12-9-1: It Wasn't Pretty But ...

... the Rangers won at home. So at least we have that going for us.

The Calgary Flames came into the Garden on Monday night exhausted and emotionally drained after a hugely disappointing loss to Detroit on Sunday and yet were able to carry the action for much of the night. The Rangers started with a jump but didn't score and caved after that, allowing Calgary to dictate the play. The Blueshirts scored a pair of lucky goals and were able to make them stand up against a Flames squad that just couldn't get any flow going to their game.

Basically, the Rangers played a good road game, and escaped with two points. It wasn't pretty, it was hardly entertaining, but now the boys can head out of town on a high note. Not bad.

Notes:

*Yes, both Ranger goals were soft. Boyle's unintentionally came off a defenseman's skate and Girardi's was a wide open shot that Kipper simply couldn't catch.

*All of the rough stuff came because Brent Sutter and Jarome Iginla insist on a high level of pride. Calgary may lose on the scoreboard but they will not be pushed around doing so. The Flames took exception to every hit they absorbed and it resulted in two fights and a scrum. All of those hits, by the way, were legal - even the initial boarding called on Mike Sauer and especially the one that knocked Matt Stajan out of the game.

*Curtis Glencross did not get his comeuppance after clocking Chris Drury, further showing how little the team cares about Dru. The only bit of revenge that was served was the power play goal scored on Glencross' second period penalty, but that didn't have the same impact as it was a soft goal allowed by Kipper.

*Depending on how you look at it, Derek Boogaard is either very good or very bad at what he does. After the third period fracas, Torts put the big man on the ice for the next shift. Boogey missed his first hit attempt by a few feet, tried to pick a fight, lumbered around a bit, was hit from behind, lumbered towards the bench, tried to pick a fight again and sat down for the rest of the night. On one hand, he couldn't get anyone to dance with him but, on the other, after that shift the Flames did not try to exact any extra revenge for the Staal/Stajan hit. Now, would Calgary have attempted to do that, down by just one goal in the third period? And that is why the question remains, what good is Boogaard?

*Martin Biron was not really forced to make many big saves but he got the job done. Considering there is something hugely wrong with Hank - you don't just decide to take the night off to 'practice some things' when you are a top-5 goaltender on the planet - having Biron come in and do the job was nice to see. But I will not cheer "Marty, Marty, Marty" in MSG. I don't care that it is a different Marty, one on our team who hasn't had relations with his wife's sister, but it is just not going to happen.

*Hey Cally, I know you saw Frolov score on a wrap-around against Minnesota but that move doesn't work 99% of the time. This isn't a video game, this is real life and a All-World goaltender like Miikka Kiprusoff isn't going to give up a goal that way. And is it a coincidence that after Cally was shafted by the scorer in Minnesota that the guy here in NY awarded him an astounding 11 hits? Hmmm ....

*Frolov, you suck. The Russian clearly has some offensive instincts, he just hasn't shown the drive or ability to capitalize on them. The same can almost be said for young Anisimov. Calgary played a tough, physical defense and Arty became invisible. While Frolov's day is done, there is still hope for Arty; let's hope he realizes that.

*Sean Avery saw the second least amount of ice time, getting just three shifts in each of the last two periods. Was Tortorella afraid that Avery would take a bad penalty? Was Tortorella afraid Avery wasn't defensively responsible enough to get more time in a tight game?

*MDZ didn't make many mistakes and had a quiet game, which is exactly what he needed. Perhaps it was because the Rangers had just two power plays or because it was a tight game but giving the youngster less than 20 minutes was a good thing - he still saw action but he didn't have to overextend himself. Another reason why MDZ saw last time was because Torts put Sauer and Gilroy out there more and they rewarded his faith with solid defense.

*Credit to Calgary for shutting down Gaborik completely and credit to the Rangers for winning anyway.

*Nice of the Rangers to have a remembrance of Pat Burns. In my opinion the true testament of a man is not the amount of love his friends and family have for him but the amount of respect he has earned from his enemies. Burns may have made the Blueshirts' lives miserable while with the Devils but he was a helluva coach.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Brian Boyle - one goal.
2-Dan Girardi - one goal and one assist.
1-Martin Biron - 31 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Iginla - Can you imagine how good Iginla would be if he played on a real team?
2-Biron - The Islander didn't give up a single soft goal and gave the Rangers a chance to win - all you can ask for from your backup goaltender.
1-Staal - Girardi is getting all of the press for his two points but it was Staal who made several stellar defensive plays - laying out to break up a 2-on-1 being one of them - and it was Staal who had a beautiful open ice hit on Stajan.

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 12-9-1: It Wasn't Pretty But ...

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The journey of an NHL team through the regular season is often a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs, unexpected twists, and moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats. For the New York Rangers, the 2010-2011 season was no exception. With a record of 12-9-1 at one point in the season, it was a time of uncertainty and challenges. In this article, we'll delve into the Rangers' performance during this period, highlighting the key moments, players, and factors that contributed to this phase of the season.

The Struggles:

The Rangers' journey during the 2010-2011 season was marked by a series of challenges. While they had moments of brilliance, they also faced struggles that tested their resilience and determination. It's essential to understand that even the most successful teams encounter difficult stretches during a long and grueling NHL season.

Inconsistent Offense: One of the primary issues plaguing the Rangers during this period was inconsistent scoring. They often found it challenging to put the puck in the net, leading to close games and missed opportunities.

Defensive Gaps: The team also faced challenges in their defensive zone. Defensive lapses and turnovers occasionally cost them valuable points in the standings.

Goaltending: Goaltending is a crucial aspect of any successful NHL team, and during this phase, the Rangers' goaltenders faced their fair share of challenges. Injuries and fluctuations in form added to the team's struggles.

Key Players:

Despite the challenges, several players stepped up and played pivotal roles during this period of the season.

Henrik Lundqvist: The "King" was a pillar of strength for the Rangers, making critical saves and keeping the team in many close games.

Ryan Callahan: The Rangers' captain led by example, contributing both offensively and defensively while displaying his trademark work ethic and determination.

Marian Gaborik: The Slovak sniper provided the much-needed offensive spark on several occasions, showcasing his scoring ability.

Turning Points:

Every season has its turning points, and for the Rangers during this phase, there were significant moments that shaped their journey.

Coaching Adjustments: Head coach John Tortorella made strategic adjustments to address the team's struggles, emphasizing defensive responsibility and structured play.

Trade Deadline Moves: The trade deadline saw the Rangers make some key acquisitions, adding depth and experience to their roster.

Team Unity: Despite the challenges, the Rangers remained a tightly-knit group, supporting each other through the highs and lows of the season.

The Road Ahead:

As the Rangers navigated through this challenging period, they learned valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and the demands of competing in the NHL. While the road ahead remained uncertain, the team's commitment to improvement and their loyal fan base gave them hope for better days.

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The 2010-2011 NHL season was a test of character for the New York Rangers. With a record of 12-9-1 during one phase of the season, they faced numerous challenges that required determination and teamwork to overcome. While the road ahead was uncertain, the Rangers remained committed to their pursuit of success, proving that even when it's not pretty, the journey is what defines a team's character in the NHL.