Posts tagged ‘Live Blog’

Series may be over if the Rangers can win tonight.  Who wouldn’t like a two game lead coming home to MSG?  Let’s get it on….

7:11 pm: Early penalty on Straka.  Devils have the man up, let’s see if the Rangers PK can continue their stellar play.

7:14 pm: Good PK for the boys in blue.  Never like to start the game a man down but the Rangers kept it together. 

7:23 pm: Question of the day…how many Devils employees does it take to fix a board?

7:27 pm: Game ON!

7:31 pm: Good pressure by the Rangers to stat.  Gomez leading the charge…shocker.  Ryan Hollweg terrible turnover, this guy does not bring anything to this team.

7:34 pm: HENRIK!! Stops the two on one and the rebounds that followed.  Bad decision by Tyutin that lead to that chance.  Would have liked to see Avery finish that two on one from Gomez just before that though.  Goal could have gone to either team there.

7:42 pm: Different feel to this first period than in Game 1.  More chances for he Rangers, they are definitely the outright aggressors to start.  No goals yet but definitely a more positive feel.

7:53 pm: Penalty called on the Rangers, Staal to the box.  Devils have been putting the pressure on, Rangers need to get out of the period tied at zeros.

End of 1 st: Rangers opened up the game with high intensity, mainly Scotty Gomez generating the opportunities.  Devils crept back in the second half of the period and will start the second on the PP.  No score so far.

8:14 pm: Rangers start out the period with a solid PK.  Gomez headed to the locker room, hopefully nothing serious.

8:20 pm: Gomez back on the ice and generates the two on one.  The Rangers would be up three goals if they could finish an odd man rush.  Gomez is absolutely dominating this series.

8:24 pm: High stick on Backman.  That’s a four minute penalty, knocked two of Parise’s teeth out.  That may be a suspension on Backman.  Not good.

8:29 pm: Great save by Henrik off the deflection from Tyutins leg.  Someone other than Callahan has to make a hit on someone in the slot.

8:31 pm: EXCELLENT PK!  Four minutes of solid defense and some SH opportunities.  Henrik continues to play out of his mind.

8:34 pm: Penalty on the Devils.  Avery draws it on Zubrus.  Let’s see if the PP can play up to the PK.  First PP of the game for the Rangers.

8:37 pm: Little extra curricular activity after Marty makes the save.  Shanny pushing and shoving with Colin White.  Now Langenbrunner and Gomez.  This is Rangers Devils hockey ladies and gents.  Shanny and Gomez in the box with White and Langenbrunner.  Rangers still a man up.

8:40 pm: Rozsival and Zubrus going at it after the Rangers PP ends.  Looks like Zubrus is going to the box, Rangers get another two minutes with the man up.

8:42 pm: This is the only series where each team is happy to go on the PK, that’s where they get all their chances.  Bad Rozsival turnover that led to a two on one.

8:49 pm: Devils picking up the intensity much like they did at the end of the first.  Jagr looked like he got away with hook but I’m not complaining.  Can’t let the Devils score a quick one before the end of the period…..These fights are just not stopping, every whistle to stop play starts a new fight..Dubi getting into it with Zubrus…got to love the kids intensity.

8:51 pm: How bout Henrik slapping Zubrus on the back of the head?  Zubrus and Clarkson, Shanny and Dubi all get sent to the box.  Second period shots and hits for each team are equal.

8:55 pm: Avery gets called for interference with Marty.  TERRIBLE CALL!  Another period where the Raners finish a man down.  That call is made because it’s Marty, make no mistake about it.

End of 2nd: Fun period of hockey.  Game got quite chippy, lot of penalties for both teams.  Still no score.  Rangers will start the third a man down.

9:15 pm: Another exceptional PK by the Rangers to start the third.  A Let’s Go Rangers chant at The Rock, love to hear that.

9:18 pm: JAGR GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!  Marty made a great save on Backman but let’s one from Jagr go in.  Rangers lead 1-0.  Great hustle by Jagr to beat Colin White and confuse Marty.

9:20 pm: Avery GOAL!!!!!!!!  That was quick.  Great shot by Avery.  Rangers lead 2-0.  This game just went from Good to AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!  I’m calling for all Ranger fans to do their best Avery fist pump celebration in honor of that goal.

9:23 pm: Chant at The Rock is MARTY! MARTY! 

9:28 pm: Three on two for the Rangers, Colin White’s skate got in the way.  Nice chance none the less. 

9:33 pm:  Hustle play by….Ryan Callahan of course.  Nice try at the wrap around.

9:37 pm: Play is getting reviewed.  No way that’s a goal.  Great job by Hank to get his left pad kicked out to make that save.  Wouldn’t have this problem if Hollweg could have cleared the puck in the first place.

9:41 pm: SCORE UPDATE: Washington and Alexander the Great come back from down 4-2 to win 5-4.  A.O. is out of this world.

9:47 pm: Rangers 17 shots this period.  Devils 8.  Empty Net for NJ.

9:49 pm: Devils GOAL.  This one is not over yet folks.  Still 1:20 remaining.  Hold the phone.  Rangers lead 2-1.

9:51 pm: Rangers time out.  Blueshirts are getting dominated on the face offs.  Can’t keep letting the Devils gain control of the puck, have to milk the clock sometime.

9:52 pm:  Penalty on the Devils.  Langenbrunner goes to the box.  Big break for the Rangers.

End of Regulation:  Who said I was crazy when I said the Rangers would win in five.  Maybe I was crazy, maybe I should have predicted a sweep.  Rangers go into Jersey and take the first two of the series.  Blueshirts get away with some close calls there at the end, especially that icing that the Devils are allowed to take with a man down.  Also, that cross check went uncalled.  But, a win is a win is a win is a win.  GET READY FOR THE GARDEN!  LETS GO RANGERS!

Regulation. That is the key word. The Rangers/Devils playoff match up is already guarantee. Thank Boston for that. Today’s game is for home ice advantage. The Rangers need a win in regulation to attain the fourth seed and home ice. If the game goes into OT and the Rangers win, total points between the two teams would be tied and the Rangers lose the tiebreaker. This is a prelude to the playoffs folks, I would love an 8-0 season record going into a series where the Blueshirts have home ice. Candlesticks always make a nice gift, and uh, maybe you could find out where she’s registered and maybe a place-setting or maybe a silverware pattern…alright boys? LETS GET TWO! (Bull Durham references anybody?)

3:08 pm: Great start by the first line. Nice set up by Straka to Jagr. Have to put pressure on Marty and keep forcing turnovers on the defensive end.

3:12 pm: Devils GOAL. Rebound gets stuffed back in Madden. Henrik needs to cover that one up but at the same token the Rangers can’t let the Devils plant themselves in front of the net. Devils lead 1-0.

3:20 pm: Shot from the point by Backman turns into a 3 on 2 breakaway for the Devils. Rangers are lucky that it’s not 2-0 right now.

3:21 pm: Henrik is just getting bombarded. Penalty against the Rangers. Things are not looking good for the Rangers right now. Charging call on Drury, can’t say that’s a good call, looked pretty clean to me.

3:25 pm: Nice PK for the Rangers.

3:26 pm: Devils GOAL. Rupp goes five hole on Henrik. Hank just didn’t get position on that shot, maybe was looking for the pass instead of the shot. Either way, Devils lead 2-0. Oh Boy.

3:32 pm: I think everyone’s gotten right in the comments section. The defense looks off it’s game. Malik on both goals. Girardi letting Madden stand at the net and take a whack at the puck. Someone on that side of the puck needs to step up. Powerplay for the Devils. Straka called for holding.

3:36 pm: PK successful again. Anyone for playing with four men for the rest of the game?

End of the 1st: Rangers down 2-0. This game could not have started any worse. Two periods to turn it around.

3:57 pm: Two shots in the 1st. One shot, one GOAL! in the second. Drury cuts the lead in half. Devils lead 2-1. Great set up by Dawes.

4:01 pm: Rangers absolutely buzzing to start the second. Marty is the one getting bombarded now and that’s how it should be.

4:12 pm: Jagr’s skating really well. Nice shot from the point fended off by Marty. Pace is up in this period but unlike the first the Rangers seem to have their heads on straight.

4:20 pm: Penalty called on the Devils. First PP of the game for the Rangers. If the Rangers can continue to pressure Marty on the PP like they have been all period than the can find themselves in a tie game.

4:24 pm: Rangers PP can not prevail. Didn’t get many shots and gave up two SH opportunities. Still they continue to pressure, I’m looking for a garbage goal.

End of 2nd: Big turnaround for the Rangers this period. A quick goal and than solid play for the rest of the period. Some long rebounds that the Rangers could have gotten in but other than that not to many complaints. One goal in the third is doable. But let’s not forget, only a win in regulation matters, the Rangers need two goals.

4:55 pm: JAGR GOAL!!!!!!!! This game is tied ladies and gentleman. Beautiful set up and great finish, this game is up for grabs in the final 15 minutes.

5:00 pm: Brawl, that’s what I like to see. You know this game means something when Jagr is throwing punches. Got to like the resiliency this Rangers team is showing right now. Malik and Jagr get put in the box along with two Devils.

5:07 pm: Nice work by Callahan. I know we mentioned on the podcast how hard this kid works, but I don’t think it can be overstated. He plays with a lot of heart. Great hit by Staal on Zubrus.

5:14 pm: Penalty upcoming on the Rangers. Malik gets called. Not shocking he has had a TERRIBLE game.

5:17 pm: WHAT A SAVE! Henrik sprawls out and stops the go ahead goal….incredible. Heart attack city right now.

5:25 pm: Henrik Pulled.

5:26 pm: Penalty on the Devils with 30 sec to go. Rangers playing 6 on 4 hockey right now.

End of Regulation: Rangers take the fifth seed, no home ice.

5:31 p.m.: Steve taking over for Eric here. As I said in the comments section this is still important. Another come from behind win and an 8-0 regular season record agains the Devils would be very nice. Don’t allow the Devils to know what a win over the Rangers feels like…

5:33 p.m.: That was, without a doubt, the single worst call I’ve ever seen in my life…

5:36 p.m.: Another fantastic penalty kill. If I had a nickel for every time I typed those words…

5:38 p.m.: Lundqvist just polishing his game up a bit before Wednesday! Shootout…

5:45 p.m.: Well there you go.  Look at it this way, hopefully now the Devils got it out of their system!  Either way 7-0-1 against the Debbies ‘aint bad!

And it’s just been announced: the Rangers have indeed wont the Metro Ice Challenge! Everything else from here on out is gravy.

I’m telling you, this has the makings of a classic series.  Don’t be shocked to see it go 7 and have 3-4 games go into overtime.  It’s going to be tough on the heart.

Great regular season folks and Eric and I will be back with a new episode tomorrow as we begin our expanded coverage of the Rangers’ 2008 playoff run!

Well folks, now that the Rangers are in the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how they come out and play. I’m hoping for an exciting game with a lot of goals because the Blueshirts need a win to remain in the hunt for home ice. And frankly, it would be embarrassing to lose to this Islanders team to end the season series. I want to see a thoroughly dominating game by the Rangers. Lets get it on…

7:06 pm: Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award presented to Brandon Dubinsky.

7:18 pm: Slow pace to start this one. Shanny and Jagr both getting decent looks, only Shanny’s on net. Not to many hits, but the fourth line did a good job of keeping the puck in the offensive zone during their shift.

7:20 pm: Hollweg put on some nice moves. Just shows that he can be successful against the Sound Tigers. Intensity has picked up real quick.

7:24 pm: Islanders putting the pressure on, getting some decent opportunities. Putting some pucks on net, Henrik hasn’t had any trouble though.

7:28 pm: GOAL Islanders 1-0. Quick wrister gets through the legs of Henrik. Puck didn’t look screened, Henrik should have been able to stop that one. He got a piece but it still slipped past him.

7:30 pm: Just a fair warning. Bill McCreary is the ref tonight, this should be interesting.

7:35 pm: Nice couple saves by Hank. Rangers just look lethargic, maybe it’s the back to back games. Maybe it’s cause they clinched yesterday. Either way, the only player on the Rangers skating with some intensity and purpose is Ryan Hollweg.

7:38 pm: Penalty on the Islanders. Both teams miss 2 on 1 opportunities, Jagr draws penalty. Let’s see if the PP success can continue.

7:42 pm: Penalty on Islanders, boarding. First PP got some nice shots, rebound chances. Let’s see if the back to back PP can score a goal.

7:43 pm: Penalty on the Rangers, Gomez. 4 on 4 hockey for one minute. High stick was the call, right call.

End of 1st: Frantic finish to the first. Dubi misses great chance from Jagr. Islanders regain full strength and get a breakaway. Puck skids wide as Henrik gets plunged into the net. Islanders lead 1-0 at the break.

8:06 pm: Rangers GOAL! Dan Girardi wide open look from the point just after the Rangers regain full strength. Great way to start the 2nd, great PK turns into an odd man rush and a goal. Tie game 1-1.

8:10 pm: Islanders GOAL. Henrik makes the stop than can’t find the puck. Poked in by Satan. Islanders lead 2-1. Delay of game penalty right after on the Islanders. Rangers fo on the PP.

8:14 pm: PP gets no shots. Way to many passes and the Islanders PK wasn’t giving an inch.

8:17 pm: Henrik having real trouble finding puck on rebounds. Islanders should have had their third goal right there but Hank did a good job of just sitting on the puck. Penalty upcoming on the Islanders, boarding is the call.

8:22 pm: Best PP of the night for the Rangers. Dubielewicz made a couple of nice saves on a Rozsival shot and Jagr chance. Still no PP goals for the Rangers tonight.

8:24 pm: Rangers GOAL! Nigel Dawes gets the goal off a deflection from an Islanders skate. It’s all about putting pucks on net folks, thats what Dawes does best. Game tied 2-2.

8:29 pm: Penalty called on the Islanders. Fifth PP chance for the Rangers. Drury draws the call.

8:31 pm: Islanders SH Goal. That was unbelievable. Rangers get not only a man up, but a 5 0n 3 and give up a breakaway SH goal right off the face off. Islanders lead 3-2. That was absolutely inexcusable.

8:35 pm: Rangers continue the 5 on 3. About 3,000 shots are taken and Dubielewicz able to make some spectacular saves. Rangers shoot themselves in the foot by allowing a goal when they were up two men.

8:37 pm: Rangers penalty upcoming. Maybe the Rangers PK can get a SH goal.

End of 2nd: This should be a tie game at worst folks. Rangers give up a goal when they are up two men. All five goals in this game have been weak. Frustrating.

9:01 pm: Rangers GOAL! Jaromir Jagr! Beautiful 2 on 1 breakaway with Jagr and Straka. There’s that chemistry that we have heard so much about. That was a beaut. Tie game 3-3. Jagr has 6 goals in the last 7 games.

9:05 pm: Scrum in corner. Hollweg vs. the Islanders. Can’t say for sure but I’d give the Fish Sticks a slight advantage. Rangers go on the PP, there seventh of the game.

9:10 pm: SCORE UPDATE Devils trail Philly 3-0. These two points against the Islanders are huge if the Rangers can win and the Flyers hold on.

9:13 pm: Rangers are showing new life. They are firing on all cylinders. Credit Dubielewicz for having a fantastic game because he is just getting bombarded with shots. 42 shots so far.

9:25 pm: Penalty upcoming on the Islanders, to many men on the ice. Rangers eighth chance at the PP tonight.

End of Regulation: Rangers climb back to push the game to OT. Huge point, keeps the Rangers in contention for home ice advantage if the Devils don’t come back. Although, the second point is even bigger because the Rangers wouldn’t have to win in regulation against the Devils if they get it.

9:37 pm: Rangers called for hooking penalty, Gomez to the box. Terrible call. Rangers PK needs to step up and hold off to a shoot out. There’s the call I have been expecting all game, bad, bad call.

9:41 pm: GREAT PK by the Rangers. Two SH opportunities and the Rangers take it to a shoot out. Big point up for grabs, Henrik vs. Dubielewicz. Let’s Go!

Rangers lose 4-3 in OT.  Great effort by Dawes and Sjostrom to keep it alive.  Two of the shots Henrik should have saved, no doubt about it.  The one point is important but to get home ice the Rangers will have to beat the Devils in regulation.  Not the greatest game for the Rangers but they are able to get a point.  Devils struggled tonight against Philly, a prequel to the playoffs in the last game of the season on Sunday.

It would be a huge understatement to say this game is huge. But, ladies and gents this one is HUGE! With a win the Rangers move into a tie for fourth in the Eastern Conference. With a loss they would remain at 91 points and in danger of being eclipsed by Philly and Boston. The key for me is to keep the speed of the game as slow as possible. The Penguins will skate until your feet fall off, that hurts the Rangers. Time to see some bouncebackability by the Rangers…

7:13 pm: Not to many chances so far for either team. Rangers need to continue to pressure and play a little more physical.

7:15 pm: Avery KO’s Malone. Great right hook by Avery, good fight to get the intensity going at the Garden. Avery vs Mayweather during the off season?

7:20 pm: No shots for the Pens so far. Five for the Rangers. Top line is looking good, everyone is hustling. My expert analysis says that if the Pens don’t get any shots, it will be tough for them to score goals.

7:23 pm: Rangers are getting some good chances, they’re keeping the pressure on and controlling the tempo. On a side note, for as much as people bash the VS. coverage of the NHL, these playoff commercials are pretty awesome.

7:27 pm: Nice job by Gomez to bring the puck up quickly and generate that opportunity. Penalty upcoming. Gomez gets called for tripping, time for the PK to step up.

7:32 pm: Great PK by the Rangers. Drury is a one man clearing machine. Nice 2 0n 1 chance with Shanny and Cally. That PK supports Steve’s theory that the Rangers are better off down a man than up. Penalty on the Pens, anyone up for only putting 4 out for the Rangers?

7:36 pm: Shocking, no shots on net for the Rangers on the PP. Only two pucks were thrown somewhere in the same zip code as the net. Why is it that the Rangers lack any presence in the slot during the PP?

END of 1st Period: Tie game. Rangers really controlled play during the first. Nine shots for NY, one for Pitt. Like I asked for earlier the Rangers controlled the tempo for the most part and didn’t allow themselves to start chasing the Pens up and down the ice.

8:00 pm: Dawes breakaway gets stopped. Got to finish those, especially Dawes who has been so good on shootouts this year.

8:03 pm: Crosby just made Shanny look silly. Shanny hasn’t played great today, couple of turnovers that could have bee costly. Dawes and Callahan with two nice chances, someone has to finish.

8:05 pm: Fourth line getting a great opportunity. Prucha and Sjostrom working hard, of course they have to, to compensate for Hollweg.

8:11 pm: Dawes and Callahan put two shots off the post/crossbar. Got to love the way those two are playing tonight but it’d be nice to get a goal. The Pens are turning up the heat, Rangers can’t get caught in a track meet.

8:14 pm: Prucha playing great, working hard to generate that opportunity. No goal but the Rangers will go on the PP. Oh wait, that’s not a good thing, BAD JOB Petr!

8:17 pm: Rangers have a 5 on 3 and they almost give up a goal.

8:18 pm: Can’t tell if Gomez touched the puck. Looks like he hit it right at the same time it was gloved by a Pen. Tough call, let’s see. Review looks like Gomez missed it, should be a goal.

8:23 pm: Jagr GOAL! After the review, Gomez didn’t hit it, off Fleury’s head. PP goal on the 5 on 3…Rangers up 1-0!

8:29 pm: First test on Hank right there. Nice save, even better job to avoid letting up a rebound.

8:32 pm: Just want to throw this out there. One reason I’ve been impressed with Backman’s play is the fact he seems very confident in his puck handling ability. He looks in control when he has the puck. Penalty upcoming on the Rangers. Can’t let the Pens get a quick one before the end of the period.

8:36 pm: Hank all over that PK. Girardi also had a nice heads up play to clear it. Rangers just have to hold out for the next 35 seconds.

End of 2nd Period: Rangers lead 1-0. Pens really started to turn it on with about 2:30 left to play in the period. Rangers need to regain their legs and get a quick goal to start off the third. I thought the opportunities the Rangers had in this period were higher in quality than in the first. Defense has looked good, just got a little lax there at the end, got to clear the puck quicker, can’t be giving up multiple opportunities as a time.

8:58 pm: WOW! That was a fast start to the third period. Great saves by Hank and another great chance generated by Dawes and Callahan. Rangers don’t seem to be fazed by pressure from the Pens.

9:00 pm: Shanny still out. No word on what the injury is or the extent of it.

9:02 pm: Penalty called on Jarko Ruutu, high sticking. Got Tyutin right in the face. Here we go, the circus that is this Rangers PP gets another chance.

9:06 pm: Well a bad PP gets even worse, penalty called on Rozsival. 4 on 4 for thirteen seconds, than Rangers go on the PK.

9:09 pm: Another great PK by the Rangers. Callahan another opportunity, quick little back hand that find Fleury.

9:10 pm: Pens GOAL. Talbot puts it by Hank. Pens have been pressuring all period, Rangers need to pick it up.

9:16 pm: Rangers are getting outplayed right now. As much as you want the Rangers to win in regulation, they can’t afford to lose it in regulation just as much.

9:20 pm: Penalty on the Rangers. Refs completely missed the high stick by Crosby on Avery. It’s the correct call on Avery.

9:27 pm: Another GREAT job by the Rangers PK. Two minutes left, a goal would be nice. But a point should be the focus.

9:30 pm: Timeout taken by Pitt. 34 seconds remaining, Hank has made some excellent saves here in the last minute. Hold your breath and cross your fingers.

End of Regulation: Tie game 1-1. Rangers make it out of regulation alive and with a point. Now the focus shifts to the second point. Rangers need this one to move into a tie for fourth place. Five minutes to go.

9:34 pm: Penalty called on the Pens. Whistle blew real fast, Jagr still had the puck. Let’s see what a 4 on 3 PP can do for the Rangers.

9:37 pm: RANGERS WIN!!!! It’s a Power Play GOAL by Captain Clutch Chris Drury. HUGE two points for the Rangers. That was the best PP in a while for the Rangers, lot of hard shots on net and great passing by Jagr.

Well the ten game stretch begins tonight at home against Pittsburgh. Time to forget Florida and focus on the Pens and getting two points. I’ll be paying close attention to the defense and how the return of Malik changes things around. Also, I want to see this offense slow things down and not get into a track meet with Pitt. And maybe a power play goal would be nice too. Let’s get it on…

7:08 pm: Strudwick is a healthy scratch. Steve must be so happy. Good physical play by Dawes to start things off.

7:11 pm: Nice defensive play by Straka to keep the puck in the zone and generate a shot. Quick pace to the start of this one.

7:13 pm: Dawes is all over the place. Almost puts one in off a Conklin miscue and a great defensive hustle play to get back and poke check.

7:15 pm: Avery wide open net and Conklin with an incredible diving stick save. Conklin looks lost out there, got to take advantage right there.

7:17 pm: Penguins go on power play. Great play by Malik to save a goal; shocking to realize how much a guy like Malik has been missed these past few games. First stoppage of a very fast paced first period.

7:21 pm: Nice penalty kill by the Rangers. Only two shots allowed but Staal limped off after a block he took off the foot.

7:23 pm: Avery GOAL! Beautiful pass by Jagr after he skates hard to bring it back into the zone. Great quick wrister to put the Rangers up 1-0. Avery 9 goals in last 15 games, a product of the chemistry this first line seems to have.

7:25 pm: Callahan GOAL! Great defensive play to cause turnover. Drury shot, long rebound, Callahan puts it in. Rangers lead 2-0.

7:30 pm: Rangers are controlling the tempo just like I asked them to do. Henrik is playing well, hasn’t had to make a fantastic save yet but thats a good thing. Only guy I’m concerned with is Backman, he looks clueless out there; keep an eye on him.

7:35 pm: Rangers playing very physical. Great defense from Malik and Tyutin. Great relentless offense by Dawes and Callahan.

End of 1st Period: Rangers lead 2-0. Good period by Henrik and the defense, although they got a little lackadaisical there at the end. Forcheck has been solid, a different tone than the two games in Florida. Dawes and Callahan have looked excellent.

8:00 pm: Rangers get caught in a bad change and Ruutu capitalizes on a break away. Rangers 2-1. Not a good way to start out the second period.

8:02 pm: Here we go. Jordan Staal rebound goal after a bad handoff by Henrik. Renney calls a time out, this team has lost all its focus in the first three minutes of this period. Tie game 2-2.

8:05 pm: Sjostrom GOAL! Rangers lead 3-2. Rangers come out of the time out and capitalize off a Pens mistake. Three goals in the last five minutes, this one has become a shootout.

8:10 pm: Penguins offense is generating opportunity much like the Rangers did in the first period. Some little shoving matches are starting as the intensity is rising. Rangers need to regain control of the puck and start hitting people like they were in the first. Avery and Malone get 2 minutes each for unsportsmanlike conduct.

8:15 pm: Penalty called on Dupuis. Rangers go on the power play. Rangers defense has been sloppy and have given up to many turnovers this period. They cannot give up a shorthanded opportunity.

8:16 pm: Lucky break for the Pens, puck goes off the post and than wedged in Conklin’s pad.

8:25 pm: Plenty of opportunities to put one in, just can’t squeak it by Conklin. Straka has played very well so far. Big save by Henrik on a Malone breakaway. Another turnover by Avery gives way to the odd man rush.

8:29 pm: Rangers get a power play. Gomez draws the tripping call on J. Staal. Gomez and Dawes have been a nice combo tonight. Rangers 0/1 on PP tonight so far.

End of Second Period: Rangers got away with a sloppy period, lead 3-2. Too many turnovers in the defensive zone allowing for odd man rushes by Pens. This is gonna be a barn burner of a third period.

9:00 pm: Slower start to the third period. Drury had a nice shot from the point that almost got by Conklin. This is the pace I would like to see for the rest of the period.

9:02 pm: Avery GOAL! Put back off a rebound, great patience to put it in, his second of the game. Rangers 4-2.

9:09 pm: Game has become very physical, already half way through the period. Rangers seem to play more engaged hockey when they are on the brink of getting into brawls, it’s good to see.

9:11 pm: Straka GOAL! Great job by Drury to get the puck to the net and find Straka wide open. The Drury, Callahan, Straka line has been dominant tonight. Rangers lead 5-2.

9:24 pm: It’s not over yet but it’s pretty darn close. If the Rangers hang on it will be the fourth win in six games against the Pens this year.

Final: Rangers win 5-2.  Great job of overcoming a sloppy second period to pick up two points against the Pens.  Definitely a nice sign of this teams ability to bounce back.  A completely different feel to this one than in the two games in Florida.  100th win for Henrik, he had a very solid game.  My three stars go to; 1) Avery 2) Callahan 3) Straka with honorable mentions to Henrik and Dawes.  HUGE win, way to start off the final ten games of the season.

So the boys get back at it today following another unpredictable win.  That’s really how its going to be the rest of the season; to try and predict which Rangers team will take the ice night-in, night-out is an impossibility. 

Valiquette gets the nod again today.  My opinion: right move.  Vally’s given up a goal or less in 3 of his last 4 starts.  Lundqvist’s given up 3 or more in 4 of his last 5 starts.  The Rangers right now seem to be playing a lot tighter in front of Vally then they do in front of Lundqvist and right now its all about the points. 

1:11 p.m.: Untouched.  That goal was caused by a complete lack of effort on the Rangers part.  Washington was able to skate unimpeded into the zone and then got one, two, three cracks at the rebound before Ovechkin finally put it in.  Girardi had a terrible shift.

1:22 p.m.: Whoo–is that Sean Avery or Brendan Shanahan out there?  Gomez pretty much whiffed on the dump attempt and the bouncing puck popped right onto Avery’s stick.  That’s a big goal for a Rangers team that came out without the necessary fire to compete in this game.

1:41 p.m.: I’m loving what Paul Mara’s doing on the PP right now.  If he keeps ripping them like that, more will go in that not.

1:42 p.m.: It was a decent first period.  For almost the first half of that period the Rangers looked lethargic out there.  The Avery goal really woke the team up though and the Rangers dominated the second half of that period.

2:03 p.m.: Great save by Kolzig, but let’s be honest.  Hollweg has about as good an ability to finish as does my grandmother.

2:15 p.m.: Man does Drury look like he’s found his game.  3 weeks ago he couldn’t buy a goal and now everything he touches ends up at the back of the net.  That’s 6 goals in 7 games for Dru and believe it or not, he’s now the Rangers leading goal scorer.

2:17 p.m.: Another penalty called on the Caps.  Boy the Rangers are really outworking Washington this period.  They really need to capitalize on one of these PP opportunities and try and put this game out of reach.  They can’t dominate a team like this and still only be up one at intermission.  Wouldn’t you love to see Jagr score and get rewarded for his hard work too. 

2:32 p.m.: Rangers now 0 for 5 on the PP and this is what kills them.  The Rangers should be up 3 or 4 goals right now, but because they can’t get anything going with the man advantage it’s still a one goal game.  It’s just a bad bounce here or there from being tied up.  It’s a situation we’ve seen the Rangers put themselves in on so many occassions this year and it’s a big reason why they’ll continue to fight for a playoff spot until the final game.

2:35 p.m.: EXACTLY MY POINT! The Rangers simply don’t have the ability to run away with games.  They don’t capitalize on the plethora of opportunities that are given to them and because of that, they let teams hang around.  When teams hang around, they start believing they can win and start catching a break or two.  There’s absolutely no reason that the Rangers should be going into the second intermission tied right now, but when you don’t take advantage of opportunities, that’s exactly what happens.

3:18 p.m.: Here’s the chance.  6:41 left, sixth PP of the game…gotta capitalize.

3:22 p.m.: It’s truly unbelievable how bad the Rangers’ power play is.  If they don’t win this game, that’s the reason why.

3:24 p.m.: Way to go Hollweg.  Yet another example of Holly proving how valuable his is to this team…

3:26 p.m.: On to OT.  VERY VERY VERY big point up for grabs right now.

3:29 p.m.: Today’s game was the definition of giving a game away.  The Rangers should have stepped on the Caps throats in the second period, but as we’ve seen time and time and time and time again this season, they don’t take advantage on ANY opportunities.  Every other team around the NHL can seemingly do what the Rangers can’t…capitalize.  And then, just to tie the nice little bow on the giveaway, Ryan “I’m the most useless player in the league” Hollweg takes a penalty right before the extra session.  Of course, Washington uses the power play to their advantage and wins the game.  Now the Rangers have to sit and watch for the next week as teams undoubtedly pass them in the standings.  If I’m Glen Sather, I use this week to seriously evaluate what I can do to try and save this sinking ship.

Big one tonight (I’m pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve said that all year).  Here we go…

7:18 p.m.: Good start for the Rangers.  They’re playing up-tempo and smart.  They definately look like they’re mentally into this one.  Giguere’s playing well…

7:26 p.m.: Lundy flat out didn’t see that one…

7:41 p.m.: A fine first period by the Rangers.  They got plenty of chances, but Giguere’s been solid.  The third and fourth lines for Anaheim are really dominating play right now, but who knows if they can do that all game.  If the Rangers play this way throughout the game, the should be okay…

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…

Here we go folks.  Tonight and tomorrow night will determine a lot as the Rangers look to climb back into the Atlantic Division race.  Two wins and they’re right on the cusp; two losses and you may as well start booking the tee times.  Personally, I’m not too optimistic, but we’ll see. 

The key to tonight’s game (and the rest of the season for that matter)–GET DIRTY!  They need to get pucks to the net, crash and put in second and third chances.  The Flyers are good, but its all about who wants it more and grinds it out.  Again, I’m skeptical that will be the Rangers, but again who knows.

 Here we go…

7:11 p.m.: Anybody suprise by this start?  You shouldn’t be.  Terrible penalty by Orr and lethargic first 2:30.  Vally’s been good so far…he’ll have to be.

7:20 p.m.: Hit the net Staal! When are they going to learn that if a defenseman jumps up on the rush and nobody covers for him, he MUST hit the net!

7:21 p.m.: Wow, just wow! What a move! Dawes continuing the theme of youngsters delivering.  Nice play by Dru as well.

7:38 p.m.: What did I say before the game?  Drive to the net and put home second chances.  Exactly what happened there and voila – 2-0 Rangers.

7:42 p.m.: Good first period, but we’ve said that before.  Gotta keep it up.

8:04 p.m.: Who is that team and what have they done with the Rangers?!! Drury is having a heck of a game right now and that was a great 2 on 1.  Talk about capitalizing on opportunities!

9:52 p.m.: Sorry guys.  My internet konked out and just got back up and running.  Anyway, that was an absolutely fantastic game.  I really didn’t expect that and (thankfully) they proved me wrong.  Again though, this only means something if they do it again tomorrow night in Jersey, and again Sunday afternoon in Montreal, and again Tuesday against L.A., etc. 

Now I’d like to pose a question to you all before I end this.  Do you give Vally the nod again tomorrow in the Garden State?  I have to be honest, I wouldn’t mind it.  Last year when Henrik was struggling at the start of the season, Weekes came in, played well, and got a couple games in a row.  Honestly, against a low scoring team like the Devils it really couldn’t hurt.

More tomorrow…

That’s right, the live blog is back!  Big night (as is every night from here on out).  Same lineup as the last two games.  Malik sits out (no suprise there).

7:08 p.m.: Avery catalyzed last year’s playoff run; looks like he’s trying to do that again.  Wish I could of seen the fight, but MSG’s having technical difficulties.

7:12 p.m.: Great start.  Power play goal (see what happens when you shoot!) and Shanny breaks 8-game pointless streak… 

7:18 p.m.:  NOW THAT’S A CAPTAIN!! That’s what you want to see.  One of your top guys gets a cheap hit put on him and the man with the ‘C’ on the jersey sticks up for him.  This amount of intensity and passion is great to see and they need to do this night in and night out!

7:23 p.m.: Ridiculous that Avery’s out of the game.  This instigator rule is a joke.  Now the Rangers need to kill this 5 on 3.

7:36 p.m.: Jagr is playing ike a man possessed tonight.  This is why it’s so frustrating when he’s not going like this.  Keep it up.

7:39 p.m.: Good.  Avery’s not out of the game…he just got 17 minutes.  Bad job from MSG for not getting that to us quicker.

7:43 p.m.: These refs are brutal.  That dive on Jagr was ridiculous and the Gomez non-call was a joke.  But the fire is lit under Jagr’s butt so I still love it.

7:55 p.m.: Yes the Rangers are only up 1-0, but don’t underestimate just how good a period that was for the Rangers and their captain.  They played with a passion and intensity that we haven’t seen yet this season and Jagr was playing like we all know he can.  If they keep that up, they’ll win much more than they lose.

8:22 p.m.: That’s why you can’t miss the net on an odd man rush if you’re a defenseman. 

8:24 p.m.: This is a rule that really has to be implemented.  The Rangers just dominated Carolina for about a minute and wore down the 5 Hurricanes on the ice.  They in-turn iced the puck, but because of a TV timeout get a chance to regroup.  There needs to be some sort of rule prohibiting TV timeouts following an icing.

8:27 p.m.: Unbelievable.  This is why you can’t get too excited about one period, one game, etc.

8:44 p.m.: It’s very simple folks…if you don’t capitalize, you don’t win.  The Rangers get plenty of chances, but they don’t put the biscuit in the basket.  Carolina on the other hand (and pretty much every other team the Rangers seem to play) finish their opportunities.  The Blueshirts gave the Hurricanes two golden chances and that’s why they scored two goals that period.  The Rangers had 3 or 4, yet there’s a big goose egg on the board for that period.

9:08 p.m.: Girardi caught pinching and Strudwick’s the only one back.  The result, an odd-man break for Carolina and they CAPITALIZE!! This is not good folks.

9:36 p.m.: The story of Drury’s season right there.  Captain Clutch has become Captain Klutz.  He couldn’t score right now if he was standing all alone on the ice with nobody in goal and the puck on his stick in the crease.

Here’s what I make of this game.  The Rangers are just flat out are a bad team.  It’s really that simple.  I really cannot remember a team that has such little ability to capitalize on any opportunity they are given.

The first period was great, but once again they couldn’t string together a full sixty-minute effort.  And let’s be honest, if they had they still probably would have won this game in a shootout or eeked out a one goal victory. 

Which begs the question: if when you’re playing your best you still have to sweat until the last second, are you really a good team?

The answer: NO!

The Rangers are not a good team and unless something changes and changes quick (though there’s no indication that it will) this team, with all the hype and expectations, will be watching the playoffs from their respective living rooms.