See what happens when we score goals- Post Game Thoughts - Rangers 4 - Flyers 0

There really isn’t that much to say about that game but that it was exactly what we needed. That was a dominating game on all levels. That was the first time the Flyers have been shutout at home since 2006 and its great when your backup goalie can get it done.

The Rangers played a sound offensive, even-strength game. They scored 3 great goals with even strength play. Dawes goal was beautiful patience and a perfect shot. Prucha's goal was great rushing the net and finding the loose puck. That was a very quick play and I was surprised Prucha got a stick on it. He rushed hard at the net which is exactly what you need. Shanny's goal was also a great goal. He showed off his shot that has made him a sure Hall of Famer. He placed it well and that’s something that has to continue. Along with the goals the puck control was excellent. They worked the puck well up the ice and in the neutral zone and stopped the Flyers from really getting a chance to get in the game.

On the defensive side, the Rangers shut down the Flyers. Vally step in and played an excellent game. He made 20 saves, nothing too challenging but the Flyers definitely had their chance.

Now there is not much analysis to do in a dominating and one sided game like that. There is one problem with this game. If the play doesn’t continue then this play meant nothing but one win. This is a game that should bring momentum to the offense which desperately needs it. You see what happens when you score goals. The pressure on the defense to stay up a goal or within a goal is gone. They can play relaxed and do what they do best, shut people down. We just dominated the first place team, but one game doesnt put us in the playoffs. We need to keep this play going because this is the play that we have been looking for all year. This play will get us in the playoffs.

Rangers at Flyers - Second Period Thoughts

It doesn't take any in depth analysis to understand that we are utterly DOMINATING this game. 11 shots against of which 1 maybe 2 were high quality. All around, simply fantastic. As a matter of fact, the first line might be our worst line tonight.

Yes, its only one game but Rangers fans can, for at least one night, be completely satisfied (assuming nothing changes in this game...gulp). Everyone contributing, working hard, and taking this game.

Two things of note:
1. Un-freaking-believable job not taking to many penalties. Only 2 so far, one of which was cut short when Malik to a low hit. Keep this up.
2. Credit where credit is due. I've said before that Marek Malik can be a solid player for this team. Rozsival and Malik work well with each other and this can really help us down the stretch.

Great job Vally, keep it up!

Rangers at Flyers - First Period Thoughts

Welcome to how to play a road period 101. The Rangers did a fantastic job. The home team flyers came out strong, they withered the storm till they got their feet uder them. They crashed the net, got contributions from all 4 lines, played good team defense, and got a big save from their goaltender. I don't want to get to high on them so I'll stop here. Good period but this 2 goal lead is all too familiar.

When negative note: lets just stay away from special teams all together. Their powerplay is good, ours isn't. They get PK chances, we don't. Lets stick to neutral zone even strength play.

Keep it up Vally. Take it to em!

PreGame: Rangers at Flyers (1/31 at 7:00pm)

Big news coming out of tonight's game...Stephen Valiquette gets the start. What does this mean for the Rangers? Well, it's hard to say. The trend appears to be that when Valiquette plays, the game tends to be low scoring. Why? Because the Rangers collapse around their own net. Vally's presence in the goal always seems to mark an extremely noticeable shift in the Rangers' play. Overall the team tends to play a neutral zone game, with few offensive and defensive zone risks. We tend to see fewer odd man rushes for and against. While Vally's presence forces the players to play conservatively on the offensive end, it does inspire a high level of defensive accountibility.

I think this could end up being a good thing for this team. The Flyers play a very wide open style of hockey and the chances of the Rangers winning a 7-8+ goal are very unlikely. A goal here, a goal there, and shutdown D might be this team's best chance at a win.

If the Rangers are willing to play a defensively tight, low scoring game they will HAVE TO come through on the powerplay. What we saw on Tuesday night was nice but that was 4 on 3. The Rangers need 3-4 high pressure 5 on 4 powerplays to score the goals they will need to win this game. Que up Shanny, Jagr, Drury (the usual suspects) to come through. Jags always seems to light up Philly so we'll see what happens.

Btw, has anyone seen Scott Hartnell's line in the past 10 games. 17 points in that span is impressive but 5 GWG!!! is ridiculous. Got to be careful of this guy as well as the rest of the Philly powerplay, ranked #1 in the league right now. Easy solution, don't take any penalties. Easy enough right?

Let's Go Rangers!

Rumor Mill

Couple of rumors circulating around the NHL. Here they are:

According to the New York Post, Malik is on the trading block and Sather is looking for a top-four defensemen. Interest is high around the league, I wonder what they see that's good about him, but no one wants to meet Sather's offer. I wonder why no one wants to meet his offer. This is a tough trade for Sather since this is supposed to be our top-line defensemen but he is a terrible player. Interesting to see what the offers will be and if Sather will just take any offer to get rid of him or maybe get what he wants. I suspect we end up with 5th or 6th defensemen just to get rid of Malik.

In the New York Daily News there is a report that contract negations for Henrik are on track regardless of his play. Really his play isn't that bad and I am glad it isn't hindering the extension. This is something that I trust will get done and really is nothing to worry about. The question is how long the contract will be. With Ovechkin getting such a long contract, is it really out of the question that Henrik could want something of the same length?

Post Game Thoughts

If you had told me the Rangers were going to lose this game after seeing the first period I would have thought you were crazy. Yes, it was only a 1 goal lead but man, the way they were playing, I didn't think it could happen.

I want to reserve total judgement about this team's potential for a second half run until after the 3 games this weekend against teams above us in the standings.

I've been trying not to pay attention to the standings put I glanced at them after tonights game. The Rangers sit 9th and I can't really see any of the teams below them (Washington?, Atlanta, Florida) making a run. It's still early but I think it will be the Rangers, Islanders and Boston for 2 of 3 spots down the stretch.

We Can't Catch a Break - Hurricanes 3 Rangers 1 - Post Game Thought

I don't know what to say anymore. We play these great periods where fans get happy and say hey, we are going to have a good game. Then nothing goes right what so ever. They gave up two terrible 2 on 1 in the 2nd and the 3rd was disgusting. Carolina had the puck for what felt like 90% of the period. Every shot we had either hit the glass or Ward right in the chest. This is horrible. The even strength play was just terrible. Opportunities were wasted with poor shots, missed pucks, and shots that were easy for Ward to save.

The Rangers have 30 games remaining and every team they are in the playoff hunt with has games in hand on us. Today's lines just didn't work, there is no other way to say it. They didn't play well together, Carolina was able to get plenty of odd man rushes and if not for some nice saves by Henrik, the game could've easily been 5-1. I really don't know what to say about this team anymore.

So much for great playing - Rangers @ Hurricanes Second Period Analysis

Well there isn't much really to say here. The speed of the game was the same but unfortunately that benefited the Hurricanes twice. They got two 2 on 1 rushes and took advantage of both. I thought Henrik could've had the first one but both were well placed shots. They showed some energy at the end of the period and had some chances but no luck. They need to come back out with the energy they ended the period with. This is a team that we should beat. Yea, they are in the playoffs but that is because their division is horrendous. This is not a playoff team we are playing and we need this win.

Well that was Crazy - Rangers @ Hurricanes First Period analysis 1/29

Well that period was filled with just about everything. There were 16 penalties, one big fight, 3 game misconducts. The intensity on both sides of the ice was extremely high, except for Marc Staal. He seemed like he wanted to drop the gloves after the hit on Gomez but he didnt. A little disappointing but he is young. Regardless he should've dropped the gloves or something right away. Avery had some built up rage from the All-Star break. He got a roughing penalty right off the face-off, he stood up for his teammate and got 2 game misconducts. Personally I see nothing wrong with what he did. I am glad he stood up for Gomez even if he got the game misconduct penalties. Now we have to hope for no suspension. I also really REALLY like the intensity shown by Jagr. He threw his gloves down and got into it a little bit. It shows this team is ready to make this very difficult run.

Besides the intensity and all the fights, the Rangers are playing pretty well. The defense is good, especially on the 5 on 3. That was a great kill on almost a full 2 minute 5 on 3. There were great saves, great clears and an overall great job by the PK units. That was a key point in the period.

The goal scored by the Rangers was a well run 4 on 3. Crisp passing and patience led to a great opportunity and a great shot by Shanny. It would be nice to see if the Rangers could keep up this speed and intensity and continue to throw pucks at the net.

By the way, if Orr fights again he is gone from the game. With all of this happening in period 1, whats gonna happen with the 2 more left.

Malik fixed everything

In a very heartfelt story, Malik talked to Tom Renney and addressed the team regarding his disrespectful actions last week. So for all of you out there that wanted him gone, keep on dreaming. He is still here and who knows, maybe this will make him play better (I am trying to be optimistic).

The entire team will get back together on Tuesday in Carolina for the beginning of the run to the playoffs (Gomez, Dubinsky and Staal didn't go back to New York after the All-Star game). With so many teams in contention in the East these next 31 games are going to be either very exciting or very disappointing. It all depends on how the team comes out to play.