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.

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 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.

2/22/11 Rangers vs. Hurricanes

Down to the wire we go.

Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes.

A while back I mentioned the last game against these two teams was "as close to a must-win as you can get". That rule still applies tonight. the Rangers need to pump their game up if they want to remain in the hunt for the playoffs. The Rangers lost Marian Gaborik this week due to a concussion, which apparently he has been hiding for some time now. Aside from that, the Rangers are missing captain Chris Drury, and Ruslan Fedotenko. The Rangers have been in a tailspin ever since the all star break, and have been trying desperately to get back in their groove. Kris Newbury has been called up in order to fill Gaborik's void. Newbury, who played just fine while he had his time in the lineup, will have a big role to fill in the Rangers want to come away victors in this game tonight.

The Hurricanes are another team that has been struggling for consistency, much like the Rangers. They are 3-5-2 in their last ten and are trying to stay ahead of the 9th place Thrashers. The Hurricanes have managed to get points out of all three of their last meetings with the Rangers by winning two, and losing one in overtime.

The Rangers MUST shut down the Hurricanes tonight. They MUST convert when given the opportunity. And finally, they MUST find a way to finish this game in regulation. The race in the Eastern conference grows tighter every day, and in order for the Rangers to keep up, they MUST pull it together tonight to give themselves some breathing room.

My Predictions


Rangers win 3-1

Brian Boyle will get the first Rangers goal in the 1st.
Brandon Dubinsky will get the second goal for the Rangers half way through the second.
Jeff Skinner will pot the only Hurricanes goal also in the 2nd.
And finally, Artem Anisimov will get the final goal, and empty netter.

Enjoy the game!