Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Usain Bolt In Car Crash
Rangers Simply Couldn't Finish
But this game honestly could have gone either way. If Antropov scores the breakaway and the Capitals first goal doesn't pinball into the net, then Federov's goal cuts the Rangers lead to 2-1. But, for obvious reasons, you can't look back and say what-if, so we will leave it at that.
The Rangers have numerous off-season moves to decide upon. In my opinion (while keeping the salary cap in mind although I'm not doing the math):
- Goodbye: Don’t re-sign Morris, Mara, Voros or Zherdev
- Keeping: Sign Sjostrom, Betts, Dubinsky, Callahan, Orr, Korpikoski and Valiquette
- Offering: Offer Antroprov a decent contract but not a huge amount and see if he bites. I doubt he will, so let him go (which is okay because they need some cash to sign Staal whose entry level contract I think ends after next season)
- Needing: The major off-season task is to get a pure goal scorer. This will be almost impossible because of the Drury, Gomez and Redden contracts.
- Solution: To solve the money issue, buyout Redden’s contract (if Mr. Dolan allows it) and use that money to make a run at Kovalchuk who is a free agent (I would think he'd love the limelight of playing in NY). Backup plan is Havlat or Gaborik (I would say one Sedin twin but I doubt they will break themselves up and we can’t afford both)
So here is my lineup for the first regular season game of 2009-2010, keep in mind that 3 spots will be determined in training camp:
FORWARDS
1) Kovalchuk/Gaborik/Havlat-Gomez-Callahan
2) Avery-Dubinsky-Anisimov (I know he is a center, but doesn't he seem like an Antropov-type?)
3) Korpikoski-Drury-Minor leaguer who makes team (Byers / Bell / Pyatt / Parenteau / Grachev)
4) Sjostrom-Betts-Orr
DEFENSE (we should be in good shape with all the young talent)
1) Staal-Girardi
2) Rozsival-Minor leaguer who makes team (Gilroy / Sanguinetti / Potter / Sauer / Fahey / Del Zotto)
3) Mara (keep'um if Redden is bought out)-Minor leaguer who makes team (Gilroy / Sanguinetti / Potter / Sauer / Fahey / Del Zotto)
Like I said, this is all dependent on money, and although I think this may work financially, a guy like Kovalchuk will cost a ton of dough. So I'm not so sure that he is the best move, nor the smartest. But I do know one thing for sure, all you Rangers fans out there undoubtedly feel deflated and want more blueshirts hockey today, but you can't feel as empty as Devils fans. On the last two goals, I guess Marty was just drained from such a long season of carrying the team on his shoulders. Oh wait, I forgot he only played in 31 games this year.
More later or tomorrow...most likely on the exciting world outside hockey...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Rangers Need To Capitalize On Early Chances
Monday, April 27, 2009
Brashear Gets 6-Game Suspension
Capitals Mike Green Possibly Suspended Too?
Crash and Burn, But They Ain't Dead Yet
The potential suspensions are something to talk about. Clearly the hit from Brashear will result in a suspension. The picture here clearly shows elbow to head. He should get 2 games, one for this hit and one for the contact he initiated with Orr in the pregame warmup. I'm leaving it at that. Although losing Betts, which sounds like it will be the case for Game 7, is a massive blow to the team. Now to the biting incident on Dubinsky by Morrisonn. This should be another suspension given the precedent with Ruutu earlier this season. The question here is whether there is video evidence. If not, then this won't result in a suspension. I will keep you updated if I hear any news on this today.
My take on Game 7 is this: The Rangers need something to light a fire under them. And maybe that something is someone. The team has called up rookie minor league all-star Artem Anisimov, likely since Betts is a no-go for Game 7. Talk about throwing a kid into the fire.
Maybe this will spark the team. If this kid can go out with some jump in his step, something no Ranger has done except for Ryan Callahan, then maybe it will be contagious, for one game at least.
Lundqvist will obviously need to be much better too, but that really isn't the team's problem. It's everything in front of him. The defense has a ton of holes and the offense has no game. That was a concern voiced here before Game 1. Then everything seemed to come together. Our defense was stellar and our offense put 4 goals on the board. Now granted Theodore was a disaster in that game, but if I remember correctly, we had a boatload of offensive opportunities, which hasn't happened in a game since. So if the team can gather the energy to actually put forth a defensive and offensive effort, then they will take Game 7 tomorrow night. Oh, and maybe some suspensions will help too.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Lundqvist-Ovechkin: Part 5
It sounds like Avery is a go for tonight. From what I've read, Tortorella was asked point blank this morning if he intended to bench Avery, and his response slipped at first as he said "No." Although he retracted a bit in saying his lineups will be whatever they are at the puck drop, I think it's pretty clear that Sean will be in. I also think there is a very good chance that he has his best game of the series. Lets face it, this guy is due for some points, if not goals. Don't be surprised if he comes out flying.
But, once again, tonight it's about Lundqvist vs Ovechkin. What a matchup. Not even Sean's antics can get in the way of this. Nor can another playoff game on the tube -- this bout is the only game on the schedule tonight across the NHL. The spotlight is solely on these two men. And thus far in the series it has been Alexander The Great glaring up at The King on his throne.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Avery Uses His Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card
On Drury calling him during and after the BU season: "He talked about what it was like being a Ranger, where he's been. He told me, 'Matty, I've been all over the NHL, different cities. There's nothing like being a New York Ranger."
On the reason for his late development vs his peers that were drafted years ago: "Those kids are more physically mature than me. The reason why is I'm such a late bloomer. I didn't hit puberty until I was 18 years old. I still don't shave. I'm 24. It's embarrassing."
Those are some great quotes. Definition of a late bloomer: Since 2003, the year he was eligible for the draft, Gilroy has grown six inches and added nearly 100 pounds.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Another Lindsay? And Ovechkin Is Nuts.
In other more pressing news, Game 4 is tonight, and it goes without saying how big this game is for both teams. The Capitals are still in trouble, but they were going into Game 3 as well, and if they play at that tempo again, then this series most likely will be tied up heading back to the D.C. The Rangers lines almost certainly won't be confirmed until the pre-game warmups. It should be interesting to see what Tortorella does with Drury in terms of his spot in the lines and his ice time, but he did announce this morning that Drury will indeed be in the lineup tonight.
One last thing, I saw this amazing video yesterday of Ovechkin and Green. And lets just say this, Ovechkin is definitely still a kid at heart...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Garden Was Rocking, Not The Rangers
Monday, April 20, 2009
Ovechkin Overly Desperate; & Thundersticks?
Tortorella being asked about the incident: "Oh, God, I didn’t even know, this is the first I’ve heard of it. Ask me a question about the game, not that [bleep].”
Ovechkin being asked why he did it: “Just [to get] Tortorella pissed off.”
Ovechkin being asked why he was made to leave the bench: “Because they afraid of me.”
Friday, April 17, 2009
Rangers Snag BU Hobey Baker Winner
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Rangers Win a Squeaker; Gillette is Awesome
Also, here is a video of a Gillette commercial that I think is new, although I haven't seen it on TV. Either way, it is really, really good. I wonder how much this ad campaign is costing Gillette, it must be a huge sum. Anyways, enjoy the clip. I sure did. In fact, on my walk home from work I'm going to pick up a Gillette razor.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Lohan, Hulk Hogan, MacTavish and Drury
Hulk Hogan on the other hand has quite possibly lost his marbles. He has compared his situation to OJ's. It sure is scary that he is thinking about what OJ did. Granted, the part about his wife sleeping with a 19-year old guy is enough to make any man crazy, but I still would advise against comparing your situation to one in which the husband starting murdering.
Now, in hockey news (btw - anyone else just take a deep relaxing breath?), Craig MacTavish was fired today as coach of the Edmonton Oilers. This was the right move. Him missing the playoffs 5 out of 8 years is not acceptable in any sport. I've read rumblings that Renney could be considered for the replacement job. That would make sense given his family is from that area, but I'm not so sure Renney's defensive style will bode well in Edmonton with the media nor the fans.
Drury is still being considered a gametime decision for tonight's Game 1. I believe Tortorella when he says this because Voros didn't skate extra drills in practice today as he normally does when he is a healthy scratch. I think this is just a precaution for the team, but that they have every intention of Drury suiting up tonight.
Two hours until the game gets underway. Almost ZERO media outlets are predicting that the Rangers win this series. I agree that they are the underdog, but not one writer has them pulling this series off? Give me a break.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Rangers-Capitals Preview
The Circus Strikes Again
"I like playing over there. Sometimes the ice is no good over there because [of] lots of concerts, lots of dog shows, something like that coming over there. It kind of smells no good over there sometimes."
First Federer, Now Roddick?
"ANDY Roddick, 26, is tying the knot with his model-love, Brooklyn Decker, 21, this weekend in Austin, Texas, friends of the couple say. "Brooklyn and her bridesmaids had a big bachelorette weekend in Chapel Hill, NC, this weekend," a pal said. "They just bounced around and had a great time." One bridesmaid is Decker's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue fellow model Julie Henderson. Roddick and Decker met in 2007 when he had his agent contact hers after he saw her in SI."
First Things First...The Shootout
So once again, why does the shootout hurt the NHL? How about the fans? How about the fans at the games? This is a no-brainer. Just as much of a no-brainer as not adding the shootout to the post-season. The entertainment value of the shootout in the regular season is simply awesome, and for that to be argued is absurd.
Still against the shootout? If so, you're probably complaining that the horrid shootout record for the Panthers cost them a ticket to the post-season. Well then get a goalie who can stop a breakaway, such as Luongo. Oh sorry, I forgot they did have Luongo, but traded him for the big timer Todd Bertuzzi, who isn't even apart of the Panthers organization anymore. My point is that Florida has bigger problems and if they didn't make boneheaded moves then their shootout record wouldn't come into play. In my opinion, the shootout should be here to stay without a doubt, and GMs need to start making aggressive adjustments to rein in those available (and vital) points. How long before shootout specialists take the place of some fourth liners? Should be interesting to see that trend develop.
Now to the best 2 months in sports. The NHL post-season is upon us and wouldn't everyone wish it was Wednesday already. It should be evident pretty quickly who the contenders are and who the wangstas are. In my point of view, Anaheim is dead in the water. As good as Getzlaf is, he can't carry a team in the playoffs. If Jagr can't do it, then he can't. And the game has passed Pronger and Niedermayer by. They are nowhere near the caliber of when the Ducks won the cup in 2007. In the East, my wangsta is Philly. I'm sorry but they haven't had goaltending for decades and although I thought Biron was their answer coming south from Buffalo, he clearly isn't. I expect Fleury to shine for Pittsburgh in that series, and thoroughly outplay Biron. So lets drop the puck and get this post-season going. I CANNOT wait for some extended OT periods. It is a 2-month marathon that flashes by for the fans (I'm not so sure it goes as quickly for the battered and bruised players). Anyhow, get ready for the main event, and as they proclaim, "say goodbye to your loved ones for a couple months". Also, keep an eye on the NHL homepage. Supposedly the transformed website is now the "playoff portal" which will have many things, including 100% of every coach's post-game press conferences streamed live. Tell me those Tortorella press conferences aren't going to be pure entertainment, especially without the MSG Network filtering.
I'll have my thoughts up regarding the Rangers-Capitals series by the end of day Tuesday. I'll tell you right now though, if the word out of the Rangers camp is true that Drury is questionable for Game 1, then that's a scary thought. I'm not worried offensively because, to be honest, I haven't been counting on him at all lately to help on the scoresheet. It is only a bonus for him to be contributing to the red light in the last couple games. My worry is on the defensive end, with Drury being a major cog in the 60 feet in front of The King. Although they slithered past Philly on Sunday, I saw holes (or at least more holes) defensively without Chris there. How about you? Granted you could make the case there have been alot of holes all year, but you can't make the case that there won't be more without Drury in the lineup. But lets all be honest here, this is all moot, Drury is going to play, and I would be absolutely shocked if he is watching from the stands. More tomorrow on this upcoming series. Anyone else ready for the Ovechkin-Staal battles?
More tomorrow.