C/RW Greg Moore (18 points in 18 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack) and defenseman Ivan Baranka will start tonight in Tampa, according to John Dellapina down in Tampa. (Happy Thanksgiving from back north, Dell).
Baranka will play with Jason Strudwick while Michal Rozsival, (sore knee) who rested yesterday, takes another day off.
Moore's role is uncertain, because it appears C Chris Drury will move to left wing with Jaromir Jagr and Brandon Dubinsky, as Tom Renney tries to find some punch and revive both Jagr (one shot in last two games) and Drury.
Whatever the third line----Moore could center Prucha and Hossa---the second and fourth line will probably remain intact, but that's unclear, and things will change again perhaps as soon as Friday against the Panthers or Sunday at home against Dallas, when Martin Straka (finger) and Ryan Callahan (knee) are expected to return. I'd imagine Drury will return to center at some point, maybe with Jagr and Straka, and Dubinsky slides down to a third line with former Pack teammate Callahan? Just guessing...
Wrapping up all the last-minute preps before tomorrow's feast so I can settle in later by the fireplace. Should be an intriguing game to watch. May peek in on Isles-Canadiens as well...
Comments (17)
Zip - They tried the Drury/Jag experiment already. Did you not notice that it was a resounding flop?
Prucha - and you think Dubinsky is the answer as JJ's center. Please. It will be interesting who plays with JJ when Straka comes back.
Great game by the Rangers. How impressive was the kid defense? 3 rookies on D, not a problem. Staal is going to be a star, he already is one of the best defensive players in the game. Baranka was very impressive and he hits.
Good win tonight ... too bad about the shut out but who cares we got a big two points annother win on the road great overall game, powerplay looked OKAY needs to get better. Happy Thanksgiving all!
I guess the Isles were again busy taking bows for beating the Rangers, that they once again failed to show for the next game. You have to just laugh at this "Ranger Factor" thing. I mean, guys, there are other teams in the league besides the Rangers, LOL!
Great game tonight, another 2 road points against a tough, high scoring opponent. Wish Hank would have closed out the shut out. Renney's gotta have different forwards out in the last minute. I love JJ but he confused the s**t out of Toots on the goal. Just get the damn puck and get it out of the zone JJ!!!
Anyway, like Joe said another 2 points.
Baranka looked pretty good. He wasn't afraid to jump into the play when he saw the opportunity and he likes to take the body. Can't say enough about Staal and the rest of the D.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, yeah, even to any Isles fans checking out the Rangers board.
Islanders fan didnt know there are other teams in the league besides the Rangers. HAHAHAHHAH!
Henrik Lundqvist earned high praise from Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella.
Lundqvist made 32 saves, coming within seconds of his fifth shutout this season, to lead the New York Rangers past the Lightning 2-1 on Wednesday night.
"Lundqvist is probably the best goalie in the world right now," Tortorella said.
What happened with Avery?
Regarding the Rangers:
"Everyone talks about their free agents and their offense," said Lightning defenseman Shane O'Brien, "But they're a good, solid defensive team, probably the best we've seen, and they've got a great goalie."
I read that X Rays were negative on Avery, it's a bad bruise, he probably won't play vs Florida tomorrow, but Straka should be back.
You have to wonder why the Isles suffer through the "Ranger Factor". Their win percentage in games after a Ranger game is amusingly low. The Rangers need to rise to the occassion and understand that the Isles will basically sacrifice games to beat them.It means everything to the organization, it's all they got.
I'm thankful for our Defense. I'm thankful for the future of our Defense. I'm thankful for Hank.
When was the last season that our defense was this involved with production on the offensive end and was this good in our own end.
Many of these "kids" are going to be part of this team for years to come. Sather has kept his promise. He's built this team from within.
Cherepanov, Anisimov, Sanguinetti, Baranka, Borrett and Sauer are all names we'll be looking forward to seeing in blue shirts. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. And Happy Holidays.
Slick
Imagine if Renney sits Hollweg and Orr when Straka and Callahan come back? With Dawes up, there could be 4 offensive-minded lines, like what Buffalo threw at teams last year.
Imagine this?
Jagr - Dubinsky - Hossa
Avery - Shanny - Gomez
Prucha - Dawes - Drury
Straka - Callahan - Betts
I lvoe the effodt given by Dubs. He is a hard nosed center for the 1st line. I tought the 3rd line of Hossa, Prucha and Moore were solid. They came out with a chip on their shoulder and they played hungry for the puck.
I happen to live Tampa so I was at the game. Avery was another solid forward last night carrying the puck into the offensive zone.I hate going to games here. They are clueless on hockey and the rules of the game. Lots of Rangers fans at the game.
On the one play I wished Hossa would shoot more instead of looking for that pretty play.
Gotta give thanks to the guys from Hartford that come in and play a solid game when they are in the lineup. Baranka I thought played a flawless game, getting rid of the puck right away and making good passes.
The future for the Rangers looks bright with these young kids. Yeah and Hank made a great save on St. Louis. Point blank.
Hollweg will never sit!! At least I hope not (I have a #44 Jersey LOL). I love his intensity!! Honestly, the 4th line has been impressive of late. Renney has these guys out in a 1 goal game with minutes left. That says something. The 4th line has become an important part of this thing we call chemistry. Keep it up boy's!!! Good Job!!! The H.B.O. line should stay together and not be seperated. Just my opinion. What do you guy's think?? Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!!! Lets Go Rangers!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Nick, I agree with you about the 4th line, there is no reason to separate them when they are playing with so much intensity.
I also think that the Avery-Gomez-Shanahan line has been great lately, and they shouldn't be separated either.
As for the the 1st line, it is obvious that Dubinsky should stay with Jags and when Straka comes back, he should take Drury's spot. Drury is much better off on a different line so in order to spread out the talent and give us a chance to have 3 reliable scoring lines. Eventually I would like to see a 3rd line of Prucha-Drury-Callahan. I am a big Hossa supporter, and I think he is a great defensive forward, but I'm sorry, there is just no place for him to play that often once Straka and Callahan get back.
Brooks forgot to mention...
Jagr will be traded before the deadline.
...and as long as we get something better than an Anson Carter, I'm cool with it.