Battle Of Hudson

Proving that I have no life, we’ve reached 10,000 tweets. Though this really isn’t noteworthy compared to all the other stuff Hasan, myself and Brian do, just wanted to say it’s been a lot of fun getting to know other bloggers/fans who are as passionate as it gets when it comes to our beloved sport. Whether it’s fun banter, intense debates or just getting support from caring people, I have a huge appreciation for our hockey community. We may not always see eye to eye on our teams, players (Crosby/Ovechkin), etc. but that’s what makes us such a tight knit group. When things go badly for someone, we all pull together.

To those Tweeps who’ve given us extra love tonight, I will never have enough kind words. It means plenty! Thank you so much :). As far as what was said, I don’t like to get into that stuff. Greg Wyshynski is a friend/colleague who does an outstanding job with Puck Daddy. He has a lot more on his plate than we do here. Though I would like to expand. But we’re small potatoes.

I still haven’t gotten around to posting video from Mike Zippo’s Fire Sather Rally Sunday. I’m going to give a view later. Decided to wait because we were there and shook the man’s hand giving him his due even if the turnout wasn’t earth shattering. We’ve read pretty much every take thus far with Blueshirt Banter’s Joe Fortunato the best. If you haven’t already, go read it. Hopefully, I’ll give a respectful account that’s well thought out so our audience who didn’t attend has a better idea of the scene directly across from Madison Square Garden.

If anyone’s interested, we really could use an Islander blogger. I feel guilty because I’ve kinda lagged on the archrival which certainly isn’t intentional. They’ve been going through a tough time. With the playoffs looking more and more like a pipe dream, it’ll be interesting to see if John Tavares can get untracked again. The future of the franchise is minus a goal in 17 straight. It’d be nice to see JT91 finish strong. Look what it did for super soph Steven Stamkos, whose 40 markers have the Lightning finisher trailing only Sid and Ovie, who are tied for the league lead with 44 thanks to the Great Eight’s deuce in a 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas yesterday. Amazing when you consider how poorly he started his rookie year. Now, the recently turned 20 year-old Tampa ’08 No.1 overall pick’s got a shot at 50. Love to be a fly on Barry Melrose’s wall these days.

Well, this at least makes this post about hockey. Until next time.

Patrick Kaleta has nine goals. Over thirty-three percent have come at MSG. Both Sabre wins at the expense of the Rangers. This is what happens when you have a soft team. Pests like Kaleta burn you like in last night’s 2-1 overtime loss, celebrating all over our ice as if it were a Game Seven of the Conference Final.

“I don’t know, but I like it,” he said. “Some buildings you feel better than others.”

On a day highlighted by over 100 protesters across the street praying that Glen Sather gets fired (he’s not), reality sunk in. That this poorly constructed roster even still has a chance to qualify for a fifth consecutive postseason speaks to how pathetic the race for the final two Eastern spots are. At least the Habs showed guts fighting back from three down to stun Anaheim last night, steering a point ahead of the B’s into seventh three points clear of the Rangers. Boston’s 2-1 loss to the Pens that’s better known for the latest cheapshot by Matt Cooke kept them at 69 points down to eighth. Two clear of us and three better than Atlanta, who were stormed by the Canes 4-zip.

With hobbled Marian Gaborik playing a second straight after convincing John Tortorella to keep him in following an ineffective game in a shutout defeat to the Caps, the Rangers scored once finally breaking the latest 100-plus minute drought (149:30) to earn a point. How many long droughts is that? By our count, it’s at least three (probably four). And we don’t have Ally or Higgs to kick around anymore. At least Brandon Dubinsky found a way to score his career best 16th with 83 seconds left on a power play.  Ironically, I bought a No.17 Dubi tee downstairs.

For a game that was a total bore the first 50 minutes, it did pick up late. The goalie match-up between USA hero Ryan Miller and Swede Henrik Lundqvist materialized with both razor sharp throughout. After two periods in which the teams combined for 43 shots, it remained scoreless. While each took turns making saves, both defenses (seri-ous-ly) played well making life difficult. The tight checking affair lacked energy. A fight would’ve helped.

Following a lackluster second in which they only mustered half a dozen shots, the Blueshirts peppered Miller with 14 in the third. To their credit, many were high quality forcing the Buffalo netminder to make a few sprawling stops from in tight. That included some close calls with the inept hosts unable to score into an open net. A theme all season… Even when it looked like Dubinsky had scored after a great play by Chris Drury, who played superbly against his ex-team- the apparent goal was waived off due to an offside nobody heard. True enough, I was headed back to our seats when I caught it along with a fan giving it to the Buffalo contingent screaming, “Miller Time,” at them.

The way everyone celebrated, I figured we led. But when I got back to my seat, they were discussing how it would probably wind up a “double shutout.” Just as that was uttered, the Sabres scored. Friday hero Adam Mair was allowed to steer home a Derek Roy pass from in front breaking the scoreless tie with 5:57 left. Thomas Vanek added a secondary assist. At that predictable moment, it seemed our team was destined to be blanked again. At least by arguably the best goalie who emulated his Olympic MVP performance. Miller also got help from the post when Sean Avery had him beat. Instead, it remained 1-0 until a flying Ryan Callahan got a step on Jochen Hecht forcing him to take a penalty. At the play’s conclusion, a diving Miller stoned Cally.

It was left to the power play. After plenty of passes that had the crowd antsy, Mike Del Zotto’s low shot rebounded out to Dubinsky, who got leveled by a Sabre yet still managed to get his stick on it for the equalizer with 1:23 remaining. We were already standing anticipating the worst. It was nice to see them come through. Especially Dubi, who had a forgettable game in D.C. Since being shifted to the wing, the third-year forward is playing with more edge. For a guy who does drive us nuts, the 23 year-old former ’06 second round pick is putting together a nice year. Despite missing 13 games, his 16 goals are a career high suddenly having him in line for 20. Something I always believed he was capable of. He’s finishing more with goals in three of four and four of the last six. If they do keep him, Dubinsky must remain on the wing where he can use his size and speed. Let him work with Adam Graves, who knows a thing or two about scoring garbage goals.

In OT, both teams went for it. Lundqvist denied Tim Connolly twice off the faceoff. The Rangers’ chance must’ve deflected wide because they weren’t credited with a shot while Buffalo had five. Just the way each club played, you could tell it was going to end the proper way. Finally, off a mad scramble Kaleta came from behind the net and stuffed the puck past Lundqvist before doing his theatrics as teammates mobbed him. The decider came at 2:22 from Steve Montador and Craig Rivet.

“He [Kaleta] has a trademark thing going now,” Miller noted after finishing with 35 saves in upping his record to 32-15-7 with a 2.13 GAA and .932 save percentage. “He’s done it a few times in Madison Square Garden. I’m sure the fans here aren’t loving it too much, but we’re having fun with it.”

After coming up on the short end despite 30 stops, Lundqvist pointed out: 

“I knew I was in trouble…was hoping for one of our players to take (Kaleta) out.“

If only that were the case. Another hard luck loss in which his team couldn’t provide enough support. The Rangers have 16 games left and trail Boston by two with two less to play. Perhaps Callahan summed it up best.

“We have to figure out how to get 2 points at home in order to make the playoffs.”

3rd Star-Patrick Kaleta, Buf (OT winner at 2:22-3rd goal in 2 games at MSG)
2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (30 saves incl.9/9 in 2nd)
1st Star-Ryan Miller, Buf (35 saves incl.13/14 in 3rd)

The moment has finally arrived. Well, not the one we really dream of. You know. No more Dolanvi$ion milking ’94 for all its worth while handing out cushy jobs to Rangers alumni to celebrate the past. Ahh. But I digress.

Today, you can be part of the first ever organized Fire Sather Rally. At 5 PM this afternoon on the East side of 7th Avenue between 31st and 32nd, many Ranger fans will come together for a worthy cause. One which probably won’t ever come to fruition due to Jazzy Jim’s mancrush for a senile GM who rode the coat tails of Gretzky and Messier. One who once stated that if he ran this franchise with unlimited cash, he’d win a Cup. Well, a decade later the Slats Era Error has been to the postseason four times advancing past Round One twice.

At the moment, there are 1,230 confirmed for today’s extravaganza on a wonderful March Sunday afternoon in NYC. This is for the arrogance of a man that disrespects the jersey. Especially the loyal Garden Faithful. A man who destroyed our cap thanks to actually still believing Wade “Tinman” Redden was good. Tragically, he probably still does. The Michal Rozsival contract doesn’t help. Neither did overpaying for Chris Drury. While it’s easy to site more Sather fallacies, the biggest of all was the ultimate disrespect he showed Brian Leetch, not even having the guts to ask him before trading No.2, who’ll always be No.1 in our Blue hearts. This is what you get from someone who thinks he invented hockey.

In two hours, the protest will get underway. Full credit to Mike Zippo for orchestrating this monstrosity. As a long-time Ranger fan, I ask that we all behave properly. Mr. Zippo has encouraged us to keep it clean/respectable. I echo those sentiments. Let’s show everyone what makes New Yorkers so special. Be loud but be smart. And have fun.

The Rangers play their third game in five days since the break. With a fourth in six tomorrow versus Buffalo, waiver pickup Alex Auld gets the call giving Henrik Lundqvist a rare day off. It’s a tall order as the well traveled 29 year-old vet who’s now with his seventh team (Van, Fla, Bos, Phx, Ott, Dal, NYR) has to deal with Alexander Ovechkin and the rest of the explosive East-leading Caps.

This should be fun. A team that boasts Ovie, the most underrated superstar in the game Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, Mike Knuble, Mike Green, Tom “Orr” Poti, Brooks Laich and Tomas Fleischmann usually gives us fits. Take the wild 6-5 loss a month ago. A game the Rangers led 2-1 and 5-3 before wilting. That also was Olli Jokinen’s Ranger debut if memory serves correctly. He had a goal and assist. Since the club acquired him and Brandon Prust from Calgary for rejects Chris Higgins and Ales Kotalik, the Jokester has tallied two goals and five assists over seven games which the Blueshirts have gone 4-2-1 in.

Not bad. By comparison, the Devils are 3-4-1 since acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk (3-5-8) and Anssi Salmela (1-2-3) However, there’s a huge difference with the Devs as usual ahead of the Rangers in the standings and a virtual postseason lock depsite their slump. Meanwhile, an inconsistent team that can be dictated to in its end as was the case the other night (55:16) will continue to struggle just to qualify for the Spring a fifth straight time. Hard to believe. They’re currently tied with Atlanta and Montreal for the final spot but rank ninth due to more games played than the eighth Thrashers who visit Tampa Bay tonight. Oddly enough, Hotlanta has been fine without Kovy losing just once in regulation (4-1-2) while Niclas Bergfors (4-2-6) and Johnny Oduya (0-3-3, +4) have been fine.

None of that bodes well for the Rangers who at least get back Marian Gaborik (groin). How effective he’ll be remains to be seen. They should be careful in terms of overplaying their meal ticket. This isn’t exactly a Cup contender. That should be taken into account. Facing the Caps in the nation’s capital might be a nightmare. Especially since they were very active at the deadline adding Joe Corvo, Eric Belanger, Scott Walker and reacquiring Milan Jurcina to further bolster the roster. Figure Ovechkin to be fired up with rival Sidney Crosby surpassing him in the goalscoring race with two today (43, 44). In other words, yikes.

We’ll see what the Rangers come up with.

Something needed to change for Lindy Ruff’s club, who continued to struggle dropping the first two games out of the break. That was until last night where the Sabres showed some composure in a hard fought 3-2 overtime home win over the Flyers. Twice they responded to one goal deficits before OT hero Tim Connolly atoned for a mistake completing the comeback.

To their credit, Philadelphia played well using an aggressive forecheck to make life difficult on Buffalo. After a scoreless first, the guests got on the board first when Simon Gagne finished off his 10th set up by Lukas Krajicek, who went around a Sabre forward to find the Flyer scorer. Gagne got inside position on rookie Tyler Myers in front.

But with the Flyers looking to increase the lead, the Sabres got a spark from slumping finisher Thomas Vanek. who netted an unlikely one for his 19th. Off an Adam Mair dump in from center ice, an attacking Vanek caught Michael Leighton out of position. He wisely threw the puck at the net which caromed off Leighton and in to tie it 2:13 later. A good hustle play from the Sabres’ most gifted forward who’ll need to ramp it up the rest of the way. Particularly this Spring.

Despite some good pressure from Philly, who outshot Buffalo 10-6 in the stanza, the game remained knotted thanks to Olympic MVP Ryan Miller making a few key saves. In his second start post Winter Games, the Vezina candidate was solid turning aside 27 of 29.

The third was topsy turvy with both clubs trading chances making it a fun watch. Each netminder was strong with Leighton stoning a couple of Sabres from in tight while Miller kept the Flyers at bay. However, a Connolly miscue almost proved costly. The centerman’s blind giveaway inside his blueline allowed an opportunistic Mike Richards to break in clean and beat Miller, going to the backhand top shelf for a 2-1 lead with 8:51 left.

Just when it seemed the Flyers would ride it to a ‘W,’ they came undone in their own end allowing Mair to tie it. A sloppy Matt Carle pass near his net resulted in Mike Grier stealing and setting up Mair, who snuck a backhand past Leighton for the equalizer less than three minutes later. It would remain tied at the end of regulation.

During the four-on-four, it was the HSBC hosts wearing the dark blue and gold jerseys who earned the big extra point. Thanks to a solid forecheck that saw pinching defenseman Andrej Sekera keep a play alive, deadline pickup Raffi Torres retrieved a loose puck and fed Toni Lydman at the left point. Lydman quickly fired a low shot that rebounded right to Connolly who buried it for just the Sabres’ second win in 10 (2-6-2). It came at a good time moving Buffalo back into first a point up on Ottawa, who’s dropped their first two since returning. They’ll look to end the skid when they play host to nemesis Toronto in tonight’s Hockey Night In Canada feature.

“It was tough but when I got back to the bench, a lot of the guys told me not to worry about it, go out there and we’ll get one back,” Connolly said of his gaffe which he made up for. “Mair was able to get one back quick, and that gives you a little boost.”

“If we keep playing like that, we’re going to have some leads and we’re going to be back to the way we need to be playing,” added Miller of an effort which was just what they needed.

Notes: Vanek’s goal gave him 300 career points. … Leighton finished with 32 saves suffering the hard luck loss. … Buffalo held leading Flyer finisher Jeff Carter off the score sheet, snapping his six-game goal streak. The right wing finished minus-one with four shots in his 277th consecutive game, surpassing former Flyer captain Bobby Clarke for third longest iron man streak in franchise history. … With a goal and helper, Connolly raised his career best season to 42 assists and 57 points, pacing the club. It helps that he’s played in all 63 games. … F Drew Stafford left the game in the first with an injury playing only 4:33.

… The game was a milestone for Ruff, who moved into third place all-time for most games (965) coached with one team. It was his 471st win- the fourth most for one franchise. … Buffalo (34-20-9, 76 Pts) pays a visit to Rangers (29-27-8, 66 Pts) tomorrow night. They should be a little weary after taking on conference leader Washington in the nation’s capital later. Recently claimed Alex Auld will get the nod while Marian Gaborik rushes back from a groin injury.

3rd Star-Mike Richards, Phi (26th of season, +1 in 20:34)
2nd Star-Michael Leighton, Phi (32 saves)
1st Star-Adam Mair, Buf (goal, assist, 3 SOG in 15:02)

When you get outshot 55-16 on home ice, I don’t care who you are. You deserve to lose! That was the sad lesson a poorly constructed Ranger roster learned tonight in actually blowing a 4-2 lead to the Crosby Pens for a crushing 5-4 overtime loss.

There are no silver linings. Not any Kenny Albert! You’re our radio broadcaster but don’t undermine a frustrated fanbase by accentuating positives. “Well, they beat Ottawa and got a big point against Pittsburgh.” You gotta be joking. Nobody wants to hear that Jazzy Jim nonsense. Loser mentality. That’s why we’ll never win as long as that clown is involved. That goes for the other laughingstock as well. Have fun chasing the LeBron tooth fairy after you got pissed on literally.

Truth be told, it wasn’t a bad game. Not when our guys got in Crosby’s face flustering him the first two periods. That early shift where Brandon Dubinsky got in his face along with Henrik Lundqvist was great stuff. Heck. He even took an undisciplined penalty that led to Dubinsky’s career best 15th on the power play, steering the Rangers in front by a pair. At one point, the MSG hosts went from 2-1 down to scoring three straight, giving the building life. Partially due to Marc-Andre Fleury being a sieve. He allowed four goals on 12 shots, giving up a couple of softies to Artem Anisimov (left circle) and the Dubinsky right circle blast which caromed off the post and the discheveled Pens’ netminder. Even Michal Rozsival’s go-ahead tally off a beautifully executed three-on-two with Vinny Prospal and Olli Jokinen was from a tough angle. Though it was a halitzer that popped the water bottle. Not bad for a guy who never hits the net. Both his goals have come versus his ex-team 38 games apart.

It was finally Dubi’s which ended Fleury’s night. A wise decision by Dan Bylsma that sparked his team. It’s not like they were playing poorly. They had outshot the Rangers like 29 or 30-12 but trailed by two because the hosts were opportunistic without leading scorer Marian Gaborik. Anisimov’s 10th came only 2:17 in off a simple wrist shot. But two consecutive penalties got them in trouble with the Pens finally cashing in at the end of a 5-on-3 when Chris Kunitz rebounded home a Sergei Gonchar shot that deflected off Jordan Staal right to him. Staal got another bounce when his backhand went in off a Ranger skate for a 2-1 lead. The goal was made possible by an absolutely brutal Sean Avery turnover. Instead of shooting, he overpassed allowing Staal to come the other way. .

Before you knew it, shots were 13-3. Despite the territorial edge, they couldn’t widen the gap. Instead, a Brooks Orpik trip put the Blueshirts on the power play. Right after a break in which an announcement on the scoreboard congratulated all the Olympians with plenty of boos for Crosby, Chris Drury appropriately scored a Drury-type goal from in front. With his back to Fleury, he got to a Mike Del Zotto rebound and backhanded his 11th in from his knees. Jokinen added the first of two helpers. For Drury, who’s struggled all season to find the touch, it was nice to see because he played his butt off- helping Team USA earn silver along with Ryan Callahan. Hopefully, we’ll see more from the captain down the stretch.

The feistiness continued with Callahan taking exception to a Evgeni Malkin late shot as the buzzer sounded, leading to another get together with a childish slash from Geno while Cally went back at him. Each received matching minors. The second started with wide open four-on-four which figured to favor the more skilled guests. But after Lundqvist denied a couple of pointblank chances including a sharp kickout of a low Crosby shot, the Rangers came the other way and scored thanks to splendid passing from Jokinen and Prospal to a cutting Rozsival, who went upstairs on Fleury 2:03 in for a 3-2 lead. Momentum continued when a frustrated Sid The Kid took a bad high sticking penalty. Following a couple of close calls shorthanded by Staal, the Rangers connected when Dubinsky took a Rozsival pass and fired his 15th which caromed off the post and Fleury, finally chasing him.

So, how did the Rangers treat Brent Johnson? Well, after he looked awfully shaky on a long high shot that went over his net, they barely tested him, registering only four shots the rest of the way. That included OT! Embarrassing. A journeyman goalie best known for a playoff record three straight shutouts with the Blues was treated with more respect than Martin Brodeur. This was brutal. Johnson may as well have been on vacation in a rocking chair with bikini-clad women bringing him drinks. Unbelievable. Instead, they decided to get cute. One of this team’s problems has been overpassing. It reared its ugly head again when Prospal opted to try a low percentage centering feed which caromed off the boards, allowing the Pens to rush the other way and score. Why not a simple sharp angle tester? Maybe Johnson lets out a rebound. Well, they got what they deserved with Crosby setting up Ranger killer Mike Rupp on a two-on-one. One Lundqvist admittedly wished he had. What is it about that slug? He had a hat trick on us too. Disgusting.

Predictably, the big goal allowed the Pens to stay within one and then absolutely humiliate the Rangers in an uncompetitive third in which SOG were 19-1!!!!! How is that possible? I know the Pens are in a different league than us. But hell-o! On your own home ice. To get that thoroughly outplayed is path—et—ic!   

Lundqvist- who finished with a career high 50 saves- did everything possible to try to steal it. He made unreal saves including an amazing glove off a Malkin laser labeled. The stuff you dream of. Sadly, his teammates couldn’t take the pressure off. Oh. They tried but just couldn’t clear the zone to save their life. A Ranger trademark. And when they did reach center ice, nobody was good enough to get the puck deep and make the Pens come 200 feet. Eventually, the much more talented team got it tied when another bad break went against Lundqvist. This time, an Alex Goligoski pass from a far left angle went off a Ranger and in. Crosby was in the vicinity but never touched it. It didn’t matter. The game was over. As soon as that clown Larry danced with five and a half left, I picked up and headed down. He’s such a jinx. They get scored on or lose so much whenever they show him. That’s the Rangers. Anything but WINNING.

The game went to OT and in it, came a gift of a call when they deemed Wade Redden’s hook in the neutral zone enough to hand the Pens the game. An absolutely horrific call by programmed refs who probably wanted to help Pitt win. I don’t take any satisfaction in saying that but that’s how it felt. Tried as they did and oh. Drury or Callahan, Staal and either Rozsival or Dan Girardi gave it everything. It wasn’t enough because eventually a seeing eye Malkin shot was redirected home by Staal for the predictable winner with 78 seconds left.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 5 Rangers 4 SOG: 55-16 including 40-8 final 43:42…but they got a point…Exposed.

3rd Star-Chris Drury, NYR (11th of season-PPG)
2nd Star-Jordan Staal, Pit (2 goals incl.OT winner plus assist)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (career high 50 saves incl.37 of last 40)

We’ll be on hosting a special Battle Of New York show centering around today’s record-setting deadline that saw the most deals ever consumated. Even if none were particularly earth shattering, there are still winners and losers. I’ll review that as well as some of the prior deals before the break that could impact things the rest of the way. Plus some discussion on the memorable gold medal game between the USA and Canada. 

Deadline Day Show

Call-in No: 646-652-2543