Blue Notes

As long as it's a fierce, close one tonight like Game 3, we'll be satisfied. Overtime would be particularly sweet...No word yet on status of Tomas Holstrom (hamstring); I'm guessing he'll give it a shot...Pens, looking to tie the series, certainly have something going at home. Will they play with the same desperation?...Believe Sid the Kid will be hit whenever possible tonight. Big game for Osgood, who wasn't as sharp as he needed to be on Wednesday.

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Sidestep to music for a sec: Making my first foray outdoors by the sea to the Jones Beach amphitheatre this season on Thursday night to hear Mr. Clapton. Witnessed some great shows there, including a Santana killer under the stars almost 20 years ago, Tom Petty's "Full Moon Fever" tour, Dylan in '88, CSN in the early 90's, Steely Dan, vintage Bonnie Raitt...Hey Peter, where can I find that Dead download you mentioned?...

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Mock draft? Actually, I was planning one here next week. Just Top 20 though.

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Two words until later: Barry Melrose?

No official announcement, but TSN and the Chicago Sun-Times are reporting that the NHL will stage another outdoor game on Jan. 1 in Chicago, with the Blackhawks hosting the Red Wings.

As you'll recall, two weeks ago, we reported here that Commissioner Gary Bettman seemed pessimistic about the Yankee Stadium option, and that Chicago and Boston were the next two alternatives.

Unclear whether the game will be at Wrigley Field or the much-larger Soldier Field.

The puck drops in Pitt in about six hours, and we'll be here again, offering droll comments and incisive (ahem) questions, all in the name of internet micro-celebrity, social opportunism and of course, the thrill of being insulted by strangers.

FYI, the telecast is on NBC, not Versus.

May be a tad late getting back to the keyboard (work/dinner committments), so carry on in my absence until I return after 8, "in medias res," that is, in the middle of things.

Some pre-game notes:

Reports from Pittsburgh indicate that Michel Therrien hinted at pairing Crosby and Malkin during some 5-on-5s (loyal readers will recall that I suggested this when Pens were down in Game 2) and that vet Darryl Sydor (who played on two Cup teams) will replace Kris Letang on D tonight at the Igloo. Sydor could be pretty rusty; he hasn't played in about two months.

Now about that "first Pens goal" pool from the other day.

Crosby and Malkin are the logical choices. I'll go with Hossa or Gonchar on a power play.

No. 2. Who'll hit the net first for Detroit? I'm thinking Zetterberg (who wouldn't, he leads the playoffs in shots, I believe) but I'll take Lidstrom or Franzen.

Candidates?

****
Evening, all. Missed the first seven-eight minutes. Guessing not much pressure from Pitt, given that the shots are 6-1. Whoa, big save by Scuderi on Stuart poaching in....Hossa and Crosby cross wires, leading to Franzen's curl, drawing a penalty on Gonchar...

****
Fabulous passing, almost a great finish by Hudler from the goal line to the left of Fleury, who then holds another shot attempt...puck hopped off Lidstrom's stick when he was open just to the right of the cage...only two shots on PP, but dangerous all the time...Pens cannot afford to be in the box often...Underline that. Twice.

****
How did Pens not score on that rebound of Sydor backhander....good prevent on Crosby, who had generated some speed in the middle...a rare Detroit icing. Pitt needs to cash in soon...Pens just missing...Red Wings appear as if they are trying to survive the period...and there it is.

****
Crosby, his first of the Finals, from Hossa on a broken play at 17:21, on the Pens fifth shot, fourth in a row...turnover by Stuart led to the score...big save on Zetterberg blast...breaking the ice has to revive Pens who are feeding off crowd...and a penalty on Rafalski...

****
Oh, that was so close to 2-0, Hossa and Malkin, no breaks. Pens are passing quicker. Best five minutes in seven periods for the Birds. But Detroit cannot be unhappy down by just a goal after 20 in a game that the Pens simply must, must have. They'll begin No. 2 with a man advantage.

PENS 1, WINGS 0, END OF ONE

One nice thing about NBC over Versus' intermission: better ads. Love the tyke who scored on E-Trade, rented a clown and laments that he "underestimated the creepiness of it."...Don't underestimate the Pens in this one...look, Mess making a mess with tortilla chips and dip...OK, clock starting...

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Malkin misses golden op on turnaround slapper...penalty over...Malone's work behind net forces Kronwall to hook...if Pens score on this one...Osgood challenges Malkin and makes the save...Pens look like a different, energized bunch...Second for Crosby, wide open...
Osgood needed to control that one...2-0 Pens

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Hossa with two assists....Last line change is making a diff for Pens...Fleury will have to remain strong, however...maybe more so Osgood...Rangers fans may be seeing flashbacks from the Igloo with the Pens swarming...

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Osgood tested by Gonchar, fine pass from Sidney...I was just going to say that the Wings need to remain physical....With the crowd deafening, did Kennedy hear whistle on icing?
Good no-call....Wings are making foolish clearing passes to the middle; they had been using boards...

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Yeah, I said physical. Gill decks Holstrom, Datsyuk leveles unsuspecting Malone...Wings PP coming....Dupuis clears puck from crease...No goal, net had been dislodged by Hudler from Orpik check, waved off early.

****
Gutsy PK by Pens, clogging passing lanes, forcing Wings to handle too much around perimeter. Think Wings won;t be shutout tonight, especially if Pens play short-handed a few more times..."We haven't been as settled down, we haven;t been as smooth as we should,": said Babcock, who just delivered the most succinct and honest coach's in-game interview in the three games....Ice was lousy whenever Rangers were in town (both teams agreed), wonder if that's the case...Gill in box again for cross-check

***
Well, I was right on the above Wings first goal pool. Franzen. Outstanding move. Cuts lead to one. Ya gotta love the hits. Wings aren't going away without making some noise leaving some bruises on the boards and in front. Should be a marvelously intense, rough-and-tumble third.

*****
Staal bloodied Lidstrom with a high stick....Ruutu and Roberts are running around... Obvious slash by Crosby on Draper...But a tough job for refs on what to call. Hits everywhere...A crackling period...what this series needed, some fire from Pens...19-13 in shots...Special teams may decide this one. What's that smell? Could somebody be cooking up overtime? Love to see it.

PENS 2, WINGS 1, END OF TWO

Just FYI. McGuire picked Rangers to beat Pens...and he was right that WIngs need to put Zet and Dat out every other shift---if they can last...Pens seem to be thinking D more...is it too early? They did put the clampdown on Flyers when necessary...IMO, Wings need to throw more shots on Fleury, they're trying to set up, too precise...

****
Incredible save by Osgood, who got a glove on Hossa's backhander, which clipped the post, then he reached back to corral the trickler an inch before the line... Ah. remember what I said about the ice? McGuire saying pucks bouncing all over the place, "very warm down here.": That's an advantage to Pens, with the lead and the familiarity...

****
Fleury major save on redirection, and on the enusing rush and scramble 3-1, Pittsburgh. Horrible move by Osgood, leaving the crease, missing the poke check, Hall bangs the puck off him and in....Still up and down, sensational save by Fleury...Ten minutes to go. Pens can't---and won't--- let this one slip away.

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I take that back, post...No diving save by Fleury. Good replay. With the non-stop play, can't take the eyes off the screen....

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3-2. This battle's not over yet. Holstrom aching in net. As Emrick said: "The surge is coming back for Detroit." Will it be enough? The pressure on Fleury is gigantic in next 5 minutes...If you didn't enjoy these last two periods, I feel sorry for you...you don't appreciate sports.

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We've gotta see that replay on the Malkin call. Was it really worse than what was going on in the last 40 minutes? Hmmm.

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Jeez, a re-direct misses and then a deflection hits Fleury...Penalty over...Zetterberg shot gloved...1:55 to go

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Osgood can't get off for the extra attacker until 29 seconds left...a furious finish. Question: Can Pens play any better? They certainly evened it up tonight in terms of passion, caps off to Fleury because the Pens were outshot again. Holstrom, who hit that post, didn't play late in third. Blame Osgood for that third Pens goal.

PENS 3. WINGS 2. PENS TRAIL SERIES 2-1.

Quoting unnamed sources, TSN reports that the Rangers will have to pay former Ranger and current Atlanta Thrashers forward Bobby Holik $3.5 million over a contract dispute in 2004-2005.

Because of the lockout that wiped out the 2004-2005 season, the Rangers argued that Holik needed to play to earn his signing bonus.

An arbitrator disagreed and made the ruling in favor of Holik and Jed Ortmeyer, now in Nashville, who the Rangers will also have to pay an undisclosed amount.

The Rangers bought out the remaining two years on Holik's five-year, $45 million contract contract in 2005. The team pried him away via free agency from the New Jersey Devils prior to the 2002-03 season.

Holik was set to earn $6.726 million in 2005-06, following the 24 percent contract rollback mandated by the new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the players' association.

With two Finals games in the books, let's slide over to some Rangers discussion.

Question: Of course, while it may be foolish to judge the worth of a player by how he performs with a certain team in the playoffs, I wonder....

Having seen unrestricted free agents Ryan Malone, Brooks Orpik and Brad Stuart in the post-season, has their value to the Rangers increased ---or fallen?

In the open market, Malone should easily double his $1.45m annual salary, as will Orpik ($1.075m); Is Stuart worth his $3.5M a season? (Update: One astute fan bet me lunch offline that Malone will collect $4 mil plus).

If the Rangers resign Rozsival and spend $3 million for Orpik, who should their other D pickup be? Hainsey? Mara? Commodore? Mezei? Meszaros ($984,000)? and see how Potter fares in camp?

If the Rangers pass on Rozy, they would lose their only right-handed shot on D. (Mea culpa, I stand corrected, Girardi also fires from starboard. That side of my brain bounced off the rail. I'm also reporting some Belmont Stakes-related stories.)
But perhaps playing a full season with Marc Staal would benefit both. Or do you gamble on finding someone else to play with Staal until Sanguinetti is ready? If it's my money, I wouldn't overspend on Redden or Campbell.

Thoughts?

Greetings folks...
The big screen is warmed up.
If the announcers don't call Crosby "Stephen" at the opening and Marc-Andre Fleury doesn't stumble coming off the bench as in Game 1, the Pens will be off to a better start...I think the shuffled lines, especially Malone on the first line, will be key for the Pens. But Franzen could equalize that.
We welcome your commentary. just keep it civil, or you'll be deleted (happened once already tonight)...

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Oops. Fleury forgot the anthem was starting and scrambled out of the crease to turn around and remove his mask...Pens are quicker to the puck and throwing the body so far...Franzen's blast just missed...not sure about that last icing. First PP for Pens will be large. A goal would give them confidence.

****
Right B&G, not real disciplined...Just as I write this, a 3-on-2, Filppula finds Stuart, who fires from the right point, 1-0, Wings

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How about a shot, birds? 6-0 in shots at almost 9 minutes in...uh-oh, LI native Rob Scuderi apparently caught by Filppula or wait, or replay, Gill's stick, that sent Scuderi down.....If Pens let Franzen fire away with abandon, he might kayo Fleury... Now Cleary, on a feed from Lebda, whistles one high off the glass....

****
Pens getting throttled in own end, a turnover by Hall, Holstrom's pass from behind net to Zet, who is stopped, but Holstrom comes around to pokes the puck across the line, 2-0, Wings. Huge PP coming up...first shot after 12 minutes, oh big save on Crosby in front by Osgood.. Looks like three Pens in front, but they just can't finish. Three shots with man-advantage, Pens revived. They cannot let in a late Wings goal here....

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And WIngs go on the power play as Malone heads to the box for interference, I believe.
Game may be on the line right here for the Pens, who need to harass the forwards and clear the puck at every opportunity...

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With 2:11 left, a Cleary hook on Malkin gives Pens another 5-on-4 chance...Skykora can't jam it in from the corner, guess Franzen's recovered stick wasn't broken...Osgood covers up in front with Staal hacking. Osgood with another point-blank stop. A frustrated Roberts picks up a roughing call with 13 seconds left. Good replay on an earlier no-call on Roberts check on Stuart in front. All six Pens shots were on power plays. Wings have 12.

WINGS 2, PENS 0, END OF ONE

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As pointed out during Versus' intermission, the Detroit defense tandems are moving up and across in the neutral zone to pressure the Pens while their forwards come back, confusing and stalling the Pens, who cannot come through center ice with any speed. The D---without Chelios remember---are controlling the game.

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Scuderi back; lip stitched, it appears...Pens are trying awfully hard on an important PK...Stats: Detroit 11-1 when leading after 1st in playoffs...Do Wings have six skaters out there? They are all over...

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Matt, I'm not sure why you're told to wait. Not my doing.

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B&G, no, I haven't seen defensemen do it with such timing and effectiveness. Of course, the forwards are coming back with great position, too. They clearly watched video of Pens, who are offering very little puck support. Didja see that last play along the wall when three Wings came up from behind each other to edge the puck past the blue line?

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Maybe Pens can capitalize on 4-on-4 here. But its only two big guys in the box...

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Hossa just missed the redirect in front... That might have been a penalty on Stuart for pulling down Crosby...hard to find a flaw in WIngs' performance, ain't it? Is it time to put Malkin on Crosby's wing with Hossa yet?

****
Some big saves by Osgood...And yes, right on former Soviet style, but the Wings seem faster and more physical; granted, this is a smaller ice surface...Listen, I think Pens can score, a bounce has to go their way; it's just a matter of how much....No rooting interest here, but not sure about that slash on Malone.

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23-12 in shots. Problems continue.

WINGS 2, PENS 0, END OF TWO.

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Back again. About the live blogs/chat rooms. Newsday has been running both for all Yankees and Mets games; problem is, you need an extra person and generally someone in our office to pitch in. Writers at the game (and I did two Yankees games with the technology last week) can find it difficult to do well, because you're watching the game, keeping score and writing a story/sidebar/notes as well, too much to juggle. Far easier---but not as fulfilling---is filing from home. The live blogs allow you to watch things away from the cameras, pass along other inside stuff from being at ballpark/arena and respond. OK, ready for the third...

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Here's something to think about Rangers fans. What can the Blueshirsts do to equal the Wings next season? Two quality D-men to start. That guy named Orr available? Hey, by the way, the Coldplay promos on Versus, courtesy of ITunes? Nice job. One guy we won't see unfortunately, B&G, is RT.

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I'm sure the Rangers (except maybe Jagr) wouldn't be scoring on the Wings either...And they'd be taking just as many penalties... It's 10 p.m.. Anybody know where Crosby and Malkin are?

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12:11 to go. Pens have the pp on a trip by Drake. Have a feelings Pens will break through here.

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So much for that. Stuart takes out Crosby and Malone, and Malone called for goaltender interference. How about Osgood, making save afterward. And well, that was the turning point. Filppula schools Letang, 3-0, great effort to shoot, and neat headman pass by Franzen, too. Pens in deep ----.

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Hey jerseyshore, I got Rick Kehoe

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Boy, you cannot blame Fleury in this one (maybe on the first goal, but he was a bit screened), but Osgood has been impeccable. 22-for-22 with that stick save.

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Cmon, Whitney, if you need to throw a shot, not to the head...
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Interesting suggestion by Olczyk: Try Staal on the wing in Game 3. Then it gets ugly, starting with Sykora bump on Ozzy behind net...

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And troubled, angry Pens head home, down 2-0 and still looking for a goal.
Thanks for hanging out, boys...
See ya soon...

Memorial Day morning, and at some point today, will track down four or five songs (of many) which remind me of summers past: the Stones' "Memory Motel", Tom Waits' "Jersey Girl", Walter Egan's "Hot Summer Nights", Peter Case's "Satellite Beach", NGDB's "Let it Roll"...

Gorgeous day again here north of Manhattan, so we'll be outdoors, and not back on line until Game 2 tonight, when the question is whether the Big Red Machine can be derailed by Pittsburgh's reshuffled lines (Malone on 1st line) and the addition of Gary Roberts. Please swing by for some in-game reaction/discussion, as we did for Game 1.

The Pens will certainly play with more desperation, be more physical and, I think, score on the power play. According to news reports, Detroit's Johan Franzen is close but won't skate. Nice to have him in your pocket for Game 3, though. UPDATE: Franzen, who has 12 goals, was cleared to play after the morning skate today and apparently will....

So we're leaving for now, enjoy the day and be thankful for the brave vets, fathers and sons, brothers and uncles, friends and neighbors, and (as I was correctly reminded) the women of war, as well, some alive and many gone.

Til later...

Here we go, just settled in....
Feel free to join in the commentary...
I'm not sure first goal will be so significant; the second one will...

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Oh man, mistake by Holstrom; a 5 on 4 turns into 4-on-4

***
Not a great shot by Datsyuk, good point by Emrick, lot of Wings' early shots going wide
And Olczyk, for pointing out the puck control by Detroit's fourth line

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Closest call yet, Hossa barely stopped by Osgood. Love the up-and-down skating and backskating. Pens have survived first half of the first, a good sign for them.

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First chance for Pens PP...watch out for Detroit shorthanded.

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Another call against the Wings, Pens need more shots on Ozzy...

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The lively boards almost put the Pens up 1-0, great glove save by Ozzy on Crosby...much more confidence on PP; Ozzy has been the difference with about four saves. Back to even strength

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A stick under the pad of Fleury by Holstrom causes a Lidstrom goal from the circle to be waved off---and Holstrom draws a penalty. Looked lke a shaky call to me. If Pittsburgh scores on this PP, that's a huge turning point.

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Olczyk agrees. A weak goaltender interference call. Mark that one down for later in the series when someone gets run and there's no call. Ohhh, wicked hit by Kronwall on Malone.

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Versus needs better info on number of saves, where shots are coming from...Another effective PK with 2:25 to play in the first

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Relentless down low play by Holstrom draws a penalty on Gill. This will be a matchup to watch as we roll on. PP for Wings.

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Fleury's biggest save came right at the end. Fast-moving 20 minutes; edge to Detroit.

WINGS 0, PENS 0, END OF ONE.

***
Pens leading in breaks. Draper's rebound of Rafalski's shot hits post, rolls along crossbar and out. But Pens are getting opportunities, Malkin two, in fact, and have to be feeling confident that they can skate with the Wings so far nd have blocked shots in front. Fine save by Osgood on the Dupuis break-in.

***
Speed kills. Samuelsson takes advantage of a bad change by Pitt, lugs the puck in, goes down th left side and a wraparound kicks off Fleury's skate, 1-0 Wings, and now a hold against the Pens. A second goal here would give Detroit a huge boost. Pens PK will have to be sharp...

***
Datsyuk and Zetterberg slightly outplaying Crosby/Malkin and Wings are finishing mroe checks. What was that, 13-3 in shots by Detroit this period? Their speed in transition seems to surprise Pens, who need to sustain some offense.

****
Fleury, who really has grown admirably in the playoffs, is keeping this at 1-0...Pens using a lot of energy on defense...Uh-oh, Malkin penalty, a trip on Filipula. There will be 1:26 in PP time at the start of the third. 16-4 in shots. As predicted at the top of this missive, the second goal will be massive.

END OF TWO,WINGS 1, PENS 0.

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Between periods, here's Messier's insight: Ruutu should have iced the puck on the Samuelsson goal.

Here at Chez Zipay, we're starting the third with some warm, homemade, yellow cupcakes with chocolate icing courtesy of my daughter, who arrived a while ago from her lifeguarding gig. Sweet.

Memo to the Pens: Kill this PP, then take some chances. The dump-ins aren't working. Skate hard and try to draw some penalties. All it takes is one shot. But they'll need a terrific third-period effort to steal this one, it appears.

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Wings smelling blood. Rare blunder by Fleury, clearing in front, Malkin can't handle. Samuelsson swoops in for his second, 2-0, Wings.

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Olczyk rightly credits Draper---a little late, no?---on the second Samuelsson goal. Versus needs more replays sooner to telestrate, same problem as in regular season telecasts.

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Ten minutes to go in regulation. Pens need a score quick.

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Wow. Two wonderful chances by Pens, Hossa rings the post, Crosby's putback bounces off Osgood and out, not in. Not Pens night. A goal there could have made this very, very interesting.

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Pens simply cannot get shots on net against the quick, reactive Wings. Two in this period, with five minutes left. Four in the second period. Can't win that way.

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Did Therrien wait too long to load up with Hossa, Malkin, Crosby on a line? First shift, Lidstrom whistled to the box.

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Dan Cleary hustles in, backhands in a shortsider shorthanded off the boards past Fleury, 3-0. Good night. Wings just too deep in this one. Motors don't stop running for Samuelsson, Cleary, Draper, Maltby, Stuart...

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Slash with 1:52 to go. Figures, it's Ruutu with a cheapie. Surprise. He'd better watch himself next game.

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Pens getting frustrated, running around like the Flyers when they're losing. Bang. 4-0, Zetterberg, PP, upper corner.

Wings up, 1 game to none. Pens need to regroup. Pronto.

I can work, I can travel
Sleep anywhere
Cross every border
With nothing to declare.
You can look back babe,
But it's best not to stare....

I need a big weekend
Kick up the dust
Yeah, a big weekend.
If you don't run, you rust....

Can't beat Tom Petty to open up a big weekend, with good weather and cookouts projected, the Cup Finals starting, Jaromir Jagr in the pool and who knows where else at the MGM Grand in Vegas (according to Blueshirt Bulletin) and summer's in the air.

Me, I spent most of Wednesday and Thursday at Yankee Stadium (and why didn't I see some of you in our live gameday chat room? Shame on ya. Maybe next time) covering two games in the O's series with some of our insightful and delightful (whoa, a Clyde Frazier moment) baseball writers. That explains my absence in this space.

But Blue Notes and Newsday's coverage still made news in Canada. Check the lower third of William Houston's column:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080523.truth23/BNStory/GlobeSportsHockey/?query=

So, yes, the word is spreading. But no, like many major newspapers, we won't be in Detroit (hopefully we'll figure out a way to be at the Finals next year) but we'll be watching closely and commenting right here, so swing by and contribute.

Around the league: I'm shocked Tony Granato will be the bench boss in Colorado,
but certainly wish him well. And Alain Vigneault was extended for a year in Vancouver. Wonder if that means Joel Quenneville is close to a deal elsewhere?...Just an opinion, but the two most overpaid players among free agents will be Wade Redden and Brian Campbell. Of course, almost everyone will be overpaid. I'd still like Ryan Malone to be a Ranger, though...You know which Yankee I spoke with reminds me the most of an NHL player? No not Giambi. Please. None other than Kyle Farnsworth.

Ah well, that's a wrap for now. I'll be back tomorrah before Game 1.

Between ruminations on what should be a compelling Stanley Cup Final beginning Saturday, just wondering what a Vogue summer intern like say, Sean Avery, does on a rainy and chilly May weekday in New York? Nothing. He's probably at a photo shoot in sunny SoCal, right? Ah well. There but for black nail polish...Watch out for that spleen, Sean.

Some thoughts on the Detroit-Pittsburgh series:

For goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Chris Osgood, the playoff goals-against-averages and save percentages are so close, it's a wash. Think Tomas Holstrom and others will attempt to create major traffic in front of Fleury, so Hal Gill and Brooks Orpik will need to bring A-games.

Expect the Kirk Maltby line to be assigned to shut down one of the Pens top lines; not sure how the Pens can matchup against Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Johan Franzen is expected to be back at some point in the series; how effective he'll be, who knows?

Marian Hossa was stellar as Pittsburgh beat the Flyers and Rangers, teams with which the Pens were familiar. They haven't seen the Wings or played at the Joe this season. Have to give the edge to the Wings on home ice and the blue line and overall, with the Cup veterans over the youngsters. Unless the Penguins special teams really dominate, the pick here is: Detroit by a whisker.

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Most of the discussions in Rangerland have been---and will continue to be---whether to sign or replace some of the five major veteran free agents---Jaromir Jagr, the aforementioned Mr. Avery, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka, and Michal Rozsival.
Defense is a priority, but the names of UFAs Michael Ryder and Brian Rolston have surfaced as proven 25-goal scorers on the wings to possibly replace Shanahan or Straka. I'd take Ryder. Change of scenery might serve him well.
Here's another name I'll toss into the mix: Ottawa LW/C Antoine Vermette, an RFA who might not be re-signed. He's 24, 6-1, 200, made $1.075 last season. Tremendous speed, quality PK.

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If you're interested in some off-season Rangers yakking, I'll be a guest on XM this afternoon around 5 p.m. ET, with Phil Esposito. More later...

....is quite comfy today after a weekend of uprooting four large azaleas that the local deer had been consuming and, with the Garden Goddess, planting willow and astilbe, mountain laurel, diascia hybrids, verbena, phlox starbrite and Russian sage on the Chez Zipay property and in colorful pots.

The downside?

Those creaks are from the back of your friendly correspondent as he rises from the chair and other furniture to hobble to the warm waters of the bath. Oh, to be 29 again.

Actually, I feel swell otherwise, and speaking of Russian sage, how about defenseman Fedor Tyutin earning a gold medal against Canada in the World Championships? Good for him. Maybe the experience will help him progress even more next season. Easy to forget that he played all 82 games this season, finished 11th in the league in hits with 218 and will turn 25 in July.

Of course, acquiring one or two defenseman should be priorities on the Rangers-to-do list for the off-season---immediately after offering Jaromir Jagr a one-year, incentive-filled contract:

"Una hirundo non facit ver", loosely translated from the Latin: "One swallow does not make summer."

There's Wade Redden, Brian Campbell (let other teams overpay), Ron Hainsey, Brooks Orpik, Mike Commodore, John-Michael Liles, Mark Streit. The Panthers didn't lock up RFA Jay Bouwmeester when they had a chance, and you wonder if he's not itching to escape Florida now. Worth exploring. Let's see, Bouwmeester or Michal Rozsival? JB.

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OK, the Red Wings will need someone else to score besides Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg tonight (One from Tomas Holstrom, Brian Rafalski or Nik Lidstrom wouldn't hurt). But Dallas has confidence, Brad Richards could be a real factor and I wouldn't mind a Game 7. Thoughts? Will the Penguins beat either team?

***
Anyway, as you can tell, I'm back in NHL reporting mode this week, making phone calls, sending e-mails, but will slide over to the Bronx to help Newsday's coverage of those last-place Yankees aganst the Orioles Wednesday and Thursday night. More on that on game day...

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in a Q & A with reporters in Dallas yesterday, said a decision should be made by mid-July. I'm hearing Yankee Stadium, Soldier Field and Fenway remain the front-runners. Here's the transcript.

Q. What is the likelihood we'll see another outdoor game next season? Is Yankee Stadium a possibility as a venue?

BETTMAN: "Funny you should ask. We are in the midst of doing our homework and trying to make some plans to do another outdoor game. We think the game in Buffalo, the Winter Classic on January 1st last, was a great event for our game and for our fans. It made us the center of sports focus on a day which had traditionally been devoted to college football. So we very much want to do it again. We want to keep it special. We don't want to overdo it.

We have no shortage of interested cities and teams. And we're exploring them. One of the possibilities is Yankee Stadium. But there are a variety of issues with respect to all of the possibilities. We have to see which can be resolved satisfactorily.

There is some construction going on, on and about the Yankee Stadium area, the old stadium area, which may impact us. There are some winterization issues, because it is an older stadium. As I sit here today, I don't know whether or not they can be resolved. We don't have a deal yet to go anywhere, but we're in discussions with a variety of places, some that have been named, I'm not breaking any news here, Chicago, Boston, Colorado, Denver, Pennsylvania.

Actually got a letter from the Governor suggesting, based on this incredible -- I think Governor Rendell said in his letter to me as great a sportsfan as he is, he's never seen the intensity of a rivalry as he's seeing now between the Flyers and the Penguins, and we should consider playing in HappyValley before a 107,000 people.

We're looking at a lot of things. I anticipate, hopefully by the time we announce the schedule in early July when we release it, historically on the day after the baseball All-Star Game, that we'll know what we're doing.

But as I sit here today, other than we're planning to try to do something, we're not done yet."

......by edging Czechs on Mattias Weinhandl's goal at 3:15 of OT, so Henrik Lundqvist & Co. move into the IIHF semifinals...Canada leads Norway 1-0 in the first minute on a Dany Heatley goal...Oh, and from their Palm Sprngs meetings, Rangers have confirmed that Ivan Baranka accepted an offer from Spartak Moscow, but that New York will retain the 23-year-old d-man's rights.

Marcus Nilson ties it with under four to play in regulation with a high glove-side wrister just seconds after goaltender Milan Hlinka tumbled backwards from a brush with a Swede skater...

.....on a pretty high backhander as Lundqvist slid out to his right; 2-1, Czech Republic with about 7 minutes to play

At the IIHF World Championships...

Elias (knee) and Rozsival playing.

Just caught the live feed at hockeywebcasts.com

Rangers defenseman Ivan Baranka, a restricted free agent, will be playing in Russia next season, according to eurohockey.net.
The 6-3 Slovakian defenseman, who was 5-21-26 and a plus-9 in 61 games in Hartford last season, will skate for Spartak Moskva, the site reports.
I am awaiting confirmation with the Rangers.

Hope you all enjoyed/survived Mother's Day with your families, and also remembered moms no longer around, but not forgotten.

I had scheduled a few days off this week, so please don't expect the usual torrent of updates.

Will give you this though: In the worlds, Brandon Dubinsky today had a hat trick, including a goal from the right circle midway through the third period, as the U.S. hammered Norway 9-1. Pat Kane was tremendous as well. The U.S. will play Finland or Canada next in the quarterfinals.

The craziest story has been the controversial Finn goal against the U.S. that went through the mesh at the side of the cage and was allowed to stand after video replay. The IIHF then fessed up to the error after the game, and in a bizarre move, fired the goal judge.

Team Canada looks very potent and should take it all. Lundqvist's Swedes beat the Czechs yesterday..

With the injuries to top defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn, it appears as if the Flyers are fried. Even if they win one of two in Philly, the Pens will likely end the ECF in five at the Igloo. I thought it would take six.

Detroit is certainly dazzling everyone. Should be a terrific finals.

On this front, Cablevision---which owns the Garden, Rangers, Knicks, Radio City, News12 and provides cable television, broadband and phone service to millions in the New York/New Jersey metro area---has agreed to buy Newsday. The deal is supposed to close in August.

In the past month, the mood of the people I've talked to around the newspaper is first, goodbye and good luck to the current Tribune ownership, which had sliced and diced and tightened the purse strings and didn't exactly encourage the business of first-hand, on-site reporting, which is the lifeblood of journalism.

You can only hope Cablevision appreciates Newsday for its legacy of editorial integrity and independence in news, sports, business and entertainment coverage, invests in this valuable asset and allows it to blossom again---not only on Long Island and in the New York metro area, but for readers everywhere via newsday.com.

In the interim, we're still here (outside of some summer vacation weeks), reporting, commenting and exchanging views on the Rangers and the NHL as before.

Here's the names of seven restricted free agents who might not be signed by their current teams. Should the Rangers be interested? I'd be monitoring.

Antoine Vermette, Senators; Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Predators; Marek Svatos, Avalanche; Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, Sharks; Steve Bernier, Sabres.

Thoughts? Other candidates?

No major news on the Rangers front so far today.

Pens-Flyers tonight. Loss of Kimmo Timonen (blood clot) will hurt Philly D. Pens power play could be the difference in the series. Martin Biron will have to steal a couple games for Flyers to advance.

Meanwhile, Rangers assistant coach Perry Pearn told the Palm Beach Post that he's interested in the Florida bench job---he has ties with GM Jaques Martin. The possibility was first reported down there weeks ago. Paul Maurice and Pat Quinn also are candidates.And Joel Quennevillle got the ax today in Colorado Pearn has a year left on his contract, but the story says that Glen Sather would let him go if he lands a head coaching job.

If Pearn leaves, who should replace him? Ken Gernander from Hartford, who has worked with the young turks? Brendan Shanahan? Mark Messier (probably not, he prefers the front office scene). Thoughts? Candidates?

....for the World Championships. The 29-year-old d-man will be making his first international appearance for the Czech Republic.

Also, thanks to laurie and Mitch Beck for seconding my sense of the five fellows from the Pack who have a shot at the club in September: Lauri Korpikoski, Artem Anisimov, Dane Byers, Greg Moore, Corey Potter.

More paperwork and errands on the agenda before a trip south tomorrow to collect my daughter and her belongings from Villanova...

*Headline inspired by "Between Clark and Hilldale", Love, Forever Changes,

Tying up some personal loose ends today, checking in on the World Championships, (Henrik Lundqvist expected to play tomorrow for Sweden, which he called an underdog with only seven pros; no kidding, the Red Wings are still skating), but let's open it up to continue the post-season discussions...

1. What should Glen Sather do with his free agents before July 1 and why....
Jagr, Shanahan, Avery, Straka, Rozsival, Mara, Malik, et al....and keep the cap in mind.

2. Tom Renney said yesterday that five Wolf Pack players have a chance to make the team in September: Your thoughts on to whom he was referring? Lauri Korpikoski, obviously, is one.


3. The draft is June 20, and the Rangers pick 20th. Who to target? This may require some thought and research, but what the heck were you planning to do today anyway? Read more about Roger Clemens or Barbara Walters?

Seems to me that if RW Jared Staal is still there, I'd be interested. There could be some good-sized D available as well: 6-foot-7 Tyler Myers (Kelowna); 6-4 Colten Teubert (Regina) and some offensive blueliners: Michael Del Zotto (Oshawa) 43-11-34-45; and Yann Sauve.

Let it roll....

The fog around Jaromir Jagr's future lifted ever so slightly today, but with the mercurial superstar, you never know.

“First I am going to talk to the Rangers,” Jagr said. “That’s No. 1 option for me. I don’t like to change. I feel very comfortable here, with all the people around this organization who are nice to me. They give me a chance to show everybody I still can play hockey. Everybody doubted me when I was playing in Washington for whatever reason. The Rangers gave me a chance and believed in me... All I have to do is concentrate on hockey.”

Jagr also said, very seriously, that if he stayed healthy, he would play for several more years.

"Look at Chelios playing till 44. Everything is about health, if you stay healthy ypu have a chance to work hard and do what you want. But I don't think I would sign longer than two years, just because of my dad; he asked me to come home in two years."

His father's team is building a new arena, and "he wants me to be there," Jagr said. "My family's always been important, I've got to look at what happened 25 30 years back; because of them I'm here." He then said he was kidding, but no one really believed him.

As for the other world-class forward who is a free agent, 39-year-old Brendan Shanahan, he sounded as if he wasn't ready to hang up the skates.

"I definitely feel today, that at this point, I definitely know that I can still be a productive player in the NHL and certainly somebody who contributes to a team's wins in a variety of ways," Shanahan said. "If I didn't feel confident, I would make my decsion to stop playing today. If I decided to play, this (New York) would be my first choice."

Three Rangers will play in the World Championships: Henrik Lundqvist for Sweden, Brandon Dubinsky for the U.S. and Fedor Tyutin for Russia.

More later...

NHL just made the announcement of the first round order...

I was out on a leave of absence
From any resemblance to reality
I felt like a rocket launched to the great blue yonder
From the boys down at Kennedy

I was driving by his majesty's court hotel
Where the sign said 'Praise his name'
I was tired and alone I couldn't see too well
But I don't think that he was to blame

Thank God the tiki bar is open
Thank God the tiki torch still shines
Thank God the tiki bar is open
Come on in and open your mind....
----John Hiatt

There are plenty of warm days and sultry evenings ahead for the pool, the beaches, the squash court (where did my game go?), for family and friends, and for thinking about the draft and next season.

The illusion is that of a sudden finality; not so; we're not departing. The inn isn't closed----it just won't be cookin' 24/7. But we'll be here posting in the coming months with Rangers and NHL news and observations, so be sure you swing by this ol' tiki bar as often as you'd like.

Before we drive off to the rink for the final time for a few months, here's my story in today's editions, which takes a quick stab at the salary cap situation:

After physicals and farewells today, the off-season turns into a numbers game for the Rangers.
"It should be an interesting few months," said Chris Drury, who will leave with his family to California for the summer before returning in September as possibly the Rangers' elder statesman at 32.
Sunday's disappointing finale in Pittsburgh served to highlight the holes (defense, size, power play) that the franchise will attempt to fill in the summer through free-agent signings and in training camp from within. It also illuminated the increasing presence of young players---11 of the 20 who dressed were under 25.
The NHL's salary cap is expected to rise to between $55 million and $56 million next season, up from $50.2 million, and the Rangers should have plenty of space to maneuver---especially if the front office sheds most of their over-30 free agents, or signs one or two to reasonable short-term deals.
By not re-signing captain Jaromir Jagr and unrestricted free agents Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka (who are likely to retire), and defensemen Paul Mara and Marek Malik, the Rangers would lose an estimated $19 million in cap space. That would leave room for a younger replacement for Jagr---although the Penguins' Marian Hossa is the only true free agent sniper available and will command $8 million on the open market.
The cap hits of Scott Gomez ($7.3 million), Drury ($7 million) and Henrik Lundqvist ($6.9 million) lock in $21.2 million. On defense, the Rangers have committed just $5.5 million in cap space to five defensemen, with the most to Christian Backman ($2.3 million). The remainder: Fedor Tyutin ($988,000), Dan Girardi ($750,000), Marc Staal ($827,000) and Thomas Pock ($685,000). Pock spent most of the season in the AHL

Among the forwards, Brandon Dubinsky ($633,000) and Ryan Callahan ($575,000) will be restricted free agents in 2009-10 and could be extended. Petr Prucha ($1.6 million) and Dane Byers ($608,000) are under contract. Other forwards under contract are Blair Betts, Colton Orr, Ryan Hollweg (a total cap hit of $1.66 million).
Add backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette, who could be resigned for about $700,000, and that's another $5.8 million, for an estimated total of $32.4 million in cap hits for 16 players. More could be cleared, of course, if some of those players begin next season with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack.
Of the team's top restricted free agents, the Rangers presumably will sign Nigel Dawes, and possibly Fred Sjostrom and Greg Moore. The future of defenseman Ivan Baranka and forward Pierre Parenteau is uncertain. Prospects Lauri Korpikoski, who scored the Rangers first goal Sunday on his second career NHL shot, and center Artem Anisimov, will get long looks in camp.
One of the biggest decisions, of course, is whether Jagr wants to return---and at what price. The 36-year-old right wing, whose $8.36 million salary resulted in a cap hit of just $4.94 million because his former team, the Washington Capitals, was still on the hook for some of the money, is an unrestricted free agent who said he wants to play for several more years, possibly in the NHL or his native Czech Republic.
After Sunday's game, he indicated that he would discuss the situation with his family and play where it makes him happy, but that it would not be a quick decision. Jagr, who scored 71 points and stepped up his game in the last six weeks, has said privately that he understands that the Rangers, whose focus and offense has shifted away from him, may not be the right fit after three and half seasons.
Then there is the question of Sean Avery, the controversial and unpredictable left wing/irritant who earned $1.9 million and endured an injury-filled season, and broke off contract talks this winter when he said the two sides were far apart on financial issues. Both sides must determine how much can Avery---who likes the bright lights and wants to stay in New York---contribute, and again, at what price?
On defense, Michal Rozsival's cap number was $2.1 million this season, and that could double for the Rangers or whichever team signs the unrestricted 29-year-old defenseman. The Sharks' Brian Campbell, an unrestricted free agent who will command $6-million-plus per season, could quarterback the power play, but the Rangers also could hand that job to Staal and perhaps wait a year for prospect Bobby Sanguinetti and opt for toughness in a player such as Pittsburgh's UFA Brooks Orpik.

See ya later....

The Final Score boys debate the topic of the day. What do you think?

In the wake of the 3-2 overtime loss in Pittsburgh that ended the Rangers season, Jaromir Jagr said the game would not be his last after 17 years in the NHL.

"I don't think I'm going to retire from hockey, I'm going to play somewhere, I don't know where," said the 36-year-old superstar, and said he would take some time to discuss his future with his family and friends. "I don't want to make any decisions 30 minutes after we lost the hockey game."

Jagr, an unrestricted free agent, could possibly return to the Rangers, sign with a team that plays a more up-temp offense, which he favors, (Carolina, Detroit) or play in Russia or back home in the Czech Republic.

"The year before, I knew what was going to happen. This year, it's going to happen wherever I want it to happen. Whatever's gonna make me happy, that's what I'm going to do. But it's going to take time, I have to talk to my dad, my friends, they look at it differently than I do, I'm sure they're gonna give me good advice on what I should do."

More on this later...

Staple here, Zip in Pittsburgh, game a few minutes away... As Zip has noted, Lauri Korpikoski makes his playoff debut and Jason Strudwick stays on D in place of Christian Backman. Rangers have to stay out of the penalty box early, because the Pens will have a rabid crowd and a desire to put this one away early.

Trotting out the new live blog today... Keep the comments coming, but keep 'em clean.

2:01

NBC broadcast about to begin after watching Orel Hershiser play poker... Interesting. Game is a few minutes away.

2:18

Sorry, gang, some technical difficulties at HQ over here... Luckily, this was apparently a 2:30 start and no one told us. Off we go!

2:21

Good start there with a neutral zone turnover and two quick shots.

2:24

Exactly what the Rangers didn't want: Malkin's line matched with the Strudwick-Mara D pair. Good control in the Rangers zone, and an alert play by Lundqvist to stop the bank-shot try by Ryan Malone off Strudwick.

2:27

Both teams settling down a little. If Drury were a little bigger, he would've been whistled for obstructing Georges Laraque for sure. Pens are getting set up in the Rangers' zone well, though.

2:30

Jagr forced to play some D there and a fairly weak hooking call on No. 68... Rangers' PK has to be huge here.

2:34

Good anticipation by Lundqvist both on Malkin's one-timer and Malone's wrap try. Malone could've done more with that.

2:36
Nice shot by Korpikoski on his second shift. Kid knows you've got to throw pucks on net here, especially since the Rangers hadn't had a shot in several minutes.

2:42

Rangers' forwards are making sure to collapse down when Malkin or Crosby h