It’s Go Time!

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Big night at the Garden as they will retire Jean Ratelle’s #19. I’ve never seen him play in my life as I was busy watching Mikhailov-Petrov-Kharlamov troika at that time.

This is from NY Rangers regarding tonight’s festivities. It starts at 6 pm, game starts at 7:30.

Rangers ( 27-30-5 ) vs Red Wings ( 25-26-10 ), TV- MSG, NHLNet

I have no idea who is going to start/prucha’d.

Sounds like Ryan Spooner will make his debut tonight.

Hank in net.

LGR!!!!!

624 responses to “It’s Go Time!”

  1. cooscoos Avatar

    Trade #13 now and bring him back in 40 years to retire his number.

  2. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Almost another Oh-Gara

  3. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    In that case Wicky, they should bring back Stu Bickel to play center.

  4. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Oh the Spoonman is doing almost everything he can to derail this Tank

  5. JBytes Avatar
    JBytes

    Fast was Spoon-fed?

  6. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Show-casing Miller at center.

  7. SN Avatar
    SN

    Zika is weak sauce. Does he even care?

  8. Bobbyo Avatar
    Bobbyo

    Wick don’t see us getting any top centers for wingers even zucc…that’s why Gorton is stockpiling picks

  9. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Carp
    Zuccarello won Olympic hockey because he’s just amazing and awesome and perfect

    Lmao

  10. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    Spooner hasn’t been “coached” yet.

  11. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Fantastic job there by the veteran, Skjei.

  12. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    “Rangers skating well….. but still passing like sh**”

  13. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    They’re not paying all these RFA’s.

  14. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Ev
    I agree, bring back the pickle

  15. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Tom
    They shouldn’t pay all these rfas

  16. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Spooner will be one of the 3 stars

  17. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    BobbyO
    Ok

  18. cooscoos Avatar

    10:30 Do you know where your Captain is?

  19. SN Avatar
    SN

    Like initial view of Spooner’s game; quick hands – good vision

  20. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    You could tell at the end that the wings wanted no part of that Bettman point crap.

  21. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    “Rangers Win!!!!!” Uhh, Sam… they’re going to OT…. “Like I said, Rangers Win!!!”

  22. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    Bettman point? Achieved.

  23. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Agree Wick.

  24. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Carp bringing more depressing news. What’s the word on Topo Carp?

  25. SN Avatar
    SN

    McD last seen at a travel agency on 8th Ave

  26. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    At least Detroit got a point so the worst that can happen is we tie them in points and they still have a game in hand.

  27. cooscoos Avatar

    Is one to suppose that everyone who is playing for us tonight is unwanted anywhere?

  28. SN Avatar
    SN

    Squeaky Gianone

  29. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    What’s the Russian word for Tank?

  30. Norm Merton Avatar

    Cassidy and AV both morons for not playing Spooner at center more. Spooner would have 4 assists if AV had put him in the right position.

  31. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Rangers still haven’t learned that possession is the name of the game in OT. Needless giveaways.

  32. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    So here’s a question for all of you

    If Hayes is a great centre/player…and the rest of the league knows the rangers are sellers…and the centre market is relatively thin…and other than hank “any” ranger is available…

    How are teams not knocking own the rangers door with more than substantial offers for him?

  33. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Where’s C3Po when you need him, Olga?

  34. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Own=down

  35. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    More dumb giveaways. You don’t friggin dump and change in a 3 on 3 OT. SMH

  36. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    Or you could ask a nazi, Ev.

  37. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Somehow Hayes is the smartest Ranger on the ice, bringing the puck out of the zone to keep possession.

  38. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Wicky, because the other GMs read this blog?

  39. cooscoos Avatar

    Sheety players hit crossbars and come close their whole careers. Let them skate elsewhere.

  40. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Norm
    Its ok, your little fact check thing backfired, just let it go.

    Move on, jeez

  41. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Oy vey. Needless Nazi reference. 😋

  42. SN Avatar
    SN

    Haze is a great center; 13 assists in 60 games notwithstanding…

  43. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    Tanks Daily!

  44. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    TANK YOU VERY MUCH!

  45. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    WOOHOO! RANGERS WIN by losing… RANGERS WIN!

  46. Norm Merton Avatar

    Wicky, your stats weren’t that good. Glad I could straighten you out with better ones. No charge.

  47. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Woohoo! No wins in 7!

  48. Norm Merton Avatar

    Phew, dodged the extra point.

  49. SN Avatar
    SN

    Salmon Joe loved Henk’s game tonite.
    Oy

  50. JBytes Avatar
    JBytes

    Whew, disaster averted! I would have rather losing two points, but hey, you can’t lose them all.

  51. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Gravy
    You might be right.

  52. 4everanger Avatar

    Tremendous goal! End of misery for tonight. But played good under circumstances. Which actually, means nothing.

  53. cooscoos Avatar

    Not a shot in OT. Ill-coached.

  54. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Event though I know it’s the better result, I still can’t be feel happy about losing.

  55. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    This isn’t on Hank (if you’ve already forgotten the first goal) but still….15 goals in the last 3 games for him.

  56. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Buch has a ways to go. Question having him out that much in 3 on 3. Still was a good game, should’ve won but way better effort by just about everyone

  57. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Hanka Hanka!

  58. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Hanka Tanka!

  59. cooscoos Avatar

    Duguay – “Ranger Pride.” LOL What a duck’s ass.

  60. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Never going to get used to Nash in a Bruins jersey and definitely won’t get used to him being happy there. Yuck.

  61. Papa Bear Avatar
    Papa Bear

    Buch is shifty and nifty but not quick with his feet.

  62. Norm Merton Avatar

    Much better performance tonight than recently, only one point lost to the tank, and there’s some hope that some of these pieces could work next season. Lots of trading still to go, I suspect, but I like this Spooner–perhaps he can stick around.

  63. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Someone let AV and Gorton know that Eric Staal scored his 30th tonight.

  64. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Norm
    Your attempt at misdirection and condescending “tone”because you tried to throw out a stat to look like a know it all and it was wrong is sad.

    Do everyone a favour and just move on.

  65. 4everanger Avatar

    Russian for tank is – тони! (which is literally – sink!)

  66. cooscoos Avatar

    JT Miller – 12 effing goals. Twelve.

  67. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

  68. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    You guys better stop saying things about av.

    He’s amazing!!

  69. cooscoos Avatar

    No one here gave or gives Eric Staal any respect. He should be here and be our leader.

  70. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    He’s so stupid, Wicky. They would’ve won if he kept Cody “‘”

  71. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    He’s so stupid, Wicky. They would’ve won if he kept Cody “Getoffa” McLeod in the lineup.

  72. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Ev
    Lol

  73. 4everanger Avatar

    Russian for goal is – гол. Same pronunciation.

  74. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Extremely Dissapointing seasons from: Nash, Smith, Miller, Hayes, Vesey, Skeij, McDonagh, Zucc, Zibanejad with nobody really raising their game is what sunk this season and this multi-season playoff run.

  75. cooscoos Avatar

    Wouldn’t bother me a bit if we moved each and every one from this franchise, starting upstairs, going alphabetically, and ending in Zucc.

  76. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Same pronunciation as “goal” or “ron”?

  77. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    My only star tonight is Staal… with everything his family is going through regardless of how the game went, he was getting the only one!

  78. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Eric Staal sucked last season in Carolina and sucked while he was here. That’s why he got no respect.

    Give the guy full credit for straightening out his game after last season and returning to the player he really is.

  79. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Love the way the ducks move guys in front

  80. Hockey Sittoo Avatar
    Hockey Sittoo

    I hate the tank. I hate that loss. I like Spooner. Kreider shoulda had a hattie…

  81. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    If it wasn’t for the multitude of injuries this team wouldn’t have been all in on a rebuild right now though. Massive amount of injuries to key personnel. Don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it.

  82. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    It’s funny that Nash’s minus 1 tonight was due to Benoit Pouliot.

  83. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Injuries are part of the game – yet certainly helped “tank” this season.

    That said, you’ve gotta have depth within the organization to overcome the injury bug. Rangers have little depth, by virtue of trading away so many picks in recent years…

    So here we are.

  84. Hockey Sittoo Avatar
    Hockey Sittoo

    Buch on the ice at the end of that OT was not ideal, but that was a heckuva play by Detroit.

  85. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    If they still had 1C Step we’d be talking about first round matchups.

  86. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Serious, Gravy?

  87. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    No doubt, Wicky. Soft honorable mention to The Spoonman though, especially when his counterpart only added a minus 1 to the scoresheet tonight.

  88. SN Avatar
    SN

    admiral – E Staal now has 2 seasons of above average #1C play since NYR not signing him.
    It’s up to the brass to see beyond the now and realize what the roster needed; a #1 center, a leader and a two way player. Would have taken a bit of a chance, but with Kevin Haze in the fold, he was not needed…

  89. Norm Merton Avatar

    No, thanks, Wicky. Moving on is for on-movers. I happen to have read a bit about Cassidy’s decision in December to move Spooner to the wing is all, to cure him of his 10-to-2 move among other things. You didn’t know about any of that and went with a faceoff stat without checking the context. Which I was happy to provide for free in the interest of everyone’s hockey education. No big deal at all, but it makes perfect sense for AV to continue on with Cassidy’s move at least in the short term. In any event, I like Spooner.

  90. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Not needed or thought of as not needed?

  91. Norm Merton Avatar

    Buch misplayed that one, Sittoo, no doubt. Tried to tip it himself! But I thought he had a good game overall, earned his 3 on 3 time.

  92. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Wicky because Doritos is not good or better enough to improve any of the contenders enough to be worth change of chemistry with so few games left. Summer will have more interest but Carp says they still love him. No doubt Gorton sharing his hookah

  93. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Akbar, depth only goes so far when the majority of your injuries are to key personnel. The ones with all the talent. No injuries to desharnais, Carey, etc. Injuries to kirkenshatt, Kreider, Butch, Zika, McDonuts…. much too much talent gone no matter how you feel personally about those guys.

  94. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    You’ve gotta love that Talbot’s backup is Montoya.

  95. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Oilers won. Sweet.

  96. cooscoos Avatar

    Not only was E. Stall hurt while he was here, he was misplayed by AV. ‘Got no respect? WRONG! And not just wrong – outrageously wrong.

  97. Norm Merton Avatar

    Hayes still has an up-side (cue pot jokes) I think. He’s never going to be a gritty guy, but he’s got a good stick (cue further pot jokes) and is excellent on the PK, getting better in-zone. You’d never want 12 forwards like him, but you need at least a couple of these all-skill guys I think.

  98. SN Avatar
    SN

    Norm – Spooner was moved up to RW on Kreiji’s right side, because they had a rookie who could not play on second line and was sent down. Spooner was moved to NYR because they needed a RW who could bring more to the table and finish as his natural position is center.

  99. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Vancouver playing Arizona. First game not involving the Rangers that I’m hoping for the Bettman point. Either way we win in that game no matter what happens.

  100. Norm Merton Avatar

    I’d love getting E. Staal back here. Hated to see him struggle in his brief time in NY, such a good player.

  101. Hockey Sittoo Avatar
    Hockey Sittoo

    Norm, Buch was good tonight. Good stuff from several guys including Kreider, Mika, Miller, Fast, and Spooner. They are collectively snakebitten though when it comes to putting the puck in the net. I thought Hank was pretty good except on the 1st one, although I still maintain that was tough to pick up because it went through the legs of the dman. Thinking he would have stopped both that and the breakaway a couple months ago. No chance on gwg. He looked pretty defeated and a little incredulous about their bad luck in the postgame. He hasn’t embraced the tank either…

  102. SN Avatar
    SN

    Will be very interesting to see what NYR brass does with the RFAs this summer. Haze, Shea, Miller and VC and now Spooner.
    Between any additional moves tomorrow, the draft and even available UFAs, some big decisions to make.

  103. Hockey Sittoo Avatar
    Hockey Sittoo

    Have they announced the Mac trade yet? All that taxicab drama…

  104. cooscoos Avatar

    If you can’t put the puck in the net, season after season, you are simply a ice capades entertainer – a figure skater.

  105. SN Avatar
    SN

    Sitoo – thought the 2nd goal was a softie as well. Clean look at a wrist shot from above the dots.

  106. Norm Merton Avatar

    SN, read up a little on Cassidy’s decision to get him skating more, get him to stop the half-mohawk, whatever it’s called that was his go-to move at center. Sorry I don’t have the link handy, though there’s probably more than one article about it. Maybe he’ll move back to center, maybe not. His career FO% is abysmal, though. Better this year at the dot, as is Hayes.

  107. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Sittoo-Ironically, Salmon Joe was calling on AV to get Buch out there in the OT.

  108. SN Avatar
    SN

    AV just said Sponner asked to play wing tonite given new system but his natural position is center.

  109. Old Ranger Fan Avatar
    Old Ranger Fan

    That was a good loss. A win and they would have passed the Wings. The only regulation goals were on a bad goal by Hank and Gilmour’ s blown tire. They seem to be over the deadline funk and realize they are playing for future contracts. The compete level was better and the game generally was watchable. We need to learn to live with lower expectations.

  110. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Norm even granting all you said about Hayes, what’s his upside? Are you paying him to become/be our next 2c? If not, isn’t it time to move on?

  111. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Maybe a slight exaggeration, but is it that crazy? They never replaced Step’s production, either through FA or Miller/ Hayes taking the next step. Imperfect team had 102 points last year, and I don’t think it was because of Dan G (all due respect).

  112. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Eric Staal was/is a great player.

    His steady decline since the lockout shortened season culminating with his trade to the Rangers.. you can’t blame management for moving on from the 30 year old, when you already had (gulp) Stepan, Brassard, Hayes, and Lindberg here.

    So after a steady decline of 4 consecutive seasons, who would’ve guessed he’d score 28 and now 30 goals?

    Great player. Would’ve been nice to have a crystal ball 2 years ago… good for him.

  113. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    SN- As Wick said, no way they should pay all of the RFAs. Somebody is getting traded by 3:00 tomorrow or at the draft. I would think you’re going to get more now at the deadline.

  114. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Spooner tuna…the tuna with a heart.

  115. cooscoos Avatar

    How Torts would handle that:

    ‘Coach,. can I play wing tonight instead of center?’

    ‘What makes you think you’re playing tonight?’

  116. Norm Merton Avatar

    SN, Spooner has talked about how when he was younger, he might have objected to being put on the wing, but has matured as a team player. I bet he ends up back at center, but it makes sense for him to continue on at wing.

  117. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    I liked Stepan. But they had to move him with that contract.

    Another Bettman casualty

  118. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Liked Spooner’s game. Hopefully he increased his trade value tomorrow.

  119. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Yeah, agreed re the trade. Better team with him though.

  120. Hockey Sittoo Avatar
    Hockey Sittoo

    SN I said I thought he would have stopped it a couple of months ago but you can’t call an uncontested shot from the middle of the dots on a breakaway with speed a “softie” imo.

  121. cooscoos Avatar

    Ruff tonight tells five players that they are not necessarily traded but they can’t use the shower facilities until further notice.

  122. Norm Merton Avatar

    beez, Hayes has had a tough year, like just about everyone. You trade him, and anyone else, if you can get value, but he’s too good to dump considering improvement defensively, at the dot, and as I mentioned on the PK.

  123. SN Avatar
    SN

    Gravy – LMAFO; Spooner Tuna!

  124. SN Avatar
    SN

    Sitoo – Henk has to stop that shot. Helm was surprised it went in. Doesn’t matter in the big picture, but that one should be a save.

  125. Norm Merton Avatar

    Lundqvist got a piece of the breakaway. Not soft, but not as squared up as when he’s on.

  126. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Staal points went from 61 to 54 to 39 in a contract year (granted not put into a position to succeed in his 20 games here. Can’t really argue with the decision to let him walk.

  127. Norm Merton Avatar

    Spoonerism not shaking a tower, coos.

  128. cooscoos Avatar

    He was HURT. How many times must that be emphasized?

  129. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Which is why Eric Staal got “no respect from anyone” while he was here.

  130. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    I’m going to miss ester ledecka

  131. Gravy Avatar
    Gravy

    Ok he was hurt here. He was still on pace for 43 points before the trade.

  132. Norm Merton Avatar

    Ledecka killed those Olympics. Won’t soon forget her staring at the board, waiting for them to adjust her time upwards. It had to be a mistake, had to…

  133. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Norm I’ll just agree to disagree as I think giving him a new contract for what is likely at least 4 to 4.5 per is going to be bad news when he doesnt produce as a 2c.

  134. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    AV was going to play spooner at centre…

    And a somewhere an old article died quietly in the night…

    Awwwww

  135. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Coos,

    Was Staal hurt for 3 or 4 consecutive seasons as his production declined from age 29-31?

    Whether he was or wasn’t injured — you still can’t blame management for moving on from the rental when there were Stepan, Brassard/Zibanejad, Hayes, Lindberg already in house.

    Remember—the mission was to become younger and cheaper which is why Brassard was traded for Zibanejad after the Eric Staal season. At age 31, with declining production (with and without injury), Eric just didn’t fit in the Rangers plans. Totally understandable, yet of course, not the best move as we look back in the rear view mirror 2 years later.

  136. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    I like the way she would just look at the base of her board during the parallel competition

  137. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Liked

  138. Norm Merton Avatar

    Wicky, I’ll see if I can find one. Hold on…

  139. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Total focus.

  140. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Totally not necessary….

    And I could literally care less

  141. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    As a snowboarder I was thrilled she put those skiers in their place. She also brought some attention to the heard booters as a reminder that the sport is more than just park rats😀

  142. Beezle Avatar
    Beezle

    Heard= hard

  143. Norm Merton Avatar
  144. Admiral Akbar Avatar
    Admiral Akbar

    Perhaps we should get Jack Capuano, aka Jackie Caps over here in order to teach these boys how to properly tank?

  145. Norm Merton Avatar

    Oops, sorry, Wick, didn’t catch your intervening post: not interested. Never mind, then.

  146. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    I’m also going to miss the rink announcer for speed skating…the way he said “ready”

  147. SN Avatar
    SN

    The call of the US win in Women’s X-country will go down in history.
    .
    Saw a great segment on the gal who won and her team leadership with that group. Very impressive.

  148. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    And yes, I’ll miss Jessie diggins
    😉

  149. SN Avatar
    SN

    Odds on Mac being moved – 95% or 100%?
    Out of the team video as were Nash and Grabner…

  150. Hockey Sittoo Avatar
    Hockey Sittoo

    SN what team video?

  151. Norm Merton Avatar

    don’t know about the leadership one.

  152. cooscoos Avatar

    I hear you, Admiral. It just pisses me off that all the management brains who do little but evaluate hockey didn’t see what was what.

  153. Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) Avatar

    do you guys ever sleep?

  154. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    the sporting news article starts off on the b’s but switches to rangers halfway through

  155. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    Trade a few more. This isn’t working…

  156. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    I’ll sleep when I’m dead, Carp.

  157. Alex Avatar
    Alex

  158. ThisYearsModel Avatar

    611 comments. Is this a HAV record?

  159. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    612

  160. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Hehe

  161. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    Now 614

  162. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    oldtimers will like this one

  163. Slatsko Folkyerself Avatar
    Slatsko Folkyerself

    Don’t hog them all Ev…

  164. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    617

  165. EddieJ Avatar
    EddieJ

    I don’t have anything to say, but I want to be part of the record number of comments for the HAV!

  166. GhiYourGhiEvrockriser Avatar

    619

  167. cooscoos Avatar

    Haze himself commented at #420

  168. cooscoos Avatar

    And again at 4:20

  169. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Me too.

  170. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Good morning, boneheads!
    I’ll wait for Carp’s game review to start a new post.
    Meantime, have we decided yet that Spooner should be immediately extended beyond this season and given the first line duties? 😃
    Sadly, he looked better than some of our first liners last night. And he couldn’t fit in Boston.

  171. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    NEW POST