NYR def. ATL 2-1 (SO)

Isn't it ironic that on a night honoring hockey's history the game ended in the new age shootout.

I'll get this out of the way... the powerplay, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! It has to get better. End of story. Kind of getting sick of saying it.

We gotta be happy about getting out of this shootout with win. What used to be a team filled with shoot-out specialists (nylander, cullen, sykora) has reached a level of such shoot-out mediocrity that even King Henry can't save them.

Rangers Stars Of The Game (in no particular order):

Brandon Dubinsky - This guy is quickly transforming himself from a good young player to a good young star in this league (no pun on the Young Stars game). He has become a constant threat every time he is out on the ice. He is one of the few players on the team who consistently takes the shot. With his offense surging and his defense improving, his all out effort every game is turning him into a LEGITIMATE second line center.

Nigel Dawes - It doesn't really matter if Nigel Dawes has earned the approval of coach Tom Renney because he has certainly earned the approval of the Garden faithful. Dawes and Dubinsky have fully assumed the role of the young, exciting, talented kids on this team a role left void by the 07-08 performances of Petr Prucha and Ryan Callahan. I've been a consistent fan of Nigel Dawes throughout the season and was firmly against sending him down the first time....and the second time. I think the difference this time is that Nigel's consistently solid play has now coincided with a bit of a winning streak (7 out of the last 10 points). Nigel has twice been the victim of a much needed roster shake up, but as long as the Rangers keep winning, Nigel will stay.

Henrik Lundqvist - Allowing one goal in regulation and zero in the shootout certainly warrants Henry a star of the game. While Henrik has certainly improved his game of late and is a big reason why the Rangers have allowed one goal or less in 3 of the last 5 games, I think the real credit goes to the overall team defense. Solid defense combined with improved back-checking from the forwards (Sean Avery,Chris Drury) has seen the Rangers return to their stellar defensive numbers of early this season. With the offensive numbers showing no signs of improvement, tight team defense might be the only thing that can allow this team to make a run to the playoffs.

Positive Notes:

• Brendan Shannahan has absolutely saved us in shootouts this year.
• The Rangers have never been able to field a scoring defenseman since Brian Leetch left town. Michael Rozsival is now second among NHL defenseman in goals with 12 (Mike Green (WAS) . Interesting.
• Some much needed rest this weekend will help this team. Hopefully Shanny, Jagr, and Drury can gear up for a huge second half return. Gomez, Staal, and Dubie headed to Atlanta (do they really need rest?).
• As ugly as it was against a much depleted Thrasher team, a win on Brian Leetch night...priceless

It might not have been the 6-1 domination we all expected but a win is a win, especially at this point in the season. 2 Game winning streak going into the all-star break. Good luck Scotty, Marc, and Brandon.

Is there anything more classy than a Rangers jersey retirement ceremony. Great to see Brian Leetch's jersey soar to the rafters. A guy who really deserves.

In other news...Adam Graves, wow. Watching his face after Leetch announced it, gave me the absolute chills. As much as we want #9 to the rafters, he wants it more. He has devoted himself to this team, this town, and these fans and absolutely deserves a spot next to his teammates in the rafters.