HAV go time. Wife still sick and I’m sick to my stomach over losing both of my fantasy football semifinal matches despite having been in 1st place with the most points in both leagues. I’m cursed.
HAV go time. Wife still sick and I’m sick to my stomach over losing both of my fantasy football semifinal matches despite having been in 1st place with the most points in both leagues. I’m cursed.
393 responses to “Rangers vs. Devils… It’s Go Time!”
Is Columbus the best team in the league at the moment? Haven’t seen too many games played by them. January 7th in Columbus. They’d better put their big boy pants on for that date
I’m out here in Columbus and there is definitely a buzz around this team again. But they’ve been so used to disappointment that everyone is very wary of getting too optimistic. I don’t have the heart to tell them that Torts is going to F it all up.
Good morning all. well, last night was a good example of just finding a way to win. Does Buchnevich still play for the Rangers? is he coming back? and what’s the under/over on THE’s goal total this season? Doubt it is what it was the first week or two of the season. Offense has cooled off big time. Suddenly that bum Nash sure looks more like our best offensive player and a veteran leader on the ice than an 8 million dollar albatross EH?
ILB, Columbus is a pleasant surprise this year. they’re finally at full strength, their goalie is healthy and playing his A game and they’ve got young players and veterans all clicking pretty well. Good for the fans and good for Torts. I thought they’d be doing this a year or two ago. That said, ‘best in the league’ – at least to me- is a fluid concept until we hit the post holiday schedule. Should be fun to watch them play the Rangers.
I think in a way the injuries to this team has actually caused them to have to discover a bit more about themselves and how to win without the flash and dash offense that they started out of the gate with. they’ve done it with veterans stepping up, they’ve done it with team defense and they’ve done it with goaltending. Give these guys some credit. 23-10-1 heading into the week of Christmas after some major injuries and slumps (and with Girardi as the number 2 dman). Again, it’s that long post holiday stretch that shows a lot about a team but to this point they’ve certainly shown themselves as more than the “one trick pony” many accused them of being. even if they’re softer than we’d like them to be.
An awful lot of negative posts about this team. I know some of it is in jest, and some are from people who root for other teams(not you Olga). It has me curious as to what is actually the right way to be 23/10/1.
JR – “Who’s gooder than Columbus right now?”
The Metro is absolutely loaded save for 2 cellar dwellers located not too far away from MSG. Azzlanders dead last in Conference with Derbils right behind them. Feel bad…not.
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Now with everyone bunched up top (BJs 3 pts away in 5 less games) 2017 should be fun.
NYR has played:
Pits (1-1-0) 3 games left included 2 in last 9 days of season
BJs (0-1-0) 4 games left
Craps (1-0-0) 3 games left
Flyers (1-0-0) 3 games left
Guess with new schedule only play some teams in Div 5 and others 4?? Only 2 left with Brooklyn as well.
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Just win baby.
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No one else thought that link was cool? I that it was freaking awesome!!!
Let’s see how it goes against the Pens. They have tightened up the D quite a bit since they last played. They also play down to the competition and make games like last night’s close.
Sully vs. Torts in the conference finals? Screaming at each other over the glass?
RIP Zsa Zsa Gabor. All of her 9 ex-husbands agreed that she was an excellent housekeeper. After each divorce, she kept the house.
AV, channeling JR: “Hank made some timely saves at the right time.”
FG – Who will have Glass, Sully or Torts? 🙂
BDL, I agree. I’m not one to look at the standings but I know it’s been “tight”. When I looked today I realized that they are 2nd in the league in points and 1st in the Eastern Conf. Is it just me or is that pretty good for a team that supposedly was going to have a hard time competing this year and was a one trick pony? Granted, when this team loses it loses ugly at times (who doesn’t?) but let’s face it. Even in the Presidents’ses Trophy year people screamed bloody murder all 22 times they lose in regulation that year.
Now I’m not saying they’re the best in the league but they’re getting the job done. And without some guys that were supposed to be important pieces this year. They win on the road, they win at home, their PP and PK are in the upper tier of the league, they’ve won by scoring, they’ve won with goaltending, they’ve won win stingy “all in” defensive play..I’m not sure what else you could ask for this time of year. Still a ways to go, and I’m sure it’s not going to be all peaches and cream, but I don’t expect the bottom to fall out (I had my moments earlier in the season).
The one thing I will say is that I’d feel a lot better if they could solve the likes of Matt Murray, Bobrovsky and some of the other big name goalies in the league. The way they attacked the net and put shots on goal in the third last night would be nice to see more often. It’s usually the “hot goalie” that gives them the most issues. especially in the post season
LOL:
1) Wicky’s video. That guy is effin nuts.
2) Gabor the housekeeper.
3) ilb getting into the negative spirit re: ROWs.
Fifth Metro.
James – good points. Team is very good; last stretch feels more like March than December. Going to need some Tums in the stocking.
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Team has 9 players on pace for over 40 pts while missing 2 of top 9; very good balance.
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Don’t forget Step’s 6th goal put him ahead of Zika to be tied wit Pirri for second in goals scored among NYR centers…
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Need to figure out rotating chairs on bottom 6; not getting much, if any, O from them.
6 freakin’ goals from Stepan. Count them, six.
Holden was a great pick-up by Gorton
Big Buff would be a Two Ton Pickup.
Now that LoHud and every other newspaper has jettisoned editors and their talented, experienced, even-handed, insightful writers who don’t need editors (like Reisman and Carp, for example) the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls – garbage journalism. Sad.
Not for nuttin’, but it pisses me off how these poseur ‘suits and dresses’ see us all as uneducated deplorables who are desperately in need of their direction and instruction. Magazines included.
In my entire life, I have never bought one thing based on what I saw in a print ad, commercial or infomercial. Because F them. I’m no Manchurian shopper
Panthers’ owner appointed Secretary of the Army. Wait until Cally tells him his move to Washington DC will cost him 8.5 percent of his annual income.
All I know is what I know egg egg egg egg egg egg. Well Blow me down
JR – “if you win a game it means you’ve won the game”
JR – “if there’s a spoon in the road, take it”
Engblom – “JR, you are stupider than me and that’s saying something”
JR – “1) you are stupider than me; b) you are totally stupider; 4) you are dumber than stupid”
Engblom – “what?”
JR – “clean the ears out of your wax!”
Engblom – “good lord”
JR: “With the help of my therapist, I’ve learned to except myself for what I am.”
JR – “the only two things that you can count on are going to sleep and waking up”
Kooz – except myself…that’s a good one 😉
JR – “if the left shoe fits, try the other one”
JR – “one time my coach was so mad, evented all game long”
JR – “in order to overturn a call on the ice, the replay must be conclusional”
“I stay in hotels, knock down the walls.
I have accountants pay for it all.
Life’s been good to me so far.”
19th in metro
My Maserati does 185.
I lost my license now I don’t drive.
Tell Jeremy I can’t ear him because I got my Stanley Cup rings in my hears.
The words of those prophets are written on the septic walls.
NHL Public Relations @PR_NHL
6m
SECOND STAR: @HLundqvist30 went 3-0-0 last week (0.98 GAA, .967 SV%) to backstop the @NYRangers to 6 of a possible 8 standings points. pic.twitter.com/KwEUU1qC9G
six of a possible eight, in three games? New math?
Trade Hank, Stepan, and Fast for On Zek Coe pit tar and Drew Doubt E
Ricardo – that’s the new math.
That common core is ruining education.
JR – “school should stick with the 3 R’s, Reeding, Riding, and ….what’s the third one?”
Is JR in charge of their math dpt?
JR – “I can ad”
JR – “I’m about to distinguish the fire in my wood stove”
Carp the 4th game had raanta in net
JR: “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it.”
One year ago, the beginning of shampoo boy…
SN – that kills me every time.
Holy Sweet Baby Jesus thats the funniest thing I’ve seen in awhile! That’s my new Christmas Story, I have to watch that ever year now.
SN this team was supposed to improve at center this year. I’m disappointed in the production from Stepan thus far but he can be streaky so hopefully he gets it going a bit more. Delighted with Hayes so far. Kids done what I hoped he would do. Zibanejad update?
One of the greatest things ever posted on the internets, SN.
also …
Four days to Festivus!
Has anyone gotten the aluminum pole out of the crawl space?
James G – This what Steve Zipay tweeted out yesterday when asked about Mika Z: “A few days ago, I saw him on crutches near training center locker room. Still wearing boot/cast”.
I did some quick research and in the 14 games that Brandon Pirri has played with Mika out the lineup, Pirri has a goal and an assist – both in the 5-0 win over the Devils. I guess he misses Mika setting up in the Ovie spot on the PP.
I know AV doesn’t change the lineup much (if at all) when they are winning, but Puempel’s not doing anything to stay in the lineup. Put Pirri back in as a PP specialist/odd 5-on-5 shift and double shift Nash or a couple of the other forwards who are flying on a particular night.
…and we just winning. Love it.
CCCP – One wild and crazy guy! Dig those checkered pants and floppy hat.
SN – It doesn’t get any funnier than that! Classico.
coos
lol… checkered pants and floppy hat as in clown? 🙂
Thank you, Anthony. I’m going to guess he’s not gonna be ready until closer to the beginning of Feb but at least he’ll have time to get back in game shape for the spring.
The bottom 6 is tough right now. I think playing Puempel is more to serve as a wake up for Pirri. At least I hope it is. Pirri is too limited to be an answer in the top 6 even in a fill in role but if you’re going to go with your best 12 I guess he’s part of it. My hope is that the offense gets a spark when Buchnevich gets back.
LOL James! What sketch is that?
2 wild and crazy guys from Czechoslovakia…SNL
JamesG – Buch was on fire when he went down. If he can pick up where he left off, it’ll be yuge when he gets back. Good ripple effect down the lineup too.
Any update on Sauer, er, Buchnevich?
Yes.
2 wild and crazy guys from Czechoslovakia, eh?
Im’ma a Jew from Ukraine…you al’most guessed it, coos 😉
Thanks for that in depth answer, rangersreport2.
E3, as a math teacher, you might appreciate this song from the 60’s, when everyone was complaining about the “new math.”
New post?
https://m.popkey.co/151384/xqpvr.gif
my favorite math:
or this:
SN, maybe tomorrow.
I feared the worst when Nash didn’t skate in OT.
Brooks is saying he has a different groin injury.
Step has a rogaine injury.
C3 – your convoluted sentence reminded me of that SNL skit. 🙂
I for one am sick and tired of being stuck with the #23 and #24 centers in Hayes and Stepan, in this 30-team league. Trade Step for a warm body, I say–anyone could have made that last-minute tip last night. Not sure why AV had him out there to begin with.
Wow! Norm is critical. He must be dipping into the liquor closet.
Well, it looks like Rick Nash has reached Jaromir Jagr heights in terms of groin injuries – something Jagr struggled with going back to last century (circa 1999). I seem to remember hearing or reading about a potential cause for Jagr’s problems arising from having one leg that was longer than the other. Yes, I realize that I opened the door for the peanut gallery, but what the heck, inquiring minds want to know 🙂
I tried to find articles on it, but came up short (yes, I know I opened the door again). But there are tons of articles dealing with Jagr’s problems. One remedy was acupuncture at one time. Okay, now I am making waaay to easy for youse guys! 🙂
” I say–anyone could have made that last-minute tip last night. ”
I disagree. That was pretty perfectly placed. I don’t think Stepan could even do that more than two or three times out of ten.
I could not find any testicles relating to that story.
Wow, coos is disingenuous. And just because I’ve been hitting the bottle a little early in the day doesn’t mean you’re getting any.
lol coos..yeah…I missed a word or two there somewhere in between
Nash has a reproductive body- area injury.
(rr2, I was attempting verbal irony, an occupational hazard in the teaching profession, especially when allegedly under the daytime influence.)
Step, our top center, has seven goals in 34 games. Six actual goals and the seventh goal is more goals.
D. Moops has 7, by the way.
Norm is half Scotch and half water.
Isn’t scotch 60% water?
Doodie – as an undergrad I had to take assembler. Base 16. Hexadecimal was whack.
is that math or arithmetic 😉
meth matics
meth manics
Let’s go, Meth! (lisper Met fan)
Slacker Lives Matter!
Technically, it’s programming. But adding in anything other than base 10 certainly isn’t arithmetic 😜
Step is 10th NHL center in assists. This year’s team is so good, so balanced, you have to really struggle to find a good whipping boy. It will come, though, it will come.
Speed kills.
Trade Stepan for Big Game Brass.
Stepan needs Row Gain.
Gnash needs to rest that groin. That is one lasting nagging injury that won’t heal without it….
Unspoken truth: Often groin injury or bad back comes as a result of making the beast with two backs rather than forechecking.
Hickey related injury.
Why is my latest rhyme in moderation?
Bummer Nash injured again! What will come first the year everything goes right for the Rangers or the year uncle Glennie retires?
https://m.popkey.co/6071a8/jWLvQ.gif
Stepan is not the first line centre on this team (Hayes is now, z pack was) and stepan has not been a number one centre for the rangers since the lockout shortened season.
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He’s a nice ranger drafted player, but let’s not get carried away about his overall value or ability. He’s a 2C on most NHL teams including this one and a 3C on the rest.
And yet, Wicky, there Stepan is, in the the top 25, among 30 teams. He’s a #3 center only in a mythical NHL, as opposed to the league he’s actually playing in.
Stepan is not pretty.
I think there is a difference between what role you’re used in by a particular team and what role you’re used in by a championship team. Stepan would be the 2C, at best, on the past few Stanley Cup finalists other than the Rangers, as they were constituted at the time:
3 on the Sharks, 3 on the Penguins, 2 on the Hawks, 3 on the Lightning, 3 on the Kings, 2 on the Hawks, 3 on the Bruins, etc.
It’s like Bobby Holik used to say, if Bobby Holik is your #3 center, you’re going to win the Stanley Cup. If Bobby Holik is your #1 center, you’re not going to win the Stanley Cup.
Correct…if stepan is your 1C, you are not winning the cup.
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This team, stepan included, have some inflated stats due to the earlier “scoring bonanza run” they had (that everyone here said they could not maintain). Hayes is a better centre right now and a healthy z pack cuts into stepan’s time and stats.
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Stepan is a good player, he just isn’t the 1st ballot HOFer some of you make him out to be.
second ballot?
Three days til Festivus!
Good morning, boneheads!
Stepan’s on the menu, I see.
How about Nash being sidelined again with the same injury? Different side. This one is difficult, anatomically speaking, to differentiate between lower or upper body, so they had to call the way it is.
Going to be an interesting game tonight, although Pittsburgh is without Letang.
I’m going to have difficulties finding my aluminum pole this year, I’m afraid. Still haven’t accounted for all my socks since we moved.
Stepan can’t skate. Like a football player who can’t foot or a baseball player who can’t ball.
ilb, you have a roof? Mazel Tov!
Stepan has had the most points of any player on the team, including or excluding playoffs, since AV has taken over (and not even including this year). He is still deployed in all situations, and the coach plays him the most minutes of any C on the team by more than a minute per game (including Z). Like it or not, he’s the 1C on this team.
At least Brassard played he same amount of minutes per game, so there was an argument. Wicky just likes to pick any Not Stepan as the 1C 🙂
Is this on, does this sight still have followers?
What would it take for Carp to do a Carp review for Carps sake 🙂
To answer that 11:19, one would have to have to be blessed with fore-site.
ILB – I have good news. I got a letter from life source today. 3 of Chase’s organ donations were a success.
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So here’s to a Chase Hat Trick! Hip Hip ….. Horay!!!
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Funny thing is 2 of the 3 went to Gopher fans, a little bit of irony there don’t you think. Since all Gopher fans can’t stand the Sioux. (We win most of the time 🙂
Great news, Sioux! How did one in Boston go?
3
Sioux, for what it’s worth, you have my best wishes and enormous respect for your strength and spirit.
Here I am, trying to put a roof over my head, and ilb already ordered his roof rake.
Tonight’s game is too important for Nash to miss so I sent out Eric to massage Nash’s groin. Both sides, to be sure.
Stepans minutes are no way inflated by the absence of z pack.
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While I appreciate gravy’s (and others) unwavering misguided over rating of stepan, he has not centred the number one line on this team for a few seasons now and still doesn’t…if your 1C does not centre the #1 line…what is he? A good offensive centre with decent defencive instincts (the part of his game that is overrated in my opinion)? Absolutely! A good NHL player? Absolutely! A hall of famer and all World 1C like some here make him out to be? Nope.
Eric to Nash…
“Your groins are freakin losers!”
I don’t recall anybody here ever saying that Step, 1C, is a hall of famer or all world Center. He’s just this team’s 1C and has been for most of his career.
Hey Carp,
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Just out of curiosity, why don’t you take over this site? I’ve been fired and know that finding a new position is a full time job, so I realize it’s a bit of extra effort. I would think that if you still wanted to be a sports columnist, having a sports themed website with measurable traffic/readership would be a good discussion topic with a prospective employer. Unless you have no interest, which is totally fair too but seeing you post on the site leads me to think otherwise…..
If the Rangers win tonight I’ll never post another negative comment until tomorrow, no make that Friday!
Wicky
He’s paid like a first liner and is second highest paid forward.
Do you know when his no trade kicks in?
For what it’s worth I agree with you on Stepan.
He’s not the best centre on this team and hasn’t been for a few seasons. A bit biased and delusional to think otherwise so might as well make that HOF jump.
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Again, good NHL player 2C on most NHL clubs. If Hayes also gets injured (while z pack is still out), then yes stepan is the 1C by default.
Alex
I think it kicks in right before free agency…I think
I agree, paid like a mid level 1C but I think that contract was based upon his 1C season here (which was the lockout shortened one). Also the season where his lack of speed (due to the system played during that season) was a non factor.
Interesting Derek Stepan mention from USA Today’s Kevin Allen from last night. He listed 10 predictions for 2017 and coming in at #6 was the Rangers dealing Stepan for help on defense (no specific deal mentioned). Interestingly enough, #10 was Kevin Shattenkirk drawing the most interest as an UFA during the summer (Allen lists BOS, DET, TB and NYR).
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/columnist/allen/2016/12/19/ten-nhl-predictions-2017-bold-obvious/95624476/
Eric predicts that Nash’s groin is fifth in Metro
Any contract clause ( either NTC or NMC) can not kick in until a player reaches his potential UFA status, either 7 year in the league, or 27 years of age. In Stepan’s case it starts next season.
Out of curiosity I just opened the old link to LoHud’s RR. According to these clowns Carp is still providing “news, video, and commentary” even though all articles are by AP. Carp, I think you’re entitled to certain privileges then, if you catch my drift.
Yes indeed carp, you need to be drifting
I don’t know anyone here who has proposed Stepan for the Hall of Fame–show yourself, you straw man! What he has been, though, is a productive 1 or 2 center on a Stanley Cup contender. If the Rangers had won a Cup, he’d still be a productive 1 or 2 center, no more, no less. You can trade him for a defensive upgrade if you like, though the Rangers have hardly been leaking too many goals, but you won’t get much back that you don’t already have. I still think the streaky, big-upside Kreider is the guy to move if you want something significant in return, but I wouldn’t trade him. I’d wait until Zibanejad and
Greta GarboBuchnevich return to see where the once-again speedy Rangers stack up as a playoff team.Trading Stepan for a defensive upgrade would be a mistake. Call him 1 or 2 center, it doesn’t matter. But he is deployed by his coach to play in every single imaginable situation, be at 5 on 5, PP, PK, or against the best opposing skaters. That would leave a big void at center, something that most of the contenders are trying to avoid.
I believe the Islanders are suffering from losing Nielsen more than Okposo and Martin, There is nobody in their lineup who can fill that role. And Nielsen is significantly less productive ( both goals and points) than Stepan.
I think Stepan is a No.1 center only on a team that doesn’t have a more legit No. 1 center, and he’s also a very, very good, if not outstanding, No. 2 center if the team has a better center. I think he’s one of the two or three most important forwards on the team — though I can only think of one I actually consider more important.
But I will say this. He’s been poor around the front of his net in spots the last two years, hasn’t been the righty shot they need on the PP and, most of all, Kreider is a better player with Zibanejad, at least in the small sample.
AV:
Too many people equate goals with how effective a player is. Stepan is a valuable player on this team. No, not a #1 center, but not a guy that you trade just because he isn’t lighting up the scoreboard.
Can’t listen to AV’s video at work. What did he have to say about Pirri? I hope he’s going back in the lineup because Pumps adds nothing.
‘When you’re a Ranger,
If the spit hits the fan,
You got brothers around,
You’re a family man!
You’re never alone,
You’re never disconnected!
You’re home with your own:
When company’s expected,
You’re well protected!’
Uh…
CCC- I think both Pirri and Puempel are in tonight since Nash is out
AV stashes the hard candy like a chipmunk during interviews.
I wont lose any sleep over it, but I don’t expect tonight to go well
Stepan’s cue ball head is his best feature. That hole in his natural glistens like an ice pond on a bright sunny day.
Looking for a better effort than the last time they played. That may not result in a win. With Nash out scoring will be even harder to come by.
Three hundred and eighty-third!!
AV and his hard candies… brush the damn teeth!
We’re not trading Stepan his Mom’s to valuable!
Without Nash, the Rangers have no chance…unless they play well and get good goaltending. (The Rangers are good.)
If the Rangers win tonight we’ve gone from the inner mind to the Outer Limits!
Jim Cerny @JimCerny
12 minutes ago
Unwraping presents early this week: @RickCarpiniello joins us on #BlueshirtRadio tomorrow & Chris Pronger is my guest THU on #THW Live!!
The wife pointed out last night once the other metro teams make up their games in hand, we’ll probably have a more accurate gauge of where this team should be in the metro
Defeatist of this blog – unite!
First!
There are already few Firsts…
I wouldn’t show that “rag doll” event..