Videos For Your Viewing Pleasure

• Tortorella's Post-Game News Conference (11-12-09)

• Game Highlights: Atlanta vs New York (11-12-09)

Rangers Receive a Thrashing in MSG Return

*I wasn't able to watch the game, I only caught the game highlights online.
Post-Game Thoughts:

• Fans got to see 2 world class offensive talents on display in this game in Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik. It was very entertaining, extremely sloppy but entertaining nonetheless.
• Michal Rosival might need a walker to help aide him walk: Evander Kane basically blew right past him to set up Colby Armstrong's goal :19 seconds. Not the way to start a game.
• Michael Del Zotto continues an impressive rookie campaign, collecting 2 more assists and increasing his numbers to 4 goals and 11 assists
• I wonder if Marian Gaborik has the quickest release in the NHL. The pass he received from Del Zotto was in his skates a bit, yet, was able to fire a hard shot past G Johan Hedberg to tie the game at 2 a piece. Unbelievable.
• Henrik Lundqvist cannot be fully blamed for this loss. Sure, his dreadful clear attempt directly led to the 4th Thrasher goal by Evander Kane. However, for most of the game, Lundqvist got no support from his teammates as the opposition were basically allowed to roam free. If not for some keys saves, the score would have been more lopsided.
• Rich Peverley has been the best move by Thrashers GM Don Waddell by far. Picking him up off of Nashville's scrap heap last season, Peverley has nearly averaged a point per game in his time in Atlanta, collecting 8 goals and 12 assists so far this year. He also had a PP goal and 2 assists in this game.
• Good to see the hard working Brian Boyle get himself on the stat sheet with a goal. I had my doubts about him in the pre-season but, so far, he's been a welcomed addition.
• I think its imperative the Rangers either make a move or call up a center from Hartford. Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik cannot play nearly 28 minutes a game and expect to be useful in the long run.

Next Game: Saturday 2:00pm in Ontario against the Ottawa Senators.

Brian Leetch Talks About HOF Induction

...Will probably go down as the best Rangers D & on the best American born D of all time. I really hope he comes back in some capacity with the Rangers. The young D could certainly benefit from his tutelage.

Blueshirts Feel The Burn in Calgary

Post-Game Thoughts:

• This is exactly what was expected from Calgary; a tough, physical hockey game. What wasn't expected were cheap shots missed by the referees. An ominous tone was set :49 seconds in when Curtis Glencross blindsided Chris Drury,who was nowhere near the puck, giving him a concussion.
• Brandon Dubinsky was also injured, taking a shot off of what appaeared to be either his wrist or hand. If there's a broken bone(s), expect him to be out long-term. That would put New York down 2 top centers for an undisclosed amount of time.
• It's a bit different when you play a team that actually pressures the puck carrier and plays aggressively and takes the body.
• Despite the injuries, the Rangers played outstanding considering the circumstances. They matched Calgary's physicality and Mikka Kiprusoff, arguably the best goaltender in the league, was the difference in this game.
• Nice to see Dan Girardi score a goal, his 1st in 12 games. Unfortunately, you don't want it to be the only goal scored in the game.
• Chris Higgins looks like a brand new person, and I have to say, I like what I'm seeing. His offensive game will continue to flourish if he's at ease.
• Steve Valliquette was pressed into action for the 2nd straight night to give Lundqvist some more rest and, unfortunately, didn't play well enough. Daymond Langkow's goal, I feel, is one Lundqvist doesn't let by.
• Nigel Dawes seems to have found a bit of a niche in Calgary, notching 3 assists and sent a beautiful pass to Jarome Iginla on his goal. Freddy Sjostrom played a solid game as well.

Next Game: Thursday 11/12 @ MSG against Atlanta.

Rangers Strike Oil in Edmonton

Post-Game Thoughts:

• This is the team Rangers' fans can get used to and, at the outset of the season, were seeing for a period of time.
• The only "5 in the picture" I saw in this game were the Rangers having free access to the slot. Edmonton played so passively I'm surprised I even saw them on the ice. Associate coach Tom Renney couldn't have been happy with his team's defensive effort.
• Rangers' PP was huge in this game scoring 3 goals. Contribute most of that to Edmonton's extremely passive play, not pressuring the puck carrier or point men. Yet, Gaborik, Del Zotto, and Kotalik had exceptional games.
• Nice to see Ryan Callahan get rewarded for his constant effort and consistent play with a beautiful re-direction for a goal.
• Matt Gilroy's game is improving as he gets more comfortable. His give and go with Higgins was a welcomed sight.
• The passing was very crisp in this game, great movement and a lot were tape-to-tape. I bet the Rangers wish they had this ice at MSG.
• Chris Higgins notches another goal. He's on fire ladies and gentlemen!
• Steve Valiquette had an adequate game in relief of Lundqvist. I'm sure he'd like to have back Vishnovski's back hander.
• Aaron Voros must love getting reprimanded by Tortorella as he took 2 more penalties that could have been avoiced

Next Game: Saturday night in Calgary 10:00pm start. It will be Sean Avery's 1st game in Calgary since his infamous "sloppy seconds" comment.

Prospal Talks About Getting The "A"

*****
- Tortorella said he was content with having Ryan Callahan be the lone alternate captain all year, however, Prospal makes an excellent 2nd alternate. No one plays with more passion than he does, knows Tortorella's system better, and his goal celebrations are a delight to watch.

Canucks Stifle Rangers' Attack

** Sorry for not blogging lately, I didn't get a chance to watch either the Minnesota or Boston games of this past week.

Post-Game Thoughts:

• Even without their star goalie Roberto Luongo, the Canucks are still a very solid team, especially defensively. They executed a near perfect game-plan to stymie the Rangers all night. Rangers are now 3-4-1 on the road.
• Willie Mitchell (Gaborik's former teammate in Minnesota) might have had a hand in that, shadowing the sniper all evening. It's only the 2nd game that Gaborik hasn't registered a point.
• For the most part, the Rangers played well except for a couple of major mistakes (Sean Avery was completely lost on the Rypien goal) that lead to goals.
• I could feel the pressure just melting off Chris Higgins last night has he scored his long awaited 1st goal as a Ranger. Congrats to him and I hope this springboards him into a torrid hot streak.
• Vinny Prospal was named the 2nd alternate captain before the game and I couldn't agree more on the decision. He's been nothing short of spectacular early on, playing with passion, and has been a vocal leader on and off the ice.
• Rookie of the Month winner Michael Del Zotto, despite being out there for a goal against, had a decent game. Although his rookie counterpart Matt Gilroy stole a bit of his thunder with a nifty spin-o-rama move to set up a shot.
• Henrik Lundqvist had another great night in net that's marred with the score put up by Vancouver. It could have been over in the 2nd if not for some key saves.
• Ryan Kesler is one heck of a hockey player. He had 3 assists last night, played a sound 2-way game, and will make Team USA proud in the 2010 Winter Olympics coming up. Maybe Brandon Dubinsky can pick his brain a bit on how to play more consistently.
• The 3rd period melee brought back memories of 1970's hockey. It was amazing it didn't get out of hand more than it did.

Next Game: Thursday night 9:30pm @ Edmonton to face former head coach Tom Renney's new squad.