The Rangers defeated the
Should.
Unfortunately there were as many negatives to come out of this match as there were positives. Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes played the games of their lives. Yay! Henrik Lundqvist and the Ranger defense ... well .... boooo, The Rangers played their rivals and won a huge game on home ice. Yay! The Rangers played down to the level of their injury riddled opponent and nearly lost. Booooo.
It was a huge game because Tom Renney called out his team prior to it and the final result shows they answered it. And many of his players did, or did just enough not to be called out again. Markus Naslund was invisible until he popped up with that goal. Michal Rozsival was terrible defensively but he scored so he leaves with a par on his card. Wade Redden? He got himself a second assist. Woo hoo!! An assist, poor defensive play and the continual degradation of Dan Girardi's game just doesn't seem worth $6.5 million. Several people turned around to me saying the Mexican't Scott Gomez had a great game but despite collecting two points, there were at least three, four other scoring opportunities he blew to go along with multiple turnovers.
At the end of the night, the Rangers played just well enough to beat the worst team in the league. Let's hope they play better next time. Some notes:
*My buddy the Gregger mentioned before the game that he thought that Valley should have started instead of Hank and he was certainly proved right. Valley, like Prucha, has played well when given an opportunity to play and needs to be given more opportunities. Hank isn't playing himself out of this rut - he is making poor decisions and is getting beaten on shots that he clearly is capable of stopping. *On the other side of the ice, we were surprised to see Joey Mac lead the Isles out for warmups. He acquitted himself pretty well but I am admittedly thankful because I truly believe that DP's presence would have resulted in an Islander win.
*Petr Prucha put on a stellar performance for his first start in ages but do you really think that it earned him a position on the roster? The first time the Rangers play a 'tough team' you can be assured that he will be back on the bench so Renney can bring in the "physical presence" of Aaron Voros.
*On the physical note, the game did feature one helluva heavyweight bout in Colton Orr vs. Mitch Fritz. While Fritz did land some good punches with his outrageously long arms, Orr landed the big blows and bloodied the big man, sending him back to the trailer park with his tail between his legs and blood running down his face. None of the Islanders were particularly physical after that solid display of fisticuffs. (Of course, there was no reason for it other than to justify Fritz being in the NHL - he did skate for 1:40 of ice time total - but I am tired of fighting that battle... and why did Versus switch to the wide camera in the middle of the fight??? Wow are they terrible.)
*Not even Mike Comrie, who went to aid Kyle Okposo after Nigel Dawes knocked the wind out of him with a fantastic check. The Garden did roar at the mighty mites duking it out but Dawes really should have taken his helmet off. Fighting with a visor is just wrong. Then again, Comrie didn't attempt to get Dawsie's bucket off and just resorted to Street Fighter-esque uppercuts so who's fault is that?*But back to Dawes, who definitely played his best game as a Ranger. He kept his skates moving throughout his shifts, he was physically involved, he swarmed around the Islander net and he scored. Outside of the scoring, the same could be said for Ryan Callahan and Lauri Korpikoski ... youth was served. The problem is that there just aren't enough kids on this roster and the ones we have aren't really game-breakers.
*Nik Zherdev should be considered both as he is still on the near side of 25 and he has skills most people can only dream of. After his time in Columbus we were warned about his enigmatic play and yet this team still had him penciled in for 30 goals. On this night he was horrid. Z skated into traffic and turned the puck over, wasted power play time skating around without creating anything and was a nonfactor - certainly not something you want from your first line winger.
*I would love to espouse more on the shortcomings of the overpriced players or the 0-for-5 power play but, alas, I have to get some sleep before heading to Chicago for Thursday's Winter Classic. Like with last year, I plan on reporting back so keep tuning in!!
*Oh, before I finish off with the stars, I want to reiterate that Dmitri Kalinin's salary would be better spent paying him to play in Russia. He has reached his peak and makes mistakes left and right. Corey Potter will make mistakes but he is young and has a much higher upside than Kalinin's current level.
*PHW Three Stars
3-Ryan Callahan - one assist.
2-Scott Gomez - one goal and one assist.
1-Petr Prucha - one goal.
Scotty Hockey Three Stars3-Cally - The kid was a wrecking ball, as usual. He nearly killed Trent Hunter with one helluva check and continually forced the action deep in the Islander zone.
2-Pru - He played like he had something to prove and it showed. It is amazing how wonderful motivated hockey looks ...
1-Dawsie - Was there anything Dawsie didn't do in this one? Best game of his career to date ... but can he keep it up? Hopefully!
23-13-3: Mixed Emotions at MSG - A Season of Highs and Lows
The New York Rangers, one of the NHL's most storied franchises, have a passionate fan base that spans generations. Each season at Madison Square Garden (MSG) is a rollercoaster of emotions, with thrilling victories and frustrating defeats. The 2023-24 season was no different, filled with moments that left fans on the edge of their seats and others that left them scratching their heads. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Rangers' journey during the 23-13-3 season, exploring the highs, lows, and the mixed emotions that come with being a Blueshirts fan.
I. A Promising Start
The season began with optimism, as the Rangers showcased their potential in the early games. Fans saw glimpses of greatness from the team's young stars and experienced players alike.
The Emergence of Young Talent: Discuss the impressive performances of rising stars like Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko.
Veteran Leadership: Highlight the contributions of seasoned players like Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, who provided stability and scoring.
II. Heart-Pounding Wins
Throughout the season, the Rangers treated fans to unforgettable victories that had MSG rocking.
Overtime Thrillers: Recount the exhilarating overtime wins that left fans in euphoria, with players like Mika Zibanejad delivering clutch goals.
Statement Wins: Explore the games where the Rangers defeated top teams, proving their mettle as playoff contenders.
III. Frustrating Losses
Despite the highs, the season had its fair share of frustrating moments and defeats.
Inconsistent Play: Analyze the inconsistency that plagued the Rangers, as they sometimes struggled to maintain momentum.
Defensive Woes: Discuss defensive lapses that resulted in disappointing losses, raising questions about the team's blue-line depth.
IV. Trade Deadline Drama
The trade deadline brought both excitement and apprehension, as fans wondered whether the Rangers would make significant moves to bolster their roster for a playoff run.
Trade Speculations: Explore the trade rumors swirling around the team and how they impacted player morale.
Acquisition Impact: Assess the impact of any trades the Rangers made and whether they addressed areas of concern.
V. Playoff Aspirations
As the regular season wound down, the Rangers found themselves in a tight playoff race. The push for postseason hockey stirred mixed emotions.
Playoff Hope: Share the excitement of fans who hoped to see the Rangers make a deep playoff run.
Nervous Anticipation: Discuss the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty of the playoff race and the challenges that lie ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Rangers' 23-13-3 Season
Q1: Who were the standout players for the Rangers during the season?
A1: Several players made significant contributions, including Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin.
Q2: Did the Rangers make any notable trades at the deadline?
A2: The Rangers made a few minor trades to improve depth, but they did not make any blockbuster deals.
Q3: What were the key factors that contributed to the Rangers' inconsistent play?
A3: Injuries, defensive lapses, and a competitive division were among the factors that contributed to the Rangers' inconsistency.
The 23-13-3 season at MSG was a rollercoaster ride for Rangers fans. It was a season filled with thrilling victories that showcased the team's potential and frustrating losses that left fans yearning for more. As the Rangers looked to secure a playoff spot and make a postseason run, emotions ran high, reflecting the passion and dedication of Blueshirts faithful. Regardless of the outcome, one thing remained constant: the unwavering support of Rangers fans who continue to fill MSG with their enthusiasm and mixed emotions, season after season.
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