And the Children Shall Lead...

Not one more minute was going to pass without a goal for the Rangers. Three seconds shy of their 127th goalless minute, 57 seconds into the first game of their six-game homestand after an 0-3-1 road trip, Nigel Dawes got that elusive goal. But when 45 more minutes passed without a second goal -- with Jaromir Jagr missing the net after a highlight reel move, with Chris Drury's shorthanded breakaway stymied by the shaft of Martin Brodeur's stick, with Brendan Shanahan extending his league lead in shots with four more to 54 with only one goal to show for it, with the opposition being the historically troublesome Devils -- another stellar defensive and goaltending performance was in danger of being undermined.

That's when Tom Renney did what he was afraid to do in Pittsburgh -- he started his young second unit on a late power play. Brandon Dubinsky bullrushed down the right wing, protecting the puck with his body, got the puck behind the net, and chipped it over to Petr Prucha in the corner. Prucha moved it out to Dawes at the right wing half boards, the area you'd expect to see Jagr patrolling for most if not all a crucial two-minute advantage. Dawes looked around for options, but getting no resistance, stepped to the middle and fired a quick-release wrister past Brodeur to seal the Rangers' much-needed 2-0 win.

It all added up to a series of firsts for the Rangers beyond their first goal in more than two games. It was their first meaningful goal(s) in 15 periods of play, their first even strength goal in over 343 minutes of play. It was the first NHL point for Dubinsky, the first point for Prucha since opening night, the first two-goal game for Dawes. It was the first time in forever that the Devils did not represent a real threat, even in such a tight game. And though it was Scott Gomez's first game against his former team, more critical to the outcome was Karel Rachunek playing his first game against his former team.

Despite all the focus on Gomez, someone did in fact ask Rachunek about facing the Rangers. He responded by saying that he hadn't played for the Rangers long enough for that to matter, especially since the Rangers didn't want him back anyway. He then proceeded to show why the Rangers didn't want him back, earning an assist on Dawes's opening minute goal. Rachunek came off the bench and was handed the puck by Johnny Oduya, who skated off for a shift change. Rachunek lamely passed the puck in front of his own net toward his own bench, where Oduya had not yet completed his change. With the Devils trying to avoid a too many men on the ice penalty, Shanahan got the puck and set Dawes up.

Dawes was a victim of a cruel numbers game when he was sent down to Hartford at the start of the season despite a good pre-season. But he was told -- and he knew -- that he would get a chance in the injury-riddled world of the NHL, and that chance came sooner rather than later when three left wingers -- his position -- went down in the opening weeks of the season. He was skating well even before last night -- now he has placed Coach Renney in the enviable position of having too many options when Sean Avery, Martin Straka, and Ryan Callahan return to action (although the latter two are still weeks away). Marcel Hossa also acquitted himself well in this game -- it's impossible to single him out for not scoring goals when no one else is either, but in the long run, playing well on the first line with Jagr will not be sufficient unless he puts pucks into the net.

Henrik Lundqvist finally got his just reward. Imagine giving up just one goal in three games but having no better than a 1-1-1 record! With the Rangers having scored just the one goal through most of last night, the young franchise goalie had to be perfect to add a win to his other glowing stats -- the league's fourth best GAA of 1.78 and sixth best .934 save percentage. Remember way back when during a playoff series when Eric Lindros stole the puck from Mark Messier and scored, and it was called a passing of the torch to a new generation? With Lundqvist outdueling Brodeur last night, and Brodeur betraying the degradation of his game in the way he fought off the puck even while making saves and especially while trying to handle the puck, this might be a changing of the guard in the crease.

Game reports -- Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post, Record, Star-Ledger, Advance, AP, SNY, NYR.com, and NY Sports Day. More from the Post on Ranger youth and from the Ledger on Dawes. Game notes from the Ledger and USA Today. Blueshirts Blog on the demotion of Thomas Pock, Rangers Report on the Nigel Dawes dilemma, and Blue Notes on Dawes. Dubinsky's first NHL point garnered notice in his hometown paper. That bloody fight that was shown between periods last night has put fighting back in the spotlight, so EPSN has a list of the ten dirtiest incidents ever, with Chris Simon's attack on Ryan Hollweg ranking high on the list. Jess Rubenstein has a Thursday night update at Prospect Park, Mitch Beck has a new entry at Howlings on Dawes and other subjects, and the Courant has the Wolf Pack week ahead. The Journal News also has a piece on the Manhattanville college kid who worked out with the Rangers yesterday.

Comments

[oleosmirf]

Lenny

I think that since Roszival and Malik play very well together that it would be best to leave them alone and trade Mara. Also Jagr wouldnt be too happy seeing his Czech buddies leave town...

[dtaild]

Mara also probably has a higher value than Malik

[Matty]

Lenny, I never said you called him those names ...

"Not saying that you have called him those names, can't recall, but I have seen those comments and much more made about Renney here ..."

as you can clearly see

[oleosmirf]

Guess I missed something but why is everyone talking about calling people names and Renney being offended?

[lennynyr]

Matty, we are not communicating. Never accused you of saying that about me. Just making a general statement on what I consider respectful and what I don't. Guess I didn't make that clear, sorry.

[lennynyr]

Oleo, had a discussion I believe initiated about me just on standards for this board in general. Start at the beginning of this thread.

[lennynyr]

Typo, I meant by me not about me.

[eric]

its only a matter of time before staka and Jagr goes.Maybe not this year but soon. last time i mentioned this about a week and a half ago i just about got got crusified. they are both on the back end of their careers.

[rangerbill94]

Dawes is a pure sniper. I watched him in WJC and he did the same thing. Both goals last night were sniper goals; the first low on the blocker side through a partial screen and the second a top shelf glove side beauty. His confidence must be high, he beat Marty, the Canadian Goaltending Idol, twice, won the game and was the first star. His hard work and Renney's confidence in the kids on the PP was great.

Hopefully this will continue. If the kids can produce a few more goals, pressure will be releived from Jagr and Shanahan's lines. If that happens, then that could be just the catalyst to break them loose.

Someone commented that someone other than Hollweg was wearing the 44 jersey last night. I will remind everybody that in junior hockey (yes, it doesn't translate to the NHL very well) Hollweg avaraged one point per game and well over 100 PIM's per game. I'm not saying he is an offensive threat, but he did put up some big numbers. That is not what got him into the NHL, so he is staying with what got him here. However, he is capable of more than what we have seen.

[oleosmirf]

The only problem I have with Hollweg being on the third line is how his inabilty to produce offensivly, will hurt the offensive production of the players around him i.e. Prucha, Dubinsky

This will only be until Avery comes back and replaces Hollweg but although he brings lots of energy and like I said in previous posts, is a great skater understand there will be a big drop off in production from that line.

[cupcrazy]

good game last nite. both teams played well. anyone going to the home opener of the devs on saturday? i hear that place is gonna be unreal. stan fischler just posted a blog over on game on! about the game last nite and the directions of both teams. check it out here:

game on!

[oleosmirf]

without reading Stans blog I can predict that he will say the Rangers are doing great and the Devils are doing bad...

[ant]

WHy in the hell would somebody go to Devils home opener????

[stevek]

John Dellapina's Blueshirts Blog says Kasper is going to Russia, with the Rangers blessing...but the the Rangers are still responsible for his salary.
"Stuck in the minors with virtually no chance of being recalled because of his contract and how it fits under the salary cap, Kasparaitis has agreed to play the rest of the season for SKA St. Petersburg of the Russian Elite League. He told the Daily News that he'll join the Russian club next week."

[Bob Merchant]

Malik's "gaffe" in Pittsburgh cost us the game? Come on. The team didn't score in two games, and you're pinning Malik for that loss?

Posted by: scinoc |

Scinoc, Malik could have been traded to the Sharks during the summer and been 2700 miles away and some would have a conniption trying to find a way to blame Malik for tha loss.

They just never give up.

[brian]

i feel blessed dubi gives us the chance to speak pretty much free here...i love this site and BB....thank again dubi

[oleosmirf]

bob

where did u hear Malik to San Jose?

[Matty]

Oleo,

Bob was being sarcastic I am sure

[imitation]

Good luck to Kasparitis playing in Russia. He deserves a second chance. Too bad he seems not to be ready to try asst coach .

[oleosmirf]

o yea should have kept reading...

[baron34]

Frankenstein to San Jose? Great... would we get more than a bag of pucks for him?

LOL! From your mouth to God's ears...

[ANT]

MOSCOW - Veteran defenceman Danny Markov has signed a two-year deal with Moscow Dynamo, his agent Jay Grossman confirmed Friday

[wwwc9]

couple of thoughts:

people mentioned changing the guard. If Jags played like he did last night, people wouldn't be stating he's lazy or he's in last yr of Washington mode. His move around paul martin? was just crazy, completely undressing and agree that if he scored, candidate for goal of the year.

However, he hasn't displayed that drive and determination throughout the early season, imho. It's about time the captain of the team stepped up. Otherwise, he shouldn't be it.

Hossa played an excellent game. He was good along the walls, played well defensively, and had a few scoring chances. However, can we honestly say hossa is a top 3 forward? Would be really surprised if he hit 20 goals this year.

going to start worring about Shanny soon too. one goal in 200 shots? (well, not exactly 200). If he doesn't put some in in the next 6 -10 games, you've got to seriously wonder whether or not his ability has diminished. You're no longer prime in your late 30's and it maybe better to give someone else that ice time if he can't produce.

someone else said renney uses the yoots when they learn to play defensively. Problem with that is that for the youngins, they don't get that experience unless they play and get used to the faster game. 10-12 mins a game will go along way versus 3. it's his job to develop them and take some risk playing them. if they continue the learning curve, think of what staal, dubi, dawes, cally, gerardi, will be like at the end of this year.
i don't think he's always been consistent with his game plan for the yoots.

that said, Renney's got to find the right places for people and recognize when things aren't working and make adjustments. for ex, Dawes has played really well in the last 2 games, hitting the pipe, setting up plays. Yet I don't think it was until the third period that he put dawes on the pp.

How long will he continue to keep the first pp unit and how much ice time will he give them. still think he gives them too much time. if people aren't producing, he needs to move them down the lineup or sit them out. he sat malik out one game; he's played much better. to his credit, the team is playing really well defensively. three games and 1 goal against is amazing and is kudos to the coaching staff. can they put the pieces in place to have a productive powerplay and score consistently at even strength?

[JohnM]

The place for Dawes is Strakas wing spot. the place for Prucha is on Gomez's line. Straka at center with Jags should play with Hossa. Dawes Gomez and Prucha would be a beautiful thing. As would Drury Hollweg Avery. Dubinski Shanahan Calahan would be good too. Throw in Orr when you want. and sit one of many. Betts can fill the water bottles. He can have Straka's spot when he retires. Thats the way I see it.

[THE GHOST OF CAMERON]

Lol. Drury centering Avery and Hollweg. Yeah thats a greeeeeat line

[oleosmirf]

hollweg is a 4th line player but with injuries he is playing on the 3rd line for 1-3 games.

Hossa-Drury-Jagr
Dawes-Gomez-Shanahan
Hollweg-Dubinsky-Prucha
Strudwick-Betts-Orr

That should be our lineup for now. Then when Avery is back he goes to the 3rd line and Hollweg goes back to the 4th line.

[oleosmirf]

and when everyone is back based on the performance of the players this would be the lines

Straka-Drury-Jagr
Dawes-Gomez-Shanahan
Prucha-Avery-Callahan
Hossa-Betts-Orr/Hollweg

[GEORGE]

Baron //,If Malik went to San Jose could we trade him for some hockey fans that can see hockey talent on there own team when they are playing right in front of them.

[lennynyr]

Malik's "gaffe" in Pittsburgh cost us the game? Come on. The team didn't score in two games, and you're pinning Malik for that loss?

Posted by: scinoc |

Scinoc, multiple choice quiz:

1. If Malik used his body on Malkin and knocked him out of the crease area would he have scored the only goal in the game?

A: Yes B: No

2. If that goal didn't happen would the Rangers have lost the game?

A: Yes B: No

3. Who's gaffe caused the Rangers to lose the game?

A: Malik B: Scinoc C: Bob Medchant D: None of the above

Scinoc, Malik could have been traded to the Sharks during the summer and been 2700 miles away and some would have a conniption trying to find a way to blame Malik for the loss.

They just never give up.

Shouldn't be "they" never giving up that should be your concern, it should be Malik giving up that should worry you.!

[lennynyr]

If Malik went to San Jose could we trade him for some hockey fans that can see hockey talent on there own team when they are playing right in front of them.

Posted by: GEORGE | October 26, 2007 at 10:54 PM

If there's talent to see, it might work.

[LI Joe]

so Lenny - you don't have Scatchard and the Wards and Halls of the world so now you're advocating getting rid of a core player like Straka. did you not see the selfless act he did when he got injured. is the only stat you look at the age of the player.

the one thing I haven't figured out is why I read what you write. I can save 1/2 hr a day if I didn't.

[Ryan]

I'll take your quiz lenny,

1) B; no Malkin wouldn't have scored right then

2) A; they would have scored on the ensuing 1 minute plus 5-on-3

3) E; the referees because that was never a penalty

I would hardly call what Malik did a gaffe. He made a play that 99 out of 100 times would have led to no goal against. With the way things were going for us that game though (3 posts is one example) the break just didn't go our way.

[AShogunNamedMarcus]

I haven't read through all the comments on this story in particular, and it's my first time posting at this site. I'm a pretty long-time lurker, and I know the etiquette of comments in general - but I just wanted to mention to the folks BSB that you guys are, by far, the best NY Rangers news, community, commentary, etc. on the web.

(Sorry, Rodent. Seriously.)

Keep up the great work, and thanks for being around. Later.

Oh, and another thing: Dawes has been the best thing on the ice for two games in a row. I have no idea if that is the general consensus aroun here, but if it isn't, it should be.

[lennynyr]

LI Joe, it isn't so much getting rid of Straka as it is playing the best players. Let's face it, the kids are getting better and better every day while Straka skills are deteriorating. He's on the downside of his career. If the Ranger farm system was the weak one of five years ago, no way would I advocate getting rid of Straka and even now, only if he's beaten out by the youngsters.

Since I think the youngsters will beat him out, he has to go regardless of what he's done in the past. Just my opinion.

About my posts, reading them is your problem, not mine so you are on your own regarding that. If you saved 1/2 hour, what would you do with it? That probably keeps you out of trouble.

[AShogunNamedMarcus]

I haven't read through all the comments on this story in particular, and it's my first time posting at this site. I'm a pretty long-time lurker, and I know the etiquette of comments in general - but I just wanted to mention to the folks BSB that you guys are, by far, the best NY Rangers news, community, commentary, etc. on the web.

(Sorry, Rodent. Seriously.)

Keep up the great work, and thanks for being around. Later.

Oh, and another thing: Dawes has been the best thing on the ice for two games in a row. I have no idea if that is the general consensus aroun here, but if it isn't, it should be.

[JoeG]

Spector is reporting that Kasperaitis has signed with a Russian team. If so, can the Rangers suspend him, and slash his salary from the books? That would certainly free up some needed cap space for future moves.

[craigz]

With all this good young talent around don't you think that giving a little ice time then taking it away and giving it to someone else would make these young kids very hungry? Again stop with the trades. Unless we can make a multi-player blockbuster of a trade it ain't gonna happen. Something about a salary cap or something like that. In my illustrious amateur hockey carrer I separated both my shoulders at one time or another. It takes a month to be relatively healthy but another 2-3 weeks longer with the arm (shoulder) in certain positions. Even after the injury Some positions give no pain at all and others hurt like hell...especially quick reaction type moves. Hope they play well tomorrow night...Z

[craigz]

Kaspar's salary is not being counted against the cap while he is in Hartford...Z

[oleosmirf]

marcus

actually IMHO Dawes would be second to Lundqvist...

Joe

The Rangers allowed him to go but it would have been nice for him to stay and help out Anisimov...

[craigz]

He should be playing with the Rangers..Only D'man we have to keep opposing forwards honest and make them keep their head up...Z

[lennynyr]

To those of you besides Li Joe upset about my considering getting rid of Straka, we are very fortunate that the Ranger farm system is producing the talent it is right now.

When was the last time we had so many prospects making the team and others knocking at the door? Look at the success of Girardi and Callahan beginning last season, and this season, Staal, Dubinsky and Dawes. That's 5 callups and all have the potential to be long time star Ranger players. What kind of a message would you be sending if you pushed them aside for players on the downside of their career even if they performed selfless acts like Straka?

Joe, you mention not having Scatchard, Hall, Ward to pick on as my reason to replace Straka. Can't you see it's the high level of our prospects as my reason? But yes, with these prospects available, Hall, Ward etc would be long gone before Straka if I was the GM. If you are going to make presumptions about my thoughts please get it right.

[oleosmirf]

lenny and I agree on something for once

while we don't need to trade him he does become expendable because of the excellant players we have in Hartford and with the Rangers right now.

It's nice to have good young players and when injuries strike we don't have to rely on complete obscurities like:

Benoit Dusablon, Paul Healey, Richard Scott, Mike Siklenka, Jason MacDonald, Layne Ulmer etc.

[Chris]

If you trade Straka
1. Who do you trade him to (a team that wont hurt you in the playoff run/playoffs)
2. Who do you get in return for him?
3. How do you convince that team that he isnt injury prone. Because lets face it he is.
4. If you do manage a trade, who can you justify cutting now?? My guess only Hossa, because I think Dawes proved hes ready for the NHL and ready to be this teams future.

Somethings brewing I think trade-wise, because this team is going to be hitting the free agent market hard again next off season, we loose alot of players( jagr, straka, shannahan, Malik(thank god), Rosival etc..)

[imitation]

lenny there are many different mindsets here when it comes to the players. And on who should stay & who should go. I'm for standing pat right now. It's tough enough replacing injured players. So far the depth has been there. Having a mix of ages is a good thing. But having veteran experience is a must especially come playoff time and trying to get there. Nothing replaces the school of hard knocks and the aging of fine wine. An old man like you should know that;-) ( is that allowed? )

[Lynkx]

i honestly think that, along with Pock being super rusty,and needing ice time, Renney is going to keep Dawes active, and play him in games where we need more scoring touch, but I could be wrong..

but for the next week at least, I forsee the lineup looking like thsi:

Hossa-Gomez-Jagr
Dawes-Drury-Shanny
Hollweg-Dubinsky-Prucha
Strudwick-Betts-Orr

When Avery comes back, strud sits, Hollweg goes down on the 4th line, Avery will be on second line and Dawes to the 3rd line.

I think the lines need to stay as is (until, obviously, the injured players get back) and no more line juggling.

Straka-Gomez-Jagr
Avery-Drury-Shanny
Cally-Dubi-Prucha
Hollweg-Betts-Orr

I think Hollweg may sit when Dawes is going to play, and Dawes would get exclusive PP time.

[lennynyr]

All, I don't advocate trading Straka and others just for the sake of trading them. Only if they become expendable, which should be the case if the replacement player is better. There are other options like alternating some of the guys who aren't your top players, this would keep them around and not force a trade. Also gives Renney the option to have an offensive 4th line as well as a defensive 4th line or alternating them.

Whatever, isn't it great to have this kind of a problem because of the talent coming up from Hartford? Every coach and GM would love to have this problem.

As far as loyalty to Straka, it isn't like being married to him, unless he signs a pre-nup. :) Seriously, when he is done, even if traded, the Rangers can offer him a job in the organization to show their loyalty.

If he is traded and the player who replaces him is not better than Straka, then I would be upset.

[lennynyr]

Imitation LOL. You can't describe everybody as being stupid, or worse but one thing we all hope to achieve and hopefully attain is old age. As long as the aches and pains and demented mind don't come with it. Of course we need some vets to show the way. Straka isn't gone yet but if he is, there's still Jagr, Shanahan, Gomez and Drury up front for a veteran presence.

If you leave the cork off me, I will no longer be a fine wine, just a very bitter one. If that happens, throw me out!!

[lennynyr]

Chris, most of those guys might just be replaced by Hartford guys. I could see Moore, Anistov, Bourret, Korposki, Byers, Sauer fighting for those jobs.

Who's available as free agents who the Rangers might be interested in?

[Lynkx]

the other Hossa may be a free agent at the end of the season.. I wonder how they'd play together... O.o

[imitation]

lnny maybe not too smart sounds better along with not very young man Try not to blow your cork, the NYR can have that affect sometimes. Drinking wine is better than vinegar ;-) ( by putting NYR it becomes a hockey post! )