Hard-Working Isles Edge Rangers

Post-Game Thoughts:

• Rangers came out flat and stayed that way throughout this entire contest. They seemed to be disengaged all night, made very sloppy passes, didn't win enough puck battles and were not able to sustain any offensive pressure most of the game. 
• Give credit where credit is due; The Islanders worked hard for 60 minutes and were very aggressive against the Rangers, which seemed to disrupt them all game. The Isles' record (2-4-5) doesn't reflect how well they've played at times.
• Dwaye Roloson was not tested very much all night. However, he owes the post & crossbar a steak dinner: 5 posts hit by the Rangers which could have been goals and a different game altogether. 
• Congrats to P.A. Parenteau getting his 1st NHL goal tonight. He subbed in adequately for Marian Gaborik.
• Enver Lisin made a lot of Rangers fans frustrated tonight, ringing a shot off the crossbar and whiffing on some quality scoring chances. 
• One of the few games this season were the Rangers PP was ineffective.
• Sean Avery won't be able to sleep good tonight, failing to bury a tap-in goal late in the 3rd. While he's tossing and turning, he should figure out how to be an effective, in-your-face player again.
• Allowing the opposing team to win 36 face-offs is not a recipe for a win. 

Next Game: NYR will be in Minnesota Friday night 8:00pm start.

Rangers Prove Wily Against Coyotes

Post-Game Thoughts:

• Just what the doctor ordered to get off the 3-game snide. The Rangers got back to basics and it paid off tremendously for them.
• Marian Gaborik notched another 2 goals, tying Anze Kopitar for the league lead with 10. However, you must hold your breath until we find out why Gaborik limped off in the 3rd to the locker room and did not return.
• King Henrik showed no ill effects to the slight foot injury he suffered in Montreal on Saturday, allowing only 2 goals.
• Brandon Dubinsky nearly made up for his mediocre game in Montreal with his great set-up for Gaborik’s 1st goal. Nearly.
• The Young Guns (Enver Lisin, Artem Anisimov) both got on the score sheet with goals. It has to especially feel good for Lisin to score against the team that traded him away. If you’re keeping score, Lisin has 8 points so far (3 goals, 5 assists) and Lauri Korpikoski (the player sent to Phoenix for Lisin) has 0 points. Steal?
• Michael Del Zotto is a godsend to the Rangers PP. 2 more assists puts him at 11 points, leading all rookies in scoring.
• Christopher Higgins had an encouraging game tonight in response to his lackluster game plus benching in Montreal. You can almost feel how close he is to getting his 1st goal.
• How long before we see the real Chris Drury? I understand he is the captain and that, while his defensive game has been solid, he has shown barely any offense. If Tortorella wants to stay true to his word, Drury needs to have his time reduced until he finds his game.
• Think there’s any correlation between Donald Brashear’s absence and the Rangers 3-game losing streak? Despite his play not being up to par while in the lineup, the Rangers broke their losing streak with his return to the lineup.

Next Game: NYR heads to Nassau to face the Islanders Wed. night 7:00pm

Rangers Miss the Point Against Canadiens

Post-Game Thoughts:

• John Tortorella will have plenty to bark about (21 giveaways to boot) at the Rangers in the days that follow. This might have been the sloppiest defensive effort for the Blueshirts so far this season and were lucky to even walk away with a point.
• Both Brandon Dubinsky and Christopher Higgins were benched for the entire 3rd period, Dubinsky for his turnover that directly led to Dagostini's goal and Higgins for his lack of hustle on Cammalleri goal right before the 2nd period ended. If you're not going to play hard, you shouldn't play.
• Adding to the last point, Christopher Higgins has to be absolutely frustrated with himself. Not only is he mired in a deep scoring funk, but he gets benched against his former team in a losing effort.
• The line of Gionta (2 assists)-Gomez (2 assists)-Cammalleri (Hat Trick, 1 assist) is certainly dangerous and one of the top lines in the league.
• The Rangers snapped their streak of 8 straight games with a PP goal.
• You're lying if you didn't hold your breath when you saw Henrik Lundqvist down in pain. The running in to Lundqvist has to cease immediately or we won't be saying how he dodged another bullet.
• Good to see Artem Anisimov score. He was one of the few bright spots in the game, as he was pressed into service with Dubinsky and Higgins being benched.
• Marian Gaborik scored a beauty of a goal of a nifty deke. However, he doesn't get a full pass and could have easily been benched by Tortorella. Gaborik was also on the ice for Cammalleri's OT winner.

Next Game: Monday night @ MSG against Phoenix

Rangers Allow Devils to Exorcise MSG Demons; lose 4-2

*Excuse my absence after the San Jose game. Not only was I not able to watch the game, I was too ashamed to even write about what I did see.

Post-Game Thoughts:

• It’s very rare to watch a Rangers Devils matchup and not see a competitive, exciting game. This was no exception. A physical edge, end-to-end action etc.
• The stud pairing of Dan Girardi-Marc Staal did not have a good game at all. Staal’s neutral zone turnover lead to Bergfors’ goal and Girardi’s passiveness allowed Zubrus to walk in front of Lundqvist and deflect the game-winning goal for New Jersey. Despite putting points up, Girardi has not been his consistent, reliable self early on this season. Tortorella called Girardi out after the preseason, saying he didn’t have a great camp and called him out again after the game last night, saying his play was “average.”
• Brashear was a healthy scratch for this game and I’m OK with that. In fact, let him ride the pine for a while. I think he’s better used sparingly and should only be used in games against overly physical teams.
• We saw John Tortorella mix up the lines quite a bit in this game, something he likes to use if he feels the lines have become stale or is trying to jump start players (Callahan, Higgins). Good to see Enver Lisin get some 1st line time along side Prospal and Gaborik.
• The 3 Million Dollar Man a.k.a Ales Kotalik scored a beauty of a goal to tie the game at 2. If not for a brilliant save by Marty Broduer in the 2nd period, Kotalik would have had 2 goals.
• I was very impressed with New Jersey’s extra effort tonight, especially on defensive plays they didn’t give up on. Colin White’s diving poke check on Ryan Callahan late in the game is a prime example as the Devils did this multiple times tonight.
• 8 straight games now with the New York scoring a PP goal. Somewhere, Perry Pearn is sulking.
• I cannot fully blame Lundqvist for the game winning goal because, if not for some spectacular saves, this game would have been out of reach. However, I thought Henrik could have been a bit more aggressive on that 3rd goal. Even he would agree he could have.

Next game: Saturday in Montreal 7:00pm start

Mitchell Lowers the Boom on Toews

...Gotta keep your head up, Johnny

Brashear’s Dreadful Play Not Helping To Quiet “Mistake” Talk

With the New York Rangers going in a different direction in the offseason, management decided to let FW Colton Orr, considered to be the “enforcer” of the team, walk as a unrestricted Free Agent – allowing the Toronto Maple Leafs to sign Orr to a multi-year contract for around $1 million per. The hole created was quickly filled with the acquisition of UFA Donald Brashear, a long-time veteran and seasoned “tough guy.” To say the signing of Brashear was not only received poorly by fans, but, viewed as a mistake by them as well is a slight underestimation.

Brashear draws the ire of Ranger fans not just for his abrasive and, at some times, reckless play over the years as members of the Philadelphia Flyers or Washington Capitals (considered a “goon” by some people) but more so for his blind-side head shot of former Ranger Blair Betts in Game 6 during last season’s Easter Conference Quarterfinals. The hit, which was not penalized, caused Betts to suffer a concussion – missing the rest of the playoffs as the Rangers went on to lose the series in Game 7. Blair Betts was not signed in the offseason and walked as a free agent. Currently, Blair Betts is healthy to play but remains unsigned.

Coach John Tortorella has defended the acquisition of Donald Brashear on numerous occasions early in the season, saying the reason Brashear was chosen instead of re-signing Colton Orr is the coach feels Brashear is an overall better hockey player; having more of an offensive game and is a better skater. Through 9 games so far, it would seem the opposite is true. Brashear has not recorded a point, is a -3 (he was on the ice for 3 goals against San Jose), has taken some deflating penalties, and in his 2 fights has looked like a shell of his former self. At 37, you have to question if Donald Brashear is still capable of being an effective hockey player.

* Post-Script: My biggest problem with Brashear so far has been the fact opposing teams, mainly the Toronto Maple Leafs, have taken runs at Henrik Lundqvist with no response by him or any other player. Part of playing the “enforcer” role on a hockey club is to stick up for teammates and, if needed, send a message that messing with our top players will not be tolerated. Brashear has not come close to fulfilling that obligation and that is an ugly string of words.

Vally In For Shark Attack

Steve Zipay over at Blue Notes reports that backup Steve Valiquette will get the start against San Jose tonight @ MSG. Valliquette's last start came came against the Anaheim Ducks, shutting them out 3-0.

Thoughts:
- Tortorella is playing the gambling man here. I understand the reasoning of the move (Western Conference team, Lundqvist needs rest for contests against Devils, Canadiens later in the week) and Vally did look good against Anaheim.  Yet, San Jose is no joke - best in the NHL so far and have a lethal offense. I hope his hunch pays off here.