In Gomez We Trust

What a difference a game and having one player makes. Anyone that thinks Gomez is overpaid just needs to watch the replay of the Flyers game Tuesday and last nights Devils game. This guy is a tempo/game changer. Once he got going, so went the Rangers.

After the first period (which the Devils fore-checked the hell out of the Rangers), Gomez got his legs under him and started to really force the play in the Devils zone. He made 2 great passes to set up the two goals and then Mr. Clutch came through with a game winning assist to Dawes scoring on his back. I will admit though, all I thought when Drury passed was what the hell are you doing, take the shoot. That is why I am on the couch with my Baked Lays and Diet Dr. Pepper and he is known as the best clutch player in the game. Chat of the year- Ranger fans chanting after 3rd goal- “YOU CAN’T BEAT US!!!”

GAME NOTES:

Jagr is done; he will not be back next year. This is no longer his team and you can tell. He just does not have the same jump/desire to carry this team on his back. He needs to be the man to enjoy the game. I am just speculating here, but I think we all can tell the Rangers are transitioning into Gomez and Drury’s team and they will only go as far as these 2 carry them. Jagr most score to have value and he is not. I love him and thank him for the last 3 years and putting the Rangers back on the map, but he will be in the Czech Republic league next year. Hope he finds some fire for the playoffs, but he just does not have that finishing touch anymore.

Drury is showing why every team he plays for loves him. 3 assists last night and every night he seems to be in the right place at the right time. During Hall of Fame weekend Messier was quoted as saying you do not pay Drury and Gomez all that money for the first month of the season, you pay it to watch them at the end of the year and playoffs. Man was he 100% correct on that one.

Gomez post game- Even if you do not watch all of it, you must watch Gomez in the post game interview (when he has a good game he seems to always go in to talk to MSG). He is a natural and will be a TV man after he is done. He said his new nickname is blood and guts, and they call Dawes Black Magic (Al Sharpton on line 1). The best moment was at the very end. John Gianone was about to say thanks for the interview and Gomez says, man John they could not do anything about that on your lip (he had a zit/blemish). Gianone turns red and Gomez says man they could not even get any makeup to stick to that (and makes a great face). Do not know if you had to see it to laugh, but I was dying.

Christian Backman- I do not love this guy and I was ready to throw my remote at the TV on the Paraise give away, but the guy has a ton of talent. If he would limit his mistakes he can be a solid 3rd line d-man with offensive upside. We will see what becomes of him in due time and come playoff time, he will either be a hero or a HUGE Goat.

Player of the Game 1A- Gomez and 1B- Henrik. Tell Martin Broduer to go f-himself. Sports Illustrated article Marty was offended Hank did not say hi to him at Vezina award presentation- Henrik’s response, I had to seek him out, couldn’t he have said hi to me? Then Marty says I just do not like Lundqvist’s style, it is weird. Well if being a finalist every season for the Vezina and winning 30 plus games every season as a goalie is weird then sign me up. I F’ING HATE THE DEVILS!!!!!

Knocking on Top of Eastern Conference Door

You know the king is on when he is dominating in the shootout. He lets in one goal on a wrist shot in the upper corner, but he stopped the first 2 to give the Rangers a chance to win it. Scott Gomez did just that with a nice forehand tuck in the bottom left corner of the net.

Rangers get to 83 points and are tied with Ottwa for 5th place in the East. They are now 3 points out of first place overall in the East (and the Division). I am torn on the 5 or 6 seed. Carolina and there style scares me, but the 4th seed is currently Pitt so no easy matchups in the first round. I love that we are able to talk seed in playoffs now and not will they make it. What a run going 10-0-3 in the last 13 games, This team is really starting to jell and may be ready to make a run.

QUICK NOTES:

Another game for Drury and another stretch where you see why he is the player he is. Rangers go on a 2 minute 5-3 penalty kill and he is just dominate on the PK. He blocks a shot, he dives to clear the puck 2 times and just would not let the point men establish themselves.

2nd goal is another example of why Avery is better then all the press he gets as just a nasty agitator. He absolutely destroys the d-man while fore-checking, gets the puck behind the net and puts the puck right on Jagr’s stick for a top shelf goal. I think Avery celebrated more then Jagr on the goal and he deserved to.

Refs- What happened last night? Was if breath on a Sabre get a penalty night? The Rangers were called for everything last night. Then a Sabre punches Orr after a clean hit near the bench and Orr and Peters each get 10 minutes? HOW IS THAT NOT a 2 minute PP for the Rangers? I mean that is a dangerous precedent to set in the last minute of a tie game. Peters was not going to be sent out there for the OT or shootout so any time a pile up starts in a tie game late he can just punch the guy from the bench? Should Orr have let up with 2 seconds left, yes, but the hit was not late and was prior to the buzzer.

PLAYER OF THE GAME- Overall a solid game by the team (except for the Penalties). I think all the Penalty Kills in the 2nd period were the key to the win. I will give Player of the game to Chris Drury for leading the charge (see his analysis above).

The King Reigns Supreme

I have lost a lot of confidence in the king over the last couple months. He has been back in the net and been giving up a ton of deflection goals and just plan bad goals at the wrong time. Well, last night was the old King and the one the Rangers will need if they have any chance at making a run at the cup. For about 5 minutes in the third period the score was 0-0 and Henrik stood on his head (almost literally) to steal 2 points for the Rangers. Much love for the King and I am hoping he plays again tonight to see if he going to go on a run The diving glove save and then kick up of his pads scenario will be played on NHL.com for a long time.

Quick Notes:

Renney is saying that Backhman is finally getting settled down and playing his game. Well if his game is letting guys blow by him and taking at least 1 penalty a game then man did JD rip the Rangers off. He is actually making Staal look bad as he has to cover for him all game. Last night Backhman did have some moments, but he better be better then this real soon.

The Legend of Nigel Dawes continues to grow. Does anyone see a little Shannahan in him? He has a great shot and some great offensive moves to get him self open. I think his release is a couple notches below Shanny, but he has better play making skills then Shanny.

Love what Shojrstrom is doing for the fourth line. He skates like the wind and is solid in his own end. I know she is not a hockey announcer or understand the game, but middle of the game yesterday Jeannie says “Man that number 20 is all over the place, and is always flying around out there, he is scrappy.” A little tear came to the eye as Jeannie is finally admitting she is now a Ranger fan.

Avery Water Bottle Gate- Sean Avery took 2 water bottles and in anger threw them around the penalty box after his phantom penalty in the second period. You know the one with the pile up in front, he get cross checked in the ribs, then pushes the guy in the chest and he is called for 2 minutes (great job refs). One of them ended up striking a wall in the stands and getting a family of 3 wet. The father walked down and showed Sean the bottle in disgust. At the end of the period Avery sought the family out and gave them signed equipment (sticks). The father was satisfied and moved on. Just another story to add to the Sean Avery resume, those are the things you will deal with, with a player like him.

Side note on Avery, well placed sources stated the Sharks offered Steve Brenier for Avery straight up and the Rangers said no. Brenier was the player they then used to get Brian Campbell and were offering for Marion Hossa. Think this tells you how Sather feels about Avery and tells me he will be a Ranger next year.

Drury- what more can you say. Malik get run and Drury drops the gloves for him. I like to introduce you to the future captain of the NY Rangers.

PLAYER OF THE GAME- Has to be the King. He stole 2 points for the Rangers and keep them in the hunt for top spot in the East. Put them 7 points up on 9th place.
Rangers play 500 hockey (13 points) the 9th place and 10th place teams will have to go around 10-3, or 11-2 to top them or tie them.

3 out of 4 Isn't Bad

When the home and home started, I said to myself if they can get 2 points at home and 1 on the road I will sign up for it now. Well it was the opposite, but the results were the same. Game 1 the Rangers should have won but the King was awful yet again (I mean come on a wrist shot from the point on a 2 on 2 should not go in). Callahan and Gomez hook up for a huge shorthanded goal to get the point. Last night was a dominate effort in periods 1 and 3 with a lull in period 2. Henrik kept them in the game in the second period, so much props to him as he made some huge saves to keep them with a 1 goal lead.

Quick Notes

Jagr MUST be in the shootout!!!!! I mean come on, I have no problem with Shanny, Dawes (he has looked great in shootout), Gomez, Drury types but Micheal Rozival? Hey Renney you are the coach, tell Jagr (even if he says I stink at shoot-outs) you are our best player go out in round 5 and win us a game. I love Jagr but this Shoot-out thing is just comical and frustrating.

Avery must be signed. I can not say it enough. Time to pony up to the table and get this guy paid. I will not enjoy a game as much if he is not there, he has a lot more skill then people give him credit for and he is a proven big game player now. A blog I was forwarded from Bobby (my uncle) was pretty interesting, it states Sather may be leery to sign him long term and then Jagr and Shanny leave. Jagr and Shanny have been able to keep Avery in check as he knows this is there team. I think it is a valid point, but you must sign him, then tell Drury/Gomez this is your team time to step up and one thing you must do is keep Avery in check. They want an average of 7-8 million a year they must do more then just the on ice stuff.

4 points out of first place in the East with a game in hand on the Penguins is a little deceiving as there are 5 teams to jump over but unreal how tight the east is. Rangers better not need 3 of 4 again when they play the isles the last 2 games. I want a cushion.

Thanks to Ted Nolan for playing Dubliewicz, come on Ted, you sign a goalie for that long and you know how up he gets for the Rangers you have to play him. Dipietro is a monster vs. the Rangers and while Dubliewicz had some moments in game one he let in some weak goals and did give up 3 goals. It was not like he had 40 shots against and only let in one or none. Stupid coaching move.

PLAYERS OF THE GAMES:

Tie- Nigel Dawes and Brendan Shannahan. I can not believe I am writing this, but I want Shanny back next year. If Callahan/Gomez continues to kill penalties like this, you can put Betts with Drury and take a lot of ice away from Shanny. He can not re-sign and play as much as he does now. Play him on the 2nd line and PP and watch him shine. His presence in that locker room can not be understated. Nigel Dawes is a great young player and will be a 2nd line winger next year all year.

Another Weekend Victory

I did a little research and the Rangers record since January on the weekend (Saturday/Sunday) is 8-1-3 for a total of 19 out of 24 points. The Rangers played a wide open game in the first period and were able to stay in the game. As much as it was frustrating to watch the Flyers score all those goals at least the offense is at a level where they can win a high scoring game. Shannahan set the tone with a sick top shelf wrist shot in shootout and then Dawes with a sweet backhand in the five hole to clinch the win.

Quick Notes:

Henrik oh Henrik you let up another soft goal to make it 3-3 and take the heart out of the team. I mean Carter had no angle to try and go fore-hand as Malik was coming up the middle to cut that off and you get surprised by a weak floating backhand. I think Renney was correct in pulling The King and with Valiquette’s records against the Flyers he should have started. 20-20 hindsight obviously but Vali was steady and the Rangers d-shored itself up in the last 2 periods.

Backman and Sjostrom score and thank god Backman did, he was one bad play away from being booed every time he touched the puck. Sjostrom’s goal was a thing of beauty and he really has been impressive for the Rangers already. He showed speed to get to the front of the net and then determination by getting 3 shots off without being touched.

No respect for Channel 4’s coverage. Jagr was not playing well last 2 times Rangers were on national tv and the entire broadcast they are trying to show he does not care and is not the same old Jagr. Yesterday when he is back to top form there is not a mention at all by Milbury or highlight reel showing how well he is playing now. Just shows they were all about shock value and wanted to get the press going with does Jagr not care quotes.

Player of the Game:

Martin Straka- Big goal to get the scoring started and then a great rush and feed to Callahan for an easy band in goal. Love the way a different line every night is the big goal scorer for the game.