Ranger Recap: Rangers 4 Panthers 1

Gaborik’s release or Joe’s recaps?

he somehow finds ways to get the puck in the net when there is absolutley no way a human being should be able too. Its almost like he has the will for the puck to go in so it goes in. Its absolutley amazing to me.

also the Del Zotto pasta thing was really funny, Sam and Joe must have been deprived of pasta as children.

or does vinny prospal seem to have a lot of fun out there…hes excited wen his teammates score a goal and when he does (obviously) and he is always producing and looking for open teammates

Gotta say…MVP of this one probably was Lundqvist, but Enver Lisin deserves a lot of votes too, this dude can flat out create when he’s out there.

Penalty kill was outstanding as usual.

Nice to see Prospal get on the board again.

My NY teams have been delivering some nice Christmas presents lately…

higgins is really getting sickening to watch

THREE types of pasta! THREE!

Wow, what a great game. Everyone was playing better. I saw Kotalik actually skate a little and even get back on an odd man rush, and even Brashear played better. I can’t believe what a team player Vinny is. He had two goals for the whole 3rd period and was just looking for the pass every shift. Cally had another amazing game. I wonder if he wasn’t paired with Higgy if he wouldn’t be doing better even strength. Also the Staal and Girardi combo was awesome tonight. Florida’s first line has been great as of late, and they stopped them cold. I also have been loving the fire Avery has been playing with lately. That line of Avery-Drury-Lisin was pretty solid all game. I thought Lisin looked more comfortable this game, was creating chances, and drew a penalty too. Henrik is the truly the King. Can we lock him up till 2020 now? Gabby is truly a God. Dubi had a great game too. Christmas came a little early.

The best of the four game win streak, basically because this was a complete game played by our boys. Very satisfying victory, one of the more satisfying ones of the season in fact.

staal another 25 min tonight 1A, +2. his game is back to where it was and dont look now but he has 14 pts already this year on pace for about 30 pts w his D. time to get that extension done already.

1. Have the defensemen take a little more risk out there. Our forwards are back in gear, but the D is still too conservative. A little more assertiveness, and we can strike fear into opponents more based on a transition game.
2. Move Higgins to the point on the Powerplay. He’ll see the ice better, get a better chance to sync up his offense.
3. Either put Kotalik in more challenging defensive situations (ie PK) or simply cut him. He simply lacks stick handling confidence based on too few touches in pressure situations. A confident Kotalik rips that breakaway into a top left corner.

Thanks for the “2-in-1” mention there, Joe. ;-)

As much as I’ve been all over Rozsival, I think you’re being just a tad harsh on him for that first (and only, thanks to Hank) Florida goal. Equal justice needs to be dispensed for Callahan not backchecking forcefully enough to keep Orescovich (sp?) from getting to that puck.

Rozsival did bear down from that point – and I can only remember screaming his name once after that ("WTF!!!! ROZI!!!! )*&#($@#&$()) Redden only earned that scream twice as I recall – he was “serviceable” – nothing outstanding – just what you’d expect from a 3mm/year defenseman (Oooops!)

Lisin seems to finally be healthy – the foot must be healed and he’s feeling it. He was all over the ice and created several opportunities for himself and others. Drury – it seems – has stopped thinking and is going on instinct – and it’s making a difference.

Not a lot to complain about – but the 1st star clearly is Hank (again). He’s rounded into form after a shaky October and part of November. Without him – as good as they played in front of him – it could be 6-4 Florida.

Lisin, Drury, Dubinsky all healthy for a bit now – and it’s showing. I think the “secondary scoring” issues may be behind us – and Higgins is going to go on a run after the Holidays. Stick with him – you won’t be sorry.

I’d still like to see Christensen get a fair shot with 3rd line minutes – but right now probably isn’t the time to fool with the lines. (Wait – Torts NEVER does that, right ?)

Happy Holidays everyone – nice going into the short break on a high note!

ever since torts blasted every player we are on a 4 game roll and the king is playing like one and how about drury catching fire this is why torts is a great coach you dont play up to your standards then you sit or get the f out . oh and one more thing boy is gaborik awesome merry xmas to everyone on blueshirt banter and lets go rangers …..

Someone put an “Elf on the Shelf” in the Rangers locker room.

Merry Christmas everyone.

It was good the see the Rangers come out with a little more heart and emotion for last night’s game. They looked like a team that was a little more determined not to let the past trials define their season. (Sounds like the Giants!) But there’s work still to be done. I was amused to hear Torts preaching for a more defensive minded system; didn’t I hear Tom Renney say that a few times? I would be excited to see Torts change his stripes a little and turn into more of a counter puch team and less of a run and gun one. We don’t have the offensive horses to “outskill opponents”. I’m still a little concerned with their inability to come out of their zone effectively. Watch the next game and see if you can break down their breakout scheme? It reminds me of pick-up hockey.
I am excited about 8 points though, and agree with Rozi and Redden’s assessment. A little more attention to detail by Rozi and Hank would have put up the doughnut hole. I still can’t understand how Rozi keeps leading this team D in playing time? Well, hopefully they can keep building confidence and going to the net … Nice comment about Santa’s sleigh Dougee , we couldn’t be so lucky.

great game all around. and yeah higgins is def. starting to bother me.

i wouldnt change the lines around, except maybe flip avery with higgins.

and i like christensen but i wouldnt miss with the lines too much. maybe have a fourth line of boyle christensen kotalik/brash.