Things About To Get Interesting
With a 2-0 lead several stories in the papers over the last couple of days have all but awarded the best of seven series to the Rangers, and while history is on the side of the Blueshirts, there’s still plenty of hockey to play. A controversial ending to game two, which saw several Devils players, […]
Playoffs Start Tonight!
Well my friends, the 2008 NHL Playoffs kick off tonight, and the Rangers will of course face the Devils in Newark (7:00pm – MSG). It looks like Bendan Shanahan will be back with Scott Gomez and Sean Avery, with Petr Prucha replaced in the line-up by Ryan Hollweg (though we will likely not know for sure until game time). On defense, the Devils will […]
Gomez and Drury Lead the Way in Total Team Effort
by Mark Owens Gomez assisted on two power play goals and Drury assisted on all three markers to lead the Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Devils. Both teams now have 91 points and five games left. Gomez’s Willis Reed-like appearance despite bruised ribs energized fans and teammates alike. Gomez played with passion all […]
Down the Stretch
by Pete Robinson Well folks, it’s the home stretch from here. The deadline is gone and passed and the Rangers have 16 games left in which 12 are against an Atlantic division team. What a season eh? The team has finally clicked and not a moment too soon. Keeping Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan in the line-up has been […]
Trades Give Rangers Depth and Flexibility
by Mark Owens Acquiring Christian Backman for a fourth-round pick helps offset the loss of Paul Mara and the addition of Fredrik Sjostrom adds skill to the fourth line. Adding Backman to the mix creates competition among Backman, Marek Malik (who is playing very well right now), Mara, and Jason Strudwick for the last two slots among the top six defensemen. Apparently, Backman is even […]
Renney’s Use of 4th Line Leaves Team on Thin Ice
by Mark Owens Simply put, Ryan Hollweg and Colton Orr should only be on the ice when the opponent is pushing the Rangers around, or perhaps when playing two games in two days. The illusion that they along with Blair Betts somehow form a checking line capable of dictating tempo and shutting down the opponents’ best players is just that ‘ […]
The Price is Right?
by Matt Waxman At this point it should be apparent what the Rangers are, and that is a mediocre team. They are not an offensive team, nor are they a defensive team of late. This is a team in limbo. There are several ways this can play out, but first a review. At the start […]
Can Renney and Jagr Lead this Team?
by Mark Owens Your team is struggling for the past five weeks, you have just gained 1 of 6 available points on a road trip, and you return to MSG for a three-game homestand against the NHL’s second worst team who is riding a seven game losing streak. Sounds like your team should be desperate […]
Give Gomez More Ice Time
by Mark Owens Gomez is riding high with a 10-game point streak, and since the end of October has amassed 30 points in 26 games. However, his 19:31 of ice time per game ranks him just 149th in the league. There are 45 NHL forwards (including 25 centers) with more ice time per game than […]
Changes Needed As Mediocrity Settles In
by Mark Owens Optimistic Ranger fans are probably satisfied with the Rangers’ current second place standing, patiently watching the Rangers tread water, but changes are needed before mediocrity settles in Need some evidence? – The Rangers are now 26-10-7 with Avery and 7-8-2 without him since his arrival last February. -The Rangers’ anemic offense continues […]