Rangers Recap: Rangers Put Themselves in Very Tough Position with 4-3 Loss to Blues
by Nick Montemagno on Mar 18, 2010 10:21 PM EDT
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It is going to take a miracle for the New York Rangers to make the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Boston Bruins were shutout by the Penguins 3-0, meaning the Blueshirts would move within a point of a playoff spot heading into Boston on Sunday if they won tonight. Of course, the Rangers never make things easy and lost another depressing game, leaving the ice with the same old deflated feeling they are used to when they play at Madison Square Garden. The Atlanta Thrashers defeated the Senators, also, meaning that they are now tied in points with New York in the Eastern Conference.
There is now eleven games remaining in the regular season, and the Rangers are going to need to win eight or nine of those in order to make the playoffs. When you consider how inconsistent this team has been all year long, the likelihood of them actually pulling this off is small, minute in fact. Like I said, it is going to take a miracle for them to make the playoffs.
Now I am going to take a break from the usual format I stick with when writing my postgame analysis/recaps. Most of us saw the game, we know the story, and we know why they lost. For those who didn't get to catch the game, below is a mini recap, and then below that is where the interesting stuff begins.
The Rangers cannot get up for games, plain and simple. That was evident tonight when Brad Boyes scored 1:10 into the contest. Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik then answered that with goals of their own in that first period. Unfortunately, they would gain no momentum from that, as the Blues went on to score two unanswered goals, putting the Blueshirts down 3-2.
Wade Redden buried a laser in the third period; his first goal in 58 games. (Pause and take a few seconds to let that sink in). However Paul Kariya tipped home an Oshie shot just over a minute later, which would be both the game-winner and his 400th career goal. The Rangers then had opportunities to make something happen on the powerplay, but as usual, they did nothing with it.
More after the Jump>>
This team and its players need to be held accountable at this stage of the season. It doesn't seem like many people intend on pointing the finger, so I am going to do that right now.
Henrik Lundqvist: Tonight's performance is one that Henrik Lundqvist would like to forget. The Johnson goal was disturbing and the Boyes floater needs to be stopped. No, we should not trade him like some of the former writers on Blueshirt Banter have previously suggested, but at the very least, he is a player that is going to straighten himself out and come out better on Sunday.
Brandon Dubinsky: He may have skill, he may have potential, but he certainly does not have the smarts. For example, with about 15-20 seconds left in the third when the Rangers are trying to tie the game, he flings a shot off the side of the net and out of the zone. What is he thinking there? He had three men collapsing to the crease, no one was on him, and he also had an available point-man to his right. Instead, he makes an ignorant choice to bank the puck off the net.
Michal Rozsival/Wade Redden: There is not much to say here because I think all of the fans are smart enough to realize how much of a liability these two are on the ice. Congrats Wade; you are being paid $6.5 million to put two goals in the net all season long, with a 58-game span in between. That is $3.25 million per goal! Embarrassing.
Olli Jokinen: If Glen Sather knows what is good for him, he will not re-sign Jokinen when he becomes a free agent this summer. Just think; when was the last time you noticed Jokinen in a game? I rest my case.
At least Marian Gaborik woke up tonight after I called him out on the site earlier today. This was Gaborik's eighth three-point output this season.
There was very limited desperation in the Rangers game on this night. They let the Blues walk all over them in the defensive zone, and they could not bury open net opportunities down on the offensive end. (*cough* Prospal and Avery *cough*) But just think, you can watch it all in 3D next week!
Once again, it will take a miracle for the New York Rangers to make the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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normally i would agree at this point they would need a huge run to get in, but unfortunately they are in the East and not the West and the Bruins arent playing much better. IF they win Sunday vs the Bruins they are only 1 back for 8th and might even be able to get in playing approx 500 the last 10 unfortunately. the real question is if they could even do that.
by Michael Gleich on Mar 18, 2010 10:55 PM EDT reply actions
Agreed.
Saying it’ll take a miracle to make the playoffs is definitely hyperbole. It’s just going to take solid hockey against beatable teams over the next few weeks. That is no given with this team, but it’s definitely possible.
by Matthew Artus on Mar 18, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
sunday is the game that will go far in determining it…if they lose and fall 5 back w 10 left and boston holding a game in hand then they probably need 7 of 10.
by Michael Gleich on Mar 18, 2010 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
2 man advantage
agree with everything you said…especially the part about olli…i just gotta say how god-aweful was that 2 man advantage at the beginning of the 3rd
I kept screaming at my television for them to take a shot from the point, apparently they did not hear me or Michaletti(the only somewhat intellegent thing he said all game)
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 18, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Wade Redden scores his first goal in 58 games, or if you prefer, his first goal in 4 Million Dollars
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Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Mar 18, 2010 11:17 PM EDT reply actions
not to mention we got absolute gift on gabby’s goal which we gave back on erik johnson’s goal…just cant handle good fortune.
by Michael Gleich on Mar 18, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Redden's actually leading the league in scoring
Its for the other team…but who exactly Redden plays for has been in question for a while.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 19, 2010 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I was talking to Eddie during the game, and we both said the exact same thing
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Mar 18, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
You guys see torts postgame? Pheww the man looked exhausted , he was holding his head up with his hand. Ran out of oxygen from tearing calli a new one
by Massi on Mar 19, 2010 12:09 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Callahan isn't the only one to be blamed for Kariya's goal
Jody Shelley shouldn’t have skated off. That was mistake #1. Once I saw that I knew the Blues were going to get a goal. #2 Yes Callahan lost Kariya, I understand it’s also his fault & I am not excusing it, but when DANIEL GIRARDI DOESN’T GIVE SOME F’EN HELP AND MAKE SURE THAT PUCK DOESN’T GET PASSED TO KARIYA HE DESERVES SOME BLAME TOO! (I am not yelling at you guys, I’m ticked off at Girardi)
He didn’t look. Two D-men are back and when one is on the man with the puck, the other has to be on the guy driving to the net. He has to see that Callahan lost him. Girardi doesn’t have to support the other D-man concentrate on those driving to the net or the trailer on a rebound chance.
All I hope is that Henrik gets his 30 win season and that’s it. Don’t even bother making the playoffs.
by NYR #35 Richter on Mar 19, 2010 3:40 AM EDT reply actions
biggest play of the game
unfortunately it was paul kariya who made it—he skated thru callahan and out worked him down the middle to score the winning goal—-the effort on this play by callahan was disgraceful,
no no no…. Cally lost his check but Girardi should have picked him up. Instead Girardi decides to take the trailing guy and lets Kariya skate right past him to the net. This is a team game and yes Cally lost his check but once Kariya loses Cally there is still a D man to pick him up. Unfortunately Girardi picked up the wrong guy. Mix up in coverage is what happened.
by 76 Blueshirt on Mar 19, 2010 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Just as Torts described it in the postgame – each player has a split second to make a decision.
Girardi – at the time he looked – saw Callahan engaged with Kariya. So he opted for the trailer, which was probably – at that instant – the correct decision.
Cally lost the check – which he shouldn’t have. I don’t know that I’d go so far as to call it disgraceful – but in a tie game you can’t afford it.
The final error was letting the pass get through from a bad angle to a now free Kariya.
Plenty of blame to go around. In this case I don’t think Girardi gets much – if any of it.
BlueshirtBanter - beating up reporters at bus stops since 1994
"Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right......"
And so all of the names are in one place, the guy who wasn’t “hard on the puck” that let the easy pass go through:
Del Zotto.
BlueshirtBanter - beating up reporters at bus stops since 1994
"Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right......"
I agree that goal was not Girardi’s fault, he made a split second decision and it was correct at the time. Del Zotto although he is a great offensive defensemen, he needs to learn how to play solid defensive hockey from somebody that knows how too( no not any of the sisters and Staal is too young to be the teacher already) I LOVE Del Zotto but it is quite apparent he is a defensive liability for this team and has been so for a while.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Staal is one of the best defensive d-men in the league. I don’t care if he’s only 23 and in his 3rd year, I would hope he’s at least talking to MDZ about certain nuances of NHL D.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 19, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree I hope Staal is talking to him, but hes not the guy to take MDZ “under his wing” so to say. and we have nobody like that, I hope in the off-season we can waive Redden, trade Rozi(one or the other) and acquire a true number 1 D man and he can take Del Zots under his wing.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
My feelings on MDZ are well known. Hopefully he learns the defensive side of the business – because if he does he will be a true stud defenseman. He’s got the size, too.
If they had to do it over again, I’m sure Girardi would make a different decision. He’d take the speeding Kariya and let Callahan curl off to cover the trailer. What Girardi could not have realized at the moment of decision is that Cally was already beaten based on the relative speed of the two players – even though Cally was a half-step ‘ahead’ at that moment.
Even if they’d done that – with our luck the puck would have been centered and deflected in off one of our skates…….
BlueshirtBanter - beating up reporters at bus stops since 1994
"Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right......"
“with our luck the puck would have been centered and deflected in off one of our skates……”
true that.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Why anyone would still be pulling for this team w. these players, coaches and execs at this point is a mystery to me. If you want to see changes then the only thing we should all be collectively pulling for total and absolute failure for the rest of the stretch run. This means no wins whatsover.
C’mon fellas, let’s hope they tank this thing and the stink is so bad that change from top to bottom is the only option. Right now, it’s all about the sweater – and sad as it is, this scenario would be best.
by schwartzy on Mar 19, 2010 9:04 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Got That Sinking Feeling
The Rangers are in deeper doodoo after last night’s dismal performance at home. I wonder whether it will be Boston or Atlanta that grabs the final playoff spot. D-man Del Zotto is now a minus 23. Wade Redden holding steady at plus 8. Maybe Del Zotto should be switched to the wing and Sather get us a real D-man. Or maybe Staal could be the sole D-man and play 60 minutes.
ship is just about sunk
its time to just let the kids play bring up grachev p.a. heikkenen and sangs .they just have no heart lundqvist cant do it by himself ang gaborik is playing hurt he might not even reach 40 goals this year. hey would,nt are good ol friend john davidson look great as our g.m. instead of the blues he has really improved the blues hockey team what a brain dead dope dolan is for letting j.d. go. and please dont give me this messier crap about him being the new g.m. how about bringing back iron mike keenan for g.m. ???
Are you guys missing Higgins at all? Despite his stone hands, the dude Is beyond capable of driving possession, and an excellent shutdown guy. We are loving him in CGY, much more so than The Sex Panther/RapeFace Olli Jokinen
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 19, 2010 12:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
LOL I do not miss Higgins at all, he did nothing but get the puck, shoot it wide, and the puck is now heading into our defensive zone on a odd man rush. may I ask how you guys like Kotalik in Calgary???? cause he was a real piece of work. I dont really like Jokinen that much but I like him more than Higgins thats for sure. also Prust is a good 4th line grinder I like him.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
So no, all that is remembered of Higgins is that he constantly missed the net and he was a 20 goal scorer that turned into a 6 goal guy.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 19, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
dammit…dunno why enter sends my posts when I’m not done sometimes….
the dude Is beyond capable of driving possession,
This is a stat/fact/observation that is lost here. All that’s cared about is goals, and his stone hands don’t help him score goals. I would personally rather have Higgins than Olli, but that you guys took Kotalik, it’s worth the trade off.
Plus Prust rules.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 19, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh ok. The guys at matchsticks and gasoline are really big into the stats and underlying numbers. I actually was sort of skeptical about them until Kent Wilson did a big post predicting failure for Jokinen when we got him, just because he had never been a ‘difference maker’ at the NHL level (when he was a 90 point player in Florida, he did it all on the powerplay OR when he was sheltered properly and played against 3rd liners)…. Sure enough, the Joker was a disaster.
Higgins has been absolutely awesome for the Flames, however. He is hurt right now, but has 2 goals and does it against the Zetterbergs and Spezzas of the world, so we’ve been really happy with him. Kotalik has been pretty bad, however. I don’t really blame him, because he is just being utilized improperly. He cannot play at even strength, just on the power play point with his big shot. He tries hard for sure, but Brent Sutter plays him on our shutdown line with Higgins and Daymond Langkow, so I don’t think he’ll see much success. Definitely not stoked we have him for 2 more years at 3million per.
Good to see you like Prust, he is a great team guy.
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 19, 2010 1:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I guess its all about handling Kotalik’s limitations and strengths as a player. If we ever go to a shootout maybe he’ll prove his one-dimensional worth, haha.
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 19, 2010 1:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m a fan of M&G also, I joined mostly because of the trade, but I’m slowly but surely learning all of the nuances of the advanced stats, and you guys do a good job with the analysis.
I can’t say that Higgins was misused here persay, but he definitely wasn’t put into good situations. He really, really underperformed though, sure he was getting somewhat tough minutes, but he gave no production and wasn’t really a shutdown defensive player either. I felt he’d succeed once he left, and while I’d argue that 2 goals is “success,” I can’t argue that you guys would like his hustle.
Kotalik shouldn’t even see ES time, that he’s playing with Langkow and Higgins is just comical. So really there’s no way to use him properly other than to put him on the 4th line, give him 2 minutes at ES and let him bomb away on the PP. He’s hockey’s equivalent of a 3pt shooter.
Also, Kotalik sucked something awful on the shootout with us. Maybe he wakes up for you.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 19, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha, dammit. Kotalik just depresses me. Oh well. Good luck to your team, I’ve always liked the Rangers. May you either win every game here on out and make the playoffs, or lose every one and get a sweet lottery pick. We feel your pain with Sather, the Flames have the bumbling redneck equivalent with Darryl Sutter
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 19, 2010 1:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This team will win just enough to stay where they are, just out of the playoff picture but ahead of the good lottery spots. It’s a little sad.
Hope you guys get in ahead of Detroit. Those spoiled bastards need to miss the playoffs.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Mar 19, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Lundqvist Officially Sucks
I know all of you will disagree, but there is only one person to blame and it’s Henrik “Mr. Softy” Lundqvist. The Rangers defense finally did’s it job and held the Blues to only 16 shots and Mr. Softy could not make the big save as each and every one of those 4 goals could have been prevented. Back in 1993-94 we saw Richter stand on his head to make a save, while today we have Lundqvist who we can’t even compare to Richter. After this season is over I hope we trade his ass to Florida and get Vokoun.
On a side note, congrats to Kariya on his 400th goal. All of you laughed when I said that we should get Kariya, saying he too old and all that. Well guess who scored the game winning goal. And who did he score it on your precious Lundqvist. Alex Auld deserves the starting job
by The Last Shall Become First on Mar 19, 2010 3:25 PM EDT reply actions
Really dude really?!!??!?! That was the first soft goal he gave up in maybe 2 or 3 months. The only reason we are remotely close to a playoff spot is because of him. The first goal he maybe could of had, the second was a deflection that was tough, the third was soft and the fourth he could do nothing about. Everyone will have an off night even the best of them. Do you remember the two breakaway saves he made in the first to keep us in this game early?? And Vokoun honestly??? I could think of maybe 25 goalies Id rather have than Vokoun. Your just like my friend, not even content with a top 10 maybe even top 5 goalie in the league. If your not content with Hank you will never like any Goalie in this league on your team.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Is "The Last Shall Become First" Greg Caggiano in Disguise?
He is our precious Lundqvist get that thru your thick skull. He has been the man keeping this team afloat and when that one moment he gave up a rare soft goal, you have to jump on the blame Lundqvist and trade him bandwagon.
You are pathetic. Just pathetic. Sometimes this team gives up on him and he is trying hard to keep them afloat and when a rare moment like that happens, it’s not good. I didn’t like it either, but when has he done that all season long? Never.
Maybe you should head to the nearest sports shop and return your Rangers Jerseys. We don’t need you anymore.
by NYR #35 Richter on Mar 19, 2010 3:41 PM EDT reply actions
I'm Real
It takes a real Rangers fan to admit that Lundqvist is not the answer. I would trade that piece of garbage for any other goalie in the NHL any day of the week. Try comparing Lundqvist to Richter in his prime. Hell even Dunham and Weekes were better than Lundqvist. He gives up a soft goal a game.
by The Last Shall Become First on Mar 19, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
When did we become like Philadelphia fans?
The guy had a bad game. It happens. “Piece of garbage.” Please. Dunham and Weekes were better? LOL! Any other goalie instead of Lundqvist? Silly.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Mar 19, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
There really should be a prerequisite to posting comments on this site
and that is actually watching Ranger games. Any real fan watching this team night in and night out would NEVER call Lundqvist garbage!! And im sorry Hank is not a top 10 goalie or even top 5…………he is top 3 in the NHL!! Last shall become first……you truly are clueless and you should be banned for ignorent comments like that…………
by giantsNYrangers on Mar 19, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Honest to god..........
1) Ryan Miller
2) Lundqvist
3) Luongo
Now you can flip-flop Hank for Luongo if you want but still there’s your top 3. Imo
by giantsNYrangers on Mar 19, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
1 Ryan Miller
2 Ilya Bryzgalov
3 Roberto Luongo
4 Marc Andre Fluery
5 Henrik Lundqvist
just showing you my top 5 honestly he doesnt crack the top three, maybe switch him and Fluery but thats as high as I would put him right now.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotta disagree..........
as far as Fluery goes……imo there is no way he is better than Hank. Granted he has won a cup and is def above average. He hasnt ever been nominated for the Vezina. And for Bryzgalov, he burst onto the scene this yr….and granted he is def having an amazing yr but he needs to do that for 3 or 4 yrs in a row for me to consider him better………….
by giantsNYrangers on Mar 19, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
ill give you Fluery, but Bryzgalov has been a top notch goalie for phoenix ever since they picked him up on waivers 2-3 yrs ago. The only thing was phoenix refused to play anything relevant to the game of hockey in front of him and therefore never really got much recognition. either way I will agree to disagree with you on this.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Hank is the King
I believe that Hank is a top goalie and arguably the best Ranger at any position. That said, if I were the GM, I would test the market to see what Hank would bring. The Rangers have so many glaring weaknesses and so many toxic contracts, it might be possible to package Hank with one or more of the toxic contracts and receive quality players that would would Make the Rangers a better team. I would do the same exploratory discussions involving Gaborik and toxic contracts as a package. How else can the Rangers free themselves from Drury, Redden and Rozsival? If the proposed deals do not make the Rangers better, I would not pull the trigger
The only, absolute way I would ever consider trading Hank would be if
we a had a stud goaltending prospect in the minors…..which we do not……….even to unload a toxic contract.
by giantsNYrangers on Mar 19, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
really theres only two contracts to get rid of, Rozi and Redden. Drury has a no trade clause plus he does a lot for this team although it doesnt show up on the scoreboard. Reddens can be waived and Rozi can be traded. No need to throw Hank in there to get rid of two players and honestly we are not going to get anything better than having Hank in return.
by CrazyRangerFan on Mar 19, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Umm....
…am I the first one to notice the look on Avery’s face in the pic at the top of the page? He looks like he just shit his pants… twice.
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
|
49 | 32 | 12 | 5 | 69 |
|
Philadelphia
|
50 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
51 | 29 | 18 | 4 | 62 |
|
New Jersey
|
50 | 28 | 19 | 3 | 59 |
|
New York Islanders
|
50 | 21 | 22 | 7 | 49 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 3:36 AM EST)
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
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Philadelphia
|
Sun 02/05 | 1:00 PM EST |
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New Jersey
|
Tue 02/07 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Thu 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Sat 02/11 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
Washington
|
Sun 02/12 | 12:30 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Buffalo
|
Wed 02/01 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Tue 01/31 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
|
Winnipeg
|
Tue 01/24 | W 3 - 0 |
|
@
Boston
|
Sat 01/21 | SO - W 3 - 2 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
Thu 01/19 | L 1 - 4 |
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