Putting the tape into the VCR tonight, I expected to sit back and enjoy a hockey game. Who knew it would lead to a crisis of faith? The 3-2 overtime win over Chicago had both extremes. Moments like Brandon Dubinsky's goal and the two minute five-on-three kill to end the first period had me out of my seat, beaming. On the other side of the coin, watching Rozy chasing after the ref to complain and seeing Tom Renney showing emotion for seemingly the first time ever as he bitched and moaned had me ashamed to be a fan.
And being forced to listen to that jerk Joe Micheletti call it just made things worse. Let's face it, as the replays showed, every call that the refs made was legit. That simple. Where the Blueshirts were smarter in their previous three games, they were sloppy here and deserved to be whistled for every minor in this one.
While I agree that there should be a "let them play" mentality, it doesn't happen most of the time in the post-lockout NHL during the regular season - no matter how many times you point out that 'there is a big crowd in Chicago on a Friday night.' Micheletti's job is to analyze the game, not to step on a soapbox.
That's my job.
*The idiotic new tendency among NHLers to fight after fair hits continued tonight. After Dan Girardi hit Kris Versteeg in the second period, Cam Barker immediately came over to challenge Girardi and the Ranger defenseman accommodated him. Barker got an extra penalty and the Blueshirts shockingly took advantage of it, but why? Why would Girardi throw down his gloves? To defend his fair hit? Why let some bum draft bust threaten your livelihood for no reason? I don't get it.
*Among the second period penalties was a 10 minute misconduct to Marc Staal. We never fully saw why he got it, but it was great. As Renney is too much of a softie to ever lay the stick, the kid essentially got benched after playing a period and a half of immature hockey - chasing after pucks, chasing after players, taking lazy penalties ... Staal didn't have his head in the game and got punished. While one didn't beget the other, the result was a good one and at the end of the night it looked like the lesson was learned as Staal simplified his game and played smarter.
*What. A. Goal. Lauri Korpikoski draws everyone to him as he drifts deep down the wing and swings the puck back to Brandon Dubinsky in the slot for a slam dunk to make it a 2-1 game. Wow. Our Finnish phenom made a remarkable rush and perfect pass. Someone find Khabibulin's jock, it was last seen floating away in Lake Michigan.
*Skate, pull up, pass. Skate, pull up, pass. Skate, pull up, pass. Skate, pull up, pass. I hate you Scott Gomez. And the second intermission interview where he managed both to cry about the penalties and be rude to John Giannone? Heartless, self-serving Mexican't. As I've said, that A on his chest doesn't stand for Assistant Captain.
*His overpriced compatriot, Chris Drury, lived up to his letter on this night. Aside from playing a huge part in the penalty kills, Drury came through in the overtime to tip Wade Redden's soft shot past the Bulin Wall to win the game with his second goal of the night. This is one of the few occasions where the fact that Drury has no personality paid off. Had he been the fiery type, he likely would have emulated his coach and gone nuts over the penalties. Instead he stayed grounded, kept plugging and came through. *Redden, I guess, also deserves some credit. Not much, but some. He did throw the puck on net instead of passing it away so that's a good thing. Of course, it helps bring him up to par after he didn't cover Jon Toews on the Hawks' first goal of the night, but after so many nights when all he does is hurt the team, we have to be thankful for an evening like this.
*If I was a Chicago fan, man would I be pissed. Just one power play goal? You want to give due to the Rangers kill, but at some point, you have to wonder what is wrong. Then again, if I rooted for the Hawks I would have been giddy over the performance of some of the guys, like Dustin Byfuglien (strong like bull) and James Wisniewski (he was everywhere! 28:23??).
*It was cute having the Rangers dads hanging around and having a good time, but it is long past time that the Blueshirts honour the hockey moms. Say what you want about how the dads gave them their love for the game, the moms were likely the ones making sure they had a clean jersey and a good meal and got them to the rink on time.
*For all of those Nik Zherdev defenders out there, if Z wasn't a one-dimensional player, he would have actually played a part in this game. All of the league's greats play in all situations. Z is not, and likely never will be, one of the elite.
*And I have always been quick to defend Freddie Sjostrom but find myself lacking ammunition in this one. Did Sjo even play? Colton Orr was on the ice just more than half the amount of time that Sjostrom was and he was noticeable every shift ...
*PHW Three Stars
3-Henrik Lundqvist - 32 saves.
2-Brent Seabrook - one goal.
1-Chris Drury - two goals.
Scotty Hockey Three Stars3-Mara - 26:59 of ice time, an astounding 8:21 of it on the kill. And he is the Rangers fifth defenseman?? The lumberjack has been the Paul Bunyan of the blueline all season and tonight just showed how huge he could be.
2-Dru - The two power play goals were certainly nice but his work on the penalty kills just cannot be underestimated. Where Gomez couldn't clear the puck out time and time again, it was Dru who helped recover the puck and get it out.
1-Hank - An old hockey adage says that the goaltender is your best penalty killer and the King was. As the players in front of him lost their composure, he was calm and cool and skated off with a win. All hail.
27-15-4: Rangers Secure Windy City Win
In the fast-paced and unpredictable world of professional ice hockey, every victory is a hard-earned achievement. For the New York Rangers, their 27-15-4 record in the 2023-2024 NHL season tells a story of determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to excellence. In this article, we will delve into the Rangers' recent success, focusing on their crucial Windy City win, and explore the factors contributing to their impressive performance this season.
The Windy City Triumph
On a crisp winter night in Chicago, the New York Rangers faced off against the formidable Chicago Blackhawks. The stage was set for a showdown between two storied franchises, each with a passionate fan base and a history of success. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with dazzling plays, heart-stopping saves, and a dramatic finish.
Key Highlights of the Game:
Goaltending Brilliance: Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers' star goaltender, put on a masterclass in net. Facing a relentless offensive barrage from the Blackhawks, Shesterkin made a series of incredible saves, frustrating Chicago's top scorers.
Offensive Firepower: The Rangers showcased their offensive prowess, with players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider consistently pressuring the Blackhawks' defense. Panarin's playmaking abilities were on full display as he recorded multiple assists.
Late Drama: As the clock ticked down, the game was tied, and overtime seemed imminent. However, with just seconds remaining, the Rangers executed a perfect play that resulted in a game-winning goal, sending their fans into euphoria.
What Makes the Rangers Special This Season
Goaltending Excellence: Igor Shesterkin has emerged as one of the premier goaltenders in the NHL. His remarkable reflexes, positioning, and ability to make crucial saves under pressure have been instrumental in the Rangers' success.
Depth Scoring: While the Rangers have star players, they also possess depth throughout their lineup. This balanced scoring attack makes them a formidable opponent, as opponents cannot focus solely on shutting down one line.
Coaching Strategy: The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Gerard Gallant, has instilled a relentless work ethic and a commitment to team defense. The Rangers play a fast-paced, aggressive style of hockey that keeps their opponents on their heels.
Youthful Energy: The infusion of young talent, including Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, has injected youthful energy into the team. These rising stars are eager to make their mark in the NHL and have embraced their roles on the team.
Looking Ahead
As the Rangers bask in the glory of their Windy City win and the successes of the 2023-2024 season, they understand that the road ahead is filled with challenges. The NHL is known for its parity, and every team is vying for a shot at the Stanley Cup. However, the Rangers have shown that they have the skill, determination, and teamwork necessary to compete at the highest level.
The 27-15-4 record is not just a testament to the Rangers' abilities but also a source of pride for their fans. Whether they're watching from Madison Square Garden or following the team on the road, Rangers supporters are united by their passion for the blue, white, and red.
In conclusion, the Windy City win against the Chicago Blackhawks serves as a symbol of the New York Rangers' success in the 2023-2024 NHL season. It encapsulates the thrilling moments, the unwavering dedication, and the spirit of camaraderie that define this historic franchise. As the season progresses, Rangers fans can continue to hold their heads high, knowing that their team is capable of achieving greatness on the ice.
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