The Rangers' play and defensive coverages seemed about as stable as the Rangers Webpage did today, at least where it counted (on the scoreboard). I notice today that the Rangers launched a new ad-campaign during the 2009 'winter shopping craze' in which an animated Henrik Lundqvist walks over and stands there while the ad takes precedence over the rest of the webpage's navigation. Coincidentally, all of the ads that would normally fit on the right-nav bar, have all overlapped onto the content on the left-nav bar, so as of today - the official Rangers' website is in total, un-navigatable dis-array.
*Updated: The animated Lundqvist ad is now gone from the webpage, and with it the terrible CSS mess-up that ensued. Their problem is probably as simple as moving a block of CSS (ad) below another (main page).
If only a proud and confident Lundqvist could have stood out in the recent 5-3 loss to the Penguins like he now does on the webpage. Henrik Lundqvist's softy to Mike Rupp (his 2nd of 3 in his first career hat-trick), stirs many more recent memories of Lundqist standing out - as a liability.
The officiating in this game, duly noted in title, was atrociously inconsistent showing - AGAIN - huge favoritism towards the Penguins. It's borderline embarassing to call myself a fan of the NHL when their blatant superstars are given outrageous calls again and again.
- Donald Brashear was called for roughing in the first period after taking a few jabs at a Penguin player who grabbed his arm during a post-whistle net scrum. Yet in the second period Marian Gaborik was jabbed at least twice by Sidney Crosby in the face, and another 2-or-3 by Bill Guerin. Neither Penguin was called for a penalty in what was much more blatant then Donald Brashear's actions.
- Bobby Sanguinetti was called for hooking in the second period in a replay that showed Sanguinetti's stick-blade never even making contact with the Penguin.
- Ryan Callahan was blatantly tripped in Pittsburgh's end half-way through the third when the Rangers' were showing desperation. Similarly Sean Avery was nearly body-slammed to the left of the crease in the third - Nothing was called on either blatant penalty.
- Dan Girardi was called for boarding after checking Mike Rupp aside the boards in front of the scorer's table in the third. The video review showed Mike Rupp see Girardi coming, turn, and lift his skate falling into the check. He exited the ice for about 2 minutes - most likely to feign injury and avoid a possible diving call - granting the Penguins yet another sneaky, loose call.
- Sean Avery was called for a goalie interference penalty in the 8-3 loss to the Penguins for clipping Marc-Andre Fleury as Fleury was skating outwards from his crease to draw contact. In this game we saw Henrik Lundqvist get clipped behind his own net from Pascal Dupuis in the first. If there was any consistency in officiating - the Penguins would of gone shorthanded for this.
All over the ice in these games against the Penguins you will notice Rangers getting knocked down, tripped, hooked, punched, or roughed up after the whistle with no calls. The Rangers did make some key mistakes at some key times, but the general protection that the Penguins get, and the liberties they are allowed to take, really suck the credibility right out of the NHL.
* Chris Drury looks and plays like a 3rd or 4th liner. Yet he is receiving about the same paycheck as Marian Gaborik who is on par for 70 goals after netting 2 more tonight while becoming the first player in '09-10 to hit the 20-mark. His 3 assists in his past 3 games have come after squandering several power plays, and exist entirely because of the skill of Gaborik.
* Sean Avery played on the line with Prospal and Gaborik at even strength, finishing the game as the only +1 in the Rangers lineup. We'd been talking about the potential Sean Avery would add to the top-line (like the Jagr era) and it was a great success tonight. The last time they played together was the 7-4 win over the Bluejackets 1 week ago.. hopefully Tortorella sticks with it and maybe replaces Ryan Callahan on the power play with #16.
* If post-hits counted for goals, Chris Higgins would be on par for 70 as well.
* Brian Boyle and Enver Lisin have been both tooted as 'highly coachable' and spent the second game scratched. The Rangers have been outscored 18-6 in the last 3 games. I would say that this problem is clearly not in the 2-or-3 slackers that Tortorella has placed the blame on.
John Tortorella Post-Game:
Marian Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Drury Post-Game:
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