When we last met here on The Rangers Recap, our boys in blue were getting ready to meet the Devils in the Eastern Conference Quaterfinals. Since then, they've made In-Law Lover Brodeur and the Devils offense their bitch, with 4-1 and 2-1 wins in "The Rock."
I don't know what my favorite part of Games 1 and 2 was. Was it Callahan's game-winning short-handed goal off of a pitiful mistake by Brodeur? Was it Sean Avery's insurance goal in Game 1? Was it Sean Avery's game-winning goal in Game 2? Was it Scott Gomez's 3-assist performance amidst boos from his former fans in Game 1? Was it hearing fans in Jersey chant "MAAAAAARRRRRRRTYYYY MAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRTYYYY"? Was it Scott Gomez getting into it with Jamie Langenbrunner, giving him a kissing motion, mocking him, and apparently telling him "Keep drinking your Kool-Aid?" It all adds up to a great start to the series.
But, the Blueshirts still need two more wins to lock up this series. Lucky for us, they're back in the Garden for Games 3 and 4. Getting 2 out of 2 at home would be awesome, but I don't expect the Devils to go down so easily. They're a pretty good club, no matter how many times we've beaten them. I'll actually get to see the whole game tomorrow...I'm pumped.
By the way, I hope you've been watching the other series as well. There's been some really exciting games. It's sure to be another awesome spring.
Let's Go Rangers!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
It's That Time Again: Rangers @ Devils Game 1
It's that time of year again, folks. It's that time of year where we get to see hockey on TV every night. It's that time of year where we see guys go all-out every night. It's that time of year where legends are made. And, since the lockout, it's been the time of year where we get to once again see the Blueshirts suit up for a playoff run.2006 saw the Rangers crash and burn after surprisingly holding the Atlantic Division lead for most of the year. As everyone remembers, we lost to this year's first round opponent, the Devils, in a 4 game sweep in which we saw Jagr injure his shoulder.
2007 was the most exciting year for the Rangers ever since that Cinderella 1997 playoff run. Although they at one point sat at 12th in the Eastern Conference, they roared back after the All-Star break. After sweeping the Thrashers out of the first round, something no one expected, they gave Buffalo a damn good run for their money.
This year? Well, obviously, the natural expectation is a Conference Finals appearance. But we all know the playoffs are a whole new season and absolutely anything can happen. I'm excited for another playoff season, no matter how the Rangers finish.
Interesting stat that just ran down SportCenter's ticker: the Rangers have lost 11 of their last 12 Game 1's (the outlier being in the Atlanta series). Keeping in mind that those Game 1's include the 1994 Devils and Canucks series, the 1995 Nordiques series, the 1996 Habs series, and the 1997 Panthers and Devils series. Remind me who won those series again?
Let's Go Rangers!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Meh, It's Still Kinda Like Home Ice Anyway (Updated with Full First Round Schedule)
Well, what can be said about today's SO loss to the Devils? Did it give them home-ice advantage, sure (even though 40-50% of their crowd is Ranger fans, anyway). Did it negate our psychological advantage over them, yeah I guess. Does it matter? I honestly don't know. The Rangers have rebounded from huge losses this year (the blown 5-goal lead at Montreal, for example) just fine. They'll put this one behind them and gear up for at least 4 games with the Devils.
How much has Jagr stepped up his play? A third period tying goal today was absolutely huge. Maybe he has been saving it for the playoffs after all. And after a shaky first period, the much-improved Henrik Lundqvist looked great. He absolutely stoned Zach Parise with his glove on the late Devils power play. That one made me jump out of my seat.
Here's the schedule for the first round (thanks to Steve Zipay). Gone are the days where teams would play 3 games in 4 days. Check it out:
How much has Jagr stepped up his play? A third period tying goal today was absolutely huge. Maybe he has been saving it for the playoffs after all. And after a shaky first period, the much-improved Henrik Lundqvist looked great. He absolutely stoned Zach Parise with his glove on the late Devils power play. That one made me jump out of my seat.
Here's the schedule for the first round (thanks to Steve Zipay). Gone are the days where teams would play 3 games in 4 days. Check it out:
Game 1 (in NJ) Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Game 2 (in NJ) Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 3 (in NY) Sunday, TBA
Game 4 (in NY) Wednesday, TBA
Game 5 (in NJ) Friday, TBA (if needed)
Game 6 (in NY) Sunday, TBA (if needed)
Game 7 (in NJ) Tuesday, TBA (if needed)
The Battle for Home Ice Advantage
The Rangers head over to Newark today to take on the Devils in a game that will determine who gets the #4 seed. Boston's loss today cemented the Rangers-Devils first round matchup. If the Rangers win in regulation today, they get home ice in the first round. Giving the Devils a point gives them home ice since they have the tiebreaker (# of wins).How important is today's game? It depends. The Rangers have a pretty good fan section in New Jersey to support them. However, starting a playoff series in your own building provides a good adrenaline rush and excitement. Honestly, I think the Rangers can win the series if they start it in the Rock or the Garden.
Expect more boring hockey tomorrow and over the next couple weeks. The Rangers and Devils both play low offense, smothering defense hockey, so we could see a lot of 2-1's and 3-2's. Keep some energy drinks at the ready, or if the Rangers are losing, some booze.
It's that time of year again...seems like just yesterday I was watching them come back to beat Florida 5-2 on opening night. Hopefully I'll get to see most of this game. I'll be out of town again until a little after the 3pm start time. Let's beat the Devils in 60 minutes and make them come to the Garden for Game 1.
Let's Go Rangers!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
A Dream Come True!
A story by Uncle Larry in the NY Post says that the salary cap is expected to go up to $56.3M next season, and if revenues keep increasing at the rate they are will be $68M in the 2010-11 season. In light of this, Rangers President/GM Glen Sather asked to write a guest piece for The Rangers Recap to share his thoughts on the rising cap. Enjoy!
Hello friends! It's me, your favorite GM/recluse, Glen Sather. How have you guys been? I've been a little too busy this year to talk to the New York media. Did you catch those nice interviews I did with the Edmonton papers, though? Man, I love Edmonton. Anyway, have you enjoyed the playoff team that I've once again built for you? And you people questioned me when I signed Gomez and Drury to $7M contracts.
When I heard that the salary cap that was going up again next year, I was quite excited. My good friend and associate Mr. Jim Dolan will again let me spend up to the cap ceiling next season. Of course, that extra $6M out of his pocket will be felt by you CableVision subscribers. But hey, that's your cross to bear so you can have a playoff team in MSG.
I know over the last few seasons I've kept my spending ways under control. I've even let some of these worthless kids that I've drafted take roster spots instead of those much more qualified free agent veterans. I really wanted that nice Michael Peca fellow this summer, but of course that whiny ass Renney wouldn't have it. He said that this Dubinsky kid could be our third line center. But he's got my $7M man Chris Drury there! What's up with that?!
But with the salary cap going up and up, I think it's time for me to wet my whistle in the free agent market this summer. It's too bad that Ottawa locked up Spezza and Heatley. They would have looked good in a Rangers jersey (although it'd be better if they were a few years older). Maybe I can snag Marian Hossa from that jerk Ray Shero in Pittsburgh. That's who I was originally trying to trade for in 2005. Who knew that he had a brother?
GREAT GOOGILY MOOGILY! I just realized that Bobby Holik is a free agent this summer! This day keeps getting better and better. Do you think $9M per year will be enough to bring him back to New York? Do you think I should give him a raise to $10M per? I still think he'd make a very nice first line center.
So many options for this summer...Jeremy Roenick, Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, etc. are all available. How's a gal like me supposed to keep her purse closed when there's so many great, well-aged veterans on the market? Maybe I can bring Mark Messier back for a third stint. The options are endless! I'll keep you posted on my shopping spree this summer, Ranger fans. Until then, enjoy the playoffs. Who are we playing this year, the Predators or something?
Hello friends! It's me, your favorite GM/recluse, Glen Sather. How have you guys been? I've been a little too busy this year to talk to the New York media. Did you catch those nice interviews I did with the Edmonton papers, though? Man, I love Edmonton. Anyway, have you enjoyed the playoff team that I've once again built for you? And you people questioned me when I signed Gomez and Drury to $7M contracts.
When I heard that the salary cap that was going up again next year, I was quite excited. My good friend and associate Mr. Jim Dolan will again let me spend up to the cap ceiling next season. Of course, that extra $6M out of his pocket will be felt by you CableVision subscribers. But hey, that's your cross to bear so you can have a playoff team in MSG.
I know over the last few seasons I've kept my spending ways under control. I've even let some of these worthless kids that I've drafted take roster spots instead of those much more qualified free agent veterans. I really wanted that nice Michael Peca fellow this summer, but of course that whiny ass Renney wouldn't have it. He said that this Dubinsky kid could be our third line center. But he's got my $7M man Chris Drury there! What's up with that?!
But with the salary cap going up and up, I think it's time for me to wet my whistle in the free agent market this summer. It's too bad that Ottawa locked up Spezza and Heatley. They would have looked good in a Rangers jersey (although it'd be better if they were a few years older). Maybe I can snag Marian Hossa from that jerk Ray Shero in Pittsburgh. That's who I was originally trying to trade for in 2005. Who knew that he had a brother?
GREAT GOOGILY MOOGILY! I just realized that Bobby Holik is a free agent this summer! This day keeps getting better and better. Do you think $9M per year will be enough to bring him back to New York? Do you think I should give him a raise to $10M per? I still think he'd make a very nice first line center.
So many options for this summer...Jeremy Roenick, Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, etc. are all available. How's a gal like me supposed to keep her purse closed when there's so many great, well-aged veterans on the market? Maybe I can bring Mark Messier back for a third stint. The options are endless! I'll keep you posted on my shopping spree this summer, Ranger fans. Until then, enjoy the playoffs. Who are we playing this year, the Predators or something?
Beaten by Dubliezawacsh. Again.
Well, what can be said about that game that isn't already being thought by Ranger fans everywhere? 48 saves by a backup goalie, Henrik letting in 3 weak goals in regulation and making just 1 shootout save, an astounding 0-8 on the PP against a team missing 12 regulars, and letting in a shorthanded goal on a 5-on-3. But hey, they got a point out of it. Everyone wins!
However, the Devils losing to the Flyers made up for our loss. We are just one point behind them in the standings, meaning if we win in regulation on Sunday, we take 4th place and home ice advantage over the Devils in the 1st round. So Tom, don't tell your boys to play defensive in the 3rd period on Sunday. Go for that regulation win. Don't play for the extra point, 'cause on April 9th it won't matter when you're playing in Newark for Game 1.
However, the Devils losing to the Flyers made up for our loss. We are just one point behind them in the standings, meaning if we win in regulation on Sunday, we take 4th place and home ice advantage over the Devils in the 1st round. So Tom, don't tell your boys to play defensive in the 3rd period on Sunday. Go for that regulation win. Don't play for the extra point, 'cause on April 9th it won't matter when you're playing in Newark for Game 1.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Playoff Bound!
They did it. The Rangers clinched their playoff birth tonight with a 3-0 win over the much-hated NY Islanders. Well, I guess we could call them the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, seeing as the Fishies missing around 29 of their normal guys. But hey, a win's a win, no matter how we take it.
Man, was that vintage Jaromir Jagr or what in the first period or what? It reminded me of 05/06 when he would score PPGs at will from that sweet spot above the right circle. And these weren't little wrist shots he let go; he gripped it and ripped it. Maybe he's been saving his "A" game for the playoffs? We'll see on April 9th.
How about Henrik Lundqvist? 25 saves for his league-leading 10th shutout. When was the last time the Rangers had a goalie with double-digit figures in the shutout column? Big points to anyone who can find that out for me.
Jagr (2G), Dubinsky (2A), Rozsival (2A), and Straka (1G, 1A) all had two points tonight for the Rangers. Those are the guys who we'll need to step up in the playoffs. I tell you what, that Dubinsky is something else. I never expected at the beginning of the year that he'd have this much impact on the Rangers. Kudos go out to Renney and Sather for not signing Michael Peca over the summer. Their trust in their home-grown kids has really paid huge dividends this year.
The last two games are all about playoff positioning. It's pretty much set now that another Rangers-Devils first round matchup is on the way. We're two points back on them after tonight's game. However, the Rangers don't totally control their own destiny. Winning their last two games is the best start. However, the Devils can't get more than one point in their last two, including the one against us, if we want that 4th spot. However, having to start the playoffs in Newark wouldn't be the end of the world (that is, if our guys don't get shot and robbed while walking into the arena). There'll be plenty of Ranger fans there to support the Blueshirts. I want to see Marty cry. I want vengeance for 2006.
But hey, the focus is on the Isles tomorrow at home. I smell a sweep.
Man, was that vintage Jaromir Jagr or what in the first period or what? It reminded me of 05/06 when he would score PPGs at will from that sweet spot above the right circle. And these weren't little wrist shots he let go; he gripped it and ripped it. Maybe he's been saving his "A" game for the playoffs? We'll see on April 9th.
How about Henrik Lundqvist? 25 saves for his league-leading 10th shutout. When was the last time the Rangers had a goalie with double-digit figures in the shutout column? Big points to anyone who can find that out for me.
Jagr (2G), Dubinsky (2A), Rozsival (2A), and Straka (1G, 1A) all had two points tonight for the Rangers. Those are the guys who we'll need to step up in the playoffs. I tell you what, that Dubinsky is something else. I never expected at the beginning of the year that he'd have this much impact on the Rangers. Kudos go out to Renney and Sather for not signing Michael Peca over the summer. Their trust in their home-grown kids has really paid huge dividends this year.
The last two games are all about playoff positioning. It's pretty much set now that another Rangers-Devils first round matchup is on the way. We're two points back on them after tonight's game. However, the Rangers don't totally control their own destiny. Winning their last two games is the best start. However, the Devils can't get more than one point in their last two, including the one against us, if we want that 4th spot. However, having to start the playoffs in Newark wouldn't be the end of the world (that is, if our guys don't get shot and robbed while walking into the arena). There'll be plenty of Ranger fans there to support the Blueshirts. I want to see Marty cry. I want vengeance for 2006.
But hey, the focus is on the Isles tomorrow at home. I smell a sweep.
Playing in That Shitty Home Away From Home -- Win and In
With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Rangers open up a home-and-home with the Islanders tonight in Nassau Coliseum. The Rangers are fighting for playoff positioning, and the Islanders are, well, writing the closing chapter of yet another year without a playoff series win (last time that happened: 1993 Patrick Division Finals. Yeah. It's been a while). However, with a win tonight or in any of their final 3 games, they're in the playoffs. So obviously, getting a win tonight is quite important.While many may think, "Oh, it's just the Islanders. They're terrible and have a lot of injuries. Two easy wins LOL!" the Isles are much more dangerous than their record shows. The last two years they've played us especially hard. Ted Nolan's mantra of working hard every shift seems to baffle the Rangers. His 3 man forecheck destroys our soft defense. The reason that they don't blow us out every game is that their best players are Mike Comrie and Miro Satan. Watch out for those two hot shots!
But the Rangers play of late has been pretty strong. Yeah, they looked bad on Sunday against the Pens, but showed improved a bit in the OT win on Monday. And times like this are when guys like Henrik Lundqvist (who's been much, much better lately after his slump that lasted half the season) and Chris Drury (who scored the OT winner on Monday) step up and contribute big time.
If the Rangers want to win tonight, the defense has to hold strong and withstand the Isles forecheck. The offense simply needs to take advantage of the Fishies' rash of injuries. They're without I think half their defense corps and their starting goalie. That's just an invitation to run up the score, which they can most certainly do if pucks find their way to the net. A sweep of this home-and-home leading in to the regular season finale with the Devs would be huge.
On a side note, 2 of those 3 games last night didn't go as planned. Pittsburgh beat Philly in regulation. While it clinches the division title for the Pens (good for them; they get to hang a banner in their new arena. How special), it gave the Flyers zero points. The Canes whomped Tampa 6-2. While clinching a playoff spot would be nice, it's pretty wrapped up anyway. Besides, better to write your own destiny than let some redneck team do it for you. The killer game was the Devils and Bruins -- a 3-2 SO decision for the Devils. Not only did it put the Devs 4 points ahead of us (we do, however, have a game in hand), it gave the B's a point, putting them just 1 point behind us. Don't you love Gary Bettman's new NHL? With 3 point games, it's like everyone wins! Except the people close to you in the standings.
Let's Go Rangers!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Let's Go B's, Bolts, and Pens!
While the Rangers practice today in preparation for the back-to-back games with the Isles, there are some big games tonight around the East that can either hurt or help the Rangers' playoff positioning.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina: If the 'Canes lose in regulation, the Rangers clinch a playoff spot. While their playoff berth is pretty much guarantee (Rodent's BerthWatch has the Rangers at 99.5%), to see that "x" next to us in the standings would be nice.
Bruins @ Devils: Opinions on this game may vary. Some may want the Devs to prevail as to keep Boston from tying us in the standings, which they would do if they got a win. However, Jersey is two points ahead of us in the standings and have played the same number of games. I'm not that worried about Boston passing us in the standings; they're a pretty inconsistent team. However, I don't want Jersey to be 4 points ahead with 3 games to go. The Rangers can get that fourth spot and first round home ice. Therefore, I'm hoping for a B's regulation win.
Flyers @ Penguins: While it's hard for me to root for Crosby & Friends, a win by Philthy would put them in a tie with us in the standings. However, Pitt has pretty much wrapped up the division, so giving them more points doesn't really matter. Here's to hoping Malkin has a big night.
Even though the outcomes of these games are important, the most important thing is for the Rangers to pound the Isles tomorrow and Friday. Their destiny lies in their own hands.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina: If the 'Canes lose in regulation, the Rangers clinch a playoff spot. While their playoff berth is pretty much guarantee (Rodent's BerthWatch has the Rangers at 99.5%), to see that "x" next to us in the standings would be nice.
Bruins @ Devils: Opinions on this game may vary. Some may want the Devs to prevail as to keep Boston from tying us in the standings, which they would do if they got a win. However, Jersey is two points ahead of us in the standings and have played the same number of games. I'm not that worried about Boston passing us in the standings; they're a pretty inconsistent team. However, I don't want Jersey to be 4 points ahead with 3 games to go. The Rangers can get that fourth spot and first round home ice. Therefore, I'm hoping for a B's regulation win.
Flyers @ Penguins: While it's hard for me to root for Crosby & Friends, a win by Philthy would put them in a tie with us in the standings. However, Pitt has pretty much wrapped up the division, so giving them more points doesn't really matter. Here's to hoping Malkin has a big night.
Even though the outcomes of these games are important, the most important thing is for the Rangers to pound the Isles tomorrow and Friday. Their destiny lies in their own hands.
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