36-30-4: Smile You Son Of A Bitch

The Rangers put the anti-shark cage in the water and they went in the water. The Sharks were in the water. The first place Pacific Division Sharks. And back home the taxidermy man surely had a heart attack when he heard that the Rangers came out of the water with two points.

Man, Jaws is a classic flick. Jaws never gets old and neither goes gritty performances like the one the Blueshirts had tonight to top San Jose 3-2 in a shootout. It was one of the most entertaining exhibitions this season because the boys heard the bell after the Anaheim loss and they answered it.

Seeing as the clocks spun forward this will be brief:

*"It's only pain." How that isn't on tee shirts everywhere is beyond me. I was telling a friend overseas about Brandon Prust's line from earlier this season and he replied, "that's some serious macho shit right there" and he is right. Prust gets hammered early and yet he stands up for a teammate and tangles with former Flyer Ben Eager. He stays in the game and his hard work sets up Mike Sauer's go-ahead goal. It is not unbelievable to think that he will have to undergo major shoulder surgery this summer and yet night after night he is putting it on the line for the team. How can you be a fan and not appreciate that?

*It is impossible to appreciate the officiating. Eric Furlatt and Bill McCreary did a piss-poor job calling the game. And it is infuriating. The zebras should be invisible and yet time and time again this season the men in stripes have stepped into the story. How disappointing and annoying.

*The Rangers rushing to Hank's aid was just the opposite. Seeing the scrums break out after the Sharks circled too close to our keeper was heartwarming. It makes you believe that these guys are finally getting it - no one can come close to the crease, or else.

*If I had more time I would look up the team's record based on faceoff performance. At rough glance the Rangers have won more games when they lost more draws then they won.

*As a buddy pointed out, Matt Gilroy and Bryan McCabe were completely outclassed. What exactly is the benefit of having Hobey play over Steve Eminger? And on the same token, wouldn't Mats Zuccarello be best served playing 20 minutes across every situation in Hartford instead of eight minutes here? Zuke was invisible for most of the night and he blew the one thing he was counted on for - a shootout attempt.

*Mr. Softie Erik Christensen also blew his breakaway but he scored late in the first period. You have to figure that he cemented his spot in the lineup for at least another game or two. If only because Torts will use any excuse he can to get rid of Sean Avery.

*Kinda wonder what advice Chad Johnson could have given the Ranger shooters, considering he has barely had a cup of coffee in the NHL, much lest built up biographies of opposing netminders.

*Another really gritty performance from Fedotenko. Seeing as he was a training camp invite, he shouldn't count towards the balance sheet that is Sather's track record when it comes to free agent signings. If he did, you would have to start giving old Glen some credit ...

*Douglas Murray deserved a beating.

*About to get to the three stars and Mike Sauer and Ryan McDonagh didn't make either list. But that is not to say that the kids weren't alright. You simply can not tell that they are rookies when you watch them. The same goes for Stepan but he isn't as integral a piece as the two blueliners are. Young, strong and willing to do whatever is needed to get the job done in their own end. Great stuff.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Dan Boyle - two assists.
2-Dan Girardi - no points.
1-Henrik Lundqvist - 31 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Eager - Cast aside by Chicago, old Ben is a heckuva old time hockey player when he keeps his wits about him.
2-Brandon Dubinsky - All respect to Girardi's nine blocked shots but Dubi was phenomenal in the third period. When Cally was called for the hook, Dubi killed much of the penalty himself. He identified that he had no help on the shorthanded rush so he ate time on the boards before passing the puck all the way back to waste more time. Then, in the final minutes, he used his strength to hold off the Sharks and keep the puck in their end. Oh yeah, and he scored the game-winner in the skills competition. Not a bad night of work.
1-Hank - Maybe it was because he saw a Finn across the ice and he wanted to display Swedish dominance, maybe it was because the boys stepped up in front of him. Who knows? But either way Hank was calm under pressure after starting the game shakey.

 36-30-4: Smile You Son Of A Bitch

:

The New York Rangers' 2021-2022 NHL season was filled with thrilling highs and challenging lows, but one particular game sent shockwaves through the hockey world. With a regular-season record of 36-30-4, the Rangers had their share of ups and downs, but it was an unforgettable evening that left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. In this article, we'll dive into the Rangers' season, highlight key moments, and dissect the events of that extraordinary game.

Chapter 1: A Season of Expectations

The 2021-2022 season brought high expectations for the Rangers. With a talented roster and a passionate fan base, the team aimed to make a deep playoff run. We'll explore the season's early optimism, the challenges faced along the way, and the moments that defined the Rangers' regular season.

Chapter 2: The Game-Changer

Amidst the highs and lows of the season, there was one game that stood out as a true game-changer. It defied conventional wisdom, challenged expectations, and left fans in disbelief. We'll delve into the lead-up to this remarkable game, the roster decisions, and the astonishing events that transpired on the ice.

Chapter 3: Unlikely Heroes

What made this game truly special was the emergence of unexpected heroes. In sports, it's often the unlikeliest of players who rise to the occasion. We'll introduce you to the unsung heroes of that unforgettable evening and examine their pivotal roles in the game's outcome.

Chapter 4: The Reaction

Sports fans are known for their passion and dedication, and their reactions play a crucial role in shaping a team's narrative. The extraordinary game triggered an outpouring of emotions, from bewilderment to jubilation. We'll explore how fans and media alike reacted to this game-changing event.

Chapter 5: The Lessons

In the world of sports, every extraordinary moment carries lessons. The Rangers' unforgettable game was no exception. We'll analyze the valuable lessons learned from this unique experience and how they influenced the team's approach as the season progressed.

Chapter 6: Moving Forward

As the regular season drew to a close and the playoffs approached, the Rangers faced a choice: dwell on the extraordinary game or channel it as motivation for what lay ahead. We'll discuss how the team and coaching staff navigated this decision and the impact it had on their playoff performance.

:

In the realm of professional sports, extraordinary moments are what make the games so enthralling. The New York Rangers' 36-30-4 season was punctuated by an extraordinary game that transcended the norm and captivated fans worldwide. As the team looks ahead to future seasons, they do so with the understanding that extraordinary moments, however unexpected, are an integral part of the unpredictable, exhilarating world of professional hockey.