Game 4 - Second Period Thoughts

I said the first goal would be crucial and it sure was. The team looks determined and the Garden is going crazy. Jagr is playing like this is his last run in the NHL and he is carrying this team. Now the Rangers need to put it away. They need to take advantage of a powerplay for once. Their powerplay has been so miserable and it is the reason we haven't won a game. They are starting to get more chances but they just need to put one in.

The Pens have been excellent in the third period during the playoffs. They have only allowed 2 goals in the third period in 7 games. The Rangers need to try and get an early goal so they can really put the Pens on the ropes. A 2 goal lead with Henrik in the net should be enough. Henrik has been amazing so far and that is exactly what we needed. He has to keep it up and the Rangers need to be smart, not take penalties and pressure the Pens. Let's make sure this season doesn't end tonight.

Game 4 - First Period Thoughts

That was a decent period by the Rangers. They killed two penalties and Henrik played very well. I like that the Rangers are showing some fight and showing that they refuse to give up. The Rangers have to capitalize on this period because the Pens have been good defensively in 1st and 3rd period of these playoffs, only allowing two goals in each period during the playoffs so far. Henrik has to keep up the play and Staal needs to calm down and play hockey, he is looking a little shaky. Another thing the Rangers need to do is stop taking penalties. The Pens have proven they can capitalize on the powerplay and we can't give them that opportunity.

The Rangers need to start getting some quality chances. Their shots are just terrible. They are hitting the glass or going right at Fleury. Players are missing chances, missing rebounds and just not testing Fleury. The Rangers need to get selfish and just pepper Fleury with shots. They need to do that on even strength but also on the powerplay. The Rangers need to get the first goal so they can get the crowd going and so they can gain some momentum. When you’re down 3-0 in a series, you need all the momentum you can get. The Rangers can't get their heads down and they need to keep on fighting to win this game.

Game 4 - Pregame

Tonight is hopefully the beginning of one of the greatest comebacks in NHL history. Unfortunately we will be doing it without Avery, Betts and maybe even Drury. Drury will skate in warm-ups and Renney is optimistic that he will play but not sure yet. Replacing Betts will be Lauri Korpikoski. He will be making his NHL debut tonight and hopefully he can put a little spark in this team and help them win. If you remember, Nigel Dawes did the same thing last year against Buffalo in Game 6, we just didn't win. Hopefully Drury can play and Prucha replaces Avery. After what Hollweg did last game, I don't want to see him in. We will have to wait till closer to game time to figure everything out.

The Rangers seem confident that something is going to happen. Jagr said he has a funny feeling about this series. Hopefully he is right. We have outplayed them in 2 of the 3 games so far, especially in Game 3. We have to outplay them tonight but we actually have to win. I still have hope and so should you.

Avery Hospitalized

Sean Avery was hospitalized last night after suffering a lacerated spleen in last night's loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is reported to be in stable condition. The team has stated that the reports by The Daily News that Avery was unconscious and had to be transported to the hospital are completely false. According to team representatives, Avery walked into the hospital under his own power.

Supposedly, Avery suffered this injury after being hit in the first period of last night's game, and played the rest of the game in an enormous amount of pain. Avery is out for the remainder of the season (however short that may be), but should be ready for the beginning of next season.

Our hearts are all with Sean, hoping he can make a full recovery...

More later about game 4...

Game 3 Thoughts

It's sometime after the game is over and I think I only feel worse. I look back on the three games so far and I see so many opportunities that the Rangers missed out on. Today I think was the worst so far though. The Rangers had 4 straight penalties called and they didn't score once. A playoff team doesn't do that. The Rangers had problems during the season with their powerplay and it didn't look that bad against the Devils. Now it just looks horrendous. They couldn't get a real good chance during any of the powerplays they had and that really didn't help us much. The Pens have been taking advantage of their powerplays and that’s why they are up 3-0.

Another reason the Rangers are in this hole is because they haven't played a complete game this whole series. The first game the offense was on and the defense gave up the lead. The second game the Rangers played great defense and Henrik played spectacular. In that game the offense couldn't get a single goal. Now in the third game, the offense is on fire and playing with such determination but the defense completely falls apart. There were so many turnovers tonight and just overall bad decisions. I could go through them all but there is no point. Everyone that watched the game knows exactly what I am talking about. They made stupid mistakes and paid for them.

Now the offense wasn't perfect tonight to say the least. They were very determined and played physically and made a good comeback. They had so many missed opportunities as well though. Straka missed an open net and the puck flew through the front of the net plenty of times with no goal. That is the key; the Rangers have not capitalized on their opportunities or any Pens mistakes. The Pens have made every advantage count.

As for Henrik tonight, I don't know what to say. Some of those shots didn't seem very possible to save but he just didn't look that good. There was no crazy save or anything very impressive. I am not blaming him at all because the defense was worse and the offense had plenty of opportunities to win the game. He really just wasn't on tonight it seemed and unfortunately it was at the worst time possible.

Now of course this series isn't actually over. It’s possible that we could win 4 straight games, its been done before in hockey and other sports. This team just doesn't seem to be a team that can do it. They have to play a more complete game and hope the Pens start messing up a little bit. If the offense plays like they did tonight, and the defense like they did in Game 2 then yea maybe we have a chance. I'm not going to give up till they are done and buried so let's make history and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. I still have hope and I hope every other Rangers fan does.

Game 3 - Post Game Thoughts

I will post this for now and I will say more later when I can collect my thoughts. The Rangers through everything they had at the Pens and they couldn't win. With the way the Pens are playing, you can only hope the Rangers don't get swept. Obviously anything can happen in sports, and that’s the last little bit of hope I am clinging on to. Everyone better start praying or else our season is over. This really sucks.

Game 3 - Second Period Thoughts

What a period. That was amazing play by the Rangers to tie the game up. We need to capitalize on the powerplay if we get another chance in the third. The Rangers couldn't get anything going on the powerplay and that would've been a big boost for them. They need to continue the physical play and pressure Fleury. This is the most important period of the series so far and the Rangers, all of them, really need to step it up to win this game. No stupid penalties, Ryan Hollweg, and people have to step up because Drury and Betts are hurt and I don't know if they are coming back. This period is really going to show how far this team can go.

Game 3 - First Period Thoughts

That was crushing. The Rangers were playing so well, peppering Fleury with shots, playing physical and playing determined to win this game. We have just had some serious defensive mistakes. There have been way too many turnovers in our defensive zone and on the goals they just don't seem to be in the right places. The first goal was a nice bounce that went in the Pens favor but the second and third ones could've been stopped by the defense. The Rangers can't get down on themselves because they are playing hard and determined. Fleury has been making good saves and the Rangers have been missing some serious opportunities. Straka had a wide open net and completely blew it.

The Rangers have to play tighter defensively and Henrik needs to step it up a little. He looks a little shaky right now. The Rangers need to get the puck to Jagr because he is playing like a man possessed right now. He is very intense and is all over the ice and I have a good feeling he is going to get something going. I can't believe he was put in the box after being literally attacked for no reason. The Rangers need to play smart get some quality chances and not mess them up. We are still in this game.

Game 3 - Pregame

With about an hour till game time, I am both nervous but confident. The Pens have really shown something in the first two games. They made a great comeback in Game 1 and beat us at our own game in Game 2. That’s what makes me feel a little nervous. But the Rangers have had the opportunity to win both games and have played solid hockey so far in the series. That is what makes me confident. And of course being at home makes me feel a little more comfortable. This is a must win game. Either we make it a series or we go into the biggest hole possible.

Tonight's game is going to be intense. The Pens are trying to basically end it and the Rangers are trying to make it a series. Let's not forget how the last game ended as well. That scuffle got intense with Jagr throwing punches and Avery getting jumped. That was the only time I really saw the Pens get affected by Avery's antics. By the way I don't know if you have heard but Avery supposedly slashed at Crosby's wrist twice, connecting once but missing with the harder second slash. They have been good so far at not focusing on Avery's antics and such. I think some of that fire is going to carry over from Game 2 into Game 3. The Rangers will be fired up being at home and knowing they have to win.

Some lineup changes for tonight's game. Prucha is out and Hollweg is back in. Also, according to Renney, the lines will be a little mixed up tonight to allow for more forechecking. Maybe some lineup changes will be good for the offense after Game 2 where they couldn't get anything going. We will have to wait and see.

Game 2 - Post Game Thoughts

That was some fight at the end but that means nothing. The Rangers during the whole game could not take advantage of their opportunities. They had plenty of chances 5 on 5 and also on the powerplay. The Rangers had the game at their pace and they still couldn't win. This is devastating. You could see how frustrated and disappointed the Rangers were at the end of the game. They need to get their heads up because if they lose Game 3 the series is over. Henrik played well and the defense was great too. The Rangers offense, which got us through the first round, needs to get the pucks in the net. We got screwed by the whistle and we blew another game, it's that simple.