An excited bunch of Rangers celebrate their second round series victory by mobbing Henrik Lundqvist.
Associated Press/Getty Images

Rather than bore you with a recap of last night’s loss to the Stars, I’ve decided to post about the nonsense that took place on Twitter. The Rangers had their eight-game win streak snapped by Dallas losing 3-2. This didn’t come as a surprise. In fact, a buddy at work asked me what I thought about the game and I told him, ‘It’s a classic trap game.’ Not to toot my own horn, but he took the Stars and listened to me on the Habs and won money.

As a passionate fan of this team, I can’t stand when our fans pin the blame on one player. No matter who you root for, you win and lose as a team. Not according to some sour apples who have an agenda with Tanner Glass. He had a bad game taking two penalties with one leading to a Dallas goal. As usual, most of the tweets centered around him. Rather than notice what else was wrong with top stars Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Rick Nash all having off nights, some fans would rather spew nonsense about Glass. Last I checked, he’s a fourth line role player that gets the lowest minutes (7:42 vs Stars).

Every year, a player becomes the new whipping boy. With Michael Del Zotto no longer around, this year it’s Glass, who Glen Sather astonishingly signed for three years. Of course, it was a bad move. But as I’ve echoed throughout, Glass is an Alain Vigneault guy. AV coached him with Vancouver the year they went to the Stanley Cup Final. He actually put up 10 points (3-7-10) with 130 hits and 29 blocks. The best season he ever had came in ’11-12 when he had five goals and 11 assists with 246 hits and 51 blocks. For the Pens last year, he totaled 13 points with 247 hits and 57 blocks in 67 games. For the Corsi folks, he’s not effective due to a penchant to go for the big hit which can result in bad penalties and odd-man rushes. The Rangers are paying him $1.9 million in the first year of a three-year deal that averages out to $1.45 million per season.

The argument has been made that Glass is blocking kids. In particular, Anthony Duclair who currently is starring for Canada at the Under 20 World Junior Championship. However, that argument is flawed. Duclair is a top nine forward. So, he’s not being blocked by a fourth liner but rather veteran Lee Stempniak and rejuvenated former 2011 first round pick J.T. Miller, who scored his fifth goal Monday. If Vigneault chooses to play Glass, it’s on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and either Miller- who belongs on the third line- or Jesper Fast, who is a solid defensive forward. Personally, I don’t get why Fast sat out. AV likes Glass. So, he plays. He also likes Stempniak, whose offense has disappeared after a good start. He has no goals in the last eight. It really should come down to Stempniak versus Glass for 12th forward. But that’s not how AV has coached. As he’s admitted, he likes to play everyone keeping bodies fresh. That might have a long-term benefit. It keeps everyone happy.

As far as I know, Glass is a good team guy. He stepped up for a fallen teammate against Calgary in a 5-1 win taking on Lance Bouma. If Sidney Crosby cares enough to ask about his former teammate, that tells you all you need to know. My contention is that Glass shouldn’t have to play every game. He’s a role guy who brings energy and physicality. Vigneault also trusts him enough to kill penalties. Glass ranks first among forwards with 84 hits and has 17 blocks. The argument against him is he doesn’t have the puck much. The critics fail to acknowledge when he has a good shift. Yes, there are times where our fourth line has been effective even with Glass on the ice. But all they see is number 15 out for a shift and it infuriates them.

I don’t pretend to know more than the average fan. Like everyone else, I’m a fan who bleeds Rangers red, white and blue. At times, I can be as critical of the team as anyone. However, I believe in supporting every player on the roster. Even John Moore, who shouldn’t play over Matt Hunwick. We all have our favorites and guys we don’t like. But we are not in the locker room or at team practice. We have no clue what it takes to play hockey at the highest level. If you want to question personnel decisions, fine. But it’s about time we support every player win or lose.

All the overreaction over one loss is crazy. I’ve been guilty of it too. As fans, we have high expectations. We expect our team to win. Last year’s success has spoiled us. New Yorkers are impatient. It’s all about what you’ve done lately. Maybe we should take a step back and appreciate what the 2013-14 Rangers accomplished. They rallied around Martin St. Louis and made franchise history by coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to finally beat the Pens, eventually ousting the Canadiens for the club’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 20 years. They overachieved. Now, everyone expects to win daily. It doesn’t work that way when you subtract key players.

At 19-11-4 with 42 points through 34 games, they are fourth in a competitive Metropolitan Division. The Pens and Islanders each have 49 and are tied for the division lead. By virtue of a point in last night’s 4-3 overtime defeat at the Isles, the Caps are third with 43 having played two more games (36). The Rangers are locked into the wildcard trailing the Leafs by a point and just a point up on the Bruins and two clear of the improved Panthers. It will be harder to make the playoffs. The Eastern Conference is better. However, it’s not panic time. The team is playing good hockey. They should be fine.

Maybe as loyal True Blueshirts, we should try to enjoy each game instead of getting into silly debates over redundant topics. Not every game is life or death. I don’t know about you. But my eyes will be glued to tomorrow’s USA versus Canada New Year’s Eve clash. The Rangers do play early with the 6 PM start at Florida. That’s a game they need. The Panthers are competing with them. We’ll see if they can bounce back and end 2014 on a positive note.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!