Good morning, boneheads! Always nice to wake up after a win against the Devils.
And today we have another special treat. E3 with a game review! Thanks, Eddie!
This has been a strange year for our boys. After starting the season 1-5-2 and looking even worse than that record suggests, the Rangers were breathing down the NY Giants’ neck as to what NY team sucked the most. Calls to fire AV might have been rumor only but I joined the chorus and was ready for a change. Had the team tuned him out the way the Gmen were tuning out McApoo? I wasn’t especially thrilled with AV’s coaching in last year’s playoff loss to the Senators. Fast forward 21 games and how things have changed. While still not in a playoff position, it will only be a matter of time before they move up the standings especially if they play as well the rest of the season as they did last night in winning 5-2 against the NJ Devils.
I’d argue that this was their best regular season game in a long long time. The Rangers dominated the play the entire game and there wasn’t a shred of doubt that they’d come away with the two points even after the Devils made it 2-1 in the second. A tremendous effort in the offensive zone. With that, here’s my review.
1) It was nice to see Brian Boyle on the ice albeit in a Devil uniform. A solid player for the Rangers. He and Brandon Prust were a valuable part of many 4th lines for the Rangers and those two were very effective penalty killers. Who can forget Boyle’s game 5 shorty against the Kings in game 5 of the 2014 final?
2) Staying with the Devils for a moment, you got to like a few of the names on the NJD. Ben LoveJoy Division, wheel of fortunes Pat Sajak, those three musicians James Taylor Hall and Oats, Miles Wood, and the painter goalie Thomas Kink-aide.
3) On the blog I mentioned how often Nash seems to falling down and he didn’t disappoint in this game, as he was on his butt at 0:29 of the first.
4) The Gnasher – Hazy – VC line has not been good and I was happy to see that Fast replaced VC. AV might have struck gold with this switch and they just dominated most of the game.
5) I’ve been ragging on VC lately and then he scores a beautiful goal to open the game. Peek-a-boo made a great play in the corner to throw the puck out to Carey to touch passed to Jimmy V, who went high stick side on Kink-aide. A very nice play.
6) Turned out to be the first of many high stick side goals given up by the Kink. It’s curious that a goalie can give up 5 and yet play a spectacular game and yet he did. Rangers easily could have had at least 5 more.
7) Devils aren’t going far if they play this poorly going forward and the Rangers are going deep into June if they can play this well. Passes were crisp and clean all night.
8) Back to Jasper. Fast has really blossomed into a real good player. Always willing to throw the body, make the smart unselfish play, and do whatever was asked of him, he was a real liability in the offensive zone. True, he has historically shown good hands on tips and deflections and may be the best on the team in fact. But countless times I’ve seen him whiff on shots with an open net staring him in the face. Well, those days are over. He is now the team sniper. He is finishing like never before and scored a beauty high glove side off of a lovely back handed pass from Nash in the corner. Fast now has six goals in eight games. I just might get a #17 jersey. Maybe it was the number change from 19, but something has clicked and Fast is playing amazing hockey.
9) Vc’s goal was the only score in the first period that was all Rangers. The best first period in years. And certainly their best this season. Rangers have far too often been caught sleepwalking to start the game. Not tonight. Rangers jumped on the Devils early and often and even though both teams were playing the second game in a back-to-back, the Devils looked like they swam across the Hudson to get to the Garden. They didn’t play well. Whether the Devils were simply tired or the Rangers just suffocated them, bottom line was a convincing and easy win.
10) Crazy sequence in the middle of the second as Gibbons came hauling down the left wing, after Zook bungled a play at the Devil blue line, and launched a rocket that Hank saved but it trickled between his legs and was rolling slowly into the open net with Hank way out of position. And from nowhere Zook swooped in and captured the puck inches before going in which would have tied the score at one. Zook then threw it on the tape of a devil stick forcing Hank to make a monster save.
11) Have to give AV credit. The Rangers might have finally found their 4 lines. Kreider-Mika-Buch, Grabby-JT-Zucc, Gnash-Haze-Fast, Carey-Boo-VC. Nice balance and all 4 lines are a threat to score.
12) Zook scored to make it 3-1 off of a steal that reminded me of vintage Walt Frazier picking the pocket of Jerry West circa 1970. He broke in and went high stick side. Excellent steal and shot.
13) The Zook cross ice to Miller cross ice to Zook goal in the third was as sweet play as you could make. Both passes were tape to tape thru players. Very nice indeed.
14) Shatty is so patient with the puck. He really can move it and controls the play better than any QB they’ve had perhaps since Zubov and Leetch. Still a danger in his own end but that’s another story. Looks like he’s now their enforcer too.
15) Hank is back. He is playing well. Making big timely saves. There was, however, one Hank play in the second that could have ended badly. Hank had the puck about a third of the way up the blue line along the wall with a Devil closing in. He deked him, held the puck, and made a long cross ice pass. Whew.
16) Interesting stat was posted during the game which showed Hank as the all time league leader in Wins (35) GAA (1.75) and shutouts (8) lifetime vs the NJD team. That said, Debs have beaten Hank in two playoff series.
16) I like Boo. He was good in “To Kill A Mockingbird” and he’s good as a 4th line Center. Rangers have a nice balance of offense and defense on their 4 lines. I’m hopeful once again. The East is wide open. Rangers are right in the mix if they can escape their first period blahs and play like they did last night.
17) JoeM is truly the Master of the Obvious. You can almost expect him to say during one of these games “you know Sam (or John G), the team that scores the most goals will win the game.” Good lord.
18) Here’s hoping Mika heals up quickly and remains healthy…
My three stars :
1. Fast
2. Zook
3. Gnash.
160 responses to “Rangers-5, Devils-2. Game review by Eddie3”
1st!
I’ve been fighting a cold so I haven’t been around much, that was some game last night. Love beating the dirt bag devils. Awesome review E3 lol#14, PP QB who can take a punch. The last 3 games have been interesting I said they would lose 5-1 to the pens, crush the craps, and they are not good enough to beat this version of the devils. What’s up with that?
On trade deadline day, with the Rangers 1pt out of a playoff spot, and no team in the East that is dominant, what does Gorton do? Carp believes , regardless they will sell,of Nash, and Grabner. I lean towards that being the right thing to do, but I will have to see Gorton do it to believe it.
Peter Holland with 2 goals last night for the Pack. We will see him soon.
Always love a Boo Radley reference. Nice job. Thanks, E3.
BDL, what are they like 15-6 since the terrible start? And still a bubble team. Tough to make up ground in this division/conference. But still an impressive turn around.
Problem is if they don’t sell they’re going to either lose those guys for nothing or re-sign them. Neither option is idea for the future which they need to focus on here.
Ideal*
#11 lets hope is true. In particular, I think the Beep/Hated/Zuc line is the best thing AV could have done for Zuc as it puts him in a postion where he is more likely to think shoot first. Grabner seemed to always be in front or very near should there be a rebound as well. And JT has been excellent.
It is easy to say if they play every game like this one they will go far but I sure hope the players see what starting strong and staying on the forecheck can do for their game.
Rangers are making playoffs guys
If the NYR can go 8-4 over the next 12 they will finish the first half on a 100pt pace. Looking at the schedule, the toughest game probably is the LAK. Many winnable match ups and a few that if they don’t sleep walk should be bank. Maybe Wicky can snake Hayes’ stash to help out with those slow starts.
Oh, man, I can’t wait to get to my laptop to read E3’s review. Always unique and special and hilarious.
A tour de force—no limit to what you can accomplish on the can!
https://twitter.com/NYRStatsInfo/status/939878726636048391
… forgot to add that they suck.
Add to all those stats that they’re a bubble team
Great job Eddie! … That really was Clyde vs. West on the Zucc steal and layup. Only missing the finger roll.
every team is a bubble team.
Now that the Rangers have found their four lines, I assume Desharnais no longer exists? A null set? An extraneous solution? Will be interested to hear Professor Cubed’s answer to this tricky problem.
Nice review E3! That was about a complete a game as the Rangers have played all year from Zuuc to Hank to the new Swedish savior Quickie! Might have been a bit different with Schneider in net – and yes I know Kinkaid made some giant saves to keep the Devils in it. The Devils played like the Rangers of old. Bad turnovers and sloppy play. I’m not convinced they are for real. It’s a long season for the rookies and I’m betting they regress. So there is hope for the Blueshirts to get out of the bubble and into the thick of things. LGR!
The Seattle Bubbles
there have been a few other games as complete as this one: @TB, both games vs. Carolina, Columbus, Ottawa, Detroit, Boston, Nashville.
E3
Well done sir, thank you!
BDL
I feel you brother
I was close to the 3 stars E3. Had..
IKEA
Sideshow bob
Elaine Benes
In no particular order.
I really dislike the nhl points system.
IKEA=couch?
Elaine Benes?
Carp
Yes re ikea 😉
I mean he is a couch from Sweden, where else would he be from?
Remember a certain “little kicks” thumbs out fighting style?
Sens apparently asked all their players with a no trade clause for their 10 team lists….and wholly crap they have 10 players that have them.
Duchene trade not looking so good at this point
THE?
Yep
I’m optimistic. As for Zbad coming in and Day R Neigh coming out, only good can happen. The tiny squirt has filled in well. Gnash had his best game of the year. Getting scoring from all 4 lines creates match up problems for an opposing team.
What I like most tho is the fact that this team doesn’t quit. Down 5-0, 3-0, 2-0 – our sexy boys aren’t packing it in. Their record over the last 19 in which they’ve given up the first goal….first two goals….is damn good……
Vatanen, at the moment, didn’t improve Devils’ defense. They already miss Henrique. And will miss him even more going forward
Ilb
Agreed. Great trade by the ducks…devils will miss him.
I’d think vatanen will get settled in and perform a bit better but edge ducks for sure.
eddie eddie eddie! Monster review and insights. lol #2.
EEE, you are a cockeyed optimist. Or is that cockeyed optometrist?
Thx y’all. It certainly wasn’t one of my better reviews. Fighting the flu. But I’m down for a more after this week is over….
Or an optimal cck?
Au contraire, E3, Review was stupendous!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. The cali is for Monterey.
Better up here than my brethren in southern cal. Them there fires be a serious danger.
We should all write such lousy reviews, e3. High bar.
One more week of teaching for me, e3–haven’t caught the student plague yet, fingers crossed. Feel better, man.
6 pts. in 5 games for Henrique, but 1-1-3 for the Quacks. Will see how they settle.
E3 flush that flu bug down can!
“The can.” A. I. still not there yet!
Solid review of a solid win, thanks, E3!
https://www.msgnetworks.com/videos/boyle-sends-thanks-to-rangers-organization-fans/
class act. always has been
Who else in the east is better? The west? The Kings will be a yuuuuuuge test come Friday. Me thinks Hank likes all the work he’s getting.
Norm – finals week for me. It’s been an exhausting semester. Happy for the 5 weeks of relaxation. Always a treat to watch the games live as opposed to catching the DVR’d replay.
BB was a good Ranger. No doubt. Finally found a suitable replacement in Boo.
Which game does Pavelec next weekend…Kings or Bruins….probably makes sense for Hank to get conference game
I think DD stays in, Miller goes back to the wing, Carey comes out, Fast back to 4th line. After a loss, of course.
E3, Must-Win for your G-men today.
… or Must-Lose if you want to draft a QB
Hola boneheads.
It’s cold in South Carolina so I’m sure it’s COLD up north. Hope everyone’s doing we
Coming to give y’all a Christmas premonition I have. A Christmas gift to come might you say. Here goes.
I’ve always had a feeling Erik Karlson wanted to be a ranger. It’s just an impression I’ve gotten over the years in watching him play against the rangers, when he talks to the MSG people, how he messes with Hank and other Rangers when they play.
He likes showing hank up bc hank is the man back home in Sweden and in NY. And I think the dude knows he’s the man and he’d love to grab that mantle that hank has.
I’ve always paid attention to his contract status and the way he’s handled being a senator/ resigning with them and now I hear Ottawa has asked him to name his 10 team trade list. Dude’s not resigning there period. And I think he’s the type: determined, unshakeable, confident. I see him waiting it out to free agency unless he gets to the team he wants to go to beforehand.
13 days til Festivus. I got a lot of problems with you people.
Must-win for the Gmen lol. I haven’t watched a single game all year, but after the whole Eli thing, I have to say, my how the mighty have fallen.
I like to think it more has to do with the Co-owners involvement, the Hollywood dude. But man how poorly run that organization has shown itself to be. Wellington’s insistence or wishes to know tom coughlin was hired to run the organization before he passed and Ernie accorsi’s conviction to trade for Eli manning are the sole reasons (not taking anything away from any of the players, im sure they’d agree) the giants won two Super Bowls and are the mega power corporately that they are. And you did them both wrong and have run them out of town. Kinda stains and tarnishes John Mara’s aura and rep in my book.
Gmen are a yuge threat if they can sneak into the dance. Eli knows post-season.
Gnash and a pick for Carl’s son.
When Cameron was in Buffalo land. Let my cameron go.
Gnash, Haze, and a pick for Carl’s son and Big Game Brass
Whatever happened to New Bear? Eric? Orr? Miami? Latona? Manny? Inspector Clouseau? Gravy?
Ricardo – can Day tsar neigh play wing? Great chemistry last night. I like JT with Grabby and Zook. And Fast looked at ease on Haze’s wing opposite Gnash. It’d be a shame to disrupt all 4 lines once Zbad returns.
Papa – I’m here. That’s all that matters.
New Bear is in South America hunting down Nazis.
Carey has been better than DD.
The – Zbad – Buch
Grabby – JT – Zook
Faster – Hazy – Gnash
DayTsarNay – peekaboo – VC
Bulldog – DD out and Mika in. All else the same? I can live with that.
Good question Papa Bear.
Agree E3 I don’t think DD brings what the 4th line needs to be.
E3,
Yup. Also nice review. I’m enjoying the different people doing them. Maybe I get the courage to do one. Though it will not be as well written as Norm, and yourself.
It was 2013. I’m in new paltz and I got put in touch with this database systems techie by a professor. I wanted to pick his brain about a project I was interested in. He told me about bitcoin. Said it was about to blow up, it was 22$ a share at the time. I had money to play with at the time, but didn’t take the risk. That will be my $$$ regret for my lifetime. I hope
I’m so wealthy I put bit coins in the bubble gum machine.
Great write-up, E3. And you didn’t even mention the Power Play! Which even though it didn’t score, and hasn’t for awhile, really looked good and suffers from Mika’s absence. All in all, I like where are boys are going. They play hard, don’t get down when they’re behind, and are playing light years ahead of how they started the season.
DD is a better player than Carey, but I like the last couple games from both guys. Good problem having this kind of forward depth.
Carl’s son? Is that Carl’s Jr., the hamburger joint?
Or Carl Banks’ kid?
BTW, Banks is a great analyst. Brutally honest, very much a fan.
There will be other injuries, too, Norm. As you know.
DD, Carey, Holland are all going to be needed probably.
Dad may be a better player than Carey, but Carey is playing better than DD.
Carl banks is great on the radio. I listened to many of giants games on the radio because I was heading out of town on sundays or out of town and only able to get a radio feed of the giants game or giants postgames heading home from a friends. Def the best giants media personality. Too real for more of an on-air role, ala Dave no-Baloney
Which team has the most home-drafted platers on their current roster? So far, my crack research department has uncovered the crap-drafting, Darth-Sather Rangers and the Islanders with 11 each. Looking at one or two young teams…
Leafs with 12!
Does your dog bite?
A great game deserves the E3 Royal Flush of reviews.
Great stuff!
Solidarity
Youthful Bluejackets with 12.5 (Korpisalo).
Dept. of Useless Information shutting down for the day.
Papa
It’s not my dog
I have never seen a player hook, tackled, held, slashed, or mauled as much as Roof it Rick without a call!
Carl Banks was a bad aZZ hombre – excellent on the radio with Bobby poppa
Part of why gnash never gets any calls is likely due to how often he falls down untouched. When he’s hooked and falls the zebras think “oh that’s just wobbly Gnasher tipping over again”
Lawyer practices above. butcher shop. Lawyer’s dog comes down stairs, eats butcher’s sausages. Irate butcher climbs stairs, asks lawyer if you can sue a dog owner whose unleashed dog ate sausages for the price of the sausages. Lawyer says ‘Yes, certainly.” Butcher says ‘then you owe me $30. Lawyer peels off three tens from wallet, and says to Butcher, “that’ll be $250 for the legal advice.”
Nash is a big tipper
Nasher’s dad was a black tenth degree martial arts champ if you can believe that.
(uh…black in terms of belt color)
E3-Just got around to reading the review. Nicely done!
Agree on Fast. (ducks!)
Kooz – Gnash is a “Day Tripper (and nighttime as well”
Thx Tom. And to all those that muddled thru that mess I wrote. Wish there was post-post edit button.
Kooz is a ray cyst
jpp wrote: “He likes showing hank up bc hank is the man back home in Sweden and in NY. And I think the dude knows he’s the man and he’d love to grab that mantle that hank has.”
Think you mean “he’d love to grab that mane that hank has.”
Hank is pretty and his coif perfect.
Hawks – Coyotes no score after one.
Nice review Eddie…
Go Hawks go
LOL, lawyer’s dog …
So you saw the show with The Good One and the MMA fighter on MSG. Was actually a bit interesting.
Must win, Olga.
Yeah, Carp. Saw that. A bit bizarre, but as you say, interesting nonetheless.
Should win, Carp.
After a bad loss – this year, for the first time ever, Hank actually looks a bit old during post game interviews.
The only sure win is when the sexist boys in the league take the ice. Led by future first ballot in the HoF for male models – as the French say, Les Hank
E3 is showing a false humility. Prepare for a sneak attack.
Freudian sexist boys
I’m hearing Petr Nedved is looking to join UFC.
United Federation of Czechs?
Nedved in a suit of armor. – the Czech is in the mail.
Watching Arizona is like watching a Rangers Who’s Through.
Clyde Frazier just said penetration
HAWKS WIN!
Lee Stempniak on IR. Probably can get him for a song.
which song?
Master of the house…..
Kooz – nothing false – it was crap.
Papa said penetration
Pipe down, Chorus Boy.
Kooz said the plural of sausage.
Ricardo said pipe
Norm said on
Kooz said in
I imagine that Eddie Murphy’s “My Girl Likes to Party All the Time” — aka the worst song ever written or sung — couldn’t get Stempniak.
Doling out the charm
Money gets divided
Women get excited
Now I’m broke, it’s no joke
It’s hard as hell to fight it
Don’t buy it
Free base
King of the castle!
I’ll tell ya what would get Step-knee-act
Counting flowers on the wall
That doesn’t bother me at all.
Playing solitaire till dawn
With a deck of 51
Smoking cigarettes and watching
Captain KANGaroo
Now don’t tell me
I’ve nothing to do..,,
“Nothing gets past you, Charleston”
Do the Cool Jerk
Jerk is a funny word
You can get Stall for a song – Blue Bayou
In physics, it’s the third derivative of position.
Describing another person, not a term of endearment.
Combined with off, my favorite hobby.
In Jamaica, it’s chicken
Blue by you. Too funny
Jah Rastafari
The harder they come, the harder they fall.
Lots of Jamaicans in Queens. – or is it Lots of Queens in Jamaica?
Freddy Mercury edition of the new Marquis
Del Zotto is getting so old, he’s now playing Mel Torme music in the locker room.
The Velvet Fog
John Walsh stole my kid.
It was 10 pm. Did you know where your kids were?
Fog of War
The Kids are alright
Del Zotto pays for action
Good morning, boneheads!
Game Day. We will have quite a few going forward. Also, we will have another ticket contest today. I’ll post it later.
Boo; 15 games – 5 assists
.
Haze; 29 games – 6 assists; quite the playmaker…
E3 – Great job on the recap, especially the “To Kill a Mockingbird” reference.
Alex – Thanks for posting the Boyle interview. It always makes my day when I see someone kicking cancer’s ass for a change. Hopefully, he continues kicking it for the next 50 years or so!
As for Stempniak, he started the season on IR before being sent down for a conditioning stint. He proceeded to get hurt after two shifts during his first game in the AHL. The ‘Canes recalled him and put him on IR – talk about bad luck.
If Yahoo sports is correct, it will be Kari Lehtonen in goal tonight and not our old Lightning nemesis Ben Bishop.
Bishop to d5 +
King to g1
Lettieri with 2 goals and an assist for the Pack in their win yesterday. He has 11 goals now. They may have gotten lucky with him. No Chtyil yet. Hopefully he will be healthy enough to play in the WJC. Mazanec played goal for them and Neil was the backup. Looks like they are rotating three goalies for now. I assume someone will wind up in the ECL eventually-probably Neil. They seem to be playing better lately. Picking up points in most of their games. Much better than last year’s edition.
Leterri = not ready. 😁
This never gets old lol
Samuel L. Jackson stole my Capital One credit card.
Anyone read brooks today about hank? What was he trying to say when he made the comment about lindy ruff being low profile or “no profile?”
Anthony
You’re welcome. I too hate that scurge cancer. Really liked Boyle too and still do. And Eddie O and many others. too many unfortunately.
NEW POST
Interesting Scottsdale Ranger. I didn’t pick up on that the first time I read the article.