22-12-2: Falling Just Short

With my ranting and raving here on the blog, I have been accused of being a bad loser. It is true, I hate to lose and I hate to watch the Rangers lose. But I am ok with it when the Blueshirts go down swinging. And that is what they did tonight. They recovered from a early 2-0 deficit but still fell 3-2 to the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks. On the way they outshot San Jose 17-7 in the third period. Did they miss prime scoring chances? Yep. But they shot the puck, they pressed the action and they didn't fold in the face of a very talented team. It was beautifully heartbreaking.

And I will take that anytime; it is why I am a sports fan.

Enough with the heartwarming stuff. We did lose. If you look at the other 14 losses this season, perhaps the only one that matched up with this loss to San Jose was the 5-4 overtime defeat at the hands of Detroit. You know what that proves? That this Ranger team plays to the level of their opponents. And that should be laid at the feet of the coach and the captain - if they can't motivate the troops game-in-and-game-out, then they shouldn't be the leaders.

And onto more of this evening's festivities:

*To a degree, all three San Jose goals were stoppable. The first power play goal came on a telegraphed shot from Dan Boyle that Hank appeared to be able to see, the second came after Hank pulled himself out of position and the third Hank had a good angle on Patrick Marleau but the Shark captain still put it through him.

*Everyone knows that I am a huge fan of Blair Betts but had he not taken the high sticking call to put the Blueshirts down two men, there is no way that San Jose scores two power play goals. It is a sad thing to say but of all of the Rangers, having Betts in the penalty box is the most costly. He seems to know it too, having only taken one minor penalty to date this season. That one also put the Rangers down two men but it came against Florida and, well, they suck ... the Sharks don't and they scored two power play goals.

*Anyone else notice the soundbite MSG played of Joe Thornton talking about San Jose's 6-0 embarrassment at the hands of Detroit? He was smiling!! No wonder the people in Boston disliked him so much. It is the same reason I loathe Scott Gomez. Yes, players have to get over losses, put them behind them and all that but you want your stars - of all people - to hate to lose. Ever. Perhaps we were too spoiled by having Mark Messier here in New York.

*Speaking of the MSG broadcast ... in my continuing campaign to get Joe Micheletti canned, he put together another poor telecast tonight. The lowlights of this game being his perpetual apologizing for getting things wrong. While that is a regular thing with him, one of the worse came when he insisted Markus Naslund hurt his left side while Nazzy was clearly waving his right wrist around. Way to pay attention ace!

*Oh, and Micheletti said that Marleau was left open and scored because Naz went to the bench but the real reason was Scott Gomez was cherry picking up at the blueline. As the center on the play, he should be have been backchecking when Wade Redden's clearing attempt was sent back deep into the Ranger zone. The Mexican't stayed high hoping to collect a long pass and the San Jose center was left alone on the doorstep to score. A terrible display for someone who played under Lou Lamoriello.

*Neither Redden not Dmitri Malik Kalinin were as bad as they have been for the Rangers but they are still far, far away from being worth their contracts. Rozy took a bad penalty and Girardi made a few mistakes but luckily Staal was his solid self and Paul Mara played another big game on the blueline. To think I was ready to send him out of town after last season - he has been the most consistent defenseman on the team.

*How awesomely simple was Nik Zherev's goal? He picked a spot on arguably the best goaltender of the West and put the puck through it. What a shot. Why doesn't he do that against the lesser netminders he usually faces?? Oh wait, that does towards what I was saying back at the top ...

*George Gund III, the former owner of the Sharks who was honoured before the game, has some awesome eyebrows. I wish I had a good pic of those things.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Nik Zherdev - one goal.
2-Evgeni Nabokov - 32 saves.
1-Joe Thornton - two assists.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Ryan Callahan - Nine hits and a goal through persistent effort from the new Little Ball of Hate. It is a pleasure to watch this kid play hockey. If he gets a nasty edge to him like Beeker had? Wow.
2-Nabby - If Hank doesn't win the Vezina this season, then Nabby should get it. He is just an incredible netminder who was robbed last season. He gave up one bad goal (Z) and one good goal (Cally) while standing tall through the Rangers third period blitz.
1-Dan Boyle - He is everything for the Sharks that Wade Redden hasn't been for the Rangers: a true game-breaking offensive defenseman who is capable in his own zone.

 22-12-2: Falling Just Short - A Look at the Rangers' 2008-2009 Season

The 2008-2009 NHL season was filled with excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments. For the New York Rangers and their fans, it was a season of hope and promise that ultimately fell just short of the ultimate goal. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Rangers' 2008-2009 campaign, exploring the highs, the lows, and the factors that contributed to their season's outcome.

I. The Offseason Hopes

Free Agent Frenzy: The Rangers made significant offseason moves, signing marquee free agent Markus Naslund and bringing in Nikolai Zherdev, hoping to bolster their offensive firepower.

Henrik Lundqvist's Contract Extension: The Rangers secured the services of their star goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, with a long-term contract extension, solidifying their foundation in net.

II. The Regular Season

Strong Start: The Rangers got off to a solid start in the regular season, with Lundqvist leading the way with stellar goaltending performances.

Inconsistent Offense: Despite flashes of brilliance, the Rangers struggled to find consistent scoring, with many players failing to meet expectations.

III. Trade Deadline Moves

Sean Avery's Return: The Rangers made a splash at the trade deadline by reacquiring Sean Avery, a fan-favorite known for his gritty style of play.

Mixed Results: Avery's return brought mixed results, with moments of impact tempered by disciplinary issues and controversy.

IV. The Playoff Push

Playoff Aspirations: The Rangers battled hard down the stretch to secure a playoff spot, with Lundqvist standing tall as their backbone.

First-Round Exit: Despite their efforts, the Rangers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, falling short of their championship aspirations.

V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What were the main challenges the Rangers faced during the season?

A1: Inconsistent scoring, struggles on the power play, and a lack of depth in certain positions were among the key challenges the Rangers encountered.

Q2: How did Henrik Lundqvist perform during the 2008-2009 season?

A2: Lundqvist continued to be a standout performer, maintaining his reputation as one of the league's premier goaltenders.

Q3: What were the takeaways from the Rangers' season?

A3: The season highlighted the importance of roster depth, consistent offensive production, and the need for a cohesive team identity.

The Rangers' 2008-2009 season serves as a reminder of the highs and lows that teams can experience in the NHL. While it ultimately ended in disappointment with a first-round playoff exit, the season showcased the resilience of the Rangers and their passionate fan base. It also set the stage for future seasons, as the team continued to strive for success in the years that followed. Despite the falling just short in 2008-2009, the Rangers remained a symbol of hope and determination for their supporters, embodying the spirit of New York hockey.