Woah! Rangers Win A Second Hockey Game!

When John Tortorella first looked at the Rangers lockout-shortened schedule this year - he probably thought that the Maple Leafs game was a good opportunity to give Henrik Lundqvist the night off. 

Of course, when  we got to Saturday, the Rangers 1-3 record made that move impossible. 

The problem is - for the first period - Henrik acted like he did have the night off - even though he was in goal (editor please play ironic "boing" sound now.)

While the rangers got 14 Shots on goal in the first, they only let up three. Of course, this resulted in a two to nothing deficit for our heroes.

Because two of Toronto's three first period shots scooted behind Henrik to give the lowly Maple Leaf's a 2-0 first period lead. The confused rangers skated off the ice after the first period as the Garden faithful rained boo's down on them.

There was nothing to do but keep on attacking and hope that the Hockey Gods would restore the natural order of the universe. The second period went somewhat better. Hank made 6 saves instead of 1 – and the Rangers got one of their 11 shots past Reimer.

It was Brad Richards – once again on the Super Line with Gaborik and Nash who each assisted on Bard's second goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1. We need a name for this line – if you don't like “Super Line” how about “Super Marian Brothers” or – for you old timers GAG Line Two (editor – this is after the original Goal A Game line of Ratelle, Hadfield and Gilbert in the 1970s)

So after two periods we're out-shooting the Leafs 25 to 9, hank has a big 7 saves and we're still losing. But don't worry – The Rangers show up huge in the third.

With their fragile season once again on the line – Marc Staal nets the tying goal at 7:36 as he and Del Zotto worked the puck deep as the Toronto defense focused on Gabby, Brad and Rick.

The go ahead goal was one of the prettiest goals fro Gaborik we've seen since – well – Wednesday I guess. This time The Gifted One deflected a Marc Staal shot in the Toronto that is hard to see even in slow motion. Holding the stick vertical to the ice – Marian makes perfect contact with the blistering shot and Riemer never had a chance.

Two more goals – One off of a Boyle and the other an empty netter from Gabby sealed the deal.

The offensive stats look great: Two Goals and Two assists for Marian. Two assists for Nash and Del Zotto. A goal and assist for Staal and Richards. Lone assists for Stepan and Girardi.

A less good story for Hank. It's hard to win a 5-2 game with a lower save percentage than your opposing goalie, but Hank (.882) did exactly that with Reimer (.902).

But plenty of good news to talk about. Offense back on track. Hank did save the last 14 shots he faced, and Ranger fans can step back off the ledge for another two days.

Next up is a Tuesday night game when the Flyers come to town. That gives Tortorella a few days to train and coach his team. Let's see if it makes a difference.

The Rangers Win A Hockey Game

Stop the presses! The season is not over. The Rangers have won a hockey game.

Twenty seconds into overtime and the Rangers, still winless after 180 minutes of the 2013 season, were defending in their own zone as the boss-town Bruins, who had scored three of the games last four goals, were on the attack.

And the stage was set for Marian Gaborik to take over a game - and maybe save a season.

Step 1. Gabby lunges forward and deflects a cross ice Bruin pass out of the Rangers' defensive zone toward center ice. Huge play that ended the Boston threat.

Step Two: Marian beats everyone to the deflected puck. Now we have possession of the puck.

Step Three: Gabby puts his head down and skates with all his might and speed toward the Bruin goal, maintaining just the slightest lead over the chasing defenseman. Holy crap - we've got a breakaway.

Step Four: Gaborik slams the blade of his stick to the ice - but does not shoot yet. Go back and look at this on the video. It's an attempt to throw the Boston goaltender just a big off his timing. What a great move. How many other players have you EVER seen pulling that stunt with the game on the line.

Step five: Gabby shoots. The off balance goaltender - who has been killing us all night -makes a great stop and the puck bounces into the air.

Step Six: Gaborik does the impossible. In the tiny fraction of a second left to him, Marian lifts his stick and with the stick blade swats the puck out of mid air - and into the Bruin's goal.

Rangers Win. The Rangers Win!

It's early. And we have a lot of work to do. But make no mistake. That was a huge goal and a huge win for the New York Ranger hockey team.

And tonight they are right back at it against the Flyers.

- Dave Pucks

Oh no. The season is over.

Well kids, this is not how Dave Pucks thought we'd come out of the gate. In fact I'm not sure we even have come out of the gate at all this year.

Two games. Two losses. And just 46 games to go.

It got so bad against the despised
Penguins at home that John Tortorella yanked Hank out of the net. And he said he did it for a reason I have never heard before

Torts said:

"I was not going to keep him out there with what was going on in front of him"

Uh. Okay coach.

Anyway we focus on Positives here at the Dave Pucks site. You get plenty of gloom a doom from other Ranger fans so we try to shoot a little sunshine up the five hole at this establishment.

So here we go. This is the problem: We have a brand new top line with Mr. Nash as a new arrival. And Brad Richards has the flu. Other teams with top lines that played together last year are at a natural advantage right now. That problem will go away.

And John Tortorella didn't have the chance to set up his system or his fitness regimen or anything this year.

So calm down people. It's two games.

Of course game three feels like a must game. Which is crazy three games in to the season.

Isn't it?

I sure hope so. Anyway, lets win a friggin hockey game  and we can reassess after that.


Sent from my iPhone

THE RANGERS ARE BACK, BABY!!!

Throw open the doors!  Wake the neighbors!  Blast Bruce Springsteen's Jungleland from every ipod!

The Rangers!  The Rangers!

The Rangers are BACK!

Break out the Goal Song.  Dust off the lucky pucks.  Set your Lundqvist bobble-head a-jiggling.

The Rangers are BACK!

Rouse Sam Rosen from his slumber.  Motion Micheletti to the mic.  Douse Dave Maloney with a bag of pucks.  Wake up boys!

The Rangers are BACK!

Grab Gaborik.  Contact Krieder.  Reach out to Richards.  Dial up Del Zotto.  Call Callahan.  Signal Staal.  And - for the first time - Notify Nash!

 The Rangers are BACK!

Awaken all ye Blueshirt Brothers.  Rise up, fans.  Jump to your feet, all you faithful.  Stand together as one.  Your team - your hockey club - your New York Rangers - are back.  They're ready.  They're rested.

And baby, they are coming for the CUP!