Inside the Division 12/12 Everything is Terrible

Marc Staal has a concussion, Ryan Callahan is going to miss 4-6 weeks, the last the second to last Ranger to score a goal was Benoit Pouliot, and the Rangers can't score. That sounds like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to me. Soon I expect the streets to run red with blood and children to start coughing out locusts in the middle of the night or however that story goes. Locusts are in there right? I'm pretty sure frogs make an appearance. Or is it toads? Toads are more menacing than frogs if you ask me... that Kermit guy has really done some great work for the reputation of frogs.

For those Rangers' fans that are wondering what the most important moment of this season is, look no further. This is it. The club has just lost three straight, including two to Metropolitan Division rivals just ahead and behind them, and have lost their captain and alternate captain to long-term injury. I'm not a big fan of labeling games this early in the season as "must win" games but tonight's tilt against the Blue Jackets is, in my opinion, a "we had better win or we're kinda ****ed" kinda game.

Let's take a look at the standings of the Metropolitan Division and where the Rangers currently stand now that they've fallen back below the .500 mark.

So the Rangers now find themselves in fourth place in the division without Callahan, without Staal, and with a cobbled-together blueline that will now include Dylan McIlrath.There are big questions about the team's defense, toughness, goal scoring depth, and passion... the next ten games or so could very well define the entire season for the Rangers. I don't know about you guys, but for the first time in a long time I am more pessimistic than optimistic. Let's hope that I am wrong about the team (I often find that I am) and that the Rangers can rally despite being shorthanded and tie together some wins because things are starting to look desperate.

Now that I've thoroughly depressed everyone, including myself, let's dive into our links for the week.

• WSH: Sitting at the End of the (Capitals) Bar. | There's no Stopping Ovi. | Grabovski is Better than Advertised in WSH. | Don't Touch Ovi's Measuring Stick.
  
• NJD: NJD Prospect Update- Week 9. | Devils Excelling Shorthanded. | Should Reid Boucher Stay in NJ? | Q & A With Reid Boucher.
  
• NYI: Bouchard Clears Waivers, Strome Called Up. | How Quick Does Your Team Give Up Answering Goals? | NHL Power Rankings: The Islanders are Bad. | Looking at Strome's AHL Dominance. | Capuano Off Hot Seat.
  
• PIT: The Character Assassination of Brooks Orpik. | What an Increased Salary Cap Means for the Pens. | Neal Suspended for 5 Games. | Brian Dumoulin Recalled. | Unconventional Wisdom: Usage Charts. | Thoughts on the Bruins/Pens Mess. | NHL Teams: Suspensions. | Was Neal's Knee Intentional?
  
• PHI: Why the Flyers Deserve More Credit for Acquiring Mason. | Will the Real Flyers Please Stand Up? | Steve Mason's Handle on Adversity Will Show his True Colors. | Jay Rosehill: If you dislike fighting, you dislike hockey. | Vinny Lecavalier to miss 3-4 weeks with non-displaced lower back fracture. | Mason's Agent Thinks His Client Deserves "Carey Price Money."
  
• CAR: No links for you Canes. Please just lose. Instead of links here's an otter playing a fish like a guitar.
• CBJ: Surviving Without Bob. | Wennberg Watch- Steady Gains. | Erixon Recalled. | A Chat With Bob.
  
• Life Links: Different Kinds of Hockey. | The Canucks Have a Sense of Humor. | 10 Worst Winter Classic Collectibles. | Oh Florida... | Iggy Welcomed Back to Calgary. | How Datsyuk Spent his Time Recovering from a Concussion. | Much Better Than a Hat Trick. | Your Weekly Dose of Cute. | EarthPorn: Fairy Lake, Vancouver Island. | Carlin. | MSG's Basketball to Hockey Time-Lapse. | Solid Advice.
  

Now, I don't often like to feed the negativity fire around here but I let my true feelings about the team be known for a reason. Everyone knows that we're all upset about the team and where they are right now. We are all aware that things are now, in a word, desperate. Emotions are running high, skins are getting thin, and people are lashing out. I want to encourage you all to treat one another with patience, respect, and courtesy. The last people to be frustrated with are your fellow Rangers fans, especially if they are clever and sexy enough to be members of Blueshirt Banter. I've noticed two disturbing trends around here; people not feeling welcome here at Blueshirt Banter and people growing exhausted with those that look at the Rangers and the current roster in the most negative of perspectives. You're allowed to be negative. You're allowed to have your opinion... but let's not nauseate one another by repeating the obvious and by failing to enter meaningful discussions about the team we all love. Don't keep repeating how disgusted, embarrassed, and furious you are. I promise you that we know exactly how you feel. If you guys have any questions or comments about this stuff please let me know them in the comments or by emailing me. Let me know how to make things better if you feel that things are out of hand or if there are some disturbing trends that you'd like addressed. Thanks.

Well, there are your links for the week. Please root for everyone in the Metropolitan Division to fall apart because I think we are going to need all the help we can get.

Everybody love everybody (or I'll ban you) and, as always, Let's Go Rangers.

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