Done in By a New York Minute -- Again

The Ottawa Senators had an extra step or two on the Rangers during their 3-1 win at the Garden tonight. Their sticks were quicker too, with both of these qualities in evidence on their third goal when Patrick Eaves sped away from Marek Malik after he fumbled a keeper at the point ("I put it into his shin guards," Malik said as feebly as he turned the puck over). And their minds were a lot sharper ("They're not just good, they're smart," said Jaromir Jagr), certainly sharper than a Ranger team who made some stunningly bad decisions -- like Paul Mara diving onto a loose puck and covering it with his hand, or Brendan Shanahan leaving his point wide open to pursue a man in the corner who was already being pursued, for another goal against.

And as if that wasn't enough, the Senators got an extra leg up from an officiating crew who saw Shanahan commit some sort of phantom interference to negate a Ranger power play but didn't see Jagr take a shot to the knee while taking a shot on goal ("They said it was a hip, I thought it was knee," Jagr said, although a hip to the knee is as illegal as knee on knee) -- until the third period, when all of a sudden, with the Canadian team ahead by three goals, the refs started giving the Rangers their fair share of calls.

The power play came alive after a couple of pathetic turns earlier in the game, but Martin Gerber came alive at that moment too, after coasting through two easy shutout periods. During a five on three power play, he made four huge stops, two on Shanahan, two on Jagr, throwing the puck down the ice after gloving Jagr's rebound putback of Shanahan's second try (one ref told Shanny that should have been a penalty on Gerber, the other said they should have whistled the play dead and faced off in the Ottawa zone -- a mistake either way, one night after NHL refs admitted missing a slash to Ryan Hollweg's leg).

In sixty mintues of play, the Rangers have played the 6-1 Senators better than even on the scoredboard for 58 of them, outscoring them 1-0. In the other two minutes, however, the Sens have scored five times -- three times in 52 seconds tonight, their fastest three goals ever, after getting two in 58 seconds a week ago in Ottawa. Granted, the Rangers were treading water before the Sens exploded in the middle of the second period ("We gave a little bit too much to chew on outside of that one minute," Tom Renney said). But they had been getting good chances while the game was still scorelesss -- they put almost every shot wide, including one Drury shot off the crossbar. While they were down 23-8 in shots on goal after the third Ottawa goal, they were only down by a handful of total shot attempts, having shot ten wide ("I was OK with 0-0 because we were in the box a lot," Brendan Shanahan said of where the Rangers were before the goal explosion).

After four and a half games in which Shanahan scored zero goals and playmaking center Scott Gomez registered zero assists, Renney switched his centers around, with Gomez centering Jagr (who also had zero goals to that point) the rest of the way. Jagr got his first goal of the season in the final minutes of play, with Gomez earning his first assist of the season on the goal. But it did little more than deny Gerber his second straight shut-out of the Rangers. Shanahan said that he and Jagr were frustrated after being denied on the five on three, so it was good for Jagr at least to get off the schneid. But he himself remains frustrated, scoreless on 32 shots on goal over five games. "I'm doing the things I've taught myself to do throughout my career to score goals," he said. "I need to draw from experience -- this is what gets you goals. It doesn't take away the frustration, but I just have to believe that if one of them goes in, a lot of them will go in." If he weren't getting shots -- many of them good ones -- he'd be more worried than he is.

Despite having given up only ten goals in five games -- only five goals in 298 minutes of play, with the other five coming in the other two minutes against Ottawa -- the Rangers spoke tonight about having to cut down on defensive errors and having to stop playing from behind. "Defensively we made some errors," Shanahan said. "Too many times we had the puck at the blue line againt the Spezza line and couldn't get it out. They hang back with two guys waiting for the turnover. If we can eliminate some of the defensive errors -- we've played a lot of the season from behind. It's a different way of playing the game. Most of the season we've been playing catch-up hockey." Yes, there have been some defensive errors, but with Henrik Lundqvist having erased so many of them, playing from behind with so few goals against speaks more about a lack of offense than problems on defense.

One defenseman having serious problems since his career game on opening night is Malik. Asked if a benching was in the offing for the struggling blueliner, Renney acknowledged Malik's problems but said, "We can pick a number of guys. We look at him because of what he gets from the fans, but there are others trying to find their game. He like the rest of us has to forge ahead and identify with sound fundamental hockey." Jagr said, "We haven't found our game yet. Once we find it we can build on it. We try to push all the time. Sometimes less means more." Added Renney, "We have to avoid hoping things can get better -- you have to know things will get better. We have to work to close the gap. We need a collective commitment."

One bright spot tonight was Brandon Dubinsky. Faced with a potential challenge by Dave Scatchard, Dubinsky played more than he has to date (over ten minutes), skated well, got the fourth line pointed in the right direction on many occasions, threw five hits, and even got into a fight against veteran Luke Richardson. Well, maybe that last item wasn't such a good idea -- Richardson caught him with one last punch, and Dubinsky was seeing stars. "He's OK," Renney said after the game. "He might want to pick on a first-year guy." He may not have finished the game on the best of notes, but Dubinsky played well until then -- well enough to make management think twice about giving Scatchard his spot.

Comments

[lennynyr]

Dubinsky will be OK, it was one punch that Richardson got in, not a bunch of pulverizing shots. Dubi (not you) should get Jessiman's boxing instructors phone number..

[T_Bird]

Actually, He should get Richardson's boxing instructors number.

[T_Bird]

I'm not too worried about Shanny- 32 shots means he's doing what he should be, and getting his chances. Sound's like he's just snake-bit to start the season. We'll see...

[Jess]

Funny but I bet the only one who more than likely is not worried about Itchy Scatchard is Dubinsky himself. Of course right now the poor kid is wondering how many stars he is seeing and how much teasing he is going to half to put up with.

Of course do not feel bad for young Dubinsky as when he goes home tonight he is going to receive some serious TLC from a very nice young lady named Melissa.

Really like the kid but I really hope he picks on someone closer to his own size and experience next time. He really is a lot like Barnaby who I doubt ever won a fight even with himself.

[Jess]

T_Bird/Lenny

The beer seller in section 405 asks that both of you please sit elsewhere next time. Something about trying to get an 8 year old to pay for both of your beers.

[jpflush]

It was inevitable that Gomez was gonna be back on the top line with Jagr. Jagr needs a playmaker with him so that he get his signatue shots off from the circle like Nylander used to provide so may times last year. Having the second line with Shanny, Drury, and Straka provides a very good defense presence also. As for the goals my dear Rangers faithful . . . in due time..........

[Anthony]

At least Dubinsky played with some balls, which is more than 95% of the team can say.

[T_Bird]

Hey! What's the problem! He paid, didn't he? All evening too!

Next time we'll put a fake mustache on him and tell them his name is Jess...

[Rich]

For those of you who were at the game, Is it me or did I actually hear the crowd cheer when Shubert took the charging penalty by ramming Malik into the boards behind the Ranger net? I'm sick and tired of watching Malik mess up time and time again too, but that was pathetic to cheer the guy getting hammered like that.

[wolfgaze]

Staal looked like a NHL regular again tonight... Looking more and more comfortable out there with each game...

NIIIICE (Borat voice)

[Pavel]

Oh course Malik screwed up again. How many more games do 1000s of people have to complain about this useless player?

[T_Bird]

Seriously, I liked Malik. Ever since the Shootout Goal. I gave him a pass for the rest of that season, just for that one goal. I never laughed so hard in my life. But that only carries you so far. He's having a heluva time so far this year. But so is Shanny, Gomez and a few others. That being said, there is no justification for cheering when a Ranger player gets hammered into the boards. I don't get that one at all...

[LI Joe]

we were outplayed thoroughly the 1st 2 periods - in my opinion. it was a lot more than the 1 minute siege. Malik could definitely use a game or 2 on the pine, Renney did it to Nylander and it seemed to work. Ottawa is a bad match up for slower guys like Malik and Shanny. And on the pp when Ottawa is lined up 4 across dump the puck in and go get it.

BTW Ranger Bill can you read my mind after this game. Hint this team needs more speed.

[The Hockey Rabbi]

Is it just me or is anyone else out there wondering why Renney refuses to let Prucha play with one of the top lines even with Avery out of the line up? Prucha got 1/2 a shift with Jagr and Gomez in the third period (or was it the 2nd?) where he almost scored and helped draw a penalty. That's more tha Hossa has accomplished all season!

[Anthony]

"For those of you who were at the game, Is it me or did I actually hear the crowd cheer when Shubert took the charging penalty by ramming Malik into the boards behind the Ranger net? I'm sick and tired of watching Malik mess up time and time again too, but that was pathetic to cheer the guy getting hammered like that."

I was there, and yes the idiots in the crowd did cheer. Probably the same idiots who cheered when Pennington got hurt.

[JohnM]

Back from the game. It was a slow Ranger team out of the box. They played the same game the Caps played the night before. Same disorganized, undisciplined style of not supporting the puck carrier. The difference from the Caps point of view was Henrik played goal like a possessed man for as long as he could. Stahll was great. Gerardi tried to do too much. Mara and Malik belong in the minor leagues. Forwards. Prucha,Dubinski,Callahan and Hollweg were the strongest in my view. The Senators make the Rangers look silly because whoever passes a puck for the Sens finds another Sen tape to tape. The Rangers cant do that. Gomez tries. Drury does also. But the linemates don't skate the float.

[JohnM]

they float is what I meant

[Leo]

And we can add to that the 7th man on the ice for the Sens, the referees.

Focus now on the next game, this one is history.

And please Mr. Renney, dump Malik for God's Sake.

[laurie]

I too thought Dubinsky played his best game of the season tonight... right up until he decided to take on Richardson. That wasn't balls, that was stupidity. A glaring display of immaturity, IMHO. I respect and admire his willingness to drop the gloves, but there's a time and a place and a reason to do it, and none were present tonight. He needs to focus on playing his game and doing what got him here, not throwing punches, because his fighting skills certainly will not land him a full-time NHL gig. Hopefully he's ok, and suffered nothing more than a bruised ego. And hopefully he learns from it.

[Rangers rule]

Just kidding rangers suck. lmao @ stanley cup aspirations.

[craigz]

Malik sucked plain and simple. Mara was ok. MSG said when he reached the puckto hand pass it they blew a quick whistle. Refereeing as usual was atrotious. If these guys could hit the net with their shots we could probably score a lot of goals. I never saw a team miss the net so much. Kids were fine but we were definately overwhelmed by a better team. Gerber played way over his head...Z

[Chris]

the refs were horrible as usual im guessing this lawsuit thing isnt helping the rangers call either.

but malik has to go.
do something with him but it has to end, they need to roll out
mara/rosival
tyuts/girardi
staal/strudwuick

this team is too good to be dragged down by the poor defensive play of malik.
its not just us getting on him for a few bad plays now its a trend that wont be broken likely

[Jess]

You know the more I read Dubi's post the more I got to disagree about how bad the Refs were.

Against the Caps the calls supposedly went the Ranger's way but against the Sens they did not.

I will disagree with Dubi about the "phantom" interference call on Shanny because Shanny got that call because he was coasting not moving his feet. It looked like Shanny was setting a pick.

In the talk I had with Stephen Walkom this past summer, he kept keying about players who were moving their feet were the ones who did not get the interference calls.

To draw one all you really have to do is skate and if the guy in your way is coasting or not showing any kind of skating effort he is going to get called.

Right or wrong the mindset says if you are skating hard then you are not grabbing or clutching the other guys.

If you are playing an uptempo attacking brand of hockey you are going to get more calls than teams that are stuck in first gear reacting to plays instead of generating them.

Go back and look at what had earned the Ranger's power plays. In 90% of those calls you will see the Ranger attacking, he is driving towards the net forcing the other guy to react by grabbing, clutching, slashing or reaching out.

The more you skate the more calls will go your way. The less you skate the more you are going to find yourself on the PK.

[Joe]

Went to the game. Sens outplayed us, period. Malik must go.

[bx mike]

Also went to the game... Malik is horrendous, and yes MOST of the crowd was cheering when he got slammed. Crossed a line, in my opinion.

Got outplayed for the first 50 minutes. Gerber played out of his mind.

I can't believe he threw a puck to center ice.

[Scott]

"Renney acknowledged Malik's problems but said, 'We can pick a number of guys. We look at him because of what he gets from the fans, but there are others trying to find their game.'"

Like who? I want to know one other defenseman who has struggled in the Rangers end even half as much as Malik. Staal even looked more of a calm, collected veteran than Malik.

And I have no problem admitting I was one of the people cheering when Malik got railroaded because an injury is likely the only thing that will get that particular liability out of the lineup. Jagr loves Malik and Renney is a players coach so there is virtually no way Malik will get benched or dealt away. All of our booing only strengthens Renney's resolve to keep Malik in there.

[oleosmirf]

I'm not going to jump on the get rid of Malik bandwagon but it would be nice to get his contract out of the way while putting a Pock, Strudwick or maybe eventually Sauer in the lineup.

Maybe Slats can deal Malik if Staal is truly ready to be a top line guy this year. If not Malik's contract expires and the chance he returns is slim to none.

[brian]

****WELL LETS SEE....MALIK IN PERIOD #1 TOOK HIS NIGHTLY HOOKING CALL BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO MOVE HIS FEET WHILE TRYING TO CATCH A MUCH FASTER PERSON...(ONE WOULD THINK WITH HOW THE NHL LIKES TO CALL HOOKING THESE DAYS, THAT YA MIGHT WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT)....MALIKE IN PERIOD #2 GAFFED SO BAD AT KEEPING THE PUCK IN TURNING THE PUCK OVER AND THEN LETTING EAVES GO AROUND HIM AND DOWN THE ICE 2 ON 1 RIPPING HANK A NEW ONE( THANK THE LORD WE HAVE HENRIK LUNDQVIST OR WE WOULD BE 0-5 AND NOT A CHANCE IN HELL TO DO ANTHING RIGHT NOW)...AND IN PERIOD #3 MR MALIK WAS SLOW ON THE PUCK, REFUSES TO CHIP THE PUCK OUT OF THE ZONE AND WAS VERY BAS POSITIONALLY...IM NEVER ONE TO BOOOO MY TEAM...BUT ITS NOT LIKE WE GET ON MALIK CAUSE HE DOESNT MAKE MORE MISTAKES THAN OTHER PEOPLE...YES RENNEY IS RIGHT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE MAKING MISTAKES, BUT HOW MANY OF THEM MAKE GLARING MISTAKES( WRONG FACEOFF LINEUP AGAINST THE MORONS ON LI, TURNOVER LAST NIGHT)LIKE MAREK MALIC IS RIGHT NOW...OUT OF THE LAST 6 GOALS AGAINST IN 3 GAMES...MALIK IS DIRECTLY THE CAUSE OF AT LEAST 1/3 OF THEM....ON A TEAM OF 23 PLAYERS THAT IS NOT GOOD....ok im going to now shout anymore.sorry for the caps lock guys but its the only way you can yell...i feel like im yelling on a mountain top at tom renney to get malik out of there...hell if someone is gonna make a mistake, gimme sanguinetti now and he can make just as many mistakes and learn from them...what do you guys think of all that??????????????????????????????

[cwgatti]

The Rangers are the Senators jailyard bitches. I have never seen a team just roll over to another team like this in my life. I am blaming Kasparitis for this one. He is just the guy who could change the game with a borderline dirty hip check to someone like Alfredson or Heatly. Why can't a guy making all that money keep his act together? The Rags need him right now. I do not think Staal is Larry Robinson, but what I would like to see is Mara and Malik sent down, move Stall to 1st pair w/ Rozy and call up that Lithuanian train wreck and hope for the best. The Salary would even out, and at least we will see some carnage on the ice. This Ranger team is a bunch of prison ho's.

[cwgatti]

And Dubinsky. What was he thinking? He started to show some good things, then he goes after Richardson? That concussion could be just what gets Dave Scatcherd his contract. Not the smartest guy in the world. . . . but not nearly as dumb as Rozival. Did you see his interview with Trautwig before the Caps game? Awkward. . . .

[jimbo51]

what concussion?

[imitation]

Renney might want to try going with the so-called 7 D approach. Put Pock & Strudwick in, sit Malik or Mara, & Orr. They need to bury more chances on offense, and they'll be fine.

[czechthemout!!!!!]

first of all,dubi did not go after richardson,it was the other way around.Luke went after him for that big hit dubi layed on him in the first.Dubi clearly was one of the better players tonight.

Of course renney would say that about malik.he is one of those making many mistakes.He put betts on the second line in the second period,brilliant move.

malik is an abortion out there,eh has benn awfull in 4 of the five games this year.He at a minimum needs to get benched so that renney does not lose his credability as a coach.However,i thought it was gutless of the fans to chear malik getting run over.We as fans have the right to boo him,but certainly not to cheer if it looks like he is hurt.

[lennynyr]

OK they lost, Malik was awful but when you have a coach who deflects criticism of one of his pets like Renney did last night regarding Malik, we are in for a lot more Malik and who's fault is that?

Hint: His initials are TR (and I don't mean The Rodent)!!!

As a fan I can understand wanting Malik to get hurt because Renney won't take him out otherwise but personally I have difficulty wishing that would happen. Thanks Tom for putting us fans in that position!

[imitation]

czech I agree. Some fans go over the line. There are alot better ways to get Malik out of the lineup, especially at home. But he's not the only one not hitting on all cylinders. It was not a TEAM effort.

[stevek]

I agree with Malik and everything, but why is no one saying anything about Shannahan!! Why does he get a pass??? The Rangers problems are they are not scoring. Even if you replace Malik, if you don't score you are not going to win. Malik has more points than Shannahan, thats pathetic. Why are we so loyal to a 39 yr Shannahan?? He is no Messier!!! Did he bring us a Cup??? We got rid of Messier, I think its time to get rid of Shannahan, before (his 4 million dollar contract kicks in) the 10 games, so the Rangers can save on the sallary cap for this year and next. If Malik is not worth is 2.5, then definitely Shannahan is not worth 4 million!!! Lets be fair on this I think Shannahan deserves some boos, The Roger Clements of hockey should give it up, instead of collecting a nice big paycheck, for mediocre work...

[ant]

Shanny played good he got robbed about 3 times.If you want to go that way we should aslo boo Prucha Dubi Hossa orr hollweg and etc cmon you cant jump throat yet give it a little more time

[ant]

On the other hand i was also one of those who cheered when Malik got hurt but I did it only because if Malik is out for 2 3 games Pock gets a chance wel win couple fo games and Malik will be traded benched or whatever.

[imitation]

stevek I'm not ready to write any player or coach off yet. It's way too early to call for anybody's head. MSG is not the Roman Colliseum ;-)

[stevek]

The combine salary of all those 4 guys still don't add up to Shananhans, I still think he is not worth the money or his position as a 2nd line winger, let him go back to Detroit, if they want him.

[imitation]

From Sam W..""I think we could pick a number of guys, and obviously we look at him because of what he gets from the fans," the coach said. "But he like the rest of us will forge ahead and identify with good solid fundamental hockey."

Malik endured one type of frustration last night, Brendan Shanahan suffered another. The 38-year-old right wing put 13 shots on Gerber, but is still looking for his first goal of the season. When he left the ice at night's end, he couldn't resist slamming his stick against the Garden glass.

"I've gone through these spells before in my career, and each of them are frustrating," Shanahan said. "But you just have to work hard and give yourself more chances to break out of it."

[stevek]

The reason I single out Shannahan is because he is due for a major payout in 5 games, which will affect the the salary cap next year, and also this year, if you think about it. Get rid of Shananhan, and you can use that salary to get your big hitting defenceman. Also it will satisfy everyone's thirst, to play Dawes or any of the other young guys in Hartford.

[lennynyr]

OK imitation, it's not the Roman Colliseum, it's the Battle of Little Big Horn with General Tom Renney leading the troops to disaster otherwise known as Renney's last stand! :)

[lennynyr]

Maybe Shanahan will offer to retire. He has not looked good since his concussion last season.

Also important we build the team around Gomez and Drury. They are going to be here for quite a while. If Jagr can't adjust (TBD), maybe it's time to shop him around. The team can't be built around Jagr any more. It's a new era. Best scenario is if Jagr can mesh with Gomez or Drury, still plenty of time to find out.

[ant]

We get rid of Shanny and get Jovo that would be an awesome update and you well know that Sather will do that

[stevek]

One of the reasons Nylander was not signed was because he was going to be 38/39 yrs old in 4-5 years, and the Rangers did not want to pay him that much, for an older player. But reality check, Shanahan is 38 going on to 39 in January and making 4 million, for what??? There are people on this site that talk about Straka and Jagr retiring next year because they are old at 35 years of age....So why are we keeping a 38/39 year old on team who has only played for the Rangers for 3/4 of a season!!! Why the loyalty to Shannahan????

[TonyM]

Quick start printing T-Shirts and bring signs to MSG.

The T-shirt slogan should read:

SAVE THE RANGERS....RELEASE MALIK!!!!

[lennynyr]

Personally, I'm glad that Straka and Jagr are getting the chance to play with Drury and Gomez. If it starts to jell (not yet), I wouldn't be surprised if you see them both back next year. If not, contract conditions permitting, I would move them.

No question about Shanny (Granny as somebody named him), he's finished (similar to Carlos Delgado on the Mets) and should voluntarily retire. I would take him off the #2 line and just use him for PP. Renney won't do that, it's too advanced for him!!

[lennynyr]

Tony, you do that and MSG will toss you. Great idea though!

[stevek]

Hey Lennynyr, would you retire if you knew you were guaranteed 4 million dollars to play 5 more games...no way....