Rangers Go 3 for 3 in Shootout Win
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Markus Naslund, Nik Antropov, and Chris Drury went 3 for 3 in a 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Rangers dominated this game and it never should have got to a shootout, but on St. Patrick’s Day, Montreal got lucky more than once with the big one coming off of a Chris Drury mistake (Very un-veteran like). When Drury failed to dump the puck into the Canadiens zone, Andrei Markov wound up firing a puck past Henrik Lundqvist. It was a save that The King should have made - no ifs, ands, or buts. The Blueshirts basically outchanced Montreal (42-29 in favor of the Rangers) and looked like the more energetic team for most of the game.
Nik Antropov started the Rangers off on the right foot by banging in a rebound off of a Chris Drury shot (How's that trade looking right now?). Alexei Kovalev answered for the Canadiens on a pretty pass by Andrei Markov with a perfect shot over Lundqvist's shoulder. The other Nik, Nikolai Zherdev, fired a knuckle ball past a stunned Carey Price to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Once again, the Rangers aggression got Montreal back in the game when Marc Staal got caught up ice and Maxim Lapierre turned Dan Girardi inside out to tie the game at 2. After great work by Brandon Dubinsky behind the Canadiens net, Ryan Callahan's backhand gave the Rangers a seemingly comfortable 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, that's when the Drury gaff almost cost the Rangers the game and a late penalty kill on a silly tripping penalty by Scott Gomez with less than 2 minutes to go. I thought the luck of the Irish was against the Rangers, but they managed to kill the Penalty and get it to OT. In the end, Chris Drury made up in a way with the game winner on a nice 5-hole shot past Carey Price in the shootout. However, it never should have even come to that. The Canadiens got lucky tonight, the Rangers should have had the 2 points to Montreal's 0. Well, that's hockey.
A couple of other things, how in the world do two referees miss the big elbow that Sean Avery took to his melon by Glen Metropolit? I think I can answer that... It's Sean Avery! That's how! Could you imagine if it was the other way around? The NHL brass, once again, looks like fools. But what else is new? The last thing that I want to discuss is that things never change in Montreal when it comes to their fans. I played at the old Forum and trust me, you were never going to get a break from the referees. The fans believe if you so much as breath on their beloved players, it's got to be a penalty. The new building? Same story. The referees will tell you different, but I believe that they get intimidated by the aura, history, and the fans of Montreal and that's that. Big win for the Rangers, but no time to relax... the playoff train ride continues at MSG on Saturday against the Sabres!
I will be attending a dinner to benefit the Ron Greschner foundation In Queens, NY on Wednesday. Ron's foundation is a great cause that raises money for autism research. If you're interested and want to make a donation please visit: www.rongreschnerfoundation.com
Over and out!
13 comments:
Good win tonight, got some help around the league as well. This game should not of gone to OT though, Montreal should be very thankful for getting that point.
I have no idea what Drury was doing on that Markhov goal. Then of course how Lundqvist actually let that one in. Oh well.
Someone remind me what we pay Rozsival all that money for again?
Wrath, A few terrible mistakes cost the Rangers a clean sweep of the points.
Drurys gaff and Lundqvist should of stopped the shot by Markov.
In the end they were able to bounce back and get the win all be it in a shoot out.
As for Rozival, Wow! what has happened to him? He's just horrible and there doesn't seem to be any end to it.
hiya Chris...asides from Hank...the team played great...personally I prefer we keep Antropov over Zherdev if we have to choose one or the other...hows this for next years line up
Antropov/Drury/Callahan..Korpikoski/Dubinsky/Zherdev..Byers/Betts/Orr..i'll have to see what free agents are available to flank Avery/Gomez on right wing..on D..Staal/Girardi..Mara/Morris..Del Zotto/kommiserek..Potter as 7th D..Lundqvist and Valiquette in goal..subtractions are Redden, Naslund, Roszival, Voros and even possibly Gomez for a good price..wishful thinking but a nice thought to shed those salaries...your opinion of the team responding and playing under Trots so far Chris? better than Renney??
The most important is we found a way to get the W. The last goal by Markov was a lame one allowed by the Rangers, but that's ok since we won, we'll bury the Habs at home in two weeks. I just hope Lundqvist will step up if we make the playoffs. Allowing two goals on 4 shots in the third period of a such important game is unacceptable. I keep to be worried about his inability to stop high shots, he plays too much in the nets and goes down too quickly.
Antropov on the scoreboard again, gotta love what he's doing. And I'm really starting to think we should let go Z. to sign him. Maybe he has not Z.'s potential, but he seems to be more consistent, at least for the moment... Let's see how it turns in the next month.
Sorry pals, I have to disagree about Rozsi, he made a good game Tuesday, was not on the ice when the Habs scored, applied a solid backcheck several times, maybe one or two giveaways too many though... The whole D units looked very good, we can't blame them for the first and third goals.
Rozsival in the last 10 games under Renney, got 3 points (1G, 2A) for -4. after 10 games under Torts, got 2 points (2A) and is +6. He's doing a decent/normal season regarding his carreer. He's not been a big producer and will never be one. I think his cap hit for this year is 7 M$, so if I'm not mistaken, that's an average 4.3 M for the next 3 years after that one. I don't see a problem here. ;)
Leatherneck, I think the team is playing with more urgency with Tortorella for more reasons than one.
The obvious one is the playoff race.
Another is they have all been put on notice, basically auditioning themselves with no job guarantee next year.
There's always a initial sense of excitement with a new coach, it does have an effect. How long it last's is the unknown.
Rennie was not the problem, he treated his players like adults that they are. Rennie always took one for the team in the media. The players simply did not perform to what was expected of them.
Tortorella is a good coach and he will weed out the players he deems unfit to play his style, not now but during the off season you wait and see.
Your'e right Jeff winning the game considering Drury's mistake and Lundqvist's giving up the soft goal was remarkable.
Especially in Montreal where the Rangers have not fared well lately.
Antropov looks good,Morris looks good and the obvious is Sean Avery has brought life back in to Rangerland.
Jeff you bring up some good points about Rozival that I can agree on.
However, When is he going to hit someone? He get's abused physically every night and he has stop making terrible passes. His ability to make quick decisions with the puck are almost laughable. Sad but true.
The reason that I am fed up with Rosy is the fact that like Kotsy said, he gets physically abused night in and night out. For a guy that's supposedly 6'2, 210, that's unacceptable in my eyes. It's almost like people such as him and Drury think the opponents have cooties or leprosy (no pun intended).
His soft natured play leads to turnovers, much like those he commits in our own zone when he's in deep.
Rosy's best asset is clearly his shot, but he doesn't utilize it enough. He passes up so many good opportunities it's insane. I mean, just look at the last few times he's let a few rip. If I recall correctly, he hit a post against the Flyers last Saturday and hit a post in another game in between.
Rozsival's best stretch this season was when we were on that big road trip around Christmas time. The LA Kings OTW was his best game, in my opinion. I thought finally Rosy was turning the corner, but I was wrong. To me, he's regressed big time since that road trip. He has a lot of skill, he just needs to use it more and stop being so scared/cautious. Easier said than done though, I understand.
Had to vent. Although he's the least of the "big money" players that I should be complaining about :)
that's hard to blame him for something (toughness) we know he can't bring into the game. Let's see how and (if...) he steps up offensively in the new system. That may not happen before next season though... He needs time, his "bad" season last year + The Malik treatment + the hip injury + his difficult start of season + Redden's abduction by aliens etc +++ probably shook him a little bit. I'm confident he'll be fine. Am I the last Rangers fan defending him? (^^,)
Jeff, I have no problem with you defending Rozi. I love the alien abduction line about Redden. That's a beauty.
I don't know if that's defending him, that's just i believe there are some names that should pop up on the blamed list before Rozsi. That said, I respect your opinions, no problem, and I do agree on the physical/toughness side each Dmam should bring with him in his luggages. Hopefully we have some different points of views sometimes, would be boring otherwise!
Fun games at the Garden ahead, especially if we keep a fast tempo.
Have a good game tonight. LGR!
I have to say...its a vastly improved team Chris...Antropov is a keeper in my eyes..Antropov Avery and Moris have been grea additions though the team still lacks the one thing we mentioned beggining of the season...team toughness...yet...it is better than what it was...Whats thechances we will waive Redden and Naslund at the end of the year and or trade them...as well as Roszival?
Leatherneck, The team is playing much better no question.
Antropov is what he is a very gifted skill player. (Not real real Physical for his size though).
Morris is a steadying influence on the "D". A solid performer night in night out.
Avery is hard to play against and has skill to go with it.
Toughness is definitely still lacking, but they can use the "Mob rules" and stick together attitude.
Anything can happen in the off season moves wise, trades, buyouts?
Trust me some players are still being auditioned and their fates are in their hands.
Hi Chris
Could you drop me an email when you get a chance? I am the blog manager for the new SBNation Rangers blog, www.blueshirtbanter.com, and I was wondering if maybe I could talk to you about maybe doing something for us.
I can be reached at jrs1940@comcast.net
Thanks
Jim
Post a Comment