It’s Go Time!

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The battle for home ice continues.

This game is ESPN+ exclusive, folks. Can’t DVR that one, dammit!

Rangers (45-20-6) vs Penguins (41-20-10), 7 pm start, TV-ESPN+


Projected lineup:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano

Panarin-Strome-Copp

Lafreniere-Chytil-Goodrow

Motte-Brodzinski-Hunt

Lindgren-Fox

Miller-Trouba

Nemeth-Schneider

Hajek, Gauthier, Braun, McKegg, Reaves-prucha’d

Kakko, Rooney-injured

Shesterkin in net

LGR!!!!!

194 responses to “It’s Go Time!”

  1. 4everanger Avatar

    First. As a good omen…

  2. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    no Crosby

    Vince Z. Mercogliano
    @vzmercogliano

    #NYR warmup rushes from MSG:

    Kreider – Zib – Vatrano
    Panarin – Strome – Copp
    Laf – Chytil – Goodrow
    Motte – Brodzinski – Hunt

    Lindgren – Fox
    Miller – Trouba
    Nemeth – Schneider

    Igor

  3. TYM Avatar
    TYM

    No Skidney in warmups. Hmmmm.

  4. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Dave Molinari
    @MolinariPGH

    Forward combinations in line rushes:
    Guentzel-Malkin-Rust,
    Rodrigues-Carter-Rakell,
    Heinen-Blueger-Kapanen
    and Boyle-Hallander-Angello.

  5. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    Rats I will miss the game live. I will have to catch On Demand later or tomorrow. Go Rangers! I hate the pens!

  6. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Thanks, Alex. Fixed

  7. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    …..anyone have a link? Please and thank you 😉

  8. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Are they still paying this clown?

  9. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    michigan – denver tied in frozen 4

    10 min left in 3rd

  10. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    LGR! Time to shine.

  11. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    😡😡😡😡 I want to watch the game!

  12. Karl Hungus Avatar

    Marino is MIA? He must be with snowflake

  13. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Right call

  14. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Nice save. He didn’t see it

  15. Karl Hungus Avatar

    Craig, email me at bows.0.toes at icloud and I’ll share a link

  16. Karl Hungus Avatar

    that’s a zero I believe

  17. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Is that Brian Boucher?

  18. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Oof.. Chytil just blew by a couple of them.

  19. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Think Shesterkin got this one

  20. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    What’s with all the Panarin-type passes to the slot with no Ranger within 4 zip codes?

  21. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    college hockey to ot in a few

  22. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Here it comes. PP.

  23. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    ESPN+ on Hulu is a sh*show. Comes back from commercial break and downgrades the stream/buffers so garbage picture for at least 30 seconds. Definitely bush league.

  24. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    They look horrible offensively so far

  25. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Chytil can’t even keep the puck on his stick skating

  26. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    Stinko Power Play.

  27. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    No control in the zone. Holy wtf

  28. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Wow. Announcers seem to think the Rangers are really frustrated. Lol.

  29. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    That stunk and

  30. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Beezle, so far ESPN+ picture has been miles better than MSG

  31. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    At least they’ve got more shots already than they had against the devils in the last two periods combined. 🤷🏻‍♂️

  32. Karl Hungus Avatar

    Dont really care about the commentary or play by play…refreshing to not have to listen to salmon

  33. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Tom they keep the blog open during the game, just reflecting us 😉

  34. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Beezle, they’re not negative enough for that to be true

  35. Karl Hungus Avatar

    Also, Barry melrose is great. What a g. Dude has such a great career

  36. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Rangers have won the last 2 meetings. One of the best comeback teams in the league. Tied 0-0. Oh, yeah. The Rangers are cursing the skies! Lol.

  37. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Good 15 seconds of control there at the end of the period

  38. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    If this continues the same, it’s just a matter of time. The Rangers are outplaying them even though the Pens are playing well.

  39. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Ilb – its a transmission issue, either on the hulu side or the espn side. The bad thing is when coming out of commercial they start the stream at very low resolution and attempt to figure out connection speed before increasing resolution . That is totally unnecessary after the initial connection (they know your bandwidth) and even with that, start at something reasonable, not like 360×240. I think they are inserting the commercials from a different streaming source which compounds this.

  40. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Beezle, I suspect it’s a Hulu issue. They are using different commercials. No issues here at ESPN at all

  41. tommyG Avatar
    tommyG

    I gotta say, pitt w/o crosby, marino and another player you would think the rangers would steam roll pitt, instead the rangers are the ones in the 1st period who looked like the team short handed. That 1st period frustrated the crap out of me. The rangers couldn’t do anything right, pitt’s all over them with extreme tight checking.

  42. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Rick DiPietro is praising the Rangers. I have to make sure my wife didn’t use any “additives” for my dinner 😃

  43. tommyG Avatar
    tommyG

    until Ilb mentioned it, he is right, picture does look way better than MSG.

  44. inthearmsofbrianboyle Avatar
    inthearmsofbrianboyle

    On another rink: Beat wide being beat on the inside. Eichels leftovers 2-zip

  45. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    ESPN may swap out the msg cameras for their own which could be more recent vintage?

  46. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Back and forth fixing supper but saw quite a few clueless passes which of course come right back to our end with a shot on goal.

  47. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Did they pick this camera angle on the Fox interview to minimize the chin?

  48. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    I’m shocked that DiPietro’s doorman lets him out of the building dressed like that!

  49. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    And there it is!!!!

  50. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Frankie V!!

  51. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    Beer me! Vatrano…

  52. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    FRANK THE TANK!

  53. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    That’s a great shot by Vatrano. He didn’t try to elevate it, he was too close

  54. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    That’s a save if Jarry doesn’t move his leg back into the net. He had it covered😅

  55. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Ahem…Hurricanes are losing to Buffalo

  56. Karl Hungus Avatar

    That’s a great finish to the OT

  57. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    denver wins

    beats michigan and all those number 1’s

  58. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Horrible icing call

  59. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Great defense by Mika.

  60. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Ilb…..shhhhhhhhhh!

  61. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Tyoma!!!!!!!

  62. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Breadman!

  63. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Bread!

  64. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    Breadman! Beer please!

  65. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    KABOOM SHAKALAKA!!

  66. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Backhand in the R upper corner? Madone!

  67. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Lol @ make the Rangers defend! I think they’ve done a pretty good job doing just that. Better on defense, offense, and in goal. Time to give this team a little credit

  68. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    They raised the intensity and lowered the stupidity levels

  69. TYM Avatar
    TYM

    That was some nice backhand snipe. Chytil is having another good game tonight.

  70. TYM Avatar
    TYM

    Brian Boucher is openly rooting for Pittsburgh.

  71. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Dwayne was getting a little schooled by Lurch before the goal, superstar vs newbie.

  72. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Wishusin-Boucher-Malesko
    Woof!

  73. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Ugh. Embarrassing 2 on 1 lol

  74. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    …..Still can’t watch the game. Unfortunately, the link didn’t work. 😞

    Good to see they’re playing well though.

  75. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    I’m pretty sure Joe Buck is in the booth too.

  76. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Brodude has a good motor. If they ever have to move Rooney up I don’t have a problem with leaving him on the 4th line.

  77. cooscoos Avatar
    cooscoos

    Bambi makes the big bucks.

  78. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    (Obviously)Far from perfect Craig, but the Rangers have been the better team so far.

  79. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Love what Motte is doing tonight

  80. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    Shesty’s on the ball so far.

  81. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Rackell 3G 2A in 9GP
    Frankie V 6G 3A in 12GP

  82. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Didn’t have to do too much till now, Olga

  83. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Did Kreider really think that puck was getting through? Really?

  84. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    I expect something dirty from Letang (like a stick to the teeth) before this game is over.

  85. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Woot

  86. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Woot woot

  87. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Something like this.

  88. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Well Crosby is not playing so everyone’s sack is safe 😉

  89. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    No reason for Trouba to go deep for a hit when they’re up 2-0. Let them take chances

  90. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Very quick whistle when its not our goaltender

  91. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Penguins got away with multiple trips.

  92. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    They didn’t even correct themselves that that was a save by Shesty, not a miss by the pens. Smh

  93. James G Avatar
    James G

    ILB remember when I told you that you’d like the Motte addition? I don’t think I was wrong..

    Pens once again way under their average for shots on goal tonight. I think they avg around 34 a game. Have been held much lower by the Rangers in every game this season so far.

  94. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Schneider got hooked from the defensive zone to the neutral zone. Play-on.

  95. SN Avatar
    SN

    D getting hooked all night coming out of zone and forwards getting knocked around away from Puck on forecheck
    #secondseason

  96. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    I remember, JG.

  97. Karl Hungus Avatar

    At least it’s not Pierre

  98. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Interference my foot…

  99. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    HOOOOOOOORRIBLE CALL

  100. SN Avatar
    SN

    Tuba took a run at Malkinstein for payback

    Puck was there; why a penalty?!

  101. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Bogus call

  102. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Pens free call per game average.

  103. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Now they’ve gone from not calling the pens for anything to making up calls against us.

  104. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    That was a fantastic kill

  105. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    EV the gambling sites must be in trouble, were counting on Pens getting a win eventually. Called down to their guys on ice to fix it.

  106. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    pens just committed an ACTUAL interference and they let it go. Eff these refs

  107. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Penalty after penalty after penalty by the pens here……crickets

  108. SN Avatar
    SN

    4th is the pest line

  109. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    The refs are making up for Crosby’s absence

  110. James G Avatar
    James G

    Motte due for a short handed goal..

  111. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Too bad Motte isn’t going to show up on the score sheet because he should be one of the three stars.

  112. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Crap

  113. SN Avatar
    SN

    Two uncalled penalties

  114. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Wow. We got a free one on a good hit.

  115. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    Calling Mr. Reaves. Answer the bell please.

  116. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Woohoo! We got a B’s interference LMAO

  117. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    *bs

  118. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Poweroff play so far

  119. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Atta-Boy Strome!

  120. James G Avatar
    James G

    I didn’t mean to jinx Motte. Way to take liberties on a new addition who clearly has played well for them. Little pissant.

  121. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    No shots on 2 power plays. If we face them in the playoffs they won’t be afraid to take penalties.

  122. SN Avatar
    SN

    Chytil is the black hole on the PP

  123. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    What is Fox doing out there? Had guy in front, does nothing about it then he goes wandering

  124. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    If the Penguins can’t score on the PP, I expect more cheap shots. Let’s see how the Rangers respond.

  125. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    He’s giving the ref the business! Bahahahaha

  126. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    2nd guy in should be called

  127. SN Avatar
    SN

    Mathewson with face wash on lineman

  128. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    How THE ACTUAL F does Matheson not get a penalty????!!!

  129. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    How are they not calling this? Complete BS

  130. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Refs are absolutely playing for the pens tonight. No doubt in my mind

  131. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Shesty tried.

  132. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    The whole team looks like Strome with an empty net

  133. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Give Shesterkin an EN

  134. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Well we needed some Chinese Fireplace practice

  135. SN Avatar
    SN

    Has does Copp miss that

  136. tommyG Avatar
    tommyG

    These refs are fugging terrible. Where they get these clowns off the unemoyment line.

  137. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Woot woot woot

  138. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Boom! Checkmate

  139. SN Avatar
    SN

    Mike Hunt finally scores again

  140. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Hunt!

  141. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    I guess they just need to shoot on the empty net from 100 feet away lol

  142. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    EN Goal! Beer me! Finest kind.

  143. tomk19 Avatar
    tomk19

    Keep your head up.

  144. James G Avatar
    James G

    ILB do you have a thick enough script pad to write out some CT imaging of the brain for these guys? 🙂 Rangers about to collect their 98th point and go 3-1 against the Pens who are a likely playoff opponent yet I see feet on the ledge…

  145. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    BOOM SHAKALAKA!! SUCK IT CROSBY!!

  146. James G Avatar
    James G

    dreaded three goal lead? Do you guys think that’s enough to win it? Because the Isles can pull within a point if they win 10 of their last 11.

  147. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Why is the whole pen team on the ice? Hope they get fined

  148. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Friggin Pis*burg is so bush league

  149. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    Stick Salute Mama!

  150. SN Avatar
    SN

    Me thinks we got their number

  151. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    MRI, JG. With and w/o contrast.

  152. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Canes are tied🤷🏻‍♂️

  153. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Suck it Pens!

  154. inthearmsofbrianboyle Avatar
    inthearmsofbrianboyle

    It’s deeply satisfying watching the whiners leaving the ice in this fashion. Deeply.

  155. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Motte might be out for a bit.

  156. Olga Folkyerself Avatar
    Olga Folkyerself

    4 BIG points!
    Buf 3 CAR 3 IN THE THIRD.

  157. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Separated or dislocated best case?

  158. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Gonna be busy in am, so here is my morning write up:
    Rangers in 6 with Crosby in the lineup.
    Rangers in 5 without.

  159. James G Avatar
    James G

    Pens finish season series with 4 goals in 4 games against Shesterkin. They should be worrying about that insread of antics.

  160. tommyG Avatar
    tommyG

    Next game against the pitts Reaves needs to play and destroy these wanna be tough guys. Total cheapness by Friedman on kteider.

  161. James G Avatar
    James G

    Meh. Still hoping everyone picks Pens in 6 or 7. I have no issue with our boys being the underdogs after a long hiatus from the post season

  162. James G Avatar
    James G

    I’m sure Reaves will give a blank stare from the bench to let everyone know they’re on notice lol

  163. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Yeah, keep saying “you never know where the backhand is going”. Panarin knew exactly where it was going.

  164. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Great game by the Rangers! All around solid!

  165. James G Avatar
    James G

    LOL @ MRI ILB. We’ll have to take a poll in the am to see how many boneheads are claustrophobic ; )

  166. James G Avatar
    James G

    These ESPN guys are special eh? Do they get to interview Gallant? “Coach what’s it do for your team to get a win against a powerhouse of a franchise like the Penguins? Have you seen Mike Sullivans Stanley Cup rings?”

  167. bud gimpe Avatar
    bud gimpe

    AWESOME WIN!! espn+ bouch & the other mutts are horrid.

  168. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    ESPN wants to make sure you know that Cindy forgot her skirt at home tonight so couldn’t skate.

  169. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    James I highly recommend the Hitachi Oasis 1.2T open MRI. For knoggin scans they have some extra software mumbo-jumbo that improves the image a bit more. It is actually a little bit closer to your head/face than the tube types but you can put your arms and legs anywhere.

  170. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    He should’ve also mentioned that we were without two defensive players and still shut them out.

  171. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Carolina wins

  172. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Carolina just hit the empty net. Game over🤷🏻‍♂️

  173. James G Avatar
    James G

    At least now it has the makings of a fun playoff series. Probably the best we’ll have seen since ’14. Remember when the Pens had b2b Cups and had all of this speed and three lines that could get you and they transitioned to offense so quickly? Well, it’s 5 years later and they’re still pretty fast but the Rangers are faster. And seem to have the edge in goal. Should be memorable.

  174. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Eh, let Carolina deal with TB.

  175. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Carolina just clinched. Our magic number is 2 probably because I think the isles would have the tie breaker at the moment.

  176. TYM Avatar
    TYM

    Are there any bigger whiners and sore losers than Pittsburgh? Malkin is the biggest crybaby of all, and Guentzel seems to be easing himself into the #2 spot on that list. The Rangers should have just stood on their side of the red line and laughed at them.

  177. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Even if NYI won out, NYR would still have more regulation/OT wins.

  178. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    I agree 100% on that Gravy. We also manhandled them but they’re the two time defending champs so I’d rather avoid that first round matchup.

  179. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    You’re right. Magic number is 1

  180. James G Avatar
    James G

    Beezle, once you’ve worked on 3T it’s tough to advocate for a 1.2 in any capacity. But that’s a nice machine you mention. I’d be lying if I said I am going to miss working in diagnostic.

  181. bud gimpe Avatar
    bud gimpe

    I actually enjoyed my last MRI. They got a new machine & mood lighting room, changing the whole atmosphere. Beach & mountain videos with that soothing foo foo, new age music.

  182. James G Avatar
    James G

    Gravy, I think it’s Tampa that will deal with Carolina but I agree

  183. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Yeah, meaning deal with playing them. I don’t care because it means one gets eliminated.

  184. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Gravy

    wins in regulation is 1st tiebreak (changed from couple of years ago)

  185. James G Avatar
    James G

    Rangers to do list:

    1. Avoid let -down game Saturday

    2. Prepare for two huge games against Carolina

    3. Kill the *^*^*g pos Islanders for a change

    4. Don’t get injured against Boston

    5. Don’t piss me off on the 27th when I go to MSG for the first time since Oct of 2019

  186. EvMaybenextyearAgainriser Avatar

    Roman Josi, a defenseman, has the most assists and the most points in a season by a Predator player in Preds history. Crazy

  187. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Hmm, and I also had the wrong ROW anyway, so the magic number is 2. Panic!

  188. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Good game?

  189. Karl Hungus Avatar

    Really nice win. Love to see the frustration on the pens

  190. cregg7 Avatar
    cregg7

    Love seeing Shesty get the shutout

  191. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Why can’t we play the Fishsticks like this?

  192. Eddie J Avatar
    Eddie J

    Australian GP this weekend, Wicky. Usual rules apply. I will provide no spoilers until I know you’ve seen the race.

  193. tommyG Avatar
    tommyG

    speaking of the fishsticks, I read a islander poster post on a islander blog where he said the islanders have 7 wins against the 8 playoff teams and I quote “and 2 or 3 of them are against a not so good ranger team”. I had to read it several times because I could not believe he said not so good ranger team.

  194. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001