Game 26 (Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final for the Islanders)
Rangers at Islanders – 7:00 PM MSG2. Makes sense. Two teams from the network playing each other, yup that is definitely C channel material.
The Rangers continue to slump. Despite stealing some games, they have not been playing well, by any metric. The Rangers better come out with some jump or the Islanders will bury them early.
I had to drive to Albany and back for work today and I just got home. I’m in a pretty foul mood and I expect the review tomorrow to reflect that. Additionally, I still need a volunteer for Thursday (my birthday). Clearly, this is an HAV.
Tonight’s probable lineup for the Rangers (16-8-1) via Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis):
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey-Kevin Hayes-Rick Nash
J.T. Miller-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast
Matt Puempel-Marek Hrivik-Brandon Pirri
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Nick Holden
Brady Skjei-Adam Clendening
The big news, of course, is that Michael Grabner is out of tonight’s game because he went to Austria for his grandmother’s funeral. That’s a pretty big gesture for the Rangers to allow him to go. In his place is Hartford call up Marek Hrivik, who has put up good numbers in Hartford. Barring a deal with the Rangers before July 1, Hrivik will be a Group VI UFA in July, so he should be very motivated. Josh Jooris is prucha’d to make room for Hrivik.
The rest of the forward group got shuffled again. JT Miller returns to the wing, and Jesper Fast is out of the top six. BDL must be thrilled.
The defense remains the same as it has for most of the season.
Lundqvist gets the start tonight. Buchnevich has started skated on his own, but is not yet ready to return.
For the Islanders (9-10-5), it is a complete disaster of a season. There was a brief period when everyone around the NHL was praising Garth Snow. Not me. He is the worst GM in hockey, by a lot. Capuano is a bad coach, no doubt, but the problem with this current version of the Islanders is one of construction, not of coaching. Tavares says h’s committed to the Islanders, but I can’t help but wonder whether he will still feel that way by the time his contract is up. Just an absolute tire fire, including their tire fire building, which I also said from the start would be the worst hockey arena in the league since it was the only one designed without any consideration for a hockey team. In any event, we know this is their game seven and it will be a solid test for the Rangers, despite the disparity in the standings.
Don’t forget to tell everyone you know and to follow me on Twitter @rangersreport2. And don’t forget to vote for your three stars after the game!
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359 responses to “Rangers at Islanders … It’s Go Time!”
Second
First still available
No, I like to be 3rd, thank you…
LGR!!!! Filet o’ fishstick tonight!
4ever, dare to be first. You’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like you!
I want to be optimistic about tonight’s game but?
Beat this fake hockey team!
LGR !!!
This game better be good.
In case you were wondering those weren’t boos
Ugh -tire fire Center Ice feed in SD. FML. Would rather be E3’s plumber
Stepan! doesn’t belong on the first unit.
Hrivik throwing snow at the goalie. I approve this.
In 40 plus years a Ranger fan, I think I’ve uttered/begged/screamed these words more than any others: Shoot the puck!!!
Is that Curtis Mayfield’s son?
Hank way out of position. Unaware game has started.
pull the goalie
These things rarely end well…
Loved the way Shay got out of the way of the guy in front of Hank. Very polite.
Put in Raanta.
One of my most hated phrase: Lundquist is beaten on the short side”. How often…
Klein was beaten pretty cleanly, but that is not a shot that should score in the NHL.
Should of use those…
I guess this is just what we have in Lundqvist now. Just an awful just about once a game
Can’t even compose my thoughts while watching him. Flashes of awful more often than flashes of brilliance these days
Should be much more resolute in own zone.
Vesey was beaten three times on that shift.
Get use to disappointment!
Tomb, Klein??…
Season over. Rangers never recover from early deficits. Except in the games they win.
Fish Tanks’ Game 7.
Hanks play makes me hate Martha Bro-door that much more
Kreider is skating, not gliding so far tonight. Hope he scores, notices the connection.
Rammer best ranger on the ice at the moment
Terrific D breaking up the 2 on 1 before he got puempled.
Dave Brown playing?
Who’s “Rammer”?
Brock Lesnar 4 minutes for high fishsticking
Rammer: the guy Torts had never spoken to before a post game interview
Stepan would have sit but I think he was distracted by the pickup truck.
Hi Carp! How are you sir?
step sucks on pp
Shot, not sit.
Good shot early, then got as tired as the PK, stopped moving, settled for meh shots.
C’mon boys, break the seal.
If not score for the 4 min. of PP, what we could hope for?
Dirty Fishsticks…
Halak= trash against 28 teams. Plays the Rangers he’s Grant Fuhr. Smh
More like it. Didn’t score, but only bad luck stopped them.
Classic Hasek performance in net. Oh, wait….
Step is painfully slow in all his moves and decisions.
How much does Halak make a year? Hopefully at least double Hank
Raanta I say!
Need some second period magic.
I just want to say – they will 100 per scent score back after that
LQ napping?
Exactly according to script
pull henk?
Oof, that stings a good bit
Down 2 to 0. We’ve seen them do this before.
Of course Chimera gets one. This period is being played in trashville and Lundqvist is the mayor
https://m.popkey.co/d8df99/YRNNG.gif
That is shameful… Game is over – no joke. I don’t believe in coming back in this particular game. Plainly psychologically.
Hank is off tonight. Now it will have to be one of his give-up-two, then lights-out games. Rangers doing everything but score at the other end, need better goaltending.
Shay AGAIN, instead of pushing, is himself pushed out of the crease
Pirri just needs to shoot the puck when he has it. Even if he doesn’t score his shot is good enough that is creates chances more times than not
I really try to be optimistic but Hank?
Norm, Hank is off this season. Period. And I’ve defended him and always had faith in him have not killed him previously. He’s trying my patience now
https://m.popkey.co/c3878c/86×90.gif
It’s good to see AV’s gotten his team straightened out from their recent play. Smh
Obviously not all him there’s some suspect defense in this game so far (and as usual) but you just can’t give up a free bee every game. Or most games. This is the NHL can’t happen
How many defenseman could we afford with Raanta & Talbot?
F ME!
Last thing I would like to do is to trash Hank, but it become a real problem with his inconsistence – we start losing games just because an opposition have a better goalie in particular given game. Long hopeless season than…
R youse guys a bunch of whiny misfits? How many road games have we come back from 0-2? You have the memories of goldfish.
Hank keeps it at two, Rangers win, all is forgiven. But it’s not likely, and I agree it’s getting tiresome watching him grow into games like he’s a rookie. Isles have not done enough to be up 2, that’s for sure.
And I just want to add: if Raanta is the answer I’m scared to know the question.
I hear you Norm. Getting tired of hearing about how this is the Isles’ game 7 too (no offense Carp) meaning that there’s no excuse to not be up for a divisional game in December. Especially when it comes to your $8 million starting goalie who’s been playing in this league a long time
Break his neck!
…Gone fishing.
Lundqvist isn’t worrying about numbers…..unfortunately.
Any of youse ‘heads coming down to the big D for next weeks game?
These isles games are like kryptonite to LQ.
So these performances are acceptable, FG? I guess I should accept that they’re acceptable. After all, this team isn’t a contender they’re just designed to keep the fans interested enough to keep watching while they retool towards contention for a year or two.
I kind of still expect to win.
Hey we forechuck and buzzed all period. Lots of shots and pressure. Six good pp minutes. Snot like we were outplayed
How many times in the last two seasons has Hank been second best goalie in the game?
I don’t accept that I’m expected to accept this unacceptable play expect for the fact that it’s to be excepted since this team is somewhat acceptable except for when they play like this…which I’ve come to expect
Hang on noble, I know the answer to this one..
I’m still confused. Ent would you play the goalie that’s 1-8-1 in his last ten against a team with an almost 3.50 gaa when there’s another goalie available?
Why
Which is why we shouldn’t be down 2-0, FG.
Where’s Doodie? He thought his mood was foul before? Just wait
You won’t get any Hank-bashing out of me–Hall of Fame goalie who’s made the Rangers worth watching for several years–but I thought both those goals were on him. Some help from his friends, yes, but when he’s on his game, those aren’t goals.
Is this the lohud Yankee blog? This is hockey so grab your schwantzes and be men. Stop extrapolating the next ten Rangers season from one friggin Road period in December.
Plenty of time…
Pirri golden slipper is missing
.
Def miss Zika on PP
.
Shea needs to use his arse for positioning around the crease against the big boys
.
Henk – Wake the F up!
.
Thought they outplayed Azzlanders, Zucc needs to bury at least one of those 4 shots…
.
Step moves too slow on PP
How about 3rd best goalie?
No, Doodie. I meant that everybody should grab their OWN schwantz
Raise your hands if you’re tired of Valiquette
OK, I’m drinking a bit of wine watching… but sounded like Valley Kat gave King Henke a pass on last tree gols against!
Not taking anything away from the man’s legacy. But right now In a season and in a game where they’re trying to win I’m not worried about his retirement ceremony I’m worried about his sharpening up and playing like we’ve seen him play in the past
They’re good again
Oh baby
Boom!
Schwantz? Doesn’t he play LW for the Blues?
Good job by Haze creating traffic in front.
https://m.popkey.co/bc6b50/JaYJ6.gif
Loud Ranger crowd.
Strong move – when you score…
VC exhibits a quiet toughness. He gets targeted and knocked around, but keeps tickin’.
May the Schwantz be with you.
Great curl by Nash. Love watching him play.
Hank IS the idiot!
Lundqvist strikes again!
Again, per the script
Don’t say it boys, that man will be a HOFer someday…
Henk….
https://m.popkey.co/15e1c8/qrRaK.gif
OK, pull him. Not his night.
PUT IN RAANTA! Hank is playing like a dumbass!
Gnash!
If he read the old RR, he must not be too upset Hank is this year’s $8M player getting abused!
So, Booby. Yogurt game you tthe ring. And I see your schwantz is as big as mine
Lookin’ good there, LQ
SalmonJoe will never tell you who is responsible for the odd man rush. You have to figure it out by yourself.
Lundqvist loses his stick like Holtby loses his helmet.
LINK FOR THE GAME IF ANYONE IS LOOKING. MSG FEED. HD. ALL GAMES. ALL THE TIME. YOU’RE WELCOME.
http://blabseal.com/frodo/
Filth in the Metro?
That must be the feed Hank is using to watch this game
CCCP
https://m.popkey.co/b62fa0/z0b3_f-maxage-0.gif
Joe Mich: “Henrick doesn’t look as sharp as we’ve seen him in other games.” Duh.
good hustle by step getting back
Well at least we know hank can stop the shots that aren’t on net.
D is sagging back way too much; gap control is an issue; azzlanders have a lot of room in the neutral zone
FG, thought we should let up on the complaining?
This site has become a generic-GIF festival!
This team still may win, but has no fight, no sparkplug. When Nash is your most electric skater, you ain’t got much electricity. Now Nash in the locker room. Bring back Carcillo.
At least Lundqvist’s gaa will be lower than over his last ten against the isles if he doesn’t let another in. Small favors.
Not a party without gifs
Jeez
Stawl? Wooooooo!
Staal has more shots on net this quarter season than the last five years combined
Wow
https://m.popkey.co/aedeb4/Wgkv0.gif
Well, THAT was certainly electric. Wow!
Sam went JD on that one: “Oh baby, that’s hockey!”
Eat your heart out Kris LeTang?
Lmao SN
MY pops said it was a perfect shot. When he saw it was Staal he said he must’ve closed his eyes.
Are we using the curved sides of our sticks tonight?
Nifty
D needs to be involved; need all 5. McD is exhausted already this period, pressing in Ozone and playing with Girardi in Dzone.
Wow . Staal hit the net! Awesome goal there.
lets hope Hank and Skjei have settled down.
Wise man, your father Evro lol
Man this team is banged up eh?
Lundqvist keeping them in a game they shouldn’t have to be kept in .
Suddenly – is a key word here…
SN can you post that “other” Paris Hilton vid-e-oh?
Sheesh, all three of my teams are losing atm. Smh
Do the Clutterbuck, Do the Clutterbuck, if ya don’t know how to do it, boy you’re out of luck.
Though this is the only one that really matters.
Another high fishsticking penalty?
Ouch! You can’t spell Marc Staal without ACL
Goring’s an idiot. Why do I have to listen to him?
https://m.popkey.co/1b822e/MmvL_f-maxage-0.gif
This game turning into a real clutterbuck
Great, another 2 minute confidence builder for the isles.
headzo
http://popkey.co/m/LDGp-no-paris+hilton-no+way-blonde-female?ref=search_page
https://m.popkey.co/a1a1e2/LDGp_f-maxage-0.gif
Rick Dinjurypietro trying to look like Don Cherry again.
I can picture DiPietro pulling up to Spratts in a Yellow Jeep and parking in a handicapped spot
Lbi to Nash better not be that leg
ribbit going to get a lot of toi
We are dominating this game except in the lucky bounce category
Almost SN, almost
Apparently sticking your leg out and tripping someone is legal.
Is Nash out? They haven’t said anything in this crappy feed m
They finally just did.
If Nash and Grabner aren’t playing, they better figure out a way to play without the speed game.
Refs afraid to call more penalties on Azzlanders? Very cheap tonite.
https://m.popkey.co/a50211/0rOEo.gif
Isles doing what they have to, 2-3 penalties a shift, defying the refs to call everything. Rangers actually playing a strong game, would be up if not for 3 goaltending errors and a bit of bad luck in front of the net. Will be interesting to see if they have anything left for the third after chasing the game from almost the start.
Part of the blame for injuries is on officiating – a lot of obvious not calls, letting Isledorks playing dirtier and dirtier without being penalized.
Az @ Chicago 8:30 start.
Dirty fish fires
Nash is NOT returning.
At this stage of his career, Hanka is in the middle of the pack of NHL goaltenders
Why do I care who the branch manager is at PCSB bank in Putnam county?
How many more forwards are called up before he whose name should not be said comes back?
https://m.popkey.co/e74d42/3e99o.gif
Dress Beuk for the third.
He’s not dressed? Brooklyn hipster
Got a tutoring gig, must miss the third, but I just went over to “popkey” to get a preview of SN’s upcoming GIFs so I don’t miss those 🙂 LGR!
I think it was about this time last year that, you know who, made his return to the lineup.
He’s running around yelling
“I’m back baby!”
Anyone else not looking forward to seeing Laine against Lundqvist on Thursday?
https://media2.giphy.com/media/4BtenTYxs8q76/giphy.gif
just tuning in. no Gnash? huh?
Pirri is dreary
FG – is there a Fat Girl?
Trust me
Thereve been lots of fat girls
Almost 4 mins into the 3rd and no offence so far. Great.
Finally.
How fat was she?
Stupid lazy penalty.
Wah
Wah
wah
Come on guys
Just tuned in. Turned sound off. I’ll take Sam and Joe any day.
gotta love what Skjei adds to our team. Excellent rookie.
Atta boy FG. College was fun…
We’re making Halak look like Roy.
By his save percentage anyway.
A maserati commercial on the island? I’ve never seen that down here. And you see them all over the place down here.
We are losing the battle of first place vs. last place. C’mon
Why the hell is Kreider taking stupid low percentage shots?
Why the frig can’t we beat bad teams?
If I had hair I’d be pulling it out.
There are no signs, that Rangers could not lose this game. No desire, no passion, or lack of skills, plan, structure, physicality, etc., etc. …and it is just 3:2. Sad.
Is Kreider considered young any more?
Hanka Hanka
Unreal
Who’s Kreider?
Who’s Hanna?
Yeah, but after those 3 goals in, Hank can stand on his head and have a HOF hat, it is really doesn’t matter. At least in this game.
Lundqvist finally makes a fantastic Dave and pirri takes a penalty that didn’t need to be taken…
Hanka?
Hanka Hanka
Not to mention THAT…
Yay! Game over!
Game over. season over.
Pretty shot.
https://m.popkey.co/3d79a1/A45q_f-maxage-0.gif
En route to the ledge
It was over long before…
Finally a goal that Lundqvist can’t be blamed for.