Battle Of Hudson

There are times when you appreciate what you’re part of. Tonight was one of those special cases. With it all on the line, the Rangers held off the Flyers 4-3 in a thrilling hockey game that had a little bit of everything before an absolute mad house at Madison Square Garden.  Needing a win in their final regular season home game to keep their season alive, the guys in red, white and blue went the extra mile to give the ramped up Garden Faithful a good sendoff. Whether or not it’s the final game of a wild season remains to be seen.

That story won’t unfold until Sunday’s rematch at Philly with the playoffs up for grabs. For now, both old Patrick rivals are tied with 86 points, trailing the Bruins and Canadiens by a point. In order for the Rangers to make it a fifth consecutive Spring, they’ll need to win in overtime or by shootout. They cannot under any circumstances finish tied with Montreal due to the all important wins tiebreaker. They also can’t finish tied with the Flyers and must prevail Sunday if it comes down to extras. The Flyers own the No.1 tiebreak with 40 victories. Two better than the Rangers and three more than Boston who plays twice this weekend starting today against Carolina. There is one scenario where if the B’s dropped the final two in regulation and both the Blueshirts and Flyers guaranteed themselves a point, that would knockout Boston. Even the Habs would be safe if they don’t earn a point in their season finale versus Toronto tonight. Highly unlikely. By the time the two archrivals take the Wachovia ice, they’ll know the Bruins’ result with them finishing at Washington on NBC.

Most importantly, the Rangers are still alive with another do-or-die game on the horizon. If they can duplicate Friday’s result, they’re in. Of course, many of us would prefer it not to be so nerve wracking. Haha. In terms of what we got, this was an edge of your seat thriller that perked the interest from start to finish while also playing with our hearts. Both teams gave you scintillating hockey that had ferocious intensity. It may as well have been the playoffs. Regardless of who you cheer for, the players on both sides left it all out there. It was played at a great pace. Perfect considering all the energy at the place. It’s nights like this that show how True Blue we really are. Kudos to everyone, especially those in our section 411 who made it one of the most fun atmospheres ever.

It sure didn’t come easy for the home club. Not after a bad start in which a rare Marc Staal miscue led to Flyer captain Mike Richards tallying the game’s first goal 40 seconds in. His pass hit a skate and went right to Richards, who broke in and fired high stickside past Henrik Lundqvist. Before we could even get settled, they were behind. It got worse when on the ensuing faceoff at center ice, Daniel Carcillo suckered Aaron Voros into a high-sticking minor. The refs didn’t help warning both and then it looked like Carcillo pulled Voros’ stick into him. What a douche. Right away, they had to kill a penalty down one. Only a couple of timely stops from Lundqvist and a solid PK kept the deficit at one.

Gaining momentum from the big kill, the Rangers started to get shots through on a shaky Brian Boucher. However, they couldn’t beat him until Carcillo took an undisciplined double minor for hi-sticking. It didn’t click right away with ex-Ranger Blair Betts and Ian Lapierre doing some solid work. Eventually, the Rangers got set up. Before the game, as I walked up, I overheard a couple of fans taking players to score. I instantly chose Chris Drury because when the chips are down, he usually comes through. Sure enough, off a nifty Erik Christensen backdoor pass, the Ranger captain responded to Richards’ tally by finishing off his 14th firing the crowd back up. The one time they gave away something which in this case were t-shirts, we waved them like towels. Dan Girardi, who made a nice keep at the blueline, added a secondary helper.

During a stretch which has seen them go 7-1-1 just to reach tomorrow, much criticized coach John Tortorella put together a solid fourth line of Jody Shelley, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Prust. The sudden radical change for a coach who’s never been known for rolling four lines has paid huge dividends. Without the gritty trio, there would be no reason to play Game 82. For whatever reason, they have been the most cohesive, bringing a popular crash bang style that this team lacked for quite some time. Prust has delivered plenty and Anisimov has been outstanding. Then there’s Shelley who we bagged on not too long ago because he hardly was any different from Donald Brashear. However, now that he’s got a defined role, the enforcer has demonstrated that he can contribute. Fitting that he’d put the Rangers ahead with his first goal as a Ranger. Anisimov won a draw and Prust stepped in and pushed the puck to Shelley in front, who beat Boucher delighting the crowd.

Just like that, two goals in less than three minutes had us up. They searched for more but credit Boucher with holding his team in. In a period the Rangers outshot the Flyers 12-4, he made 10 saves. The sense between the end of the first and beginning of the second was that our guys let up. Part of it was due to Philadelphia, who finally mounted an attack after going over 17 minutes without a shot following Richards’ goal. You could sense they were coming on. That continued much of the second, forcing Lundqvist to make a few tough stops. The Flyers were gaining our zone too easy but got sidetracked thanks to a super play by Marian Gaborik. Taking a Christensen pass at the Flyer blueline, the Great Gabby wheeled around Matt Carle and then slipped a perfect backhand feed from a tough angle to an uncovered Brandon Dubinsky, who buried his career high 20th top shelf. Chris Pronger was caught napping. It wasn’t a good night for the All-Star defenseman.

“It was a playoff game, plain and simple…we believe in each other right now…full of confidence,” a pleased Dubinsky said after his big goal.

Up 3-1 with MSG going bonkers, the Rangers couldn’t maintain it. As we said, it was a better period from Peter Laviolette’s club. They were hungrier to the puck and finally got just results. Just 78 seconds after Dubinsky scored, Simon Gagne found a wide open Daniel Briere across for an easy one-timer upstairs that Lundqvist never had a chance on. Moments earlier, a big Staal hit on Carcillo got our guys scrambled. With Shelley and another player in the area, they never recovered, allowing Briere to cut it to 3-2.

Steven McDonald Extra Effort two-time winner Ryan Callahan tried to come back minutes later but his pass for Vinny Prospal down low got intercepted, leading to Richards’ second. The turnover at the blueline caught our D flat footed. Taking a Pronger pass, Richards broke in from the left speeding in for a breakaway. With Rozsival giving chase, his backhand from in tight went off Lundqvist and caromed off Rozy’s skate for the tying goal at 14:41. It was hard to even tell how it went in. Richards’ persistence paid off, turning it into a brand new game. One that had a few in our section concerned. Nobody wanted to see that team end the season in our building. That also goes for tomorrow but it will be in enemy territory.

With it starting to look grim, especially with Philly continuing to come on, Gaborik made a game changing play that proved the difference. Following a timely Lundqvist kickout of a Flyer shot, the puck wound up in the neutral zone with Pronger sitting on it. Right in front of the Ranger bench, he fumbled it and Gaborik pounced. Backing up a retreating Carle, the dangerous Slovak wristed one from a tough angle that went off the Flyer D’s stick past a stunned Boucher gloveside. The unassisted tally was Gaborik’s team best 42nd sending everyone minus a few scattered Flyer jerseys into a frenzy. It was a magnificent play by a super skilled star who’s lived up to Year One of his big contract. No.42 matched a career high established with the Wild in ’07-08. With a goal and helper, Gaborik’s already put up a career best 86 points (42-44-86). That he’s done it in 75 games in an Olympic Year which he played banged up in as well as afterwards speaks to this man’s character. I always thought he was soft due to the injuries but that perception was dead wrong. Gabby’s tougher than we ever gave credit for. Hopefully, he’s got one or two more goals left.

“They were unbelievable, a real playoff atmosphere…they lifted us,” expressed Gaborik of the Garden.

“That’s why he’s paid the big bucks! He’s such a clutch player for us, our go-to guy, and proved it again,” Girardi beamed.

Leading by a goal after 40 minutes, I told Dad and a few others it was time for Lundqvist to shut the door proclaiming, ‘No more goals.’ For once at least, it was nice to be proven right. Even if there were an awful lot of close calls during a rambunctious third that had plenty of fire.

Refs Dan O’Rourke and Paul Devorski did a good job allowing the teams to decide it. With the exception of a couple of faceoffs I felt should’ve been outside our zone, they didn’t miss much. Up till that point, only two penalties were called. One for each side. But sometimes, the Flyers are their own worst enemy. They take an awful lot of bad penalties such as Scott Hartnell’s silly crosscheck which handed us a second straight power play. After failing to convert on Braydon Coburn’s hook, the Blueshirts couldn’t cash in with the Flyer PK getting it done. However, a wild sequence after it expired almost led to Shelley’s second of the game. Badly misplaying a puck, Boucher nearly put it into his own net. Then, with him dead to rights, Shelley had an open net but at the last split second, Boucher made an unbelievable sliding stick save to rob Jody, drawing murmurs.

Before you could catch your breath, an even more startling event occurred. Following a Hartnell hit on Anisimov, a fired up Girardi lost it, throwing the gloves down and pounding the rugged Flyer with rights into submission to a thunderous ovation. This had to be extra sweet for a guy who got killed after not standing up for Gaborik while Carcillo humiliated the team in a disturbing 1/21 loss. It was great to see and showed just how unified this team is now.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Rangers without a few frantic shifts late. With Voros in the sin bin for interference, Lundqvist saved his best work when it counted, making a couple of sprawling saves in traffic. Jeff Carter, who returned also had a near miss that had us fearing the worst. With Boucher on the bench the final minute, the Flyers swarmed but couldn’t beat Henrik, who turned aside all 10 third period shots en route to his 35th win.

“I’m just glad we gave ourselves another day,” a prideful Drury stated. “We wanted another chance and we battled pretty hard the last couple of weeks to get to Game 82.”

“Two weeks ago, three weeks ago, I think everybody didn’t believe in us,” Gaborik added while noting, “but here we are with one game left. Our destiny is in our own hands.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mike Richards, Phi (2 goals-30th, 31st, 4 SOG, 4 hits, takeaway, blocked shot, 8-5 draws in 22:54)
2nd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (assist, fight, hit, 3 blocked shots in 21:36)
1st Star-Marian Gaborik, NYR (GW-career tying 42nd, assist, SOG, three hits, 2 blocked shots, +1 in 21:13)

Notes: Since being challenged by Tortorella, Christensen has delivered four points (2-2-4) in both wins. The waiver wire pickup is 8-18-26 plus-14 in 48 games with the Rangers. … Shelley, Prust and Anisimov each recorded a point, making it 16 total points since they became a line eight games ago. … In his first game back from a broken left foot after missing the previous eight, Carter finished with three shots in 16:16. … After delivering a big hit to Pronger in the second, Callahan reinjured his left knee and didn’t return. He was seen in a brace and will be examined by a doctor later today. … Boucher made 21 saves suffering the loss. Lundqvist finished with 24 saves. He’s allowed 17 goals over the past nine for a 2.00 GAA.

Games To Follow On Saturday

Carolina at Boston 1 ET
Toronto at Montreal 7 ET

Only one team hasn’t officially been eliminated. While the West is all set following the latest Sutter choke job, the East remains unsettled headed into the weekend. The Rangers are that team attempting to squeak in with the Habs, Bruins and Flyers all in limbo. For our club, simply put. Two wins versus Philly starting tonight in a do-or-die scenario at The Garden and they’re in for a fifth straight season.

Boston’s 3-1 victory over Buffalo tied them for sixth with Montreal, who blew another chance to clinch in a 5-2 loss to Carolina with Eric Staal lighting them up for a hat trick and two assists. The Canadiens finish with nemesis Toronto tomorrow night. Despite two less wins, the B’s are sixth due to one game at hand. They host the Canes tomorrow and visit the Caps Sunday on NBC. With 86 points, the Flyers sit eighth two up on the Rangers with the first tiebreaker.

Unless the Rangers win tonight, none of it will mean anything. The Flyers can eliminate them. They should have top scorer Jeff Carter back. He’ll wear a protective boot for his left foot that cost him nine games. It’s advisable for the MSG hosts to stay out of the box. Aside from staying disciplined, John Tortorella’s club will need a fast start. Getting out of the gate quickly like the other night will keep the crowd into it and that should bode well. In what’s been a trying season where they’ve struggled at home, there’s simply too much at stake. Turning us against them is the last thing they want.

The Blueshirts should have a decided edge in net in the home-and-home with Henrik Lundqvist going against Brian Boucher. Our bread and butter has been a huge staple of the team’s rebirth. He has never missed the playoffs and doesn’t intend to now. Even with a flawed roster, Henke’s played well- entering his 71st start with a 34-27-9 record with a 2.40 GAA, .920 save percentage and four shutouts. During a stretch that’s seen the team go 6-1-1 to reach this point, Lundqvist has posted a 1.87 GAA, .936 save percentage along with two shutouts. Except for the disappointing loss to Buffalo Tuesday in which he was pulled for Alex Auld, the 28 year-old Swede’s been in holding up his end of the bargain. Two more strong games and it should be enough.

If they are to make this a successful weekend, the Rangers must play well in all facets. Especially against a hated rival who’d love nothing better than ending their season. It’s unique since it’s a double edged sword with a great rivalry renewed. There should be plenty of intensity from both sides. Figure spark plugs Brandon Prust and Aaron Voros to be in the middle of it with antagonists Daniel Carcillo and Scott Hartnell. The fourth line of Prust, Artem Anisimov and Jody Shelley have been a constant during the home stretch. Tortorella’s been rolling four lines, using the checking line plenty. However, as he stated the other day, they cannot be their best line. Top scorer Marian Gaborik has four goals and four assists over the past eight but has been blanked three times, including both losses. He must deliver along with linemates Erik Christensen and Brandon Dubinsky. They’ve also gotten inspired play from Olli Jokinen, who had a goal and helper Wednesday while linemates Vinny Prospal (G, A) and P.A. Parenteau (A) chipped in. Chris Drury’s played well scoring a couple of big goals. These are the games you expect him to step up in. Ryan Callahan hasn’t looked good since returning. So, anything you get from him is a bonus. Might Sean Avery return? Who knows.

Since being reunited, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi have been superb. They’ll see plenty of big minutes when the teams faceoff on MSG-Plus. Speaking of which, what an absolute travesty it is that this game has been relegated to MSG’s second station with a meaningless Knick game on MSG. I get the whole Friday Knicks but come on. Jazzy Jim is such a joke. He sure doesn’t deserve our money. No wonder we didn’t send in for the playoffs with a ridiculous cost ($68) for the first round. In the ’07 Conference Semi versus Buffalo when our only good team had a shot, the second round was twenty-three bucks cheaper. Unfortunately, this is what you’re dealing with.

Michal Rozsival’s had a couple of tough games in a row and must be better. He’s logged a lot of vital minutes and played better since January. Despite what’s said about him in other spaces, the guy’s important to our team because he plays every situation. For as much as a headache as he can be with the muffed pucks and penalties, Rozy has been winning a lot of battles, sacrifices the body and is an underrated passer as his perfect outlet to Jokinen demonstrated the other night. I probably am alone in thinking it would be a mistake to get rid of him. Unlike stilt Wade Redden, who at least has been better since being teamed with Anders Eriksson, Rozsival has something left. If you subtract both vets, what will the blueline look like? Especially when both Staal and Girardi are up. Mike Del Zotto must be strong in his end. He’s been contributing offensively. How he and Rozy perform will be significant.

Finally, if they are to get the job done, they’ll need to come out on top in special teams. I already echoed that it would be wise to stay out of the box with Carter returning. Plus the Flyers boast Mike Richards, Simon Gagne, Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen and Matt Carle. Claude Giroux’s effective on the man-advantage too. Both teams have good PK units with familiar face Blair Betts leading the charge for the orange and black. How ironic that they face each other with it all on the line.

The teams have split the season series (2-2) with each having won in the other’s building. The Rangers took the last meeting at MSG 3-1 on 3/12. Can they deliver? We’ll know soon enough.

1. Scott Clemmensen (42/44 saves)
2. Nathan Horton (goal, assist, +1)
3. Michael Frolik (goal, assist, +1)

Twenty-four hours later, everything was alright. At least that’s what a resounding 5-1 rout of the lowly Leafs did for the Rangers, who are very much alive depending on what Boston does versus Northeast rival Buffalo tonight. Indeed, the same Sabres who put a fifth consecutive postseason in jeopardy can help John Tortorella’s club, who’ll be watching closely to see if a team that clinched the division will give the effort. They are still fighting for second, trailing the Devils by a point with a regular season finale Sunday.

While that takes place in Beantown where the Yanks came back to take two of three from the Red Sox to kickoff the baseball season, all the Blueshirts can do is prepare for the first of the crucial home-and-home with the hated Flyers. It’s all on the line. Fate is in their hands. Now, we find out if Tort’s bunch can come through. In what’s been a challenging season, it’s hard to predict what will happen. Is this team good enough to win it’s last three, including two straight over a bitter rival with the final verdict if they make it Sunday in Philly? Expect the unexpected.

A day removed from getting exposed as Henrik Lundqvist termed it after getting the hook, the Rangers made quick work of a Toronto club that looks like its tanking. Too bad the Bruins own their pick. Over their last three games including the latest debacle, they’ve managed only two goals while allowing nine to the trio competing for the final two spots, assuming Montreal gets one point. They play Carolina today.

As for the Rangers, they wasted no time scoring on the first shift 21 seconds in when Erik Christensen responded to Tortorella’s challenge by banging home a Brandon Dubinsky feed in front for the first of two on the night. They’d tack on two more in the first but it easily could’ve been six or seven. If not for Jonas Gustavsson who played well despite an onslaught that saw him give up five on 32 shots, it would’ve been embarrassing. The Maple Leafs gave zero effort. With the exception of former Ranger Colton Orr instigating a fight versus Jody Shelley dating back to last season, it looked like Brian Burke’s guys who have the second worst record mailed it in. Some of the Ranger chances that followed bordered on absurd. The Monster made some great saves, robbing Marc Staal point blank along with a few other close calls.
Another opportunity just missed on a good power play.

Eventually in a period they registered 18 of 32 shots for the game, the Garden hosts tripled their lead when Vinny Prospal and Christensen struck 30 seconds apart. First, Michal Rozsival took a Mike Del Zotto pass behind his net and sprung Olli Jokinen for a breakaway. Gustavsson made the initial save on Jokinen’s backhand five-hole attempt but the rebound was slammed home by Prospal, who matched his jersey number becoming the second Ranger to hit 20. Marian Gaborik leads them with 41. As fans were celebrating, Christensen notched his second by converting a similar move off a Gaborik set up. It was Gabby’s 84th point of the season, setting a new career high. Brandon Dubinsky netted a secondary helper after forcing a turnover in the neutral zone. He assisted on a pair of goals, establishing a new career best with 43 points (19-24-43 in 67 GP).

After kind of a down second which Wade Redden noted though each netminder shined to keep the clubs off the scoreboard, the Leafs finally made it interesting when there was a Dion Phaneuf sighting. The big defenseman who they acquired from Calgary finally scored his first goal in Toronto colors to cut it to 3-1 with still 11:51 left. On a strong shift, a Phaneuf shot shattered Artem Anisimov’s stick resulting in the Rangers scrambling basically a man short. Eventually, Carl Gunnarsson and John Mitchell combined to work the puck to Phaneuf, who fired a halitzer from the right point past Lundqvist breaking the shutout.

With Toronto suddenly alive, the Blueshirts replied in timely fashion thanks to Jokinen, who’s looked alive the past few games since being put with Prospal and P.A. Parenteau. The trio were all in on the Jokester’s fourth as a Ranger. Parenteau and Prospal set up the wide open Finn, whose one-time slapshot blast went off Gustavsson’s glove and in. A jovial Jokinen raised his arms in triumph. And for once, he deserved it finishing with a goal and assist along with a game high eight shots. The second time in five games he had at least two points. If only the headcase was more consistent.

Earlier with the rout on, I told my Dad I wanted Aaron Voros to pop one along with Shelley. Okay. So, I was pushing it. Low and behold, here came Voros flying off the bench while Anisimov and Brandon Prust dominated down low. It was new fan favorite Prust who made a perfect pass to a streaking Voros in the slot and he did the rest, wiring one for his third of the season. Afterwards, he emphatically slammed his stick against the glass getting deserved congrats from excited teammates. As much as I criticized him last year which more had to do with the length of the contract than anything is as much as I’ve become a big fan of Voros34. The guy has been all heart this year. The goal was his second in four and fourth point in the last five. For the season, he’s played in 39 games with three goals and four assists while supplying a spark whenever his number’s been called. That deserves respect. Very appropriate that Voros finished it off in style.

Lundqvist bounced back as usual, finishing with 26 saves for win No.34 (176th career). What a great attitude he has. Now, he must give the Blueshirts the decided edge they should have versus Brian Boucher tomorrow and Sunday. Even more, the guys in front of him must play winning hockey. They do that and they’re in good shape. Not bad for a dead team.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Vinny Prospal, NYR (20th of season, assist, SOG, +2 in 16:15)
2nd Star-Olli Jokinen, NYR (goal, assist, 8 SOG, +2 in 13:30)
1st Star-Erik Christensen, NYR (2 goals-7, 8, 5 SOG, +2 in 16:48)

I really don’t know what to say. So, this is going to be very random. If you were one of those fans that got sucked in, I really feel for ya. All year, the Rangers proved they weren’t good enough to be taken seriously. Too bad someone forgot to inform the PR MSG staff which continues to pepper each frustrated loyal customer with the same redundant calls about playoff tickets. Maybe if they didn’t cost an astronomical number (68 for cheapies), they might get at least better returns for a fanbase that has been royally screwed more than I can categorically describe.

Just remember this. The lockout was a fraud just as Bettman is along with Campbell and that lame Bill Daly. Losers like James Dolan do not deserve the bailout they got. Perhaps it’s unfair to label all owners bad guys because some still have a heart and don’t overcharge or tack on cheesy surcharges to cash in even more on a mediocre product. Hence our nickname for MSG of Mediocre Square Garden because that’s what it’s become under the misleadership of Jazzy Jim. How does he put the Knicks on MSG over a must win for the Rangers at Buffalo tonight? Can anybody please explain that? Screw the damn ratings for NYK-Celts because nobody really gives a damn until July 1 for Le Fraud anyway!

Aside from that, well let’s just say the Rangers lived up to that MSG-+/FSNY listing by remembering who they were. A flawed roster that’s not good enough to seriously compete. Maybe if they’d followed up Brandon Prust’s latest goal instead of falling apart at the seams in allowing the Sabres to score five of the last six in a crushing 5-2 defeat that all but seals their fate on the golf course. At least it won’t be shared with Tiger Woods. Honestly and brutally, John Tortorella deserves to share a hole with Tiger after tonight’s fiasco. I still cannot believe he had the audacity to pull our bread and butter Henrik Lundqvist in a must win scenario. How ridiculous can he be? I had a few choice words for him on Twitter after a couple of glasses of red wine. Let’s just leave it at that.

The man just has to go. And by that, I mean get lost! GTFO! Don’t even show behind the bench for tomorrow’s meaningless tilt versus Toronto. Save me the talk that “they’re still alive” and can win out sweeping the hated Flyers. Uh. Hell-o McFly!!!!! Anybody home?1?1?!?!?!! This coach is a cancer. I wanted him here along with many others but let’s be real. He royally sucks! I admit that I was wrong. Tonight sealed it. Okay. So, you want to say Henrik had no shot on that Derek Roy laser from a mad angle with Michal Rozsival in the box for another new NHL special? Fine. That was a wicked shot. End of story. But the second? Even if Rozy dropped down to try to block Drew Stafford’s right circle shot that went past our goalie, he has to stop that. End of discussion.

It’s not like our guys quit. They bounced back when P.A. Parenteau rebounded one home on another bogus call this time on a cheesy delay of game that wasn’t. Anyone could see that the clear grazed the glass first. NHL officials need their eyes checked. This is what dumbing down the game has resulted in. Cruddy calls which aren’t penalties. Not what you want to see in late May and June. Getting back to the action, at 2-2, the Rangers were already in the wrong kind of game against a lowscoring Sabre team that can expose you if your D sucks. They pinch theirs and when you boast Tyler Myers, that can spell trouble. We can only dream of boasting a defenseman as good as this big freshman already is. Apologies to Marc Staal, who’s finishing Year 3 up strong but he’s not in the same stratosphere as Myers, who looks to be a better righty version of Zdeno Chara. How did he fall to 12 again in ’08? Mark it down. If Buffalo goes far this Spring, Myers will be a huge factor. He’s probably the best overall blueliner in the conference not named Chara or Chris Pronger. And I’d rather have the 20 year-old from Katy, Texas.

One of the things we saw too much of was our D backing in. Part of it was the product of sloppy turnovers at the blueline and in the neutral zone. A no no against a polished Buffalo club who utilizes their team speed and transition to pounce in similar fashion to the Devils. Even minus leading point getter Tim Connolly and dangerous finisher Thomas Vanek, the Western New York hosts came at the Blueshirts in waves. Keep in mind they also were minus royal pain in the ass Patrick Kaleta, who’s killed us this year. While it’s true there was no Sean Avery on our side, Ryan Callahan returned making call-up Dale Weise a scratch. Unfortunately, Cally wasn’t much of a factor aside from a borderline hit on Myers that drew the ire of Derek Roy.

Not many Rangers were where they needed to be. In fact, aside from the fourth line of Prust, Artem Anisimov and Jody Shelley, there were only a handful who measured up. That can’t happen when you essentially need to run the table. Especially when your top two have off nights. We’ll excuse Lundqvist, who after permitting Jochen Hecht’s halitzer thru a Myers screen was sent packing for the rest of the night with his team trailing by a goal. Let me repeat. ONE GOAL! This is the thinking of a coach who never takes responsibility. He pulled this same stunt a while back opting for Alex Auld in a loss to the Devils. Granted. He permitted four while under the same duress, leading to our normally unflappable goalie tossing a towel given to him. Judging from the look on his face tonight, the steam was hotter than lava. Who could fault a guy that’s actually put together one of his best seasons despite being handed the worst roster possible by the teflon smoking gun who hides better than Osama?

It’s hard to put into words what I was feeling after Lundqvist’s night ended with still 34:43 left and his team down one stinking goal. Even if you want to argue that they responded better by sustaining pressure after Hecht’s marker with Ryan Miller flat out robbing Marian Gaborik with an amazing reflect stick save off a perfect set up, under no circumstances can you ever take out your best player in such a pivotal game. It’s without a doubt the dumbest, most assinine move we’ve seen. Without Henrik, this is the worst team in hockey.

Unfortunately, their true colors showed in Game 79 against a quality club that is a threat in its first postseason in three years. The last one we’re all too familiar with with Chris Drury rescuing the Sabres in a superb Eastern Conference Semifinal that was the Rangers’ best shot in the Jagr/Renney Era. As this frustrating season slips away and that final sequence is replayed in our heads becoming part of Ranger lore like a rear view mirror of ’94, it becomes more evident that what we said at that time rings true. You just don’t get many cracks at it. Especially under the gross mismanagement of Jazzy Jim with Savior having more lives than a black cat.

This is what being a Ranger fan is. Where household names like Toni Lydman fire the final nail in the coffin as our franchise netminder sits helplessly on the bench with his mind wandering aimlessly at how clueless Tortorella really is. When the 2009-10 grave is put to rest, it should read:

RIP 2009-10 New York Rangers

 “A team which teased fans whose fate was sealed by a mindless coach who chose a journeyman goalie over his best player.”

1. Martin Brodeur (19 saves, SHO, 600th career W)
2. Zach Parise (goal, +2)
3. Danius Zubrus (two assists, +3)

For 40 minutes, nothing went right for the Rangers. Despite leading in shots 14-10 speaking to how little action there was, they trailed the Panthers 1-0. Playing their second consecutive game in 24 hours, they looked sluggish. Unable to mount anything against ex-Devil Scott Clemmensen, it looked like they’d emulate their season and get shutout in a must win situation. But before Clemmensen could entertain those thoughts, it all changed 18 seconds into the third thanks to Marc Staal. The suddenly evolving third-year defenseman’s spectacular end-to-end rush that resulted in his third straight game with a goal sparked his team to a big four-goal period en route to a come from behind 4-1 win over the Cats.

The biggest win of the season allowed them to pull into a tie in points (82) with the idle Flyers, who still are clinging to the final spot due to more wins. All eyes will be on Philly this afternoon versus Detroit on NBC. With Montreal blanking Buffalo 3-zip, they remained sixth with 86 points. Two better than a desperate Boston club that got two goals from Miro Satan, who turned back the clock by deflecting home the winner in a 2-1 overtime win over Toronto. The Bruins responded immediately to the Ranger comeback by pulling out a tough one at the ACC. Following a near miss from Mark Recchi, David Krejci won a draw back to Zdeno Chara, whose shot was put in by Satan.

If you didn’t catch the Ranger game, it’d be easy to mistake the score and think it was a piece of cake. Anyone who watched or even attended as the building was mostly Ranger fans speaking to how embarrassing it is that the Panthers still have a team- knows better. Nothing comes easy for our Blueshirts, who took a first period nap before awaking to beat the Islanders a few nights prior. We warned that it would probably be tough considering that Florida has a few players that usually show up against us. With that in mind, John Tortorella didn’t take any chances, opting to team Staal and Dan Girardi a second consecutive game against Panther top line Cory Stillman, Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton. After blanketing one of the best lines in St. Louis-Stamkos-Downie, the duo dominated by limiting them to only five combined shots and a minus-eight rating. Staal and Girardi each logged over 25 minutes, combining for a plus-five, five hits and six blocked shots including five from No.5 who almost became a Panther at the deadline. Sometimes, the trades you don’t make work out for the best, proving this blogger wrong.

While each had outstanding games, the Ranger offense was MIA due to a stingy Florida D that limited their chances by blocking shots and taking care of the neutral zone. Despite four less shots, they led on Keith Ballard’s eighth. A rocket through traffic that went off the crossbar and in just as Michal Rozsival’s minor penalty expired. The Czech mainstay who’s played well down the stretch, was off for a phantom hook that MSG’s cameras were unable to find. The refs called something behind the play. God knows what it was. Regardless, Rozsival’s undisciplined penalty hurt the Rangers, who to that point seemed incapable of mounting an attack.

Aside from the offensive struggles, the attention to detail wasn’t there with an early bench minor on another regrettable change. How many times can this happen? And we thought it was bad under Tom Renney. Aaron Voros got into an early scrap with Nick Tarnasky exchanging well before landing awkwardly. He had to be helped off the ice. However, proving his mettle, the People’s Champ would return and once again be instrumental. Friday, his sheer hustle got rewarded with just his second goal putting the exclamation point on a 5-0 rout of lifeless Tampa. In the fateful third, some more good Voros hustle led to the club’s third straight goal, allowing them to breathe easier. For a great team guy who’s only gotten into 37 games, he sure has made his presence known. Big tip of the hat to a guy we all wanted gone. Ever since Sean Avery went down, all he’s done is step up providing a huge lift.

Voros is far from alone as key pickups Brandon Prust and Jody Shelley continued their inspired play with Artem Anisimov. It was the trio’s hard work that led directly to Prust’s decider with 10:24 left. Before we get to that, some kudos for Henrik Lundqvist who not only was on his ‘A’ Game but made the lone pass to an attacking Staal who skated between the Florida D before surprising Clemmensen that got things started. Who ever would’ve pictured a Lundqvist pass actually leading to offense? And Staal ain’t exactly Brian Leetch. But if these three games don’t show what Marc’s capable of, I don’t know what to say. He’s always been a solid skater and now he’s leading the charge in all facets. If Kris Letang can get $3.5 million, what might Staalsie wind up with? Let’s forget that headache and just focus on now.

With the game knotted, Lundqvist came up with a few timely stops. Even if he didn’t have to make many, only turning aside 19 of 20, he was as good as can be in his 13th straight start and 21st in the last 22. Alex Auld won’t be seeing the net anytime soon with Henrik expected to go the distance. Four more to go which would give him a new career high in appearances (73) and match the most starts (72) in ’07-08. One can’t say enough about his professionalism. Win or lose, there’s not a classier guy in the league. And this is our MVP who quietly is putting together an outstanding fifth season. I get on him plenty but let’s give The King his due. Without him, we’d be dead last.

While Lundqvist took care of the crease, his teammates stepped up. More and more, you watch Prust, the more noticeable he is. How Calgary decided to include him with The Jokester for Ally and Higgs I’ll never comprehend. The guy is pure energy and wins so many battles. He’ll take on anyone, finish checks and outworks opponents. Now, he’s scoring big goals on what’s supposed to be our fourth line. Michael Del Zotto kept a puck alive and then threw it towards the net with both Shelley and Anisimov in front. Shelley got a piece of it allowing the puck to rebound out to Prust who snuck a backhand past Clemmensen to loud cheers from the Ranger fans.

“We weren’t happy with our first two periods. We were just average,” Prust said. “We were sitting on the bench and said, ‘Let’s get going.’ In the third period we were able to get in deep and do what we usually do, just kind of crash and bang and throw pucks to the net and it paid off.”

It injected more life with Voros, Marian Gaborik and Chris Drury combining for a second goal in 90 seconds. On a tremendous shift, Voros forced Weiss into a turnover at his blueline keeping the puck alive. His shot rebounded right to Drury, who deposited his 13th. The reaction by everyone was awesome. It’s amazing how a couple of injuries to key guys (Avery, Callahan) has changed the look of the roster. Now, there’s more grit and determination. Something they’ve lacked most of the season. The play of our fourth line, Voros and call-ups P.A. Parenteau, Anders Eriksson and Corey Locke can’t be understated. What an eye opener.

Prust would take a roughing minor but our PK did what it had all night blanking the Panthers in four chances. With a minute left, a patient Gaborik scored into an open net for his 41st. He’s two off his ’07-08 career high 43 but the second point of the night allowed him to match a career best also from that year with 83 points (41-42-83). Eighty-three in 72 games including grueling Olympics. Not bad. There’s still four big games left and you better believe the Rangers will need their most electrifying star since No.68 to come through.

“We knew the third period had to be our best,” Staal added. “We need the points, obviously, more than they do. We came out and had a great period and did it again. It was a big win.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Aaron Voros, NYR (assist, takeaway, fight, +1 in 11 shifts-5:44)
2nd Star-Brandon Prust, NYR (game-winner, 2 SOG, 2 hits in 20 shifts-13:32)
1st Star-Marc Staal/Dan Girardi, NYR (goal, 2 SOG, 5 hits, 6 blocked shots, +5 in 25+ Avg)

1. Martin Brodeur (26 saves, SHO)
2. Zach Parise (goal, assist, +1)
3. Danius Zubrus (goal, assist, +1)

In a few minutes, they’ll face it off in Sunrise when the Rangers take on the Panthers, who technically remain alive. Considering that the Cats have given us fits, John Tortorella’s club should know what to expect. Games there are never easy. Will Olli Jokinen come back to haunt his former team? Or will guys like Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton, Michal Frolik, Keith Ballard and Scott Clemmensen damage the Blueshirts’ chances?

As expected, Henrik Lundqvist is in again with the coach showing no indication he won’t ride his horse the rest of the way. Is he up to the challenge? So much for giving him more rest this season. The team would be nowhere close minus him and 40-goal man Marian Gaborik, who both need to deliver. Might the improved fourth line of Artie, Shelley and Prust provide another strong game? And what about the contributions they’ve gotten from P.A. Parenteau, Corey Locke and Anders Eriksson, who’s supplied steady experience teamed with Wade Redden while Matt Gilroy watches from the press box. Management which includes the Savior and Messiah both on the trip have to have noticed the injection of energy the Hartford call-ups have had. Especially minus Ryan Callahan and Sean Avery. And how could we leave out Aaron Voros, who all he does is provide a lift whenever on for a shift following so much time away. It’s a wonder he hasn’t played more. Nice to see him get rewarded the other night.

Is this the game Chris Drury steps up? They’ll need his leadership along with another strong 60-minute effort to come away with the all important two points. While that’s going on, they’ll also have an eye on Boston and Toronto. With Atlanta blowing a lead late in regulation to the Pens in falling 4-3 in overtime, the Rangers can leapfrog the Thrashers and tie the Flyers in points. But Philly has more wins. So, it very well may come down to those final two games.

They’re set to go. We’ll have more later.

After last night’s shootout loss to the Blackhawks, I noted that I couldn’t ever remember seeing a game where no penalties were called. Turns out that it was the first time in Devils history they’d ever played a game where the penalty sheet was blank and the first such game in the NHL since March 28, 2001 (more than nine years ago!) in a Boston road victory at Toronto. And that game was sixty minutes, not sixty-five to boot. Of course the refs were heading that way not calling a single penalty in the first forty-seven minutes of our game Tuesday night.

Anyway also one minor editor’s correction from last night, tonight’s game against Carolina is actually only the third straight time we’ve had to play them the night after a game – and only two of those prior games in the back-to-back were in New Jersey but the other was in Chicago which is just as bad anyway, going from Chicago to Carolina the night after. Of course in none of our home games against them the last two years did Carolina have a game the night before. Figures our only road win against them in that time came during the playoffs, where playing back-to-back in different cities usually isn’t on the program.

Although I certainly don’t expect a win tonight given the travel and devastating nature of last night’s game (where even Doc Emrick noted how this seems to happen a lot to the Devils in the last minute of games), if the Devils ever could beat the Canes in regulation that would all but eliminate them from the playoffs, in fact Boston getting a point in Toronto combined with a Devils regulation win would send the Canes home for the season once and for all. At least that would be a nice way to gain some momentum back for a stretch run that includes Ilya Kovalchuk‘s homecoming on Tuesday and a game in Florida Thursday before the back-to-back home games against the Islanders and Sabres the final weekend of the season.

As far as tonight’s lineup, Martin Brodeur is expected to play in goal all the way through, maybe Yann Danis will get one of the last two games depending on our position but right now these games are too important to mess around with. Granted I’m as big as anyone on resting Brodeur as much as possible and don’t feel the division in itself is important but there’s another complication to factor in – Ottawa’s closed to within four points of us for home-ice in the first round. While the difference between say, third and fourth is pretty negligible the difference between second and fifth could be playoff-changing. You’re talking about what could potentially be two home series against what likely would be none.

In spite of this team’s recent hiccups at home, things have been far worse on the road and for the most part this crowd is still behind the team, especially in terms of attendance given there’ve been seven sellouts in the last ten games at the Rock with two more possible to end the season. You wouldn’t know it based on reading message boards or my own blogs lately but there are still a lot of believers out there waiting to find something to cheer, or at least people who don’t take crushing losses as hard as some of us. And it is time for the Devils to give the crowd something to cheer in the new building, our home-ice advantage I think would be pronounced the deeper in the playoffs we get.

It would be nice to test that theory this April and May.