The Rangers and Buffalo played the Winter Classic to be a showcase for the NHL and they did not disappoint anyone. As a fan that bought tickets for myself and my family in October, of course we were hoping for cold but managable weather but got freezing weather to make it the 2nd coldest Classic to date. Fans from both teams were in great spirits as we were all layered in our clothing, but still felt the cold right through to our bones. But nobody was complaining as both teams played great games and even got extra time out of it and both got points. The Rangers gpt the exttra point on a rebound goal by J.T. Miller which made the Rangers fans fel all warm inside and heading for their cars and the warmth while heading home happy and looking forward to what this new year coud mean for the Rangers.

The Rangers are in a battle for a playoff spot and are now without Chris Kreider due to his illness of a bloodclot in his arm. J.T. Miller will be counted on to fill a bigger role and play more minutes which is what most Rangers fans have been waiting for. It seems as Pavel Buchnevich has found his way to the 3rd or 4th line now most nights and needs to pick up his game to get back to where the Rangers need him. The coach also seems not happy with Kevin Shattenkirk as on MSG he stated that "he is a work in progress". That is not a good sign at all! 

The Rangers are clearly missing something to get them over the top and ready to make a solid run to the playoffs. The goaltending of the King and Pavelec have been stellar as of late. The defense has been pretty solid and what's expected for what and who is back there. Brady Skjei is earning himself a huge pay raise for his RFA contract coming up this summer. The forwards seems like they are hit or miss, which isn't good enough. This is clearly where the Rangers will make a change soon.

In his 3 years at the helm as General Manager of the Rnagers, Jeff Gorton has made moves in each offseason and in season. In the offseasons, he has moved out Carl Hagelin(paid Chris Kreider instead and let Hagelin walk), traded Brassard for Mika Zibanajed, and this summer traded Derek Stepan and Antii Raanta for Anthony DeAngelo and the #7 pick which became Lias Andersson. The last 3 big inseason moves have been Keith Yandle, Eric Staal, and Brendan Smith. The problem has been that Coach Vigneault only used Smith in the role that he was brought in to do while he mismanaged Yandle and Staal. The names that seem to fit the Rangers the most that have been rumored are Bozak (center fro, Toronto where the Rangers had 2 scouts again at the game that Toronto faced Tampa and the Rangers don't play either team for the next month at least), and Pacioretty who played for the Jr. Rangers as a kid. With Chris Kreider out indefinitely, the Rangers still need a center but now also need a wing that can produce. with the Rangers off for almost a full week after these next 3 games, that seems to be the perfect time for such a large move.

From my frozen family at the Classic to yours... Happy New Year!!!!