Now it really starts to get interesting. The long breaks are over, and it's head to head against the division most of the rest of the way -- three each vs. the Devils, Penguins, and Flyers and four more with the Islanders. Outside the division, they have close playoff competitors in Boston and Buffalo and the always vexing two-game Florida road trip. The Rangers have been best this season within their conference and even better than that within the division. This is where the playoffs begin, this afternoon with a Garden matinee against the Flyers, who edged the Isles yesterday afternoon, and continuing later this week with the first of two home and home series with the Isles.
Game previews can be found at NYR.com and NHL.com. The Journal News and Newsday write about the tough playoff battle ahead. The Post reports that it will be Henrik Lundqvist in net rather than Steve Valiquette, who shut out the Flyers in each of his last two starts. The Daily News looks at Brandon Dubinsky, and the Josh Gratton waiver situation is clarified in Blueshirts Blog. Look who has become a boo-bird in Philly. If you have time, there are Sunday columns in the Post and Newsday by Ranger beat writers. The Courant recaps the Wolf Pack loss last night, and Prospect Park recaps other prospect action around the world.
TODDM
Sjostrom wont drop the gloves. Im pretty sure. Not many Swedes fight.
Posted by: ORR Says "Trade to get Cheechoo" !! | March 02, 2008 at 11:23 AM
in their next 10 games the Rangers should be able to go at least 7-3 considering the only teams they face that are higher in the standings are the Devils, Bruins and Penguins.
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 11:24 AM
this schedule is quite ridiculous. Two straight weeks in which the Rangers played only 2 games a week, and now this long strech of several games against teams in their own conference. The NHL seems bent on creating excitement instead of letting it come naturally.
Posted by: Effigy of the Forgotten | March 02, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Love Renney's move of keeping Sjostrom in the lineup today.
We need toughness against Philly, but Hollweg hasxn't showed much lately and we
can use the offensive upgrade in Freddy.
I'd actually like to see Bettsy and Sjostrom working together while Orr clears some space upfront.
Should be an upgrade-
Posted by: BlueClue | March 02, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Is Orr deff playing???
Posted by: ANT | March 02, 2008 at 12:21 PM
yeps, confirmed by Zipay and Weinman blogs.
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:22 PM
girardi has to prevent anyone from getting in there
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2008 at 12:38 PM
another weak goal by henrik
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 12:38 PM
2 guys go to the same Flyer and we pay. Just a fantastic start.
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:38 PM
If Tyutin is going to play big games like this bench him. That pass was horrible and put us down early...
Posted by: Laserman | March 02, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Get over the Henrik-bashing. Tyutin turned the puck over 15 feet from the net, and Henrik made the first save on a tough shot.
Posted by: marge | March 02, 2008 at 12:39 PM
How in the world is that a weak goal? That first save was PHENOMENAL. That was lackluster defending.
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I get out of work early only for there to be a major accident on the highway, sucks! I am almost home but I will miss the first 10-15 mins grrrr
Posted by: Matty who is still sick :( | March 02, 2008 at 12:39 PM
u want to bench Tyutin b/c of one play haha
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Totts and Girardi pair has not been good defensively pair over a handful of games ...
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:40 PM
ole how was that weak???
first save was great, giradi has to prevent anyone from getting in there he wasnt where he need to be to stop anyone from hitting that in
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2008 at 12:41 PM
that isn't hank's fault oleo someone has to pick up prospal
Posted by: Mark W. | March 02, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Toots should've pass to Girardi but try to thread a pass to Dawes..
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Power play GOAL!!!
yes, it came through!!
wooo!
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:42 PM
the puck went right through him but at least they got it back
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 12:43 PM
1-1 straka
Posted by: Mark W. | March 02, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Straka!
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Agreed, Lundqvist needs help in front on that play. Tyutin with a bush league pass is the problem there. Good way to get back on the PP!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 02, 2008 at 12:43 PM
ole was that weak too? straka was allowed to shoot from the slot undefended?
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I post, they SCORE!
WOOO
Posted by: Matty who is still sick :( | March 02, 2008 at 12:44 PM
was that a good hit by Backman or penalty?? lol.
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Friggin Backman, I already hate him...
Posted by: Laserman | March 02, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Another terrible call by the refs.
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I thought it was a good hit. both players around the puck..
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:48 PM
thats not a penalty
its a penalty becasue briere was hit
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2008 at 12:48 PM
No way that was a penalty. Briere had touched the puck a quarter of a second before the hit. No way that's interference.
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:49 PM
that was retarded
Posted by: nic | March 02, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Girardi and toots out of position again. lol.
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:50 PM
i'm not blaming Lundqvist i'm just saying that pucks should not be slipping through him like that.
and no the 2nd goal wasnt weak either
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Tyutin out of position, 2-1...
Posted by: Laserman | March 02, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Ridiculous.
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Not encouraging. We have the offensive punch to make up for these errors, but the D is placing wa-aa-ay too much pressure on the O and Hank ...
Posted by: mshiver77 | March 02, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Oleosmirf,
Pucks should not be slipping through him like that? The fact that he even got a piece of that puck is amazing. A hard pass to the complete other side of the net for what should have been an easy tap in. Goalies generally have no chance of saving shots like that, but Lundqvist saved the first. His team just couldn't help him out.
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:53 PM
one more call like that im turning the game off.
nhl can shove there ratings if they wanna have refs like this.
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2008 at 12:53 PM
i like FREDDIEEEE
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Sjoooooey!
Posted by: Shawn | March 02, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Yeah Sjostrom!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 02, 2008 at 12:56 PM
holy crap sjo!!!
wow
Posted by: nic | March 02, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Patrick Sjostrom nice one Emrick
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 12:56 PM
OMG TOOTS..what was that!! bad pass
Posted by: Sam | March 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Now if the D finds their game we can win this...
Posted by: Laserman | March 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
this is gonna be a high scoring game!!
Posted by: Paul R | March 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Sjostrom!
Posted by: Ryan | March 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
wow imagine how good the Rangers would be if Jagr could spin and shoot like 2 years ago instead of only spin and pass
Posted by: oleosmirf | March 02, 2008 at 12:58 PM
wow dawes passes have eyes!!! rangers are being aggressive Im pumped that this game is on tv in canada!!!
woooweee
Posted by: nic | March 02, 2008 at 12:58 PM