50-22-7: Arrogance Is Not Attractive

All the Rangers needed on Sunday was a point. One point. One point and the regular season was all sealed up for them. Get that one point and have three games left to rest key guys, to practice in real game situations and get ready for the real season to start.

Needless to say, they did not get it.

Instead the Blueshirts blew an early lead and limply let two points skate off the Garden ice. The Boston Bruins beat them 2-1.

Perhaps the team figured the B's would roll over. Perhaps the team figured that their earlier success against the B's would just happen again. Perhaps the team thought that their last four wins - against franchises out of contention for the postseason - actually meant that they could cruise against the reigning Stanley Cup winners.

Perhaps.

But whatever they were thinking is irrelevant as their actions spoke volumes - the Rangers didn't want to win this one nearly as badly as Boston did. That simple. That sad. Now they have to somehow find the motivation to get back in gear against Philly, Pittsburgh and Washington - all franchises that have found success against the Rangers when it has counted in the past. The Blueshirts were handed a reality check by the Bruins: you can't take anything for granted - not ever, but especially not in April.

Late Hits:

*Aside from being unable to properly motivate his team, John Tortorella also failed the franchise by continually fooling with the lines. By game 79 you would think he would have allowed the guys to develop some kind of chemistry but instead he threw random guys over the boards and it cost them. Case in point: Carl Hagelin (Bork!) couldn't tell if he was coming or he was going. The kid clearly had no clue who was out on the ice with him, and where those linemates may have been.

*In beating Boston earlier this season the Rangers matched the Bruins intensity and physicality. So why did Brandon Prust see two shifts in the second period and just one in the third? John Mitchell got two and Mike Rupp none (not that Rupp should ever be on the ice, or even allowed to wear a Ranger jersey, but I digress). Prust played 5:29 - his second lowest total of the entire season - and one minute of that was killing penalties. Even his Boston counterpart, Shawn Thornton, saw more time and Thornton didn't get special teams time.

*Nice penalty and power play work Del Zaster. DZ qb'd the power play for nearly five minutes and it went 0-3 while managing two shots on goal. Two shots. Two. Two shots in four minutes and 53 seconds to be precise. Two.

*DZ's stupid penalty led to the game-winning goal but responsibility on the goal itself goes to Dan Girardi. Not sure what Dan-O was thinking right there (or how Hank got beaten short side for seemingly the umpteenth time this season).

*Arty received a home-run pass, made a power move to the outside and wasted the scoring chance it gave him. As always, we see flashes of brilliance from this boy but he just can't put it all together.

*Too many Bruin fans at MSG.

*The usual hard work from captain Callahan but it just wasn't enough as Boston clearly was expecting it.

*Didn't get to see the replay but was Hank screened on the Seidenberg goal? He had to be, right?

*Congrats to Gabby on number 40. The goal came on a beautiful play with a swift and easy finish - long rebound comes all the way out to free him for a breakaway and the Slovak Sniper just blasted it past Tim Thomas.

*Every time Thomas came out of his crease to stretch during time outs I prayed for Sean Avery to just skate by and hit him in the back of the head again. Ah well.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Marian Gaborik - one goal.
2-Zdeno Chara - one assist.
1-Tim Thomas - 33 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Cally - At least there was one Ranger who really wanted to win.
2-Thomas - Sure he was under fire more from the media in the wake of the Obama nonsense then he was from the Rangers in this one but he still did his job.
1-Patrice Bergeron - Outstanding work by the (certain-to-be) Selke finalist. Not only did he take advantage of Girardi's mistake for the game-winner but he also played in all situations and won 17 of 19 faceoffs. That is outrageous.

 50-22-7: Arrogance Is Not Attractive - A Season of Humbling Lessons

The journey of a sports team is often filled with highs and lows, and the Boston College Eagles are no exception. The 2019-2020 season was one of anticipation and ambition, but it ultimately turned into a season of humbling lessons. In this article, we'll explore the ups and downs of that season, the challenges faced by the Eagles, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Section 1: The Promise of a New Season

Preseason Optimism: Setting the stage for the 2019-2020 season and the high expectations that came with it.

Key Players: Highlighting the star players and the leadership that was expected to carry the team.

Section 2: The Early Triumphs and Complacency

A look at how early successes may have contributed to a sense of complacency:

Winning Streaks: Recounting the victories that fueled optimism in the early part of the season.

Guarding Against Complacency: Discussing the challenges of maintaining focus and humility during a winning streak.

Section 3: Facing Adversity and Humbling Defeats

Exploring the turning point of the season:

Losses and Setbacks: Analyzing the defeats that served as a wake-up call for the Eagles.

Reactions and Adjustments: How the team and coaching staff responded to adversity.

Section 4: Learning from Mistakes

A reflection on the lessons learned during a challenging season:

Team Dynamics: The impact of adversity on team cohesion and player relationships.

Leadership and Accountability: How leaders within the team stepped up to guide their teammates.

Section 5: The Road to Redemption

Detailing the team's efforts to bounce back and regain their competitive edge:

Rebuilding Confidence: Strategies and techniques employed to rebuild the team's self-assurance.

Turning Points: Highlighting the games or moments that marked the turnaround in the season.

Section 6: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - The 2019-2020 Season

Answering common questions and discussions related to the Boston College Eagles' 2019-2020 season:

What were the most significant challenges the team faced during the season, and how did they address them?

Identifying the key challenges and the measures taken to overcome them.

Did any individual players stand out as leaders or role models during the season, and how did they contribute to the team's resilience?

Recognizing the individuals who played pivotal roles in guiding the team through tough times.

How did the season's lessons impact the team's future and their approach to subsequent seasons?

Discussing the enduring impact of the 2019-2020 season on the team's culture and outlook.

Section 7: Looking Ahead with Humility

As the Boston College Eagles reflect on the 2019-2020 season, they do so with humility, knowing that the journey of a sports team is never linear. The lessons learned during that season have not only made the team stronger but also reinforced the value of perseverance, teamwork, and humility in the pursuit of excellence. With their heads held high and a renewed sense of purpose, the Eagles look forward to the challenges and triumphs that await them in future seasons, guided by the wisdom gained from a season of humbling lessons.