The Official New York Rangers Thread

[playmaker8267]

How much does John Tortorella trust Dan Girardi? He puts Girardi on the ice for more 5 on 5 TOI per game than any other player in the NHL. More than Duncan Keith, more than Shea Weber, more than Brian Campbell. Oh yeah, he leads the NHL in total TOI/game this season as well. Ninth in the NHL in shorthanded TOI, but first on the Rangers.

In the absence of Marc Staal and seeing more or Girardi in the past two seasons or so, it's pretty safe to say he's a top-pair defenseman on any team in the league. Excellent value for a $3.33M cap hit through 2014.
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Bruins // Patriots // Red Sox // Chelsea

[mm6492]

[roysmyboy31]

Last game before the Winter Classic resulted in a convincing 4-1 win over Florida. The game ended on a poor note when Kopecky suckerpunched Del Zotto in front of the net after fighting for position in front of the net. Incredibly cheap play and I am so happy Rupp gave him the beating he deserved.

The Rangers came out firing with a purpose in the first period. We jumped on them to the tune of a 3-0 lead and doubled their shot output. We were not as sharp the rest of the game as Florida gained some footing in the game, but another goal from Dubinsky and strong defense and goaltending from Henrik kept them out. So we were able to hold out. Richards' line was incredible and was the catalyst to jump start the game. Gaborik could have made it 3-0 right after Richards' goal made it 2-0, but he was stopped on a breakaway. Like I said, we were very convincing.

I think the real Brandon Dubinsky is back. He has been very good in the last week. He has very much looked like the tough, strong and skilled player he has always been. The defense was quite good, I love how they have been playing without some of their big guys. Girardi has been better than ever and McDonagh (16 points so far) and Del Zotto have really stepped up and showcased their talent in Staal's absence. Speaking of which, Staal is now participating in contact drills. I fully expect him to make his return later this month (speculation on my part). Imagine how formidable our blue line will be then. And Michael Sauer too.

Onto Citizens Bank Park.
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[roysmyboy31]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlxKbbMdPKI

Video of the incident at the end of the game. Rupp basically rips Kopecky away from the official .

Oh yeah, and here we go




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[ServantofYHWH]

That sucker punch was brutal. I'm not a fan of fighting but I couldn't help but grin when Rupp ripped him from the official and teed off
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[roysmyboy31]

Marc Staal is returning today in the Winter Classic for his season debut

He'll play on the 3rd pair and I'm sure Torts will be cautious as to how many minutes he gives him out of the gate. But this makes me so happy and makes us much better.
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[roysmyboy31]

I'm not going to pretend like I watched the game (why on earth would the NHL put a showcase like this on the same day as the biggest day on the college football schedule?), but I saw we won 3-2. Brad Richards got the game winner and Mike Rupp got 2 goals. Henrik stops 33 shots. Sounds like a very nice game from us on the road. 2 more points.
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[roysmyboy31]

Followed up the Winter Classic by beating the Panthers again, this time in OT. Biron let him a softie for the tying goal in the 3rd. The Rangers as a whole dominated the game, almost always having the puck in the Panthers goal and doubling their shot output. It would have been a joke if we found a way to lose given how we played.

Richards' line looked the best tonight. I like having Dubinsky on that line too. He had a good game himself. The whole line was excellent tonight. Gaborik was arguably the best player in the game. Had the game winner and bedazzled in the 3rd period, creating goal scoring opportunities left and right. Hagelin banged his shoulder in the boards, but came right back. I was afraid he had dislocated his shoulder.

A very well-deserved win. Still tops in the NHL. Tough game tomorrow against the Penguins. Keep the momentum going.
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[roysmyboy31]

Overcame a poor start to the game to beat the Penguins convincingly in Pittsburgh. 3-1 final score.

Just keep winning. Just keep winning
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[roysmyboy31]

Not the most entertaining game, but a very important win. I was really scared we would lose because Mike Smith was ridiculous. We dominated play and yet, he kept them in it. We could not convert any opportunities besides Fedotenko was able to rip one by him quick in the 3rd and it felt like Smith was going to steal the game from us. I am used to Hank doing that for us over the years. I could not believe that Gaborik got robbed on the penalty shot in OT. Henrik would not allow us to lose.
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[roysmyboy31]

We should just not play in Montreal anymore. That's our own personal house of horrors. I can't remember the last time we weren't whooped up there. I had a strong feeling we would lose coming into the game.

Just outplayed. We dug ourselves into a hole in the 2nd with those quick goals allowed. Could not dig ourselves out of that hole.
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[roysmyboy31]

We are heading through a rough patch now we have not had since the beginning of this season. We lost again tonight, this time to the Penguins at home. We never really got going offensively and our PP remains a huge weakness. I don't know what we can do about it, but this is not an acceptable PP. Our defense did not play well and mistakes led to each of their goals. Marc Staal was shaky, making a bad pinch to allow a 3-on-1 that led to the go-ahead goal. Also got stripped in our own zone by Malkin who then scored the decisive 3rd goal. I hope he can find his way, he has been getting more time in games now. Fedotenko missed a tap-in on a wide open net that could have put us up 1-0 and instead, Pitt goes right down the ice and scores to make it 1-0 in their favor. Potentially huge momentum swing. Our offense continues to slump, including our big guns. We should consider bringing Richards and Gaborik together and see if they can get each other going that way. Putting Richards with Fedotenko and Callahan (not the most prolific goal scorers) is not going to help him get on the board.

The Boston game is coming up soon too. We won't win if we play like this.
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[roysmyboy31]

The players should try not to buy so much into the hype of the big matchup with Boston. This will be a great measuring stick for us, but it is not going to "decide the East" or anything like that. It is just one game and we have to try and get back to how we were doing before our rut. That has to be our main focus, and of course picking up 2 points.
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[playmaker8267]

The Rangers are a tough team. You guys have a team that plays on the edge but stays composed. I have a lot of respect for that. Looking forward to the other three games we have left this year.
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Bruins // Patriots // Red Sox // Chelsea

[roysmyboy31]