Rangers keep Rollin

The trade deadline passed, without any major deals for the Rangers. They went out on Monday night and shutdown a very tough Devil team, behind Henrik Lundqvist’s 7^th shutout and 30^th win of the season.  Tonight they went out and beat a surging Carolina Hurricane team, without Captain Ryan Callahan with Brandon Dubinsky benched after taking a bad penalty early in the game, and with Michael Del Zotto leaving the game early after reinjuring his hip. A game like tonight when Marty Biron, who has struggled lately, played a solid game this team showed once again, why they didn’t need to make a big trade. Why Glen Sather didn’t dismantle the roster, and showed why the fans of this team have a reason to believe. They stay the course, just like the coach has taught them, just like the GM showed by not making any trades.

This has become the true identity of this team, they are tough they are gritty and they are blue collar, just like many New Yorkers. Just when you think there could be a letdown, this team steps up, whether its Brandon Prust, or Brian Boyle or new comer John Scott who was picked up at the deadline, someone steps up and helps this team win. As it has been the case all season, this was another team win, a win where not just one player stepped up, but there were contributions up and down the line up. The GAS line of Anisimov, Gaborik and Stepan played big and they needed to, Marc Staal stepped up and played what could have been his best game of the season. Now could that be because he was playing against his brother Eric, for the first time since he gave Marc a concussion, or if it is because he starting to return to form is still to be determined, but he has been playing better as of late. The fact that Staal has been playing better is going to be a big key during this final stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs, especially if players continue to get dinged up. The continued growth of Ryan McDonagh has also started to become evident with each passing game, as he continues to play very well against the opposing team’s top players, another reason why Sather didn’t make the Nash deal because Columbus was asking for the young stud defenseman.

This team is showing that they belong in the top spot in the East and it doesn’t look like they are ready to give it up anytime soon. Tomorrow they play the Tampa Bay before a big home game on Sunday against the Boston Bruins, who are still chasing the Rangers in the East. The Rangers have a tough month ahead but this will be the final hurdle of the regular season, before the playoffs, so it will be a very good test before the playoffs and the drive for the Stanly Cup.  If you don’t think this team has a great chance to take home Lord Stanley’s Cup for the first time since 1994, watch this team play and I’m sure you will become a believer, I’m sure you will see what all the true blue Rangers fans see and love about their New York Rangers.

By Joe Clewell

New York Rangers on a Roll - Blueliner special as Rangers down Carolina 5-3

The red-hot New York Rangers (14-5-3) earned their fourth straight victory over the Carolina Hurricanes (8-15-4) by a final of 5-3 in hockey action on Thursday night. New York has been showing true grit in this winning stretch, as all aspects of the game have been clicking for the Blueshirts.

Using a two goal lead to gain their fourth, the Rangers skated away thanks to the extra effort by their defense. Thanks to their efforts, two members of the Rangers defense were rewarded with goals as Ryan McDonagh and Michael Sauer found the back of the cage.

Things didn’t start the way of the Blueshirts at first, as Carolina scored on a face-off 0:35 into the first period, as Jiri Tlusty (5) recorded a snap shot for a 1-0 lead. Captain Ryan Callahan (10), who has been the face of the Rangers blue collared effort, recorded a wrister at the 1:42 mark to tie things up a one.

Jeff Skinner (11) recorded a slap shot at the 19:51 mark, to give Carolina the 2-1 lead.  The Blueshirts regained momentum in the second period of play, with four goals in the frame. New York has liked the later part of the game, as it has been the trend for the Blueshirts barrage to open up the game scoring wise in the second and third periods.

McDonagh (4) started the Blueshirts barrage with a wrister at the 8:54 mark, before Marian Gaborik (12) gave New York a 3-2 lead with a wrister with 11:50 on the scoreboard.  ‘Gabby’ was set-up beautifully on the third goal, as Artem Anisimov (11) faked a shot and passed the puck to the Rangers sniper.

Hardworking Sean Avery (3) was rewarded for his efforts on the ice with a wicked snap shot goal at the 13:47 mark of the frame, to give New York a 4-2 lead.  Carolina made it a nail-biter at the 19:51 mark, cutting the Rangers lead to one on a Derek Joslin goal-his first in a hurricanes uniform.

The Rangers buckled down in what was a scary third period of play, finding the cushion necessary from a goal from Michael Sauer-who recorded his first goal of the season.  Three scary moments afterward occurred for the Blueshirts faithful, as injuries to Marty Biron, John Mitchell and Derek Stephan all happened-thanks to the gritty effort by the guys.

Biron (28 saves) and Stephan (one assist, plus one rating) returned to the ice, while Mitchell (plus one rating, two blocked shots) did not return. John who left the arena with blood falling from above his eye, as the rookie was making his second blocked shot of the game.

The good news for Rangers fan is that Mitchell left the ice on his own power, though it is not yet known if there are any other injuries thanks to the sacrifice that was made. In the other good news department is that Carl Hagelin aka the Energizer Bunny recoded his fourth point in four games with the club-helping to set-up the final goal of the game.

New York will end this road trip with a visit to Tampa Bay on Saturday to take on the Lightning.  The game between the Blueshirts and Bolts is scheduled to air on the MSG network, with the face-off slated for 7:00 p.m.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Not so ‘Swede’ Loss for Blueshirts

The New York Rangers (0-1-1) pushed their second regular season game of the year to a shootout, but fell the Anaheim Ducks (1-1-0) 2-1 in Saturday afternoon hockey action. This marks the Blueshirts second tough loss on European soil.

Brad Richards tallied his first goal for the Rangers with just more than two minutes remaining in regular time, to push the Blueshirts to their second overtime game. As New York headed into the shootout frame, they send out Richards, Erik Christensen, Mats Zuccarello and Artem Anisimov.

None of the Rangers were able to score, as the Ducks skated away with their first victory of the season. Henrik Lundqvist had another fine day in the cage for New York, making 27 saves.

Aside from Richards, only three Rangers found themselves with positive minutes on the ice, as Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh and Brandon Dubinsky all finished with a plus-one rating.

The Rangers will return home to the states, but things will not get easier, as the Blueshirts are now on a five game road stretch. It will be an interesting match-up for the Rangers when they return home…as they will have to face the New York Islanders in an Atlantic Division rivalry.

The two teams will square off next Saturday, so they will both have enough time to prepare for the other. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. with the game slated to air on the MSG network.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/