2/9/12 Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

She's my cherry pie, cool drink of water, such a sweet surprise.

Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning

The Rangers are in need of a rebound desperately after their brutal loss to the New Jersey Devils where they were shut out 1-0. Accoring to many fan recounts, the Rangers could not get anything going at all. The Rangers managed to hold their first place in the Eastern Conference, but their hold is slimming quickly, and a win tonight could propel them ahead of the pack just a bit. The Rangers have not been playing like they did in the beginning of the season, where their intensity peaked, and they were winning five games in a row at times. Obviously, it's ridiculous to ask any team to perform that well for that long, but in order to compete, they are going to need to start getting things going. Mainly, Brad Richards needs to get going, big time. Richards was clutch for the Rangers early on in the season, but has fallen off in the goals catergory. In order for success to come to the Rangers again, they are going to need to get some production out of Richards. The goals are not coming as easy as they were during those win streaks, and players who are expected to step up in times when it is needed have to come up now.

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.

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.

2/26/11 Rangers vs. Lightning

Got high sticked playing hockey yesterday. Makes me wonder how these guys do it on a nightly basis.

Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning have gotten the best of the Rangers so far this season, winning all three of their prior meetings. Today's game is the final scheduled meeting of the season between these two clubs, and it is an important one. As the Rangers stand in the playoffs right now, they would have to face Tampa Bay in the first round. A win today could boost the teams confidence, letting them know that they can beat the Lightning, and from there on, who knows? The Rangers managed to pull out a decisive shutout victory over the Capitals two nights ago to the score of 6-0. Erik Christensen stepped up and gave the Rangers two goals and two assists as he filled the void for the injured Marian Gaborik, who sat with a concussion. Along with Christensen, some reinforcements have arrived from the Florida Panthers to help out while Marc Staal sits with a knee injury. Defenseman Bryan McCabe was traded for Tim Kennedy, and a third round draft pick yesterday. McCabe has a history of being a very offensive defenseman, as well as a great power-play quarterback which is something the Rangers have been in dire need of all season. McCabe will take the place of Michael Del Zotto as he gets sent down to Connecticut to develop a little more.

The Lightning are on a two game winning streak as they downed the New Jersey Devils and Phoenix Coyotes in Tampa earlier this week. The Lightning are away for the first time in eight games tonight, as they end a long home-stand in Tampa.

My Diagnosis


As I've said in the past, the only way the Rangers are going to come out on top in this one is if they contain Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Hopefully, with the new firepower on the blue line in McCabe, that could be a little easier on the young defensive core of the Rangers. Its going to be difficult, as the Lightning are a stunning team right now, but it is possible. and maybe the fact that they haven't played away from home in their last eight games can bump them a little out of their comfort zone enough to throw them off. You hear that MSG? BRING THE NOISE!!!!!

My Predictions


Rangers win 2-1 in the shootout.

Derek Stepan will get the first goal for the Rangers early in the 1st.
Martin St. Louis will tie it up in the 2nd period.
And the final shootout goal will be scored by Mats Zuccarello.

Enjoy the game!