Posts tagged ‘Canadiens’

                                                                      (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,David Boily)

Make no mistake about it, this horrifying loss falls squarly on the shoulders of Henrik Lundqvist.  There is simply no excuse for allowing five goals in the last 30 minutes of this game.

I realize that Montreal controlled the play in the second half of the game, but at least 3 of those 5 goals should have been stopped (and 4 of those 5 goals COULD have been stopped).

When you get signed for 6 years for that amount of money, games like this can’t happen.

On another note, Richard S. used the dreaded words in the comment section of the previous blog.  He said “turned the corner.”

That phrase is officially banned from the NYRangerscast…

 Now listen, this was as bad a loss as the Rangers could have possibly had, but I still have a good feeling about this team.  I think that they’re really close and tonight, while they collapsed, they did it against an exceptional hockey club in the Canadiens.  It’s hard to look at it this way now, but it was one hell of a hockey game from a pure hockey standpoint.

If these two teams ever faced each other in the playoffs it would be a series for the ages. 

Don’t lose the faith.  They’ve gotten 8 of a possible last 10 points, are still in good position, and have played extremely well in 7 and 1/2 of their last 9 periods.

If the Rangers are able to win tonight in Montreal they will not only pull off a season series sweep of the Habs for the first time in six years, but they could be as close as four points out of the top spot in the East by the end of the night.

Think about that for a second…4 points!

Considering that as little as 4 days ago this team was out of the playoff picture, that’s pretty incredible.

On the podcast a couple of episodes ago, Eric and I had a debate about whether or not the Rangers had a realistic shot of making the Stanley Cup Finals.  I said they absolutely did.  If they pull out tonight’s game north of the border, I don’t think there should be any question about it.

Right now, Montreal is tied with New Jersey and Ottawa for the top spot in the East.  If the Rangers win tonight, they will be a combined 9-0 against the Canadiens and Devils.  I know they’re 1-3 against the Sens, but the Ottawa team the Rangers played before the New Year is not the same team they would play in the playoffs.

A win tonight and the Rangers are 9-3-1 in their last 12 and are officially hot.  I’m not saying you should bet your mortgage on them at this point, but I am saying that, if they win tonight, it’s time to hop back on the bandwagon. 

Cally’s in for Shanahan tonight.  Good move.  No need to make his knee worse than it is.  So here’s my question for you all for today’s game: Which game gets higher ratings? This one at 2 or that football game at 6:30? Here we go…

2:15 p.m.: The Rangers are going to have to be smarter today.  If they keep taking those type of penalties, the Canadiens will capitalize on the  PP.

2:20 p.m.: The Rangers need to tighten up their game a bit right now.  They’re running around a little too much in their own zone.

2:39 p.m.: Have to stay out of the penalty box, just have to.  This team is way too good on the PP to give them opportunities.

2:54 p.m.: Terrible first period, but at least we got to see a heck of an intermission report. Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury do a hell of a job (cough, cough, note the sarcasm).  Wow, what a joke.

3:13 p.m.: That’s a terrible penalty to take by none other than Strudwick.  He’s just too slow and clumsy to be an NHL player.

3:14 p.m.: Penalty shot – there’s a good chance that this determines the game.

3:14 p.m.: Wow what a rocket by Kostitsyn.  Every goal has been a power play goal.  Its simple…give this team man-up opportunites and you’re going to lose.

3:20 p.m.: Big goal.  If you’re going to give up 3 PP goals, you have to capitalize on your own opportunites. 

3:22 p.m.: And there’s another one! Wow, the last two Dubinsky goals have been absolute beauts.  We’ve got ourselves a game.

3:36 p.m.: Brian Leetch was back out there! Well maybe not, but Marc Staal certainly showed some great moves on that goal.  The key to that goal though, Jagr wreaked havoc in front of the net and Gomez cashed in the rebound.

3:38 p.m.: If Ryan Hollweg plays another game for htis team it is an absolute joke!! You’re right back in the game and then the player who defines “bringing nothing to the table” takes an unbelievably stupid and selfish penalty that will no doubt put the Rangers down a man for five minutes.  To give this power play, that kind of time and this point is inexcusable.  Cut him now!

3:48 p.m.: Heck of a period.  Really unlike any that we’ve seen so far this year.  They need a big time kill to start the third, but we’ve got ourselves a game going folks!

4:22 p.m.: See, I guess all that Drury needed was for Eric and I to talk down about him for a couple episodes.  All jokes aside, the guy has been phenomenal in the last three games (as has Nigel Dawes…what a pass).  What a gritty game by this team so far.

4:36 p.m.: Shocking, just shocking! Again, see what happens when you get traffic in front and shoot the puck.  This could be one of those games that defines a season.  We haven’t seen the Rangers have the ability to comeback from one goal down, let alone three.  They’ve now won 5 of 6 and three straight on the road.  Gotta keep it going…

According to Steve Zipay’s blog, Blue Notes, Ryan Callahan is in Montreal for the game today against the Canadiens.  It’s unclear where (or if) he’ll be playing today.

Now I know Steve and I promised a big show for Monday…we may have lied. Dont worry, no need to panic, it will all be alright. Steve and I will be back in full throttle (Charlie’s Angels 2 Style) tomorrow. We have decided to push the show a day in order to talk not only about the win against Montreal, but the forthcoming game against Pittsburgh.

Also, just a quick point about tonights game. After the win against a very good Montreal team, if the Rangers can go on the road and beat an ultra-hot Pens team, they will be saying a lot. Two wins against quality teams will be a great starting point for a significant play off push.

AND SPEAKING OF A PLAY-OFF PUSH….Id like to hear some thoughts about the rumors surrounding Curtis Joseph. CuJo has been looking around at various teams and the Rangers name has been thrown out there. Do you think a veteran back-up is significant enough of a move? Is it even a move you want to make, when backup goaltending has not been a huge concern. I’d like to hear some thoughts on the topic, get the discussion going in the comments section of the blog.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: Never mind the CuJo talk.  According to ESPN.com Joseph has signed on with the Flames.   

We have gotten a great response to our contest on how to fix the Rangers. Remember you have until Friday to get your solutions into hosts@nyrangerscast.com

Steve and I will be blogging during and after tonights game. Remember folks one win is nice, but when you get two in a row…thats called a STREAK!

GO RANGERS!

I don’t think I need to state just how big a game the Rangers/Canadiens tilt is tonight for the Blueshirts.

A win and the Rangers break a 5-game losing streak and jump back into the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

A loss? Well, another loss and the Rangers fall further into the Atlantic Division abyss and set themselves up to at least tie last year’s seven game losing streak when they’re forced to face the WHITE HOT Pens on Monday.

 Straka in; Shanny out. 

And in a bit of a suprise, fan favorite Marek Malik will suit up along side former partner Michael Rozsival.  The other two D-Combos will be changed as well with Girardi alongside Staal and Tyutin playing with Mara.  In case you can’t do the math, Jason Strudwick is out so clearly I’m upset…

 I actually have a good feeling tonight…Rangers 3, Habs 2.