The Rangers welcome the Senators to the Garden tonight (7:00pm – MSG) and may have a chance to jump back over Carolina and tie for fifth place – Philadelphia is leading Pittsburgh 2-0 currently, and if it’s decided in regulation, the Rangers could draw even with the loser.
The Senators have really turned their season around since changing coaches February 2nd. Don’t let their record fool you, these guys are 14-6-3 since the change, have won their last four and are 5-2-1 in their last eight on the road. In the month of March they’ve scored four or more goals in six of their ten games. Mind you, the Rangers have made that mark in six of eight games this month.
A lot of the credit has to go to John Tortorella who has instilled a fighting spirit, and a new philosophy. You also have to point to Jim Schoenfeld and his care and feeding of the blueline corps.
Some would argue that Wade Redden is among those who’ve benefited most from the change. Still Redden has a long way to go to validate the amount of money he’s earning.
As for last night’s 5-3 win – their third in a row – it probably had a lot to do with the Sabre’s goalie situation – Ryan Miller remains out with a high ankle sprain suffered in a collision with Scott Gomez the last time these two teams met. Since losing Miller, the Sabres have dropped from fifth to tenth, and are now five points out of a playoff spot.
Ryan Callahan got two goals against the club he grew up watching. Not a bad birthday present for the 24 year old winger, who now needs just one more goal to reach 20 for the first time in his career.
The two points give the Rangers a four point buffer over the ninth placed Florida Panthers.
Wolf Pack sweep Falcons
The Wolf Pack swept the five games at the Falcons’ home rink with a 7-2 win last night. The Pack got some unlikely contributions from Dale Weise – 2 goals, 2 assists – Vladimir Denisov – 1 goal, 1 assist – and Corey Potter – 1 goal, 1 assist.
Miika Wiikman left the game after two periods, perhaps as a precaution, especially with Matt Zaba out with a finger injury. Maxime Daigneault came in and guided the Pack home in the last twenty.
QMJHL Playoffs
For the second straight night the Moncton Wildcats took it to Chris Doyle and the Rocket, this time shutting out P.E.I. in a 5-0 win. The Huskies evened up their series at 1-1 with a 4-3 win over Montreal, but Antoine LaFleur remains out of the line-up.
OHL Playoffs
The Erie Otters may be upset at some of the opposition tactics, but they’re now down 0-2 in the series. Mitch Gaulton remains pointless through the first two games for Erie, while Michael Del Zotto added two assists in the game two win, giving him five so far.
Brampton is tied 1-1 after the first period in game two of their series with Peterborough today. Grachev has a secondary assist on Brampton’s goal.
WHL Playoffs
The Tigers bounced back from a game one defeat on Friday to take game two 6-2. Tomas Kundratek had a primary assist on Medicine Hat’s fifth goal of the night. Tysen Dowzak and Kelowna are out to a 2-0 series lead over the Kamloops Blazers, with Dowzak a +3 in last night’s 5-1 win.
Michigan fall in CCHA final
Carl Hagelin and the Wolverines failed to capture the CCHA crown, losing to the ranked Notre Dame 5-2. Both teams are expected to earn #1 seeds in the NCAA finals, which features a sudden death two game set followed by semi-finals and finals.
Locks still flowing
Ron Duguay assisted on the goal that sent last night’s EPHL game between the Brooklyn Aces and Jersey Rockhoppers. He played a regular shift without a helmet, and plans on suiting up again today for the other team – the Rockhoppers.
Former Rangers Walt Poddubny dead at 49
Former Ranger forward Walt Poddubny collapsed and died at the age of 49. Poddubny played two seasons with the Rangers, and remains one of the highest ranked players in terms of points per game with the franchise.