19-11-2: If You Don't Laugh, You'd Cry

While signing some autographs for the fans who braved the cold after the Ranger 8-5 loss against the Devils tonight, Tom Renney said, "Let's just call that one shitty and leave it at that." I would have to agree with his assessment. But I won't just leave it at that, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed for the entire game, watched the replay when I got home and decided to write here. However, I will attempt to keep it brief as the Rangers will be right back in action tomorrow against Carolina ...

*I tried to get Glen Sather to say something as he rushed past after the game, asking him to buy out Wade Redden to make amends for giving him such a bad contract but Sather didn't take the bait, he just shot me a nasty look. Too bad.

*Redden ... ugh. The highlight of his performance was him standing there watching as Brian Gionta skated in and scored to make it a 7-5 game. He then mirrored the Ken Dryden pose of standing there with his head on the his stick. He really doesn't have a clue. It's so sad. He did make one good defensive play in the game, but trust me, it wasn't worth $6.5 million.

*And Rozy ... well, what can I say that hasn't been said? He would be a superstar in the Czech Extraliga. The Rangers should allow him to go back there, much like Tampa did with Radim Vrbata, to get his contract off of the books. The same goes for Dmitri Kalinin, who somehow escaped this game +2 despite his usual subpar performance.

*All I could think during the first Ranger power play was 'don't give up a shortie, don't give up a shortie.' And they gave up a shortie. And then they did it again later in the game. What a disgrace; how does Perry Pearn still have a job? His power play gave up two shorthanded goals and went 0-9.

*It is hard to point fingers when you are a Ranger fan (har, har), but the Devil fans - the few that there are - are incredibly classless. The Devs use the "Hey!" song for their goal celebration and the fans yell "Hey! You suck!" Seriously, what the hell? We suck because you were actually able to score a goal? That may have been true in the trap days, but not anymore ...

*Speaking of the fans, or lack thereof, there were easily a thousand empty seats and most of the luxury boxes were mostly empty. How is that possible on a Friday night against a rival?!?!? And when you struggle to draw so badly, wouldn't you have more 'events?' Why haven't they retired Neal Broten, Sean Burke or John MacLean's numbers yet???

*The guy in my row pointed out that the Flyers came back from a five goal deficit the other night and I laughed at him. Then the Rangers game back from a four goal deficit to tie the game at five. I didn't laugh, I cheered. And then, just like that, I was on the edge of tears. Four shots were taken on the Ranger net in the third period, and three went in. How heartbreaking.

*Quote of the night, "It's almost as if he's by himself." -- Sam Rosen on Henrik Lundqvist in the second period. A friend texted that to me during the game and I just heard it now. You know there is a problem when Sam says that.

*It wasn't all Hank's fault but he didn't help the matter at all. He was far from royalty in this one, being beaten for eight goals and at least four posts. A lot of that was due to the pedestrian defense in front of him but eight goals are eight goals. He has to be better than that. Scott Clemmensen was just as horrible but his defensemen were able to keep the Rangers to the perimeter for much of the night.

*Nik Zherdev's goal was initially attributed to Rozy by the arena's announcer despite it clearly being a beautiful wrap-around by Z. Way to pay attention, idiot.

*Why did it take a four goal deficit for Renney to start putting a forward on the point on the power play? It should have been common sense months ago but he finally tried it and worked. Better late than never?

*Time for Nigel Dawes to say goodbye. His presence was pointless. If the Rangers don't trust Petr Prucha, then they need to re-sign Brendan Shanahan. Dawes can't play on the power play, he can't play on the penalty kill. Shanny can do both while providing the heart and veteran stability that Gomez, Drury, Redden and Naslund are seemingly incapable of bringing.

*There were four fights so let's address them one by one:
1 - Colton Orr vs. Mike Rupp - Colt lowers himself to fight a goon who can hardly skate and doesn't belong in the NHL ... and loses. Good job Colt.
2 - Aaron Voros vs. David Clarkson - Voros' best fight yet as a Ranger, he only stopped a few of the punches with his face. He still lost though.
3 - Dan Girardi vs. Travis Zajac - Markus Naslund races up the ice with a two-on-one and Girardi throws down his gloves to go at Zajac. Just another of the myriad of mistakes by the Ranger defense.
4 - Ryan Callahan vs. Jamie Langenbrunner - Two guys with shields battling, is there anything worse? Yes, it was in the heat of the moment, but punching plexiglass is just stupidity.

*I'm sure that this was a helluva game for the average hockey fan - a ton of goals and a ton of fights - but at this point I just hope it was a bad dream. And if not, now that the Rangers went to the Rock and hit bottom, they will only go up from here.

*Stat of the night: The Rangers had seven recorded hits. Seven. Three by Dubi alone. Unacceptable, they have to hustle and bang if they are to be successful.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Travis Zajac - two goals. (And he didn't come out to wave to the crowd when he was announced as the third star, how rude.)
2-Brian Gionta - one goal and three assists.
1-Patrik Elias - game-winning goal and two assists.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Zach Parise - His father was a Ranger killer, he is a Ranger killer. Four assists? Jeez.
2-Brian Gionta - As the Rangers were not playing tough, the mighty midget was able to cruise around the ice and do pretty much anything he wanted - including scoring the back-breaking goal.
1-Redden/Rozsival - Had ANY other two defensemen in the NHL been on the Ranger roster on this night, the Devils wouldn't have scored eight goals.

 19-11-2: If You Don't Laugh, You'd Cry - The Rollercoaster Season of the New York Rangers

The life of a sports fan is filled with ups and downs, and no one knows this better than supporters of the New York Rangers. The 2021-2022 NHL season, encapsulated by the Rangers' record of 19-11-2, has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In this article, we will explore the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments that have defined this season for the Blueshirts.

I. A Promising Start

The season began with optimism as the Rangers displayed a renewed sense of purpose. Young talents like Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko were blossoming, and the team was securing wins with flair and finesse.

II. The Goaltending Drama

One of the defining storylines of the season has been the Rangers' goaltending situation. Igor Shesterkin, widely regarded as one of the league's best goaltenders, faced injury challenges. This led to a rollercoaster of emotions as fans held their breath every time a shot was taken.

III. The Rise of the Kids

The emergence of young stars has been a source of excitement for Rangers fans. Alexis Lafrenière, in particular, showcased his offensive prowess and playmaking abilities. His chemistry with linemates provided a glimpse of a promising future.

IV. Captain Kreider

Chris Kreider has had a career-best season, earning him the captaincy. His leadership on and off the ice has been instrumental in the team's success. Kreider's incredible goal-scoring prowess, often through "dirty goals," has endeared him to fans.

V. Frustrating Lows

For every high, there have been frustrating lows. Inconsistent play and defensive lapses plagued the Rangers during some stretches of the season. These setbacks left fans scratching their heads and longing for more consistency.

VI. Heart-Stopping Overtime

The Rangers have been involved in numerous heart-stopping overtime games. Their ability to secure critical points in the standings through overtime and shootouts has been a saving grace during difficult stretches.

VII. Trade Deadline Drama

The trade deadline added another layer of drama as the Rangers made moves to bolster their roster. Acquiring impactful players like Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte injected energy and depth into the lineup.

VIII. Playoff Aspirations

With the playoffs on the horizon, Rangers fans are cautiously optimistic. The team's ability to secure a postseason berth and make a deep playoff run remains a tantalizing possibility.

IX. The Emotional Rollercoaster

The 2021-2022 Rangers season has been a microcosm of the emotional rollercoaster that is sports fandom. From jubilant victories to heartbreaking losses, fans have experienced it all. Through it all, their unwavering support for the Blueshirts remains.

X. The Promise of Tomorrow

As the season continues, Rangers fans hold on to the promise of a bright future. Young stars and seasoned veterans combine to create a team with potential. The hope is that the rollercoaster ride will lead to a triumphant conclusion.

Conclusion

The 19-11-2 record of the New York Rangers in the 2021-2022 NHL season reflects the rollercoaster of emotions that defines sports fandom. With thrilling highs, frustrating lows, and the promise of a brighter future, Rangers fans continue to ride the wave of their team's journey. In the end, it's the passion, dedication, and unwavering support of the fan base that make each season, regardless of its ups and downs, a memorable one.