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Holy Henrik! That game was incredible!  Early candidate for game of the year.  One that, if lost, would have been absolutely devastating.  I was jumping out of my seat, screaming at the TV for most of the game.  Just a gritty, hard fought performance by the New York Rangers.  A total team effort.  Grades…

Offense: B

This was by far the worst unit of the Rangers tonight.  But, with that being said, the Rangers continue to win games by finding goals on limited shots.  Tonight was no different.  Only 25 shots, including the overtime period, for the Blueshirts tonight.  While the numbers aren’t out yet, the time of possession stat is going to be laughable.  BUT, despite all of that…WHAT A CLUTCH PERFORMANCE!  After seemingly not having the puck the entire third period, the Rangers respond after losing a lead they had had for 57 minutes with a miraculous pass by Brandon Dubinsky to Marc Staal for the goal.  And then, Dubi comes out in overtime and delivers one of the dirtiest moves you’ll ever see to assist Cally on the game winner.  Quality, not quantity.

Defense: A+

It seems like all the team did tonight was play defense.  But boy, did they play well.  The Penguins have tons of firepower and the Rangers took every shot and kept coming.  Hell, Dan Girardi was gushing like Old Faithful after getting hit in the face with the puck…and he came back to finish the game!  Yes Henrik was fantastic, but the Rangers defense never let up.  When you consider how much time the Penguins had the puck, to go 57 minutes plus without giving up a goal is pretty amazing.

Special Teams: A+

Let’s not even talk about the screw-job performed by the refs on the Rangers tonight.  In what was an insanely physical game, New York didn’t have a single power play…not one…not half of one.  On the PK, they were stellar.  Withstanding a 4 minute double-minor and even scoring a shorthanded goal with the net empty to tie the game.

Goaltending: A++

How can you ask Henrik to do better than tonight?  I just don’t get how the Penguins only had 2 goals.  Yeah, the second one was kind of bad…but come on, the guy had a billion saves before that.  Hats off to you Hank.

Coaching: A

How bout moving Christensen down because he wasn’t getting anything done on the top line?  Torts had to adjust to injuries, penalties and bad refs and he did a great job. Huge win.

How can you not be pumped after that one Rangers fans?

The Rangers have won a home game! I repeat, the Rangers have won a home game!  It’s a 3-2 OT victory against the struggling Buffalo Sabres.  Tack on two points to the Rangers season total.  Let’s get to the grades.

Offense: A

This was a very exciting game offensively.  Both teams with their fair share of opportunities to pull away from the other, especially in the third period (I’m looking at you Alex Frolov).  Artie tallied two goal, Fedotenko another.  But the line of the night was that of Boyle, Fedotenko and Prust.  It’s really amazing the effort these guys have been putting in on the forecheck as of late.  Missed opportunities? Yes.  But the Rangers got it done on offense with continued pressure and throwing the puck at the net.

Defense: B-

Most of the game was a clean sheet for the defensive unit.  Roszival is out 7-10 days, so Matt Gilroy gets some much needed time.  Overall not terrible.  But giving up a goal with 2 seconds to go in the 2nd period is unacceptable.  It completely took the momentum and wind out of the Garden.  Biron made some spectacular saves to keep the game in reach.

Goaltending: A+

Sometimes Biron makes saves like he’s a fish flopping around out of water.  But, he gets it done more often than not.  To come in and play the way he did when he wasn’t expecting to start was incredible.  Keep it up Marty.

Special Teams: B

Loved the PK tonight.  Couple of chances for SH goals.  PP took shots, but couldn’t find the net.  Another night where a lengthy 5 on 3 couldn’t be converted.  Overall, slightly above average.

Coaching: A

How bout Torts with the Tiger Woods fist pump at the end of the game?  Think he wants to win at home?  I like the increase of playing time for Boyle and Prust, got to go with the guys who deserve it.  Also, liked the way Gaborik was eased back in and put in positions to be effective in his role.

“I just have to tip my cap and call the Rangers my Daddy.” -Devils Organization

Offense: A-

I’ll take a little bit off the grade right away because Marty wasn’t in net.  Obviously, there’s nothing the Rangers can do about that, but it takes away some cache. Three goals, very admirable effort.  Although, there were extended periods of time, especially in the 2nd period, when the Rangers could not sustain possession.  The forecheck was also lacking when you compare it to the past few wins. Only 20 shots…quality over quantity I guess.

Defense: B

CLEAR THE PUCK! The shutout was all on Hank last night.  It felt like the Devils dominated on time of possession.  Can’t say that the defense had a terrible game, but I don’t think this was an all-star performance.  I was really looking for the defense to spark some quick transition offense, but that didn’t happen.  Shut out’s a shut out though, can’t kill ‘em.

Special Teams: A

A PP goal and a SHG all in one night???? I better not jinx this by saying anything more.

Goaltending: A+

Can someone tell Hank we’re playing the Devils every night? Superb effort. Simply amazing to watch.

Coaching: A

When you’re playing the Devils, Hank is dictating the game, the coaches are just there for the ride.  The coaching staff looked to be alert during that ride, so they get an A.

Part of the new upgraded NYRangerscast blog, we’ll link you to all the New York Rangers news that you need to know to start your day.  Links to blogs, beat writers and team sites will be listed below.  Let us know if there are any sites you think should be added to the list at hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

Rangers Report
So, what happens when an arena starts to crumble?  Apparently, you call up neighbors to see if you can crash at their place.  Rangers Reports looks at the possibility of relocation for teams at MSG.

NY Daily News
Jesse Spector asks the question, are the Rangers for real?  He also takes a breather before the Rangers start a stretch of 15 games in 27 days.

Blueshirt Banter
The guys at B.B. have your scoring chance summaries for the month of October.  Very interesting, analytical read.  Interesting stat, the Rangers are only producing one scoring chance for every 2 minutes on the man-up.  Not ideal.

NY Post
Brooks talks to Torts about Matt Gilroy.  Gilroy and Sauer are apparently sharing the role of “sixth defenseman,” while Eminger has secured the role as the fifth.  All three are uncomfortable playing on the left side.  Three lefts don’t make a right.

Ranger Rants
Andrew Gross is at practice today.  Ryan Callahan is not.  Gross will keep you updated all day long from the rink.

Redemption! This looks like it’s going to be another season of Rangers “Road Warrior” hockey.  Terrific effort from start to finish in a 2-1 victory at Toronto.  Mind you, this win is against a team that hadn’t lost in regulation in the first five games of the season.  Rangers start a road swing with a win, here are your grades.

Offense: B

I liked a lot of what I saw tonight.  The Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan line continues to go out and flurish.  Anisimov had the second Rangers goal of the game, that followed Fedotenko’s first goal as a Ranger.  Although the team only managed to score in the first period, they did pressure throughout the game, most notably on a shot off the post by Matt Gilroy.  Gustavsson played well and kept Toronto in contention.  Offense gets a B because they couldn’t score after the first period.  I want to see them put a game out of reach.

Defense: A

The best game the Rangers have played this season on the defensive end by far.  It actually looked like there was a plan.  Phil Kessel killed the Rangers in the first game against the Leafs, he was neutralized tonight.  The stat for blocked shots isn’t available yet, but the Rangers got in front of a ton of Leafs chances.  I thought the team stuck to their assignments and their game plan.  Only hiccup was by Girardi on the Leafs goal, but he had a great game aside from that.  I also liked seeing Gilroy and Sauer get playing time.

Goaltending: A+

Marty! Marty! Marty! Near shutout for the new Rangers backup.  This guy looked healthy and fresh in his debut in Blue and he played like a starter.  How about that breakaway save in the 3rd that kept the Rangers in the lead?  Loved it.  Only thing that could have been better is a shutout.  Maybe next time, Marty.

Special Teams: A-

Huge improvement from the Av’s game on the PK.  Toronto was 0-5 on the PP tonight, and I believe only managed 8 shots.  Rangers didn’t find a PP goal either but only had two chances.  I’ll give them the A- just for sheer improvement.  Again, this team seemed to have a plan tonight, that usually helps when trying to win games.

Coaching: A

Did I mention there seemed to be a plan?  That’s got to come from the coaching staff right?  You put a plan in place.  The plan works. You get an A.  Simple as that, folks.  I liked the move to take Eminger out for a game as well.  Bravo.

Those are my grades…What you got?

Part of the new upgraded NYRangerscast blog, we’ll link you to all the New York Rangers news that you need to know to start your day.  Links to blogs, beat writers and team sites will be listed below.  Let us know if there are any sites you think should be added to the list at hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

The day after links are below.  Another loss for the Rangers, hope you enjoyed Erik’s ratings of the game.  On a side note, make sure to hit us up on Twitter (@NYRangerscast) so that we can post some of your tweets this week on the blog.  Also, send us your rants and raves for Fan Post Friday’s, it’s your chance to write for NYRangerscast.

Ranger Rants
Andrew Gross tells us that there will be no call ups as of right now, just bigger roles for Christensen and White.  Also, Martin Biron will get a start somewhere in the next three games.

Rangers Report
LoHud has your Avs-Rangers wrap-up.  First line of the blog sums it up, “If this is Life without Gaborik, the Rangers are in trouble.” Amen.

Rangers Review
Inferno calls last nights game the Special Olympics. He, like me, says he doesn’t see this team succeeding when healthy, let alone when not.

NY Daily News
Daily news looks at the Rangers struggles on home ice.  Could this upcoming road trip be what the Rangers need to get back on the right track? Hope so.

Blueshirt Banter
The guys at B.B. take a look at the Rangers 2011 cap situations.  Yep, it’s already time to look ahead to next year!  At least the good news is the Rangers will have more than the 12 cents they had this year to spend on players.

You’ve been Linked Up!

Part of the new upgraded NYRangerscast blog, we’ll link you to all the New York Rangers news that you need to know to start your day.  Links to blogs, beat writers and team sites will be listed below.  Let us know if there are any sites you think should be added to the list at hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

Rangers Rants
Andrew Gross gets you ready for tonight’s match-up against the Av’s.  Should we be worried about Hank’s start?

Rangers Report
The Journal News has a preview for tonight’s game as well, but I’ll give you a link to their post with reactions from the Leafs game.   They give a half-hearted thumbs up to Gilroy’s first game of the season.

Daily News
Jesse Spector has some quotes and notes from Sunday’s practice.  Apparently, there is some confusion as to weather Erik Christensen is ready to play.  Mainly, that confusion is on the part of Christensen…Hmm.

N.Y. Post
Larry Brooks tells us that the focus tonight will be on improving the defense.  Yeah, that’s one thing to work on.  Not getting hurt is another.

Blueshirt Banter
Jim over at B.B. asks the $64,000 question, who will step up for the Rangers tonight.  Wish I knew, I could use $64k.

You’ve been linked.  Enjoy.

Three games into the 2010-2011 regular season and the Rangers are already forced to make sweeping changes to their offensive lineup.  It’s not due to the lack of offensive production (just over 4 goals per game so far this year), but rather the injury epidemic that caught the team by storm this week.  Out are Marian Gaborik and Chris Drury.  In are Todd White and the (semi-injured) Erik Christensen.

This means Coach Tortorella has had to shift things around a bit for tomorrow nights game against the Avalanche.  Andrew Gross over at Ranger Rants gives us tomorrows lines as seen today in practice:

Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan
Alex Frolov-Derek Stepan-Ruslan Fedotenko
Sean Avery-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Derek Boogaard-Erik Christensen-Todd White

I like leaving the Anisimov line intact.  Those three were by far the best line in the home opener, especially in the first period.  Unfortunately, the combination of Avery-Stepan has been split up for the time being.  I don’t like the move, but I don’t know if I see another option right now.  I don’t think you can put Avery on the second line yet and Stepan has to be there.

Erik and I talked about the lack of depth at the center position in this week’s show.  It just got much worse.  With Drury out, the team is really handcuffed with its line combination’s.  Boyle had a productive game against Toronto, but moving him any higher than the third line would be expecting a lot from him.

Christensen on the fourth line shows you that he’s still hurting.  Maybe as his health improves (cross your fingers) he can move up a line or two.  We’ll see how these lines turn out tomorrow, but I see much more shuffling over the next few weeks.

I won’t comment too much on tonight’s 4-3 OT loss to the Maple Leafs. Rangers showed a little moxie coming back the way they did in the 3rd period to pull out a point. Unfortunately though, that loss is not even close to the worse thing that happened to the Rangers today.

Bad things happen in 3’s right?

1) Marian Gaborik separated his left shoulder after getting smashed along the boards. He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. So, you thought this team needed secondary scoring? Now it needs primary scoring.

2) In Chris Drury’s 2010 debut, he promptly broke the same finger he just finished rehabbing. The Rangers Captain will miss an expected 6 weeks of playing time.

3) Vinny Prospal, already out with an injury, will miss even more time. He had surgery today, he is out indefinitely. Andrew Gross tells us there’s a growing belief that Prospal will not return this season.

So……yea. Rangers fans, this season just got real dicey. Let all those injuries sink in, try to enjoy the weekend.

The NYRangerscast Season 4 Premiere episode is now available for your listening pleasure. Erik and I are pumped to be back and I think it shows at the beginning of the show!

Here’s what you’ll hear:
-The richest man in the AHL
-Offseason acquisitions: Doing a little with a little
-Stepan the Kid
-Center of it All
-Avery being Avery
-Chairman Wang and the Hofstra Pride
-The Connecticut Whale?

CHECK IT OUT ONLY ON THE NYRANGERSCAST!