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.

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.

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!