31-32-9: At Least It's Almost Over

Hooray! The Rangers continued to show their true colours on Sunday and they surely aren't the brilliant blue, white and red that adorns the jersey. This incarnation of Broadway bunch are a lot closer to the bums rahter than the Blueshirts of old. The franchise was horrific for so very many years but you knew one thing - they were doing the best they could. This team claims that they are but haven't showed it on the ice.

They certainly didn't show it in Boston as they lost 2-1 in what they hyped as a Game 7. In the first minute alone they had three turnovers and an odd-man rush against. Way to get up for the game guys. It was a mistake-filled, sloppy affair that wasn't nearly as close as the scoreline showed. Between Hank making several saves he shouldn't have and MDZ's goal off a lucky deflection, the result should have been far worse. And to Boston no less.

I've used the phrase 'they should be embarrassed' before but let's face it, they are too pampered and make too much money to get embarrassed. For many of them, their pride resides in their bank account and it shows on the ice. Others are trying hard but are simply not that good. But that's ok, because the season is almost blissfully over. Is it a coincidence that on the same day Tiger Woods speaks, the Rangers get that much closer to the golf course? Hmmm ...

Some quick notes because, frankly, I don't care anymore:

*Anyone else get flashbacks of Jeff Van Gundy during that Brandon Prust/Steve Begin fight? Prust actually didn't have the glass to hold him up for once and Begin promptly falls and grabs onto his leg. Priceless.

*The first Boston goal pretty much came because no one trusts Michal Rozsival to do his job. Andrew Ference comes down Rozy's side of the ice and two forwards came over to help him out. Staal covered his man across the ice because Rozy sure wasn't going to cover the guy - he was too busy watching Ference skate in from 10 feet away.

*The second goal started as an odd man rush and turned into a four on four with Olli Jokinen losing his man. Jokinen had a hat trick ... of penalties in this game. None were more egregious than the one in the first period as it negated what would have been a five-on-three.

*Not like the team could score on a power play - even with a two man advantage. They would be too busy losing the face offs and icing the puck. The new NHL rules opened up the ice and gave most teams more of an advantage with the man advantage. Just how is it that the Ranger power play has gotten worse since the lockout?!?

*Cally got hurt and left the game. The worst thing that can happen will be for the coaching staff to rush him back and let him play on Wednesday. So you can pretty much expect him to be there against the Isles.

*I hate cut this short, but like I said, I don't care. It is shocking/horrifying/disgraceful/pathetic how one of the Original Six teams in the NHL can make me hate watching/thinking/writing/talking about hockey. But that is what has happened time and time again this season (and the last one, and the one before that). Thank you James Dolan. Thank you Glen Sather. Thank you John Tortorella. You all suck.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Vladimir Sobotka - one assist.
2-Steve Begin - one pathetic ass kicking.
1-Tuukka Rask - 23 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Dennis Seidenberg - While the Rangers did well to abort most of their own scoring chances, Seidenberg played more than 28 minutes and helped take care of the rest.
2-Sobotka - Fiery little fella.
1-Any Ranger fan who is able to delude themselves that the Blueshirts are a) still in the playoff hunt, b) entertaining, c) worth what they are paid and d) not the most infuriating franchise in sport.

 "31-32-9: The New York Rangers' Rollercoaster Season"

The 2021-2022 NHL season was a rollercoaster ride for the New York Rangers, filled with ups and downs, surprises, and disappointments. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Rangers' season, exploring their performance, key moments, and frequently asked questions about the team.

Chapter 1: High Hopes and Promising Start

The season began with high hopes for the Rangers. With a young and talented roster, the team looked poised to make a deep playoff run. We'll discuss the strong start to the season and the excitement that filled Madison Square Garden.

Chapter 2: The Challenges and Setbacks

As the season progressed, the Rangers faced their fair share of challenges. Injuries, inconsistent play, and tough losses tested the team's resilience. We'll examine some of the low points of the season and the lessons learned from adversity.

Chapter 3: The Youth Movement

One of the defining features of the Rangers' season was the emergence of young stars. Players like Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov showcased their potential and provided a glimpse of the team's future. We'll explore the impact of the Rangers' youth movement.

Chapter 4: Coaching and Leadership

Head coach Gerard Gallant brought a new energy and style of play to the Rangers. We'll discuss the coaching changes and the leadership provided by veterans like Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin.

Chapter 5: The Playoff Push

Despite the challenges, the Rangers remained in playoff contention late in the season. We'll analyze the team's playoff push and the excitement that gripped fans as they fought for a postseason berth.

Chapter 6: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who were the top goal scorers for the Rangers during the season?

A1: Chris Kreider led the team in goals, followed closely by Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.

Q2: How did the Rangers' goaltenders perform during the season?

A2: Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev shared goaltending duties and had strong performances, with Shesterkin emerging as one of the league's top goaltenders.

Q3: What prospects or rookies made an impact during the season?

A3: Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov were among the rookies who made significant contributions during the season.

Q4: Did the Rangers make any trade deadline moves?

A4: Yes, the Rangers made some trade deadline moves to bolster their roster for the playoff push, acquiring players to add depth and experience.

The 2021-2022 season was a memorable one for the New York Rangers, filled with excitement, growth, and a renewed sense of optimism. While the team faced its share of challenges, the season showcased the potential of the Rangers' young stars and their determination to compete at the highest level. As the Rangers look ahead to the future, fans can take pride in the progress made and anticipate even brighter days at Madison Square Garden.