Rangers Get Much Needed Win
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The New York Rangers got what I call a "much needed win" over the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0. Yes, that's right, much needed in the sense that Philly and Jersey had jumped ahead of the Blueshirts in the Atlantic standings prior to tonight's game. Also, tonight's game restored the King's confidence, in a way, with his first shut-out of the year.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - without Henrik Lundqvist, where would this team really be? The Rangers had to kill off a 2-man disadvantage early that could of turned the game around for the Penguins after Nigel Dawes struck early on a, drum roll please.... POWER-PLAY. From there, I thought the Rangers played a solid and sound game in all areas. Paul Mara later blasted one by Marc Andre Fleury for a 2nd PP goal and the Rangers were on their way to the victory. Chris Drury and Scott Gomez rounded out the scoring to make the final score 4-0.
It was a good night for the Rangers and what we all have to realize is that when this team puts out effort like the one that they had tonight, they can compete with anyone. However, when they play as individuals, the results aren't as good. The Rangers have no gamebreaking stud (like Ovechkin), what they have is top-notch goaltending and plenty of solid veterans. In order for them to win, they must play as a team - plain and simple. Unless there is an Earth shattering trade, that is the way this season will play out. Oh, I almost forgot, nice scrap by Orr with Goddard and congrats goes out to the Canadian Juniors squad who won their 5th championship in a row.
Lastly, I will be attending the game on Wednesday against Montreal to see some former teammates and friends. I will have a full report when I get back! Over and out!
6 comments:
The Rangers need 3 more Peter Prucha's in the lineup every night. He drives the net on every chance. He passes the puck to the front of the goal whenever he can. In other words, Prucha CREATES.
Creating chances is what the NY Rangers, A K A Renney Robots, are lacking in a big way. If Sather is going to trade, he needs to bring 2 to 3 skilled forwards to the STARTING LINEUP. I emphasized starting lineup because I am afraid the Renney would not insert skilled offensive players in the lineup every night. Skilled , gifted , offensive players cannot be trained to be Robots.
JohnM: johnM, I did not see the Washington game at all, so I don't know how Prucha fared in the game overall.
Against the Pens Prucha was one of the more visible players. He set up a goal and made a decent hit on Crosby. Looked full of energy.
Skilled, gifted, offensive players are not easy to come by, let alone be robots.
LOL!!!
I think real robots are still expensive! There are quite a few skilled players floating around the NHL. As long as your criteria doesn't include " an impeccable detail to back checking" in the equation. I do not think it would hurt the Rangers much to lose 2 or 3 checkers on this squad and replace them with less defensive responsible offensive minded skill. That type of NHL player is available. You and I both know it. Now lets get Slats to do it!
Prucha drew 2 penalties, scored the only goal, and took numerous shots while still finding time to hit enough Caps to be at the top of the chart for the Rangers in Washington.
Big big win yesterday. I was pleased how the things came out for us. We needed that one badly, at least as much as the Pens, but our players showed up much better. Was nice. If only we played like this every night.
Great goaltending by King Henrik, who officially became the 5th goalie in NHL history with 4 consecutive 20 wins seasons to start his career. Not enough! Let's hit the 30 wins mark again! And more shutouts please, my fantasy pool would be very grateful.
I'm not sure anymore, we should make big changes in this roster, at least not so desperately as we were ready to do sometime ago. Yeah, I know I was on the bandwagon to send some players out of NY, but I start to catch a glimpse of what Renney is trying to do. I still believe Redden's contract is a mistake, and 1 M$ off from Gomez's and Drury's contracts would have been easily used elsewhere. But trading 1,2 or 3 (key) players now would be more hurtful than anything. We're not in a rebuild process anymore. Even Redden and Kalinin stepped up in the last games, nothing tremendous yet, but that's a first step, let's see what happens in the next 3 games this week.
johnM: johnM, good to see Prucha contribute, He should be well rested Ha Ha.
I think you are on to something about getting rid of a few "checker clones".
The only problem might be getting tricked into believing that the player we get is better than he really is. We have those kind all ready.
Oh well you live by the sword, you die by it.
Jeff: Jeff, I would agree with most of your assessment. Hoeever you have to find some serious scoring threats or it will implode.
Defensive style is what they are, however what happens when that does not work in the playoffs?
Can we please give Lundqvist a break mentally by coming up with more offense.
You are correct about making major moves. Even if the Rangers wanted to who would take the over-inflated contracts off Sathers hands?
It is what it is! There's still hope.
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