So we're hitting the 1/4 through the season for most teams, the standings are starting to coalesce into wet jello, and while there are still a couple of surprises, most of the "expected" teams are settling into predicted playoff positions.

In the East, I think the two surprises are FLA and TOR, and I somwhat expect them to eventually be replaced by MTL and TB. Also, I think in the end, BUF, NJ and CAR will be fighting for the last playoff spot.

Rationale for my logic:

1. Can FLA keep up the scoring with 1 main line? Will Theodore hold up over the haul?

2. Can TOR keep up their scoring, can their defense stay healthy and can their goaltending limit the Goals against a little more?

3. NJ - Kovalchuck and Brodeur (although Hedberg has played well in streaks) are really the keys to this team staying consistent. When both Parise and Kovy have 1/2 as many points as the aging Elias, they should be thankful to be as high as 8th in the east.

4. What's up with BUF chemistry and team D - they have too much talent to keep playing this bad.

5. Same story in CAR - Is anyone else surprised how poorly they're playing?

Last, I know it's been mentioned before, but our NYR energy and grit doesn't seem the same this season. Last game vs. WAS they showed that when the effort is there (on both sides of the ice) good things can happen. So, I'm suggesting if we can keep infusing the hungry youth into the line-up it may improve the overall team energy.

Comments and/or predictions anyone?

So we've finihsed the "extended" road trip and are finally coming home. I don't think I'd be going out on a limb by saying that NY has been outplayed the majority of the games, and that penalties have really been a problem. What I'd really like to talk about is the myraid of comments surrounding the line combinations. As the revolving door on the first line wing position continues, I've heard and read everything from bring back Avery, to resign Prospal, to shoot Chistensen and bench Rupp. Before addressing the line options, I'd like to point out what penalties and power plays do to the line combinations.

When a team is shorthanded, it forces the coach to cherry pick his best defensive forwards regardless of combinations. We've consistently seen Cally and Dubi (nice because they're on the same line), Step and AA, Boyle and Prust. The point here is that some strange combinations often result after the penalty ends as you work back to normal combinations, or you're forced to double shift guys. This is why (I think) Gabby and Richards aren't the primary PK forwards, there needs to be a ready line once the kill ends. Incidentially, the same is true on the PP - especially if you're putting a forward at the point.

Our forward lines have three glaring positional holes:

Gabby - Richards - [HOLE]

Cally - AA - Dubi

[HOLE] - Step - [HOLE]

Fedex - Boyle - Prust

Torts has been filling those holes with WW, MZA, EC, Newberry, and Rupp. Strangely, Torts has experimented with moving Dubi or Step to the top line, but we've seen the resulting cascading effect of putting EC, Newberry and Rupp all on one line; basically leaves us with two 4th lines. Also, pulling Step up left no skill player to work with MZA, which is why he was sent down. Hopefully WW can find a little chemistry with Gabby and Richie, but who knows. I would like to point out, before everyone keeps clamering for trades or the ressurection of Avery/Prospal; these four holes should eventually be filled with Borque, Kreider, Hagelin, Thomas, and/or MZA. My opinion is to keep EC and Rupp (they can live as healthy scratches), and rotate WW, MZA, Newbunny and the three Whalers through those three spots. Also, keep that fundamental four lines of centers intact, and keep the pack line and our fourth line set.

The same concept describes our D (gets a little more challenging with Staal out)

Staal - Girardi

McD - Sauer

[HOLE] - [HOLE]

So far Torts has been filling those holes with whoever he can get; I actually surprised we haven't seen McI for a stint, and it has been an adventure. Without Staal and Sauer for an extended time, this has been pretty tough, but ironically D hasn't been this teams overwhelming problem. Eventually, as with the forwards, the prospects will fill the holes - by next season perhaps?

This is my logic for saying stay the course, keep realistic expectations for this season, play the kids and pray for Hank to stay healthy.

Last, this team's first six games belong to Hank - he's done just a little bit more than his "job" getting us six points.

 

I’ve been reading and blogging on BSB for over 2 years now and have never seen this kind of display of apathetic, excuse making, sympathizing, cavorting with the enemy, or "insert obnoxious cliché".  We’re down 2-0, that’s it.  Cally’s hurt, we’ve scored one goal, but I AM NOT GIVING UP!  I’ll have all summer to play what-if, or who should go and who should stay.  Right now, THIS is the team we have to suit up, and I’m behind them 100%.  With all appropriate apologies to come during the summer, but it’s time for Kyle_G, caps cup please, red army line, and shotfromthepoint to leave.  I’ve never seen TROLLS, yes you are TROLLS on an opposition web-site during the playoffs, not only being agreed with, but feeling so comfortable on the banter that they’re arguing with each other.  Know what, where was this "support" after getting blown out twice during the season? 

Yes, I’m trying to piss people off.  The BSB is a RANGER fan website.  Digger, Jim, Joe - Ban me if you want, but if you expect the effort from Gabby and Dubi, then I’m just demanding fan support as well.  Great article on the TIX, Jim, BTW.  I’m intentionally calling all of us out; it’s time to show some fan support until it’s over; you know, "whistle-to-whistle".  Frankiec, nrmax88 & Fire Renneyy, I like you, but until the playoffs are over, or Rangers eliminated, it’s time for you to shut up.  Right now THIS is our team.  All the trolls coming in telling us (all sympathetically) how much Dubi could be on their 3rd line, or that McCabe is slow, or Gabby looks apathetic, or Avery’s only good for 2 min penalties and an offsides, or that Sather’s drafting sucks, can kiss my NY ass.  What they’re saying just might be true, but I can call my wife a bitch – you sure as hell can’t!  It’s time to remember a quote from Animal House – "They can’t do that to our pledges, only we can do that to our pledges".

Is this an emotional post?  HELL YES.  I hope you all get mad – even at me.  This is playoff hockey time, people.  I want to see some NY attitude to protect the house.  Playoff Hockey - Something each and every one of us sh*t our pants, had heart attacks and nearly jumped off a cliff to get to.  We have 1 hour to game time, I hope your Rangers are also getting mad right now too.

Ok, so the Matt Cooke sideshow is behind us.  Lots of debate (and some annoying Trolling) about cheap shots, "old time hockey, the instigator, Messier, fighting and the NHL suspension rules ... BUT there are 9 more games remaining and although we're a step further from the ledge, I have a couple of concerns.

1) Staal and McD.  Ready to play tonight?  Does Gilroy or Emminger get the nod?

2) Who's the scratch tonight?  EC was pretty invisible, Wolski played well - good defensive game, but we still need him to push the offense.

3) Is Gabby back?

4) The first two periods play Sunday can't be overlooked.  How did Pitt counter the NYR trying to set up the forcheck?  When the Rangers did get the puck in deep, we got back to Ranger hockey, but getting there - especially in the first two periods was difficult and often sprung odd man rushes the other way.  Personally, I think that Pitt left 2 forwards high near the red line in an attempt to stretch the Ranger spacing between their forwards and D.  NY either needs to have their D step up and take away that stretch pass, and/or sit the third forward higher in the zone when teams look to spread the ice.  Could lead to a considerable amount more neutral zone play, something other teams would love to have against us vice letting our boys cycle below the goal line.

Thoughts about tonight?  Is Vokun in net tonight (he seems to ALWAYS have our number).  Basically, I'm posting to get us back to talking hockey, so I appologize if thoughts are a little scattered.

For those you who have been living in a shell for the past week, and didn't catch the fiasco that unfolded on Long Island Friday night, there has been quite a buzz amongst the NHL brass, Penguin ownership and Long Island "faithful".  While not recounting the sequence of events (just google search Islanders Penguins Fight for a recap), the NHL has handed out it's disciplinary action.

Ten players were ejected with 346 penalty minutes assessed.  The NHL suspended two of the Islanders players – Trevor Gillies for nine games for elbowing a Penguins player in the head while he was down and Matt Martin for four games for repeatedly punching a Penguins player from behind.   One Penguin player, Eric Godard, was suspended for 10 games for leaving the bench to fight, but the additional fines or "mandatory one game suspension" for the Penguins coach was "rescinded" by the NHL.

As the Dust settled, Pengins owner, Mario Lemieux, took it upon himself to blast the NHL, experssing his frustration.  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_722716.html  The NHL response was virtually, "no comment".

Is it just me, or does this whole thing resemble watching incompetant parents try to deal with a spoiled kid thowing a temper tantrum?  In part, I want to sit back and just watch, but mostly I want to tell both sides this has been a long time coming.  Most fans outside of Pitt are pretty tired of the NHL forcing Sidney Crosby down out throats.  Even the Pitt media found it amazing how much national coverage their team garners. 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_696520.html

Is it coincidence that Mairo goes on a rant when his team was penalized less than they probably deserved?  Could it be the same coincidence that his "star player" whines to the officiating so often that I've heard the majority of his "mic-ed up" bits are unusable as they would tarnish the NHL image?  In no way do I condone the actions of several Islander players; kind of in the same way I don't condone the NHL's repeated handling of Matt Cooke.  Remember, among other things, he's the guy that may or may not have run Dipietro 3 times back in October.  So in a meaningless blowout game, maybe Dipietro pulled a little Fleury last week, but didn't take a dive as Cooke skated by.  Maybe if the league took care of Cooke back in October, the animosity wouldn't be boiling.  Maybe the first brawl would'nt have started and the second would have no fire.  (I was going to say maybe Diepitro wouldn't be hurt right now, but who are we kidding?) 

I'll bet there are several teams itching to do what the Isles just did.  I'll be they just wish Cooke was still in the line-up.  Finally, I'll just say back to Mario - Shut up.  Take your little piece of pie from the NHL and swallow your empty threats.  A wise man once told me "you may love your job, but don't for a minute think your job loves you".  If he quits, or sells the franchise, someone else will fill the void and the machine will run on; maybe better - Unless, of course, your name is Al Arbour.  

As I sat there watching the Rangers work their asses off only to lose, yet again, to Detroit, I had a couple of thoughts about the Ranger game.  This team's identity is to work hard, never quit and prepare for the future.  We've freed up some significant cap space, jumped with both feet into the youth movement, and are still in a playoff position.  So how can the Rangers be competative for the remainder of this season, while not having Sather "sell-the-farm".

Here's a couple of suggestions -  

1. GO TO THE NET!  We've bitched about how poorly the PP is and how they need a quarterback.  Mostly, they never really get a chance to set-up in the zone.  Watching Detriot it became painfully obvious that  when the Rangers cross the blueline, the no one without the puck drives to the net.  Without this, the D can stand up at the blue line, and take away space in the offensive zone.

2. Solidify the lines.  Over the last few games Torts has slowed down on the magic 8-ball style of picking his lines, but I think he can do better ...

3. Play the best players.  Here are the line combinations I would go with:

Gabby-Stephan-Dubinski

Callahan-Boyle-Prust

Wolski-Anisimov-MZA

Spare parts (Avery-Christensen-Prospal + whomever else is healthy + Kolarik)

This is not to be a knock on Avery and Prospal's play, I know they have been playing well, but I think it's doubtful either are in the long term plans.  Also, knocking Gabby for his lack of production when pairing him with a player claimed off waivers and an over 30 playing in his second game really isn't fair.  Gabby's a sniper, not a puck carrier or a playmaker.  Put him with players who go to the net and create space.

4. Play for the future.  Enough about dealing MDZ or Gilroy.  I had no expectations going into this season.  We're in a playoff position with 5 rookies in the line-up.  Let them develop and play.

Newsday.com (Steve Zipay) reports, "The Rangers summoned Chad Kolarik from the AHL during last night's game to replace Brandon Dubinsky, and were forced to make another move when Ruslan Fedotenko sprained his left shoulder at 9:24 of the second period after a hard shoulder check from Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek. He will miss two to four weeks and coach John Tortorella said Brodie Dupont also would join the team for the road trip..."

From rotoworld.com, "Ruslan Fedotenko suffered a separated left shoulder in Thursday's game against Toronto and will be out of action for two to four weeks. ..."

ESPN.com quotes Torts post game remarks and called Fedotenko's injury "a sprained shoulder", but still out 2-4 weeks. 

First, let me say I'm not breaking down the play by play of last night's game.  There is enough of that going around concerning the PP's lack of effectiveness as well as suddenly the PK.  Unless, of course, Montreal's Wednesday night win affected the Rangers more than we suspect.  I will however, suggest a few observations and throw them on the table for debate.

Continue reading after the jump. 

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