Battle Of Hudson

A day later, the Rangers claimed veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik off waivers from the Capitals. The 38-year old Czech will make his Blueshirt debut tomorrow against a team he played for, the Islanders.

He joins his seventh NHL team. Originally a first round pick of expansion Tampa Bay, Hamrlik’s also played for Edmonton, the Islanders, Calgary, Montreal and Washington. In the final year of a multi-year contract that pays him $7 million, he’s played in just four games with the Caps registering one assist. He is a reliable puck moving D who can aid the Rangers, who’ll be without Marc Staal who is out indefinitely after taking a puck just above his right eye last night.

There aren’t any updates on Staal. Just that he’ll miss time. It’s the latest blow to a team that was beginning to get healthy. Staal was playing some of his best hockey. He had gotten back to the level that made him an All-Star prior to the concussion that kept him out for the first half last year. With Ryan McDonagh struggling, John Tortorella reteamed him with Dan Girardi. Once again, they played against top lines and were having success.

Staal leads all Ranger defensemen in assists (11), points (13) and hits (47). He even scored a rare power play goal in a recent win over Tampa Bay. During last year’s run to the Conference Finals, it was his power play tally in sudden death that stunned Washington, allowing the Blueshirts to capture Game Five 3-2. His goal followed Brad Richards late heroics which forced overtime. Staal had six points (3-3-6) last postseason and was arguably the team’s best defenseman.

His setback presents another challenge for the Rangers, who will lean heavily on Girardi, McDonagh and Mike Del Zotto. Hamrlik can log important minutes and Anton Stralman should see a heavier workload. It’s a calculated risk by Glen Sather, who probably along with Tortorella doesn’t want any part of Stu Bickel or Matt Gilroy as the team’s sixth defenseman. For now at least, Bickel is being used on the fourth line. Steve Eminger has regained the No.6 spot. He’s been steady.

The blueline should look like this:

McDonagh-Girardi
Hamrlik-Stralman
Del Zotto-Eminger

Look for Tortorella to mix it up.

A Nashty third period boosted the Rangers to an important win. Rick Nash’s two goals broke a 2-2 tie to lead the Blueshirts to a 4-2 win over the Flyers at MSG. It was their third win in a row. Nash and captain Ryan Callahan each scored twice to move them into eighth in the East with 24 points. That’s one point better than the Flyers and two more than the Islanders, who posted a 6-3 win over the Canadiens. That’s who the Rangers play next at Nassau Coliseum Thursday.

Setting up the playoff picture, the Rangers trail the seventh place Devils by a point. New Jersey lost their sixth straight to the Lightning, 5-2. They haven’t been the same since Martin Brodeur went down. The Devils have played two more games than the Rangers. Both the Leafs and Senators are tied with 28 points ranking fifth and sixth respectively. Each has two less games remaining. If the Rangers can take advantage of their schedule, they’ll make up ground.

The latest victory was about Nash’s incredible skill. He got them home by scoring his sixth and seventh in the third. Ironically, all of the former Blue Jacket’s markers have come then. Since returning from a “mystery injury,” he’s tallied six points (4-2-6) in three games (all Ranger wins). That also included a shootout clincher over Buffalo. In fact, Nash has registered at least a point in his last seven. Over that stretch, he’s lit the lamp five times and set up six others for 11 points (5-6-11). The two-goal performance was his first as a Ranger.

They came when the team needed it most. With the game knotted 2-2, Nash got behind the Flyer D and took a Dan Girardi outlet. Breaking in on Ilya Bryzgalov, he let go of a perfect wrist shot that pulverized the Flyer netminder to give the Rangers the lead 2:50 into the third. After failing to capitalize on a power play, Nash took care of business with his second. This time, it was a Derek Stepan feed that allowed him to do the rest. He went around a defenseman and even while hooked, deked Bryzgalov with a backhand finish that doubled the margin.

A fantastic move by a breathtaking player, who hasn’t missed a beat. Whatever was ailing him isn’t anymore. The team is rejuvenated. Even without Brad Richards, they won to go a season high three games over .500 (11-8-2). Richards was a scratch following the recall of Micheal Haley. The ex-Islander only played six shifts (4:12) registering three hits and winning a faceoff.

If not for some undisciplined penalties during the first, it might’ve come easier. Callahan put the Rangers in front with a rare power play goal 1:30 in. Marian Gaborik and Stepan combined to set up our captain. On the play, Gaborik dished for Stepan setting up a two-on-one down low. D-Step centered for Cally who went top shelf for the first of two. A Stu Bickel elbowing minor allowed the Flyers to draw even. An unnecessary offensive zone penalty led directly to Wayne Simmonds finishing off his 10th from Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek.

The ridiculous penalties weren’t done. Following a needless Nash minor which they killed off, Callahan was whistled for a dubious hold on Luke Schenn, who clearly embellished it. I guess diving is no longer on the NHL radar. It paid off for the Flyers. They scored their second power play goal of the period when an unguarded Voracek was allowed to steer home his own rebound. On both Flyer tallies, not one Ranger defenseman took the guy in front. Simmonds and Kimmo Timonen netted the assists.

Just when it seemed they would take a one-goal lead to the locker room, Callahan atoned by tying the game with 41 seconds left in the first. On a play in the neutral zone, he took a Ryan McDonagh pass and abused a Flyer defenseman and then went forehand deke on a sliding Bryzgalov for his eighth. A huge momentum turning goal for the unquestioned leader of the Blueshirts.

Neither side scored in what can best be described as a safe second by both rivals. Neither seemed interested in much, resulting in a pretty ho hum period where both Lundqvist and Bryzgalov kept the puck out.  Confirming how odd the game was, there were only 26 shots thru two with the Flyers holding a slight 14-12 edge.

In the third, the Rangers were the better team due in large part to having the most explosive player. From my vantage point, it was Nash’s best game so far. He made the plays that won it. First, scoring in transition with a cannon. Then, using his game breaking speed and fancy footwork to ice the contest. From there, Lundqvist shut the door. He came up with a timely save prior to Nash’s go-ahead tally. A big kick out that allowed Girardi to head man Nash.

There also was a scare. During a Flyer sequence, Marc Staal took a puck to his right eye. He was visibly shaken up, creating a hush over the bipartisan crowd. Nobody wants to see that. It was pretty obvious that he was really hurt. Replays showed that a Flyer shot struck him just above the right eye. John Tortorella didn’t provide any updates following the game. Hopefully, he’ll be alright. We won’t know until the next couple of days.

Once they were down two, Scott Hartnell tried to goon it up by taking a run at Haley on the bench. Somehow, Bickel was assessed the identical five to the village idiot in orange. It didn’t matter.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (2 assists, getting better all the time)
2nd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (2 goals incl. game changer, tremendous as always)
1st Star-Rick Nash, NYR (2 goals in 3rd incl. game-winner, dominant)

The Rangers have recalled forward Micheal Haley for tonight’s game versus the Flyers. The former Islander has played well for the Whale this season, tallying 21 points (5-16-21) along with 158 penalty minutes.

No stranger to fisticuffs, Haley spent part of the past two seasons with the Islanders. He was part of the brawl against the Penguins that ensued after Rick DiPietro was knocked out. Haley can play both center and wing.

Brad Richards left the ice early this morning and didn’t speak to reporters. Assuming he can’t go, John Tortorella could insert Haley into the lineup to beef up against the Flyers. Though not the biggest in stature (5-11, 198), he plays with edge and will battle almost anyone. Considering how the Flyers play, it’s probably a good gamble. The Rangers are aiming for their third in a row. They can’t be pushed around.

In a ruling that surprises nobody, Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta has been suspended without pay for 5 games for boarding New York Rangers Center Brad Richards in the Sabres 3-2 loss to the Rangers last night.
 
Five games was the maximum that Kaleta can receive based off the fact he was asked to attend a conference call.

We shall see if Kaleta has learned his lesson from this and hope there are no further repercussions for this hit and the antics that he displayed in a win over the New Jersey Devils, although Kaleta will not be on the ice for the rematch Thursday.

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Sunday was quite busy for the NHL. An abbreviated schedule has its perks. Hockey was wall to wall. Among the big matches were two that we had our eye on. The first game of the day featured classic Original Six rivals Chicago and Detroit at The Joe on NBC. They didn’t disappoint.

The Blackhawks were looking to extend their record streak to 22 games with at least a point at the season’s start. The Red Wings wanted to put an end to it on NBC. It was a playoff atmosphere on the ice and in the stands. What you got was a hotly contested game that lived up to the hype. There have been some great ones already, including Pittsburgh edging Montreal 7-6 the previous night on Hockey Night In Canada. Oddly enough, the Les Habitants weren’t done raising the level in a 4-3 win over arch enemy Boston last night.

Back to Hawks/Wings. It was the play of goalies Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard that stole the show. Each was impenetrable. They took turns making splendid saves to keep the game scoreless through two. Finally, a goal was scored when Joakim Andersson set up Tomas Tatar (Tah-tah) for a 1-0 lead at 2:43 of the third. It looked like it would hold up. Detroit played strong defensively, blocking shots and intercepting passes to keep the high powered Chicago offense at bay.

The Wings came close to making it a two-goal lead. But Crawford would have none of it. His clutch stops allowed his team a chance to come back. They did it with help from Detroit. Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson took a delay of game penalty with less than three minutes left. Patrick Kane made him pay. He has been money this year. Just as the Wings were about to clear the puck, Viktor Stalberg deflected it right to Kane who beat Howard with a laser- tying it 1-1 with 2:02 left. Amazing.

Even crazier, Niklas Kronwall took an identical delay of game minor 62 seconds after Ericsson. A game they had nearly became a regulation defeat. Howard got them to overtime. Neither side was able to score, taking it to a shootout. Kane scored the only goal, patiently out waiting Howard before scoring in Round Two. Crawford denied Pavel Datsyuk, Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg to push Chicago to 19-0-3. As lethal a trio as there is in the skill competition and no one beat him. Simply Crawesome.

The Blackhawks already have 41 points. They’re nine points better than East-leading Montreal and Pacific leader Anaheim. In one of the toughest divisions in hockey, they lead St. Louis and Detroit by 17. Nashville trails by 18 and poor Columbus is 25 behind. Two more games and that’s half of 48. They next play host to Minnesota tomorrow and Colorado Wednesday.

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Habs rule in Boston: Nobody expected the Canadiens to be this good. A change in GM and coach has turned it around in Montreal. Most including myself chuckled at Michel Therrien returning to coach the Habs. Well, who’s laughing now? Therrien has done an outstanding job with a mostly young club that features rookies Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher.

The Canadiens are much grittier thanks to key additions Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong. There is something to be said for team toughness. Prust battled Milan Lucic again as he had when he wore the Blueshirt. He took on the meanest power forward and fought to a draw. Afterwards, Therrien heaped praise on Prust by referencing his leadership.

“Obviously it’s fun in rivalries. Those are always the best games,” Prust said about the epic battle between Montreal and Boston. “There’s a lot of energy in here. They are fun game and the rivalry is kind of ignited again.”

A game that featured seven combined goals and a couple of lengthy scraps was the latest installment of Habs/Bruins. First place in the East was up for grabs and it showed. The intense hatred they have for one another is what makes this classic rivalry one of the best. There’s history with Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty. They didn’t go at it yesterday. Pacioretty chipped in offensively with a goal and helper that decided it in the third. Chara was too busy going after Alexei Emelin following a nasty hit of fallen teammate Tyler Seguin.

“The guy just broke his stick cross-checking Tyler and when he went down, I was just reacting to it,” explained the Boston captain. “He’s one of our best players and I’m not going to just watch him getting crushed like that.”

It was epic. Once Emelin knocked down Seguin, Chara sought out Emelin and proceeded to pummel him. Emelin stood in there against the Slovak tower.

The Bruins got big games from Patrice Bergeron (1-2-3) and Brad Marchand (3 assists). But it wasn’t enough to beat Montreal backup Peter Budaj (31 saves). This isn’t a misprint. Therrien really got away with winning with PETER BUDAJ. Carey Price went against the Pens. Budaj made a big stop at the end to backstop the Habs to the win.

David Desharnais tallied twice, including the game-winner. Gallagher tallied two assists and Tomas Plekanec lit the lamp. On the Boston side, rookie defenseman Dougie Hamilton notched his third. What a player he already is. The final piece of the Phil Kessel trade that also landed Seguin, who had a goal and helper.

The rematch is near the end of the month at TD Garden on 3/27. Don’t you dare miss it.

A lot of times in sports, when you see a disgusting act you are quick to react to a play. And that is what happened to a lot of us that watched Patrick Kaleta’s hit on Brad Richards last night.  I am sure twitter was on a rampage about the hit last night, as it was warranted. I was one of those going on a rampage. Kaleta has a track record of these types of incidents.

And it better change.

I do think having an agitator on your roster is a benefit, and Kaleta at times does provide this. We all know that new Sabres coach Ron Rolston is trying to change the culture of this team and sometimes that has worked. And the culture does need to change in Buffalo.

Playing Kaleta almost 15 minutes a night however, to me is an overkill.

For the most part, Kaleta absolutely crossed the line last night. The behind the hit play in Brad Richards is mostly on him, and given his track record, a suspension is absolutely warranted. A message needs to be sent by Brendan Shanahan that those kinds of plays will not be tolerated.

But looking at the replay several times this AM, there is something else that needs to be mentioned. Brad Richards did peek back at Kaleta, and after he was hit, he reminded me of how R.J. Umberger looked after he was leveled by a clean Brian Campbell hit years ago in the NHL Playoffs.  Umberger did not play again in that series.

Brad Richards did, and quickly. And thank goodness for that.

But this also raises another question: The Rangers were down 1-0, were somewhat lifeless and needed a lift. Did Richards embellish the play maybe a little? Perhaps. Richards did return to the game rather quickly, which might add some fuel to that fire. And the lift that the Rangers received from Kaleta’s boneheaded move was clear as day.

One can make an argument that Kaleta cost the Sabres a point last night. While there was still a lot of time to go in that game, that moment was clearly a momentum shifter. And when points are at  a premium, imagine if the Sabres miss the NHL Playoffs by one point. The consequences would then be enormous.

I do wonder how Kaleta’s teammates feel deep down inside about his antics. On some level, they appreciate it. But what if Richards was severely injured? What if the play in OT on Tyler Ennis last night for boarding by Dan Girardi resulted in a major injury to Ennis?

Two wrongs never make a right. But could you blame the Rangers or any other team for considering a serious retaliation? Not I.

If I were Kaleta’s teammate, I would really be agitated deep down inside, because Kaleta might get one of his teammates seriously injured because of his stupidity. Imagine the cost then. Imagine how Kaleta will have to look that teammate in the eye after such an incident. Does Kaleta remember how the Sabres felt and reacted after Ryan Miller was run last year against Boston?

Kaleta’s track record of this type of behavior is unacceptable, and should not be by Brendan Shanahan, the Sabres, or any other NHL team.

The conference call is scheduled for 3PM EST, which means Kaleta can only receive a 5 game suspension. Based on his history, and even if there was a very small embellishment by Richards, Kaleta deserves 5 games, maybe more.

Hopefully Kaleta gets the message, for his benefit, the Sabres, and the sport as a whole. Otherwise, Kaleta should be looking for other employment.

Following last night’s win over the Sabres, there was plenty of reaction to the dirty check from behind Patrick Kaleta delivered to Brad Richards.

Richards: ”No need for it. That’s not a hit that was ever in the game, I don’t think. That’s a little different than (a) headshot. That’s just stupidity.”

John Tortorella: “It’s probably one of the most dangerous hits I’ve seen. It’s ridiculous. … It’s disgusting. It’s a lack of respect. Each team wants to beat the other team, but you need to respect what’s going on on the ice.”

“That’s great. I’m glad we made them pay.”

Ron Rolston: ”It was hard to tell how extreme it was. I’ll have to take a look at it. We have to be smarter in that situation.”

”Pat is a heart and soul guy. He’s a competitor. He lays it on the line every game so he’s a guy, I’m sure, (that) is disappointed about it.”

Derek Stepan: ”When you get a chance, 5-on-3, I think anytime you’ve got to score goals. It’s a big-time goal. Anytime you get a 5-on-3, you’ve got to make it count. (Richards) steps in there and takes a pretty big hit. You want to make sure you pop one in there.”

Marc Staal: “It’s a cheap hit, (Kaleta) is known for doing stuff like that, and it immediately raises your emotion. You want to get them back as best as you can, so I thought we did a good job controlling that anger and aggression and channeling it into our power play and getting a couple goals.”

The most important aspect of tonight’s game against Buffalo is that the Rangers won. You don’t get style points. Just take the two and move on. That’s what they’ll do after defeating the Sabres 3-2 in a shootout for their second straight win.

Rick Nash (backhand deke) and Ryan Callahan (forehand deke) were the heroes. At least it looks like John Tortorella has a pair of aces up his sleeve if it comes down to the skill competition. He needed it in large part due to a loss of discipline. Nash took two penalties and even Dan Girardi was in the box during overtime- donating a five-on-three to the Sabres. Good thing Thomas Vanek didn’t play.

The effort wasn’t good enough. They only woke up after Patrick Kaleta shoved Brad Richards into the boards. Another cheap shot from a player who doesn’t get it. He crossed the line. Richards was defenseless and in a lot of pain lying on the ice. Remarkably, he returned. The question is how will he feel tomorrow. Hopefully, he won’t miss any time because as much as we bash him, he’s still an important player for this team. He’s looked better the last two since Nash came back. Hopefully, that’ll jump start Richards.

As for Kaleta, I guess running around and challenging Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac wasn’t enough. Time and again, the Buffalo agitator tries to injure players. He’s become the new NHL version of Jarkko Ruutu. The only difference was Ruutu was a little more skilled. Under interim coach Ron Rolston, Kaleta’s seen an increased role. He played over 15 minutes yesterday, getting underneath Kovalchuk’s skin. Before his foolish action which hurt his team, he was over 11 minutes. In 18 games, he has no points. In six years, Kaleta’s totaled 50 points (26-24-50) and 465 penalty minutes in 285 games.  He is what he is. A cheap player who annoys everyone except his own team.

I have no love for the guy. Even close Buffalo buddy Brian Sanborn texted me about the dirty play, indicating Kaleta deserves to be suspended. I don’t think there’s a more clear cut case than this. Considering that Brendan Shanahan just hit Flyer Harry Zolnierczyk with a four-game suspension for a leaping charge on Ottawa’s Mike Lundin, it should be open and shut. He also fined Stars captain Jamie Benn $10,000 for crosschecking Edmonton’s Ryan Jones. Like Benn, Kaleta was given the gate.

Unlike Benn and Zolnierczyk who prior had clean records, Kaleta’s been suspended twice and fined once. He served a two-game ban in ’09 and a four-game ban in ’11. He didn’t learn his lesson. Last season, the league fined him $2,500. If he doesn’t get a significant penalty, there’s something wrong. Shanahan must follow through here. As I stated on Chris Wassel’s show The Hockey Writers, there’s no place in the game for it. It was gutless and cowardly.

Whether Richards is hurt should have no influence. Kaleta is a repeat offender. It’s up to Shanahan to play the tough cop. He’s proven he can. Time to do it again.