Oxygen Tanks At The Ready: The Clinic Dissects the 2011 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game

Before the current lineups of the Rangers and Flyers take the ice for the 2011 NHL Winter Classic, both teams gathered up an illustrious list of alumni from their pasts, and had them take the ice to battle it out for the entertainment of the fans in a celebration of the sport itself. In an age of hockey where the youth is catered to, and a players age is an hour glass on how long the player has for greatness, the ageless players are a dying breed. We are blessed to be able to watch the wonders of Teemu Selanne and Niklas Lidstrom continue to blaze the trails of the NHL, but the Alumni game is something special.

Tonight, the Rangers Alumni team lost to the Flyers Alumni team to the score to 3-1, but the view of seeing all of these players back playing the game they've grown up loving once again after retiring is a memorable sight. So many highlights took place tonight. For us Rangers fans, it was the return of legends like Mark Messier and Brian Leetch who lead the franchise to end a 54 year drought and the Rangers' fourth Stanley Cup in 1994. For me, this was especially significant. I'm 19 years old, and was two when the Cup came to New York. I never got the chance to watch and appreciate the play of Messier, Leetch and Graves, so to see the men who lifted the Rangers in 1994 to win the Stanley Cup meant a lot to me.

12/28/11 Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

I said... reading is good... can we start the story now, Miss Lippy?

Rangers against the Washington Capitals.

This will be the second time these two teams meet each other as the Rangers and Capitals find themselves in reverse roles form last season. The Rangers have won their last five in-a-row and are looking to extend that streak over the team that eliminated them from competition last year. The Rangers took the first game between these two clubs, by the score of 6-3. As of lately, they have been performing at a higher level no one could have imagined. Marian Gaborik leads the league with 22 goals, and he has scored seven of those goals in his last five games. Along with that, surprise Carl Hagelin has stepped up to fill in at some key times for the Rangers to keep them in games. One can really see how this team is actually playing like a "team", if I can be so cliche about it. Everyone is carrying their own share of the slack, and in the process, the Rangers have been able to win long stretches of games in-a-row. Now they sit atop the Eastern Conference with 48 points, while the Capitals, find themselves looking for answers in this confusing season they've had so far.

12/26/11 Rangers vs. New York Islanders

But I didn't get to shake my belly like a bowl full of jelly!

Rangers against the New York Islanders.

The Rangers meet for the four time already this season. All three of the previous match ups between these teams this season have ended in a score of 4-2, the Islanders taking the first one, and the Rangers taking the latest two. The Rangers have been riding high lately, beating three division rivals before the break for Christmas. The Rangers started by beating the Devils, then the Islanders, and Flyers in a back-to-back series to cap off their first quarter for the season. The team has gelled in the midst of losing much of their defense, but some light has been shed on the Rangers situation as defensive cornerstone Marc Staal was cleared for contact today after being shelved for the entire season so far with a concussion. And with the defense taking a toll, the defense and goaltending of the Rangers has really stood strong to pick up some of the slack. Marian Gaborik leads the league with 21 goals, and Henrik Lundqvist and Marty Biron have done their best to keep games close.

12/23/11 Rangers vs. Flyers

I'm in the club, hollerin' ay-bay-bay.

Rangers against the Philadelphia Flyers.

These two teams will face off tonight for the final time before the winter Classic on January 1st. The Rangers took the last game against the Flyers 2-0 at MSG nearly a month ago, and now they host the Flyers again to see if they can conjure up the same magic they showed in the first meeting. The Rangers are coming off of a good win against the New York Islanders not even 24 hours ago where they won 4-2. Marian Gaborik, Brandon Dubinsky, and Michael Del Zotto scored for the Rangers, and John Mitchell got the empty netter to seal a victory for the Rangers that was backup goalie Marty Biron's seventh win of the season. The Rangers really amped it up when they needed to in that game, and they took advantage of every opportunity they saw, like the set play from Artem Anisimov to Marian Gaborik off the face-off to give the Rangers the lead. They played physical, and aggressive, but they also played intelligently too. For tonight, that same power they had last evening is going to be needed, as the Flyers are cruising.

12/22/11 Rangers vs. New York Islanders

Shut the door, baby, don't say nothin'.

Rangers against the New York Islanders.

The Rangers are coming off of a hard fought 4-1 win against the New Jersey Devils, as they look to extend their win streak to three games in MSG. The Rangers battled the Devils for the entire 60 minutes of hockey, as Marian Gaborik scored twice, and Carl Hagelin helped out shorthanded to lift the team to a victory. The Rangers have ended their road trip and return home tonight to take on interstate rivals in the Islanders, a team that has exploited the Rangers, and been exploited by the Rangers already this season. Both of the game the Rangers and Islanders have played so far ended in the score of 4-2, with the Islanders taking the first, and the Rangers taking the most recent. The Rangers, despite missing four key members of their defense, should look to play just the way they did against the Devils. The Rangers need to play with reckless abandon, and throw everything they've got at the Islanders to set the tone of this game. The main reason why the Rangers were able to overtake the Devils was because of the intensity they showed from the get-go. If they can do that again tonight against the Islanders, they can set the tone, play the game the way they want to, and swagger into a victory.

12/20/11 Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils

I make a rich woman beg, and I make a good woman steal.

Rangers against the New Jersey Devils.

The first meeting of these two teams this season. As all well  know, the Rangers and Devils never disappoint when they meet, and tonight will be no different. The Rangers are coming off of a very uplifting victory over the Phoenix Coyotes where Brad Richards scored the game winner with a tenth of a second left on the regulation clock to win the game. That was a much needed win for the Rangers, as they were at risk of losing three in a row had they not scored. But now, they are rejuvenated, and are looking to take a crack at the Devils in New Jersey tonight. Some worse news came to the forefront this week, as more of the Rangers defensemen went down with injuries in their game against the Coyotes. Steve Eminger hurt his shoulder, and will be out for 8-10 weeks. Along with him, Jeff Woywitka will potentially be sidelined tonight with an ankle injury and an illness. That leaves the Rangers without four of their major defensemen. Tim Erixon and Stu Bickel have been recalled from Hartford, and hopefully can do a somewhat competent job of containing the explosive offense of the Devils.

12/17/11 Rangers vs. Phoenix Coyotes

I remember my first beer.

Rangers against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Rangers and Coyotes meet for their lone matchup of the season tonight in the desert, as the Rangers look to rebound from two brutal losses against Dallas and St. Louis. The Rangers lost their game in Dallas in the dying minutes of the game, and did not appear to show up at all during their match with St. Louis where they lost 4-1. The cure for jump in the game of the Rangers is unknown, but it could happen tonight as they take on the streaky Coyotes. A shade of good news for the Rangers is big man Mike Rupp has a possibility of returning to the lineup tonight after sitting out the past few games with a knee injury. One thing that Ranger fans seem hell-bent on is the fact that Sean Avery should be in the lineup. When Avery was recalled to the lineup earlier this year, the Rangers went on a rampage, and won a lot more games than they lost. Normally, I'd be an advocate for putting out the best players on the ice, but for some reason, it seems like the team does well with Avery in the lineup. I cannot explain why, but for some reason, it works. I, myself, would like to see Avery given one more chance to prove himself.

The Clinic Dissects HBO's 24/7: Rangers/Flyers Episode One

Like many Rangers fans, Flyers fans, and hockey fans in general, I tuned in to the second installment of HBO's 24/7 series. After much garnered success the first season had with the Capitals and Penguins, the Rangers and Flyers got their first crack at it tonight, and it did not disappoint. Here were some of the favorite moments of the Clinic.

• The amount of 'F' bombs dropped was about what was expected. Torts, Avery, everyone was dropping it everywhere in every situation. That is the sport of hockey people. It can not be contained by censors.
• Ilya Bryzgalov stole the show, without a doubt. It began with his rant about being traded to the Flyers, and moved into him becoming a modern day Socrates and discussed the universe. Later on in the episode, he was handed a bottle of Russian alcohol and proceeded to discuss tigers, which lead to the sparking thought many fans like me had which was "why you heff to kill tigers?". Bryzgalov needs either more airtime, or his own TV show. Or, he needs retire and just be a philosopher. His wisdom is unsurpassed.
• The crazed Jaromir Jagr fan had me rolling on the floor laughing. ROFL'ing as the kids say these days.

12/13/11 Rangers vs. Dallas Stars

We just put Sir Isaac Newton in the drivers seat.

Rangers against the Dallas Stars.

This is the first and only meeting of these two clubs this season. Last year, the Rangers beat the Stars in the shootout 3-2. The Rangers and Stars were two completely different teams last season, which makes this years matchup that much more interesting. For one, Brad Richards returns to his former team for the first time where he played four seasons. He scored more points than games he played here, and now he looks to add to his points total with the Rangers. Brad Richards has been doing it all for the Rangers. From assists, to much needed goals, Richards has been doing some good work when he's on the ice. Having a guy like Richards around is a benefit because he is so multifaceted in his skills that he can just make players around him better by playing on their line. As corny as that may sound, he's a real lightning rod for positive energy for this team, and it's showing by this team winning games. The Rangers trounced the Panthers 6-1 two night ago, one of their best offensive performances of the season so far. In the 2nd period, the Rangers capitalized on quite a few rebounds to score four goals in one period to cap a victory off. A good performance like that is needed against a team like the Stars who has been a surprise so far this season.

12/11/11 Rangers vs. Florida Panthers

If the Rock hits you, he'll kill you. If the Rock misses, the wind behind the punch will give you pneumonia, and you'll die anyway. Your choice, jabroni.

Rangers against the Florida Panthers.

The Rangers got back to their track of winning last night after beating the Buffalo Sabres to the score of 4-1. Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan got two shorthanded goals, and Hagelin managed to pot another one on route to a win. The Rangers got what they needed last night, and that was secondary scoring. Had Hagelin not chipped in, the Rangers would have still won, but to a much slimmer margin that would have been too close for comfort. The Rangers got what they needed from Hagelin, now they need the rest of the team to contribute. The Florida Panthers are a surprising team this season. The Panthers beat the Rangers a few weeks ago to the score of 2-1, and currently sit at the third seed in the Eastern Conference. If there was a team where secondary scoring was absolutely needed against, it's the Florida Panthers. After being beaten 2-1, the Rangers need to amp up their play with more hits, takeaways, and capitalization on opportunities if they want to come out of this game winners.

The Diagnosis


This is another close one to call. The Panthers are so good, and the Rangers just played a tough fought game last night. I cannot predict a score tonight because this game is so close to call. If anything, it will end in overtime.

Enjoy the game!

12/10/11 Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres

Holler, if ya hear me.

Rangers against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Rangers and Sabres meet for the first time this season, after splitting four games last season. The Rangers are coming off a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a shootout, while Buffalo is coming off a much needed overtime winner from Jason Pominville at home. The Rangers are the team thats had rest, receiving a day off from their loss to Tampa, while Buffalo will be playing their second game in 24 hours. The Rangers will be without a good porting of their defensemen, with Michael Sauer going down with a concussion after the Maple Leafs game. Despite the two consecutive losses, the Rangers have not been completely out of the games that they've played. Brad Richards is still paying dividends with a seven game point streak currently going. What the Rangers need is a bit more secondary scoring. Players like Brandon Dubinsky and Brian Boyle have yet to do anything spectacular this season, and in order for the Rangers to start picking up their play again, they need to start getting their game in gear.

Here's Why You Don't Pretend To Shoot The Other Team, Artem Anisimov

Consider this a lesson in ethics. My ethics. Which have 20% more salt than regular ethics. Where am I right now?

Watching the game against the Lightning tonight was an interesting affair. The Rangers held the lead going into the 3rd, and looked as if they were going to win the game until Domenic Moore shelfed a nice backhand and sent it to overtime where the Rangers lost in the shootout. But lets jump back to the second goal by the Rangers. Artem Anisimov parked himself in front of the net shorthanded to score the second goal for the Rangers. Uncharacteristically, Anisimov turned around, put the blade of the stick in his hand, crouched and pretended to shoot at the goal which he had just scored on. This incensed Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier, who was in the metaphorical line of fire, and he charged at Anisimov which sparked a big brawl where even Steve Downie came off the bench to get into the action. At the moment, I thought the celebration was friggin' hysterical. But looking back on how the game went from there on, I wish he hadn't done it.

12/8/11 Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Goonies never say die.

Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For the second time in a week, the Rangers and Lightning are squaring off, this time at Madison Square Garden. The last time these two teams faced, the Rangers beat out the Lightning in the dying minutes of the 3rd period as Derek Stapan put the Rangers up with three minutes to go. Brad Richards sealed the win with an empty-netter, and there was much rejoicing. After coming up just short of beating the Maple Leafs, the Rangers are looking to get back to a win streak, and it starts tonight with the Lightning. The Rangers took a bump in their game against the Leafs, as Dion Phaneuf does what Dion Phaneuf does, and that is layeth the smacketh down on an open ice body check on Michael Sauer. Sauer unfortunately suffered a concussion on the play, and will be out for a undisclosed amount of  time. The Rangers called up recently added defenseman Anton Stralman to replace him. Stralman, who only played in one game this season, will hopefully blend well with the defensive system going on here with the Rangers. As far as who has been performing well, that compliment goes to Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. Despite the loss to the Leafs, these two have done their fair share of contributing to the offense of the team, and are a threatening tandem when put out on the ice together. Watch them to stir up some magic tonight, as they are ones to do.

12/3/11 Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Are these men going to hurt us? No Donnie, these men are cowards.

Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This is the first meeting between these two teams this season, and both are off to interesting starts. The Rangers are rolling once again, coming into this game winning four-in-a-row. The Rangers, who came back to beat Carolina two days ago, have been putting on some good performances, as both Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik, as well as the defense for the Rangers have been potting goals here and there. The defenseive corps for the Rangers seems to be chipping in at least once a game for the Rangers, which proves to be important as those goals sometimes are the game winner. Struggles for the Rangers have been few and far between since starting the season on a bad foot, and being able to control their house of MSG after their trip to Europe to start the season. The Rangers have been moving the chains in the standings, and playing with confidence, getting key wins against quality opponents, and doing it decisively, in regulation.

12/1/11 Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Stand back, there's a hurricane coming through!

Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Rangers beat all three of their toughest competition so far this season, after beating the Capitals, Flyers and Penguins all in succession. The Rangers have been doing what they needed to do to win in each of their last three games, they took advantage of opportunities, and played solid defense, which came to the forefront when the Rangers shut out the Flyers 2-0. The Rangers last played the Hurricanes in the midst of their long seven game win streak, when they won their 6th game, now the Rangers look to make it four in a row tonight, and start a new win streak. The additions of John Mitchell and Carl Hagelin, who were recently called up to replace Wojtek Wolski and Erik Christensen have paid some dividends so far. Both have a goal in the last two games, and the camaraderie they had in the AHL is showing with their awareness for each other here in the NHL. It is always nice to see kids in the system get called up to be given a shot, and I believe they'll keep getting these shots if they keep up the way they've been playing for the Rangers.

11/29/11 Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Comin' to you live from the middle of the rainy epicenter of the universe.

Rangers against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It seems fitting that the Rangers are playing the Penguins today after playing two conference rivals in the Flyers and Capitals, and now have yet another huge task in front of them tonight with the best team in the league at the moment. The Rangers shut down every possible hole they had against the Flyers as they won the game by shutting them out 2-0. Henrik Lundqvist was sharp against the best offensive team in the league, and will more than likely get the start once again tonight. Now that the Rangers are home, where they have performed very well so far this season, it's time once again to get back to the work they know how to do against another mammoth competitor tonight.

11/26/11 Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers

There's no business like show business.

Rangers against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fresh off of a game not even 24 hours ago, the Rangers are lacing up once again to play another game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Rangers beat the Capitals to the tune of their best offensive showing of the season, 6-3. Henrik Lundqvist looked sharp in net throughout the game, despite letting in three goals, he made stellar saves throughout the 1st. period that kept the Rangers and Capitals scoreless. Now, they have a bigger challenge in front of them with the Philadelphia Flyers, the team they will be facing in the Winter Classic. And yes, cameras will be rolling tonight for HBO's 24/7 series to capture all that happens on and off the ice to replay to us in uncensored, high-definition glory.

11/25/11 Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

If your reading this instead of Black Friday shopping, well done.

Rangers against the Washington Capitals.

This is the first meeting of these two teams since their heated playoff series that the Capitals won in five games. Since then, the Rangers and Capitals have been pretty even throughout the regular season. The Capitals had their long win-streak at the start of the season, and the Rangers had their seven game win-streak just recently end to the Montreal Canadiens. The Rangers and Capitals sit just two points apart from each other, and like most of the games they played against each other last year, it will now disappoint.

The New York Rangers Clinic Celebrates Its First Birthday!

It's been one year, and it hasn't lost its luster.

A year ago, my decisions in my academic life reflected into my personal life. Attending community college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and was looking for direction, or an outlet for something I could do with my spare time. I thought about what I was good at, and knew I have always been a writing person over a math person (despite my awful use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation on occasion). Along that line, I decided my major for college, and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life was write. So, I chose the Journalism major at my school, and got to work. I knew if I was ever going to make it in the journalism field, I was going to have to get some practice, and since my schedule did not have room for the newspaper at my school, I had to make use of my own time.

Hockey has always been my sport of interest, and one of my favorite places on the web to catch up on all the news on the sport was Yahoo!'s hockey blog "Puck Daddy". Normally written in a large part to editor Greg Wyshynski, it keeps me up to date with everything I need to know, as well as informing me on all of the teams of the NHL as well as some fun factoids (and enough professional wrestling references to stop your heart cold). Puck Daddy became my motivation, and my influence on how I wrote, now all I needed was a forum in which to do that. So, I thought of making my own, and my search brought me to this website you are reading this on right now.

Why I Prefer Hockey Over Football: An Opinion Column

As I sit here in my home watching the Giants and the Eagles thug it out, like they do every time these two teams get together (myself being a Giants fan because I'm not a horrible person), I have found myself thinking, "wow, I wish I could be watching hockey right now". At the time I am writing this, the game is currently 10-3 at halftime, and I am losing all interest. I've stopped watching, not because of the Giants losing, but because it has become a chore at this point. There are a cornucopia of issues I have with this game, and with watching football in general that tip me on my side whenever I watch a game of football. As compared to when I watch a hockey game, the two sports are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum as far as my excitement goes. This is solely my opinion, so don't go getting your panties in a bunch if you don't agree with me.

Now before I go into my tirade, I'd like to point out that I am a multi-sport man. I enjoy all four of the major sports on American television, I could watch a soccer game if it's exciting, I watch UFC, and I've followed the Olympics when the come around. I like all the sports for their own features. Basketball has the drama and the momentum swings that keep me watching the games. Baseball, while being sometimes very difficult to watch because of its longevity, I played baseball as a kid and have a connection to it, especially when it gets down toward the end of a season. Finally, I enjoy football too, because I understand the strategy that goes into the game. I like the excitement of the big plays, and the determination of a team that is down, but not out driving down a field. Competition in general excites me, but nothing like the way the sport of hockey does.

11/15/11 Rangers vs. New York Islanders

Comin' atcha live from the Brookdale library.

Rangers against the New York Islanders.

This is the second meeting of these two teams this season, as the Rangers look to extend their six game win streak to a seven game win streak on Long Island. The last time these two teams faced, the Rangers struggled to contain John Tavares as h scored three goals for the hat-trick. Since then, the Islanders haven't been fairing so well, as they are 1-6-3 in their last ten games, their last win coming against the Rangers. Meanwhile, the Rangers have been showing some quality hockey during this win streak, as they have outscored their opponents 23-9. The tandem of Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Biron has been stellar along this stretch, and it is humbling to know that so long as both are healthy, this dynamic duo can get it done any given night. As far as offense goes, many of the forwards for the Rangers, as well as defensemen have been chipping in as of late. Marian Gaborik has 11 points in eight of his last games, and the defense has contributed a total of eight goals so far this season, despite not having Marc Staal.

Recapping the Rangers/Hurricanes

It's all clicking.

The Rangers won their sixth game in a row tonight, topping the Hurricanes 5-1 at home. Five different players scored for the Rangers, and a lot of people are contempt right now in New York. People are content with Sean Avery who scored the first goal of the night after being called up five games ago. Brandon Dubinsky is content with scoring his first goal of the season, after struggling earlier on. People are content with Brad Richards, who has proven his worth that has come with his big contract, as he pays dividends with both goals and assists. And most importantly, people are content with John Tortorella who many believed was wrong in changing the layout of the team by sending players down.

There is content, there is consistency, and there is hope. Hope that the building blocks for a powerhouse team are in place. Hope for the Garden Faithful to see a team that has been molded from a young gabble of players make something of themselves. Hope for a bright future to come.

I am happy to see this team finally playing to their potential. This team is good, and they are showing it. But it is a long season. A long season where many bumps and bruises and random catalysts boil down to who can perform at the right time. When those moments come, it all depends on who is more prepared, and the Rangers look prepared. They have a defense who has played without their centerpiece in Marc Staal for the entire season thus far. They have a center, who has, in my opinion, the best awareness on the ice in Brad Richards. It is all clicking, and it makes me smile. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning Trap: What in the Blue HELL is This?!

If you pay attention to the hockey world at all, chances are you've hear of 'trap defense'. It is primarily when one team sticks back in their own zone and sets up in an fortified defensive position, while at the same time, not pressuring the puck, as the defending team waits for the offensive team to make the first move. Originally set up by the Crypt Keeper Jacques Lemaire with the New Jersey Devils. At the time, it was deemed as the tactic that "killed hockey" and many called for a change to the rules as it was a painstakingly boring process as the Devils would win a good majority of their games to the score of 1-0.

With Jacques Lemaire back in his mausoleum tending to his fellow skeleton buddies, the trap has been fairly done away with, up until the puck dropped in Tampa Bay last night. The Lightning and Flyers squared up to face each other last night, and the initial jump was not what was expected. Thirty seconds into the game, the Lightning got secured into their positions in head coach Guy Bouchers 1-3-1 defensive strategy (a newer version of the trap where the defending team sets up one player on each blue line, and three players along the center ice line) and went about their normal routine of defense. Except the Flyers found a loophole in this strategy, they found out that if they just hold onto the puck, no one on the Lightning is going to come and get it. Brayden Coburn literally sat in his defensive end, with the puck, not moving, for an entire 30-seconds until the referee realized that if they don't do something soon, Tampa Bay fans were going to riot like true hockey fans are ones to do (cept I think Tampa, 'riot' is just a big group taking a trip to the beach). So the refs blew the whistle and set up for another face off.

This was not the only time that the Flyers pulled this strategy, for they did it multiple times throughout the period. And, of course, people are fired up at Guy Boucher! They want him penalized for making the game boring! There have already been many different ideas tossed up like enforcing a minor penalty, or even something a ridiculous as a shot clock. I've found a much more useful way to keep teams from doing this, without taking away the defense altogether.

11/6/11 Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets

It's my happening baby, and it freaks me out.

Rangers against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Rangers meet the Jets again for the second time in two weeks, this time on MSG ice. The Rangers capped off a "scratch and claw" game yesterday against the Montreal Canadiens to the score of 5-3. Dan Girardi, Brad Richards, Michael Del Zotto, Ryan Callahan, and Erik Christensen all chipped in for the Rangers on their goals as the scoring for the Blueshirts is spreading onto all fronts and line.

The last time the Rangers played the Jets, Martin Biron was in net, and he lead the Rangers making 27 saves. Along with that, both the Rangers goals by Ruslan Fedotenko and Ryan Callahan wee scored on the powerplay. That is another good sign for the Rangers: their powerplay is clicking. That can be attributed to the addition of Brad Richards, who is undoubtedly in my mind, the smartest mind on the ice for the Rangers. His passing is smooth, and he has been able to chip in for the Rangers at times when it is needed.

The Jets are also gaining ground after a lame start to their season. They have not been completely left behind in the standings yet, but they failed to pull two points from New Jersey yesterday as they lost in overtime. Former Ranger Nik Antropov has done well for his team, as he leads the Jets with three goals and eight assists as the Jets look to do some consistent winning in this league.

11/5/11 Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens

You're out of your element, Donny.

Rangers against the Montreal Canadiens.

First off, I'd like to exclaim my excitement for this game because it is going to be my first Rangers game I attend this season! I am excited to see the new Garden, Richards, and the game! It's going to be SWEET!

Now that I've composed myself, onto predicting the game. The Rangers managed to pull a win away from the Anaheim Ducks in a shootout. Marian Gaborik, who is not an avid shootout ace, tucked it past Jonas Hiller after juking him out of position , leaving it to Henrik Lundqvist to stone Bobby Ryan to seal the two points for the Rangers, keeping them up in the standings. The Rangers have been finding their scoring touch as of recently, after having five goals from four different players against the Sharks earlier this week, and having defenseman Jeff Woywitka get the lone goal for the Rangers against the Ducks. Everyone seems to be gaining that cohesiveness that the Rangers showed last season, and they're doing it at the right time, too. The standings are doing a ton  of shuffling every night, and in order to not be left behind, the Rangers need these points. After giving Lundqvist some time off, he only allowed one goal in his game against the Ducks (not counting Selanne's shootout goal). Letting Martin Biron take the net for two games will prove to be a good move for Lundqvist's sake because now he has had time to center himself, and will be at a higher peak of performance tonight because of it.

11/3/11 Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks

When life gives you razor-blades, you make a baseball bat, covered in razor-blades.

Rangers against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Rangers and Ducks are meeting tonight on home soil, after versing each other in Sweden earlier in October, with the Ducks took that game 2-1 in a shootout. The Rangers have shuffled up this team a bit after blowing a 3 goal lead against Ottawa. Kris Newbery and Tim Erixon were sent down to the Connecticut Whale, and the Rangers brought up Andre Deveaux and fan-favorite Sean Avery. Unfortunately, Avery will not be in the lineup tonight, but the Rangers are feeling better after that loss. The Rangers responded to the loss against Ottawa by beating the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Tuesday. Captain Ryan Callahan scored twice, and Artem Anisimov and Derek Stepan both scored their first goals of the year. It appears that the loss against Ottawa has resonated more inside the locker room than one would have thought, and has woken up the secondary scoring a bit. That has been what the Ranger have lacked in the first two games: secondary scoring. Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards have done their part in contributing, and now the 2nd and 3rd line guys are beginning to get into the swing of things. If all goes well tonight again for the Rangers, this shuffling of the team could prove to be a benefit.

Dear Fellow Rangers Fans: An Open Letter Regarding the Loss to Ottawa

Today we witnessed a very heartbreaking game where the Rangers blew a 4-1 lead to the Ottawa Senators. It sucks, I know. I'm just as upset as the rest of you.

Yes, they blew this game big time. You want to know what's not going to make this loss suck any less? Calling for the firing and beheading of the coach.

By doing that, you are being what I like to refer to as "hockey stupid". So yes, that would mean a LOT of you are being really, REALLY hockey stupid right now. 

I've been around the Rangers long enough to realize that these kind of losses are going to rear their ugly heads now and again. Can anyone remember the 4-0 comeback run from the Thrashers two season ago? I sure do. I was really pissed after that game. I was calling for Tom Renney's head just like many of you are calling for Tortorellas head right now. That game meant so much to me, it sparked a personal protest of mine, where I stopped watching games for an extended period of time, and would not repeal until Glen Sather was fired.

Eventually, Tom Renney was released, but Glen Sather still remained. You want to know where the firing of Tom Renney got the Rangers? Nowhere, they still missed the playoffs in the shootout to the Flyers.

10/27/11 Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Haters can't see me, nosebleed seats.

Rangers against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Rangers are finally making there home debut in the new and improved Madison Square Garden. Everyone is abuzz with want to know how the new Garden looks from the inside, along with the new player accommodations like the locker rooms and spas among other things. But tonight is just another night where the Rangers need to lay it on the line in order to get some points so they can gain some ground in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers capped off their Canadian road trip with a 3-1 record beating the Flames, Canucks, and Jets. The Rangers managed to pull out these wins all without two key defensemen in Michael Sauer and Marc Staal. However, on the brighter side of things, Michael Sauer will be making his return to the lineup tonight, so that'll alleviate some pressure on defense.

10/24/11 Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets

For the first time in 15 years, "Rangers vs. Jets" is a relevant statement.

So I'll just say it again for continuity's sake: Rangers against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Rangers are making their return to Winnipeg tonight, and it's a completely different picture than it was 15 years ago. New stadium, new jerseys, and a much more revved up fanbase. It's a whole new ballgame up in Winnipeg. The ex-Thrashers managed to beat the Rangers in 3-out-of-4 meetings last season, and much of their players have stayed put, so Rangers fans can expect the same level of competitiveness that they saw in Atlanta.

The Rangers failed to get anything going two days ago against Edmonton as they were shut out 3-0. On top of that Henrik Lundqvist left in the middle of the 3rd period due to discomfort in his foot. He is fine, but the Rangers are giving Martin Biron his first start of the season to let Lundqvist rest.

The Diagnosis


If todays post seems short, it is. I have a bit of homework to do and I want to fulfill my obligation to my readers first. I think the Rangers can certainly pull out a win tonight in Winnipeg. Unlike the Oilers, the Jets haven't retooled at all, and therefore are still vulnerable. I think the Rangers will walk out of Winnipeg with a proud win tonight.

The Diagnosis


Rangers win 4-1

Brad Richards will get the first goal early in the 1st period.
Brian Boyle will scored the second also in the 1st.
Alexander Burmistrov will get the lone goal for the Jets late in the 1st.
Marian Gaborik will get the third Rangers goal half way through the 2nd period.
And finally, Ryan Callahan will get a goal coming late in the 3rd to seal a victory.

Enjoy the game!

10/22/11 Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers

So... you think your untouchable...

Rangers against the Edmonton Oilers.

That Rangers managed to pull two points out of their game against the Calgary Flames last Thursday as Ryan McDonagh snapped home a rebound off a Dan Girardi shot to win the game with 1.5 seconds left on the OT clock. McDonagh, who has stepped up leaps and bounds in the absence of top-defenseman Marc Staal, has two goals, and two assists is the past three games, as the Rangers continue to play their game that they are being given every chance to play. That all comes down to the stellar play of Henrik Lundqvist, who has been standing on his head to stop pucks these past two games, and now the Rangers meet the Oilers as they try to knock off another Canadian team.

10/20/11 Rangers vs. Flames

X-men, welcome to die.

Rangers against the Calgary Flames.

The Rangers managed a very improbable win this Tuesday on their tour-de-Canada, by shutting out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0. Goals were scored by Mike Rupp, Marian Gaborik, Ryan McDonagh, and Brian Boyle, as the secondary scoring for the Rangers finally kicked in to put the Rangers over the hump and out of the reach of Vancouver. But the main story of that game was Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped everything that came his way. The Canucks out-shot the Rangers 40-19, yet Lundqvist didn't allow any to get by him. It was probably the best showcase of skill by Henrik Lundqvist in recent memory, and one can only home he continues to be this perfect.

10/18/11 Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks

I'm back on the horse.

Rangers against the Vancouver Canucks.

First off, I would like to apologize for my lack of posts the past two games. I work now, and I am rather busy and don't have time to write the posts on weekends. I will begin doing a "Weekend Roundup" Every week to go over the games I'll have to miss because of my job. But during the week, I'll be on my game doing every single game that comes up.

Now, onto the game. The Rangers are off to a very rocky start. Despite having two points, they have yet to win this year. They are currently 0-1-2, and need a jump in order to gain some ground out of the starting gate this year. The Rangers have only managed 5 goals in their first 3 games, and are depleted on defense with Michael Sauer and Marc Staal sitting with injuries. It's quite a bit of turmoil to start the season with, but keep in mind that the Rangers lost Marian Gaborik on the third game of the season last year, and managed to bond together to string together some wins. That is not out of the question that that can happen here and now. With a new offensive weapon in Brad Richards, the Rangers can finally get some good setups for Gaborik, and will be able to convert more. What they need right now is secondary scoring. Brandon Dubinsky, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Artem Anisimov have yet to score this year, and in order for the Rangers to succeed, they will need them to chip in occasionally to get the Rangers over this hump.

The Canucks are, well, the Canucks. They're a great team. They are currently 2-2-1, and are off to a fairly decent start. With reports coming in that Ryan Kesler will be making his return tonight, that only makes the Canucks that much better. They are a solid team, but that does not mean they are unbeatable. The Presidents Trophy winning team a year ago, the Canucks and Rangers faced on January 23rd last season (a game I proudly attended) and the Rangers shut out the best team in the NHL to the score of 1-0. It will be harder this time around, but I do believe that the Rangers have what it takes in order to make that come true.

The Diagnosis


Despite my optimism, I believe it's going to be too much of a task asking the Rangers to take on this powerhouse of a team at this stage. They are too depleted by injuries, are fatigued from travel, and just don't seem to be on the same page play-wise. I see the Canucks taking this game tonight.

The Prediction


Canucks win 3-1

Brad Richards will have the first goal of the game early on in the 1st.
Henrik Sedin will get the first goal for the Canucks half way through the 1st.
Daniel Sedin will score the second for the Canucks.
And the empty netter will be scored by Kevin Bieksa.

Enjoy the game!

10/7/11 Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings

And here... we... go... (oh hi, Puck Daddy...)

The first game of the Rangers season kicks off in beautiful Stockholm, Sweden in their only match-up this year against the Los Angeles Kings.

First and foremost, on behalf of ever Rangers fan I'd like to say FINALLY! HOCKEY'S BACK YEAH!

Now, for those of you that haven't been paying attention, there are some new additions you'll see today, as the Rangers will debut some newcomers, along with some new veterans. Tim Erixon will be lacing up, along with new enforcer Mike Rupp, and oh yeah, Brad Richards on the first line with Marian Gaborik. The Rangers however, will be down a few players. Gone are Matt Gilroy, Vinny Prospal, Chris Drury, and Bryan McCabe. Along with those losses, Marc Staal will be sitting this game with post-concussion symptoms. Knowing how serious those are, we here at the Clinic wish Marc a speedy and safe recovery. However, aside from those, no major updates have been made. It has also been reported that Brandon Dubinsky will be pairing up with Richards and Gaborik on the first line. Not sure how that will work out, but we will see today.

Sean Avery Reportedly Headed for Waivers

Upset, and frustration came to many Rangers fans faces today as they learned fan favorite super-pest, Sean Avery, is reportedly going to be put on waivers.

The first reports came from Twitter, which were met with much scrutiny from fans, and for a plethora of reasons. Most fans were upset to find Erik Christensen was going to get a shot over Avery. Christensen has become sort of a Redden-esque scapegoat here in New York, after speaking his mind on what he believed was an Avery sucker-punch in a game against the Oilers last season. This decision of Christensen over Avery drew the ire of many fans because they believed that Avery put in more work than Christensen did, and that another factor was because of coach John Tortorellas opinion of Averys play. Tortorella did not keep it a secret that he thought Avery was a distraction to the team, and many fans believe that that opinion was what fueled this decision.

As stated before, this drew mixed emotions from fans. Some were happy to see the pest gone (needless to say, that majority wasn't Rangers fans), and some were truly upset because they loved Averys antics (me included).

Wayne Simmonds and Sean Avery: Yet Another Controversy

Once again, Mr. Sean Avery has found himself at the center of controversy this year.

It was reported by Avery that Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds used a homophobic epithet as an insult against Avery during the Flyers preseason 5-3 victory over the Rangers. The moment came after both teams had gotten into a skirmish after the soon-to-be-suspended-because-Shanny-don't-take-no-crap Flyers forward, Tom Sestito, boarded Rangers center Andre Deveaux. Avery grabbed Simmonds, and the two began yapping. During said yapping, Simmonds shouted the bad "F" word at Avery, and Avery did not like it one bit.

It's Finally Confirmed: Rangers and Flyers Playing in the Winter Classic

Ever since the schedule for the 2011-2012 season was released, and people noticed that the Rangers and Flyers were scheduled to play on January 2nd, the speculation that this match was the Winter Classic for this season swirled. A little while after, the fans kind of realized that it was going to be and just waited for the league to officially confirm it. Now, that time has come, and the Rangers and Flyers are set to square off on a national outdoor stage in one of the greatest hockey traditions that's ever been thought of.

The game was announced at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, by members of the Flyers organization, along with Glen Sather, who did his share of trash-talking, claiming that the Rangers will win on January 2nd, and that the Yankees will also win their title, more than likely at the Phillies' expense. Both of these claims were greeted with gallant boos from the crowd, which Sather just used as fuel to get people excited for the game.

The game itself is very exciting because of both of the circumstances of both the Rangers and Flyers. The Rangers are a settled group now. It seems like everyone on the roster has formed into this identity of a real "blue collar" hockey team, and they are finally gaining traction in the Eastern conference. The Flyers however, are an entirely different team. After trading away ex-captain Mike Richards and noted goal-scorer Jeff Carter to make room for their new addition, Ilya Bryzgalov in goal, along with the signing of  Jaromir Jagr on his return to the NHL, this team is completely retooled from the team that they had in the Stanley Cup Finals two years ago. These two teams fought hard in their games that they played each other in last year, so it will be interesting to see how they play with the added incentive of this prestigious event.

Along with that, the main question that is now on everyone's mind is "is there going to be a Rangers/Flyers 24/7"? And the answer is yes, the Rangers and Flyers will be followed around by HBO and filmed behind the scenes to show the fans of both teams what these teams are like in all of their uncensored glory. Which means be prepared for a lot of F-bombs. Seriously, you don't stick a camera around John Tortorella, Sean Avery and Chris Pronger and expect Shakespearean dialogue, do you?

But regardless, this is exciting for both franchises, and it will make this season all the more eventful. Fans who are interested in buying tickets should look now, because they will not be here for long!

Rangers Preseason Recap 9/21/11

Do not fret Rangers fans, it is only preseason.

The Rangers fell to the New Jersey Devils in their first preseason game today by the score of 2-1 on an overtime goal by Patrik Elias. The game was evenly played for a majority of it, very tightly defended and some stellar goaltending was displayed. Petr Sykora opened the scoring for the Devils early in the game to give them a lead that would last until the final five minutes of the 3rd period when Dale Weise scored to tie the game up. Early into overtime, Zach Parise got control of a turnover and passed it ahead to Elias who tapped it in for a victory.

Why Ranger fans should not be upset about this loss was because of a lot of facts. First off, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal and Brad Richards were not on the bench tonight, while the Devils had both Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk on the ice tonight. The fact that the Rangers, with a team of kids on defense took this Devils team to overtime shows that the depth on the blue line is looking sharp. Now, if the Rangers get pounded with another storm of injuries this year, they can rest assured that they won't have to make a hard decision on who to bring up because they will have so many options to choose from.

Focusing on some of the individual efforts tonight, I liked how Michael Del Zotto played. You can tell he has a chip on his shoulder because of how badly last year went for him. Del Zotto was everywhere tonight and he looks much better. Another looker was goaltender Cam Talbot. Talbot made some incredible stops tonight, and it is good to know that the Rangers have another option just in case an injury like Martin Birons last year happens again. One disappointment was Tim Erixon for me. I caught a glimpse of the Traverse City Tournament this year, and when the Rangers played, I heard Erixon's name all over the place. He was not very noticeable tonight and that is why I was a bit let down. However, it is a long time until the regular season, which means they're is still plenty of time for him to prove himself, along with all of the other kids that have played.

New York Rangers Hockey Is Back! Preseason Begins Tonight!

Its finally here! After a long off-season, Rangers hockey returns tonight in their first preseason game against the New Jersey Devils.

This game is exciting because it is the first time we as Rangers fans we will get to see the up-and-coming potential roster players like Tim Erixon get to play on a big stage, as well as new additions like Mike Rupp and Brad Richards make they're New York Rangers debut.

The Game will be broadcast on MSG in the New York area at 7 P.M. I will do more analysis later tonight after the game because I do not have much to work with right now, so I would rather give my opinions after the game. This is just a notice for all fans, NYR hockey is back!

New York Rangers 2011-12 Season: A Fans Perspective

With this off-season bringing in some new additions to the New York Rangers, as well as some subtractions, many Rangers fans are starting to get anxious from hockey withdrawal as they fantasize about the upcoming season. Some new additions like Brad Richards and Mike Rupp will add some depth to the Rangers lineup, but at quite a price for both of them. As for subtractions, Vinny Prospal and Matt Gilroy have flown the coop to make room for some future new additions. With help from the New York Rangers Facebook Group, I've gathered some information on what some of the true Blueshirt Faithfuls feel is going to happen in the upcoming season, as well as their opinions on certain moves by the Rangers organization.


How do you feel about the signings of Brad Richards and Mike Rupp?


"Brad Richards was a needed sign. Rangers have not had a play making center since Nylander, granted Nylander played with Jagr and Straka, but a #1 center was definitely needed. Gaborik will benefit the most because they will most likely play on the same line. Richards will also help the PP since he can play the point. I think if he plays forward on the PP that will help more. Richards is an underrated defensive forward and defense is not looked at much in Hockey but Hank will like his back-check. Since the line he centers will get the most attention, Dubi, Double A, and Cally lines should thrive." -John Yun, South Korea *salute to the troops*


"I'm a little hesitant on the Richards signing primarily because of the length of it - we've seen how the DiPietro contract has worked out to date, so if it turns out to be a Very Bad Signing, that's a lot of dead weight cap space wise. That said, I think the Richards contract has more benefits than drawbacks overall. For Rupp, I think it was a solid move - its not overpriced considering the market this year, and having better depth in the back six is never a bad idea if it won't be a hardship. I am worried about his heart condition, but he's been dealing with it since 1998 (his entire professional career) so its probably a non-issue." - Dan Sweikata, Cincinnati OH


Well, my opinion on Richards is that coming off an injury bothers me a little bit. He still has some juice left in him but I really don't think he is the "saver" of obtaining the Stanley Cup this year. Although he will be a great asset and help out a lot but he is NOT the whole team - it is a group effort. However, I also think the he can help Gabby get out of slump and work well together. Time will tell." -Andrea Sherman, Ocean Township NJ

"I love the additions of Richards and Rupp. Richards fills the two most glaring needs (the third being a crease clearin D) as he is a true #1 play-making center, and powerplay QB. Rupp is a mean S.O.B who will add grit and chip in offensively, but I see our third line of Prust, Boyle, Rupp / Fedetenko as the best in the NHL. I'm excited about having a top line finally since the Nylander/Jagr/Straka days". -Dan Van Bomel, Bronx NY

My Review of EA's NHL 12

Like many hockey fans, and fans of good sports games fans, I ran to my local gamery today and picked up the latest edition of EA's long running NHL series. Being a big fan of NHL 11, I was quite eager to give the new edition a try and see if I can hone my skills and have some fun with the updates EA put into their game. And like the many editions before it, NHL 12 did not disappoint me. The new tweaks and additions put into the game allow for a nice breath of fresh air from NHL 11 which I played to death, and found myself longing for more than just 1-on-1 on Xbox Live. There is so much to do, and is so perfectly executed that it just adds to the already stellar track record of the NHL series.

Lets take a look at some of the good things they added to the game this year.

Ryan Callahan Becomes the 26th Captain of the New York Rangers

"Come next October, Callahan will be wearing the 'C' on his jersey, mark my words".

That was a quote from an article I wrote during last season entitled "Why Ryan Callahan Should Be Made Captain". And I am so happy this prediction came true.

Ryan Callahan has been appointed the 26th captain of the New York Rangers, filling the void after veteran Chris Drury's contract left the position open. It was released today that Callahan would get the 'C' and both Brad Richards and Marc Staal would be getting the assistant captains. It has been a debate that has been going on non-stop since the word of Drury's buyout was in the works who should get the 'C', especially if your a member of the New York Rangers Group on Facebook, and there were rumors that it may be headed to newcomer Brad Richards for his experience and skill. But the Rangers went with what seemed like it fit, and that is Callahan.

Callahan has become the poster-boy for this new groups of young and talented Rangers. He exemplifies what it means to play in New York, and what is expected by his examples. Callahan showed he would do nearly anything to win last season after going down to injuries twice while trying to block shots from Kris Letang and Zdeno Chara. Not even the man who can shoot the hardest slapshot in the NHL strikes fear in the heart of Callahan, and that heart is what makes him such a perfect captain for the Rangers to have. He works 100% every single night, and will never ever quit.

So let this add to your new season excitement Rangers fans! Theres a new sheriff in town, and his name is Callahan.

Sean Avery Arrested for Shoving Police Officer, Released On Bail

*sigh*

Sean, Sean, Sean... god damn it, Sean...

Sean Avery, the Rangers yappy-mouthed pest was arrested today on a charge of assaulting a police officer. Avery was arrested after an officer arrived to respond to a noise complaint coming from his California home. Avery reportedly opened the door the the cop, shoved him, challenged him to a fight, and called him a "fat little pig". Avery then slammed the door, but then opened again when the cops knocked a second time, and cooperated with his arrest. Avery spent the night in prison, and was released today on bail.

While that report seems water tight, there are some speculations about the incident I do have. First, many of the reporting going on right now is being done by the intelligent minds over at TMZ, the leading reporter of celebrity news and gossip, so who knows how much of it is even true coming from their words. Secondly, whether or not anything TMZ is spewing is real, it does not look well for Mr. Avery, who had just began to maybe turn some harsh feelings against him with his advocation of the legalization of gay-marriage in New York.

Avery has been in and out of trouble his entire NHL career, and that's caused more than one team to dump him because of his actions. Many believe that no other team would take him if he was available, and the only reason he is still around is because the Rangers keep him in the lineup. The Rangers have not commented on the incident yet, but are going to meet with Avery soon to discuss the matter. Whether or not they decide to defend him, Avery might be shipping out this year, if not then certainly next. The Rangers have given Avery chance after chance, and now that the organization is looking forward with a new-attitude team, the distraction of Avery could only bring the team down, and that is not what they need right now. It will be interesting to see how the team handles this situation, but do not be surprised if Avery is either shipped out or not signed next year. We as fans appreciate you Sean, but this time you may have taken it too far.

Dr. Daps' Absurdly Early 2012 Season Predictions

While it is ridiculous to think that any prediction about the NHL season this year made now in July will come true, I need something to occupy my time. So I figured why not throw out my predictions just for laughs, and see if any of them come true. But please, for mine and your sake, do not take these seriously. This is just a speculation, and a boredom post.

Eastern Conference Predictions:

1: Washington Capitals
2: Boston Bruins
3: Pittsburgh Penguins
4: Tampa Bay Lightning
5: New York Rangers
6: Buffalo Sabres
7: Montreal Canadiens
8: Philadelphia Flyers

1st. Round


Washington over Philadelphia in 5 games.
Boston over Montreal in 6 games.
Buffalo over Pittsburgh in 7 games.
New York over Tampa Bay in 6 games.

2nd. Round


Washington over Buffalo in 6 games.
Boston over New York in 6 games.

3rd. Round


Washington over Boston in 7 games.

Western Conference Predictions:

1: Vancouver Canucks
2: Los Angeles Kings
3: Detroit Red Wings
4: San Jose Sharks
5: Nashville Predators
6: Anaheim Ducks
7: Phoenix Coyotes
8: Columbus Blue Jackets

1st. Round


Vancouver over Columbus in 4 games.
Los Angeles over Phoenix in 5 games.
Detroit over Anaheim in 5 games.
San Jose over Nashville in 7 games.

2nd. Round


Vancouver over San Jose in 6 games.
Los Angeles over Detroit in 7 games.

3rd. Round


Los Angeles over Vancouver in 6 games.

2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals:


Washington Capitals vs. Los Angeles Kings

Game 1: Kings 4 - Caps 2
Game 2: Kings 2 - Caps 1 in OT
Game 3: Caps 5 - Kings 3
Game 4: Caps 2 - Kings 0
Game 5: Kings 3 - Caps 1
Game 6: Kings 4 - Caps 3

Kings win Stanley Cup in six games.


Conn Smythe Trophy Winner: Anze Kopitar

Well, there you have it, the Kings are finally going to win their first Stanley Cup next year over the Washington Capitals. Again, don't hold me hostage if this doesn't come true. It's a long season, and if I manage to get at least one of these match-ups right, Ill be happy.

Rangers Resign Brandon Dubinsky

Tell the arbitrators that they can go home, the Rangers and Brandon Dubinsky have finally come to a deal.

Today, the Rangers resigned forward Brandon Dubinsky to a four-year, $4.2 million dollar contract after holding out to the point where it seemed arbitration was going to happen. Dubinsky reportedly had an asking price of $5.2 million, which seemed very steep because its equivalent to players such as Bobby Ryan and Ryan Kesler. While Dubinsky does not live up to that caliber, he is a very good asset to have on a team, and the Rangers got that for a more than reasonable price for both parties.

Dubinsky netted 24 goals and 59 points last season, which were both his personal best. The good thing about this deal is that it allows him to grow more with the Rangers, and grow into the system. Dubinsky is a legitimate threat on the ice, and having him for four more years will only benefit the team.

Now, the Rangers are left with a lone prime free-agent that needs signing in Ryan Callahan. The deal with Dubinsky allows the Rangers to have $10.6 million in cap space, which a good portion of will go to Callahan. Make no mistakes, this is a fair deal, and it benefits all. Welcome home for the next four years, Brandon Dubinsky!

The Top 10 Rangers Games of the 2010-2011 Season: Part 3

#3: April 9, 2011 (Rangers 5 - Devils 2)


In dramatic fashion like the previous year, the final game of the season would have decided the Rangers fate. This year, they had to face the New Jersey Devils, and a win was necessary to get two points on the Carolina Hurricanes who had the tiebreaker for the final playoff spot with the Rangers. The Rangers got backed up a bit, as Ilya Kovalchuk snapped an early goal past Henrik Lundqvist early on. His goal was promptly followed up by the man regarded as "Captain Clutch", Chris Drury as he got his first goal of the season after coming back from an injury. Late in the period, the Devils would get another goal coming again from Ilya Kovalchuk, the final goal of the game they would get. Nearly two-minutes into the 2nd period, Wojtek Wolski converted on a 2-on-1 to deadlock the score at two. Ten minutes later, another Ranger would get his first goal of the season, and his first NHL goal, as Ryan McDonagh got a brilliant pass from Vinny Prospal behind the net and put the Rangers ahead 3-2. Five minutes later, Brandon Prust got a lucky slide that went in, and in the 3rd, Vinny Prospal got one more to cement a victory on the last game of the regular season. It was a must-win game for the Rangers, who needed help from the Tampa Bay Lightning to get into the playoffs. The chants of "Lets Go Lightning" rang up from the crowd as the game would down and a victory was almost certain. The Rangers got that help, as the Lightning defeated the Hurricanes, and sent the Rangers to the playoffs, but none of that could have been possible without this one goal.

The Top 10 Rangers Games of the 2010-2011 Season: Part 2

#6: March 6, 2011 (Rangers 7 - Flyers 0)

After having lost to the Flyers on all four of their previous meeting this season, the Rangers needed a shakeup if they wanted confidence in their division. The Rangers decided to shake it up, and wear their away jerseys at home, and perhaps that was just the shake-up they needed. 51- seconds into the game, the man many people regarded as the captain of the Rangers while Chris Drury sat with injuries, Ryan Callahan, got a fortunate bounce of his skates that found its way in. Later on in the period, Callahan sniped the puck over the head of Brian Boucher from a terrible angle to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Mats Zuccarello potted one in the 2nd, and the Ryan Callahan again took advantage of a turnover and potted another to give him his first career hat-trick. But he wasn't done there, and the Rangers refused to relinquish pressure and managed to deflect a puck into the net cleanly off of his skates. Artem Anisimov managed to get one of his own, and Zuccarello got another one in the closing minutes of the game to really stake their claim as a force to be reckoned with.

Also, Brandon Dubinsky and Mike Richards added a new chapter to their brawling history in this game. It was awesome.

The Top 10 Rangers Games of the 2010-2011 Season: Part 1

This season saw many ups and downs on the ice by the Rangers, but overall it was a fairly successful season. The Rangers found ways to win at times when it seemed almost impossible, and overachieved in games when it was a necessity to win. It wasn't a single players effort throughout the season, a plethora of the players that stepped on the ice managed to do great things at important times for the Rangers. When people look back on the 2010-2011 season, these are the games they are going to remember.

#10: March 18, 2011 (Rangers 6 - Canadiens 3)


Right off the opening face-off, you knew this was going to be an entertaining game, as Brandon Prust and Travis Moen had themselves a good scrap one-second into the game. This would translate into a hard-fought, chippy game and would lead to one of the most stellar 1st-periods the Rangers had all season.

The scoring began as Artem Anisimov blocked a shot from the point and had a nearly uncontested breakaway to the net as he put a backhander behind Carey Price. Following a PK Subban goal, Dan Girardi gobbled up a juicy rebound and slapped it home. Several minutes later, Ryan Callahan became the recipient of a fortunate bounce as the puck rainbowed over the back of Carey Price and found its way into the back of the net. This would be the goal that opened the floodgates for the Rangers as swiftly after that goal, Marian Gaobirk followed up with a wonderful snap-shot that found the twine, and then shortly after that Brian Boyle capitalized on a 3-on-1 to give the Rangers five goals in the 1st period, those last three coming in a span of 67 seconds. The Canadiens made a push in the 3rd, scoring two goals, but one more goal from Vinny Prospal, and this wonderful save by Henrik Lundqvist capped a victory for the Rangers on home ice.

Rangers Sign Brad Richards

It's pretty much official, Brad Richards is coming to Broadway to play for the Rangers next season.

The 31-year-old has reportedly signed a nine-year contract for $6.5 million this morning, after sleeping on his decision last night, while the Rangers were hard at work signing Mike Rupp from the Penguins, and re-signing Ruslan Fedotenko. Yesterday, Richards was flooded with offers and contracts from teams like Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Calgary. The Rangers said they would be willing to match any contract that came to Richards, but ultimately Richards took a discount and left money on the table with the other teams to play in New York.

What does this mean for the Rangers cap situation? Initially, the idea of matching any contract that came forward from another team was petrifying, as it was reported there were some $9 million dollar contracts being mentioned. However, since Richards took the lower amount of money than that, it leaves New York with a bit of wiggle-room that the desperately need in order to sign Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Michael Sauer, Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle who all become restricted free-agents next summer.

However, most fans in New York won't be totally satisfied until he produces for the Rangers. Which is not out of the realm of possibility that he certainly will. Richards has gotten better with age, and has scored more points than games hes played over the past two seasons. There's not a doubt in my mind that he can produce, especially being paired up with Marian Gaborik. Richards won't be a goal scoring wizard on the ice, but he is a fantastic set-up man which is just what Gaborik needs. Along with having a history of winning the Stanley Cup with coach John Tortorella in Tampa Bay, Richards can get an idea of what the Rangers' system will be like and what the coach will expect from him.

In all, I am fairly excited, but tentative at the same time. I pray for this to finally be the contract that is worth the nine year while. I pray for Richards and Gaborik to become so cohesive that they know where each other is on the ice at all times, like some kind of hockey sonar. I pray this leads the Rangers to bigger and better things without sacrificing the home grown talent. And I pray Richards has one of the best runs of his career in New York.

Welcome to the Rangers, Brad.

What Are Brad Richards' True Intentions In His Free Agency?

So If you're a Rangers fan and have been following them closely since about last year, you've probably heard speculation about Dallas Stars center Brad Richards and his impending free-agency just two days away. Richards has already spoken out about how he does not wish to play for the Stars any longer, and is going to a new team once July 1 comes around. The only people who seem to be targeting him anymore are the Rangers, as they are the bona-fide front-runner for acquiring him. But what is Brad Richards expecting if he comes to New York?

A friend of mines father who had been paying attention to the Richards situation and has been around for the chaos that comes with the Rangers signing free-agents said that Richards isn't looking at New York because they're a rising contender for the Cup, he is looking to get paid the big bucks in the closing years of his NHL career. Initially, I thought that would be a ridiculous claim, but it got me thinking: what if that really is the reason Brad Richards wants to sign with the Rangers? It's well known around the NHL that the past Rangers free-agent signings haven't been stellar by any stretch of the imagination, as the trend goes. Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, and Wade Redden have all been mediocre when they came to the Rangers, yet they managed to get bigger contracts than most other players on the lineup who produce way more then they did. Does Brad Richards want to come to the Rangers only because he knows that they'll pay the big bucks like they did to Redden, Gomez, and Drury?

It's not a ridiculous concept when you really think about it. He already has a Stanley Cup, and a Conn Smythe Trophy under his belt, and he just hit 31-years-old two months ago. Perhaps Richards feels he's on the decline, and wants to make the most of his situation by milking the Rangers into a big contract for the remaining years he has in the NHL. It may not be his first thought coming into free-agency, but it's certainly in the back of his mind.

Perhaps I am wrong, though. Perhaps Richards feels as if he could be a really good asset to the Rangers team and help lead them to the promised land. Rangers fans would love to hear such a thing, but there's bound to be money on the mind when Richards put that pen to paper on July 1 and signs what could be his potential final contract in his NHL career.

EA's NHL: What Your Team Selection Says About You

Like any other hockey fan, I like to enjoy some leisure time by playing some of EA's NHL series on my coveted gaming system. I normally like to just play a quick game between another person, and like most online communities, a majority of player I face are huge jerkoffs. Having played NHL 11 over and over again against multiple douches, I've noticed a trend among the type of players, and their playing style coincides with what team they choose when selecting the match up. Some people are fun to play as, and pick their favorite team like me (a majority of the time I play as the Rangers), or they choose a random team regardless of stats (is this a good time to mention my 7-game win-streak with the Thrashers?). However, others you can pinpoint their personality by the team they select/their lobby mannerisms. Here's a full breakdown of the social phylum of the EA's NHL franchises online community:

If a Person Selects The Team in First Place In Real Life At the Time


Chances are they suck, and are looking to compensate for their lack of skill by selecting the best team. A majority of my time this season went into playing the same three teams because people don't have enough faith in their own skill. Here's a pro-tip for all those people: the teams good stats does not make up for the lack of skill and motor functions you fail to possess. Any player can select the real-life first place team and win, selecting them on a consistent basis shows that you admit you suck at the game.

If a Person Shuffles the Preset Lines to Put the Best Players on the Top Line


This one pretty much goes with the first one; the person sucks at the game and wants to compensate for their suckage. Again, this is not real-life, and shuffling the lines will only marginally help you if you are bad at the game, like most people who do this are. Anybody who has a competent understanding of the basics of the game can score a hat-trick with Donald Brashear if they tried hard enough.

If a Person Plays as the Pittsburgh Penguins


Something about choosing the Penguins makes everyone who plays as them become like them. The Penguins are widely regarded by NHL fans as being one of the most whimpy teams in the league, thanks in majority to their centerpiece Sidney Croscussion...er... Crosby.

Press "Y" to be a bitch.

The people who choose the Penguins are some of the holiest of the assholes you'll find online. The Penguins are the team that the guys who will spend more time diving to get the puck from you then actually on their feet will choose to play as.  These are the people who will do nearly anything (diving, spamming the hook button) to win, no matter how womanly their play style is.

A Breakdown of the New York Rangers Draft

The NHL Entry Draft was this weekend, and it came with its share of exciting events. There were a few trades, and an unveiling of the name of the Winnipeg franchise, which will be called the Jets again. I'm not as knowledgeable one the draftees, but I figured I'd analyze them for what I think they'll be worth.

With the #15 pick, the Rangers took right-winger J.T. Miller. Originally, it was thought that the Rangers were going to pick a center, but the Rangers opted to go with Miller instead, which is not a bad thing. Miller is described in his profile as a "consistent, hard-working defensive-forward who always makes life tough on opponents," which is something the Rangers could greatly use, especially among forwards. Another notable feature to Miller is the fact that he lead the American World Juniors team in points with 13 on their way to winning gold two years ago. This is very promising because the Rangers have managed to pick up quite a few of the members from that team (Derek Stepan, Ryan Bourque and Chris Kreider to name a few). Down the line, it is possible to see all of these players who won gold on the ice together again. This time, in a different red, white and blue jersey though.

Next up was Steven Fogarty at the #72 pick in the 3rd round. the Rangers had to make a trade up in order to get this pick, as they made a deal with St. Louis. The Rangers got their pick, while the Blues got Evgeny Grachev from the minor league system of the Rangers. Fogarty is the center everyone thought the Rangers were going to get first, but they managed to pick him up in the 3rd round. Fogarty played for the Edina Hornets, as well as his school in Minnesota. He is described as "well conditioned" and a good play-maker. A play-maker is what the Rangers need on their top line to center Gaborik, therefore this seems like a solid pick as well.

Next was Michael St. Croix, the first Canadian selection made by the Rangers. St. Croix is also a center, but is more of a scorer than Fogarty is. However, Fogarty stands at 6'2, and St. Croix is 5'11. St. Croix managed to get 35 more points than Fogarty in his last season in the WHL, but I'm not sure if St. Croix is what the Rangers need at this point in time.

Following St. Croix was Shane McColgan, also of the WHL. McColgan is a 5'8 right-winger who is described as "not afraid to go into the dirty areas on the ice". He sounds to me like a reincarnate of Theo Fleury, but it is very rare that the shorter end of players end up having huge success in their careers. I'm not going to count out McColgan now, but I think it's more unlikely we'll ever see him.

Samuel Noreau was the next draft pick by the Rangers. the first defensemen drafted by the team, Noreau is a presence to be seen standing at a staggering 6'5, 206 lbs. Noreau is what the Rangers are beginning to sculpt their team into; a big, physical team with physical players. With a 6'5 body, its not hard to join that crew. I do think Noreau will have NHL success, if not with the Rangers, someone else will certainly show interest in him.

The final pick of the draft was Slovakian Peter Ceresnak, a defenseman who also fits the new Rangers mold. Ceresnak stands at 6'3 and could be a good combination with Noreau when the time comes for them to prove themselves for the franchise.

In all, it seemed like a solid draft for the Rangers, but nly time will tell what becomes of these young men and their hockey careers.

And Thus Ends the 2011 NHL Season

The Bruins have won the Cup, and Vancouver is rioting again.

As a mainly New York sports fan, it's normally taboo for us to root for a Boston team. But today, I don't feel that same animosity that I do toward Boston with the Bruins. The Bruins battled, and battled, and hit, and checked, and stayed composed through the toughest times, having to win three Game 7's to win the Stanley Cup. They played their game, and never wavered in the face of adversity.

I didn't end up watching the game, but I'm looking at the replays and there are a few things I wish to comment on.

Numero Uno: Canucks; what happened? Sedins; where were you? What happened to this team that won the Presidents Trophy, and one of the goalies who was nominated for the Vezina in Roberto Luongo? Was Aaron Rome really a pivotal point in this teams performance, or was shutting down Nathan Horton the only game plan they had going into this series? Either way, one fact is certain in my mind: The Canucks got scared. The Bruins were noticeably tough and bigger than most of the Canucks, and they got intimidated. After seeing Dan Hamhuis go down early in the series, the players like the Sedins didn't want to risk personal injury and played conservative hockey. Had they showed some testicular fortitude and played with a reckless abandon, they would be the ones holding the Cup right now.

Numero Dos: Canucks fans need to chill, and quickly. After rioting after the 1994 series, it's now become a custom in the NHL that if your team loses, we expect you to act like savage neanderthals and break everything in sight. Is that really the reputation you want in this league? Also, during the Cup presentation, it upset me to hear as many boo's as I did. Yes, I understand the frustration of losing on home-ice, and having to watch the team who just beat you celebrate and spray champagne right in-front of you, but show a little class for Christ's sake. Not even Flyers fans were as disrespectful last year when the Blackhawks won the Cup on Philadelphia ice. The Flyers fans sat there and gave a gallant golf-clap to their team, and the team that won, and that's exactly what should be done. Now, whenever someone goes back and watches the replays of the Game 7, they're going to remember two things: how much the Canucks choked, and how sore the fans were afterwards.

In all, the playoffs this year were pretty good, but my attention sort of faded once it got deeper. There were no heavy underdog teams that came up through the ranks, and no team that overcame a miraculous deficit (although we had two teams come close). The Championship round also lost most of my attention. It was either I sat down and watched a 1-0 snoozefest, or a 4+ goal blowout. Game 2 was the only interesting game for me, but again, that's just my opinion.

Now, we wait on summer activities, like the Draft, and free-agency to open up. Congratulations to the Bruins, from The Clinic!