Blue Notes

this all makes my head spin, and my stomach hurt.

in my opinion, we miss betts..his loss on the PK means other forwards (drury, straka, shanny, gomez) must work harder and longer, and his loss makes the 4th line completely ineffective. i thought the officiating was terrible (that staal hit on gomez, seriously?), and save for a devastating 5 on 3, the rangers played well.

can we please return to the avery/dubie/jagr, dawes/gomez/shanny straka/drury/callahan lines?

Steve - Carolina is not guaranteed a spot either. they have 90 pts and 3 games left the 1st is at Wash. but they do have the tiebreak

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/story/10742521

for our resident 16 yr old expert re Lucic

Milan Lucic, Boston: The big winger became a fan favorite in Boston on opening night by getting into a fight, and his willingness to drop the gloves has since earned him a reputation as one of the league's top heavyweights. That's only scratching the surface of what he can potentially bring. He hasn't scored much yet, but he did as a junior, and he's only 19.

I wanted to touch on yesterdays “better coach” conversation discussed by Matt, Stuart and Sid.
As the Devil’s Advocate but no fan of Renney;
Couldn’t the same be said of Jagr slighted production. Meaning, with all the one goal games the Rangers have let slip away, wouldn’t it be a safe bet that if Jagr was having a typical season of 30-40+ goal seasons we’d have picked up some of those close games? I’d say so. With his lack of production on the PP and 5 on 5 the Rangers could be looking at a higher seed had things gone more his way.
Now Renney is way, way, wwwaaaaayyyy too defensive minded, but he’s playing to his strengths. That’s what he should be doing. Because if he playing to his weaker offensive style, we’d all be crying about him not playing to his strengths.

Sather and the Rangers are going to need Cherepanov next season. Mark my words.

314,
I agree with you. I thought the refs were horrible yesterday. There were a few that were blown, a few that could have went either way and usually ended up the Rangers and from what I saw out of the Pens crosschecking isn't a penalty anymore?

So talking penalties I just read something pretty interesting and I'll put it out here as a trivia question for some fun.

Highest rate of penalties drawn in the NHL.
The Rangers have 3 forwards in the top 17 penalty drawers for forwards. They have 1 d-man in the top 10 penalty drawing d-men.

Take some guesses...

As for the Pens and the standings. Payback comes tonight.
They need to take it to the Pens right off the bat. Physical all the way. Beat them down and make them pay. Avery needs to get to work being the annoying gnat he can be. There is many guys in this lineup he can take out of the game.

Lets Go Rangers!!!

Sanguinetti will be joing the Wolf Pack:

http://www.battalionhockey.com/hm/inside.php?sid=4&id=4658

One more thing about the Lucic thing, it is much easier for an 18 year old forward who can drop the gloves to compete at the NHL level, than an 18 year old defenseman with a lot to learn defensively.

And, because Lucic played a full season in the NHL at age 18, he is eligible to become a UFA at age 26.

Got to admit, I am nervous and if the Rangers don't win tonight, I will be downright terrified.

The Islanders will base their whole season around this home and home coming up with us.

The pathetic Islanders who played saturday against the Flyers will play much better only because it's the Rangers.

We desperately need to win tonight.

this is DEFCON1

Please re-unite the top 3 lines!

Avery-Dubinsky-Jagr
Dawes-Gomez-Shanny
Straka-Drury-Callahan

I hate Straka and Jagr playing together.

I cannot stand the fact that Roszival tries to pass to Jagr no matter where Jagr is on the ice, no matter how many guys are covering him.

I am sick of it.

Jagr better play better tonight or I will fly him to Omsk myself.

One thing about the Sanguinetti - Lucic comparison

both of them were 19 when this season started, not18, so Lucic becomes available for UFA status when he is 27.

Right when a poward forward is entering his prime.

Rozival should not be on the PP with Jagr. If Rozival had the option to pass to a wide open Gomez or a double covered Jagr who is incidentally also on fire he would pass to Jagr every time. Did you see him on the Power Play yesterday before Jagr could get on. Gomez passed to him twice and he shot both times!!!! (Granted he missed the net massivley) But he shot the puck. Then Gomez went off for Jagr and what happened? Rozival touched the puck 6 times and didnt shoot once.

Also has anyone noticed that Backman is 100% improving this power play? I love his shot, and his passes. He actually SHOOTS the puck. Oh well ... A must win tonight ... Period.

Backman has played very well, I am looking forward to having him for a full season next year, his 2.2 million dollar cap hit may turn out to be a bargain.

If there are any teams out there willing to give Roszival a multi year 3 million a year contract, they are insane, no less the 5 million a year deal he is reportedly seeking.

At the end of last year, Rozi really seemed like he was a defenseman about to take the next step, he has really regressed this year IMO.

I'd really rather he just go, unless by magic he gets his head into this and has a strong last 4 games and a great playoff, I am tired of looking at him.

Backman 1 goal 4 assist in 4 games.
Nice!

I think Rosy is definitely worth 3 million a year. No way for $5/yr.

I love how Crosby cross checked a Ranger 4 times right in front of the ref, and he didnt even get a penalty..... but if it LOOKS like you're holding someone, you're in the box.

Sec. 314: That non-call when Jordal Staal checked Gomez from behind 10 feet from the boards was pathetic.

Put the lines back together Renny - We need a little grit out of Avery tonight.

Is orr coming back tonight? Hopefully? we need some toughness from the getgo. agree, rozi should not be on the unit with jagr, i think that unit should be mara/backman with jagr, dubie, avery. or maybe straka on the point with mara...anyone know who's calling the game tonight? i dont think i can stomach emrick for another 2.5 hours tonight.

He is a great player, but the more I watch Sidney Crosby, the more I swish someone will just deck the little whining p*ssy.

He crosschecks opponents like there's no tomorrow (with no penalties ever being called), then dives and acts his way into drawing penalties (like that b.s. high sticking call on Straka).

Crosby needs his @ss to be planted into the ice tonight.

The Refs suck and kiss sid's arse, some of the non calls were pathetic.
Everyone is right on how the Rangers should come out tonight and bang Pit and put it to them along with shoot shoot shoot. But one thing shouldn't they have been doing this all year? It's game 78 and you all are saying what should have been done from game 1.Thats why Renney has to be gone next year. He might be a brilliant hockey mind but as a head coach he is second rate. Yes he has been the coach since the lokout and the Rangers have made it to the Playoffs every year but I don't remember any parades for the Rangers just because they did make the playoffs. So did 7 other teams in there conference. Jagr looks slow and has no shot , Marty gives 100% but can't put the puck on net let alone in the net. But Renney takes Avery off that line where he was on fire and puts Straka why come on do I really have to say it. Now niether line is doing anything and all of a sudden Avery is cold. Thanks Tom for another genius move that didn't work. With this talent they should be resting players instead of hoping to get in. Maybe there is some openings at Omsk for Straka and Rosi along with jagr and maybe they need a coach and an asst coach who is a PP expert one big package deal . Don't let the door hit you guys in the arse. I will feel this way even if we win a round or two but it doesn't look that way which is sad for all Ranger fans which I am one of.

after last nights game, i am 110% on the ovechkin is better then crosby bandwagon. just re-reading some stats from last night, gomez, straka, drury and dawes, all had no shots on goal...thats inexcusable. we need the other lines back asap.

The PP sucks first of all because of Jagr running it his style where nobody goes in front of the net and they just cycle until they lose the puck. A good coach whould pull a plug on such PP 3 years ago, but not our idiot. The offense sucks because for most of the season players that were playing best were getting little icetime, while players that were getting paid the most getting a lot of icetime and on top of that really bad line combos. A good coach rewards players that perform well by increasing their icetime and PP time, while decreasing those that are playing bad and constantly turn the puck over, but not our idiot, in fact many times a player had a great game just to be scratched or sent down the next(Prucha, Baranka, etc.). A good coach takes notes which players have chemistry with each other and which players don't, but not our idiot. A good coach would never play a 4th line in the 3rd period when down 1 or 2 goals, but not our idiot which is actually the most incompetent and clueless thing I've seen a coach do, especially considering who was on the 4th line. A good coach would not play a whole line of completely one-dimensional players(Hollweg--hitting, Betts--PK, Orr--fighting), but not our idiot and his fans are loving it. All 3 are useless. A good coach wouldn't go with a garbage over the hill vet like Rucchin over good all around mature young player like Immonen. A good coach wouldn't go with useless player who he likes over a much better player who he doesn't like as much(Strudwick/Pock). And it goes on and on and on.

The Rangers have played consistently over the last 30 or so games. There is no reason not to believe that they will bring the right stuff to beat Pens tonight. The PP is showing signs of life and the defensive game is fine as the Pens only had 10 shots on goal through 2 periods yesterday on their ice. The Rangers need to shoot on Fleury every time they have the opp as he will give up a tremendous amount of rebounds. It doesn't require fancy picture perfect plays to beat hi, it requires shots on net. Rozi and the points missed the net plenty yesterday, they need to put the puck on net and the opp to score 4 or more will be there. As to Renney he is too exacting and stubborn when it comes to making subtle changes. He has this loyalty factor way out of whack that being said he is not going anywhere so everyone should get used to it. Should his defensive stubborness result in a dep playoff run or possible cup run then everyone will accept it. The players seem to have bought in and the results are good. The early season 1 goal losses are the missed opp for the year, had the Rangers simply played consistently through the first 45 as they have through the last 30 then they would be on top with about 100 points or so right now. So instead of worrying you might as well just enjoy the run and realize that every game is going to be a barnburner and dependent upon the Rangers ability to shut the other team down.

vince,

if your so high and mighty about firing the coach, gimme the PERFECT COACH out there for this team? which coach available will play to the teams strength?...you never give names, you only bitch about whats here...you want scotty bowman?...you want al arbour?..who the hell do you want?!!

bottom line is this team busts its ass night after night, they play hard for him and thats all that matters.

your the kinda person that no matter whos coach here, you ALWAYS will hate him....and you know why?..CAUSE YOUR A MISRABLE RANGER FAN!!!!...and nothing will ever make you happy!! ..if we'd win 10-0 games every night, you'd find something wrong ...if jagr gets a hat trick tonight, you'd hate him for getting called on a hooking penalty..if we win the cup this year, you'll hate that jagr handed the cup to shanny first instead of gomez or whoever..you get the point... why dontcha just root for the isles, cuz you'll fit right in with your attitude...christ almighty!

tj , I am breaking my rile of answering oneof your rants aboit me so here goes.
#1, I don't know who the perfect coach would be, I just know it's not tom. #2 It is my right to bitch as is yours so if all you can do is call me names your immature and a moroon. #3 The team does not bust it's ass every night if it did we would be in a much better position and all the people on here wouldn't be saying " you know what they have to do tonigh go at them hard , hit them and shoot the puck. yeah then we should be ok"#4 I am not a miserable Ranger fan I am a realistic one and not a everything ig great all the time like you tj.#5 If in thse 10-0 games they did something real bad ,yes I would say something but I would also be happy we won. #6 If jagr got a trick but still played a selfish no hustle game yea I would complement him on his trick (which is never going to happen any more in the NHL) but complain how selfish and lazy he is.#7 win the cuo this year you must be on drugs but if we did and he handed it to gomer I would applaud it.#8 I wouldn't root for the isles if it meant you'd leave me alone. You are blinded by the Rangers sweater and all you see is roses when there are so many thorns. You should becareful because you might get pricked by a thorn buddy and I don't want to see you hurt.# 9 There is no reason to bring Christ into this because it just isn't right to do. Now back to ignoring the little nat thats buzzing around my butt named tj. Have a nice day.

Oh almost forgot Tj stick with going after bob because he's more in your league . By buddy

Im with you TJ, sure everyone has right to say and feel however they want but it sure is frustrating to read/hear the constant down that some people are on. Just to much at times every single game is the end of the season if we lose one and even when were playing well we still suck. But to each there own were all Rangers fans and thats all thats important.

But anyway tonites a big game for sure, gotta come back with a win tonite to show pittsburgh we will be there to battle with them in the playoffs and to take a lot of pressure off the next 3 games. I do agree also that these lines are just not great but I also think besides the callahan drury straka line the other two had greatly cooled off from what they had been. The drury line should have remained intact no matter what as they had been the best line for several games with high energy and intense forcheking. Bottom line as we all know the rangers need more from a few people Jagr, Shanny, Dubinsky, and even Avery,whos had some good games but some where hes brought little more then defensive liability as of late. Jagr and Shanny in many games have just been down right invisible and have not even generated chances often for those around them. Before Dubinskys goal yesterday he hadnt scored a goal in 12 games so he had certainly cooled down with Jagr and Avery previous to the line switch up.

With all this I have total confidence in this team and I feel we have just as good of a chance as any Eastern Confrence team to make it through to the finals. We have a solid goaltending and a defensive unit that has done a good job of allowing very little against all season and come playoff time thats what wins you games. Our offense at times have shown the ability to get timely goals late to tie up games and thats important to. So lets hope we play a better game tonite show pittsburgh were not going away and hope the refs call a slightly less crappy game.Cant wait to be at the Garden.... Go rangers.

vincea puke thinks he is better and smarter than me. LOL I am by far the most intelligent and rational person on this blog. And tj is doing the right thing not debating with me. I wouldn't even waste time on imbeciles who think Renney is doing a great job or are getting paid to write that.

not sure if everyone heard or saw this, but orr is apparently still in a boot and most likely not playing tonight...

lol vince

i was just giving examples of how misrable you can be, you didnt have to respond to those individually..i was being SARCASTIC

again, i never said for you not write stuff..i just always said i would tear you a new azzhole everytime you did.

WHEN we win the cup THIS YEAR (how am i on drugs?), you're not welcome at the parade on the grounds that you never have any faith in them or the best coach they had since mike keenan..tell me whos been better then renney since the keenan year?

how on earth can you say this team dosent bust their azz?..do me a favor, count how many times a game they block a slapshot from 5 feet in front of them (betts, who you and everyone HATES btw, is the best at it...especially on the PK)...do me a favor, count how many times this year have they been outshot in a game?..i guarentee you its less than 15 times out of 78 games this year and they have the 5th best GAA per game in the whole leauge...that means they play good defense dont it? that means they backcheck, take out the man, those are indications of a team busting their ass...isnt defense is what wins championships?..and this is from that "SOFT" defense that everyone seems to bytch and moan about every friggin game!!...you all need, especially vince, to start giving this team at least an ounce of credit, they deserve it

bob?..please are you kidding me?..i dont waste my energy with that useless piece of chit..hes not even a ranger fan, he's a troll posing as a ranger hater and you all fall for his antics, but i dont. vince, at least your a ranger "fan"... allbeit a sour misrable one.

so my voodoo dolls finally worked. First Malik, then Betts, now Orr. Good stuff.

Tj I've never bad mouthed Betts so make sure before you add me to that mix.Oh I ddddddon't buy into what a hole bob says at first I thought he was just a a fan who was out of control but then after so many of his posts I realized he os an ice worm.. At least you realize i am a Ranger fan even a sour miserable one lmao. Fair enough about not being invited to a parade sad thing is even if they won I wouldn't be able to make it up there for one ,family problems.Later Lets go Rangers kick some pens arse!!!!

Sec 314
"Just re-reading some stats from last night, gomez, straka, drury and dawes, all had no shots on goal..."

Freddie Sjoestrom, time on ice 6:08 (2:04 was SH), 2 shots on goal. Give him MORE time on ice.....now!

Avery-Dubinsky-Jagr
Dawes-Gomez-Shanny
Sjoestring-Drury-Callahan
Prucha-Straka-Hollweg