Battle Of Hudson

Are you sure there isn’t a #2 and a nametag “Ozolinsh” underneath that sweater somewhere?

I have a feeling the Garden will suck the energy out of a rivalry that it usually does.

What will again get lost is how Henrik Lundqvist made big stop after big stop with his team down one. Early in the second, they were sloppy and gave the Devils several glorious chances. But the Swedish netminder wouldn’t allow them to increase the lead. It figures that on a night where he was brilliant one of his pathetic teammates would cost him a chance at the win.

Aside from that, nice to see Colton Orr beat Janssen clean in that scrap. All in all, this was one of the better contests these two division rivals have played in years. It had everything you could want. Skating. Hitting. Goaltending. Defense. A scrap. Bitching. My team might’ve predictably lost but the game was entertaining and a throwback to how hockey should be played. I can only hope the same takes place Thursday even if the Rangers have once again shot themselves in the foot.

I also want to commend Petr Prucha, who btw scored on a nice tip. He came to the aid of a teammate and took Colin White away from that chaotic situation near the end of the second. That was quite impressive in my book. He’s one of the few Euros who plays the game the right way. If they trade him, it would be so typical of this franchise. He’s a keeper in my book.

Ditto Marcel Hossa. It’s too bad he got hurt. He isn’t a pansy like some of his teammates.

Next time, here’s some advice to the coach:

Scratch Jagr and Rachunek for the rematch.

Again invisible in another heartwrenching loss. Jaromir deserves to be traded for this display. His teammates were ready and outplayed the Devils for long stretches. But No.68 was nowhere to be found. And some Ranger fans know that they will never win jack with you.

Honestly, I am so sick of losing to the Devils. I am supposed to go Thursday. Why bother? The Devils could dress a bunch of fourth liners and they’d still win.

Other than that, good game tonight. It was the way hockey should be played.

Oh. And please go away Karel Rachunek. You are the worst defenseman to ever lace’em up here. Thanks for costing them the game!

What a fun period that was. Janssen calling on Lundqvist was pricelss.

Best period of at least Rags-Devs this season.

Oh, and the joke so goeth…”Jaromir Jagr couldn’t lead Keith Tkachuk to a buffet table”

And the Oscar goes to Martin Brodeur for biggest embellishment after Sean Avery appropriately went back at the Hall of Fame goalie after he was roughed up. Good! Avery btw if you noticed on replays Steve was trying to stop when he collided with the netminder. That’s why I believe the goalie interference call was sketchy. But can also see why it was called. You have to keep in mind the move he made around Colin White and there not being much leeway between him and Brodeur, plus a loose rebound.

In any event, it has at least energized CAA for this final match-up between the archrivals and fired up Cam Janssen in the process. Janssen was still seen talking to Henrik Lundqvist giving him repeated warnings. Whatever buddy. You proved what a class act you are by continuing it. And btw Janssen has played one of his best games tonight, even registering two shots (only had one all season). But I think he showed some immaturity by continuing to yap at Lundqvist after the period ended. And right now, Ken Daneyko is telling Cam to take it easy during this intermission segment. Good call by Dano.

I want to commend both fourth lines in this one. This has been a great game for both as they have generated chances, thrown hits and wreaked havoc. Keep it up boys!

The third should be eventful if it’s anything like the 2nd.

No Steve. I’m not too upset that once again, Jaromir Jagr couldn’t lead the broadside of a barn and obviously needs a case of Kleenex. What a bitch. Oh btw…he won’t do anything the next two periods or on Thursday. And it’s got nothing to do with the goalie and everything to do with Jay Pandolfo. Yes, I’ve given up on tonight after seeing No. 68’s bitchfest. He is not a leader!

More on that can be heard tomorrow night when a very special guest will be coming on in our second segment to talk about that, the Devils and many other NHL issues. Or as many as we can cover in a brief span.

I am extremely pleased to announce that Sportsfan Magazine’s own Greg Wyshynski is scheduled to appear on our New York Hockey Report tomorrow night. It will be on in its usual time slot from 8:05 to 9 PM. Greg is one of the most gifted writers out there and always brings entertaining discussion to the airwaves. We’re looking forward to hearing his views.

To check out the show:

Allinbroadcasting site

And then find the New York Hockey Report link and click on it to tune in live. If you can’t catch our archived shows courtesy of the official site:

NY Hockey Report

Colin White will return to the Devils lineup tonight. He’ll probably be paired with Brian Rafalski and matched against Jagr. Patrik Elias is out due to the flu. Barry Tallackson was recalled from Lowell to take part in his third game of the season.

For any Van Halen fans wondering about whether their rumored Reunion Tour was going to be on:

Van Halen Postponed

A sampling of some of the comments:

What a sham. I told you these clowns couldn’t get it together. Go crawl back under your rock, Eddie and Dave.

Michaeal Anthony must be laughing hysterically at this circus.

no tour but i’m sure they’ll somehow attempt to shove the greatest hits volume 9 down our throats!

Even if the tour was on, it wouldn’t last more than 2 weeks. Too many egos and Eddie is crazier than Michael Jackson these days. Still waiting on that mystery cure for cancer…

Well at least the legendary Police are still planning ahead as scheduled for a much anticipated Reunion Tour which includes dates at MSG and now Giants Stadium August 5th. Tickets for that one go on sale Monday.

Devils team captain Patrik Elias will not be in the lineup tonight for New Jersey as the two Hudson rivals do battle.

What this means for the Rangers exactly? They can’t lose this game. There are no excuses. No Elias. No Gionta. No White. They better win.

Nice job Derek, showing that no one can give a concise analysis of Chico Resch without sounding bipolar.

I’ll admit, with PIT losing their game in hand yesterday, it’s not the most important tilt of the season. But it’s the Rangers, and they need a win REALLY BADLY, especially with Boston taking on Toronto tonight, which is really a no-win situation game for them, unless they win and Toronto loses.

So I really wanna see the Rangers lose this one, just because it’s a game they need.

Any Devils fans scoreboard watching the 5-points-up Sabres can check them out on VERSUS tonight.

The play-by-play and color man is an answer to a trivia question NYSportsDay’s Joe MacDonald would probably know. Name the last two men to call a Whalers game on TV…John Forslund (Play-By-Play) and Daryl “Razor” Reaugh (Color), who are calling Sabres-Flyers tonight on VERSUS and VERSUS HD.