Good morning, boneheads!
I’m sure when AV decided to keep DD in the lineup and sit Nieves he envisioned exactly that: 4th line would win this game. Nah…But sometimes moves like that will make you look genius. Of course if you expect that to happen every game you will get disappointed.
- I wouldn’t call this one a laugher. But it was very close to being a laugher. Our boys played an excellent game. They took what Anaheim gave them. What the Ducks tried to do wasn’t their game. It’s a “heavy” team that relies on hitting, forecheck, and puck pressure. Even their skill guys play that way. I’m not sure whether it was because they played the night before, but they decided to eschew the middle zone and play pond hockey. Back and forth, free pass through neutral zone. Let your goalie make saves. Both teams have great goalies. Well, Hank won this goalie contest.
- The other thing Ducks decided to do is to outpass ( is there a such word, Coos? ) NY. Free neutral zone pass, pond hockey, east to west passing? NY can play that type of hockey with almost every team in the league. The Rangers won that contest too. With aplomb.
- Two consecutive goals, last minute of first, first minute of second, were scored that way. Board to board passes, finding an open man. Getzlaf with a fist pump on Carey, high man leaves Hayes alone. 2-0. We are very spoiled by it, but this team has a lot of great passers. DD’s ability was another addition to that list. NY only had one full PP, but I liked what I saw in DD in his short time on the second unit.
- The Ducks were stubborn enough to continue the same until around 12 minute mark in the second. And then it changed. Prompted by Miller, who was hit twice on his prior shift. JT came out in a bad mood and delivered 4 heavy hits. That riled Anahein up, and they started their heavy game. It all lasted about 5 min. On a broken play, no less. Smith loses the puck at the blueline. Anaheim decides to change. Hank makes a long pass ( he’s made a few like that lately, eh ) to Vesey, cross pass to DD, a nifty pass to Carey. Note that on that play Staal goes right to the net taking one of the defenders with him. Carey uncontested. Game over.
- NY’s backchecking has been very good lately. Their commitment to backchecking is obvious as you now see people not previously known to be involved in it do it game in, game out. Zuccarello is one of them. Buchnevich too. Kreider saved a goal last night. On and on.
- Lundqvist deserved a SO last night. I would love to type Ugotz next to Anaheim this morning. But I also think he should’ve made that 5-hole save. Oh, well..
- Speaking of Lundqvist. He’s been their best player for some time now. And so long as he continues to be their best player, this team will have a successful season. He, again, made a lot of great saves when they needed him most. But you have to give the team a credit too. A lot of saves he could see easily, a good amount of them were from outside. He is an elite goalie who can make a last second save on a deflection, as long as he can see it.
- Quietly, Holden settled in on the first pair with McDonagh. I know it’s by default. But he’s been steady. It also has something to do with McDonagh playing his best hockey to date. McDonagh=Monster.
- With the Fishsticks losing to Detroit in an embarrassing manner last night ( high on the news of getting a new home? ), NY is now third in Metro by virtue of having more ROWs than Columbus. This will not settle until the last week of the season, if not the very last night. Make sure your sublingual Nitroglycerin hasn’t expired.
- This is an interesting one. Remember last year, playoffs especially, when they were ahead going into the third period we all expected a nail-biter? How many of those did they lose? Feels like a lot. Well, they are 13-0 this year. Something to watch going forward.
90 responses to “Rangers-4, Anaheim-1”
I know I botched some of the sentences…Sorry, I don’t have time to fix it. Gotta run. It is an HAV after all….
It’s perfectly fine. The very job you’ve done is priceless…
Agreed! Thank you ILB
Coos – You were spot on with the John McCauley reference from (way) early this morning. It was after a 1979 Challenge Cup game where the Russians whooped the NHL at MSG. He eventutally came back to referee, but the injury to his eye was too much to overcome.
BTW, Wes is John’s son. I liked his little “act” last night and knew it was going to be a goal because he wouldn’t do something like that to a home team if it was not going to be in their favor.
Also, I guess Chiclets knew what he was doing inserting DD over Boo. I just hope Juicy Fruit doesn’t bury Nieves. The coach has to find a way to get his reserves into the lineup every now and then – winning streaks be damned. Heck, I am not a huge Kampfer fan but even he should/needs to get into a game to keep him sharp. I thought the Boston game was the perfect spot given it was the second game of a back-to-back and he was a former Bruin (love to give guys a chance to get back at their old organ-eye-zation, much like former Rangers torture us).
ilb
A Hav is better than a Hack! Nice write up on the run. Thought for sure they would lose last night. Maybe I’m the Ultra Maroon lol! I guess being used to disappointment can fog even the best prophets mind. Crush the dirt-bag-devils. Go Rangers!
Here’s Henrik Lundqvist’s washed up numbers in the last 12 games at home:
11-0-0, 2.11 GAA, .933 SAVE PCT.
Ilb Nice write up..excellent points on 5 and 10….Ducks had lots of trouble matching speed and skill last night
Love Miller. That is all.
Thanks, ilb, for what you do for your [bonehead] country!
ilb
Thank you!
BDL
I sure do as well. Can’t remember last time a blueshirt went on a hitting mission like Miller did last night. And his targets were no hobbits, either.
What would it take to pry Josh Manson out of Anaheim?
Future Capt JT Miller. Seems like he has been hobbled a little all season but last night he showed everyone again a player that will play hard when the ice gets small post-ASG.
There has been a debate brewing over who is a better keep if it comes down to it; JT or Haze. The stat heads love seem to love Haze and believe he to be the superior player. Um…no.
JT stunk in postseason, tho.
Where but here do you get a game summary with “eschewing the middle zone,” “aplomb,” “Ugotz,” and “sublingual nitroglycerin”? We will, we will, rock you!
Thanx, AnthonyM, for the elucidation. I thought I remembered the elder McCauley and his being assaulted. Didn’t know he was father to our last night’s ref.
I still say no contracts and pay them cash after every game depending on hustle and production.
Cash is overrated! Pay me in bitcoin! Manson would look good in Ranger blue.
Miller deserves a letter.
Yes to Manson.
Finally read the go time thread…carp, like clockwork lol.
I’ll write Miller if it’s that important.
Please do, let him know it’s no him, it’s us.
Not…ugh
James Tiberius Miller Engage!
Ilb
Nicely done sir!
Finally, Wicky? 😉
Norm
I’m confused?
Finally what?
Uh, huh.
I’ll add my thanks to ilb for keeping this very entertaining, albeit boneheaded, blog going! Always (well usually🙄😉) fun to read and participate in the back and forth. Btw, I love Hank’s Winter Classic pads. Bauer is 🔥 with him this season. Can’t wait to see the mask…
Ok, I don’t get it so I’ll chalk it up to you being hopped up on Starbucks.
I love driving to the VA, it’s even more enjoyable in a blizzard…(S)
Starbucks!? **shiver** Only at gunpoint would I go into one of those other than for their free wifi. In the Northwest there are only about ten better options per square mile.
We want the cup
We want the cup
We want the cup
Captain JT Miller, come get the Stanley Cup
I like the idea of future captain Miller, but I’m not as sold as everyone here that the post-core Rangers will be as good as today’s team. Gone are the Old Guard of Lundqvist, Nash, Zucc, McD and Staal, replaced by the new Old Guard of Unknown Goalie, Miller, Kreider, Hayes, Buch, Skjei and Shattenkirk? Maybe Fast and Vesey? The transition has to happen, yes, but it’s not even close to guaranteed there will be improvement. Win now, baby.
I have no interest in getting rid of any of our MAIN boys other than.Staal.
What, you don’t like Staal!?
If Gorton is able to make very good trades for the guys you mentioned Norm, they could end up being even better. This is a golden opportunity for Gorton. With the right trades, he could put the Rangers in position to be very good for a long time. It’s going to take guts to pull the trigger at the deadline, because like you Norm, I think the Rangers are good.
Where THE HELL is Doodie? And WHERE IS CARP?!?
Since ILB does everything else around here I guess I’ll go into the crawl space to get the Festivus Pole…
James said pole!
The Rangers HAVE been very good for a long time. It’s a golden opportunity for Gorton not to screw that up, to proceed deliberately and cautiously, as he has been doing in the last couple years.
Nicely done, ilb. FYI ‘Outpass’ is a valid word in the English language according to my Scrabble Ap.
Ilb – nice write up. Hank was lights out last night.
Romeo, is “passout” legit?
piss ant?
I will be speechless if the Rangers beat the devils tomorrow night!
From shocked to speechless! Devils likely winners, but I’m betting that if the Rangers win yet again, you will speak.
Correctly assumed!
Norm said screw
E3 said “the”
So Norm you expect this to be the year that Nash is finally a force in the playoffs? Or is it more likely that they could just trade Nash and their chances of making the playoffs and/or winning the cup don’t really change?
Nash has evolved into a 200-ft. force, e3. Does everything. The Rangers would be much weaker without him if it’s a draft-pick trade. If they have lost form by the deadline and making the playoffs looks unlikely, then by all means tear it all down. As of today, it’s a year anyone can win it.
Rangers are playing good team hockey. All 4 lines are contributing, the king is white hot in goal, and our sexy sexy boys are really sexy.
While it’s true Gnasher is not the scoring Gnasher of his youth, he is playing better hockey in the all three zones. He’s even willing to pass the puck this season in the offensive zone. He’s not worth 7.5M but he’s a more comprehensive complete player than ever before.
E3 said “the all”.
He’s a force from 200 ft from sure, it’s just when he is 2 ft from the net that I’m worried about!
Norm said said
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31-thoughts-arena-deal-massive-victory-islanders/
31 thoughts
hopefully this one doesn’t materialize
“11. Idea that might make sense only to me: Columbus, looking for a centre, considering a reunion with Derick Brassard. Brassard and John Tortorella worked well together with the Rangers. You know who Tortorella’s assistant was there? Mike Sullivan. And the Penguins are looking for a centre, too.
I do believe that Ilb has stolen Carp’s old job right from under his nose… Blogfather Part II, the new Don (of the boneheads)
Alex,
I saw that. Only problem with it is, Brassard only played with Torts and Sully for about a 3rd of a season and a brief playoff.
Fontaine and Gropp both scored for the Pack last night. That’s 6 in his last 11 for Gropp. Fontaine now has 5 for the season, all in the past 9 games.
Would make a good 3rd line center in Pitt that’s for sure
Good morning, boneheads!
Game Day!
And tomorrow Eddie3 with a game review!
Road to the Winter Classic: Frat House (glad they hid the pipes), Beep beep interacting adorably with fans, and Hank earnestly reminding his teammates that they actually have to stop celebrating and play defense after scoring a goal…
Tonight is a statement game for our boys! “We’re gonna to come into your house and trash it, break all the dishes, & knock all your trophies off the walls. Leave you in shock and speechless.”
Eli broke the blog
I blame Wicky.
Is this thing on?
Attention earth people: I come in peace. That, and I’m on the can.
Rangers 5
Satans 0
GWG James Tiberius Milluh
Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone? The great ______, the Great Depression……
Derbils are following the AV go-go model. Watched some games and they are a very good passing team that doesn’t have much bite or jam up front. Be interesting to see if they can keep up the pace in the Spring.
One this is fo sho, the play the pups.
the = they
Yes, it’s all my fault…always is
😉
Heard an interesting convo on the radio earlier about which line is currently the overall best line in hockey (not just scoring).
Great topic, there’s like 4 or 5 stellar lines right now
Can’t wait til tomorrow morning to read Eddie’s Musings from the Can.
Is that the title “Musings From thé Can”?
Quiz: Which legendary NY athlete said “Can’t wait for tomorrow because I get better looking ever day?”
I love productive 4th lines.
I’m sure E3’s review will put a drain on us all and will leave us flush with envy!
The man’s plumb loco
In the war, he drove a septic tank
We lose tonight we miss playoffs.
The Groom of the Stool in olde England was the guy who helped the king go to the bathroom and stood there beside him with the wipes, etc. It was a powerful, fought over, position in that this man inevitably developed a kinship with the nation’s ruler and gained from him many favors.
His ‘right hand man’?
You guys are soooooooo funny. But seriously, I laid some cable this morning that had me plunging over and over again. Not sure what got into me nor what came out of me but that chocolate anaconda was impressive.
“But seriously”–phrase of the day!
E3 is a wrinkle neck trout layer extraordinaire!
That would be “butt seriously”
Rangers 4, Derbils 3
GWG: Vesey
NEW POST
Rangers missed two Grade-A’s before Vesey’s. Scoring on their first forecheck.