Battle Of Hudson

God knows I don’t feel like talking about my Devils right now, so figured I’d go off on a slight tangent. All season long I’ve had to read Devil fans bashing each other over the internet, for any number of things from booing to leaving early, chanting ‘you suck’ after goals and various other things too. Some fans fall on the side of arguing that ticket prices are high, expectations were high so we have a right to be annoyed, others argue you should support the team no matter what. As usual I probably come in the middle of both extremes, depending on the situation.

-Booing the team: Nobody wants to boo their own team, you’ve got to have mental issues to come to a game wanting to boo the home skaters. That said, fans really have only two ways to show their displeasure – booing and not showing up at all. Obviously if you’re at the arena, you only have one way to send a message. Fans can’t bench players or fire the coach, as much as some might wish they could. That said, booing should only be heard when the team isn’t trying…and Thursday night was a prime example of that. When you give up two goals in less than a hundred seconds (with the first coming from ex-Devil Brian Gionta a mere eleven seconds in), that tells me you’re not trying. In basically a must-win game there’s no excuse for that.

Now, losing doesn’t automatically equal lack of effort…I do think some spoiled fans can’t or won’t distinguish between the two. I’m not here to make the case I’m the smartest fan in the world but I like to think I can tell the difference between watching a team giving effort but having a bad night (or just facing a better team) and not giving effort at all. God knows I’ve seen plenty of games where the latter’s been the case over these last twelve months.

-Leaving early: Maybe in my younger days (and when I wasn’t going to games on a constant basis) I was more hard-line about this, but honestly there’s leaving early and then there’s leaving early. What still annoys me are the dopes who leave a 2-1 game with five minutes to go to beat the traffic or catch the early train. What’s the point of going to a game if you’re not going to see how it turns out? Hockey games do not end that late where you should be worried about work or school the next day even during the week. Normally I leave a game at around 9:30, when it’s actually over…and I get home around 10:45, which isn’t bad considering I have to go to Broad Street and then wait for the train at around 10. Even if you’re living farther away than that you’re generally not getting home later than 11:30. If you’re gonna be that worried about getting home before then, then really there’s no point for you of going to a game to begin with.

That said, there actually are times where it can get pointless to stay from puck drop to final horn, I mean when you’re down 5-0 after two periods…no team’s coming back from that, especially when you can see the team’s already mailed this one in. As far as I know, a 5-0 comeback after two periods has happened once in ninety years of hockey, when the Kings stunned the Oilers in the playoffs during the early ’80’s. That’s pretty much become my cutoff point. Before this year I never really left a game early period, but then again I didn’t normally have to worry about 5-0 games after two, and when I had to drive to games at the CAA it was generally just as advantageous to leave after half the crowd’s cleared out anyway.

Now, this 5-0 rule doesn’t apply to the playoffs – I think at that point you should stay barring something utterly ridiculous like 8-0 or higher (which doesn’t tend to happen in the playoffs anyway), but in an early regular season game, when the team’s already mailed it in? Why shouldn’t I do so as well – and save an hour in the process too by catching the earlier train home? If you want to stay for the whole game to talk to fellow fans, your friends…well buona fortuna, when you come to the games by yourself most of the time and the sth who sits next to you has already cleared out to sit downstairs, well, if you’re not going to enjoy yourself then it really isn’t going to do anyone any good to sit around for an extra hour unhappily.

-Trying to pump the team up with chants: Someone might ask how can you not be all for cheering and supporting the team? 98% of the time I want the crowd to support the team more, and honestly at Devils games it can be an issue at times getting fans to have pro-Devils chants as opposed to ‘Rangers suck’ or ‘you suck’ after goals. However, this ties into point one…if you think it’s okay to boo the team for not showing effort then why should it be up to the fans to blindly chant ‘Let’s Go Devils!?’ When the team’s not giving effort then you’re almost enabling them if you continue to cheer and act like everything’s okay when it’s not. Of course when they are giving effort and just happen to be behind on the scoreboard you absolutely should cheer and show support. I admit sometimes it’s a fine line, and if you have any doubt err on the side of support.

On some level you do have to admire fans like the Chicago Cubs in baseball, those who continue to come out year after year to support a perennial loser, but on the other hand you kind of understand why they stink when you see fans don’t hold management accountable. When fans are going to pay money and cheer no matter what you do, what’s the incentive for owners to spend that little extra to help the team win as opposed to just making as much profit as humanly possible? Ultimately, the goal of every fan should be to see a winning product.

-Treatment of the opposition: If one thing drives me nuts about Devils fans on the internet, it’s the constant complaining about how ‘juvenille’ we look with our Rangers suck and you suck chants. Granted, there are points where it gets utterly stupid, like chanting ‘Rangers suck’ when they’re ahead of us in the standings (and some might say any game we’re not playing them) and it’s not my thing usually but hey, if it gets the fans fired up then why should I be discouraging it?

Sure it’s juvenille…and? Fans are supposed to act like they’re in a library or drinking high tea? God knows you get a lot worse treatment if you attempt to go to Philly for a game than we give other teams’ fans – and I’m not condoning their ruffianism for a second. So long as Devil fans don’t get physically violent towards other teams’ fans, why should I care what they think of us? Do what you want to do, so long as it doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s enjoyment of the game. If worrying about what we’re chanting is going to interfere with anyone’s enjoyment then they’re way too concerned over appearances.

As far as the ‘you suck’ thing after our goals, that ties in to our goal song – Rock and Roll Part II – which by the way the fans were up in arms to get back after the Devils took it away for a few years due to a contreversy over the royalties received by the songwriter, who was in jail at that point. If you’re going to complain to no end about wanting the song (which I couldn’t give two figs about, except that it’s at least a lot better than a couple of the ones they tried to replace it with) then don’t complain when people use it the same way they’ve been using it for years. Of course people get stupid with that too, chanting you suck when we’re way behind but hey you get stupidity anywhere, big whoop.

-Complaining about ticket prices: This is almost universal for fans everywhere. I do think some fans use it as an out to justify boorish or unreasonable behavior. I’ve never booed the team because of what I pay for tickets or when I get home from a game, that’s my own choice and I know going in there’s a chance we can win and a chance we can lose, that’s fine with me. Granted I generally have only paid $10-20 per game every year I’ve had season tickets (2005-06 and the four years at the Rock), but even if your own prices are relatively cheap compared to the masses, it’s a time investment if nothing else. After work, I generally have about an hour to eat dinner and wind down before going to a game, so when I go to games during the week my entire day is basically work then the Devils.

And yes, in general ticket prices are too high, especially for the Devils considering the cheapest season ticket seat – other than the special $15 seats only a couple hundred sth’s have grandfathered in – is currently $31 for the upper corners. Maybe it doesn’t sound bad to a fan who has to deal with the MSG gouging or ticket prices for Canadien markets, but guess what…those games still sell out (or close enough), so as much as they’re pricing the average fan out, it’s still not unreasonable for the market they’re in. Considering we struggle to even get 15,500 per game, the fact that our ticket prices are what they are is insane, especially when you see the amount of tickets that get discounted every year. Not to mention there’ve already been several games where the team’s just flat given away tickets.

Unfortunately the only thing fans can do to lower ticket prices is to not show up. Eventually it is going to reach a point of saturation, to a degree you’re already seeing that with the Jets and Giants in football. Both those teams burned through season ticket waiting lists that were 20 and 30 years long once they moved into the new stadium and started charging for PSL’s. Not to mention the problems the Mets and even the Yankees to a degree have had drawing in their new baseball stadiums with the expensive ticket prices there. If prices are too expensive or you’re not going out of protest that’s fine with me. If you are gonna show up though, I don’t wanna hear you using the price as an excuse to act like a spoiled brat.

-Being at or watching every single game, even when the team’s fifty games out: Okay I admit it, I don’t pass the grade on this one. God knows I couldn’t tune out the Mets fast enough this year, and I’m sure if this kind of season the Devils are having keeps up I’m probably gonna cut back and wind up going to around 20-21 games instead of my usual 27-28.

On the other hand, I don’t think I should be judged too harshly, it’s not like the Devils are my only sports team after all. They’ll always be the team I root for above all else in hockey (and that should be the primary thing one looks at if someone were to grade my fandom) but when the Jets are in the midst of a playoff run in the NFL or spring training’s coming up in baseball, does it make me a bad Devils fan to want to shift my focus elsewhere when the team gets thirty games out? Or maybe just save a few hours of your own day not watching a game when your team’s way out of it anyway? Shoot, as much as I like MLB, the NFL or the NHL I don’t usually spend a lot of time watching other teams in the playoffs after mine’s out of the mix.

So to sum up my novel, what makes a good fan? Supporting the team through thick and thin (though not entirely blindly), staying until a game’s decided, having some knowledge of the game you’re watching and giving the opposition a nice razzing – without truly being disrepectful to other team’s fans or exceedingly vulgar. And not judging other fans by how they support the team, whether you go to more games or watch more games…but by the same token a fan should only support your team. You don’t switch allegeiances to say, the Wild in March and then root for them to beat the Devils cause well, we’re out of it anyway.

Marian Gaborik celebrates after recording hat trick in wild Ranger 6-5 win over the Islanders in first of a home-and-home series. The rematch is later tonight at The Garden.

Twenty-one goals. That’s how many the Islanders and Rangers have totaled after another wild game that featured 11 in what amounted to an ugly win for the Broadway club. They can thank Marian Gaborik, whose second hat trick of the season allowed the Rangers to prevail 6-5 over the Islanders before less than a sellout (13,742) at Nassau Coliseum.

Much like the first game of one of the best rivalries, Round Two featured many momentum shifts along with fluky goals that you never saw coming. When it comes to these two teams, perhaps we should have known better after how the Rangers dominated the first 19 minutes, jumping out to a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Erik Christensen and Ryan Callahan. But the unusual began when Islander tough guy Zenon Konopka was able to deflect a James Wisniewski shot through surprise starter Martin Biron with 49 seconds left.

The Islanders carried momentum with a much better second, resulting in three straight goals with John Tavares connecting with Matt Moulson while Brandon Dubinsky watched and then Rob Schremp blasting his third from inside the blueline with Dubi again not making much of an attempt. It’s those kind of moments which make you wonder about Dubinsky, who came out like a house on fire. Since Gaborik returned, the spark is gone. If they’re going to invest in their future next summer, the inconsistencies need to stop. On a night linemates Callahan and Derek Stepan gave better efforts, the newly formed USA Line went a combined minus-eight. Dan Girardi, beaten in front twice also was on for two goals against.

Yeah, they won despite everything. But as John Tortorella noted in the post game with Sam Rosen, they found a way to win in spite of themselves. The fiery coach also credited Jack Capuano’s scrappy Islanders for coming harder and not quitting. Would you expect anything less from them in this heated rivalry? Bottom line: These games take on a life of their own. Good thing Tort pulled Biron because he gave up two softies and the team looked dead only to reawaken on a fortunate bounce with Brandon Prust getting a piece of a Marc Staal shot that caromed off an Islander. Gaborik steered them back in front when his centering feed for Callahan banked in off an Islander.

It was that kind of game. Thanks to a tremendous effort from rejuvenated Sean Avery, Gaborik tallied twice more in the seesaw third. Given an opportunity to play on the top line with Gabby and Erik Christensen, Avery was awesome, outskating and outhustling the Islanders on the cycle. He won so many battles creating all sorts of room for the Big Ticket to work his magic. The line combined for eight points (4-4-8, +8), dismantling a D that’s still without Mark Streit, Milan Jurcina and Mike Mottau. Yeah. They got good mileage out of rookie Travis Hamonic (assist, +1 in 19:04) and returning starter Andy MacDonald (Even in 22:25). But the Long Island hosts were simply overwhelmed by our new line.

Credit the Isles for clawing back from two again with Michael Grabner redirecting a Radek Martinek point shot and Blake Comeau seeing his shadow, even if it was another bizarre one that just snuck over the goal line much to Henrik Lundqvist’s disbelief. Just like that, it was tied once more with 5:50 left. But on the very next shift, another brilliant play by Avery led to Gaborik’s trick with Sean keeping a puck alive and then feeding Christensen, whose change up fooled Rick DiPietro long enough for Gabby to lift Wisniewski’s stick and bury it. All it took was 25 seconds to break the Isles’ backs. Oh. They fought till the buzzer but couldn’t draw even.

A few observations:

-The checking line of Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust were on for Prust’s big response right after Tort switched goalies. In particular, Boyle and Prust have been factors all season. Where would this team be without them?

–Derek Boogaard threw down with much smaller Trevor Gillies who did a good job holding off Boogey Man after taking a couple early. Boogaard was more noticeable than Alex Frolov, who was buried on the fourth line with Artem Anisimov, who at least showed a pulse. It’s no secret both Russians need to be better.

–Michal Rozsival was steady in 19+ while partner Mike Del Zotto adequate even making a pair of defensive gems. If only Del Zotto knew how to hit the net. He could’ve put the game away.

–John Tavares’ two helpers were his first multi-point outing since a hat trick recorded versus Florida on Oct.23. It was just his third two-or-more effort of the season.

-Ex-Blueshirt P.A. Parenteau was instrumental, setting up a pair including Comeau’s oddity which of course was his first since he last played us. How is that possible?

-During the Isles’ first comeback, Rob Schremp was tremendous, skating circles around the Ranger D and making things happen. Best game I’ve seen from him.

-Maybe Matt Martin, who beat Mike Sauer in an earlier fight, should’ve engaged Avery off the faceoff. Tied at five, he didn’t and look what happened. Normally, you don’t want your players fighting when your team comes back but Avery and his super line were going. At the very least, he could’ve taken Avery off the ice. Martin btw finished minus-three with the one scrap.

-Sauer needs more than 13 minutes of ice. He’s already established himself as a top four. Defensively, he’s superb and rarely gets caught out of position.

-Despite so many goals, there were only three power plays and yes, the Rangers actually scored one.

-A forgettable night for DiPietro, who permitted six on 26 shots including a bad rebound that resulted in Gabby’s winner.

3rd Star-Rob Schremp, NYI (3rd of season, 2 SOG, takeaway, +1 in 16:06)
2nd Star-Brandon Prust, NYR (2nd of season, 2 SOG, hit, blocked shot in 16:27)
1st Star-Avery–Christensen–Gaborik, NYR (4-4-8 incl. Gabby hat trick/assist, 11 SOG, +8)

Sean Avery and James Wisniewski meet again in Part I of a classic home-and-home series when the Rangers and Islanders do battle tonight at The Coliseum before returning to MSG tomorrow.

Tonight is Part I of a classic home-and-home between bitter rivals. Whenever the Rangers and Islanders get together, the names on the backs of the jerseys don’t matter. Emotions run high, which will certainly be the case over the next 24 hours when the true Battle of New York takes place. It’s Manhattan versus Long Island. Broadway meets Old Country Road. City against country. Fast paced takes on laid back.

Whatever you refer to it, it’s one of the best rivalries going. The Rangers and Islanders meet for the 230th time in the regular season at Nassau Coliseum. The Blueshirts lead the all-time series 108-97-19-5 (108-102-19). They’re 46-60-8-1 off the Meadowbrook, including a 6-4 loss in the only game this season on Oct.11. A typical wild affair that featured 10 goals and five lead changes with the Islanders prevailing by scoring the last three with former Ranger P.A. Parenteau tying it and Ranger killer Blake Comeau finishing off a three-point night. Rick DiPietro was the winner, stopping 29 shots while Henrik Lundqvist permitted five on 31 taking the loss. Figure it to be a rematch in net with DP pitching a shutout over the Devils five days ago to finally snap the Islander 14-game winless streak. Lundqvist meanwhile has been stronger since returning, backstopping the Rangers to road wins over Florida and Nashville before losing to the Pens in a game he was blameless. Scratch that as Lundqvist sits with Martin Biron getting the call instead.

Does John Tavares get it going or is this the night Marian Gaborik busts loose? Will Comeau again burn his favorite target or can Brandon Dubinsky rediscover the touch that had him with 10 goals in his first 13 before fizzling out since Gaborik returned. A day where James Wisniewski and Sean Avery renew acquaintances after the immature gesture during a stoppage that got the Islander blueliner suspended. The best aspect is the teams get to do it again tomorrow at Madison Square Garden. Home ice hasn’t meant a lot recently. Even if the Islanders held serve in Game No.1, usually the road team has fared better. Does it start in half an hour?

A new coach is added to the rivalry with Jack Capuano finally winning his first in place of Scott Gordon. Can he outfox John Tortorella? The fun gets started soon and continues tomorrow. Like Chanukkah and Christmas rolled into one. Fire it up cause it’s sure to be interesting.

Following Monday’s missed slew foot on Ryan Callahan in a win over the Rangers, Pens’ star Sidney Crosby’s character has come into question.

He’s the premiere player in the game. At age 23, Sidney Crosby already owns a Cup, Olympic Gold, a Hart, a Pearson, an Art Ross and a share of the Rocket Richard. After putting up a career high 51 goals tying Steven Stamkos last season, he continues to score at a rapid rate with his 18 markers tied for second with Alex Semin, trailing Stamkos by three. With an assist in the Pens’ 3-1 win over the Rangers on Broadway, Sid The Kid extended his season best point streak to 13- ripping the league apart with 12 goals and 14 assists to climb atop Stamkos (21-19-40) for the scoring lead with 41 points (18-23-41). Two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin is third with 32 and Stamkos tag partner Martin St. Louis is right behind with 31.

The 2005 No.1 overall pick has lived up to lofty expectations, recently eclipsing 200 goals. In 397 career games, Crosby already has 201 markers along with 346 assists totaling 547 points, making it almost a certainty he’ll hit 600 by the end of Year Six. He still trails Ovechkin by 14 including 78 goals with the Great 8 registering 279 goals and 282 assists for 561 points. Sidney also trails his Russian nemesis in MVPs but boasts bragging rights having led the Penguins past Ovi’s Caps in the Eastern Conference Semifinals en route to the franchise’s third Cup. There’s not much he hasn’t accomplished but you wouldn’t know it by the way he competes each night, never taking a shift off. He’ll go into the trenches to score and always come back hard on the backcheck. Great characteristics that are easy to respect.

While he continues to launch an all out assault on the league, it’s hard to ignore how the Pittsburgh captain plays between the lines. Crosby will do whatever it takes to win, even if it means bending the rules. Mix it up with him and expect hacks and whacks after whistles leading to scrums. Just ask rival Brandon Dubinsky, who during a heated game last year was swung at repeatedly after play. Ranger teammate Dan Girardi has been on the receiving end this year, all illegal. Somewhat predictably, nothing was detected by the referees. Like most superstars, Sid The Kid gets away with more which leads to hatred from opposing fans who see how he constantly works the stripes, leading to boos and chants of “Crosby sucks, Crosby sucks.”

Of course, he doesn’t suck. However, it’s the way he acts on the ice which makes him loathed unless you’re a Pens fan or live in Canada. In Monday’s game at Madison Square Garden, fans were already waiting for the other shoe to drop after how Crosby’s team got six power plays to their team’s zero in a first meeting won by the Rangers in overtime at the Pens’ brand new arena. So, when during an intense first period battle with Ranger favorite Ryan Callahan Crosby kicked the future captain’s leg out tripping him to the ice, it set the wheels in motion. Ref tandem Brad Watson and Steve Kozari ignored Sid’s slew foot, instead calling Callahan for interference. The honest player who represented Team USA mildly protested. Callahan isn’t someone who’s on the refs 24/7. You knew something was wrong. The Rangers killed ironically the only penalty on them. Trailing by a goal, Dubinsky again sounded off on his favorite target with MSG’s Al Trautwig:

“That’s a dirty play. He’s a guy who tries to get away with a lot of that stuff. He complains a lot.” Even Hall Of Fame defenseman Brian Leetch chimed in, adding:

“It’s a play that the NHL has tried to get rid of. It’s a dirty play.“

Granted. It’s our side of things. Callahan didn’t say a whole lot, just indicating that it was a slew foot. It’s not his style to create controversy a la Dubinsky, who despises Crosby. Is he dirty? Let’s just say that the play in question was. Sid’s very sneaky especially after play stoppages. You better protect yourself. Just ask Atlanta defenseman Boris Valabik, who was the victim of blatant cheap shots from behind. Remarkably, there was no suspension. Why would there be? He’s the Chosen One or Golden Boy. This league has no backbone. Did they even review what he did to Cally or just ignore it? No wonder Crosby sees no evil in a Puck Daddy column which accurately depicted what happened despite skewed Pitt fans ripping Greg Wyshynski because he dared to report facts of the incident:

“How many penalty minutes do I have this year, if I’m that dirty?,” said Crosby, who has 15 penalty minutes this season. “I mean, please. Show me all those dirty plays. It’s a battle and he falls. I think Dubi has done his fair share of things out there that are questionable. I guess he’s talking again. But I’m not surprised.

“It’s a battle (with Callahan),” Crosby added. “He’s holding me going up ice and I’m trying to push him off. Is it that calculated? I’m trying to get to the net. I’m not worried about that kind of thing. If I tripped him, I tripped him. Am I dirty hockey player? C’mon. I think Dubi is smarter than that.”

Even if he’s right about not being dirty, Sidney overlooks what happened using his 15 PIM as an alibi. Newsflash: If you were just another player, you’d likely have double the minutes. He acts exactly like a spoiled kid would. Simply because he hasn’t been caught, it’s okay to get away with a dangerous play which can seriously injure one of his peers. Did Mario ever teach him about respect? Speaking of which, No.66 was one of the biggest whiners in the NHL. For as special as he was, Lemieux acted very similarly, working officials for calls. The only difference is he wasn’t as cheap. Crosby battles after whistles, sometimes illegally but rarely gets called.

Whose fault is it? Pin it on a league which has a double standard. Had it been Sean Avery, you know he’d have been tossed. Though this blogger does find it ironic that one of the dirtiest players in the game Matt Cooke plays on Crosby’s side and can get away with the kind of despicable blindside hit that concussed Marc Savard, who finally is ready to return. It just makes you roll your eyes.

Sid The Kid doesn’t need to bend the law. He’s only tarnishing his reputation by disrespecting his peers. If he continues to play this way, one day he could get his. And that would be a black eye for hockey regardless if you hate him. Will he have to learn the lesson the hard way?

As November comes to a close, the hockey world is still mourning the loss of legendary coach Pat Burns, who was taken from us way too soon after a valiant battle with cancer.

Now comes the world of another hockey legend who left us way too soon.

Professional. Honest. Classy. Family. These are just some of the adjectives that are best to describe longtime Hall Of Fame columnist Jim Kelley, who lost his fight against pancreatic cancer today. He was 61.

Kelley spent the majority of his 30+ years as a columnist for the Buffalo News, and then went on to work with Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and others. Kelley was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 2004, and is due to be enshrined in the Buffalo Sabres HOF on January 1st, 2011.

Kelley had a unique talent that is usually lost in today’s dizzying sports writing world of beat writers and bloggers. Kelley was an eloquent speaker, writer, and did it all with an edge and honest approach that so many Buffalo Sabres and NHL fans around North America always appreciated.

His most ‘infamous’ moment (not because of his own doing) involved former goaltender Dominik Hasek during the 1996-1997 playoffs. After Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators, Hasek stated that he has a knee injury. The very next day, Kelley wrote a piece in the Buffalo News questioning his toughness, and in so many words, questioning Hasek’s injury.

Hasek took a major exception to Kelley’s article, and got into an ugly altercation with Kelley, berating him with words, and also pushed and shoved Jim. Subsequently, Hasek was suspended for 3 games and fined $10,000 for his actions.

What is funny is at that moment, I was annoyed with Kelley for calling out the Sabres best player. After time though, Hasek’s quirky actions justified Kelley’s take on the situation, at least from my vantage point. This incident teaches us a valuable lesson: Always look at the big picture when judging someone, and I was dead wrong about Jim at that time.

We can only hope as Sabres fans and NHL fans, that we are blessed to be able to read and hear another writer like Jim again. RIP Jim, and from here at the Battle Of New York, we send our condolences to the Kelley family, the Buffalo News, Buffalo Sabres, and to the NHL.

‘Hockey Night in Buffalo’ will never be the same without you.

In what amounted to a tough night during their 3-1 loss to the Pens, Ranger forward Brandon Prust played with plenty of spark.

Simply put, it wasn’t their night. Our heroes were outplayed by the Sidney Crosby Penguins who did most of their damage in a dominant second, posting a 3-1 win in Gotham. Perhaps we should have seen it coming. Henrik Lundqvist masked our recent struggles to complete a 2-1 road trip.

Did the schedule finally catch up? There’s no question the Rangers have been very busy taking part in their 26th game over 48 days. Especially recently with the Thanksgiving trip and then playing the Pens tonight before facing a well rested Islander team for a classic home-and-home series starting Thursday. At least they’ll have two days to prep. In between, John Tortorella’s staff needs to work on getting back to basics. Our team turned over the puck too much and gave up a ton of scoring chances and odd-man rushes. Very un-Ranger like. They just weren’t mentally sharp. It showed in how Pitt got their three goals.

1.Ruslan Fedotenko foolishly carries puck into no-man’s land colliding with Marc Staal, allowing opportunistic Max Talbot to surprise from short range.

2.Unable to get off the ice during a dominant shift from Crosby, Staal misreads a play at the blueline taking himself out, allowing Sid’s touch-pass to Pascal Dupuis back to The Kid for an awesome set up for a Kris Letang rocket.

3.Turnover leads to pesky Chris Conner getting to a Tyler Kennedy rebound off a skate and firing low through Mike Del Zotto, who again had a rough go. More on that later.

When you’re running on fumes, lazy habits start to creep in. Tonight, our D was caught flatfooted a lot and our forwards were careless on the forecheck, leading to dangerous opportunities for Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. If not for Henrik, who stoned Geno on a two-on-one and denied other Pens, this one could’ve been ugly. None of the goals were his fault. He was a victim of uneven play. The middle stanza in particular where the Pens had the puck virtually the entire 20, tallying twice in a 75-second span while outshooting the Blueshirts 14-6. Puck possession was theirs. Even on a night in which faceoffs were close with our club actually winning 26-of-54, the road club from Pennsylvania was simply better, constantly using quick touch passes to get behind the defense.

Tortorella also changed lines a bunch, trying to find the right combos for Marian Gaborik, who ended a six-game drought with a quick wrister from the left circle courtesy of a great Michal Rozsival pass. Despite being tightly checked by four different Pen blueliners (Orpik-Letang, Martin-Michalek), Gabby was going. But credit Pittsburgh for not giving him much time and space. That along with Tort running out Erik Christensen, Fedotenko, Derek Stepan, Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Alex “MIA” Frolov and even Brandon Prust resulted in little continuity. While I get the need to get the Big Ticket going, it was too much chaos, throwing our lines out of whack. Despite plenty of try, both Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan had rare off nights. Dubi was more noticeable while Cally only stood out for an absolute horrible call involving who else but the Chosen One. Kudos to the former for yet again calling out Sidney during a first intermission interview with MSG’s Al Rotwig Trautwig. Thanks to cathybytes for providing the video.

Much has already been made of Crosby getting away with slew footing Callahan, who blind mice Brad Watson (what a shock) and Steve Kozari (who) amazingly called for interference. Yep. It was his fault that No.87 kicked the feet out making our future captain hold onto the gutless Pen captain while falling down. Clearly. Not to beat a broken record to death. Sidney Crosby is the best player in the game, extending his point streak to 13 (12-14-26). I can live with that. But the amount of cheap plays the league’s leading scorer gets away with is mind boggling. He again slashed Dan Girardi following a whistle to no avail. How can someone so gifted be so dirty? Sure. They finally caught him for taking down Avery in the third but of course Prust also went to the box for elbowing. At that point, it didn’t matter anyway. Our team simply wasn’t good enough. That doesn’t excuse the game’s best from bending the law. Something teammate Matt Cooke often does right under Colin Campbell’s nose.

The officiating wasn’t bad. Even if they missed a few more infractions from the Pens, we only got that one phantom call on Cally. And you know there were probably others they just missed. Usually, the Rangers are effective at even-strength. Not tonight. The Pens were quicker and better in all three zones. Even if outside of that dreadful second, our guys fought tooth and nail with a hot club that’s now won seven in a row. It just wasn’t their night.

Outside of Gaborik and Rozsival, there wasn’t enough oomph. When Prust and Boyle are more visible than Cally and Dubi, it’s not a good sign. Prust again did all he could battling much bigger man Mike Rupp to a draw. Avery also dropped ’em with Tyler Kennedy getting a take down that briefly sparked the club. Afterwards, Rozy sprung Gabby and he notched his sixth with a lethal wrister past Marc-Andre Fleury, who wasn’t tested. Sure. He stayed hot making 25 saves but never had to stand on his head. Kudos to the Pitt D.

Our powerless play struck again when during a stronger third, earning legit calls the first half, nothing got done. The Pens are ranked No.1 in penalty killing and eclipsed 30 straight after being perfect in three. Outside of the early PP spanning the first and second, it was dismal. The aforementioned Del Zotto stunk. I’ve said it numerous times but he’s going through a sophomore slump. His decision making isn’t fluid, allowing defenders to close. He logged more minutes than anyone (25:01) but didn’t register one shot with a few getting blocked while others, including a nice Boyle set up with Lundqvist pulled, the kid flat out missed. DZ wasn’t the only guilty party but five of 15 missed shots were from No.4. It’s no secret he’s shaky in his end but made one outstanding play, diving across to break up a two-on-one, blocking Crosby’s pass to Malkin. If he’s going to continue to be run out there, he must be better.

I’m at the point where I’d like to see Matt Gilroy given another look. Say what you want about him but Hobey was more active when Rozy was out, joining the play and taking shots. Gilroy has three assists in 18 games in a lot less time compared to Del Zotto’s eight points (2-6-8). For whatever reason, Tort hates him. As Twitter PR spokesperson (sarcasm folks) Leahockey would say, “Give him a chance.” At the moment, Rozsival is our best at getting involved. He was one of the few bright spots.

Now, it’s time for them to get ready for the Islanders. A team that loves beating us. This back-to-back starting Thursday at The Coliseum and concluding at The Garden Friday are essential. No excuses.

3rd Star-Brandon Prust, NYR (fight vs Rupp, four hits, 7 PIM, energy all 17 shifts-13:43)
2nd Star-Brooks Orpik, Pit (six hits, three blocked shots, plus-one in 23:07)
1st Star-Chris Kunitz, Pit (2 takeaways, hit plus-one, solid all around play in 18:13)

Ryan Callahan battles Shane O’Brien. The alternate captain came through again, tying a game up the Rangers rallied to win over Nashville 2-1 in a shootout.

Busiest schedule in the game. Check. Twenty-five games in 47 days. It doesn’t matter. No matter how much this league tries to screw us (save me the NY bs-that’s why we played tonight and get the Pens Monday while Islanders get five days off), these guys just don’t quit. My Dad said it:

‘They had no business winning this game.‘

True. But you know what. The same could be said for the Devils who thanks to Johan Hedberg’s heroics, beat the East’s best team. Forget the Caps. They’re soft. Sometimes, you don’t have it. For our team, it’d have been easy to mail it in after Dan Girardi missed a bouncing puck that led to Colin Wilson’s goal in the first. Not this team. They fight. Even when they’re running on fumes which ironically enough I am as well, they battle to the end. So, when they still were being shutout late in the second, I figured they wouldn’t solve Pekka Rinne. Here’s what’s great about Twitter. You can vent and sometimes, it works. My actual tweet before Ryan Callahan tied it up:

all game our guys have not gotten inside and even tested Rinne ho hum

To jubilation when Cally scored for a second straight night off a Mike Del Zotto rebound with an assist from a gritty Brandon Dubinsky:

yes! and just as i say that, finally a gritty goal yeah Cally!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes, it works. Tonight, they proved me wrong. And you know what? I’ve never been happier to eat crow. Serve it up charcoal barbecued. No Gaborik. No problem. Another back-to-back. Who cares?!?!?!?!?! As Kevin Laws of NYRangers365 alludes:

It’s not always about style points. Sometimes, it just comes down to old fashioned grit and determination. Our guys want it. They’re not the most talented or prettiest. But that’s how they must play to win. A night after blanking the Panthers with 40 saves, Henrik Lundqvist was stellar, shutting down the Preds following Wilson’s early goal to give our boys a chance. Even if unlikely shootout hero Erik Christensen drove ya nuts not putting away a sweet Cally dish across, they were only in that position because the goalie remembered who he was. As one-time Ranger Christopher Higgins noted last night in Sunrise, he’s one of the top three netminders. So, every stop he made down one was critical. And best of all as we again got abused in the faceoff circle (25-35), he left no rebounds, including all seven of Shea Weber’s blasts when Callahan wasn’t laying out. The same Henrik who was falling apart with 10 three-or-more games has now turned aside 69 of 70, doing his part to spark the club which must find its second wind before Monday’s tilt against the best player in the game, Sid The Kid.

The last time we saw the whiny Pens, they got help from the refs to avoid a shutout, nearly breaking our backs when the evil Matt Cooke of all people put them ahead. But Marc Staal scored shorthanded with Lundqvist pulled and then Callahan buried the winner from Dubinsky calling it the “easiest goal I’ve scored.” It’ll take that yeoman effort to make it two-for-two against the league darlings. Also, a healthy Gaborik would help. One that can light the lamp.

There’s a lot also to be said for how our team stands up for each other. Another game in which Boogey couldn’t go and a rejuvenated Sean Avery took the brunt of it against tough SOB Jordin Tootoo after they came out of the box. Then Brandon Prust stood up to Shane O’Brien getting some revenge. That’s the passion this team has exhibited and why they’re back to four over (14-10-1) hanging around behind the two Pennsylvania rivals in the Patrick. So, Pitt brings a six-game win streak in along with Crosby fresh off his sixth career hat trick, having a 12-game point streak (12-13-25). So what! Staal, Girardi and Eminger will be ready. And Rozy will too after returning (22:22). Mike Sauer continues to grow and DZ is learning. Before I wrap this up, some food for thought:

Bench Frolov and play Hobey!

3rd Star-Jordin Tootoo, Nsh (decision over Avery, 9 PIM along with lots of energy)
2nd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (tying goal w/6:56 left in regulation-2 cons. games with goal along with usual grit)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (29 saves incl. at least final 25, 69 of 70 stopped last 2 games)

Okay, it’s time to eat crow. After the fiasco that was the Devils-Sabres game in late October, I didn’t think Johan Hedberg would be a useful player for us this year. Describing his play as useful this week would be underselling it, as a matter of fact – and today was his best performance yet as he stopped 40 of 41 Flyer shots and then three of four in the shootout to give the Devils a desperately needed victory. There’s just not enough superlatives you can throw at Hedberg right now, during this week the veteran backup stopped 114 of 118 shots (plus six of seven in two shootouts, both won) while playing all four games in six days with his team in absolute desperation mode.

Just how desperately did the Devils need Hedberg today? A determined Flyers team outshot an even more shorthanded than expected Devils squad 41-25 – and 38-15 after the Devils actually got ten of the first thirteen shots (helped by a four-minute power play in the first period which predictably came up empty). Despite that scary edge in shots, the game finished in a 1-1 tie after 65 minutes because of Hedberg, and Adam Mair‘s shortside goal on Brian Boucher in the first period that gave the Devils their only goal.

I referred to the Devils being more shorthanded than expected, well needless to say I wasn’t in the mood to see Patrik Elias‘s name on the scratch list. Expecting to hear about another injury, my exact words were ‘What the ****’s his problem now’? Turns out this was not another injury situation but in fact him being there for the birth of his kid as his wife went into labor. At least he can enjoy the little one for a few days before the Devils’ next game on Thursday against the Habs. Elias’s absence did cause the Devils to play with only nineteen skaters, a scenario the team’s become all too familiar with due to the early season cap nonsense.

With Elias out, the Devils needed more than ever for $100 million man Ilya Kovalchuk to have an impact. At least he showed some spark that’s been lacking in the last few games, getting eight of the team’s twenty-five shots on net, but once again failing to light the lamp despite being shifted to a line with Travis Zajac and Mattais Tedenby. Oh, he had his chances…forcing Boucher to make a couple of nice glove saves that were reminiscent of his tone-setting stop in Game 1 of the playoffs on Kovalchuk glove-side, and most frustratingly his best chance came in the overtime when Zajac sprung him for a mini-breakaway but once again Kovy lost the puck off his stick, only recovering to shovel a weak shot on net.

Not that Kovy had a monopoly on near-misses, among others Brian Rolston had his own breakaway late in the second period that he clanged the iron on. However, most of this game watching the Devils and Flyers was like seeing an AHL team play an NHL team. While the Flyers were frequently completing tape-to-tape passes up and down the ice, we struggled to complete two short passes in a row and usually passed it backhand to backhand. Where they cleared the puck quickly, we struggled just to get it out of the zone with bad decisions and bad execution. Perhaps that can just be attributed to all of the upheaval in the lineup but still you have to figure even AHL players can complete simple passes.

Still, while everything else around him was collapsing, Hedberg stood tall and kept the Devils’ fragile 1-0 lead late into the third period, despite a rising shot total that approached 40 in regulation. However, the dam finally burst after an Andy Greene penalty led to a Danny Briere power play goal off a rebound, tying the game and sending it to overtime and eventually the shootout. In the shootout, Kovy ended a frustrating afternoon with one more near-miss by clanging the Devils’ first shootout attempt off Boucher and then off the post.

After Hedberg stopped Claude Giroux and Briere while Boucher stopped Tedenby, Nikolai Zherdev beat Hedberg with a shot through the legs that gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead with one shot left to the Devils. And I was in suspense as to who was actually going to take it, after all our main shootout aces in Langs and Zach Parise were already on the shelf with Elias (who also frequently goes in the shootout) unavailable. Turned out Johnny MacLean‘s pick was Jason Arnott, and it proved to be the right one as Arnott beat Boucher high with a wrister to tie it. With Mike Richards clanging one off the post, Travis Zajac was up next with a chance to win it, which he did – beating Boucher and giving the Devils their fourth straight home win – yes, really!

Now with four days off before playing the Habs at home, the Devils can at least gargle the bad taste out of their mouths from the collective no-show on Long Island yesterday and get some satisfaction from winning three of four this week, even if two of the wins could be directly attributed to Hedberg’s brilliance in goal.

It’s a busy Saturday for three of our Battle clubs and it gets started now when the Devils renew the I-95 rivalry with the hated Flyers. Seventeen points separate them but when these teams get together, anything’s possible. Hasan is at The Rock. Hope he gets a pleasant surprise. Especially without Patrik Elias, whose wife went into labor. Can the Devs cool off the Flyers?

Also in action six hours later are the Sabres, who are gunning for two in a row following their 3-1 home win over the Maple Leafs. Thomas Vanek continues to swing a hot stick netting his ninth and Ryan Miller returned from a groin injury to stop 35 shots, improving to 23-8-0 with a 2.19 GAA and a .931 save percentage against his favorite opponent. It should be even tougher when they visit the Bell Centre to battle the first place Canadiens, who should be steamed following a home loss to the Predators in a rare Alex Auld cameo. Carey Price has been awesome this season, making Hab fans forget Jaroslav Halak. It could be a battle of elite in net if Miller gets two straight starts. Does Buffalo have what it takes to get the better of Les Habitants?

Meanwhile, the Rangers conclude their three-game road trip with a visit to Music City to take on those Predators. After a good start, Barry Trotz’ club has slipped to last in the ultra competitive Central. Eight points separate them from first place Detroit. They do it by committee with Cal O’Reilly pacing them with 13 points while more familiar names Steve Sullivan and Patric Hornqvist follow suit. They’ve gotten strong play from Marcel Goc but key cogs Shea Weber and J.P. Dumont have struggled as have second-year center Colin Wilson and Martin Erat. Both Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback are capable of shutting it down in net. Considering the Rangers don’t have a lot of success in Nashville, figure it to be tough with this being the second of a back-to-back. An area our team has excelled at. Can they follow up Henrik Lundqvist’s bounce back 40 save performance in a 3-0 shutout over the Panthers with another ‘W,’ to return home 2-1 before the hated Pens visit Monday?

In yesterday’s win, Derek Stepan continued his surge, scoring his sixth goal off a Sean Avery rebound, extending to a six-game point streak (3-4-7). Since Nov.14, the rookie pivot has nine points (3-6-9) over the last eight, putting himself right back into the Calder race. The former Badger has become the No.1 center. No easy task at the age of 20, fitting in with Marian Gaborik and new linemate Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers would like to see more goals off Gabby’s stick with the star right wing silent in five. Since his hat trick against the Oilers, he’s scored only once over seven. Meanwhile, demoted linemate Alex Frolov is in John Tortorella’s dog house, getting only nine minutes Friday. While the enigmatic Russian baffles, Ryan Callahan finally ended a five-game drought with a nifty deflection of a Erik Christensen pass for a power play tally. Also encouraging was seeing Brandon Prust get rewarded for all his hard work when he scored his first of the season shorthanded, beating Scott Clemmensen through the wickets.

The Rangers could use Arty Anisimov to reappear on the score sheet. He’s been blank in three and only has a goal over seven. Tort flipped him with Brian Boyle, who took over the second line.

Updating injuries, Michal Rozsival might return tonight after skating this morning. Who he replaces remains a question. Probably Matt Gilroy even though I think he’s looked better. Derek Boogaard also skated.

Thus far, the Devils on an Adam Mair goal are surprising the Flyers 1-0. They’re playing a man short minus Elias. Brian Boucher has been busy making nine saves while Johan Hedberg has stopped all four. They lead by a goal with 7:14 left in the first. We’ll have updates on everything later. Headed over to John’s for some puck in South River. Catch ya later.

Islander scorer Jesse Joensuu is congratulated by Radek Martinek. His goal proved to be the difference in a 2-0 shutout of the Devils, helping the Islanders finally end their 14-game winless streak.

 
Finally, the Islanders had something to be thankful for. On the day after Thanksgiving, they defeated the Devils 2-0 before 10,897 at Nassau Coliseum, mercifully ending their winless streak at 14 (1-11-3). Rick DiPietro stopped all 29 shots including 13 in the third period for the club’s first win since Oct.21 at Tampa Bay. Making his third consecutive start, DP was strong facing a Devil onslaught in the final 20 to preserve an emotional victory for interim coach Jack Capuano, who finally won his first game in five tries (1-2-2).

The Islanders built a two-goal lead thanks to unlikely scorers Jesse Joensuu and Rob Schremp, who entered with a combined one goal. Joensuu finished off a nice passing play 92 seconds in with Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner assisting to give the Isles the lead. They outshot a flat Devil team 13-5. The Devil struggles continued. By the time Schremp buried a wrist shot past Johan Hedberg at 5:15 of the second, shots were 18-8 favoring the Long Island hosts. Blake Comeau and James Wisniewski notched helpers. Two players who’ve slumped during the franchise’s second longest streak without a win. They avoided matching a 15-game winless streak (Nov.22-Dec.23, 1999).

New Jersey finally started to come on in the second half getting eight of the last nine shots in the second. However, they still trailed by a deuce headed to the third. John MacLean’s team came out with more urgency in the final stanza, swarming the Islanders. They quickly peppered DiPietro with seven shots the first five minutes but couldn’t solve the Islander franchise netminder, who was up to the task, sliding over to deny rookie Mattias Tedenby off a nice set up from Jason Arnott and Patrik Elias. He also thwarted Ilya Kovalchuk pointblank with the lost Devil $100 million man firing a rebound wide. Kovalchuk had a rough day taking a minor while having all four of his offerings shutdown by DiPietro. The 27 year-old Russian hasn’t lit the lamp in six straight, registering only an assist with a minus-four rating. It’s no secret that the Devs need better from their top sniper, who remains stuck on four goals. MacLean tried Adam Mair in place of rook Alexander Vasyunov on the right side. Mystifying.

In a period controlled by the Devils who had plenty of chances to get back in it including a botched five-on-three that probably left Hasan sick from the turkey and stuffing, they didn’t come close. Despite a 13-1 SOG edge, it didn’t matter. The Islanders did a good job sacrificing their bodies, blocking 27 shots including a half dozen apiece from stalwarts Mark Eaton and Radek Martinek. Sadly, the dozen they combined for were one better than the entire New Jersey roster. If you subtract Anton Volchenkov (3 blocks) and Patrik Elias (4), the rest of the 16 skaters had five, typifying what was missing from a team that came in on its first two-game win streak.

The Islanders were more desperate. Even in only taking two shots on Hedberg the last half of the contest, they won most of the battles. Under Capuano, they have been more competitive earning points against Atlanta and Columbus before finally breaking through to get the monkey off their backs. Maybe loaning Josh Bailey to Bridgeport after the third-year pivot went 13 straight without a point lit a fire to the rest of the club. They did the little things that win, playing more physical with 31 hits compared to the Devs’ 14. Only one Islander didn’t make the stat sheet. They needed to be on the Devils, especially when back-to-back penalties to Dylan Reese (interference) and Wisniewski (double-minor hi-sticking) gave their opponent a great chance to get back in it.

Instead, the Devils failed miserably, living up to their paltry road power play record of just one goal. Believe it or not, they rank pretty high at home. The five-on-three was discombobulated with the trigger man Jason Arnott instead of Kovalchuk. Twice, he missed wide with one even caroming out. Kovalchuk played the right side and was hardly a factor, getting one low one-timer through which DiPietro snuffed out. The Islander PK outworked the Devs, hustling to loose pucks and clearing them out when their foes didn’t do it themselves with questionable decision making. Pumped up by their team’s desperation, the crowd gave them a loud cheer when the second of Wisniewski’s penalty was over.

It seemed to take the wind out of New Jersey’s sails. They hardly tested DP the final six and a half, partially due to the Islanders’ grit. As time wound down, it was finally over with an emotional DiPietro jumping up and down like a kid into the arms of happy teammate Zenon Konopka. He told Deb Kaufman how much the streak had weighed on them and pointedly thanked the fans twice for continuing to support them. A great day to be an Islander. Not so good if you were a Devil.

3rd Star-Rob Schremp, NYI (2nd goal of season, +1 in 20 shifts-13:57)
2nd Star-Mark Eaton/Radek Martinek, NYI (
1st Star-Rick DiPietro, NYI (29 saves incl. 13/13 in 3rd for 1st SHO of season-1st since Jan. also vs NJD)