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.
Showing posts with label Henrik Lundqvist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Henrik Lundqvist. Show all posts
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Captain Clutch Does It Again!
Let me tell you something. I only got to watch the last 20 minutes of this game. The Rangers looked a bit sloppy and gave up a bad tying goal with half a period to go. But they played on. They survived the Pittsburgh onslaught with less than a minute to go in the period. Lundqvist stayed sharp and denied the likes of Hossa and Malkin. Actually, the King was sharp the whole game from what I saw from the highlight reel, even if he didn't face many shots.
The overtime had me worried. The Pens are a dangerous club when you give them space, which 4-on-4 hockey always creates. But the Rangers responded with good rushes, and a strong play by Jagr drew a penalty. I thought, "Another power play? We couldn't score on the power play if we were Sean Avery in a dirty Manhattan motel." But a 4-on-3 creates big openings on the ice. They pissed away their first few chances, but when it came time to get shit going, they put the puck to the net, and who else but Chris Drury drove it home.
This win was more important than it may seem. It was another huge goal by Drury, who had been a bit cold lately. It catapulted us into a tie with the Devils for 4th place. More importantly, it got us out of the logjam tie for 6th. A loss tonight would have really put us behind the 8 ball with 3 games to go. 9th place was beginning to creep up on us a bit. But these guys delivered when it was important, and that's what excited me the most. Well, maybe getting to celebrate the OT winner while sitting next to my Penguins-loving father pumped me up the most. In any case, this was a great win. Now if only they could learn to do it in regulation....
A quick sidenote I forgot to mention yesterday. How fucking awesome is the music in The Igloo? I've never heard an arena play "Raining Blood" by Slayer and "Sweating Bullets" by Megadeth in the same death. Come to think of it, when's the last time we heard Slayer or 'Deth in the Garden? Probably the same game where we didn't hear shit by Creed or My Chemical Romance.
The overtime had me worried. The Pens are a dangerous club when you give them space, which 4-on-4 hockey always creates. But the Rangers responded with good rushes, and a strong play by Jagr drew a penalty. I thought, "Another power play? We couldn't score on the power play if we were Sean Avery in a dirty Manhattan motel." But a 4-on-3 creates big openings on the ice. They pissed away their first few chances, but when it came time to get shit going, they put the puck to the net, and who else but Chris Drury drove it home.
This win was more important than it may seem. It was another huge goal by Drury, who had been a bit cold lately. It catapulted us into a tie with the Devils for 4th place. More importantly, it got us out of the logjam tie for 6th. A loss tonight would have really put us behind the 8 ball with 3 games to go. 9th place was beginning to creep up on us a bit. But these guys delivered when it was important, and that's what excited me the most. Well, maybe getting to celebrate the OT winner while sitting next to my Penguins-loving father pumped me up the most. In any case, this was a great win. Now if only they could learn to do it in regulation....A quick sidenote I forgot to mention yesterday. How fucking awesome is the music in The Igloo? I've never heard an arena play "Raining Blood" by Slayer and "Sweating Bullets" by Megadeth in the same death. Come to think of it, when's the last time we heard Slayer or 'Deth in the Garden? Probably the same game where we didn't hear shit by Creed or My Chemical Romance.
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