38-27-8: Sunday Boring Sunday

The back side of Ranger tickets has a lot of small print and amid that eye-straining legal-speak is this: "Management reserves the right, without the refund of any portion of the ticket purchase price, to refuse admission or eject any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly, who uses vulgar or abusive language or who fails to comply with the terms and conditions within."

Apparently holding up a sign during warmups that reads "Please Sens, Take Redden Back" meets with those conditions. How possession of said sign - which has no vulgar or abusive language (no 'sloppy seconds') - is deemed ejection worthy is beyond me. Apparently it is indeed an ejectable offense, as I was threatened with it before security took my sign away. How a sign devoid of objectionable material that brought a smile to the faces of other patrons and Ottawa Senators alike is disorderly is beyond me. Is it objectionable to the public relations arm of the franchise? Certainly. Is it objectionable to the fragile ego of Mr. Redden? I'm sure. But is it anything aside from harmless fun? Absolutely not.

As fans we have very few ways to make our displeasure known - basically two ways: boo or don't go. Being as this is New York, it is clear that neither will, or has ever worked. Putting G-rated words on a piece of oaktag was a means of protest to the franchise for the illogical and foolish waste of the fans hard-earned money. Being threatened with ejection after spending said hard-earned money to watch the franchise is worse. And to willingly submit to the heavy-handed request of said franchise just to be slapped in the face with a pathetic excuse for an effort on the ice is absolutely horrifying.

A recorded sellout crowd of 18,200 (which was more like 16,000) paid their hard-earned money to watch Tom Renney's Rangers reappear and submit before a lesser foe in the midst of a playoff run. They played with no intensity, no interest and no heart as the Senators skated out of the Garden with an easy 2-1 win. Jarkko Ruutu was his usual clown-ish self, soliciting a "Ruutu Sucks" chant that he clearly enjoyed and yet the Rangers never attempted to confront the super pest. Ottawa put their backup goaltender in the net and the Blueshirts never challenged him, despite getting six power plays. As they did earlier in the season, the Blueshirts seemed all too eager to play for the shootout and a lone soft goal given up by Hank sank them. It was pathetic, it was gross and one can only hope that Tortorella doesn't let it happen again.

But if he does, so be it. We can save our cash on what is sure to be a short, pointless foray into and out of the first round of the playoffs.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Brandon Dubinsky - one goal.
2-Alex Auld - 28 saves.
1-Ryan Shannon - one goal.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Ryan Callahan - Best Ranger on the ice, bar none.
2-Chris Phillips -Solid defense from a solid player.
1-Shannon - Playing in front of friends and family, he showed more exuberance than the entire Ranger roster and went on to score the game-winning goal. Good for him.

 38-27-8: Sunday Boring Sunday - An Analysis of the New York Rangers' Season

The New York Rangers, one of the most storied franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL), have experienced a roller-coaster season marked by highs and lows. As the regular season inches towards its conclusion, the Rangers find themselves in a position that has left fans both hopeful and frustrated. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the 2022-2023 season for the Rangers, examining their performance, key players, and what the future might hold for this iconic team.

The Roller-Coaster Ride

The Rangers' 2022-2023 season has been anything but predictable. With a record of 38-27-8 at this point in the season, they have experienced a series of streaks, both positive and negative. They've had moments of brilliance, showcasing their potential as a formidable team, while also enduring frustrating slumps that have tested the patience of fans and pundits alike.

Key Players

Artemi Panarin: The "Bread Man" has been a consistent force on the Rangers' roster. Panarin's ability to create scoring opportunities and his offensive prowess have made him one of the league's most exciting players to watch.

Igor Shesterkin: The Russian goaltender has been nothing short of exceptional. Shesterkin's stellar play between the pipes has given the Rangers a chance to win on any given night, often keeping them in close games with remarkable saves.

Kaapo Kakko: The young Finnish forward has shown flashes of brilliance in his sophomore season. Kakko's development has been closely monitored, and his growth as a player is a source of optimism for the Rangers' future.

Highs and Lows

The Rangers' season has been marked by a series of highs and lows that have kept fans on the edge of their seats:

Highs:

Stellar Goaltending: Igor Shesterkin's outstanding performance has been a highlight of the season. His ability to make key saves and steal games for the Rangers has been crucial to their success.

Offensive Firepower: The Rangers possess a potent offense, with players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider consistently contributing to the score sheet.

Special Teams: The Rangers' power play and penalty kill units have been among the league's best, providing them with an advantage in crucial moments.

Lows:

Inconsistency: The Rangers have struggled with inconsistency, going on winning streaks only to follow them up with frustrating losses. This unpredictability has made it challenging to assess their playoff potential.

Defensive Woes: Defensive lapses and struggles in their own zone have cost the Rangers valuable points. Addressing these issues will be crucial in their postseason aspirations.

Injuries: Like many NHL teams, the Rangers have had their share of injuries, which have disrupted line combinations and defensive pairings.

The Road Ahead

As the regular season winds down and the playoffs loom on the horizon, the Rangers face a critical juncture. They must address their inconsistencies, tighten up defensively, and maintain their offensive firepower to secure a playoff berth and make a meaningful postseason run.

FAQs About the Rangers' Season

Can the Rangers make a deep playoff run this season?

While their potential is evident, the Rangers must overcome their inconsistencies and address defensive issues to have a chance at a deep playoff run.

Which young players should fans keep an eye on for the future?

Kaapo Kakko's growth and development as a player make him a key player to watch, along with other young talents in the Rangers' system.

How important is Igor Shesterkin to the team's success?

Shesterkin's performance in goal is vital to the Rangers' success. His ability to steal games and make critical saves is a game-changer.

What are the Rangers' chances of making the playoffs?

As of now, the Rangers are in contention for a playoff spot, but their fate depends on their performance in the remaining games of the season.

Conclusion

The New York Rangers' 2022-2023 season has been a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. With a talented roster, including standout players like Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers have the potential to make a significant impact in the playoffs. However, addressing their inconsistencies and defensive issues will be crucial to achieving postseason success. As the regular season draws to a close, Rangers fans are left hoping that their team can find the consistency and determination needed to make this season a memorable one in the franchise's storied history.