Rangers Analysis: Having Faith is the Least We Can Do
by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 12:17 PM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintI realize I am going to sound like a bit of a hypocrite by doing this after calling the team out several times this season. I realize a lot of you will be against it because you are sticking to your guns. But I am going to be man enough to admit that my feelings towards this team, during this point of the season anyway, have changed. I am officially jumping on the playoff bandwagon and pushing for the Rangers to make it. Why? Because I have been a dedicated fan since birth, and I am not about to give up now.
There is a saying in sports that says your finish to the season is always more important than your start. That is true for obvious reasons. The Rangers had a fantastic start, a gloomy middle, but have the opportunity to finish strong. They have the opportunity to control their destiny and when exactly they will hang up the skates and head over to the country club and hit the links. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a direct result of the Blueshirts - our Blueshirts - showing us that they care afterall.
If you go down the roster, almost everyone has stepped up. While many will not want to admit, it is the truth. Michal Rozsival has been this team's best defensemen other than Marc Staal in recent games. Jody Shelley has been picking up points and contributing to the lineup. P.A. Parenteau has been stellar ever since being recalled. The list of unsuspecting heroes goes on and on.
They are showing you that they want to make the playoffs, and now it is our duty as fans to show them the same and give them support. Some of you have been watching this team since Emil Francis was behind the bench, Ed Giacomin was the number one goalie, and even when the GAG line was one of the best offensive trios in the National Hockey League. You're telling me that now you have decided to give up?
It is too late to tank, and I much rather get smacked around in the first round than to miss the playoffs by one or two points. Just think about the players that have worked themselves until there is nothing left in the tank for this entire season. Callahan, Gaborik, Lundqvist, Avery. Will you seriously enjoy watching them play their last regular season game and have nothing to look forward to until next September? If that is the case, I do not know how you call yourself a fan.
Folks, we have watched this team all season, loving them and hating them. We have went through all of the ups and downs with the players. If you are a real fan, you will put that all behind you and realize that there is a new season that started Tuesday night on Long Island. A seven game season that could lead us to the most exciting period of hockey: the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There are five games remaining and the Rangers are just two points out of the top eight in the East. It is out of our control now, but if you want to do your part, and say the phrase "I am a Ranger" with pride like they have burned into our minds for the past year, the least you can do is have a little faith.
[Note by Jim Schmiedeberg, 04/03/10 12:20 PM EDT For those of you that will be around, feel free to use this story as your open thread for the Pens-Thrashers game, I will be in here probably after the first period]
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well said
even you know the rangers are probably better served so dolan doesnt get any of that sweet playoff $ in his pocket, you cant help but root for your boys.
quick Q, the head to head matchup is the first tiebreaker btw 2 teams right?
I think it goes in this order
1. Division Lead
2. Points
3. Games Played
4 Number of Wins
5 Head to Head
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he meant end of season, in which case wins is the 1st tiebreak, h2h is the 2nd, and goal differential is the 3rd.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 3, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, then yes, that is correct.
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
thx guys, so i guess tying phili wouldnt do us any good seeing as they have like 3 wins on us at this point
Ditto Montreal, who also has the H2H.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Apr 3, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I already said my piece in the other thread
and am not about to repeat myself.
I’ll simply say this – if you – or any of the other writers for BlueshirtBanter – can’t accept and DEFEND the opinions of all who come here – then there is simply no place for me here.
If that is the case, I do not know how you call yourself a fan.
If statements like the above – casting aspersions on those who believe that a different course besides making the playoffs is the correct one for the long term benefit of this franchise – is what makes you personally feel justified in your own “flip-flop” – well – I feel very sorry for you.
There are those of us who have indeed be fans since before you were born. Telling them that “they’re not real fans” – it’s your right. And we don’t have to agree with it – and we don’t have to like it. And we certainly don’t have to sit back and ignore it.
Good day.
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"Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right......"
have to back up db here not that he needs it and simplest way to do that is those who are rooting for the rangers to make the playoffs when it results in things being the same way next year and Sather possibly being back again instead of the embarassment of missing the playoffs possibly causing changes then you cant complain about all Sather’s mistakes next year since you got your playoff wish this year.
Fans as far as I’m concerned want what is best for their franchise not what is necessarily the most enjoyable short term for the fans and making the playoffs and continuing on the same road we have been on for these past years settling for a decent season that is propped up by a late playoff push if that is good enough then go for it, I would like more and I dont see how making the playoffs this year and validating Sather and Torts by doing it while adding money to Dolan’s pocket does that.
But if the feeling around here is if you either root for the short term success or you dont really love the team, then I guess maybe I should step away.
by Michael Gleich on Apr 3, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Everybody is entitled to their opinion of course, and your feelings don’t make you any less of a fan.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Guys, I said in the opening line that many of you will be against what I had to say. I understand that and accept it. I respect your opinion, and do not want you to feel that you have to leave the site because I feel differently.
That is not the case. It is just how I feel. Do not let it offend you because my opinion is not valued anymore than yours.
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
agree with db, wholeheartedly...
In my opinion, the way this post was written suggests that your opinion is more important than others’. It came off as a bit of lecture; somewhat belittling.
I realize that’s not your intent, so i’m not really offended, but i consider myself to be quite a loyal fan and don’t fully agree with your opinions.
Personally, I can’t root against players like Gabby, Dubi, Lundqvist, etc… to miss out on the playoffs. I like those guys and don’t want to see them lose.
On the other hand, if this “playoff push” happens to be what keeps Slats and Redden here for longer, then I’m going to be f’ing pissed.
by j-red on Apr 3, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bit of an overreaction here guys. He states we might not agree with what he says yet you still jump Down his throat…don’t get it.
by klh2009 on Apr 3, 2010 2:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Challenging someone’s “fan-dom” because they have expressed an opinion of what should happen for the long-term good of the franchise is certainly worthy of a response in disagreement, even if there is a disclaimer.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Apr 3, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why didn’t you quote the first half of the thought?
Just think about the players that have worked themselves until there is nothing left in the tank for this entire season. Callahan, Gaborik, Lundqvist, Avery. Will you seriously enjoy watching them play their last regular season game and have nothing to look forward to until next September? If that is the case, I do not know how you call yourself a fan.
You wouldn’t feel bad for those players, the ones that care, if they missed the playoffs?
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I tend not to feel bad for multi-millionaires.
That said, yes, I’m sure those guys will be disappointed that their seasons have been lost without getting a chance to play for the cup, but the reality is they had 77 games up to now to play consistent hockey, and they failed to do it.
So that’s a them problem.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Apr 3, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
O I agree smurf
I just thought it was a bit of an overeaction, but that’s where I stand I acually really like the post if I agree or not.
by klh2009 on Apr 3, 2010 3:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Seeing as this post was providing a different opinion than the one I wrote
I can honestly say this team drained the life out of me, aren’t worthy of a playoff spot, and rebuilding from the draft is the first step in the right direction for the long term. Frankly I watch these last few games with little emotion, and the only think keeping me going is the blog I write satirizing the tank (that I believe is good for long term). I never want a team to purposely lose games, but honestly saying that I owe it to the players to root for them to make the playoffs when they clearly didn’t try for 3/4 of the season is ridiculous. I will be happy when we don’t get a playoff spot and much needed changes are made. There are plenty of things to look froward from the end of the season to September. But I can honestly say that I don’t care about pushing the players that decided to coast from December to last week to make the playoffs.
by xcdudesquad on Apr 3, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Atlanta still up 1-0 in the second
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
Pittsburgh looks like crap
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
Fleury keeping them in this game
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:24 PM EDT reply actions
Now Hedberg is putting on a clinic, holy christ
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:27 PM EDT reply actions
Holy Crap look at Hedberg go!
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Yeah this is not what we need, LOL
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
And to think that the Pens have won their last seven games against ATL, but today they have to come out flat.
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t decide if I like that Messier commercial or not. I think the fact that they take the Cup out of his hands just gives me a pit in my stomach, thinking that we would now probably be at 70 years without a Cup and coutning
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions
Plus...
If the Knicks won, that would “lift an entire city”, the Knicks being the only local pro team without a cross town rival…. I think Drury, in a rare moment of comedy, at one point said that hockey was the fifth popular sport in New York, right after fishing. An “entire city being lifted” is quite the exaggeration.
You watching the Atlanta or Pitt feed? I have the ATL feed on, they just showed a commercial with Tom Glavine, he is joining the Braves coverage on SportSouth, and just the sight of him infuriates me.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:31 PM EDT reply actions
I am watching ATL feed because I do not hearing about Sidney Crosby for 2 1/2 hours. And yes, I saw Tom Glavine and remember the game he pitched like garbage when the Mets’ season was on the line.
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Pens tie it! 1-1
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:31 PM EDT reply actions
Malkin
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Pittsburgh right back on the power play
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:33 PM EDT reply actions
Whats up Ahwatukee
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
dang I dont even need to be watching this, I can just look at your posts…its hurts to even watch Pitt let alone hope that they win…
yeah my wife just asked me why I am watching the Penguins when I hate them
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha ha that’s funny
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
4 on 4, Pens get a penatly
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:35 PM EDT reply actions
I can’t stand the Pens announcers
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
the Atlanta ones aren’t much better, but they are the lesser of two evils
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Did you guys see the Pens award ceremony before the game started?
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No I missed the first half of the game, was getting a haircut
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, well they have team awards they hand out. Crosby won like 6 of 7. They just had him stand there at the carpet as the hardware continued to pour out. That is when I switched to teh ATL feed.
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
NO!
thrashers 2-1
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:43 PM EDT reply actions
If that drink happens to be a beer, Drink Up!
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Glavine on my TV again, I despise that piece of crap
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 3, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions
what are the chances Rangers/Thrashers make it, and Philly/Boston are out?
I think it might happen – Atl is playing tough.
Yeah they are playing tough, but they got another against the Caps and another against the Pens where they will be sure to step it up after not playing very well vs the Thrashers. And they still have the Devils I still think Atl is a sure out.
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 3, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
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