Battle Of Hudson

It’s Halloween 2011. And with the gobly fun, comes the end of October for our Battle teams. Well, albeit for one club with the Rangers hosting the Sharks later tonight- still without a home win at the renovated MSG.

Outside of a halfway decent start for the Sabres, the first month didn’t treat anyone great. The Devils and Rangers are .500 in Bettman’s league while the Islanders one under. All three have been punchless, combining for 58 goals or basically, a shade over two-per-game. Cue the ghosts and goblins howling above as day turns to night in a creepy hemisphere that saw snow fall before All Hallow’s Eve- wreaking havoc in towns due to fallen trees. So much for global warming.

It’s still hard to fathom that we got a few inches of the white stuff, setting records that even meteorologists never dreamed. Perhaps that can better explain the morbid state of the metro area’s hockey teams, where offense has vanished into thin air. At least Buffalo’s 6-4-0 with 29 goals nearly good for three-a-game despite a poor finish- blowing a one-goal third period lead to the surprising Panthers. Yes, maybe I and a lot of other skeptics were dead wrong mocking Dale Tallon’s unorthodox approach- ignoring a great hire in Kevin Dineen, who has Hawks South playing a rambunctious brand of hockey we’d kill for. Time to put our Michael Myers and Jason masks on and awaken our teams.

COLD OCTOBERS

Ilya Kovalchuk 2 Goals, -5
Brandon Dubinsky 0 Goals, 41 PIM
Kyle Okposo 0 Goals, 18 SOG
Tyler Ennis 0 Points
Adam Larsson 0 Points, -4
Artem Anisimov 0 Goals, 8 SOG
Blake Comeau/Josh Bailey 0 Points, -4, 10 SOG
Ville Leino 1-1-2, -4, 5 SOG
Mattias Tedenby 0 Goals, 9 SOG
Derek Stepan 0 Goals
Brian Rolston 0 Goals
Derek Roy 1-3-4
Martin Brodeur 2 GS, Missed last 7 games
Steve Eminger -7 rating
Rick DiPietro 2 GP, 1 GS along with bizarre shootout relief appearance, Missed 7 games
Jordan Leopold 1-1-2

We could easily include a few more who turned into pumpkins, including John ‘Re’Tortorella, whose mysterious line combos had Ranger fans questioning if it was Tom Renney in disguise. It’ll be interesting to see what his Prucha treatment of Sean Avery will cause with the anticipated return unless a team claims him off re-entry waivers. Doubtful.

So, will Connecticut Whale recall Andre Deveaux wear a mask tonight when he debuts as a Blueshirt tonight? Assuming Tort has the guts to dress him. Amazing that Christmas ornament Erik Christensen somehow remains. And the D seems to be suffering from the Curse of Marc Staal. If only there was a doctor around like in Dark Shadows to cure Barnabas Collins. Trick Or Treat!

HAPPY HELLOWEEN

It was supposed to be a huge celebration. Thunderous applause like we heard when MSG didn’t drown them out for King Henrik and new captain Ryan Callahan. They were going to dominate no matter what. Nothing could tarnish the moment at a renovated arena that already has inconvenienced paying customers. More on that later.

Sure. The Rangers came out flying against the Leafs, even jumping in front 1-0 when Jonas Gustavsson looked haunted by a harmless Dan Girardi unscreened shot, set up by the best Blueshirt Marian Gaborik. Perhaps it was the ugly memory of last year when our team blitzed the Swedish Monster, who’s been anything but since entering the NHL. To say he and Toronto caught a break would be an understatement. Not once, but twice Captain Cally nullified Ranger goals when t\ref tandem Dennis LaRue and Ian Walsh correctly ruled “incidental contact.”

Predictably, it drew the ire of a revved up MSG crowd hoping to pile it on with knowledge that this team already is the gang that can’t shoot straight- let alone establish a consistent attack. The latter part falls on the so-called genius who is in his third full year on the job. Yes. John Tortorella’s rotating circus lines already have to be questioned along with the team’s realistic chances minus Marc Staal. Sometimes, it really is a game of bounces. For the Leafs, the turning point really were the two calls in their favor, allowing Gustavsson to tighten the screws and Ron Wilson to regroup after a lopsided first.

For some unknown reason only known to the 18 skaters and two goalies wearing Broadway Blue colors, they disappeared after 20 minutes. Gone was the relentless aggression with Callahan driving the net hard without any breaks. So, too was any form of offense. Yet again, the offense fizzled. At one point, the Rangers were stuck on seven shots while a more inspired Toronto turned it up by firing 16 shots on Henrik Lundqvist, including one off the stick of Matt Lombardi that squeaked by in the first 80 seconds, which demoralized everyone. It was the first softie he’d allowed. But King Henrik would more than atone, flat out robbing Phil Kessel twice on clean breakaways to keep his team afloat. He was spectacular after the Lombardi tally that knotted it, making all sorts of big saves.

The trouble was Lundqvist’s teammates bailed on him again. Considering that Brad Richards was brought in to bolster the offense, this wasn’t supposed to happen. For the sixth time in their first eight games, the Blueshirts failed to score three. Discounting a four-goal third period explosion in Vancouver and an unbelievable last second OT winner from Ryan McDonagh to stun Calgary, they’ve totaled 11 goals in the other 25 periods. Simply inexcusable. That can be attributed to Tort’s mindless line combos that are starting to emulate former coach Tom Renney. Remember him? I have no love for Renney and the boring style he coached while exiling Petr Prucha in much the same fashion as Tortorella has with Sean Avery. Only difference is the current coach ran his mouth.

Frankly, I’m fed up with it. Especially if Glen Sather handed him the team he wanted, including the addition of Mike Rupp, who already has been so misused that permanent Christmas ornament Erik Christensen started over the enforcer, whose goal helped us to our first win. Considering how dead the Rangers looked, resembling closet skeletons in time for Halloween, wouldn’t it have made sense to keep Rupp in for say a scrap that could energize the building. Or is that a thing of the past due to the luxuries rich folks have on the concourse? It also kinda goes against the coach’s word of wanting to be tough. What they got was a vanilla effort from a team that looked lost. Even Kris Newbury took a beating from Mike Brown and Brandon Dubinsky got knocked on his kisser courtesy of a clean takeout from Long Island native Mike Komisarek.

You’d think they would’ve responded with a better third. But it was more of the same with Tortorella finally breaking up the confusing lines that had no semblance of chemistry. Instead of going back to roots, he watched in horror as Joffrey Lupul banged home a rebound of a Jake Gardiner shot Lundqvist couldn’t control. It only got worse when Artem Anisimov turned the puck over thanks to a stellar defensive play from Komisarek, who celebrated teammate Clarke MacArthur’s left wing blast that eluded Henrik. The first boos rained down in much the same fashion as the old place minus all the fancy food and everything else MSG has built up. Did they really need a blue carpet for tonight’s festivities? At least John Amirante was in fine form during the Canadian and American national anthems.

There’s plenty to be said about a state of the art updated MSG that won’t be completed until 2013. By then, your bank accounts will be running on empty. So, if you still get to go watch the boys a few times the next couple of years, savor it while you can. If we learned anything by the lack of acknowledgment of Derek Boogaard prior to the opening faceoff, it’s that the same greedy owner only cares about one thing. Just in case you had your blinders on, it ain’t about championships. As long as money’s pouring through Dolan’s new toy, he won’t care. That definitely was the rude message a loyal Section 411 got for still having to watch the game with obstructed views while being charged double what Sec’s 412-416 are. This is what you get. Even when complaints are filed and heard, it only results in a $10 food reimbursement for each game. As if that atones for such a foul up. Oh well.

Maybe it’s a good thing I wasn’t up to it tonight. The team just couldn’t summon the energy required to win in this league. Meaning 20 minute efforts gets you very little. Especially at home where they expect you to triumph and build something called a “home ice advantage.” Only the Garden Faithful aren’t familiar with that since the past couple of years under Tort. Can they really get by on the road when five more are part of this big homestand, including the odd 3 PM Saturday matinee versus Ottawa in two days? Even the Sens have woken up. They’re scoring more than us.

By the time Del Zotto got one to count, the same Brown who pounded Newbury into submission, had added insult to injury for 4-1- resulting in a familiar chant that had to turn the coach beet red. Oh. They may have tried to drown it out and dismiss it like an arrogant Sam Rosen did as they went to break. But there it was to be heard from the few diehards that remain in the World’s Most Renovated Arena.

“We Want Avery! We Want Avery! We Want Avery! Ave—ry! Ave—ry! Ave—ry!“

Newsflash to Coach Clueless. You can’t fool us. Neither can no shows like the last two periods.

3rd Star-Mike Komisarek, Tor (assist, +2 rating, 2 blocked shots, 2 takeaways, big hit on Dubinsky)
2nd Star-Mike Brown, Tor (1st of season, TKO of Newbury)
1st Star-Joffrey Lupul, Tor (GWG, 5th of season, 4 SOG)

The fun starts tonight. Based on all the hoopla, you’d think this was some ode to the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup. One could only hope it leads there soon. After a lengthy seven-game tour around the world, the Rangers finally open the doors to a renovated MSG later when they take on the improved Maple Leafs before a soldout Garden.

How will it rate? The unveiling includes a Blue carpet to welcome our Blueshirts, who are all very pumped up about finally taking to the ice in what’s expected to be a state of the art facility that barely resembles the old place. The intriguing aspect is this is only Phase I with the bottom to the sixth floor redone for all the rich to pay through the wazoo for an ultimate Garden experience. New restaurants. Better food. A much larger concourse as reported by Ranger radio voice Kenny Albert, who was on with Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts earlier. It’s expected to be great.

I’ll admit there’s anticipation building. Not so much for the same old seats we still have which won’t be completed till Year 3. But for the actual team to get introduced by Joe Tolleson and for the Garden Faithful as Adam Graves refers to us, to rain down our heroes with thunderous cheers fit for a King. Did I just say King? The way King Henrik’s played thus far, the roof just might come off when he’s announced. Without him and Martin Biron, we could actually have come in 0-7, which doesn’t say much for John Tortorella’s line experiment. Yes, I am down on the coach, who has destroyed any semblance of a fourth line by somehow relegating Artem Anisimov there for the time being and misusing Mike Rupp. Based on the team’s struggles, you just don’t know from shift to shift what the lines will be. It’s almost gotten Renney-esque.

At the very least, Tort should start with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik, who just might see fourth wheel Ruslan Fedotenko. Feds has been one of our most consistent forwards, of course looking solid with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust, which should be our checking line instead of the second line it’s been out of necessity. Is it any wonder Fedotenko leads us with four assists and five points? Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan are back together, joined by Wojtek Wolski. Nobody will get louder pops than Captain Cally, who at 26 is the Rangers’ 26th captain. He’ll get a heroes welcome from 18,200 strong, who hopefully won’t be on their mobile phones during what should be a good test.

The Leafs (5-2-1) are out of the gate fast led by NHL leading sniper Phil Kessel (9 goals, 15 points) and rejuvenated captain Dion Phaneuf (7 assists, +7 rating). Toronto is more than that with Mikhail Grabovski continuing to evolve into a reliable top pivot and Joffrey Lupul (remember him) playing like he once did with Anaheim. They’ll be without No.1 goalie James Reimer, who’s still suffering the lingering effects of an undisclosed injury which involves the head. So, Jonas Gustavsson gets the nod against his Swedish counterpart. It’d be wise for the Rangers to stay out of the box like in their win over Winnipeg where miraculously, they took only one minor. Toronto boasts new point man John-Michael Liles along with Kessel and Phaneuf. Tim Connolly also could return. They also can play it tough with Luke Schenn and former Ranger Colton Orr, who could have a dance partner if Rupp obliges. We’ve already seen Prust fight too much.

For the Rangers, they managed to win three of four on the Western Canadian part of the trip- earning points in five of the first seven despite offensive futility. Sure. Gaborik did his thing scoring four and Richards looks the part even though he was quiet the last two. But until Tortorella wakes up and reunites the Draft Line, it says here that our team could continue to struggle offensively. Quite frankly, the Boyle unit’s been the best and if Fedotenko starts on the Richards line, that means someone else plays with them. It’s all too confusing. Anyone else wonder if each player including coach’s pet extraordinaire Erik Christensen will be introduced? Never mind. At the very least, Dubi and Cally resembled more of themselves in the win at Winnipeg.

The D is still in limbo minus Marc Staal with not an iota on when he’ll be back. Next time the Canes come to town, everyone should lynch Sam and Joe whenever they make a Staals Are Brothers reference. Eric Staal, yeah. I’m talking at you buddy. Be very scared! 😛 For now, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi anchor the blueline with Tim Erixon (yes, the same 20-year old Calgary booed) our third best. He’s adjusted quickly, covering for Mike Del Zotto’s mistakes. Encouraging has been MDZ’s offense which seems to be coming around. It’s the only way he’ll stick. Steve Eminger has been a warrior, doing some outstanding PK work and again elevating his play with the extra minutes. Jeff Woywitka’s been better than expected, barely out of position despite not the fleetest of foot. And Brendan Bell received the Sauer treatment the first time he made a mistake a few years ago under Tort. Speaking of Mike Sauer, he’s hoping to be a go after missing the last five with the bum shoulder.

We’ll be there along with Pop, Justin and Mike, plus the usual regulars up in 411 taking it in. I’ll be sure to give a synopsis on the new place. It should be exciting!

The bell will sound at 7 ET tonight in Long Island. Bring out Michael Buffer. “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!!!!!” Cue classic 2Unlimited “Get Ready For This.“

Alright. So, maybe we’re going a bit overboard about Round One of Pens/Isles at Nassau Coliseum with the rematch Thursday in Pittsburgh. It’s well documented what transpired during the last two meetings of ’10-11, stemming from a Brent Johnson KO of Rick DiPietro that concussed the unlucky Islander franchise netminder. The Islanders didn’t take too kindly to laughter on the Pen bench, earning revenge on the scoreboard and everywhere else by routing them 9-3 and literally beating their old Patrick division rival up. When it was over, 15 fights, 10 game misconducts, 20 misconducts and a combined 346 penalty minutes that would make Reggie Dunlap and The Hansons proud resulted in suspensions for Trevor Gillies and Matt Martin, along with a $100,000 fine.

In retrospect, the Islanders overreacted. Jack Capuano should’ve called the dogs off in the third because the message was sent loud and clear. Instead, E-Z target Max Talbot got what was coming along with any other Pen they went after. It was ugly. Even if you enjoy Slap Shot, it went overboard, which had to have Gary Bettman shaking.

“For me, it’s not even a rivalry, it’s just another game because obviously the last two games we didn’t play a full 60 minutes, so it doesn’t matter who we are playing right now,” Capuano told NYIslanders.com.

His club must focus on getting back on track after dropping two in a row. Consecutive losses to Tampa (4-1) and Florida (4-2) have the Islanders back at .500 (3-3-0) entering a home-and-home against a team they haven’t historically done well against. The Pens own a 19-4-2 record over the last 25 meetings. John Tavares, Al Montoya, Mark Streit and Co. will be looking to change that trend in a year they’re expected to compete for the playoffs. The Isles have plenty of weapons but a few aren’t chipping in. More is needed from Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Josh Bailey, who have yet to score a goal with only an assist coming off the stick of Okposo, who’s expected to break out. It’s time.

The Pens amaze under last year’s Jack Adams winner Dan Bylsma, who has his team in first with a 6-2-2 mark. Sure. They’ve played more than anyone else but it’s very impressive minus Sidney Crosby and game-time decision Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh continues to be hampered by injuries with key defenseman Zbynek Michalek out four to six weeks with a broken finger. A look at the Pen injured list reminds of what’s plagued the Isles over past seasons. Tyler Kennedy is also out with a concussion along with four other Pens joining Michalek and Sid The Kid, who continues to get ready.

It will still be a stiff challenge with Jordan Staal (5-3-8) leading the way along with James Neal (8 goals), Kris Letang (7 assists) and Marc-Andre Fleury (5-2-2, 2.13 GAA, .930 Save Pct). Keep an eye on Matt Cooke, who’s stuck to offense instead of thuggery. Plus Matt Niskanen and Chris Kunitz can’t be overlooked. In other words, the Pens are more than just their stars. On another team, Staal would be one.

Will the teams stick to hockey or will it have the same edge we had last year? Steve MacIntyre is as tough as they come if Gillies needs a partner. Arron Asham is always game if Matt Martin wants to go. Fasten your seatbelts!

Sometimes, when you’re not going good, someone steps up and makes a play that lifts a team. Such was the case during last night’s Rangers’ 2-1 win over the Jets at soldout Winnipeg- finally concluding their crazy seven-game trip around the world at 3-2-2. That they managed to go 3-1 on the Western part speaks volumes about the goaltending they received from Henrik Lundqvist and yesterday’s hero Martin Biron, who sparkled with 27 saves in his first start since preseason.

“If you look at it, we’ve played seven road games with a trip to Europe and a Western Canadian trip and we’ve only lost two games in regulation,” Biron said after keeping his team afloat with a series of saves early in the third when the Jets buzzed for 90 seconds. “We got points in five out of the seven. You win three of them, it makes a big difference going home.”

As John Tortorella emphasized, they’re ugly. But the bottom line is they survived by gutting out tough road wins in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg and now finally come home for tomorrow’s home opener at the newly renovated MSG versus an improved Toronto club. It’ll be the first of a six-game homestand. The longest of the season and a chance for the Rangers to take advantage of overwhelming support along with the comfort of their own practice facility in Greenburgh.

Locked in a tie game following ex-Ranger Nik Antropov’s blast off a forced Brandon Prust turnover, the Blueshirts were on their heels literally as Winnipeg began to dominate shifts. Despite a huge territorial edge in play, they couldn’t get another one past a Biron, who was outstanding making several Lundqvist-esque clutch stops in tight.

While the capable backup got the job done, the Blueshirts had help from Ruslan Fedotenko. The hard working checking wing was the team’s best forward, scoring and setting up two actual power play goals. The first came in the second following another meager start in which they had three shots. With nothing working for the top unit, Tortorella sent out Fedotenko, Brian Boyle and Ryan Callahan, who finally played like the captain we love. With Dan Girardi also out, he took a Mike Del Zotto pass and then patiently waited for Fedotenko to flash open in the slot. With Boyle in front screening Chris Mason, the more conventional look worked as Fedotenko neatly tipped Girardi’s shot pass past the Winnipeg backup for the lead.

With the team more assertive, it looked like maybe they’d pad the lead. But Mason made a few key stops before his team drew even thanks to their top unit. Trying to get the puck out, Prust was closed off by former Devil Johnny Oduya, forcing him to fumble the puck, eventually turning it over to Evander Kane. Kane and Alex Burmistrov combined to set up Antropov, who blasted one past Biron.

Getting plenty of support from a wild home crowd 15,000+ strong, the Jets made life difficult on the Rangers. They controlled play for the rest of the second and the first part of the third until a hustling Fedotenko got around the D and forced Chris Thorburn to take him down. All night, Tortorella mixed his lines, eventually sliding Artem Anisimov down to the fourth line while shifting Brandon Dubinsky to center Callahan and Wojtek Wolski, who received over 15 minutes in his return. There were some oddities with Marian Gaborik sitting for a long stretch for unknown reasons.

None of that mattered when Girardi and Fedotenko combined to spring Callahan, who was flying down the right wing. With Winnipeg scrambling back, he centered for Fedotenko right off Zach Bogosian’s skate and in for the game-winner. A relieved Cally raised his arms in triumph with a wide eyed grin as teammates congratulated him. It snapped a six-game scoreless drought.

From there, the Blueshirts clamped down defensively- not allowing the Jets to generate much. Even if they pulled Mason for an extra late, making it dicey, a couple of clears allowed them to exhale with a nice win.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (PP GW- 2nd of season w/11:19 remaining in 3rd)
2nd Star-Ruslan Fedotenko, NYR (PPG, assist, penalty drawn)
1st Star-Martin Biron, NYR (27 saves, 1st win of season)

Tonight, the Rangers will visit Winnipeg for the first time since NHL ’96 was in stores. Sega Genesis was hot along with Super Nintendo. There were no PS3’s, Ipods, Iphones or Ipads.

Fifteen years later, the rebirth of the Winnipeg Jets has been evident with every seat sold filled with tremendous support. When they defeated the Pens for their first home win last week, it was 15 years in the making. Fans went wild as the final minute wound down. This is the kind of atmosphere the Blueshirts must contend with tonight in their final road game before arriving for Thursday’s home opener at the World’s Most Renovated Arena.

Known as the former Thrashers, who have made a living tormenting us, Winterpeg hosts the first of four meetings. Last year, they took three of four including a damaging win at MSG that nearly ended our season. Indeed, players like Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, Alex Burmistrov and Nik Antropov gave us fits. Even Jim Slater did. Don’t forget Ondrej Pavelec, who can make the highlight reel save look routine. If only he got more help. Winnipeg plays an exciting style based around their speed and skill. They can really come at you in waves. Given our D issues, this should be a stiff test. Can they prevent the new Jets from dominating down low?

Much depends on the invisible Draft Line of Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and Ryan Callahan, who really need to get their act together. I already got on Cally and Dubi, who are two of our leaders that haven’t been pulling their weight. I realize they have hefty raises. But there are no excuses. Anisimov hasn’t been bad but you’d never know it by his statline of just two assists. He hasn’t taken foolish penalties and filled in admirably on the PK, which btw needs our top forward American duo out instead of in the box watching teams capitalize. After how John Tortorella erupted in Edmonton, everyone must respond. The slow starts are disturbing. We can’t be stuck on 8-9 shots with nearly 40 minutes played.

Henrik Lundqvist cramped up the other night and was replaced by Martin Biron, who at least saw his first action since preseason. I’d hardly call three saves much to go by. But it’s a virtual lock that our capable backup will get the call later. At times last year, the team played better in front of him than King Henrik. I’m hoping for a similar game.

I know Tort shook up the lines the other night. With Wojtek Wolski finally returning from a groin injury that caused him to miss the opening six, no more Erik Christensen. Wolski’s best assets are his size and forecheck ability. Something that’s been lacking. Figure Tort to slot him in on the fourth line with Kris Newbury and Mike Rupp. If Christy plays over Newbury, I might toss an object at the wall. Newbury is a much better fit for that line. EC doesn’t fit anymore. He’s too perimeter oriented and inconsistent. It’s hard to fathom that this waste is still on the roster while Sean Avery is banished to Hartford and Mats Zuccarello the same.

I’d like the coach to keep Derek Stepan with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. With Brendan Bell struggling in his Ranger debut, figure Jeff Woywitka to be back in.

Projected Lines:

Stepan-Richards-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Wolski-Newbury-Rupp

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Erixon
Eminger-Woywitka

Biron
Lundqvist

It’s time for Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky to start leading by example.

Sure. It’s only been six games. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Of course, no one’s saying the ’11-12 Rangers will evolve into an NHL version of a Roman Empire. However, expectations are up with the key addition of top pivot Brad Richards, who thus far has been worth every penny alongside Marian Gaborik. So naturally, John Tortorella saw fit to break up his top line and play a game old coach Tom Renney became famous for towards the end of his tenure on Broadway. It doesn’t mean the furious coach wasn’t right about his team in the quickest postgame interview that even didn’t give Larry Brooks a chance.

Perhaps if the newest Ranger captain was pulling his weight, none of this would be necessary. At 26, Ryan Callahan is the embodiment of what this team can be. A hard working, in your face, blue collar player who’s become a fan favorite. Number 24 deserved the captaincy entering the season. The Rochester native who lasted till the fourth round in ’04 was the most consistent Blueshirt last year, sacrificing his body 24/7. Nobody has a bigger heart than the gritty kid from Rochester, who earned a new contract along with the ‘C’ as the franchise’s 26th team captain.

There was never any doubt that Cally as he’s become known to teammates earned it with his physical style while establishing career highs across the board (23-25-48) despite missing 22 games, including last Spring’s playoff series versus Washington. To say they could’ve used him would be an understatement. He is as rootable as it gets in this league. A classic overachiever who gets the most out of his talent. With Callahan, it’s always been about effort. He won’t win any skill competitions unless hitting becomes a category. Not exactly the NHL mantra unless they’re inviting broken bones.

Being the emotional leader of a team expected to compete the upper echelon Eastern clubs presents a new challenge. Perhaps it explains Callahan’s quiet start that’s seen him go pointless since scoring his only goal in the Original Six club’s opener in Stockholm. An overtime defeat to LA. True enough, No.24 will go through stretches where he doesn’t score. However, more baffling has been the lack of gumption to his game. Missing is the crunching hits we’ve grown accustomed to seeing that energizes his teammates. Following last night’s clunker that saw the team get blanked by Nikolai Khabibulin (19 saves while on a couch), next to Cally’s name is six penalty minutes and 15 hits. Hardly what you expect from your leader.

As much as it pains me to admit, Captain Cally has been MIA. So much of what makes these Blueshirts go is the black and blue approach of Callahan and American linemate Brandon Dubinsky, who’s not exactly lighting the world on fire. Both had good seasons and received nice raises. Each are expected to lead this club with key component Marc Staal on the shelf probably till at least January. The utter silence from the organization speaks volumes. It’s understandable why the D has struggled to get out of its end with both Staal and Mike Sauer (shoulder) out. Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh are being leaned on heavily, which could comeback to haunt them. While Tim Erixon improves and Mike Del Zotto makes you long for Matt Gilroy, Tortorella has also relied on vet Steve Eminger, who’s been admirable while teaming with Jeff Woywitka and last night, a shaky Brendan Bell. Not exactly a recipe for success.

It doesn’t explain the lack of assertiveness from Dubinsky and Callahan, who have combined for one goal, three assists along with far too many silly penalties. Dubi more mindless than our even keel captain. At least he’s contributed in the two wins. When Mike Rupp has as many goals as two-thirds of the Draft Line, that’s a problem. Sad as it sounds, they’re holding Artem Anisimov back, whose improved muscle has been noticeable. Maybe Tortorella felt he had no choice but to flip Gaborik and Callahan to try to spark them. Unlike last year, Gabby is going- pacing the Rangers with four goals- while creating a plethora of chances. His health and confidence is back where it needs to be. Derek Stepan has fit in well with him and Richards. The reunited Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust mash unit has been the team’s second best line, which means last year’s No.1 line has been invisible. Last night, Tortorella sacrificed the game in Edmonton, allowing Renney to earn revenge.

If it’s not a wake up call to the captain and his ’04 Draft brethren, I don’t know what is. It’s time for Callahan to play instead of worrying about that heavy letter on his chest. It’s also time for Dubinsky to start earning his keep like he said entering camp. There’s no reason they shouldn’t reach 30 goals apiece. Especially given the chemistry with Anisimov, who’s chomping at the bit.

Halloween is eight days away. Time for the American duo to remove their masks and start playing. Tomorrow in Winnipeg is as good a time as any. Their teammates and staff are patiently waiting.