Rangers Recap: Gaborik Tricks Isles in Wacky 6-5 Ranger Win
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 2, 2010 10:10 PM EST
in New York Rangers Recaps
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PrintFirst off, this is the craziest game I've ever seen. Ever.
Derek Boogaard and Johnny Cakes Gillies go at it just a few minutes into the game, but that was nothing compared to what was to come in the Rangers thrilling 6-5 victory over the Islanders last night in front of a sell out crowd some people at Nassau Coliseum.
The buzz among Ranger fans all day was about Sean Avery playing on the first line with Marian Gaborik. How did they do? Well, Gaborik had a hat trick, Avery had three assists, and Erik Christensen had a goal and an assist. The line had eight points, and was a plus eight overall.
Not too shabby.
Christensen gets the Rangers on the board early in a first period dominated by the Rangers, with an absolutely perfect shot over DP's shoulder from the side of the net, and then Ryan Callahan put the Rangers up by two on a beautiful feed from Brandon Dubinsky.
Zenon Konopka got his first goal of the season for the Islanders late in the first, the dreaded "late goal", that was just a precursor of the nuttiness that would ensue for the last forty minutes of this game.
After the Islanders killed off a penalty early in the second, Matt Moulson ties the game after deking Martin Biron out of his skates. Then just three minutes later, Rob Schremp gave the Islanders the lead, and pulled off a celebration that would make Ovechkin jealous. Premature Rob, premature.
Sensing his team was letting the game slip away, John Tortorella pulled Martin Biron, forcing Henrik Lundqvist to get down from his folding chair somewhere in the thirtieth row and come into the game. It was sort of a live version of "The Price is Right" at Nassau Coliseum. "Hey Henrik Lundqvist, COME ON DOWN!!!!"
Anyway, it worked, at least temporarily, because after Hank made the trek out onto the ice, the Rangers responded just fifty one seconds later, when Brandon Prust was credited with a goal that deflected in off of an Islander defenseman that tied the game at three.
Three minutes later, the Rangers were back on top, when Gaborik scored his first of the night, a power play goal to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead. Gaborik would give the Rangers a 5-3 lead three and a half minutes into the third, and Ranger fans breathed a little easier.
For nine minutes. That was when Michael Grabner brought the Islanders back to within one with a tip in goal. Islander fans were barely done screaming "Woo" at the end of their horrendous goal song when Ranger killer Blake Comeau scored his first goal since the last time these teams met, and the game was tied.
The "woos" were short lived because just twenty five seconds later, Marian Gaborik picked up his second hat trick of the season when he beat DiPietro for the third time, to put the Rangers finally ahead for good.
I'm exhausted just writing this recap. Not going to sugar coat it, this was a pretty awful defensive performance by the Rangers, and neither goaltender was great, although Henrik did stop the bleeding long enough to get the Blueshirts back in the game. But a win is a win, and even sweeter when it's the Islanders.
Game two of the home and home is in less than twenty one hours.
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I wish we could play like we did in the first period every period of every game.
In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
after tonight's game
I have no idea what to expect tomorrow night…i mean i cant expect these two teams put up 11 again…we’ll be lucky if we get 3 combined
we will see a 2-0 or 3-1 game lol
In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
Big props to Torts – that goalie switch was big. I don’t think Biron would have won this one.
And Torts – KEEP this first line together for more than a game or two. It had real chemistry. Of course, continued success depends on Avery’s involvement in every game at this level, something he hasn’t done in the past (though he’s been more consistent this year). Here’s hoping his placement on the first line boosts his game-in-game-out commitment.
Take the 2 points, come out tighter tomorrow, and sweep these bastards.
also
I’d keep that 2nd line of dubi-step-calli together, that line was always in the offensive zone and seemed to be great at following up on the 1st line’s pressure
If anything
this line works out because the Islanders are too worried about taking out Avery and not worried about Christensen and Gaborik.
As much as Christensen hasn’t been a huge part of this season, he has some real chemistry with Gaborik, for whatever reason.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
Torts claims
EC is the best passer on the team. I think he is very gifted offensively, especially when he has room. I don’t think he is capable of creating that space on the ice for himself though (he doesn’t have that talent or instinct). EC is a hard nut to crack, why he works so well with Gaborik is a where-the-hell-is-Hoffa-buried-esque mystery. I think Avery did a good job creating space and getting the puck to EC and especially to Gaborik.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
it was against the islanders though ...
not exactly the best defensive team in the league … I’m just having a problem putting my mind around Avery and Christensen are our “top line”; most nights this season both of them should have been scratches in a healthy line-up.
I personally think Avery has skated well this season. He, Dubi, Calli and Prust have been defining this teams style and we need all four of them. Boyle’s lack of offensive instinct has been showing lately. He adds that physical presence and is thus a crucial link in making us a difficult team to play against. But we are not a club that can afford to let down at all. We need 60 minutes or we are simply mediocre.
d
Damn I have to be there for the game thread
So you guys can not laugh at my jokes. You bastards.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
FAN IN SECTION 68, ROW 34, SEAT 17…… COME ON DOWN!!! YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO PLAY GOALIE FOR THE NEW YORK RANGERS!!
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
cant wait till prospal and drury come back.
gaborik dubinsky anisimov callahan prospal stepan frolov boyle avery drury prust fedotenko christensen boogaard is a really good set of forwards.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
gabby the great ,
thought they were going to choke up another but gaborik was on his game why is it the gortons fishermen play us tough but not no other team and that gillies kid is he clarks son?
lohaus #54
Rangers don’t even have a headline on nhl.com, while the site gets blown up with crosby’s hat trick. seriously, this is why no one likes crosby.
I know and ive been watching NHL on the Fly forever now and nothing about the Ranger game
by CrazyRangerFan on Dec 2, 2010 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
I saw that too
and it was pretty bad.
Not only that, they also put the stars beating Ovechkin and the caps. Really? That’s more important than the Rangers and the Islanders?
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
Last I checked the Rangers and Islanders
Is a pretty damn good rivalry. Much more newsworthy than Dallas beating Washington (not even in the same conference).
Not to mention it was a crazy and entertaining game.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
Ah but you're forgetting my good friend
The Rangers don’t have Crosby or Ovechkin.
They only have Gaborik (probably top 3 snipers in the NHL) and Lundqvist (also probably top 3 goaltenders in the NHL). And a slew of young talent working their way through the system. Plus they sit atop the biggest market in sports. Why follow them?
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
They aren't that interesting
Too much history and class. Not enough diving, complaining, pinball-machine offense, and exuberant celebrations. New York is a pretty big city, I guess… not a huge sports market like WASHINGTON D.C. or PITTSBURGH.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
Yes the same Capitals and Penguins who
In 2003-2004’s attendance looked like this.
The capitals in 2005-2006 who sat here.
And then alllll of a sudden they started drawing fans. Funny.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Even during Crosby’s first year the Pens were in the lower half for attendance. Although to be more accurate I’d like to see the % of capacity numbers vs the volume of attendance.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Dec 3, 2010 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
all you need to know about that
is that the Rangers were at 99% during their 7-year playoff-less streak
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Loffen1987 stepping up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g_1wn_uST8&feature=sub
gaborik’s hat trick
I was at the game tonight, I go to Rangers Islanders game every year, but went with seven friends tonight (6 rangers fans 2 islanders) and we screamed till we lost our voices. It was a very pro-Rangers atmosphere as usual, but the game was just insane!
Writer for Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
DP sucks chant?
I heard a DP sucks chant at one point and I could have sworn it was louder than either of the “Lets go whoever” chants. Is it possible Rangers and Islanders fans joined together in DP sucks? If so then that’s pretty funny. Or am I imagining things.
props to NHL.com for picking gabby as the player to watch tonight waay before the game. and props to king hank, pick up 10 Ws through 27 games, which puts him on pace for 30+ (33 to be exact) wins, yet again. not bad for a backup goalie.
by #17ToTheRafters on Dec 3, 2010 12:30 AM EST reply actions
also, 10-4-1 in away games, leading the NHL in away wins…one is lead to wonder how awesome it would be if we were over .500 at home. the second of the home and home is a great opportunity to remove the garden curse while keeping the 2nd of back to back w% at 1.000.
by #17ToTheRafters on Dec 3, 2010 12:36 AM EST reply actions
Couple of notes-
Avery is very important to this team, not only because he is a prick to play against but he definately has more skill than he gets credit for. Every game you can see he’s not just an aggitator.
DP- how about play a season before you mouth off? Who is this guy, other than signing a ludicris contract, of which he clearly is not worthy, has he played a full season?
I think the Rangers come out strong tonight.
What happened to Dubi/Cally/AA? spilt up? why? Dubi/Cally/Step and Fro/Feds/AA? I realize I didn’t put the centers in the middle.
Watching how bad the Isles were in the first period really got me thinking……..i think the league should limit the amount of top picks a team that is perenially woeful gets. I mean the Isles seem like they have had a top 10 pick since 1984 or so……is it fair they consistently put out a team that is garbage and get a high pick every year but do not spend the money to put a competitive team on the ice?
what’s with Gillies Village People mustache? Booger tired himself out throwing so many punches.
I saw that too
And it’s one of my biggest problems with DiPietro. If Brodeur wants to talk that way, fine, he won himself three cups and will go down as one of the greatest goalies to ever live.
But DiPietro? Please
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
Just saw the game
(Thank God for DVR)
What a wacky game! That Avery-EC-Gabby line really worked the puck well, I hope we some more of that tonight. They worked the cycle really well, especially when Avery was working in the corners and behind the net, letting Gaborik drift around in the slot, looking to bang in any puck sent his way.
Good for Prust to get his second goal of the year, I hope he is alright, he got a little banged up this game (into the boards, and hurting his arm on that open-ice hit late in the game).
At the end of the day the Rangers should take the two points on the road and move on to tonight’s game with some confidence in them. The team should also give a long, hard look at how they let the Islanders claw their way back into the game and tighten up no matter how the game is going.
Great write up Jim!
Have to point out two things- that Avery played like an All-Star last night, we may now have a legitimate reason to send him to Raleigh (I know it’s a one game sample size, but I couldn’t resist!). And to get a ‘DP sucks’ chant going in the mausoleum was pretty special.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
Not sure which feed you guys watched, but only the Islander feed was available on Center Ice, and Howie Rose had to raise his voice to be heard over the “DP Sucks” chant, which had to be Ranger fans, because there is no way there were enough Isles fans there last night to be heard.
I love the fact that Ranger fans have taken to singing “The Goal Song” on the road, you could hear it last night, and I’ve heard it in other arenas as well. Hell we did it at the bar the other night.
That Islander goal song is embarassing
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 3, 2010 9:35 AM EST reply actions
WOAH OH OH!
The only time I enjoy Howie Rose’s voice is when it is screaming ‘Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!’
I am not sure I want to hear the Islanders goal song. It should be something very special though, they don’t score all that often.
When I have enough people watching the game with me on TV we sing the goal song. It always sounds better if you’ve been drinking.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
Is this their goal song?
I like the CSI: Miami opening to it, very classy.
I thought their goal song was that ‘woo’ thing. Where everyone says ‘woo’.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
That sounds dreadful
I like how they used the ‘bro hymn’… that hasn’t been done before. Good thing we don’t normally have to hear that song too much. ;)
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
I have to say that Avery played his best game of the season last night. His hard work along the boards and ability to protect the puck behind the opposition net created countless opportunities for that line. Hopefully Avery keeps up his performance, solely to get first-line minutes, because the second the line stops clicking Torts will shuffle it around like he did with the Battery line :P
Avery really has much more talent than people give him credit for. The way he stole the puck from Gillies and made that pass to Gaborik for his second goal was beautiful.
Whoa, where you been? We’ve been missing you on the show!
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 3, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve been quite busy, Jim… between looking for work and college, I haven’t had all the time in the world like I used to (when I was living off my savings).
I’ll do my best to be around for the next show, don’t worry… I miss you guys too!
the next show is tonight after the game
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 3, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone in or around sec 303 last night???
Feel bad for him, but anyone see the old man take a header down the stairs??? It was pretty bad
can I put Gaborik on my fantasy team now? :)
I wasn’t able to watch the game, how did Frolov do on the 4th line? glad to see Avery stepping up and making the most of the opportunity EC;s goal was nasty too, seeing goals like that makes me hope he stays in the lineup when Drury comes back, obviously his consistency has to stabilize but the guy’s got skill. Also great to see Gabby going to the net for dirtier than usual goals. The confidence is building!
The Loneliest Ranger fan living in Philadelphia.
From what I’ve noticed, Frolov started to look like he gave a damn (for maybe half of his shifts). I guess when you get your first-line spot jacked by Sean Avery, and your replacement is meshing quite nicely with the superstar, it lights a fire under your ass. Frolov still looks like he’s trying to do too much (that coast to coast play where he does his best Gretzky impression and tries to beat three guys, but loses the puck), and just needs to keep it simple.
Christensen’s goal was amazing. I didn’t even see room for that shot to make it through til the last moment when DP slouched a bit going to the butterfly.
Christensen’s goal was one of the prettiest goals I’ve seen all year. Too bad it might be another 10 games before he gets another.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Dec 3, 2010 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
Christensen couldn't score that goal again
if there was no goalie in the net. I’m serious (and that’s not a knock on him, it’s a compliment to how perfect of a shot it was).
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 3, 2010 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
If he stays on that top line
He may find another goal sometime sooner than that.
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
thanks man. Yea I’ve watched a few highlight reel goals from Fro in LA when they signed him and just wish he would play harder and not try to beat 3 guys every time (my roller hockey teammate does that lol, c’mon now). If the convicton backs up the talent, he should regain his spot, obviously that goes for the entire team.
The Loneliest Ranger fan living in Philadelphia.
Frolov should never see the top line again, Avery is a better passer and player all round than him, some of those passes last night were awesome. He draws people with him too and that was proved last night.
avery-e.c-gabby
cally -aa-dubinsky
are too sets of lines that dont need to be played with but inevitably torts with his slot machine will.
I’m just about done with Alexandopher Friggins
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 3, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Avery does a great job behind the net and along the boards, being able to draw a second guy into the battle. This opens space for Gaborik, and Avery does a good job maintaining possession of the puck in these situations, or if he knows he’s losing the battle, passes it along the boards and gets a cycle going. He’s quite hockey smart for someone labeled an “agitator”, “second-rate goon”, and “pest”, who you’d expect to have sub-par talent.
Need to tighten up the D
Anyone else bothered by our defense last night? Even on the goal that was Dubi not picking up his man, there wasn’t a defenseman in the picture.
Because Girardi and Staal both played their man..it was a 3 on 3, Dubi just lost his man. The other two forwards were those who were not in the picture at all.
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by George E. Ays on Dec 3, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
On the Isles goal that trickled in
I noticed Sauer following his guy behind the net, then scramble to get back and fish the puck out. Rookie mistake. If he just released from his man like he’s supposed to he’d have been able to sweep that one right out.
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
Yeah Both Girardi and Staal played there man but they couldn’t break up the passing, and Dubi lost his man. Not very good from either three but give credit to the Isles that was a pretty passing play that ended up with Moulson in front all alone.
by CrazyRangerFan on Dec 3, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
I called for the Avery-Gaborik line....
weeks ago. I’m a genius!
NHL on the Fly
I am quite pissed that after they showed the Rangers win, they didn’t even mention Gabby’s hat trick. I mean come on…I like Kevin Weekes as a commentator, but damn. The Maple Leafs losing got more coverage.
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Dec 3, 2010 3:07 PM EST reply actions
great Sopranos reference
for Trevor Gilles lmao!!!
Don't TOEWS Me Bro!! - 2010 Stanley Cup Champions - James M. Fitzgerald is THE MAN!!
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