Live Blog – Rangers @ Hurricanes
Another big one (aren’t they all). Let’s see how the new guys look.
Here we go…
7:10 p.m.: Quick whistle there. Ward didn’t cover that one…
7:14 p.m.: Wow, what a beaut! Jagr with the fantastic pass and Dubi with the patience. This line just keeps truckin…
7:27 p.m.: It’s a good sign that Jagr shot it there. A couple weeks ago, he doesn’t have the confidence to rip that…
7:33 p.m.: The Rangers are just flying right now. But what’s seperated this latest run from the rest of the season is that now they are starting to pull away from teams. Let’s see if the Rangers can net another one here…
7:41 p.m.: When you’re hot, you’re hot and boy is Sean Avery hot. That is a BIG, BIG goal. The Rangers had dominated the first 15 minutes, but Carolina was coming on in the last 5. That just killed any momentum, the ‘Canes may have been able to build going into the break…
8:01 p.m.: Ward has been fantastic tonight…
8:03 p.m.: The Rangers look downright scary right now. The Rangers are constantly 3 steps ahead of Carolina and are moving the puck like they have 360 vision. This is an absolute clinic…
8:06 p.m.: If Ward wasn’t playing as well as he is, this game would be 7-0 right now…
8:14 p.m.: That’s a fluky goal, but Carolina’s been playing well for a few minutes now. The Rangers have to learn from the Montreal game and not start running around…
8:22 p.m.: You have to absolutely love these kids. Cally should have drawn the initial penalty and when the refs didn’t penalize the ‘Canes, he took matters into his own hands. But isn’t something off when Dubinsky and Callahan are fighting and Hollweg isn’t?
8:26 p.m.: The Rangers really need to just start getting the puck out of their zone. There’s too much playing around with it along the boards and not enough moving it into neutral ice. It’s going to get them into trouble if it doesn’t stop…
8:30 p.m.: Sjostrom looking really good there. He’s definitely got some speed…
8:34 p.m.: 10 minute misconducts for what…saying bad words? Please. That’s ridiculous…
8:36 p.m.: The ‘Canes played much better for most of the second period, but give the Rangers some credit. They didn’t let things spiral out of control after a fluky goal by Carolina. The refs have been awful in this one. They’ve missed 3 or 4 big ones…
8:56 p.m.: Second high-sticking penalty for Backman (even though Staal’s in the box, Backman should be) and this one’s a double minor. The Hurricanes’ PP has looked good. Backman also had a bad giveaway earlier in the game. Not a good debut for the Swede….
9:03 p.m.: Unbelievable…another fluky goal. A good defensive play by Betts actually hurt them on that one…
9:04 p.m.: And Backman’s called for holding! Horrible first game for Backman…
9:07 p.m.: Phew! That’s huge right there. Unbelievable pass by Dawes and a classic Shanny finish. Remember after the Montreal game when Eric and I said that the Rangers needed one of their leaders to step up to stop the bleeding? That’s what we were talking about right there…
9:12 p.m.: Wow, Backman is just awful tonight. He’s getting beat all over the place and has now (essentially) taken 10 minutes in penalties tonight. He’s not exactly endearing himself to Ranger fans right now…
9:17 p.m.: Lundqvist has had a very strong game. He’s directing rebounds where he wants them to go and is hanging tough through a lot of traffic in front…
The Rangers keep on rolling. They’re now 11-3-2 in their last 16. Was it as dominating a win as it looked like it would be after the first? No. But it was a win on the road against a team that was 7-0-1 in their last eight home games. Lundqvist was great, the first line looked fantastic again (when it was intact) and Shanahan provided the big goal to squash the comeback.
When talking about the negatives, the officiating was a close second to the play of Christian Backman. The former Blue made you wonder how JD was able to swindal something as good as a fourth round pick for him. Hopefully it’s the first game jitters, but this was certainly not what you wanted to see.
In a quick look around the league, Marian Hossa had a heck of a run in Pittsburgh. It was only about 30 minutes, but it was certainly memorable. In all seriousness, the former Thrasher hurt his knee and looks to be out at least a couple weeks.
Also, it looks like John Paddock wasn’t the problem. Ottawa lost again to the Flyers tonight.
Right now, it’s anybody’s conference.
This entry is filed under Blog Entries. Subscribe to the
Comments RSS feed.
25 Responses
Michael February 28th at 7:57 pm
Avery dropped down to one leg like usual after he scored, but where was the double fist wave??
Oh well, he’ll just have to score again so we can see it.
Steven Gelbs February 28th at 7:59 pm
I have to say, if Avery’s gonna play like this then who cares whether or not he’s talking to the media. Become a mime for all I care…
Michael February 28th at 8:02 pm
I’m a little bummed they’re not doing trivia..you know the Giawigs would’ve pulled a point back tonight
Michael February 28th at 8:04 pm
Well if I didn’t know better, I’d say game over, we’re completely dominating the game tonight..
Oh wait, we did that against Montreal also. Must have 35 more minutes of hard work to win.
Michael February 28th at 8:14 pm
Oh no..
Michael February 28th at 8:24 pm
Cally, if you’re going to challenge someone to a fight, do the honorable thing and take your helmet off. I hate seeing guys with visors fight guys who don’t wear visors, I really have no time for someone who wants to fight but won’t get rid of the shield.
Michael February 28th at 8:38 pm
Steve, a 10-minute misconduct clearly makes sense in this situation, especially after there was no call on the Carolina player who left his feet and led with an elbow while hitting Rozy even though it was a blatant penalty.
What a joke, I honestly believe that the NHL has some of the worst officials in American sports.
Brendan S February 28th at 8:56 pm
Wish I could be watching the game. NHL Center Ice Online has the wrong feed and is instead showing “Classic Milwaukee Brewers Games.” Riveting. Oh well, I’m watching Flyers/Sens, Stars/Hawks, and Isles/Thrashers…
Steven Gelbs February 28th at 8:59 pm
You’re not watching the Pens Brendan? Looks like Hossa isn’t helping too much tonight.
Michael February 28th at 9:02 pm
Michigan State-Wisconsin is what everyone should be watching other than this game, but that’s ok.
Michael February 28th at 9:03 pm
Oh no (x2)..
Michael February 28th at 9:05 pm
Next game: Backman out, Struds in. Sorry Steve, you can’t really argue that move, it has to be made.
Steven Gelbs February 28th at 9:06 pm
Oh Michael, I can argue that move. Backman’s been terrible, but you’re never going to get me to agree to Strudwick.
Michael February 28th at 9:07 pm
As my man Bill Raftery would say…”Dagger!”
Michael February 28th at 9:12 pm
Backman AGAIN!!!!! We want Strudwick, we want Strudwick!!..at this rate, Shanny’s goal may not be the dagger.
Okauchee Brad February 28th at 9:14 pm
This Backman kid is a felon!
Michael February 28th at 9:16 pm
I wonder if Backman has a crush on the away penalty box attendant..this is ridiculous
Michael February 28th at 9:18 pm
One more penalty and JD can have Backman back for free as far as I’m concerned haha
Michael February 28th at 9:32 pm
Not too impressed with the performance tonight, but a win is a win is a win and the two points are all that matter, especially when you can get them away from home.
Brendan S February 28th at 10:53 pm
Let’s hope we can chalk Backman’s game up to jitters…
Brendan S February 28th at 10:54 pm
Oh, and bye bye Hossa!
Inferno February 29th at 12:07 am
the funny thing steve, last time we argued against each other because you thought henrik was bad and i thought he was fine, tonight i thought he wasnt very good (2 very slow, very soft goals he should have had, and another very slow fluttering shot he dropped with his glove that he also should have had cleanly).
yes, he definitely made a lot of nice saves, but i wasnt happy with the way they scored those 2 goals.
what can ya say, i guess we cant always agree.
Steven Gelbs February 29th at 12:17 am
Inferno we may disagree on the play of Henrik, but there’s one thing the neither one of us can dispute…this team is on fire right now.
And really, that’s what matters.
Inferno February 29th at 11:42 am
Absolutely. Clicking on nearly every cylinder out there. THIS is what we envisioned with all our stanley cup predictions early in the preseason. Im wondering if the Rangers just enjoy making their fans depressed for 50% of the year.
Inferno March 3rd at 3:18 am
no thoughts at all on yesterdays game?
:-O