Rangers Lose, Still Alive
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Two of the biggest games for the Rangers all season… first, Montreal on Tuesday and second, St. Louis. The result? 3-1 and 4-3 losses. Most importantly, 0 points.
I was present for the Montreal game and honestly there were only 2 Rangers who even bothered to show up to play that night: Sean Avery and Henrik Lundqvist. The rest of them took the night off. It was very disappointing.
Now, onto the Blues game. I have to admit, the Rangers were obviously more engaged. However, in the end, the results are what count and the result was another loss in a game that had major playoff implications. I keep beating a dead horse… but as usual, the home record is awful. These last two games did nothing but add to the disappointing record at MSG. There’s really no use to give a total run down of this game. I watched it and you watched it. Although, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a big shout out to that great “Euro Style” 5 on 3 PP that the Rangers had in the 3rd period. Keep on passing it! How about, oh… I don’t know… shooting the damn puck?! What a concept: shooting the puck! I think too often we get all happy when we see that “Euro Style”/pretty passing work on a PP. But really, haven’t you had enough of players giving up shots for the extra pass? It’s sickening to watch how much it’s influenced this great game. Like the “Big Whistle” Bill Chadwick used to say, “Shoot the puck, Barry!” If Bill was alive today, it would be, “Shoot the puck, Rangers!”… God rest his soul!
Well, off to Beantown they go. Hey, the road has actually been better for the Rangers this year than playing at MSG (I still don’t get that). So you never know… do ya?
Lastly, I’d like to give thanks to the Quinnipiac Bobcats for another great season. Although it didn’t end the way we all wanted it to, it was a good ride while it lasted. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to my man Bill Schweizer, the voice of the Bobcats. As usual, I had fun working by your side. Over and out!
16 comments:
Still alive in deed but before you know it here come the dirty birds. The next couple of games should tell the picture a little after facing the Bruins and then the B's playing Atlanta. A couple with the Isles too, wow speaking of old rivalries.(Is there any way for me to get that 3-D game up here?) Better hope J.T. used up all his 5 point games. It looks pretty favourable to finish out March. The good news is the Rangers have an easier schedule then both Boston and Atlanta. Two games left with the Mighty Maple Leafs maybe I'll think good thoughts for you, no promises though. Speaking of ref's famous sayings, Red Story claims that even before Yogi Berra he said, "It ain't over 'till it's over". What a dash this is going to be.
Hey, do you think Torts is crazy enough to pull the goalie if they go into OT with Boston?
B.J Mcsitteer, It's crazy that no one seems to want or take control of the eighth spot in the east.
The Rangers are a better team on the road...So maybe it will turn in their favor. I'm sure the Bruins will be ready though.
Pull the goalie in OT? I don't think so LOL.
Chris, one thing that perhaps has disturbed me the most over the latter part of this season is the failure of the Rangers at the basics of the game of hockey. They seem to fail to do things taught at midget level. They consistently lose their checks, chase the puck, fail to take the body, do not get the puck in deep in the offensive zone, and have an uncanny inability to clear the puck out of their zone. Not that an NHL coach has to teach the players how to play organized hockey, a failure to fix these problems over the course of the season does not speak well either for Torts or his staff. By the way, what was he thinking putting the fourth line out on the ice right after the Rangers tied the game at 3? A shift right after a goal is scored is very important. The Blues put out their fourth line. Torts should have at least gotten some better players on the ice to take advantage and attack. Instead, lead-in-the-pants Shelly gets caught on a bad change and Cally coming onto the ice loses Karia. Game over.
The 5-on-3 was pathetic. It takes some doing for an MSG-employed color commentator to call it awful and the worst 5-on-3 he has seen all year right on the air, but that is what happened. The Rangers did not seem to even threaten to score over those 70+ seconds.
The Rangers deserved to lose the last two games, and they looked pretty bad doing so. The amazing part is that the Bruins are pathetic this year and Atlanta has a pretty tough schedule, so the Rangers still have a chance to get into the playoffs. Regardless of my feelings towards the Rangers, it is pitiful that a team teetering around the new NHL .500 (way below .500 in reality) with a substantial negative goal differential can even think of the playoffs.
Jason, I perfectly understand you on the the basics of Hockey. I've been saying it for years that Hockey IQ is at it's lowest in decades. Midget level is being to kind for what I see some nights.
I thought the same thing you did when the Rangers had just scored to tie it up. The 4th line has been one of the better lines lately. However I thought Girardi and Callahan were more the culprits on the winning goal.
I don't even want to talk about the the Euro Style 5-3. This is what you get when you let the "European Influence" grab hold of the the great game of Hockey.
Does any one team care to take a meaningful grip on the 8th seed in the East? or is this the way the NHL wants it to be?
Chris, the Rangers are the "Dead Team Skating". After the last 2 poor performances on home ice, its evident that this team is not a playoff team. Even by chance if they make the playoffs, its going to be another one round and done. Lets face it, they are not going to beat the Ovechkins, Crosby's or Brodeur this season. They simply aren't good enough. Chris, don't get me wrong, I am a biggest Ranger supporter as anyone, but I am also a realist, they don't belong in the playoffs. What makes this Ranger team more perplexing is the different style of hockey they play when they have a pwr play. Why is it, all of a sudden they revert back to the style (Euro) in my opinion ruined the N.A. game of hockey. The Rangers don't play this style 5 on 5, then why do so on the P.P.? The insult in using this style is they don't even shoot the damn puck they just pass & pass. I guess with only 10 or 11 games left they still don't know that they must shoot to score goals. This must be the most ignorant team in hockey history. Whatever the case, their play reflects their sentiment. I hope management can see that serious changes MUST be made to make this team compete. You must get bigger and more aggressive D-men, and you have to get more north & south type wingers who bang, and most of all, a play making center. So if that means some of the current players are goners -- adios - they had their chance here and did nothing!!! Winding down another FRUSTRATING RANGER SEASON.. Geno
Chris, Euro-style PP actually works pretty well if you have the personnel to execute it. Very few teams do, and the Rangers are not one of them. I think the Red Army teams and the USSR squads back in the 1970s and 1980s had a pretty potent PP.
Geno, I can't make a solid argument against you at this moment. You are dead on about the way they play 5 on 5 and then revert to pass first, shoot last on the PP.
We will just have to see if the Rangers can make the playoffs or not. Until then it's only speculation as to the future.
Jason, You have to remember this the NHL. You know the league that supposedly opened up the game for this "Euro Style of Hockey" to thrive. Sorry I don't see it.
As for the Soviet teams, Different times and Olympic rules. How did they do against the Flyers? How you cannot shoot the puck from any where near the top of the circle on either side of the offensive zone to me is an insult to the game.
This is where the Euro Influence comes in...It's not pretty enough to shoot through traffic or get rebounds from shots to score. We have to make the photogenic perfect pass for the I just made you the opponent look stupid goal.
Hello Chris, in reality should we be suprised with where the Rangers are? In fact they have exceeded their talent..to be frank. Shoot the puck barry...haha..I remember that game well..to this day my brother and I joke about that..and the other Barry Beck memmory is, hit me with your best shot knocking out Rick Chartraw..lol. Yeah this euro trash crap..I recall we used to have Euros back then too..ie Routstaleinen, Hedberg nd Nilsson. like Milbury..no sugar coating things has ruined the most awesome sport..did you see Wisnewskis suspension? absurd..that was nothing compared to the trash Ovechkin has displayed in some of his hits..blah..Bettgirl has to go and so does Cambell..to inconsistant in my opinion. Lets go back to the 70's and 80's style of hockey and start with equipment, ie the goalie pads.. my humble opinion
Frustrating, yet so predictable from the Rangers this season. They have just been so inconsistent and horrible at home that I do not see how they make the playoffs.
As has been said a million times already, tomorrow is a must win. However, this time... it REALLY is a must win. If Boston beats us tomorrow, you can turn out the lights on this atrocity of a season.
Oh and that 5 on 3 PP was the worst thing I've witnessed this season.
Leatherneck, Simple concept shoot the puck isn't it? The Rangers are in a deep hole big time.
The hit by Wisniewski is exactly what I'm talking about as to how people will have 2 different views. I agree with you, But the NHL has left this interpretation to anyone's imagination. Not good.
Oh by the way Ron Greschner and I were talking about the the punch Bubba dropped Chartraw out with the other day LMAO.
Wrath, Unfortunately the Bruins did beat the Rangers and the hole gets deeper for the Blue Shirts.
PP was awful once again!
You know what Kotsy? Even when the game still belonged to North America, the only team that could play the pretty way were the Montreal Canadians. BUT...The Habs would never go offside coming 4 across. They had speed and passing skill. And the would never ever pass up a shot in the slot. They knew each others tendencies and adjusted for them on the fly. Was it higher intellect? Or just more time practicing together?The only team that comes close to that style today are the NJ Devils. The Devils are great to watch because they play that Canadian brand of hockey.. It just kills me, as it does you, that the league will not take steps to correct the equipment issues that allow players to play as super humans. Standing in front of shots without any fear. It is nonsense.No one would do that when the game was played right. You would poke check the shot into the stands. And that was a timing thing. No timing needed when you can stand in front of a point shot today because your pads are bigger. Bad result from the evolution of trying to protect the millionaire athlete.
JohnM, The Habs of yesterday were the perfectly built team Skill, Speed and Toughness. Lets not forget that they could play the game any way it was needed to depending on the opponent.
I can begrudgingly respect the players of today. They are Bigger,Faster and in way better shape than we could possibly ever dream of. One thing is missing though and that is "Hockey Intelligence or IQ" whatever LOL.
I have never seen such dumb players in all my life. The decisions made by these players today make me laugh. Are they being taught the basic fundamentals at an early age or not? I would question that seriously.
Equipment changes have allowed players to excel at blocking shots no question. It used-to be a fine art as to how to block shots without getting yourself killed.
Kotsy, It's impossible to watch a game like Sundays B's -Rangers for me. The IQ level is so low. And I don't get the fact of dumping the puck on the boards on a power play.I can't figure out how a 10 year NHL d Man can be out of position every game!! And continue to start AND...AND..play 20 plus minutes every night!!! It is impossible to watch.. BTW the Edmonton Oilers could play the Habs way too.
JohnM, What can I tell you? You see it and no you don't need glasses LOL
As for the Oliers, I lived it.
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