Here's Dave Puck's initial piece of
analysis: Wow!
Seven. Wins. In a row. (Are you sure this is the NY Rangers were talking about?)
Your New York Hockey Rangers are flying
right now, defeating their long time rivals the 'Slanders by the score of 4-2 (Editor –
no one knows what that means) (Pucks: everyone knows that I mean the
New York Islanders) – and gaining some revenge for a defeat in
Nassau on October 15th.
The Gas Line: Gabs, Anisimov and Steps, played really well – again – generating 9 shots including some great chances - but could not find the net. Still – they occupied the Islanders top defensive duo setting things up for the other lines to roll
The Gas Line: Gabs, Anisimov and Steps, played really well – again – generating 9 shots including some great chances - but could not find the net. Still – they occupied the Islanders top defensive duo setting things up for the other lines to roll
The Richards Line: Yours truly was
massively disappointed when John Mad Scientist Tortorella quickly
moved Richards off the Avery line and back between Callahan and
Dubinsky – especially after letting Aves and Brad practice together
for 2 days. But the move sure worked. Richards: +3 and the game
winning goal – breaking a 2-2 tie late in the third period. This
is exactly why we brought him here and the move is looking brilliant
(Can you believe how good Sather looks on this? I can't believe I
just typed that). Callahan had the empty netter and an assist. And Dubinsky added an assist (he waited 15 games to notch his first
goal – and he'll have to wait at least one more game for his second).
The Avery Line: I would have loved to
have seen Seanny have some real ice time with Richards – but it was
not to be – as Torts put Boyle with him and Feds for most of the
contest. But no matter – Avery took another huge step forward in
rehabilitating his season (and let's face it – his Ranger future)
with another huge goal – snapping the 0-0 tie for the 2nd
straight night with a 19 foot wrister – off his own rebound. Sean
had a plus 1, 2 shots, 2 hits, a fight, and 7 penalty minutes in 11:57 minutes
of ice time– the first of which was off an absurd call by the
officials (the good news here is that John Tortorella sided with Aves
on this one). Boyle had the assist on Avery's goal and 4 hits, and
Fedotenko added a hit of his own.
4th line: one hit each for Prust and
Christensen.
Man Up – Our powerplay is this
season's most notable failure. The Rangers again failed to score on
the Power-play – missing on some 5 on 3 time no less – and yielded
a Power-play goal against while shorthanded. We're not complaining during a 7 game win
streak – but if the Blueshirts ever start delivering when up a man
– watch out!
Blue Line Blueshirts: make no mistake
– this defense is winning these games for us. Another night of 2
goals or less. A big goal and a plus 2 night for Eminger. 27+
minutes for All Star Girardi. An assist for McDonagh and Sauer, and
a plus 2 night for Woywitka. 4 blocked shots for Del Zotto
Crease Monkeys: The defense is helping
him – but when called upon Lundqvist continues to make the very
special save – keeping the Rangers afloat when they have lapses in the defensive zone.
31 saves, and a .939 save percentage – Hank could easily be the
star of the game. Again.
Next Up: It's a too-long 3 days off
and then a Saturday night contest in Montreal.
In conclusion: We're undefeated in
November and undefeated with Sean Avery. And we beat a cross-town rival that always plays us tough. I don't want to even peek
at the standings this early on (but we're just 2 points behind the
Penguins with 2 games at hand). There's still plenty to work on (and
a few days to do just that) but you can't argue with results. John
Tortorella has coached his club to 10-3-3. We'll take it.
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