Getting Critical

Monday, February 8, 2010

Coming off of an excellent win last Saturday over the New Jersey Devils (who have been leaking oil lately), the New York Rangers get a few days off before their next tilt against the Nashville Predators. It’s getting to that point in the season where I believe the Rangers must get on some kind of roll as far as wins go. In fact, I think it’s critical to do so.

There are now 23 games left for the blueshirts: 10 at home and 13 on the road. That’s a tough schedule ahead of them. The inconsistency that has plagued the Rangers all season has got to disappear and disappear fast! In order to finish up strong the Rangers will need Henrik Lundqvist to play like he did against the Devils (Sorry Marty, the King still owns you). The team must play disciplined hockey at both ends of the ice. The D must step up and become more like snarling dogs in defending their zone. The forwards have to create offense and score on a nightly basis. Special teams… well, it’s very simple. They must be special!

The outlook is tough for the Rangers. The mentality needs to be one of a playoff mentality. The playoff push starts early for the Rangers. It starts now!

Now, on to some Quinnipiac Bobcats news… Finally! A win! Yes, the Bobcats struck gold on Saturday night with their first win in their last 10 attempts. The Bobcats won with a 2-0 shutout over Colgate. Goalie Dan Clarke got the shutout and Zack Hansen & Greg Holt scored for the Bobcats. I hope that this will finally get this team going after struggling for so long. Over an out!

11 comments:

DaGoon44 said...

The push is on and we need 4 out of every 6 points to make the playoffs

Kotsy's Korner said...

Dagoon44, Yes the playoff push is on. I think you nailed the number's just about right.

Anonymous said...

It's a big week. As usual, NY play more games then most earlier in the schedule so a late season catch-up is near impossible. They'll need 2 for sure but a sweep isn't out of the question with many big Penguins eyeing the Olympics. For the Ranger's sake I hope Gaborik's incident today doesn't keep him out. The good news is that magic number of 92pts probably won't be needed this year.

Kotsy's Korner said...

B.J.Mcsitteer, Big week is an understatement. It's going to be tough as most teams have games in hand on the Boy's in Blue. Totally agree with you on the magic number being much lower than 92.

Hopefully for Gaborik it's just a flesh wound LOL. Rangers haven't fared to well in Pittsburgh the last few years.

ChivasRegal said...

Great Blog Kotsy, Awsome to hear you and Pauly D on the radio show. Finally a blog and radio show that doesnt answer to the team or the network! Even better to hear from an ex-player who is not afraid to give the fans the inside look of what actually goes on in the NHL. Looking forward to calling in to the show and saying hi!

Kotsy's Korner said...

ChivasRegal, Love the user name, I think I may have indulged in a few those in my day LOL. Thanks for the kind words. Very much appreciated.

Pauly and I try to do our best and be different. Looking forward to you calling in and keep checking in on my blog.

Wrath of Sanity said...

This team is KILLING me. They are toast, as far as I'm concerned. What kind of chance do we have of winning in Pitt on Friday? Slim to none.

Hopefully the Rangers don't do a dumb trade at the deadline for some rental.

Albatross contracts gotta go (beating a dead horse here). With them on the team, we'll go nowhere.

I'm not happy with the product that's being put on the ice. A 2-man show.

Kotsy's Korner said...

Wrath, Can't really argue with you. You make a good point about not making a trade for "Rental" purposes.

This team is far to underachieving and incapable of putting the puck in the net. Sad but true.

RJC said...

Kotsy: So now we waive Brasher. Finally. Terrible decision to acquire him/let Orr go. This is the stuff that pro player personnel people are supposed to be able to see or predict, otherwise, they are just mere fans like me. That said, am I just being a fan to muse at the possibility of reacquiring Orr, a la Avery? And on that note, why is it that Orr was judged solely on his then existing hockey skills? He can skate (as well as fight). Don't we teach/develop young players anymore? Couldn't we teach him to go to the net on the power play? Couldn't we teach him positional defensive hockey? Did Cam Neely always have that scoring touch? Did Dornhoeffer have such great natural skill? Just asking...

RJC said...

Kotsy: So now we waive Brasher. Finally. Terrible decision to acquire him/let Orr go. This is the stuff that pro player personnel people are supposed to be able to see or predict, otherwise, they are just mere fans like me. That said, am I just being a fan to muse at the possibility of reacquiring Orr, a la Avery? And on that note, why is it that Orr was judged solely on his then existing hockey skills? He can skate (as well as fight). Don't we teach/develop young players anymore? Couldn't we teach him to go to the net on the power play? Couldn't we teach him positional defensive hockey? Did Cam Neely always have that scoring touch? Did Dornhoeffer have such great natural skill? Just asking...

Kotsy's Korner said...

RJC, It was worth a shot with Brashear. Whatever happened with Orr happened. Brashear had the name and the pedigree, Unfortunately he's been doing it a long time and I will not pile on him like everyone else.

I'm not sure what happens these days when it comes to teaching. Your guess is as good as mine. I heard the Rangers picked up Jody Shelley so that should take care addressing the toughness.

  © Blogger templates Newspaper by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP