BUFFALO---The downtown trolley is free for half its route, so we climbed on at HSBC Arena and exited at our hotel stop after today's 1:15 p.m. practice, where the Rangers rehashed their disappointment in dropping Game 1.
The truth is, like the trolley, the Rangers aren't halfway done. In fact, without leaving here with a split, this series could reach a premature end. Disappointment is fine; I was hoping to see a little more anger. For weeks, they played desperate hockey and will need a quick return to that, if they can pull the switch.
Sure, it was one game, and the Rangers believe they can play better. No kidding. But so can the Sabres, and they just might.
Before going on the ice, coach Tom Renney showed the team some film of what they did well on Wednesday---that was probably a short subject---and was very positive, players said.
Michal Rozsival (leg) didn't skate, but wasn't walking with a noticeable limp, and Renney called it "day-to-day" Rozsival plays hurt, and given the importance of the game, I expect him to give it a go. Marek Malik also took the day off, but the defenseman told me that he just needed some rest and would be fine.
So practice was a little unusual, with both Colton Orr and Brad Isbister wearing white d-men jerseys.
The question of a rebound for the defense, which seemed to sag far too soon in the second and third periods, giving too much space to the Buffalo rush, will be addressed in my story in tomorrow's paper and here on newsday.com.
As I wrote on Wednesday, Lundqvist will have to steal at least one game for the Rangers to push the Sabres to the limit. That game could be tomorrow night.
More later...
Comments (26)
Wait... do you hear that? That sucking sound? What is it? What could it be?
Silly Rabbit, ITS THE RANGERS!!!
Wow, a little premature, are we? Its one game, pal. Granted you did give us a whooping but they call it a "best-of-seven" series for a reason. Don't get too excited just yet. Mnay people counted the rangers out when they were in 12th place in the east...and look where they ended up.
I want to point out that the coverage on Versus is horrible. It's as if they where doing their 1st game ever. It really ruins the fun of watching a playoff game.
Whats that screechin? Oh silly rabbit, its the Buffalo bandwagon.
Dopey jerk, Calm yourselves, go have a bottle of Jack and forget where your trailer is.
It is early,, but if they continue to make penalties like they did last night,they willl be out in a hurry.
The first poster is right, though, the Rangers do suck, and really, really badly. Their idiotic fans are about to be humbled by the Broom of Righteousness. It will be lots of fun to watch. Even more fun will be listening to all their lame excuses afterwards. It is unavoidable.
Why are non-Rangers fans in a Rangers blog chatting about how much they suck? Seems to be they need a life, or their team is not in playoffs? Either way, A) They won their first playoff game in 10 years. B)They've made it to the second round. C) Its only 1 game in. Lets go Rangers! All you other; time wasting, pestimistic fools get a life.
The Rangers made it to the second round! The Rangers made it to the second round!
Give yourself a gold star for that gem.
you can bet the ranch they will never win the Cup as long as Dolan owns the team.
Wow, Sab fans talk plenty for a town in which their claim to fame is bars.
I actually got a good laugh from the crowd....I didn't know Buffalo had nuclear power plants.
LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!
A gold star? Wow, whatta moron.
Quote from buffalo morning news.
Informal survey of players after game one win over NYR
" THOSE GUY'S ARE FAGS
Oh yes, those Rangers are awesome for winning their first playoff game in ten years... But really, THE RANGERS SUCK for NOT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS for nine of those years and then getting SWEPT when they finally did!
That's okay though, those fans need to take some pride in the small stuff. Very small stuff. Hell, they tied their skates, that deserves a Cup right there!
There's just nothing the Rangers will ever be able to do to stop sucking. Its just the way it is. They could win ten cups in a row and they would still suck.
The "haters" can come on here and say what they want. There's 30 NHL teams. Of those 30, there are currently 8 still playing. The Rangers are one of those 8.
It's a near certainty that the "haters" favorite team is one of the 22 on the sidelines, eh?
True, true. I just smile thinking of how pathetic Islander fans who come on here are. And they tell us the Ranger suck. When they lose Smyth and Blake they will be the laughing stock of the league.
And it's to bad these idiots have to represent Buffalo like this, I have nothing against them, I've always respected them over the years.
most of the trash talking is fishstick fans masquerading as Buffalo fans. So with any rebuttals direct them accordingly.
Rangers won the cup in '94, when was the last time Buffalo won it? Ohhhh wait... they never have!
No, we've never won a stanley cup. The last championship of any kind in Buffalo was sometime in the early 1960's when we won the AFL championship. Hopefully we don't get hit with a bunch of injuries like last year. If that happens I don't think we can be beat.We're just too deep.
Renney better study the videos of the Islander-Buffalo series and see what the Islanders did right and what the Rangers need to fine tune against Buffalo. The series was lost 4 games to 1 but the Islanders stayed close and was in every game until the end.
Good luck...you are going to need it....
Blockness I agree. You got a point. I expect a much different showing tonight from the Rangers. Then again that could just be wishful thinking.
Blocknessmonster:
You are absolutely right! The Sabres were flying in Game 1, something the Isles managed to deal with which surprised me. Not that the Isles are that bad, it's just that I believe that the Sabres are the best team in the league. I went down to Raliegh, NC last year and saw the Sabres beat the Hurricanes in Game 2? and hung around with a bunch of Sabres fans. Although they were pretty good last year, Carolina was that much better. What happened to Carolina this year is anybody's guess! However, this is hockey, and as a Ranger fan, they still have a shot. From Game 1, I don't think that they should make too many changes although losing Rosival is big. Does anyone know if he's back tonite? The penalties that were called against the Rangers were all legitimate. When a team like Buffalo can skate faster than you, the penalties seem to go against you as seen in Game 1. The only way the Rangers are going to beat the Sabres is on pure heart and Lundquist stopping almost everything. All four Sabres lines were flying and the Rangers Offense was non-existent. The Sabres only had 2 more points than the Rangers since the All-Star Break and that's even with them winning their last 10 games. So, it's far from over but Atlanta is far from being anything close to the Sabres! I'm going to all the games at MSG and Game 5 in Buffalo. It should be great hockey! I know, I know. You naysayers are probably thinking, "Game 5?, What Game 5!" We'll see.
Geeba,
I agree with you. Sounds like Rosival will play tonight from things I have read. If it's not serious injury that requires alot of attention. He will be on the ice. I just hope that is the right decision and isn't a liability. This is far from over. This team is not a quitting team.
See you at the Garden. Just hope it's going in tied. Otherwise it's going to be a sad experience!
I'm going to game 5 in Buffalo too - can't wait! And of course the games at MSG..
Looking forward to tonights game. Hopefully, the Rangers play as well as they did Wednesday night. GO SABRES!!!
What I meant to say is that I am looking forward to tonights games. Hopefully Mom, Dad and Sis all arrive back to the trailer at a reasonable time.
Nice and Drunk!!!
Maybe the Rangers should dress 7 D-men tonight. I sure dont trust Rachuneck, and if Rosy cant play much, Id rather have a healthy Pock out there.
So interesting site, thanks!