Blueshirts turned blue with a humiliating performance against the chief rival Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, getting wasted literally 6-2.
For a team who has responded to every challenge, this was mind boggling. How could they fall so flat in a critical game against a team that they knew wanted to beat them in the worst way, possibly wrecking the playoffs? You would've thought it was a meaningless exhibition with nothing on the line. Heck. They've given better efforts in preseason than what was on display in Long Island yesterday. Their second consecutive loss and third in the last four have suddenly put the Rangers in a bind. Only three points separate them from ninth Carolina, who visits the Islanders tomorrow before the Blueshirts' next game- a doozy on NBC at the Flyers. Can someone say panic button?
Making matters worse is that if the Hurricanes win as expected, they'll hold the crucial tiebreak due to more emphasis on regulation and overtime victories. Sure. They can only be a point out but given the way our team's playing and a schedule that includes hated rivals Philly and New Jersey which btw ends the season (hopefully not for good), the Rangers just made it a whole lot more difficult on themselves. They're no longer a lock even if the Canadiens continue to fade down the stretch. Even if we tie them, they hold the edge. So, that won't do.
It's basically start scoring again and win or tease a loyal fanbase to death a second consecutive year like Bill Murray's classic Phil character from Groundhog Day. I've seen this story before and don't feel like going through it again. Let's put it this way. Since I've followed hockey, I never missed the playoffs. While that may not apply to the circus and pony act at 33rd and Seventh, I want the postseason. The way this team's competed warrants it. That's why it's so alarming how putrid they were versus the Islanders, who were without stud rookie Michael Grabner, whose girlfriend finally gave berth to a baby boy. Congrats to Grabs!
If they somehow complete this collapse, I will not watch one second of the playoffs. I'll take a long vacation kinda like our resident Devil blogger Hasan after the crap his team pulled. It's not about us competing for a Cup. But about all the losing this franchise puts us through. I'm sick and tired of hearing about how at least we've seen them win one Cup. I'm only going to say this once. Our franchise has been around since the league's inception. They won their first three in less than 20 years! One Cup since in 70 years is pathetic. I am so fed up with all the hoopla about '94. Great. We're another three years from the 20 Year Anniversary. Will our team which at least seems to be heading in the right direction, have finally won two rounds? Let's hope so. This ain't no April Fool's joke.
If this team is serious about erasing last year, then they'll kick the Flyers' ass in two days on national TV. I know we embarrassed them last time. So, they'll be hell bent on revenge. However, all season our team's had tremendous character, which is once again being tested. One more push and they accomplish their goal. No small accomplishment for one of the league's youngest rosters.
Now to what was supposed to be a game. What was that? It sure didn't resemble the hockey club we've cheered for. The Rangers got beat so badly by the Islanders, it would've been a first round TKO. Forget Vinny Prospal's first goal in six that actually put us ahead. The Islanders flat out dominated from start to finish, winning every battle. They forced turnovers, buried chances and took advantage of one of the biggest jokes of a power play that was so bad, they went 0-for-8 including a lifeless 5-on-3 that could've actually given them a two-goal lead. You really wonder if they practice it sometimes. Forget the improvement with Bryan McCabe. Our PP is back to sucking. No shock that suddenly they can't put the puck in the ocean. It is so predictable that the Islander penalty killers just waited for the forced diagonal passes and cleared with ease. You'd have thought they were playing a video game.
If not for Henrik Lundqvist, the Islanders score the first three off odd-man rushes because that's how sloppy the Rangers were. It really begged the question how John Tortorella could not have them ready to play. That's two games in a row that they weren't prepared. I know Tort's done an admirable job, getting this core to buy in. The development of kids like Ryan McDonagh, Mike Sauer and Derek Stepan cannot be understated. Neither can the 160 by Brian Boyle and ultimate warrior Brandon Prust. The team takes on Tortorella's personality. That's why it's so disappointing how poorly they played. In a rivalry game where you knew it was basically the Islanders' Cup even though they're much improved, it's stunning how bad our guys played.
The Isles' first two goals 33 seconds apart from Blake Comeau and Radek Martinek confirmed our worst fears. Anyone who watched the first could tell who the better team was. The Islanders kept giving us opportunity after opportunity, losing discipline over Marian Gaborik's dirty hit that knocked out Frans Nielsen for the rest of the game. Gaborik isn't that kind of player and was fortunate to not get tossed, instead receiving a four minute boarding double minor. What was his excuse for doing little else after setting up Prospal's sixth? It amazes me how a player with his talent can just disappear when he feels contact. I'm not going to go overboard like others who want him to become the next Scott Gomez. Gaborik's our most skilled forward. Those don't grow on trees. So unless they can get a good return back over the summer, you don't trade that kind of elite player. He's just been terrible but let's not forget the bum shoulder and concussion. It would be nice if he scores a couple of big ones over the final four.
Here's my frustration with the coach. Tortorella sometimes makes baffling decisions like dressing Erik Christensen after a dreadful game at Buffalo in which he committed two turnovers on an important power play. How do you dress him after that? If he's not playing with Gaborik, Christy's a waste. Granted. Wojtek Wolski is the latest ex-Yote that's underperforming. Surprise surprise. Michal Rozsival plays every game for a Phoenix team that's making the playoffs. The trade wasn't the problem because it allowed Sauer and McDonagh to grow into our most reliable D pair. No. That's not a misprint. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are an adventure at times in their end. Guess who leads the team in plus/minus. The kid duo by a country mile. Wolski should've played yesterday. Mats Zuccarello did before he was banished to Connecticut. I'm no genius. But what was the point of playing him if he was going down? MZA had struggled for a while. Why did they wait so long? Now, they can't even recall anyone. From the timing, it sure seems like they're making Zuccarello the scapegoat. Genius. A first-year European who possesses skill and he's the one that's the problem. The move is fine as he's lost confidence. Hopefully, it will come back.
Issue two I have with Tortorella. Your team stunk it up the first 20 minutes and blew power play after power play with Al Montoya keeping the Islanders in the game. Gotta love the irony. Former No.1 pick who was mishandled here suddenly gets a shot and finds a home, getting extended a year and then exacts revenge after how we chased him in the prior meeting. On Tort, our power play just ended and Comeau puts home a rebound to tie it. Then, off a faceoff in which nobody picks up Martinek with the Red Sea parting, he blisters a shot top shelf on Lundqvist on the next shift. How do you wait until it's 4-1 off a bizarre goal from P.A. Parenteau in which Staal basically set him up, before calling timeout? Anyone could see that our team wasn't right. When the opponent goes from down one to one up that quickly in a hostile environment amidst all the Ranger support, that's usually a good moment for a breather. Settle down the team and get them to refocus. Instead, Tort waited until it was too late with mere mortal Jesse Joensuu scoring and then Parenteau cashing in while Staal stood and watched.
Final issue on Tort. How on a crucial five-on-three does he not send out Brandon Dubinsky? If you're going with five forwards, how is your leading scorer not out there? Dubinsky is good in the corners and in front. We had no net presence. Tortorella even forgot to give Boyle a shift. When it's not working, throw some different looks.
Once Lundqvist didn't return for the third, the game was over. Chad Johnson ensured that by giving up goals to Matt Moulson off a great move from John Tavares and Islander legend Trevor Gillies. April Fool's became April Fools. This was a complete disgrace. Of course, Jack Capuano sent out the wolves to avenge Nielsen with Michael Haley bloodying Sean Avery, Zenon Konopka and Brandon Prust battling to a draw and those featherweights Dylan Reese and Ruslan Fedotenko throwing 'em. Jack Hillen and Dubinsky also fought earlier in the chaotic stanza. With the score 6-2 thanks to a Prust tally with 14 seconds left, there was Gillies looking for vengeance. Prior, Dubinsky and Matt Martin jawed before the refs tossed each. They also never allowed Gillies to get at Prust following his goal on the next faceoff. I understand the Islanders being mad that Gaborik injured Nielsen with a dangerous hit from behind. However, the point was made. Why even have Gillies out there? He's not even an NHLer. It reflects poorly on an organization that at times, doesn't get it. The Islanders are better. There's no need to goon it up. Maybe Mario Lemieux had a point. I loathe him too but come on.
Skate off the ice with the win and enjoy it. You just may have ruined the Ranger season. Truthfully, they may have accomplished that all on their own.
For a team who has responded to every challenge, this was mind boggling. How could they fall so flat in a critical game against a team that they knew wanted to beat them in the worst way, possibly wrecking the playoffs? You would've thought it was a meaningless exhibition with nothing on the line. Heck. They've given better efforts in preseason than what was on display in Long Island yesterday. Their second consecutive loss and third in the last four have suddenly put the Rangers in a bind. Only three points separate them from ninth Carolina, who visits the Islanders tomorrow before the Blueshirts' next game- a doozy on NBC at the Flyers. Can someone say panic button?
Making matters worse is that if the Hurricanes win as expected, they'll hold the crucial tiebreak due to more emphasis on regulation and overtime victories. Sure. They can only be a point out but given the way our team's playing and a schedule that includes hated rivals Philly and New Jersey which btw ends the season (hopefully not for good), the Rangers just made it a whole lot more difficult on themselves. They're no longer a lock even if the Canadiens continue to fade down the stretch. Even if we tie them, they hold the edge. So, that won't do.
It's basically start scoring again and win or tease a loyal fanbase to death a second consecutive year like Bill Murray's classic Phil character from Groundhog Day. I've seen this story before and don't feel like going through it again. Let's put it this way. Since I've followed hockey, I never missed the playoffs. While that may not apply to the circus and pony act at 33rd and Seventh, I want the postseason. The way this team's competed warrants it. That's why it's so alarming how putrid they were versus the Islanders, who were without stud rookie Michael Grabner, whose girlfriend finally gave berth to a baby boy. Congrats to Grabs!
If they somehow complete this collapse, I will not watch one second of the playoffs. I'll take a long vacation kinda like our resident Devil blogger Hasan after the crap his team pulled. It's not about us competing for a Cup. But about all the losing this franchise puts us through. I'm sick and tired of hearing about how at least we've seen them win one Cup. I'm only going to say this once. Our franchise has been around since the league's inception. They won their first three in less than 20 years! One Cup since in 70 years is pathetic. I am so fed up with all the hoopla about '94. Great. We're another three years from the 20 Year Anniversary. Will our team which at least seems to be heading in the right direction, have finally won two rounds? Let's hope so. This ain't no April Fool's joke.
If this team is serious about erasing last year, then they'll kick the Flyers' ass in two days on national TV. I know we embarrassed them last time. So, they'll be hell bent on revenge. However, all season our team's had tremendous character, which is once again being tested. One more push and they accomplish their goal. No small accomplishment for one of the league's youngest rosters.
Now to what was supposed to be a game. What was that? It sure didn't resemble the hockey club we've cheered for. The Rangers got beat so badly by the Islanders, it would've been a first round TKO. Forget Vinny Prospal's first goal in six that actually put us ahead. The Islanders flat out dominated from start to finish, winning every battle. They forced turnovers, buried chances and took advantage of one of the biggest jokes of a power play that was so bad, they went 0-for-8 including a lifeless 5-on-3 that could've actually given them a two-goal lead. You really wonder if they practice it sometimes. Forget the improvement with Bryan McCabe. Our PP is back to sucking. No shock that suddenly they can't put the puck in the ocean. It is so predictable that the Islander penalty killers just waited for the forced diagonal passes and cleared with ease. You'd have thought they were playing a video game.
If not for Henrik Lundqvist, the Islanders score the first three off odd-man rushes because that's how sloppy the Rangers were. It really begged the question how John Tortorella could not have them ready to play. That's two games in a row that they weren't prepared. I know Tort's done an admirable job, getting this core to buy in. The development of kids like Ryan McDonagh, Mike Sauer and Derek Stepan cannot be understated. Neither can the 160 by Brian Boyle and ultimate warrior Brandon Prust. The team takes on Tortorella's personality. That's why it's so disappointing how poorly they played. In a rivalry game where you knew it was basically the Islanders' Cup even though they're much improved, it's stunning how bad our guys played.
The Isles' first two goals 33 seconds apart from Blake Comeau and Radek Martinek confirmed our worst fears. Anyone who watched the first could tell who the better team was. The Islanders kept giving us opportunity after opportunity, losing discipline over Marian Gaborik's dirty hit that knocked out Frans Nielsen for the rest of the game. Gaborik isn't that kind of player and was fortunate to not get tossed, instead receiving a four minute boarding double minor. What was his excuse for doing little else after setting up Prospal's sixth? It amazes me how a player with his talent can just disappear when he feels contact. I'm not going to go overboard like others who want him to become the next Scott Gomez. Gaborik's our most skilled forward. Those don't grow on trees. So unless they can get a good return back over the summer, you don't trade that kind of elite player. He's just been terrible but let's not forget the bum shoulder and concussion. It would be nice if he scores a couple of big ones over the final four.
Here's my frustration with the coach. Tortorella sometimes makes baffling decisions like dressing Erik Christensen after a dreadful game at Buffalo in which he committed two turnovers on an important power play. How do you dress him after that? If he's not playing with Gaborik, Christy's a waste. Granted. Wojtek Wolski is the latest ex-Yote that's underperforming. Surprise surprise. Michal Rozsival plays every game for a Phoenix team that's making the playoffs. The trade wasn't the problem because it allowed Sauer and McDonagh to grow into our most reliable D pair. No. That's not a misprint. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are an adventure at times in their end. Guess who leads the team in plus/minus. The kid duo by a country mile. Wolski should've played yesterday. Mats Zuccarello did before he was banished to Connecticut. I'm no genius. But what was the point of playing him if he was going down? MZA had struggled for a while. Why did they wait so long? Now, they can't even recall anyone. From the timing, it sure seems like they're making Zuccarello the scapegoat. Genius. A first-year European who possesses skill and he's the one that's the problem. The move is fine as he's lost confidence. Hopefully, it will come back.
Issue two I have with Tortorella. Your team stunk it up the first 20 minutes and blew power play after power play with Al Montoya keeping the Islanders in the game. Gotta love the irony. Former No.1 pick who was mishandled here suddenly gets a shot and finds a home, getting extended a year and then exacts revenge after how we chased him in the prior meeting. On Tort, our power play just ended and Comeau puts home a rebound to tie it. Then, off a faceoff in which nobody picks up Martinek with the Red Sea parting, he blisters a shot top shelf on Lundqvist on the next shift. How do you wait until it's 4-1 off a bizarre goal from P.A. Parenteau in which Staal basically set him up, before calling timeout? Anyone could see that our team wasn't right. When the opponent goes from down one to one up that quickly in a hostile environment amidst all the Ranger support, that's usually a good moment for a breather. Settle down the team and get them to refocus. Instead, Tort waited until it was too late with mere mortal Jesse Joensuu scoring and then Parenteau cashing in while Staal stood and watched.
Final issue on Tort. How on a crucial five-on-three does he not send out Brandon Dubinsky? If you're going with five forwards, how is your leading scorer not out there? Dubinsky is good in the corners and in front. We had no net presence. Tortorella even forgot to give Boyle a shift. When it's not working, throw some different looks.
Once Lundqvist didn't return for the third, the game was over. Chad Johnson ensured that by giving up goals to Matt Moulson off a great move from John Tavares and Islander legend Trevor Gillies. April Fool's became April Fools. This was a complete disgrace. Of course, Jack Capuano sent out the wolves to avenge Nielsen with Michael Haley bloodying Sean Avery, Zenon Konopka and Brandon Prust battling to a draw and those featherweights Dylan Reese and Ruslan Fedotenko throwing 'em. Jack Hillen and Dubinsky also fought earlier in the chaotic stanza. With the score 6-2 thanks to a Prust tally with 14 seconds left, there was Gillies looking for vengeance. Prior, Dubinsky and Matt Martin jawed before the refs tossed each. They also never allowed Gillies to get at Prust following his goal on the next faceoff. I understand the Islanders being mad that Gaborik injured Nielsen with a dangerous hit from behind. However, the point was made. Why even have Gillies out there? He's not even an NHLer. It reflects poorly on an organization that at times, doesn't get it. The Islanders are better. There's no need to goon it up. Maybe Mario Lemieux had a point. I loathe him too but come on.
Skate off the ice with the win and enjoy it. You just may have ruined the Ranger season. Truthfully, they may have accomplished that all on their own.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Rangers-Islanders Preview: Listless effort can't happen tonight
Prior to yesterday's 1-0 shutout loss to Buffalo, Ranger coach John Tortorella termed it, 'Just another game.' Perhaps his team took that to heart as in heartless cause that's the only way to explain how lackluster the Rangers were with a chance to bolster their playoff chances further. In a game they knew meant plenty with the Canes taking care of the Habs in Raleigh to get even closer, Tort's club inexplicably mailed it in- allowing Swedish rookie Jhonas Enroth to cruise to a 23 save shutout (1st of career).
In a season filled with feel good moments, this was disturbing. For a fourth straight game, the Ranger offense was MIA with Marian Gaborik unable to fill the net due to the tight checking Buffalo applied. No doubt, the Sabres were hungrier after coming off a disappointing loss in Toronto the previous night. With the Rangers well rested, mustering up energy should've been no problem. Instead, they were two steps behind, often making life easy on Enroth, who was able to see every shot in only his 10th career start. Unlike the ridiculous Joe Micheletti, we're not going to give too much credit to the 22 year-old netminder. Sure. He made a few key saves but never had to fight through traffic or be under siege the way Henrik Lundqvist did in making 34 stops.
Unfortunately, Lundqvist was the only positive continuing his run of impressive play with just Tim Connolly beating him on a laser via the man advantage, following a dreadful Brian Boyle turnover. All year, Boyle's been one of the club's most consistent players but his poor decision on a 3-on-1 not to pass back to an open Ryan Callahan proved costly. Instead of getting a chance shorthanded, the Rangers were caught when Boyle's attempt was blocked, allowing the Sabres to transition with Connolly beating Lundqvist for the game's only goal. The team hasn't taken many penalties lately but Marc Staal's cost due to Boyle's blunder.
When you're unable to score goals, the mistakes are magnified because there's less margin for error. The Blueshirts simply have to be better in tonight's monster showdown with the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. There's only five games left with the Canes three out with an extra game left. Don't forget too that the new tiebreak favors Buffalo, who steered ahead due to one more regulation/overtime win. Even scarier is that Carolina is right there. The Rangers can't afford not to show in what should be a chaotic atmosphere with their biggest rival looking to play spoiler. The Islanders can finish. Whether or not Michael Grabner plays due to his wife being in labor, remains to be seen. It will be a rematch from last time when the Rangers punished the Islanders with recently extended Al Montoya getting the hook in a blowout win at MSG. The pressure is on.
Full marks to Lindy Ruff's club for responding with a yeoman effort to get two crucial points, drawing them even in points (87). The Sabres were better all night, getting superb performances from Tyler Myers, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Andrej Sekera, who blanketed Gaborik despite five shots, which Enroth had no problem with. Buffalo was harder on the forecheck, firing from all angles- forcing Lundqvist to be good. They wanted the game much more. Something that didn't sit well with Tortorella, who blasted his team's effort.
Forget the disallowed goal that negated Artem Anisimov's third versus the Sabres in the series. Yes. It would've put the Rangers ahead. However, it was the right call even though Callahan was pushed into Enroth by accident. So, the incidental contact ruling was fine. Something the future Ranger captain alluded to, mentioning that if it happened to us, they'd want that call too. The bottom line is they didn't come to play. Erik Christensen was putrid, with a couple of lazy turnovers on a power play. Gaborik skated but never got the quality chance needed to beat Enroth, even if his last one was from in tight. The Sabres forced the Rangers to the outside, winning every loose puck battle.
Despite no Jordan Leopold or Jochen Hecht, it was Buffalo who wanted it more. They should've been tired. You wouldn't have known it the way they played in front of Enroth, who got the start in part because Ryan Miller needed time off due to taking a high Dion Phaneuf shot. As often is the case, a team responds when their backup is in by sacrificing. Every Sabre knew how vital this one was with the Hurricanes doing what they had to in roasting the Habs 6-2, highlighted by a pair of markers from Calder candidate Jeff Skinner. Had they lost in regulation, one point would've separated the clubs. Instead, Buffalo has a little cushion heading into the weekend with the Canes one of their games Sunday.
It won't be easy for the Sabres who first visit Washington Saturday before the big showdown with the Canes in Raleigh. However, they made life a little better last night. For the Rangers, it's put up or shut up. Outside of the Draft Line and rookie Derek Stepan, they generated little. There are no excuses. Tort's club has been resilient all season. The Islanders are standing in the way. It should be interesting.
In a season filled with feel good moments, this was disturbing. For a fourth straight game, the Ranger offense was MIA with Marian Gaborik unable to fill the net due to the tight checking Buffalo applied. No doubt, the Sabres were hungrier after coming off a disappointing loss in Toronto the previous night. With the Rangers well rested, mustering up energy should've been no problem. Instead, they were two steps behind, often making life easy on Enroth, who was able to see every shot in only his 10th career start. Unlike the ridiculous Joe Micheletti, we're not going to give too much credit to the 22 year-old netminder. Sure. He made a few key saves but never had to fight through traffic or be under siege the way Henrik Lundqvist did in making 34 stops.
Unfortunately, Lundqvist was the only positive continuing his run of impressive play with just Tim Connolly beating him on a laser via the man advantage, following a dreadful Brian Boyle turnover. All year, Boyle's been one of the club's most consistent players but his poor decision on a 3-on-1 not to pass back to an open Ryan Callahan proved costly. Instead of getting a chance shorthanded, the Rangers were caught when Boyle's attempt was blocked, allowing the Sabres to transition with Connolly beating Lundqvist for the game's only goal. The team hasn't taken many penalties lately but Marc Staal's cost due to Boyle's blunder.
When you're unable to score goals, the mistakes are magnified because there's less margin for error. The Blueshirts simply have to be better in tonight's monster showdown with the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. There's only five games left with the Canes three out with an extra game left. Don't forget too that the new tiebreak favors Buffalo, who steered ahead due to one more regulation/overtime win. Even scarier is that Carolina is right there. The Rangers can't afford not to show in what should be a chaotic atmosphere with their biggest rival looking to play spoiler. The Islanders can finish. Whether or not Michael Grabner plays due to his wife being in labor, remains to be seen. It will be a rematch from last time when the Rangers punished the Islanders with recently extended Al Montoya getting the hook in a blowout win at MSG. The pressure is on.
Full marks to Lindy Ruff's club for responding with a yeoman effort to get two crucial points, drawing them even in points (87). The Sabres were better all night, getting superb performances from Tyler Myers, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Andrej Sekera, who blanketed Gaborik despite five shots, which Enroth had no problem with. Buffalo was harder on the forecheck, firing from all angles- forcing Lundqvist to be good. They wanted the game much more. Something that didn't sit well with Tortorella, who blasted his team's effort.
"They were the more desperate team than we were, for what reason I don’t know,” Tortorella said. “It’s not so much losing as how we played. We played better in the third. The first two periods are unacceptable.”
“When preparation and opportunity meet, he [Enroth] did a heck of a job for us tonight,” Ruff said. “He’s a cool customer.”
Forget the disallowed goal that negated Artem Anisimov's third versus the Sabres in the series. Yes. It would've put the Rangers ahead. However, it was the right call even though Callahan was pushed into Enroth by accident. So, the incidental contact ruling was fine. Something the future Ranger captain alluded to, mentioning that if it happened to us, they'd want that call too. The bottom line is they didn't come to play. Erik Christensen was putrid, with a couple of lazy turnovers on a power play. Gaborik skated but never got the quality chance needed to beat Enroth, even if his last one was from in tight. The Sabres forced the Rangers to the outside, winning every loose puck battle.
Despite no Jordan Leopold or Jochen Hecht, it was Buffalo who wanted it more. They should've been tired. You wouldn't have known it the way they played in front of Enroth, who got the start in part because Ryan Miller needed time off due to taking a high Dion Phaneuf shot. As often is the case, a team responds when their backup is in by sacrificing. Every Sabre knew how vital this one was with the Hurricanes doing what they had to in roasting the Habs 6-2, highlighted by a pair of markers from Calder candidate Jeff Skinner. Had they lost in regulation, one point would've separated the clubs. Instead, Buffalo has a little cushion heading into the weekend with the Canes one of their games Sunday.
“He gave us a chance to win,” Pominville praised of the cool customer in net. “We’ve come to know what to expect out of him, and he delivered it tonight.”
It won't be easy for the Sabres who first visit Washington Saturday before the big showdown with the Canes in Raleigh. However, they made life a little better last night. For the Rangers, it's put up or shut up. Outside of the Draft Line and rookie Derek Stepan, they generated little. There are no excuses. Tort's club has been resilient all season. The Islanders are standing in the way. It should be interesting.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Rangers-Sabres Preview: Battle Of New York looms large tonight, Enroth over Miller???
The stakes couldn't be any higher. When the seventh seeded Rangers visit Western New York tonight against the eighth Sabres, two points separate the teams with six games remaining. The Rangers enter with 87 points, winners of eight of 10- bringing a 23-14-1 road record that ranks only behind the Canucks, Flyers, Bruins and Red Wings. The Sabres have 85- their lead over ninth Carolina down to three due to a 4-3 loss in Toronto combined with the Canes' 3-2 shootout triumph in D.C.
Speaking of those Canes, they'll be in Montreal playing at the same time. You can bet there will be some scoreboard watching. Even with the emphasis on what's in front of each, some peeking at the festivities north of the border. It should make for quite a couple of hours if you're a fan of any of these clubs jockeying for playoff position as we count down to the final frantic week.
For Buffalo, they must have short memories after losing to bitter nemesis Toronto in a very exciting game that saw them combine for seven goals. The Sabres fell behind by two twice before rallying to tie it on lightning strikes from Jason Pominville and Rob Niedermayer 30 seconds apart in the third to stun the Leafs. But Toronto leading scorer Mikhail Grabovski shelved his 28th just past Ryan Miller to keep the Leafs alive in the race. With 80 points and only five left, they'll need to keep winning and get help.
It was a blown opportunity for the Sabres to push ahead of the idle Blueshirts due to the shootout tiebreak that puts more of an emphasis on regulation/overtime wins. Instead, Lindy Ruff's club made things more complicated for themselves with Carolina very much in play with a lot depending on what happens a few hours from now.
“I had a chance to set the tone on my end and didn't do it, and it just kind of went from there," lamented losing goalie Miller who wasn't pleased with a goal he allowed to Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf from the blueline that got the ACC jumping. Figure the rating Vezina winner to be locked in after permitting four on 35 shots while rookie James Reimer made some clutch stops late for his 18th victory. It's probably too late for the 23 year-old former '06 fourth round pick to put his name into a packed Calder race that includes headliners Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, Corey Crawford along with the Islanders' Michael Grabner.
Whenever the Rangers and Sabres meet, the goalie battle is always the main attraction, pitting Henrik Lundqvist against Miller. Though Miller's having a down season, he's fully capable of shutting down the opposition on any night. There's plenty of incentive against his sizzling counterpart who enters 8-1-1 with a 1.67 GAA, .936 save percentage and three of his league-high 11 shutouts coming over the past 10 starts, boosting his Vezina candidacy against stiff competition featuring Tim Thomas (9th SHO in 3-0 win over Hawks), Carey Price (27 saves for 35th W in 3-1 win over Thrashers) and Pekka Rinne. It will be King Henrik's 21st consecutive start.
UPDATE: In a stunner, the Sabres are expected to start Jhonas Enroth. The 22 year-old Swede doesn't have much experience with nine career starts. Eight have come this year with the '06 second round pick 5-2-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .906 save percentage. Respectable numbers but he hasn't started since 3/13, winning a wild 6-4 conventional shootout over Ottawa with 34 saves.The timing seems iffy. Maybe Ruff's trying to send a message to his team that last night was unacceptable. It should be noted that historically, the Rangers don't fare well against unknowns. So, if in fact Enroth is in, who knows.
Both teams know they can't rely on help from the Habs- a team they're still trying to catch. Montreal ended a near record futility of being blanked three straight times by pulling out a 3-1 home win over Atlanta, all but ending the Thrashers' season. Montreal has 89 points but owns the new tiebreak over the Rangers and Sabres. This is the final meeting between the state rivals with the Rangers holding a 2-1 edge. The last time they played at HSBC was the infamous season opener featuring Derek Stepan's hat trick debut, highlighting a 6-3 win. The other two games at MSG both were decided by identical 3-2 margins with the Blueshirts taking the second meeting on an Artem Anisimov OT winner while Buffalo returned the favor in regulation with Jochen Hecht's tally holding up.
“There’s enough there. Doesn’t matter what team,” Tortorella told Jim Cerny on a nyranger.com feature. “I know everybody is concerned about the standings, but we can only worry about us.”
Figure it to be tight.
Speaking of those Canes, they'll be in Montreal playing at the same time. You can bet there will be some scoreboard watching. Even with the emphasis on what's in front of each, some peeking at the festivities north of the border. It should make for quite a couple of hours if you're a fan of any of these clubs jockeying for playoff position as we count down to the final frantic week.
For Buffalo, they must have short memories after losing to bitter nemesis Toronto in a very exciting game that saw them combine for seven goals. The Sabres fell behind by two twice before rallying to tie it on lightning strikes from Jason Pominville and Rob Niedermayer 30 seconds apart in the third to stun the Leafs. But Toronto leading scorer Mikhail Grabovski shelved his 28th just past Ryan Miller to keep the Leafs alive in the race. With 80 points and only five left, they'll need to keep winning and get help.
It was a blown opportunity for the Sabres to push ahead of the idle Blueshirts due to the shootout tiebreak that puts more of an emphasis on regulation/overtime wins. Instead, Lindy Ruff's club made things more complicated for themselves with Carolina very much in play with a lot depending on what happens a few hours from now.
“I had a chance to set the tone on my end and didn't do it, and it just kind of went from there," lamented losing goalie Miller who wasn't pleased with a goal he allowed to Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf from the blueline that got the ACC jumping. Figure the rating Vezina winner to be locked in after permitting four on 35 shots while rookie James Reimer made some clutch stops late for his 18th victory. It's probably too late for the 23 year-old former '06 fourth round pick to put his name into a packed Calder race that includes headliners Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, Corey Crawford along with the Islanders' Michael Grabner.
Whenever the Rangers and Sabres meet, the goalie battle is always the main attraction, pitting Henrik Lundqvist against Miller. Though Miller's having a down season, he's fully capable of shutting down the opposition on any night. There's plenty of incentive against his sizzling counterpart who enters 8-1-1 with a 1.67 GAA, .936 save percentage and three of his league-high 11 shutouts coming over the past 10 starts, boosting his Vezina candidacy against stiff competition featuring Tim Thomas (9th SHO in 3-0 win over Hawks), Carey Price (27 saves for 35th W in 3-1 win over Thrashers) and Pekka Rinne. It will be King Henrik's 21st consecutive start.
UPDATE: In a stunner, the Sabres are expected to start Jhonas Enroth. The 22 year-old Swede doesn't have much experience with nine career starts. Eight have come this year with the '06 second round pick 5-2-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .906 save percentage. Respectable numbers but he hasn't started since 3/13, winning a wild 6-4 conventional shootout over Ottawa with 34 saves.The timing seems iffy. Maybe Ruff's trying to send a message to his team that last night was unacceptable. It should be noted that historically, the Rangers don't fare well against unknowns. So, if in fact Enroth is in, who knows.
Both teams know they can't rely on help from the Habs- a team they're still trying to catch. Montreal ended a near record futility of being blanked three straight times by pulling out a 3-1 home win over Atlanta, all but ending the Thrashers' season. Montreal has 89 points but owns the new tiebreak over the Rangers and Sabres. This is the final meeting between the state rivals with the Rangers holding a 2-1 edge. The last time they played at HSBC was the infamous season opener featuring Derek Stepan's hat trick debut, highlighting a 6-3 win. The other two games at MSG both were decided by identical 3-2 margins with the Blueshirts taking the second meeting on an Artem Anisimov OT winner while Buffalo returned the favor in regulation with Jochen Hecht's tally holding up.
“There’s enough there. Doesn’t matter what team,” Tortorella told Jim Cerny on a nyranger.com feature. “I know everybody is concerned about the standings, but we can only worry about us.”
Figure it to be tight.
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