Posts tagged ‘Live Blog’

PRE-GAME: Sean Avery makes his return to the Garden tonight as the Stars make their only trip to New York this season.  As I said in today’s podcast, Avery may get a mixed reaction from the fans during tonight’s game.  If that happens, that’s a shame.  Sean Avery was a great Ranger and about as popular as an athlete can get in New York.  The same reason why Ranger fans loved him during his tenure may be the reason they hate him tonight.  But it would be hypocritical to boo him because of it.

Even now, watching Avery get into it with Dubinsky and Vally, doesn’t make me mad…it makes me miss him more.  

All that being said, the Rangers will need to do their best to tune him out as they go for another two points tonight.  The Stars have gotten off to a bit of a rough start (1-3-1), but they’re a very explosive team waiting to erupt at any second.  The Rangers will have to give a full 60 minute effort (something we’ve really yet to see) in order to take this one.

Rismiller in, Korpikoski out.  Everything else remains the same.

Avery vs. NY, Lundqvist vs. Lundqvist, Rismiller vs. Modano (okay, maybe not the last one).  Should be fun.

Update 7:09 p.m.: The Rangers go on the early power play, but more importantly Avery goes on the early offensive.  Dubinsky and Lundqvist already getting an earful.

Update 7:10 p.m.: GOAL!!! MARKUS NASLUND!  HOUSTON WE HAVE A PULSE! #91 LIVES! 1-0 RANGERS!!

Update 7:13 p.m.: Avery just touched the puck and boos rained down. Ridiculous.

Update 7:15 p.m.: Nice boost by Drury to get a good shot off.  The Rangers looking very quick tonight.

Update 7:18 p.m.: Boy that Gomez line looks good.  If they could get a couple of those on net, we’d be looking at a two goal lead.

Update 7:23 p.m.: “LLOYD!!!” Jeremy Piven of Entourage is in the building.

Update 7:26 p.m.: …and apparently so is Michael Imperioli of the Sopranos.  It’s an HBO Garden Party!

Update 7:34 p.m.: Turco looks very shaky so far.  Too many rebounds.

Update 7:37 p.m.: Great save by Lundqvist.  Terrible job by the fans at the Garden with the booing of Avery.

Update 7:39 p.m. END OF 1ST: Solid period for the Rangers.  They came out strong, dominating the first 7 or so minutes of the game.  The Stars found their footing, but the Rangers had some good chances throughout.  I can’t emphasize enough how disappointed I am in the fans at the game for booing Avery.  Every single person there LOVED him a few short months ago.  Not liked him…LOVED HIM!  He put the Rangers in the playoffs two years in a row and deserves a better reception.

Update 7:58 p.m.: Gorgeous pass from Gomez to Dawes.  Gomer is flying tonight.

Update 8:04 p.m.: The Stars tie the game on the power play.  Gotta give Morrow credit there.  Beautiful goal.

Update 8:09 p.m.: Strong move by Naslund draws a penalty.  Rissmiller comes in with a late hit on Avery after the play.

Update 8:19 p.m.: A pretty clear trip by Ribeiro was just missed.

Update 8:21 p.m.: Nifty little pass there by Zherdev.  The 2nd line looks very strong again, but the Rangers need to pick up the pace again.  The Stars are looking much better here in the second.

Update 8:30 p.m. END OF 2ND: 14.  That’s the big number right now.  The Rangers have missed the net 14 times and it’s cost them dearly.  The Stars played a much better period in the second and the Rangers didn’t necessarily have the same forecheck going as they did in the first.  Yet, whenever they had an opportunity, it seemed that they missed the net.  Especially with a shaky Marty Turco in net, you’ve got to put the pucks on goal.

And if anybody has a Chris Drury sighting, please let me know.

Update 8:59 p.m.: Modano puts the Stars up 2-1.  The Rangers just haven’t had the same jump they had in the first period.  Mikey putting it right where Henke’s vulnerable.

Update 9:02 p.m.: The fans giving Avery the Brodeur treatment, with an “Avery!” chant.  Stupid.

Update 9:06 p.m.: Rozsival with the inopportune penalty.  The Rangers need a big kill…and a big spark now.  It’s a little ironic, but this is a game that the Rangers could really use Avery’s spunk.

Update 9:19 p.m. FINAL – STARS 2, RANGERS 1: And that concludes a tough 7 games in 11 night stretch and the end couldn’t come soon enough.  The Rangers looked good in the first period, but fatigued and slow from there on out.  There really wasn’t much going on from the Rangers end in the final 30 minutes.

Still, when the schedule came out, I don’t know a Ranger fan alive who wouldn’t have signed up for a 6-2-1 record when the dust cleared.  Come Friday though, the excuses stop.  The team seems to be coming down to earth a little bit right now.  Whether that’s a sign of the schedule or the team won’t be known until next week.

PRE-GAME: With the Rangers looking to make history tonight we figured what the heck, let’s start this live blog early tonight.  A win tonight and the Blueshirts would be 6-0 for the first time ever.  Plus with Toronto on the Friday’s docket, lucky number 7 looks to be in reach…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The revolving door that is the third line left wing continues to roll tonight as Weinman, Zip and Gross are all reporting that Petr Prucha will make his American soil season debut tonight.  For those counting at home that also means that Nigel Dawes is out for the third straight night.

Tonight’s game will be another good test.  The Sabres are no pushover and showed that with a 7-1 drubbing of the Isles on Monday.  I know, I know, it’s the Islanders…but it’s impressive nonetheless.

So we’re about an hour away, let’s keep the momentum from the last live blog rolling.  And if you need something to pass the time before the drop of the puck, look on right side of the site and check out Episode 66.

Update 7:11 p.m.: Orr v. Peters…I don’t even think a punch landed so I’ll say it was a draw.

Update 7:13 p.m.: Gomez draws the early penalty.  6 power play goals in 6 games??

Update 7:17 p.m.: GOAL!! ROZSIVAL! SCOTT GOMEZ WITH THE NICE DROP PASS GETS IN ON THE ACTION AND ROZSI WRISTS ONE PAST MILLER.  PROBABLY ONE HE’D LIKE BACK, BUT WE’LL TAKE IT! 1-0 RANGERS! (Update 7:30 p.m.: Gomez credited with the goal.)

Update 7:21 p.m.: Kalinin to the box.  Couldn’t help but give his old team some help.  Although with this PK, maybe not.

Update 7:24 p.m.: Make that 22-for-22 on the PK.

Update 7:25 p.m.: World class job by Lundqvist to take the bottom of the net away from Spacek.  Another Rangers penalty though.

Update 7:30 p.m.: 23…

Update 7:39 p.m.: Great shift by the 2nd line…what else is new?  You have to like the deep pinch by Staal and the defensive play by Mara on Vanek.

Update 7:41 p.m. END OF 1ST: Another 1st period in the books, another lead.  Not a fantastic period though.  The Rangers went the last 13:25 without a shot and looked a little suspect in front of their own net.  They’ll start off the second on the man advantage.

Update 8:01 p.m.: Lundqvist gobbles up the point blank rip by Kotalik.  His positioning and rebound control still amazes me.

Update 8:05 p.m.: And the streak ends at 23.  Power play goal by the Sabres (although it looked like a Ranger might have pushed it in). 1-1

Update 8:10 p.m.: Looks like Betts put it in while trying to help Lundqvist cover.

Update 8:17 p.m.: Awful, awful undisciplined play by Mara.  It doesn’t matter how upset you are, you simply can’t start wailing away on someone because they tried to hit you.  Five minutes and a game misconduct.  Remember this one if the streak is broken.

Update 8:21 p.m.: And there’s one.  Nice initial save by Lundy, but Vanek got behind the defense and poked in the rebound.  2-1 Sabres.

Update 8:23 p.m.: A bad penalty by the Sabres kills the final two minutes of the Buffalo power play.

Update 8:26 p.m.: Ladies and Gentleman, let me introduce the third line! Great shift by those three.  Let’s see if that can kickstart the rest of the team.

Update 8:33 p.m. END OF 2ND: Well you could see that coming.  The Rangers didn’t look good in the first and it caught up with them in the second.  Only 9 shots on goal so far in the game and the team looks a lot slower than the first five contests.  The first line really has to step up and do something.  Naslund and Drury have been absolute ghosts since returning from Prague.

Update 8:52 p.m.: Renney puts Callahan up on the first line in place of Naslund and it immediately results in a four minute power play.  Genius?

Update 8:53 p.m.: Wow.  Second short-handed goal given up by the Rangers this season gives Buffalo a 3-1 lead.  That’s on Drury.  He simply didn’t pick up his man.

Update 8:58 p.m.: Why is the fourth line taking an offensive zone draw with 30 seconds to go in the power play? Four minute power play over…-1 to show for it.

Update 9:02 p.m.: The Rangers are upping the pressure as Renney is shuffling the lines, but too much is to the outside.  They need to get one quick here.

Update 9:07 p.m.: Smart timeout by Lindy Ruff.

Update 9:15 p.m.: Looks like the Rangers will have to wait until Friday to get win number 6.  Right now the pressure is there, but there are no real threats.  The amount of line permutations in this period has been absurd.

Update 9:26 p.m. BUFFALO WINS 3-1: That’s all folks.  The 1983-84 squad is breathing a HUGE sigh of relief, knowing that they still share a tie of their record.  No beating around the bush, the Rangers simply played a bad game tonight.  They had no forecheck, no special teams and slow legs.  But you know what, before the season started I don’t know a Ranger fan who would have turned down a 5-1 start to the season.

Even still, I’m beginning to wonder if Naslund and Drury are still a part of this team.  Those two need to become a factor if this team is going to be successful in the long run.  The one thing I’m worried about is that Renney is going to begin to shuffle the lines in order to get those two going and actually mess up the chemistry of the rest of the squad.

So it’s on to Toronto to try and win six of the first seven.  Keep an eye out for our next podcast tomorrow about tonight’s game.  Get your thoughts in for the show at (347)410-9093 and hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

PRE-GAME: The Rangers and Devils renew their rivalry tonight.  Neither team has lost a game yet with the Rangers 4-0 and the Devils 2-0 to start the year.

Dan Fritsche gets his first start tonight in place of Patrick Rissmiller on the third line.

As everybody’s probably already read, Rangers top prospect Alexei Cherepanov died at the age of 19 today.  There is a blog entry below if you would like to comment on his passing.

Update 7:10 p.m.: “Marty!” chants already starting up…gotta love it!

Update 7:15 p.m.: Another great penalty kill.  The Rangers remain perfect for the year.

Update 7:28 p.m.: This fourth line is looking phenomenal so far this season.  Orr, Betts, and Sjostrom are slowly becoming the third line.

Update 7:30 p.m.: GOAL! DUBINSKY! WHAT’S THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN A RANGERS GOAL?? A RANGERS GOAL ON A MARTY BRODEUR MISTAKE! BRODEUR TRIES TO CATCH THE PUCK AND IT DIPS RIGHT UNDERNEATH HIS GLOVE. RANGERS LEAD 1-0!

Update 7:32 p.m.: And the “Marty!” chants come out in force.  The Garden is rocking tonight.

Update 7:34 p.m.: After a bit of a slow start the Rangers have been buzzing the last five minutes.  All four lines are getting a real good forecheck going and the top unit just missed putting the Rangers up 2-0.  This Devils team has a lot of issues scoring so to put another one in before the end of the period would go a long way to ensuring a 5-0 start.

Update 7:42 p.m. END OF 1ST: Another fantastic first period by the Rangers.  It took a couple of minutes, but the Rangers really dominated the last 10-15 minutes of that period.  All four lines got that signature 2008 Rangers forecheck going and the hottest line in the league potted another goal.  Let’s see if the Rangers keep it up this time over three periods.

Update 8:04 p.m.: Extremely chippy game so far.  The rivalry has always been intense, but it seems like last year has the rivalry in a bit of a renaissance.

Update 8:08 p.m.: The Rangers are just continuing to do what has made them so successful so far in the early going.  They are relentless pursuing the puck on the forecheck and all five players on the ice are committed to defense.  Rangers first power play now, with Rolston in the box.

Update 8:11 p.m.: GOAL! VOROS! VOROS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE POWER PLAY NEEDED.  A GUY WHO PARKS HIMSELF IN FRONT AND ALLOWS THE DEFENSE TO RIP AWAY.  THAT’S ANOTHER NICE CHANGE…THE DEFENSE RIPPING AWAY.  GIRARDI TOOK ONE SHOT, GOT IT RIGHT BACK AND DIDN’T HESITATE WITH ANOTHER.  RANGERS UP 2-0!

Update 8:15 p.m.: But Kalinin immediately to the box.  Let’s see if the Rangers can stay 100% on the man down.

Update 8:16 p.m.: Big series of saves by The King.  It’s gotta be difficult to stay in the game with such sparse work.

Update 8:19 p.m.: Another kill…raise your hand if you’re suprised.

Update 8:26 p.m.: Zherdev has to shoot that.  I like the unselfishness, but that’s a time to be selfish.

Update 8:30 p.m.: Well they had to make a mistake sometime.  The second line unable to get the puck out and Madden puts home a rebound after a big save by Lundqvist.  The Devils really have upped the pace the last ten minutes or so.  2-1 Rangers.

Update 8:32 p.m. END OF 2ND: Oduya takes a bad penalty at the end of the period, so the Rangers will get to start the third on the man advantage.  The Devils came back strong in the second half of the period to make a game of it.  Still, a lot to be happy about so far.

I’ve gotta hand the blog off to Eric now.  I have a commitment that I just can’t get out of tonight at 9.  Gotta love DVR.  Great comments so far guys.  Let’s keep it going!

8:45 pm: Hey everyone, no need to fear, Eric is here.  Please refrain from booing.  As Steve mentioned earlier I have been on a long days journey from Baltimore.  But, I have returned to catch the last period of Rangers v. Devis with you kind folks.  I would personally like to send my condolences to those connected to Alexei Cherepanov, it is something I have yet to fully grasp but it is tragic none the less.  But, again I’ll be blogging for the third period…don’t go running for the exits.

8:52 pm: PAUL MARA POWER PLAY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGERS LEAD 3-1!!!!!!!!!! Might  be credited to Voros…in which case that man is on fire.  Thats how you capatalize on a PP!

8:55 pm: Goal stays with Mara, well deserved.  Mara took control of that PP and had three quality shots before that one went in.

9:00 pm: Excellent save by Henrik!  Langenbrunner was in perfect position and Hank stuffed him.

9:02 pm: Well sorry Paul.  Voros ends up getting credit for the goal, Mara and Girardi on the assists.  Two goals tonight for Voros, three on the season.  Coincidence that he was featured in  my parting shot this week?  I think not.

9:05 pm: Voros now gets called for the penalty.  Slashing is the call.

9:07 pm: Devis PP over.  Rangers penalty kill now 3 for 3.  Rangers PK did a great job of keeping all three of the Devisl shots to the outside.  Couple nice saves by Hank as well.

9:12 pm: Salvador throws the puck into the crowd, that’s gonna get him two minutes for delay of game.  Rangers on the PP.  And a delayed penalty on top of that.  White for high sticking.  Rangers get a 5 on 3 for almost a full two minutes.

9:16 pm: PP over.  Not a very good effort by the Rangers on that one.  The Devils played it nicely but you have to score when your up two men.  Not enough shooting to get the job done.

9:21 pm: The two captains going at it.  A couple of cheap punches by Langenbrunner.  Nice to see Drury getting into some fisticuffs…that’s what I like to see from the C.

9:23 pm: Marty leaves the net with 2:18 remaining.

9:25 pm: CALLAHAN ON THE EMPTY NETTER!!!!!!  Thats the nail in the coffin folks!!! Rangers lead 4-1!!!!  Rangers will move to 5-0!!!!!

End of the Game: Rangers are off the a 5-0 start.  Let me repeat myself.  The Rangers are off to a 5-0 start.  They’re chanting “You Can’t Beat Us!” at the Garden and doesn’t look like anyone can right now.  A great win against the Devils.  This is getting exciting folks, there is no sign of this team slowing up.  Voros gets his second first star.  The 82-0 season is still alive.  Wire to Wire BABY!  Thanks for joining us everyone, we will have a show out hopfully by tomorrow night.

PRE-GAME: The Rangers are looking to start off a season 4-0 for the first time in 25 years.  They’ll look to do it with Nigel Dawes and Henrik Lundqvist watching the game.  Lundqvist will get a rest in favor of Flyer-killer Stephen Valiquette and Nigel Dawes will be replaced on the 3rd line by Patrick Rissmiller.  Dawes has been ineffective at best so far this season, so the former Shark gets his first action as a Ranger.

Update 6:59 p.m.: Kudos to MSG for moving “Hockey Night Live” to post-game rather than pre-game.  Ranger fans tune in at 6:30 for Rangers coverage, not Rangers, Devils and Islanders.

Update 7:00 p.m.: Sarah Palin will drop the puck tonight…thoughts?

Update 7:13 p.m.: Well the Flyer fans just expressed their thoughts…the majority didn’t seem too pleased.

Update 7:20 p.m.: Well that didn’t take long…

Update 7:24 p.m.: GOAL! ZHERDEV! THE SECOND LINE DOES IT AGAIN, JUST AS THE POWER PLAY EXPIRES! 1-0 RANGERS!

Update 7:26 p.m.: GOAL! BETTS! PERFECT PASS BY ZHERDEV, NICE QUICK SHOT BY BETTS! BLAIR HAS BEEN CLOSE FOR THE FIRST 4 GAMES AND DESERVED THAT ONE. 2-0 RANGERS!

Update 7:32 p.m.: GOAL! FREDDIE SHOES!! STRAIGHT SPEED LEADING TO THAT ONE.  GREAT TO SEE THE FOURTH LINE PRODUCING LIKE THAT. 3-0 RANGERS!

Update 7:49 p.m.: GOAL! ROZSI! I’M GETTING TIRED OF TYPING IN BOLD AND CAPS! BULLET OF A SHOT BY ROZSIVAL (LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS MINUS JJ) PUTS THE RANGERS UP 4-0! BIRON OUT FOR PHILLY.

Update 7:51 p.m.: Dubi Dubi Du! Looks like Brandon took some boxing lessons over the summer.  He more than held his own against Richards.

Update 7:59 p.m. END 1ST: About as perfect of a period as can be played.  This Rangers team is just looking so good early on.  I’ve said it before, but the relentless forecheck is really quite a sight to see and the commitment to backchecking makes it nearly impossible for the opposition to get something consistent going.  Just keep it going and the Rangers are well on their way to their first 4-0 start since 1983.

Update 8:19 p.m.: Offensive zone penalty by Knuble.  Power Play Rangers.

Update 8:20 p.m.: Shorthanded goal by Hartnell right off the face-off win by Metropolit.  Beautiful quick wrister cuts the Ranger lead to 4-1.

Update 8:38 p.m.: Nice power play for the Rangers.  They didn’t score, but had a couple of nice chances and kept the puck in the Philly zone for almost the full two minutes.  Undisciplined penalty there by Mara.

Update 8:46 p.m.: Goal by Gagne makes it 4-2.  A big missed call there by the referee as Richards skated through the crease and made contact with Valiquette that took him out of position.  It’s a game now.

Update 8:47 p.m.: Zherdev continues his strong play by drawing a penalty.  A power play goal would be huge right now.

Update 8:52 p.m.: Scotty Gomez what are you thinking? Terrible, unnecessary penalty.  The Rangers need to kill these last 30 seconds and get out of the period up 2.

Update 8:53 p.m.: So, not exactly the first period performance by the Rangers, but not as bad as 2-0 Flyers either.  Antero Niittymaki has come in and steadied the ship for Philadelphia and has made some big saves.  The Rangers need to regroup during intermission and come back strong in the third.  Kill off the rest of the Gomez penalty and then get that forecheck going again.

Update 9:14 p.m.: Bad giveaway in front for Kalinin and then he takes a penalty to prevent a breakaway.

Update 9:18 p.m.: The Rangers are now 5-for-5 on the penalty kill tonight and 16-for-16 on the year.  Great timeout there by Renney to give the PKers a rest.

Update 9:19 p.m.: Beautiful pass by Briere to Richards makes it a one goal game.  Zherdev got beat coming back by Richards.  The Rangers need to change this momentum quickly and make sure this isn’t another Montreal from last year.

Update 9:25 p.m.: Penalty on Coburn.  Big situation for the Rangers.  They can really nail it down with a goal here.

Update 9:26 p.m.: Post by Gomez is the second power play post by the Rangers.  Naslund had one in the first.

Update 9:29 p.m.: Unfortunate call for the Rangers. Dubinsky for holding the stick.  It was hard to tell whether it was intentional or not, but it was close enough to blow the whistle.

Update 9:31 p.m.: WOAH! I thought that was a tie game right there.  5-on-3 now and the Rangers penalty kill will now really be tested.

Update 9:36 p.m.: An unbelievable 5-on-3 penalty kill keeps the Rangers perfect on the season on the man disadvantage and keeps them up one goal.

Update 9:43 p.m.: Huge save by Vally keeps the Rangers ahead!

Update 9:48 p.m.: RANGERS WIN 4-3!! Well boys and girls that was FAR too close for comfort, but in the end the Rangers pulled it out.  In the second half, the Rangers looked like a team that was a little fatigued after playing two games in two nights and still coming off of a trip to Europe.  But in the end, the Rangers held on and are 4-0 for the first time in 25 years.  There is definitely something to be said for holding off a team that’s fast charging with a home opening crowd behind them.  There’s still a lot to tighten up with this team, but there’s a lot to like right now.  The penalty kill was again fantastic, Vally was solid again and made the big saves at the end and the Rangers got some production out of the fourth line.

Now onto the Devils.

Hey everyone…sorry I’m late, I was briefly blacked out of the game in favor of the Sabers on MSG.  But, thanks to a free preview of NHL Center Ice I’m watching now.  The Garden is buzzing for this Original 6 home opener.  Lets go Rangers!

Rangers ave six games in the next nine nights…must be hockey season.

Scratches for tonight – Prucha, Rissmiller, Fritsche

By the way, I know some of you were expecting to hear Steve and My NHL Preview show.  That will be coming up sometime this week for your enjoyment.

7:19 pm: Korpikoski called for the penalty…Chicago gets the first man advantage…Rangers look good on the PK so far…fast pace so far

7:22 pm: No shots for Chicago on that PP….Callahan just got into a fight with Fraser…Cally’s line is looking like a bat out of hell…Good way to pump the Garden up

7:28 pm:  WADE REDDEN, WELCOME TO THE GARDEN!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drury puts the puck on the net and Redden puts in the rebound…Rangers lead 1-0! Rangers getting great pressure, but up until that goal they weren’t getting to many pucks on net.  But, Drury able to get one on Huet and Redden was in the perfect position to follow it up.

7:33 pm: First real test on Henrik…nice stick save.  Followed up by a great 2 on 1 stop.

7:38 pm: Rangers starting to give away to many pucks in their own zone…Drury just gave one up behind the net that led to a nice chance for the Blackhawks…On the opposite end Huet continues to give up nice rebounds for the Rangers.

7:42 pm: Nice little move by Zherdev…missed the net on the sho, but still looked good doing it.

7:49 pm: GOAL Chicago…Brian Campbell shot goes of the side of the net, rebounded by Pat Kane through the legs of Henrik…Game tied 1-1.

7:51 pm: Drury draws the penalty with 6 seconds left…they’ll start the second period on the PP.

End of 1st Period: Chicago stepped their game up the second half of the period.  Rangers a little careless with the puck but still playing pretty physical.  Huet is giving up some juicy rebounds, Rangers just need to keep challenging. Game tied 1-1.

8:11 pm: Rangers come out on the PP…great shot by Gomez and an even better glove save by Huet.

8:13 pm: PP over…Rangers get one shot on goal…not a great PP, no real pressure

8:16 pm: WELCOME TO THE GARDEN AARON VOROS!!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great feed by Dubi to Voros and a great finish for Aaron’s first goal as a Ranger…Rangers lead 2-1!  The crowd is back into it at the Garden.

8:17 pm: Voros showing Tom Renney he belongs on that second line…that was a great shift for the second line…excellent job on the forecheck and their rewarded with a goal.

8:21 pm: Wade Redden missed a wide open net, not to sure if it hit the post or if he just whiffed.  Penalty called on the Blackhawks….Rangers on their second PP and they are buzzing.

8:24 pm: PP over…a little better than the first one, but still not great…Chicago controlling the puck right now, Hank with some great saves.

8:30 pm: The Dubi, Zherdev, Voros line is looking excellent…Marc Staal with a nice shot, off the shoulder of Huet.

8:35 pm: DUBI DUBI DUBI!!!!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I not just say that line was looking excellent…great pass and a great finish by Dubi.  Rangers lead 3-1!

8:37 pm: Paul Mara getting into the fisticuffs.

8:39 pm: Gomez will join Mara in the box.  Questionable call of tripping, Gomez’s not happy and if he’s not happy I’m not happy.

8:42 pm: Short handed 3 on 2 for the Rangers…great shot by Betts and an amazing save by Huet. Full strength fot the last minute and fifteen.

End of 2nd Period: Great energy by the second line turns into two goals.  Much more energy in the second period, not giving up too many chances for the Blackhawks.  Blueshirts doing a good job of taking advantage of turnovers.  Rangers lead 3-1.

9:03 pm: Rangers come out hot…but they’ll cool down as Redden takes an interference penalty.

9:05 pm: Great short handed effort by Freddy Shoes to force the turnover and continue to work for a wrap around shot that went wide.  Teams at full strength.

9:12 pm: Goal Chicago. Blackhawks just kept the puck in the zone and kept the pressure on Hank.  Goals will happen when you give up so many chances.  Rangers lead 3-2 with 12:31 to go.

9:17 pm: NIKOLAI ZHERDEV, WELCOME TO THE GARDEN!!!!!!!!!!!! GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The new guys getting into the action.  Another goal by the second line.  A great shot after the assist from Voros.  Picture Perfect.  The second line has seven points.  Rangers lead 4-2!

9:25 pm: Chicago now out shooting the Rangers.  They are starting to put the puck on net more than they were earlier.  Rangers need to remain tight on defense.  Two goals is insurmountable with seven minutes left.

9:30 pm: Pace of the Ranger continues to be impressive.  Not necessarily getting a whole lot of opportunities but moving the puck and staying in control.

9:34 pm: Rangers can’t capatalize on their thir PP.  Under a minute to go.  The perfect season is still in tact!

9:36 pm: RANGERS WIN 4-2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They go to 3-0 for the first time since 1989-1990.  Heck of a job on their home opener.

New guys getting the job done tonite.  THe second line looked phenomenal.  Henrik with 30 saves on the night.  A total team effort.  Great win.  Aaron Voros gets the first star, well deserved.  On to Philly tomoorow for the Rangers first road game in America.

Thanks for tuning into the Live Blog everyone.  Steve and I will be back with a new podcast on Tuesday night to discuss all the Rangers games of the weekend.

PRE-GAME: There were a lot of things to like about yesterday’s game.  We’re there aspects of the Rangers game that needed to be better? Of course. But that’s to be expected early on, especially from a team that was playing almost exclusively split-squad games throughout pre-season.  At this early point in the season it’s all about picking up the points and developing an identity.  What I’d like to see today is a couple of power play goals and some tighter defensive play.

Update 12:06 p.m.: Apparently they don’t have more than one singer in the Czech Republic.  That’s fine with me.  I could listen to this woman all day.

Update 12:19 p.m.: Another good penalty kill highlighted by a great defensive play by Girardi on Prospal. 

Update 12:20 p.m.: And there’s the first fight of the young season.  Aaorn Voros taking on Ryan Malone.  Lasted all of 3 seconds, but good to see from the new Ranger.

Update 12:25 p.m.: This first line looks like a real keeper already.  They’re transition from defense to attack is very impressive.

Update 12:26 p.m.: This just hit me…why is Michael Rozsival still wearing #3???  Is he waiting until it’s officially retired for Howell in February to change it?

Update 12:29 p.m.: Well how ’bout that…Mr. Betts flashing the outside speed.

Update 12:34 p.m.: Great pressure there by the Rangers draws a penalty.  Zherdev with a beautiful dipsy doodle to the inside and Naslund is again flying.

Update 12:43 p.m.: Adam Hall tips a shot from the point that trickles through Lundqvist.  Lighting up 1-0 despite being badly outplayed again.

Update 12:45 p.m. END OF 1ST: The Rangers dominated play that period, but just couldn’t finished.  It’s encouraging that the opportunities are there, but they need to start putting some in.

Update 1:09 p.m.: GOAL! Wade Redden with a beautiful power play goal.  Naslund with an absolutely perfect pass.  Great looking PP and they were able to cash in.  1-1.

Update 1:14 p.m.: The Rangers are outshooting Tampa 24-3 right now and it’s not even that close.  Absolutely dominant right now.

Update 1:24 p.m.: GOAL! Wow. Wow. Wow.  That’s the only word that comes to mind.  This team is dominating like we haven’t seen in a long time.  An absolutely phenomenal shift by the fourth line.  They kept the puck in the zone during a line change and Gomez put one in!  Unbelievable right now.

Update 1:32 p.m.: Power play Tampa after a Rozsival penalty.  Even with the domination the Rangers are only up 1.  They need to kill this off.

Update 1:37 p.m. END OF 2ND: When Glen Sather made the decision to change the dynamic of the team this off-season, that period was EXACTLY what he had in mind.  The Rangers thoroughly dominated that period with a combination of speed and relentless attack.  Olaf Kolzig, who always plays the Rangers tough, is the only reason this game isn’t 7 or 8 -1 right now.  Very impressive.

Update 2:01 p.m.: Nice chance for Betts and Voros on a 2-on-1.  Renney wanted more production from the fourth line this year.  They haven’t finished, but they’ve gotten their chances.

Update 2:09 p.m.: Another great PK for the Rangers, although they did get away with a Redden giveaway.  They’ll go right back on the penalty kill now with Dawes taking an offensive zone penalty.

Update 2:15 p.m.: Good kill and then Drury draws a power play.  Rangers now 8-for-8 on the PK so far this year.

Update 2:23 p.m.: This team is so fast right now that I almost have a hard time seeing the players.  The counter attack of Scott Gomez and the first line rivals the best in the league.

Update 2:28 p.m.: Just when it was getting a little hairy the rookie takes an offensive zone penalty.

Update 2:30 p.m. 2-1 FINAL! RANGERS WIN!: Well that got a little too close for comfort at the end there, but the Rangers held on for a win.  These two games were extremely impressive from a lot of standpoints for the team.  They looked exactly like the team that management said they wanted…fast, relentless, defensively responsible, four rolling lines, puck moving power play that shoots the puck, etc.  Sure both games were only 2-1 wins, but I’m not too worried about the offense coming.  The opportunities are there and Smith and Kolzig were phenomenal in the two games.

So four out of four possible points for the Rangers on the trip and a team that looks to already have the chemistry last year’s team lacked for a lot of last year.  There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a Ranger fan.

Don’t forget, Eric and I will be back with our first podcast of the season tomorrow!  Give us a call at 347-410-9093 or shoot us an email at hosts@nyrangerscast.com if you want to get your thoughts in before tomorrow’s show.

PRE-GAME: It’s been five months, but New York Rangers hockey (and the NYRangerscast) is back!  I’m running on very little rest right now, seeing as I don’t think I slept for more than a half an hour at a time last night.  It’s just hard to contain my excitement.

After an off-season face lift, we get our first real look at Zherdev, Naslund, Redden and Kalinin.  I’m most excited to see Nik the Great and most curious to see how Redden responds after a sub-par pre-season.

My one prediction for this year: Brandon Dubinsky is going to be a monster.  Whether or not that’s going out on a limb is questionable, but if last year was a revelation for the rookie, this year will be a breakout.

Zipay’s reporting that contrary to the thought yesterday, Petr Prucha will indeed play today.  It’s the right move, especially because Prucha is one of the few actual Czechs on the team this year.  Prior to the news coming out, Larry Brooks had a this to say about the prospect of Pru sitting.  Larry…tell us what you really think!

So here we go.  Rangers/Lightning, Game 1 of the NHL season kicking off in Prague! Let’s kick it off in style!

Update 12:05 p.m.: John Amirante move over…listen to the pipes on this woman!

Update 12:11 p.m.: Can someone turn Joe’s mic on?

Update 12:13 p.m.: Great couple saves by Lundqvist after Kalinin gets muscled off by Lecavalier.

Update 12:16 p.m.: Rangers looking real quick to start the game.

Update 12:21 p.m.: Well Lundqvist certainly looks ready to go. The defense…well that’s a different story.

Update 12:28 p.m.: Nice rush up the ice by Gomez.  A bit of a strange way to start off the season if you ask me.  There just seems to be a lack of atmosphere in Prague with no real rooting interest.

Update 12:31 p.m.: Good work there by the first line to create a couple of nice opportunities.  Now the Rangers with their first power play of the year.  Let’s erase the memories of last year…

Update 12:40 p.m.: Hooking call on Kalinin.  The Rangers defense is looking very, very shaky right now.

Update 12:41 p.m.: Big opportunity for Drury there.  It would have been only fitting for the captain to score there, seeing as Jags lit the lamp first in the last two seasons.

Update 12:44 p.m. End of 1st: Very eh period there.  It doesn’t really have the feel of a season opener.  The Rangers look a lot more north-south then the last couple of years (which we expected), but I’d like to see some more quality shots.  Lundqvist looks great, but the defense is forcing him to have to look that good.

And can MSG get there act together here.  First Joe, then Al.  Anybody bring a backup microphone abroad??

Update 1:05 p.m.: That was a great looking power play.  Fantastic puck movement and a couple of great chances.  Mike Smith and Henrik Lundqvist have been the best two players on the ice today.

Update 1:12 p.m.: Girardi takes a bad penalty on the power play, but you have to give St. Louis credit.  He made that happen with his speed.  The power play for the Rangers is noticeably better so far.  It’s early, yes, but the puck movement and shooting is distinctly different from last season.

Update 1:15 p.m.: If the power play looks good, the penalty kill may be even better.  It’s picking up right where it left off.

Update 1:20 p.m.: Another PP attempt for the Rangers.  It’s about time to cash in one of the chances…

Update 1:23 p.m.: Interesting choice by Renney to roll three forward lines on the power play.  

Update 1:29 p.m.: Another power play for the Rangers after Drury gets interfered with.  Gomez is flying right now.

Update 1:33 p.m.: OH! What a move by Naslund, but again nothing to show for it.  This is eerily reminiscent of last season, when the Rangers would dominate and still go into the third tied or down one.

Update 1:37 p.m.: GOAL! That line deserved to get it.  They’ve looked great the whole game.  Great pass by Gomez, great shot by Naslund.  

Update 1:39 p.m. End of 2nd: Great period by the Rangers there.  They looked very quick and dominated in the offensive zone.  Mike Smith’s been great so far, but the first line, which looks better and better with every shift, was able to break through.

MSG has to be longing for the USA at this point.  The technical difficulties are getting laughable.

Update 1:59 p.m.:  Bad break there for Mike Smith.  Girardi absolutely ripped that one and Smith took it in the arm.  You have to give him a lot of credit for staying in the game and making another fantastic save later in the sequence.

Update 2:04 p.m.: Wow what a goal by St. Louis.  He’s been flying all game.  Kalinin beat on the outside and then a bad angle shot beats Lundqvist.  1-1.

Update 2:07 p.m.: Great hardworking shift by the third line draws a penalty.  

Update 2:11 p.m.: This lack of scoring with the man advantage today is laughable.  The power play looks great, but the finishing just isn’t there.

Update 2:17 p.m.: What a save by Lundqvist on the rookie Stamkos! But Kalinin is making a real case to by Marek Malik’s replacement, getting burned again on the outside.  

Update 2:22 p.m.: Gary Roberts with the high stick on Dubinsky.  Seventh time’s a charm?

Update 2:25 p.m.: GOAL! DUBI DUBI DU! Perfect shot by #17.  It’s a power play goal!

Update 2:27 p.m.: Drury takes a penalty in the offensive zone.  With three and a half minutes to go this might be the game.

Update 2:33 p.m. 2-1 RANGERS WIN!: Well that’s a wrap folks. Very, very solid first game for the Rangers.  Were there mistakes? Sure.  Was there sloppy play at times? Sure.  Was there a lack of scoring? Absolutely.  But there were a lot of good flashes in there.  Lundqvist looked to be in mid-season form already, which is a big relief following that pre-season he had.  The first line, and especially Scott Gomez, looked phenomenal and already look to have the chemistry the Rangers first line lacked for the firs half of the year last year.  And the team looked to be a whole lot quicker than they were last year.

Things certainly need to tighten up, especially the defense, but there was a lot of good to take out of the win.

How are we feeling folks? Rejuvenated? Loose? Petrified? Comatose? I’m alive and ready to go and I believe the Rangers are as well. As reported by our very own Steve Gelbs earlier today, Hollweg returns while Prucha sits. Hey, at least it’s not Malik and Strudwick. No matter who’s in the line up this team needs a win. This is a new series , one that starts tonight at MSG. With a win by the Rangers, it’s anyones ballgame. LET’S GET EXCITED! Rangers fans, Game 3 starts right now…

6:55 pm: Rangers fans holding signs that say “Nice Dive – 8.7″ Must have been the French judges who gave such a low score to Sid.

7:11 pm: Well talk about falling asleep at the wheel from the very beginning. Penguins GOAL. Marian Hossa. Disgusting.

7:13 pm: Shocking that play started when Rozsival tried to go cross ice to Jagr?

7:17 pm: STRAKA! Wide open net can’t finish. Jagr headed to the penalty box along with Hossa. 4 on 4.

7:23 pm: Marc Staal just laid out his brother Jordan. Oh, brotherly love. Rangers are starting to get some great pressure on Fleury but he has made some excellent saves.

7:30 pm: Nice little run by Nigel and Drury. Got to have that line produce on some level tonight.

7:33 pm: THAT’S A GOAL! It will be reviewed after the brawl is over THAT WAS IN! Hit Fleury’s pad while it was in the net, no question.

7:38 pm: Straka GOALLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New game folks, game tied 1-1. Jagr, Mara, and Dubi celebrate in the penalty box. Can’t doubt the Rangers intensity for this one. LETS GO!

7:43 pm: Defense anyone? Tyutin just watches Laraque put one behind Hank. Pens lead 2-1. Add on top of that the Pens now get a 4 minute PP.

7:46 pm: Well this team really knows how to kill a good feeling. Malkin from the point on the PP. Pens lead 3-1. Unreal.

End of 1st: Rangers down 3-1.

8:11 pm: Rangers start this period well, now they get a chance on the PP. Sykora for holding.

8:13 pm: Jagr draws another penalty. Rangers on the 5 on 3. MUST SCORE. Let me repeat. MUST SCORE.

8:16 pm: How many penalties does it take for the Rangers to score a goal. Another 5 on 3 opportunity. Come On.

8:19 pm: Well even with 9 hours on the PP the Rangers can’t put one in. Unbelievable. On top of that Drury heads to the locker room injured. It just get’s better.

8:29 pm: OK OK OK! Callahan GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s a start. Pens still lead 3-2. Great play by Gomez, must have seen Steve’s comment.

8:31 pm: OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN!!!!!!!!!!! JAGR GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIE GAME.

8:37 pm: This is nuts, the Rangers are a completely different team this period. Off the crossbar, off the top of the net, off the post. Intense.

8:39 pm: Ryan Hollweg called for a penalty. Can’t let up, let’s get a short handed goal.

8:40 pm: Rangers were just out on the ice too long. Malkin scores, Pens lead 4-3. All Hollweg there, you can’t take that penalty and kill your teams momentum like that.

End of 2nd: Well there you see the perfect example of a great period being ruined by a stupid mistake. Rangers make up the 2 goal deficit and Ryan Hollweg immediately wipes it out by taking an inexcusable boarding penalty. You can’t let the Pens have a PP. But, the Rangers are still only down one and proved this period that they can score in bunches. One period, two goals to win.

9:06 pm: Instead of coming out intense, Rangers come out flat and suffer. Pens lead 5-3.

9:08 pm: Betts injured and out for the rest of the game.

9:12 pm: Rangers go on the PP. If there is a time for a comeback, this is it.

9:17 pm: Rangers are a mere 2 for 22 on the PP this series. It’s a real exercise in futility with this PP unit. Period’s almost half over and Rangers are giving no sign of a run.

9:20 pm: Another penalty upcoming on the Pens. Rangers should decline this one.

9:33 pm: This team is ready for a summer tee-time folks. You would think down two goals with the season on the line, the Rangers would play with some intensity….not the case.

9:35 pm: Steve mentioned in the comment section but we are doing a show right after the game ends. Any questions or comments you want us to discuss shoot us an email at hosts@nyrangerscast.com

End of Regulation: Ugh. Rangers fall 5-3.  Trail the series 3-0.  Make sure to catch Steve and I’s thoughts on tonights podcast.

So, we didn’t create the Rangers Live Blog but we are continuing it. Rangers try to continue their post season success on the road tonight against the Pens. Folks, I’m nervous. I expect plenty of heart attacks during this series and I think it’s going to be a fun one. The quest for the cup continues. Let’s Go Rangers!

7:09 pm: Well Rangers are going to start a man down. Jagr gets called and is sent to the box. Oh Boy.

7:10 pm: Rangers are wearing white. Pens fans are wearing white. Hmm…opposite day at the Igloo?

7:13 pm: Well some scary chances for Pitt but no goal. Even strength, like to see the Rangers press offensively and slow up the Pens momentum.

7:16 pm: Tyutin with some criminal turnovers in the Rangers zone. This team can’t afford to have Tyutin play the way he did at the beginning of the Devils series.

7:18 pm: Rangers called for another penalty, on Backman. This game has started horribly, Pens have 8 shots – Rangers 0. Luckily the Rangers aren’t down a goal but you can’t keep giving this Pitt team chances.

7:23 pm: Hell of a PK for the Rangers. Almost got a SH goal at the end there. Need to turn that into some offensive momentum.

7:27 pm: Boys in blue look like they have their heads back on their shoulders. Got some nice pressure on the Pens defense but not to many shots got through to Fleury. But, the ones that did get to the net came out for long rebounds, let’s hope Fleury is drinking the same Kool-Aid Marty was in the Devils series.

7:30 pm: Ryan Whitney called for high sticking. Rangers on the PP. Time to quiet the crowd.

7:31 pm: DUBI GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s how you take advantage of the other teams mistake. Rangers lead 1-0.

7:37 pm: Rangers are being very physical on Crosby. I like that game plan, force him to adjust and feel uncomfortable.

7:38 pm: Hooking called on Sykora. Rangers go on their second PP of the night. Wouldn’t mind going into the locker room up two.

7:40 pm: Interference called on Shanny. 4 on 4 hockey for about a minute. I didn’t see the penalty but the camera angle was not great.

End of the 1st: Well the Rangers survive playing a bad opening 8 minutes to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room after one. Classic Rangers slow start but they were able to overcome it by killing off a couple of Pens PP and converting on one of their own. Can’t complain about the score.

8:00 pm: Goal has officially been given to Straka. Still 1-0.

8:03 pm: DRURY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Might get overturned because Drury’s stick was pretty high. For now Rangers lead 2-0.

8:06 pm: GOAL COUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rangers lead 2-0. Tough call but Rangers get the benefit of the doubt. Great hand eye coordination by Drury to make the deflection. Fleury was six feet in the air trying to make that save.

8:09 pm: AVERY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!! Rangers lead 3-0. You gotta be kidding me! Fists pumps of the world unite!

8:15 pm: Rangers doing a nice job winning face-offs. That’s an area they had trouble with against Jersey.

8:18 pm: This is why insurance goals are very important against the Pens. Looks like the goal went of Rozsival’s skate, credited to Ruutu.

8:19 pm: So much for the cushion. Goal by DuPuis. Rangers lead 3-2.

8:23 pm: Well let’s see if a penalty can slow this Pens momentum down. Rangers on the PP.

8:29 pm: PP can’t convert, although they had some nice chances. Backman shot one right into the chest of Fleury, Rangers remain in control with 6 minutes to play in the period.

8:34 pm: Sid the Kid draws the penalty on Dubi. Questionable call to say the least. Pens on the PP.

8:37 pm: Rangers kill of the PP with the help of some great saves by Hank. Got to make it out of this period alive.

End of 2nd: Whew! Well after dominating the first five minutes of this period the Rangers back peddled for the last fifteen. You never want to blow a 3-0 lead to anyone but it just goes to show you how powerful this Penguins offense is. Rangers still lead by one, so after all of that the score remains the same margin. Rangers lead 3-2.

9:00 pm: Here come the heart attacks.

9:04 pm: Pittsburgh goal. This game is tied. That play was allowed to happen because Tyutin decided not to hit someone and cause a disruption at the start. Game tied 3-3.

9:06 pm: You gotta be kidding me. Three on two break away right after they allow the tying goal. Sykora goal. Pens lead 4-3.

9:14 pm: BACK FROM THE DEAD! GOMEZ GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tied 4-4. OK, OK.

9:23 pm: Rangers have definitely stepped up their play after that Gomez goal. Just over four remaining, I don’t want this game to go to OT. I want a quick goal, I’m feeling a young gun like Callahan stepping up here at the end. Call me crazy.

9:27 pm: Rangers called for the penalty. Straka for interference. Oh boy.

9:30 pm: Well I didn’t mean that young gun. Crosby scores. Pens lead 5-4.

End of 3rd: Jagr had a chance to put one home there at the end, instead it goes off the post.  Disappointing loss.

Let me go out on a limb and say this game should be good. Forget who’s got the confidence coming into this one, the Rangers MUST WIN this game. You can not allow the first two wins of the series to go to waste. My pre-game first star…Sean Avery. He’s going to have a good one after the Avery Rule change. Game 4 STARTS NOW! LET’S PLAY HOCKEY!

7:11 pm: Girardi gets the first shot of the game. Off a Rangers face-off win, one aspect of the Rangers game that definitely needs improvement from Game 3.

7:16 pm: OH MY! Marty barely got a piece of that one. Great start by the Rangers…Gomez, Girardi, and Staal had great chances to take the first bite in this game.

7:20 pm: First shot all day by the Devils. Took them 7 minutes. Rangers doing a nice job of getting back quickly on defense.

7:24 pm: Penalty on Drury. He doesn’t agree, so therefore I don’t. Replay should be coming so I can make a more objective decision.

7:27 pm: Penalty now on the Devils. Great job by Backman and Drury to reset to waste time and let Henrik off the ice. 4 on 4 for a bit.

7:29 pm: GOMEZ PP GOAL!!!! Great job by Tyutin and Girardi to keep the puck in and a fantastic finish by Gomez. Rangers lead 1-0.

7:36 pm: Have to clear the puck quicker than that. Devils got a great shot off after they were able to keep a Rangers center ice clear in. Have to play smart.

7:39 pm: Dubi and Clarkson go in the box. 4 on 4.

7:41 pm: What an excellent series by Staal. Having a great game so far. 4 on 4 over.

End of 1: Great start for the Rangers. Take a 1-0 lead into the locker room. No chances for the Devils, defense a huge improvement from game 3. Got to keep it going for all three, but a nice way to start it off.

8:03 pm: Devils GOAL. Terrible way to start the second period. Rangers don’t get back quick enough and not picking up the open man. Tied 1-1.

8:07 pm: THATS HOW YOU RESPOND! DUBI to STRAKA…RANGERS GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to execute the 2 on 1, the MSG crowd is right back in it. Rangers lead 2-1. I’m not to sure Dubi can be considered a rookie anymore, he’s playing like a guy who’s been there before.

8:10 pm: Coincidence that the goal came right after the Garden was blasting Bruce Springsteen????

8:12 pm: Rangers get called for to many men on the ice. Second PP for the Devils, on the first one the Rangers were able to draw a penalty of their own.

8:15 pm: Well that’s not what the Rangers wanted to do. Devils GOAL. Tied 2-2.

8:17 pm: Devils called for a high stick that drew blood on Rozi. Double minor coming up for the Rangers. 4 minutes of the PP.

8:22 pm: Two shots in four minutes. What a terrible job by the Rangers on the PP. No intensity, no movement, no shots.

8:23 pm: WHO NEEDS A PP? Rangers GOAL!!!!!!!!!!! Drury deflection off the shot by Tyutin. Rangers lead 3-2.

8:25 pm: Penalties upcoming. Looks like on both sides, more info when the commercials over. But it looks like Freddy Shoes for interference is one of the penalties. Brodeur called for diving. 4 on 4 hockey. I don’t get that penalty, Sjostrom got pushed into Marty, where’s he supposed to go?

8:28 pm: Refs completely missed a trip the took Gomez down. Not even close, atrocious no call. Now, to many men on the ice…what is going on?

8:33 pm: Excellent job by Avery to draw the trip on White. Just for good measure he got to plow Marty over with no consequence. Rangers on the PP.

8:35 pm: Marty is such a flopper. Play stopped because Marty was crying on the ice. Oduya and Jagr go into the box, Rangers still on the PP.

End of 2nd: Heart attack period. Rangers remain up by one, but not after the Devils put two by Henrik. Rangers lead 3-2. Nice chance for Dawes at the end of the period. Callahan has been getting lambasted with hits but he keeps coming and gets a great pass off to Nigel.

9:00 pm: Rangers start off another period poorly. Give away by Girardi right in front of Hank so he takes the penalty instead of allowing the goal.

9:03 pm: Nice PK by the Rangers but this team continues to shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to taking offsides.

9:05 pm: Devils GOAL. Tied 3-3. Hank loses his stick on a CLEAR SLASH and the Devils able to capitalize.

9:13 pm: Rangers have just gotten outplayed by the Devils in the first half of this period. The terrible calls by the refs haven’t helped but the Rangers need to step it up.

9:21 pm: Finally a good shift by the Rangers. Let’s see if they can swing the momentum and start working harder to win some loose pucks.

9:26 pm: How does Avery miss that??????????? Three quarters of the net wide open and he shoots it into Marty.

9:29 pm: STAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! GOAALLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a fantastic game by Staal and he caps it with the go ahead goal. Rangers lead 4-3!

9:37 pm: EMPTY NETTER GOMEZ GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RANGERS WIN! RANGERS WIN! RANGERS WIN!  WHAT A GAME! RANGERS LEAD 3-1!