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.