Battle Of Hudson

Any Ranger fan can tell you who the real leader of this team is. In what’s been the most challenging stretch of his career, Henrik Lundqvist manned up after yesterday’s no show, taking everyone to task. In backstopping the Rangers to a badly needed 5-2 win over the Islanders in the Coliseum rematch, it was the King who stepped up, finishing with 35 saves- finally snapping the team’s five-game winless streak (0-3-2).   On an emotional day that began with a shouting match between healthy scratch Wade Redden and coach John Tortorella, the Rangers got back in the win column thanks to Lundqvist’s heroics that included 14 saves in a lopsided first period that saw the host Islanders do everything but finish.

“It is late December and the important thing is for us to become a team and play as a team and play for one another,” a relieved Tortorella said. “I don’t think we’ve gotten there yet.”

Much like last night, they dominated early, outshooting their bitter rival 14-4. The trouble was Henrik wasn’t cooperating, stopping the Isles in their tracks. Aided by the game’s first two power plays, they built an early 9-zip edge. But a razor sharp Lundqvist wouldn’t allow them to get a lead, flat out robbing Rob Schremp with a great leg save. It set the tone for the rest of the night in which his teammates eventually relaxed, even scoring twice in the troublesome first.

The entire first half of the stanza saw the common theme of the Islanders playing solid D while attacking at every opportunity. However, a Mark Streit holding minor handed the Rangers a power play. Though they took the collar in two chances at MSG, the PP had shown some life. A resurgent Ryan Callahan opened the scoring when he buried a Marian Gaborik feed in front with 6:24 left to give his team the lead. At that point, the Islanders held a 12-2 SOG edge but were behind. Amazingly, the Rangers came out with a two-goal lead when a stunning event took place.

Invisible captain Chris Drury– who many including us wanted made an example of along with a furious Tinman- actually showed a pulse by doing something he hadn’t done since Oct.19 when things were much better. Yes, he scored a goal. The play was started by Michal Rozsival, who justified Tortorella’s faith in him by playing by far his best game of the season. The much maligned defenseman who’s the only one along with Lundqvist left from the 2005-06 post lockout team, made a great outlet to setup a two-on-one. Sean Avery’s low shot rebounded off Dwayne Roloson right to Drury, who deposited it for just his third 4:50 later, emphatically pumping his fist in a rare show of emotion. At that point, I looked at my Dad and knew they were winning. Even if my brother wanted them to lose to see if the rumor of Slats getting the hook was true. Something I never bought anyway. Especially with the holiday roster freeze.

“It’s happened a lot of times in this building. They come out flying and we have a tough time settling in,” Lundqvist pointed out. “It was important for me personally, and for the team, to stay in there. I don’t know how we had the lead after the first period, but we did.”

Despite three penalties including an undisciplined bench minor which they killed off thanks in large part to Lundqvist, the Rangers led by two into what had to be a much calmer locker room. They had to know they were fortunate to be up. As both astute Islander ‘casters Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe alluded to, their team could easily have been up 2 or 3-0. But not today thanks to the goalie, who played like a true captain. His big saves allowed teammates to gain confidence. With them still on a man-advantage, Callahan got his second only 27 seconds in when he took a Gaborik feed and came out of the corner untouched to stuff one past Roloson. It was his fourth in four games and fifth of the month. If there has been one positive, the alternate captain had been steadily improving. Now, he’s getting rewarded and actually is up to nine goals. Second behind the Great Gabby.

Trailing by three, the Islanders didn’t quit getting one back from Andrew MacDonald, who took a Streit pass and beat Lundqvist high glove for his first career NHL goal, slicing it to 3-1 with still more than half left. But in another good period in which they outshot the Rangers 14-12, the home club couldn’t draw any nearer due to the goalie, who was at his best in the late minutes of the second, highlighted by a nice sliding stop of a Trent Hunter tip try from in front. This is what hadn’t been happening during this stretch. But it also had to feel nice to actually have three goals on the scoreboard for just the fifth time in the last month.

The Rangers also played with more edge, making Islanders pay for coming near their meal ticket with even Rozsival getting involved. A refreshing change. Dan Girardi threw his weight around nailing Isles every chance he got and even Drury had a good clean hit. The ruggedness led to a five-on-three early in the third which they cashed. Already on the PP, after Lundqvist had closed the door on a Blake Comeau shorthanded bid, there was pushing and shoving. Frans Nielsen didn’t like that Rozsival and Vinny Prospal shoved him away from Lundqvist, coming back with a punch with his glove on. It led to a scrum which resulted in one more Islander in the box. Though Rose and Jaffe had a point about how three Isles wound up in against two Rangers with Prospal somehow not while Mike Del Zotto was (huh), the original was going to Nielsen, which is why they came out ahead. On the ensuing PP, Prospal dished across for Gaborik, who buried his league-leading 24th, restoring a three-goal lead. Callahan drew an assist.

Finally in control, the Rangers added one more for insult when rookie Artie Anisimov abused Freddy Meyer and John Tavares for his first goal since Nov.23. The lanky Russian had fallen out of favor and been relegated to fourth line status. But all night, he played hard and finally got rewarded. Off a play started by Girardi, Anisimov took a Callahan drop pass and then went around Meyer powering his way toward the net before stuffing the puck past Roloson with Tavares in the background. A similar highlight reel goal to the two he scored in preseason versus Boston and Detroit. Amazingly, his six markers tie him with Prospal and deserving scratch Ales Kotalik for third most. Makes one wonder what he could do with more minutes.

“We played well, but Lundqvist obviously had one of his better games,” a disappointed Tavares lamented after being held off the score sheet. “We played hard. It’s a little frustrating because this one we thought we could’ve had.”

To the Islanders’ credit, they didn’t give up. A nifty Nielsen redirect of an Andy Sutton shot got them within 5-2 with 4:46 remaining. Despite some solid pressure, it was as close as they got thanks to the game’s First Star. Lundqvist. The passionate man who deserves the ‘C.’

3rd Star-Michal Rozsival, NYR (2 assists, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots, takeaway, +1 in game best 26:37)
2nd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (2-2-4, 1st career four-pt game, 4 SOG in 20:26)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (35 saves incl.14/14 in 1st, 27/28 1st 40 minutes)

For once, a Ranger coach is following up words with action. Whether it’s enough of a message remains to be seen for tonight’s Islander rematch at The Coliseum. John Tortorella has made examples of Ales Kotalik and Wade “Tinman” Redden, who both are scratched. In their place will be Erik Christensen and rookie D Bobby Sanguinetti, who actually gets to play and not waste away in this three in four stretch. Does this mean actual ice-time for Heineken? We can only hope.

I’m only wondering why Michal Rozsival and Captain Titanic get a pass. Though you could argue that Wozy actually played harder the past couple of games, earning more ice-time than Tinman. But has he really been worse? Rozsival has sucked this season while Redden improved before missing time. So, you actually have to ask if he’s justified in being upset by this move. Regardless, close pal Joe McDonald informs us that MSG Ranger producer Joe Whelan overheard Tort chewing out Tinman during the morning skate.

Did You Know? Kotalik was a good tennis player who nearly went pro. If only he had. Don’t worry. He’s signed for three years at $3 M per with a no-trade. Pure genius.

Still not buying that Slats rumor. Even if true, they’d probably win to spoil it.

If there’s one thing we admire about Ranger coach John Tortorella, it’s that he really cares. With his team going through the motions during yet another loss- this time 2-1 to the hated Islanders, the fiery coach predictably lost it in the MSG postgame press conference.

On the dreadful first period that saw his team outshot 10-3:

“Absolutely unacceptable. I have no explanation for how we started. I wish I could give you one.”

On the Islander fluky goal which they got off hard work:

“That we don’t get.. It’s horse [crap] coverage around the corners. He just brings it around the net and it’s a fluky goal, but we don’t get them.”

What must be done?

“I’ll tell you right now, the thing that’s unacceptable about tonight’s game- and we’re trying to stay positive around here, trying to work out way through it- but when we play like [garbage] like that for 20 minutes, in a game like this, in a back-to-back situation, it’s unacceptable. … it is simply unacceptable. And there has to be something done. We’ll see, along the way here, before tomorrow night’s game, where we go with it. It’s simply unacceptable how we start that game. I wish I could give you a ____ explanation for it. I can’t.”

There you have it. The question heading into tonight’s rematch over on The Meadowbrook is will Tort back up his strong words? Larry Brooks had a couple of good write ups in today’s Post, including one on how the coach must take action. Make examples of underachieving veterans not earning their keep (Drury, Kotalik, Redden, Rozsival). Bobby Sanguinetti is available for the next two games. If he doesn’t, then he’s just as soft as previous coaches here. With the team going through its worst stretch (17 losses in last 21) since pre-lockout, the coach’s ass is on the line. Even if it doesn’t seem fair, when a team continues to lose, that’s what usually happens.

It’s not all Tortorella’s fault. Glen Sather set him up to fail. Same theme that finally cost Tom Renney his job. However, the former Lightning Cup winning coach did have a say in the current roster, opting to let key parts like Blair Betts and Freddy Sjostrom go for what’s become no fourth line. Did he really want Enver Lisin for Lauri Korpikoski? And what of the deadline deal that got us Derek Morris for Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha? Both of whom have found themselves. Was it worth it? There’s also the line inconsistencies which probably have his own personnel confused. If Artem Anisimov is not going to get decent minutes, send him down. It’s not good for his confidence.

There’s also the matter of when Henrik Lundqvist will ever get a night off. On a team that’s scored two-or-less in 17 of the last 21, he’s feeling the pressure. How else to explain some of the clunkers he’s permitted? When you have so little support, it tightens the noose. It’s clearly getting to him. For all our criticism of Henrik, at least he cares. The man always is accountable and last night, took the entire team to task including himself. Maybe they’re right. Perhaps it’s our goalie who’s the real leader of the room. Why not strip Drury? Of course, goalies usually aren’t captains but Roberto Luongo is in Vancouver. On a roster that’s had plenty of turnover, Lundqvist has been a constant since the lockout, putting the franchise back on the map. When he talks, people listen. It sure couldn’t hurt.

So, what can we expect later? I don’t know. It would at least be refreshing to see the Blueshirts wear the jersey with pride and push back against the Islanders, who always bring it in these games. Even if it’s lost some of its luster as was evidenced by the lack of passion in the stands, it still means something. Their season is hanging by a thread with it not getting easier this weekend when they visit Philly. Have they given up entirely or will they show some life?

Regarding the rumor on Boomer and Carton that if they lose again, Slats will lose his job. Until there’s some credence in other reliable places, we don’t buy it. Even if he finally does get the ax, does any Ranger fan really think an inexperienced Mark Messier would be a suitable replacement? He’s become just another suit. The Good Old Boys Club never works. If he’s hired, then you know who’s calling the shots.

1. Patrik Elias (goal, +1)
2. Travis Moen (goal, +1)
3. Illka Pikkaranen (goal)

After tonight, I’ve had enough. A classic rivalry it wasn’t, lacking in intensity on the ice from our flat team and in the stands where I didn’t see one fight or heated debate between Ranger and Islander fans. Perhaps that’s cause anyone wearing our jersey held their head in shame. I can honestly say this is one of the worst games I’ve ever attended and am embarrassed to root for this team.

There’s zero pride. With only one shot in the first 17 minutes, the players showed that they don’t care. To think I actually went in more optimistic than my brother, who didn’t have any juice for it which isn’t like him. He’s usually more enthusiastic. The feeling at least for me was that off the last two games, the Rangers would actually come out and play well against their most bitter rival. Instead, it was not hockey. Oh. One team competed, forechecking with vigor and attacking at will against our putrid D, which looked like they’d never played organized hockey. Or as much as I have. They were dreadful.

Once another garbage player (Jon Sim) banked one in off Henrik Lundqvist, who obviously wasn’t paying attention, it didn’t take long for fans to turn on the club. The first “Fire Sather” chants of the season came from our Section 411, gaining steam as this debacle went on. Sadly, the Berkeley Carroll girls varsity blowout win we scored in Park Slope had more energy. And it wasn’t exactly a barn burner.

The most interesting aspect of going wasn’t what was happening on the ice but rather a lengthy chat with an anonymous Garden employee, who’s been there 19 years. They talked about how disgusted they were with how the World’s Most Shameless arena is run, going into how Dolan destroyed the place and the three franchises. Yes. That includes the Liberty too. According to what they described, it used to be that every MSG employee was happy and getting paid handsomely. But the way its run these days has taken a toll. That’s what happens when it goes corporate. I got a little taste of some of the stench between periods, where a scummy loser disagreed that the game was over. They probably couldn’t name one player on the roster.
Also worth noting is how they went out of their way to trash Bettman for ruining the game. And like yours truly, they concurred that the lockout, which others blindly praise solely for the cap was a hoax because it just fattened owners’ pockets while real fans are routinely shafted these days. It didn’t take long for the convo to reach the whole renovation, which will once again phase out diehards. Right now, it’s nearly 40 bucks to sit in nosebleeds for a sad sack team that has quit on the coach, who’s out to lunch. How else do you explain Huggy Bear seeing second line duty down a goal? Wow.

I hate to say it. But when Dolan’s dream is completed, the Garden will become one of the lamest places because they want losers there who couldn’t tell the difference between a puck and a basketball. That’s who it’s geared towards. The suits and leggy Ford Models who get the royal treatment. At least Melissa Joan Hart was sitting downstairs. Sabrina Teenage Witch will always be one of our faves. Still looks great for being a Mom. I might have been the only one to cheer but hey, I have good taste.

By the 11 minute mark of period three, I’d had enough. I kept hoping for a whistle so I could just get up and leave because it was that bad. Full marks to the Isles, who played the way one expected. Like they wanted to get their second win in the last six to move two points up on our sinking ship. At 1-zip, I knew they weren’t winning. The players couldn’t test Dwayne Roloson at all, turning the Islander D into the Devils. Every Islander hustled, sacrificing to block shots and make it tough on our guys. By the time I got to the car, it was 2-1 with Blake Comeau supposedly victimizing Lundqvist before Enver Lisin actually did something, snapping the shutout. It didn’t matter. This team is every bad adjective I can think of. Some which I can’t post in this space. It’s not worth it anyway.

As I left the building, I decided I don’t want to go anymore. If we can sell my seat for next week’s Islander game after Christmas and so forth, great. I’ll go if I really have to. Let’s put it this way. This Ranger team doesn’t deserve any support. If we can make money back on this despicable product, no prob. I can catch the games on the tube with usual rose colored Red, White and Blue coming out of the brainwashed announcers. That’s what you’re dealing with. Bottom line. If my tix sell, I won’t be at another hockey game the rest of the season. My stance is simple. Until there are serious changes, I won’t voluntarily go. Am considering supporting the alma mater St. John’s who takes on Hofstra in an all city ECAC showdown this weekend. Haven’t seen the Johnnies in ages. And they’re off to a nice start. Granted. Not against stellar comp but still encouraged.

I’ve seen plenty of hockey games anyway. Tonight wasn’t one. The buck stops here!

3rd Star-Blake Comeau, NYI (GWG-2nd goal of season, 3 SOG, +1 in 13:19)
2nd Star-Jon Sim, NYI (goal, 5 SOG, +1 in 11:20)
1st Star-Dwayne Roloson, NYI (25 saves)

‘Tis the holiday season. If you’re a metro area fan, then you’re in for a real treat over the next 48 hours. One of the best rivalries renews as the Islanders and Rangers get together for a classic home-and-home series, which starts tonight at MSG with the rematch at The Coliseum tomorrow night.

Both clubs are struggling with the Rangers losers of seven of eight and the Islanders entering having dropped four of five, including a 7-1 home shellacking at the hands of Florida. Ironically, each New York team are virtually tied in a crowded East with 31 points, joining the Flyers, Maple Leafs and Bolts a couple of points behind Montreal and Florida. So, there’s plenty at stake when the puck drops. It’ll be games 2 and 3 of the six-game season series. The Isles prevailed in the first one 3-1 back on Oct.28 with prize rookie John Tavares finishing off the big win off the Meadowbrook. Dwayne Roloson made 34 stops. How ironic. It was a hint of things to come for the Blueshirts, who have scored two or less 16 of the past 20. Part of the reason for a dreadful slump. Even when they play well as was the case the other night and Saturday, it’s not enough.

Who wants it more? Well, these games are certainly important as is this holiday stretch because if one continues the downward spiral, they could play themselves out of the race. We’ll be in our Sec.411 Row F seats wearing a blue Ranger Sundstrom. Come by.

Apparently, the Flyers forgot to set their alarm clocks for 7 against Sid The Kid, Geno and those fancy Penguins at Mellon Arena. What an awful performance and on Versus no less. The Cheesesteaks got trounced 6-1 with Crosby notching a goal and two helpers while both Malkin and Jordan Staal scored shorthanded, including Geno’s exclamation point with 1:21 left. On the play, three Flyers backed up and watched Malkin victimize poor netminder Brian Boucher.

This ain’t the hockey we’re used to from Broad Street. Of course, we missed a wild first that featured four goals (3-1 Pit) and three scraps. Oh darn. But we did painfully watch a lifeless Philly team allow the talented Pens to do whatever they wanted. Sadly, Boucher held them in most of the second until a brutal sequence that saw Scott Hartnell pass on a shot from the slot, turning it over which allowed Pitt to comeback the other way. Staal rebounded home a Kris Letang shot, making it 4-1 with 15 seconds remaining. Against a team with shaky confidence, it was over. Hartnell also later took a very unnecessary minor penalty which Darren Eliot chewed him out for. That’s when you know it’s bad cause he doesn’t go out of his way too often.

The Pens added two more in an uncompetitive third. That both were highlight variety had something to do with the pedestrian Flyer D which kept backing up, allowing for Malkin to make a perfect drop to Ruslan Fedotenko, who rifled one home. And then there was the electrifying Conn Smythe winner abusing a trio of Flyers before firing a perfect laser past Boucher shortside. It could easily have been 9 or 10. What happened to the big bad Philly D led by Chris Pronger? And why was there so much operating room with way too much of a gap between the defense and forwards? Yikes.

Okay. So maybe they miss Simon Gagne, who’s expected back later this week. However, the blueline is pretty healthy with Pronger, last night’s hero in Beantown Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle and emerging Ryan Parent. What’s the problem? They already canned John Stevens and hired championship caliber Peter Laviolette, who thus far is two up and five down. Not exactly reassuring. We’ve heard there’s a divide in the room. Whether it’s between captain Mike Richards and Pronger, who knows? A rumor even circulated earlier today that a player was having an affair. Who knows? What they can at least take solace in is how mediocre the bottom of the conference is with so many teams piled up for those final couple of spots. If this underperforming talented club rights itself, they should be fine.

The good news is they play the Rangers at Wachovia Saturday afternoon. The bad is they host the Pens in a rematch Thursday. Maybe they just need Rocky to inspire them.

I was thinking about getting a Mikko Koivu Minnesota Wild third jersey. NHL.com is selling it for $114 and change without customization, which runs another 50+ hiking it to about 170 plus shipping. This is the premier year of Minny’s traditional hockey 3rd and to be honest, we love it. It’s a nice color forest green with white and looks good. A sharp jersey and probably one of the better alternates IMHO.

Why the Wild? Well, I like them. Especially Koivu, who flies under the radar as one of the better overall players in the game. Why? Because of who he plays for, which only happens to be a great hockey town that deservedly got another team. Since a dreadful start, they’ve been playing better with even Martin Havlat contributing with a recent OT winner over Calgary and three points in a tough 4-3 defeat to Vancity. Maybe the gifted Czech is finally 100 percent, which would be nice for my fantasy team that’s hanging in there. Just picked up Jimmy Howard too. Now, if only Cam Ward could win. 😛

Anyway, I probably will get the jersey even though it costs. I haven’t gotten one in a while with my last being a Russian letter Ovechkin. As for the telling quote, it’s provided by veteran Wild pivot Eric Belanger after his team defeated the Flames in a game they outshot Jarome Iginla & Co. 46-23:

Of course, he’s referring to the silly point system that rewards losing teams no matter what. The flipside is that one can argue that Miikka Kiprusoff earned his team a point. Maybe it’s just us but we prefer the old system that gave you two for a win and none for a loss regardless. It would separate the pile up we got in the East minus Carolina. You really think Bettman Inc. will reverse it? They love parity because it makes for more intriguing playoff races, keeping more teams in the hunt come February/March. Sure. This post comes on the heels of the Rangers losing a tough one last night in which they outshot Atlanta 48-27. They deserved two but fell in the gimmick which really made it feel like a loss.

I know it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. But what if we had the old system in place? Wouldn’t more teams go for it in regulation? Of course, you’d still have ties. But don’t teams want to win? It really would put more emphasis on getting two points, separating the contenders from the pretenders. Oh well. Sure makes ya wonder.