Posts tagged ‘Steven Gelbs’

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.

So I know that technically free agency doesn’t start for another twelve hours, but it’s now officially July 1st (despite what it may say to the left of this post) so what the heck, let’s start now!

After months of speculation and plenty of Pepto-Bismal a lot of questions are set to be answered.  It certainly seems as though Sean Avery, Martin Straka and maybe Jaromir Jagr have taken their final broadway bow. Brendan Shanahan, Michael Rozsival and Paul Mara may be out the door as well.  But at this point all we really know is that we know nothing at all.  Agents and GM’s love to posture and leak information in the days before the frenzy and, as Ranger fans, all we can hope for is that much of the information we’ve heard about the Blueshirts is misinformation.

So here’s how this will work.  Anything (fact or rumor) that Eric and I hear or read will be posted here throughout the day in updates on this blog entry.  One or both of us will be here not only to post, but to converse with all of you in the comments section as well.  (Of course there will be a bit of a lull between 3 a.m. and 11ish. Hey, guys have to sleep!)  Anything you hear, feel free to pass along and we’ll try to get confirmation.

It should be a fungut-wrenching day and the NYRangerscast will be with you throughout, so keep it right here.  And don’t forget to take a listen to the most recent episode of the NYRangerscast as you await for the noon bell to ring and free agency to begin!

We’ll kick it off with an update from good friend Sam Weinman of the Journal News.  Sam is reporting the Jagr and the Rangers are still talking.  That could either be a good or a bad thing…depending on whether you want the captain back.  As for this NYRangerscast host, I’m thinking it’s a good thing.  Whether or not the talks mean anything will get done is another story.

Update 12:47 a.m.: Maybe the book on Sean Avery isn’t completely closed after all.  The Fourth Period has quotes from Avery’s agent saying that his number one priority is still to complete a deal with the Rangers.  Not something we haven’t heard before, but I’m a bit suprised to hear that Avery hasn’t essentially told Sather where he can stick it.  So maybe the door is still ajar, but I just don’t get the sense that the Rangers will entice Avery enough.  We’ll see.

Update 11:28 a.m.: Well we’re still about a half an hour away from the opening gun, so here are some things for your reading pleasure as we wait.  Larry Brooks and Steve Zipay basically re-hashes who the Rangers are interested in (which is basically everyone).  Brooks also throws a suprise at us by saying that Brendan Shanahan may cross the river and sign on with the Devils, the place where his hall of fame career began.  Zipay also let’s us knowthat Nigel Dawes and Freddy Sjostrom have been given qualifying offers and we may want to expect a “suprise” before the end of the day.  Sam Weinman reminds us that today really all depends on what happens with Jaromir Jagr.

Update 11:38 a.m: According to Dellapina, Jagr, Avery and Rozsival still badly want to come back to the Rangers and won’t necessarily jump at the first big deal thrown their way.  So that means, even after all of the percieved disrespect felt by these players, the ball is still in Sather’s court.

Update 11:56 a.m.: If Jay Pandalfo was on your list, you can cross him off.  TSN is reporting that he, David Clarkson and Barry Tallackson have re-upped with the Devils.  New Jersey has also declined their option on Sergei Brylin.

Update NOON: GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!

Update 12:09 p.m.: E.J. Radek is reporting that Joni Pitkanen has been sent to Carolina in exchange for Erik Cole.

Update 12:25 p.m.: Anybody out there hoping for the return of Ranger great Pascal Dupuis?? Well if that was the case for any of you, I’m sorry to dissapoint.  TSN is reporting the winger will be back with the Pens next year.

Update 12:55 p.m.: We have our first free-agent signing with a new team! Radim Vrbata to Tampa Bay

Update 12:57 p.m.: E.J. Radek is reporting Blake Wheeler has signed with the Boston Bruins.  You may remember the Rangers had some interest in the former first round pick a couple weeks ago.

Update 1:19 p.m.: John Dellapina was just on the NHL Network and basically sounds as confused as the rest of us are.  Everything is up in the air still with this team.  Dellapina says he has no idea what Jagr will do, but he badly wants to be a Ranger.  He says Avery will probably be gone despite his desire to stay. And he says he has no idea what Glen Sather is thinking right now.  So what does that all mean? It means that an hour and twenty minutes into free agency, we know just as much as we knew a month ago…NOTHING!

Update 2:04 p.m.: Sam Weinman is reporting that rumblings are indicating Sean Avery is definitely gone and will sign with another team very shortly. 

Update 2:17 p.m.: So we’re over two hours into free agency and I’m wondering if watching paint dry might be a more exciting endeavor than this “frenzy” thus far.

Update 2:21 p.m.: Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that Mats Sundin is getting some big offers, including an outrageous multi-year deal worth $10 million per season! Rest assured that isn’t from the Rangers…at least it better not be or I’m handing in my fan card.

Update 2:39 p.m.: …and that team is the Vancouver Canucks.  You’ve got to be kidding me! $20 million for two seasons is the offer! Good luck to you Mr. Sundin in the Great Northwest.

Update 2:55 p.m.: Dellapina is saying that the performance bonus cushion is officially unavailable this year.  So it looks like some Charlotte Checkers may have a real shot at making the big club this year!

Update 2:59 p.m.: The FAN590 in Toronto is reporting that the Capitals have signed Jose Theodore to a two year deal. That’s a shocker.  Looks like Huet is on the open market now.  Ottawa anybody?

Update 3:03 p.m.: Sportsnet is reporting that the Penguins have offered Jaromir Jagr a contract.  If #68 was added to that Pittsburgh lineup, the Rangers (and the rest of the Atlantic for that matter) may as well not show up next season

Update 3:10 p.m.: FAN590 now saying that Ty Conklin has signed on with Detroit.  That’s a nice little move for a team that lacks a backup with the Dominator gone.  Pens better hope Fleury stays healthy.

Update 3:16 p.m.: Loyal reader Michael wanted a list of all the FA’s.  Here it is.

Update 3:35 p.m.: Toronto just signed Jeff Finger for 4 years at $3.5 million a year.  JEFF FINGER!? This market is getting absurd.

Update 3:40 p.m.: It looks like Jagr’s gone.  Dellapina talked to him a few minutes ago.  When Jagr says that he thinks the Rangers are “going in a different direction” that means that he’s not feeling the love.  After reading that post, I would now be shocked to see Jagr back.  Dellapina also says that the Rangers may be hot after not just Sundin, but Markus Naslund.  Can you say, building around Lundqvist?  And it really seems as though Avery badly wants to stay a Ranger.  Knowing his personality, I can’t believe he’d even consider still working under Sather.

Update 3:49 p.m.: Stillman to Panthers, Huet to Blackhawks.  A lot of smart signings so far.

Update 3:52 p.m.: TSN reporting that the Rangers have signed Aaron Voros.  Thank God! And I thought Sather didn’t have a plan…

Update 4:05 p.m.: TSN reporting that Darcy Tucker signed with the Avalanche.  Avery to Detroit to keep that rivalry going?

Update 4:48 p.m.:Looks like all the GM’s have gone on a late lunch break.  Small signings to make you aware of…Alex Auld (G) Signs with Senators…Penguins sign Eric Godard (RW)…and accoring to the Columbus Dispatch, Brian Campbell will be getting a deal worth over $60 million.

Update 4:54 p.m.: Welcome Eric Rothman to the live blog.  That update at 4:48 was from the E-man.  I can’t be here every second for a little while so Eric and I will be updating together.

Update 5:13 p.m.: FAN590 saying that Wade Redden is being heavily wooed by Dallas.  They’re reporting a 5 year deal on the table.  The Rangers are still in the sweepstakes but the Stars look like the front runner now.

Update 5:38 p.m.: Since there has been a significant break in action I thought I would pose a question to everyone.  Does the fact that Avery and Jagr have yet to sign elsewhere give you any sort of hope that they may sign with the Rangers after all?  My answer would be no because I figure they have both (or at least Avery) have figured out where they are going to go but just need to sign on the dotted line.  Let me know what you think.

Update 5:43 p.m.: So much for the break. John Dellapina is reporting that the Rangers are close to a deal with Michal Rozsival. No confirmation yet but it looks like the Rangers will at least return one of their UFA’s this year.

Update 5:46 p.m.: The money keeps flowing in the NHL.  TSN is reporting that the Blackhawks have signed Brian Campbell to an 8-year $56.8 million dollar deal. Wow.

Update 6:04 p.m.: Another defenseman off the board.  TSN reports that the Blue Jackets have signed Mike Commodore to a 5 year deal worth $18.75 million dollars.

Update 6:08 p.m.: Another HUGE Rangers signing.  Sam Weinman reports the Rangers have signed Patrick Rissmiller, a left winger from San Jose.  Rissmiller is another big body.  Apparently the Rangers will be trying to push people around this season.  He’s not a scorer or really much of an offensive producer.  Rissmiller had 8 goals and 9 assists in 79 games for San Jose last season.  Also, he is coming off of a sports hernia that he played through in the playoffs.

Update 6:16 p.m.: John Dellapina is reporting that the Devils have signed foward Brian Rolston.  Rolston is a guy that many thought the Rangers were in the bidding war for.  The idea was to put him alongside the speedy Scott Gomez.  So much for that.

Update 6:21 p.m.: As we reported on June 16th, Swedish winger Andreas Jamtin will officially be a Ranger next season.  Also just announced, the Rangers will be petitioning to become the Swedish national team next year.  And just a side note, amid the free agent frenzy, King Henrik has announced plans to buy up properties in Manhattan to open up a “Little Sweden” section of NYC with his Swedish teammates.

Update 6:24 p.m.: It’s Steven here and I just have to jump in with this comment.  What the heck are the Rangers doing?  Are they trying to get a top five pick in next year’s draft or something??

Update 6:49 p.m.: TSN is reporting that the Rangers have officially re-signed Michal Rozsival to a 4 year $20 million dollar deal.  Five million a year for Rozsival and Avery can’t get $3.5? 

Update 7:20 p.m.: Weinman’s reporting the deal for Voros is three years at $1 million a year.

Update 7:46 p.m.: Sorry for the delay in getting this up, but this day has lured me to sleep.  Sam Weinman is reporting that the Rangers have made their first free agent splash of the day and locked up Wade Redden to a six-year deal worth $6.5 per season.  That’s $11.5 million a year in two defensemen, both of whom certainly have their moments.  On the positive side, this is your legitimate power play quarterback.  But on the other hand this now leaves about $10 million left to fill numerous other spots on this team.  We’ll see how it all plays out, but at least it’s something.

Update 8:52 p.m.: Rangers have locked up Stephen Valiquette as well.

If you want a reason to stay positive and get pumped up following an oh-fer in Pittsburgh here it is.  According to the Rangers Report, here’s Henrik Lundqvist’s post game comments:

“It feels like the difference between these two teams is not that big. It could be one bounce that’s the difference,” he said. “We should go back to New York and put more pressure on them. I think they looked a little better than they are.  I know we can put more pressure on them. We’re going to do that in New York and we’re going to get the win.”

There you have it.  Not “we’re going to try to win” and not “we think we can win” he said “WE’RE GOING TO GET THE WIN.”

You know what? That’s all I need to hear. 

I’m not going to lie folks, I’ve been in a bad way for the last few hours.  The Rangers have really put themselves in quite a hole and it’s going to take some real gumption to climb out of it.  But you know what, I truly think they can do it.

Here’s a couple reasons why you can’t give up hope:

1. I hate to be cliche, but I’m going to.  The Pens just held serve, that’s it! Until you lose a home game in the playoffs, you’re not in trouble!  And guess what? The Garden will be rocking on Tuesday and the Rangers are a very dangerous home team.

2.  This is not a new situation for this team.  This series feels eerily similar to last year’s second round tilt with the Sabres.  For those with a short memory, the Rangers came back and won both games at home to pull right back into that series.

3. The Rangers CAN shut down this Penguins team.  They figured out how to do it today.  If they can score (and this is no Patrick Roy in nets for Pittsburgh) they can win.

4.  This is a young Penguins team that has yet to faced adversity in the playoffs.  They haven’t had to bounce back from a loss in the post season yet and so it’s still a question mark how they will react if the Rangers get the ‘W’ on Tuesday.

5.  BOUNCEBACKABILITY! If there’s one thing the Rangers have done well all year long, it’s rise to the occassion.  I have a hunch they’ll do it again!

So there you go.  This train’s rolling back to “The House that Messier Built” and The King is taking a page out of The Captain’s book.  Time to rally the troops and put some fear into Sid and the Gang!

The NHL trade deadline is less then a week away and Larry Brooks of the NY Post says that the Rangers may be on the cusp of a couple of deals.

According to Brooks, the Rangers are making a strong push to aquire PP Quarterback Dan Boyle from the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He also says that Glen Sather and Co., is in talks with St. Louis to acquire Broadway regular Martin Rucinsky in exchange for (brace yourself) Marek Malik.

When it comes to Dan Boyle, I think he’s exactly the type of player that the Rangers need.  The question is: what’s the price?  I’m not willing to part with any big-time prospects (i.e. Dubi, Dawes, Callahan, Sauer, Sanguinetti, etc.) to make the deal.  However, I wouldn’t mind including someone like Greg Moore.  Where this situation becomes interesting is when it comes to Al Montoya.  Clearly never going to see the light of day in a Rangers uniform, it may be time to finally deal the former 1st round pick.  Tampa is certainly a team in need of goaltending help, so it’s not a stretch to see Montoya becoming a key part of the deal.  I know some of you may question whether Dan Boyle is enough of a return for as big a chip as Montoya.  However, Montoya is floundering down in Hartford and his stock is dropping by the day.  It may be time to cut ties while he still has the value that he does.  If Montoya is included in a deal, I’d make a provision that the Rangers have to sign Boyle to a contract extension.  If they’re only getting a rental in Boyle then its no dice.

As for the deal with the Blues, I think it’s the perfect team with which unload Malik.  John Davidson saw #8 every day during his first season with the Rangers (his best season by far as a Blueshirt).  With that memory in mind, the Rangers may be able to get more for Malik than if they were to trade him anywhere else.  Brooks is reporting that the Rangers would be asking for Rucinsky and a defenseman in return.  When it comes to Rucinsky, I just don’t see where he plays on this team.  Assuming that Dawes, Prucha, and Callahan stay put, there’s just no place on this team for the former Ranger.  Unless the Rangers plan on sitting him, it means that the 36-year-old will be taking the spot of one of those three youngsters.  If that’s the case, then it’s a travesty and will be a terrible move.  Rucinsky is not the player he used to be (4 G, 10 A on the season) and the youngsters on the Rangers right now are the most consistent players they have.  As for the defensemen involved in the deal, Barrett Jackman would look good on Broadway.  He’s that big, punishing defenseman that the Rangers sorely miss and would be a big help in the playoffs when those physical D-men are crucial.

So here we go.  T-minus 5 days until the deadline.  I would be shocked if this Rangers team looks the same as it does right now by Tuesday night.

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In other news, Brooks is also reporting that Sean Avery and Glen Sather have made some headway on contract negotiations.  They’re discussing both a one-year bridge and a new multi-year contract.  If I’m Sather, I try and lock him up for a couple of years at a discounted price while I can.  Avery hasn’t had the type of year that gives him a lot of leverage.  To lock him up for 3-4 years in the $2.5-$2.8 million range could turn out to be a steal a couple of years down the road.

Last night we had quite a debate going on following the epic collapse.  I pinned a lot of the blame on Henrik Lundqvist.  Some agreed, some vehimently didn’t.  I will tell you that having slept on it and having re-watched the game this morning, I still say you’ve gotta hold Lundqvist accountable for a lot of what happened last night.

If you go back and watch the tape, goals 1 and 4 could not have been stopped.  The first goal, Lundqvist was hung out to dry and the fourth goal was a deflection.  But 2, 3, and 5 were all stoppable shots.  They were shots that Lundqvist saw clearly and flat out missed.  He let one goal trickle in after he initially stopped it and one goal off of a falling over Kovalev that he just wasn’t ready for. 

I say again, if Lundqvist is going to be paid to be a top-tier goalie then he has to make all of the saves he should make and a few that he shouldn’t.  While he played that way in the first half, he completely blew it in the second half of the game.

If you want more on this, Dubi Silverstein of Blueshirt Bulletin has a great post on it today and Zipay questions Lundqvist’s performance as well in Blue Notes.

Just wanted to direct everyone’s attention to the new poll question on the site.  How far do you think the Rangers will go this season?  I thought after last night’s demoralizing loss, it would be fun to see what everyone thinks.

Vote and then if you want you can comment on this blog as to why you voted the way you did.

I also want to thank everyone for last night.  46 comments in total between the two blogs are a NYRangerscast record and this is exactly what Eric and I want this site to be.  It was a great ongoing conversation that we were able to have with you guys.  We love your opinions and passion and hopefully this will be the beginning of what we do on a game in, game out basis.

                                                                      (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,David Boily)

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

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

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

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

That phrase is officially banned from the NYRangerscast…

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

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

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

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

Think about that for a second…4 points!

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

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

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

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

It’s official! The Rangers have locked up their franchise goaltender for the foreseeable future.  The King has been given the royal treatment–6 years, $41.25 million.  You can view the official press release on the Rangers’ website.

Don’t be mistaken, this IS the right move.  I know, Lundy hasn’t been himself for a couple of months now, but we’ve seen what he can do for the better part of three years and he is a top goalie in this league.

And who knows?  Maybe this contract situation was weighing on the King more than anyone thought.  Maybe the pressure to play well while his future was being negotiated took a toll on Lundy.  Hopefully with this now out of the way and with his father recovering well, Henrik can get back down to business and lead this team where it wants to go.

My guess–and I know Inferno will kill me on this if it doesn’t happen–is that the Lundqvist we all know and love will make a return for the final two months of the season.   Not only are all the distractions behind him, but he’s had over a week off to settle down and get back on track.

Look for The King to be regal once again.

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In other news, it looks like Tom Renney may have finally taken Eric and my advice.  According to Blue Notes, Rangers Report, and The Blueshirts Blog, it looks as though Marcel Hossa has taken Ryan Hollweg’s spot on the fourth line.

 My reaction: HALLELUJAH!

Also in those reports:

• Shanny’s back and feeling good.
• Marc Staal (flu) and Petr Prucha (shoulder) are doubtful for the Buffalo game on Saturday
• The lines have been re-shuffled…again.  Dubi will center Jags and Avery, Shanahan and Dawes will flank Gomez, and the suddenly scorching Drury will play with Straka and Callahan.  I like these lines a lot for a couple reasons.  First of all, we’ve seen how Dubinsky’s puck possession style complements that of Jagr’s and with how well the youngster’s played of late, he deserves another shot to center the captain.  Secondly, Gomez and Shanahan were on fire before Shanny got hurt, and Dawes can keep up with Gomez while Shanahan get’s into position.

 Just two more days until the Rangers get back at it.  Big game against the surging Sabres who are now 8-0-2 in their last 10.

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.