No Gaborik Rangers Drop to Desperate Islanders 3-1, October 28th '09

Game Highlights:


The New York Islanders bested the Rangers today 3-1 for their first regulation win (2nd total) this season. The Islanders came off to a fierce start throwing huge hits, a 2-man forecheck, and a lot of pressure on Henrik Lundqvist by out-hitting and out-hustling the Blueshirts for the majority of the contest. I was pondering the possibility of Coach Tortorella selecting Steve Valiquette for tonight's match-up, however it is questionable at how well Spiderman would have fared against the Islanders' early barrage.

By the way, the only MSG feed available to me in HD was that on MSG+ HD - the Islanders feed. The Knicks' season opener was being broadcast on MSG HD, while the Rangers feed was featured on 'Channel 51' which is normally an irrelevant TV Guide ticker channel. The Devils/Buffalo game was also broadcast on another random channel(151). This makes 4 games (out of 5 total - as the Islanders and Rangers could play other opponents) being covered simultaneously by MSG in the NHL and NBA leagues. MSG only has 2 possibilities for HD, however, with the remaining options being indistinguishable rogue channels.

Some notes on the game:


* Marian Gaborik is day-to-day and expected to return Friday to face the Minnesota Wild. His injury is speculated to be discomfort and unrelated with prior injuries from which he has required surgery or time-off.

* Vaclav Prospal and Ryan Callahan's perfect-looking 2-on-1 ended with the first of 5 heartbreaking post-hits. If those 5 shots that hit the post were able to ricochet towards the net, the score would have been 6-3.


* PA Parenteau, summoned to the line-up in Gaborik's absence, scored his first NHL goal on a broken play in front of the net with a nice rising backhander.

* John Tortorella's forward combinations were quite baffling tonight:

Enver Lisin--Vinny Prospal--Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery--Chris Drury--Ales Kotalik
Chris Higgins--Brandon Dubinsky--P.A. Parenteau
Aaron Voros--Artem Anisimov--Brian Boyle

We know that goal-less Chris Higgins can shoot the puck, and do so around the net. He just needs the confidence to shoot the puck and the line mates that can help make that happen. We touted his high-shooting percentage (2.496 shots/game before becoming a Ranger), which has seen an instant decline (1.846) in his first 13 games [back] in New York - a 26% drop. I would have loved to see a line of Higgins--Prospal--Drury.

I include Chris Drury on this line as a winger because he has been playing like one! He may not have the step and the shot that he had earlier in his career that allowed him to become a scoring-success in the middle. It would also make the center position a bit more open for the skilled Artem Anisimov and play Brian Boyle where he belongs - both of whom represent youth. I also have to mention that whenever Brandon Dubinsky and Chris Drury are on the ice together, it seems there is a blown coverage or an out-of-position forward.

Ryan Callahan plays such a hard-checking game - I think his natural position is further down the lines and on special teams. A lot of times I see the fourth line drive the enemy back into the zone, pin them for a few moments before they get gassed, and come in for a line change. I think Callahan may provide the next few steps this line could use to start turning offensive-zone seconds into scoring threats. Callahan could be double-shifted into a lot of tight-checking situations on the right.

Brandon Dubinsky has shown the ability to slow down the play and dish to linemates who are trying to get open, maybe picked up from his time with Jaromir Jagr. With that in mind, Sean Avery and Ales Kotalik have both shown the ability to score one-timed goals between the dots from feeds like this. I think they would make a great trio, as long as they can play with discipline and stay out of the box.

I would of tried a line-up like this with a much more balanced line-rolling:

Chris Higgins--Vinny Prospal--Chris Drury
Sean Avery--Brandon Dubinsky--Ales Kotalik
Enver Lisin--Artem Anisimov--P.A. Parenteau
Aaron Voros--Brian Boyle--Ryan Callahan

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:

Gaborik Hurt? Rangers, Lisin End Losing Streak at 3 Against Coyotes 5-2 - October 26th '09

Game Highlights:


A 4-0 lead against the speedy Coyotes was cut in half after the Rangers experienced a dreadful finish to the second period. Enver Lisin scored a goal against his former team and added an assist, bringing him to a notable 3-5-8 over 11 games this season; seeing him climb the lines on the roster as well. The recent 3-game winless streak (0-2-1) was brought to an end.

* Marian Gaborik (2-1-3) left the third period with about 6 minutes remaining flexing his right leg. He was spotted reaching down on his right side and wincing on the bench, having a brief word with medical trainer Jim Ramsay, and then limping to the trainers room.

Marian Gaborik later specified that it was not related to his groin or hip, from which he received season-crippling surgery for last year, but would not elaborate on the precise problem. Joe Micheletti hypothesized that it may have been a twisted ankle suffered after going toe-to-toe with Petr Prucha while heading to the bench at the end of a shift together with the fact that he was seen reaching on the bench before heading to the locker room.

When the press asked Gaborik if he would be participating in the Rangers' 12:00 practice tomorrow, he responded "We'll see how it is in the morning. I collided with one of their players, but it's nothing major. It happened with about five minutes left and the game was pretty much over."

I am not alarmed with the severity of this "injury" and do not expect Gaborik will miss any games. I think he was just leaving the ice as a pre-caution, and it stirs memories of Jaromir Jagr doing the same, if not impulsively. John Tortorella added that the game was in hand when Gaborik went to the locker room.

* Vaclav Prospal (1-2-3) and Michael Del Zotto (0-2-2) continued their stellar scoring performances. Vaclav Prospal's contract and performance analysis will put a lot of pressure on the underachievers, and Del Zotto is already making a bid for a number of records including Rookie of the Year.

* Chris Higgins came up empty handed again, although he did receive 2:16 of power play time. He did have many great opportunities and played a much more spirited game. Seems like he got the message.

* Donald Brashear scored his first point (0-1-1) as a Ranger and played a solid come-back game [except for his last-minute penalty] following his brief absence from the lineup.

Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Vaclav Prospal, Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:

Montreal Adores Cammalleri, Higgins Chokes as Rangers Fall 5-4 in OT, October 24th, 2009

Game Highlights:


Perhaps Chris Higgins is feeling a different kind of pressure in his native New York then he felt in the media frenzy of Montreal? The Left Winger is now pointless in 9 games and still yet to score a goal, making the goalless forwards: Higgins, Voros, and Brashear (missed 3 games). Tonight's come-from-behind Montreal victory left bitter tastes of the 5-0 lead the Rangers lost in '08, as Chris Higgins failed to back-check on Cammalleri's second of three goals; and taking a poor high-sticking penalty giving the Canadiens a 5-on-3 on which they instantly scored. These are the reasons why Chris Higgins sat on the bench for the duration of the third period, but he was not alone.

Brandon Dubinsky, uncharacteristically speechless to the press following the game, was alongside Higgins, centering the underachieving winger on the bench following avoidable meltdowns that cost the Rangers their third straight loss. Brandon Dubinsky was swooping laterally across the ice on the man-advantage in the second period when he could of much more-easily chipped it behind a defender or tossed it to a trailing team mate. The puck was chipped away, found Matt D'agostini's stick for a few quick strides up the ice before firing it past Lundqvist, setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.

A few notes to take from the game:

* Ales Kotalik's scoring success continued with his 5th goal of the season, scoring at a point-per-game pace that is nearly double the rate of his career (aka, playing like a $3 mil player).

* Michael Del Zotto's assist kept him well on pace to top the Rangers defenseman rookie scoring record (Brian Leetch). In fact, with assists to Girardi and Roszival as well, with Matt Gilroy adding his 2nd goal of the season, the Rangers are padding their top-scoring defensemen title nicely. Del Zotto lead the team in blocked shots with 5, while Gilroy lead the team with shots on goal with 5 as well.

* Ryan Callahan (0-0-0, -2 in last 2 games) has not been putting up big offensive numbers lately, although he sure is throwing the body around. He lead the game with 6 hits and currently leads the whole league with 48.

* Mike Cammalleri, who we identified as the best-possible free agent acquisition of 2009, scoring 3 goals and adding an assist. The top-line left-winger, possibly brought in to Montreal to replace Chris Higgins, is 5-2-7 in the last 4 games and shows a lot of promise with his mates.



* Scott Gomez (0-2-2 tonight) is a great fit between Cammalleri (3-1-4 tonight) and Gionta (0-2-2 tonight). That north-south style with lots of tip-ins on the rush is difficult to stop and guaranteed to put up some significant numbers. Teams with a slow backstop will have a really hard time with these guys.

* Paul Mara has also meshed into the Habs' backline nicely. Although he might of been joking around when he said he taught Marc Staal "everything he knew on and off the ice" it is pretty clear that some of the big-bodied lean-in shutdown techniques that Staal applies were clearly mentored by Mara. Like the play Paul Mara had on Chris Higgins trying to break in. Paul Mara did very well with Marc Staal while he was a New York Ranger, but the role he seems to be playing as 'other' big guy on the Canadiens has been nearly seem-less of a transition.

Listen to John Tortorella's Post-Game (below), as he discuses the benching of Dubinsky and Higgins as consequences for failing to succeed at the aspects of the game away from scoring, which is required if they are not putting the puck in the net.

John Tortorella Post-Game:


MSG Post-Game:

October 22nd '09: Rangers 2, Devils 4

Game Highlights:


The Devils won the first period 2-0, while the Rangers commanded the second 2-0, and the Hudson River Rivals knew that the winner of the third period would win the game, Thursday evening at MSG.

It was the 1-2-Punch of Zach Parise's hard work along the boards and opportune deflection by Dainius Zubrus that proved to be this contest's decider. You can't bet on a player like Zubrus getting more then 15 goals in a season, but you can sure bet that they will all be about as pretty as this unfortunate game-winner.

What can the Rangers take from this game?

* Following the 7-3 loss to the Sharks this game is a good measuring stick for how the Blueshirts rebound. A pretty even game - this loss to the Devils might suggest that the Rangers are still competing and ready to push forward.

* Similar to the above, this loss can now serve as an early test to this club as to how it deals with back-to-back losses. Having your team's third loss coming on it's 10th game is a good thing.

* Michael Del Zotto is a New York Ranger, permanently.

* Ales Kotalik, who was vowing he had to have better production, enjoyed a (1-1-2) multi-point night.

* In the first period when Martin Brodeur's net came off it's pegs (Devils leading 1-0 at this point), didn't it strike you as kind of funny how easily this happened and how forcefully the 17-year future Hall of Famer kicked the post? Of course any puck that would of crossed the line during that pressing, hard Rangers attack would of been called off.. I find it funny that some would consider this a "smart, veteran goaltender move" while others may say it should of been 2 minutes for Delay of Game. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Marty Brodeur hurry up and break the record. After all, we all saw how well he played last year after breaking Patrick Roy's win records...

* This is only the first time since early '06-07 campaign that the Devils have beaten the Rangers at MSG.

Henrik Lundqvist and Vaclav Prospal Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:

Terrible Reffs Eject Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach

Nate Robinson scored 19 points while David Lee netted 14 adding 12 rebounds as the Knicks toppled Israel-based Maccabi Tel Aviv in their second meet in three years. However, It was the Maccabi head coach, Pini Gershon, who was the center of attention in this exhibition contest for charity.

In verbally contesting two fouls (the second of which Maccabi were actually the beneficiaries of), Gershon was slapped with back-to-back technicals and a prompt ejection. The Maccabi head coach stood his ground for several minutes, furthermore, only agreeing to leave after a lengthy public discussion with referees, his assistants, and security personnel. One of those who offered his wisdom was Rabbi Yitchak Dovid Grossman.

Rabbi Grossman, who was overseeing groups of children involved in the Migdal Duvid Foundation said:

“I explained that this is not a regular game and the kids are watching and (it’s) important that there will be peace and forgive him... If you forgive him, I can speak to the children and say, ‘You also forgive. If you have a fight, you forgive.’ But he says this is the law, that you must obey.”

“I’ve never experienced that before, but I mean there’s a first time for everything I guess,” added Nate Robinson, who had walked over to the Maccabi bench at one point to investigate.

During the MSG broadcast, Al Trautwig also reported that outcast Pini Gershon's outrage was elevated in the locker room upon learning that the reffs making the call were not NBA league officials, but replacement officials hired as a result of the NBA Referees Lockout.

Personally, I do not think that the referees should have made this call, or enforced it as they had done. Seeing as how this is an exhibition game against an international guest coupled with the fact that it is for a charitable cause, I believe the replacement officials making and enforcing the ejection call were out of line and disrespectful to the event. As a Knicks fan, one sort of grows to appreciate these extraordinary games on a different level, especially considering we do not have any playoff or championship experiences in recent memory.

October 19th '09: Rangers 3, Sharks 7

Game Highlights:


Boxscore

The good things we can take from tonight's brutal and season-worst beating:

* Michael Del Zotto scored his rookie-leading and league-leading 4th goal for his 9th point of the same stature. This marks the final game 9 of the regular season in which he can play before the Rangers must make the final decision on his roster spot [losing the ability to re-assign him to the juniors]. I think it is pretty safe to say that he is a lock given his astounding credentials in these 9 games.

* Enver Lisin scored again.

* A bad loss to an elite team is a huge wake-up call for Rangers team, fans, and administration. Laying out teams like the Maple Leafs is one thing, but manifesting the same heroics against last year's Western Conference champs?

One thing we have yet to see this season is how the Rangers react from this type of loss. Albeit the scoreboard showing 7-3, it should be noted that a few details account for what could of been a closer game:

1) The Rangers put away a puck a split-second after a quick whistle in the first period that should of been a goal.

2) One of Devin Setoguchi's tallies came in a situation where the puck was saved-by and beneath Lundqvist before being stuffed in by the Shark winger, inconsistent with the quick whistles given to the Sharks goaltender (1).

3) The minor penalties taken by Sean Avery were very loose in comparison to how the rest of the game was called (gee I wonder why..)

4) The two shots hitting posts (Gaborik, Kotalik).

* Besides the loss in general as a wake-up call to build on their mistakes and move forward - hopefully this game will also serve as a wake-up to John Tortorella for his goaltender selection over the last few contests. Let's look at the last 5 prior to tonight's loss:

CAPITALS (W: 4-3):..............LUNDQVIST
DUCKS(W: 3-0):....................VALIQUETTE
MAPLE LEAFS (W: 7-2):.......LUNDQVIST
KINGS (W: 4-2):....................LUNDQVIST
MAPLE LEAFS (W: 4-1):........LUNDQVIST

(Lundqvist played the first 3 games of the season, prior to these, as well.)

I think Henrik Lundqvist would of given the Rangers a much better chance to win tonight. Perhaps Valiquette would be able to get 2 points out of the Devils on Thursday or either of the Maple Leafs victories in the past week. Here's what John Tortorella said about goaltender selection going into this game:

“I have no plan, I go day to day... Henrik’s not playing all the games. Henrik’s not going to have the amount he has in prior years, the Olympics comes into it, too, there’s another five games there. It’s not like I have it all mapped out here. My thinking is that Valley is going to play more this year and we need to find him games and he had a shutout. I’m not hesitant to put him in. Hank was a big part of our success the last couple of games, it’s not like he’s tired. I looked at this and thought it was a good start for Valley.

“You conference games, you’re fighting against these teams, obviously that comes into your thinking. But it’s not like I’m wracking my brains saying I’ve got to play Hank in all the conference games, all the division games. It’s the way the schedule worked out here, there’s a few of the non-conference games early on. It just worked out that way. I want to get him (Valiquette) back in. It’s not going to be Valley plays a game, Hank plays a month and Valley gets another game. It’s not going to be that way and I think Hank understands that also.”

It does not seem as if John Tortorella made his choice because of Lundqvist's health [after a couple of rough recent games], or even in acknowledgement of the top-tier Sharks, but rather just in interest of a spread-workload schedule. His concerns are understandable, but I think considering his opponents (ie: playing Valley only against the bottom-tier teams) for his goaltender selection would win more games.

Chris Higgins still has not scored a goal.
Marian Gaborik's point-streak stopped at 8.

VS Post-Game

October 17th '09: Rangers 4, Maple Leafs 1

Game Highlights:


A few major points about the Rangers 7th straight victory:

* John Tortorella was absolutely livid as Henrik Lundqvist was crashed-into for a 3rd game in a row (2nd of which by Toronto, which suggested may be a tactic for the Leafs. Note Tortorella's lips at 1:25 of the Game Highlights link for a "For fuck's sake!"

* Michael Del Zotto is now tied for 2nd on the team in goal-scoring with his 3rd. He also tied Wade Redden's '08-09 goal production in 1/10th the games, during his rookie campaign. Although meaningless for all purposes, it is interesting to note that a rookie costing 1/6th the cost of a veteran is producing 10x the goals. I think we'll be seeing #4 beyond Monday's home game against the Sharks.

* Enver Lisin scored a well-deserved goal - his first as a blueshirt - as did Marc Staal. It seems like any time Staal is carrying the puck down low, a strong play is emerging. This leaves Chris Higgins (0-2-2), Aaron Voros (0-0-0), Michal Roszival (0-3-3), and Donald Brashear (0-0-0) the only goal-less Rangers at this point.

* For an average 20-25 goal season, Chris Higgins should have scored 2.5 goals at this point (his 3rd expected at or around his 10th game); Michal Roszival is also due for his first of the season, else he fall to a bottom-pair defenseman and thus an improvable spot on the team for his price tag (But we already knew that).

Henrik Lundqvist and Michael Del Zotto Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:


Hockey Night Live Post-Game:

MSG HD doesn't work, but MSG+ HD does!? Comcast to blame?

As I write this, I am watching the first period of the highly-anticipated Rangers-Leafs re-match on Toronto ice after New York's 7-2 trouncing at the Garden in pitiful 720x480...

ON MY BRAND NEW 56" 1920x1080i SAMSUNG LED TV!! I got this thing for crystal-clear sports games in HD, particularly the Rangers and Knicks, yet I am currently handicapped into viewing my heroes in crumby 720x480!

I have watched all of the other MSG broadcasts on channel 196 (MSG HD) in glorious high-def. I even had the Comcast personnel visit my home twice in the weeks preceding the pre-season to fine-tune the connections and remove excess signal degradation.

For game archiving purposes, I can deal with the weaker signal as my DVDs are currently done in 4:3 anyhow, but I like to actually watch the games in their pinnacle of available clarity and this is deeply-upsetting!

So here's the problem (and what I told the Comcast call-center receptionist):
When there are HD feeds from both MSG and MSG+, only one of them will work. Tonight the Rangers are on MSGHD (196) and the Devils are on MSG+HD (197). My television [as well as another HD TV in another room on another box] detects 1920x1080i feeds from both channels, however 196 is completely blank.

The same thing happened last night while the Knicks (196) were on at the same time as the Islanders (197). I had to watch the Knicks pull off a come-from-behind victory featuring a glint of optimism on my shiny new TV on 720x480 then, too.

Two nights in a row, MSGHD has been silent blackness while MSG+HD has shown the games I couldn't care less [aside during commercials and intermission] about in brilliant capacity.

Anyway, a Comcast cable technician will be, once again, visiting me on Monday. Because this problem can only be replicated when there are HD feeds on MSG and MSG+ simultaneously, I do not foresee a technicians visit as a productive course towards a solution. Perhaps a change in provider is on the horizon..

October 14th '09: Rangers 4, Kings 2

Game Highlights:


Marian Gaborik skates in, routinely collects a pass over the Kings' blueline, looks up--SHOOTS! SCORE!! #10 sure can be dazzling, and his skillset is not necessarily specifically in power, speed, or finesse.. but a combination of all three. When he casually gathered that puck before scoring his league-high 6th goal, everything looked so routine. That easy quick stick-dribble, skating cross-over, and before you know it - it's in the net.

Henrik Lundqvist was in playoff-form tonight, absorbing an incidental tackle from 220-pound Chris Higgins while deflecting 34 shots and keeping the Rangers in a game in which the opposition seemed to play harder and harder. When John Tortorella talks about Henrik Lundqvist being a game-changer, tonight's victory is a perfect example of just that.

You know Chris Higgins and Enver Lisin are just so ready to score that first goal in blue.. maybe in Toronto - which I can already tell you will be brutal.

Michael Del Zotto, with another pair of assists, now has 7 points in 7 games for the (albeit early) #2 position of league-leader in this category. This also comes from playing on average 14:10/game, while all the others in this top-1o are on average 24:00/game! 2 more games until he is officially a '09-10 Ranger without any possibility of reassignment.. however this status most likely had already solidified weeks ago.

Marian Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist Post-game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:


Vaclav Prospal on 200th career NHL goal, season so far:

October 12th '09: Rangers 7, Maple Leafs 2

Game Highlights:


Flexing their offensive muscles, 5 wins in a row and the Rangers are tied [with the evil Penguins] for the league lead. With 7 points on the board, a lot of players stats got a nice bit of padding - and in some cases crucial padding to their careers.

Wade Redden's goal and two assists, his first 3 points of the season, put him right on par with the 0.6 point/game production that his salary assumes, as we discussed in this story. Keep it up #6.

Dan Girardi and Sean Avery both put in two goals a-piece from positions on the ice (top right circle for D-Gir and <10 feet from the net for Avery) that gave me a feeling of deja-vu of the '06-07 and '07-08 campaigns in which they've experienced their Blueshirts-best campaigns - so far..

Enver Lisin played particularly hard tonight I think, especially with that massive open-ice hit in the 2nd, although forcing Lundqvist to make another big save. Amazing effort on all cylinders.

Chris Higgins' (0-2-2, +1) and Matt Gilroy's (1-0-1 +1) stats have not reflected their hustle and success in the coach's system. The defining principle of John Tortorella's game is offensive-zone presence and these two players have made some outstanding rushes and plays that have moved the puck into the offensive zone and sprung major opportunities. If there is a magical statistics wheel in the sky, it's next spin would land on some big points for these players, at this team's rate.

Donald Brashear and Colton Orr's bare-knuckled melee was long-awaited and a valiant effort by both. Although I know if Colton Orr really wanted to, he could of swung those huge, full-bodied hay-makers and gone for the guttural knockout, so kudos to the ex-Ranger for keeping to the jabs. It also makes me wonder if after tonight's duel Donald Brashear will have reached his comfort zone. You know the comfort zone.. throwing high hits, sucker punches, hits from behind. I await the villainy of Donald Brashear as eagerly as I await the scoring or gloves-dropping of Brian Boyle.


Dan Girardi, Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Drury Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:


Al Trautwig and Dave Maloney Post-Game:

October 11th '09: Rangers 3, Ducks 0

Game Highlights:


After Henrik Lundqvist's arduous testing on the 4-3 win over the Capitals, Steve Valiquette started against the Ducks as we predicted. Although Anaheim did not have that Tortorella feel to their play that we have come to expect from the Rangers, they did have some nice opportunities and Valiquette answered the call flawlessly.

Sean Avery made his season debut and long-awaited return. He drew a few penalties, a few hard hits, and a few cheers from the crowd - also notching an assist.

In fact, his assist [on Anisimov's first career goal] was my favorite moment of the game - as Avery absorbed a monstrous body check from Scott Niedermeyer behind the Ducks' goal to make the pass, only to be seen laughing in the face of the Anaheim captain seconds later.

Steve Valiquette, Chris Drury, Ales Kotalik, Brandon Dubinsky Post-Game:



John Tortorella Post-Game:



Al Trautwig and Dave Maloney Post-Game:

October 8th '09: Rangers 4, Capitals 3

Henrik Lundqvist let in one of this career-worst blooper-reel goals, letting in an intended dump-in shot from Nicklas Backstrom trickle right past his left toe. John Tortorella's face certainly spelled 'Strike 1..' and I bet you we will see Valiquette in 1 of the next two games.


Marian Gaborik was the undoubted hero.

And apart from Marc Staal, the best defenders in this game were identified by their roles on the penalty kill and blended together nicely contribution-wise. Del Zotto on the other hand, flexed his offensive muscles yet again in that gorgeous pass to Gaborik on goal #2.

Brandon Dubinsky, Marian Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game:


Dave and Joe Post-Game: