UPDATE: Blue Notes reporting from Pittsburgh that Colton Orr is out with a foot injury and will be replaced by either Petr Prucha or Jason Strudwick.
The time is now for the Rangers. The playoff race tightened up over the week, with the Rangers playing one or two fewer games than anyone else. They remain in sixth, and they have one or two games in hand on everyone. But they will have to win those games not only to solidify or improve their playoff seeding, but just to ensure any seeding at all -- nine teams are still in the race, and ninth place is only three points behind with five games to play for the Rangers and three for Washington.
With a magic number of four to clinch a playoff spot, it is almost imperative for the Rangers to win their two games in hand. But if they do indeed win them, they can use the others to try to capture home ice advantage in the opening round, and maybe even catch the Penguins for first place, longshot though that may be. It all starts this afternoon in Pittsburgh with the first of a two-day home-and-home series against the Penguins, a nationally televised game in which Sidney Darling is the NHL's Great White Hope, not America's Team, the Rangers.
But even if the Rangers have to play against all eight black and white skaters on the ice -- Penguins and zebras alike -- their chances look good, at least based on past performance. That's because the Penguins have made a living on non-playoff and Western Conference teams, with a 23-10-2 record against them. Against the other eight Eastern Conference playoff contenders, they are just 18-16-5. The Rangers are in the exact opposite position, having gone 23-9-7 against conference playoff teams (an Achilles heel 17-17-4 against all other teams). But as we know, past performance does not guarantee future returns -- they still have to go out and win.
In the news today, more on the Avery story, leading with a Newsday report of the madam's lawyer saying that his client never had contact with the Rangers winger and that the so-called electronic black book is probably counterfeit. For more, see the Daily News and Journal News. The Post looks at the other Ranger distraction, Jaromir Jagr's future, while the Daily News looks at how the Rangers are dealing with both distractions. Previews of today's game: MSG.com, NHL.com, NYR.com, AP, and Rangerland. Ranger team notes at Yahoo! Sports.
Sunday columns from Larry Brooks in the Post (cap is going up by $6 million next season) and Steve Zipay in Newsday. On the farm, the Pack whooped Springfield 10-1, with Andrew Hutchinson setting a new club record for scoring by defensemen. Bruce Berlet reports in the Courant that Bobby Sanguinetti is headed to Hartford now that his OHL career is at an end, likewise Tomas Zaborsky if he signs an ATO. Prospect Park has an update on the Ranger prospects still alive in their respective league's playoffs and tournaments.
Probably 70% of the audience are Ranger fans, and probably 70% of the game was Rangers until the Hossa goal, and NBC is treating this game as if they are Sportsnet-Pittsburgh. Rangers get a goal, it's "Scooore!" Pens get a goal, it's "Scoooooore!!! Hooossssaaa!!!"
Pens get a coupla, three hits, it's "Oh, what a hit! And another one! Ohhhh!" Only a moment later does someone up there note, in almost a whisper, "Callahan had a coupla hits in there too."
Not to mention unprepared -- "Why no Gill against Jagr?" they kept asking. Uh, did you see Gill vs. Jagr last game, dude? There's your answer. At least McGuire is standing up to the Village Idiot on Jagr.
Posted by: Dubi | March 30, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Rangers PP looked OK. Otherwise, they looked slow and tentitive. First Pitt goal was a good bounce to Hossa and he didn't miss. Give this team a 5-3 and you'll pay...and we did. Better stay out of the penalty box and better get some offense going.
I sure wish Maguire was coaching the Pens...
Posted by: rangerbill94 | March 30, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Matty,
Thanks for the background! Hope you feel better soon, man.
Dubi,
They had to talk about the hits and keep flashing the stat. Otherwise they'd be forced to mention that the shots were 6-2 in favor of our boys.
Down with Picksburgh! GO RANGERS!!!!!
Posted by: Cutter | March 30, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Milbury is not only an idiot, but also incorrect. He made it sound like Jagr called a press conference to announce a meeting with Omsk.
Posted by: Colorado Mark | March 30, 2008 at 01:28 PM
wow a penalty on the pens
Posted by: Paul R | March 30, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Of course the Hossa call is a "new Era penalty"- it couldn't be the mighty Pens actually committed a penalty!
Posted by: Colorado Mark | March 30, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Wow.. did we get a bad penalty call go for US?
Posted by: Ryan | March 30, 2008 at 01:31 PM
The reason I hate the Pens is because they have been catered to for years and they basically tanked for years, intentionally sucking to get the top picks. The Rangers sucked, but at least tried to spend money to put a good team on the ice. Sure, I'd rather have sucked like the pens to get the top draft picks, but ethically, I can't get behind the way Mario has manipulated the NHL to get him a new arena, and get handed Crosby and top picks.
Posted by: Colorado Mark | March 30, 2008 at 01:32 PM
God, I hate NBC. Watching Milbury and McGuire pretend to argue was just sad. I'm glad I have the Blueshirt Bulletin to let me know what is *really* going on.
No mention of the missed call on Callahan, but they throw a fit when a Penguin gets called for hooking.
Posted by: John | March 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM
SHOOT the damn puck Rosi!!! Jesus!! I can't believe he attempted that lame duck pass cross-ice to Jagr.
Posted by: Blaze | March 30, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Eddie O seems to be the only guy who really sees what's going on.
Posted by: rangerbill94 | March 30, 2008 at 01:36 PM
We get 3 up high but the other two are in the corners??? What the hell was that?
Posted by: rangerbill94 | March 30, 2008 at 01:39 PM
It looks like we play a 4-corners with one guy in the high slot. Well, all you need is one guy to stay with the guy in the high slot and NOTHING HAPPENS!
Posted by: rangerbill94 | March 30, 2008 at 01:42 PM
That call on Hossa was weak -- but so was the call on Sjostrom, and maybe the call on Prucha, hard to tell. The announcers may be touting Pitt right now, but at least the zebras are screwing things up both ways. Now if the Rangers can only hit the net with these great shots...
Posted by: Dubi | March 30, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Mara has been so good today, he's been awesome one on one against Crosby and Malkin.
Posted by: Jameson | March 30, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Ryan Hollweg: Sweet Duster, Terrible passer
Posted by: Dunny | March 30, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Jagr interfered with twice from behind, no call -- but don't touch Sidney Darling!
Jagr is having a bad second period so far.
Posted by: Dubi | March 30, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Got NYR radio feed synced up to NBC with tv sound muted. NBC is unlistenable. Tired of hearing NBC verbally fellate Cindy and friends.
Posted by: mhurley | March 30, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Dubi
The call on Sjo wasn't the problem; it was the non-call on Mslkin for for hokking/interfering with Callahan. Malkin should have been in the box, not scoring the go-ahead goal.
Posted by: jas | March 30, 2008 at 01:47 PM
No call on that trip on Gomez, unbelievable!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 30, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Good God! This team needs to practice shooting on goal!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 30, 2008 at 01:51 PM
these penalties better even out
Posted by: Chris | March 30, 2008 at 01:52 PM
You think we'll shoot the puck on goal in this period? I've lost count as to how many missed the net.
Posted by: Blaze | March 30, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Nope, I think Pitt will be on the PP for an extra inference call.
Posted by: ntb | March 30, 2008 at 01:53 PM
God I hate that little girl Crosby!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 30, 2008 at 01:54 PM
So, NBC highlights 3!!! crosschecks by Crosby and never once said there should be a penality..only that Sid is tough. Wow!
Posted by: ntb | March 30, 2008 at 01:55 PM
All of a sudden Jagr looks like he wants the puck. Hope he keeps it up.
Posted by: rangerbill94 | March 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM
video proof of a ref watching a star get away with penalties
Posted by: Chris | March 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM
the announcers were laughing at rozy for putting on the breaks to avoid laroque. so was i. gutless play.
Posted by: iceycup | March 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM
wow.
Posted by: Chris | March 30, 2008 at 02:00 PM
referees are ridiculous.
Posted by: Mark W. | March 30, 2008 at 02:00 PM
i am so sick of the refs in this leauge
Posted by: Chris | March 30, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Non-call on Crosby (ref standing right there!) for cross-checking Backman.
Another lame interference call.
Posted by: Blaze | March 30, 2008 at 02:03 PM
almost impossible to beat the refs and the pens together, the fix is in even if it's not provable.
Posted by: i | March 30, 2008 at 02:04 PM
We're lucky to get out of the 2nd period only down a goal.
Posted by: Blaze | March 30, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Milbury likes the west because he traded all the isles prospects there
Posted by: Mark W. | March 30, 2008 at 02:07 PM
That Crosby multiple crosscheck replay is a microcosm of what’s wrong with Toronto’s dictum on NHL officiating. Gomer can get tripped-up, headfirst, into the boards without a call, Malkin can be in distress from a skate cut without a conservative whistle to stop play and Crosby can crosscheck away to his heart’s delight, but it’s Jagr who gets called for a reach-around. Talk about a circle-jerk. Shanny is correct when he complains that these nickel-and-dime calls are not penalties unless the player is impeded. I don’t understand why the officials in Toronto can figure out what every player already knows; a perpendicular stick is not a penalty unless a guy is slowed by it. Meanwhile, dangerous plays like the three aforementioned incidents in today’s first two periods may have resulted in injury, but those are “hockey plays”. I love hockey, but the NHL makes me ill.
Posted by: Three Chord Monte | March 30, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Blaze what are you smoking? Even with the penalties the rangers dominated....
hey does crosby have to commit 10 cross checks to get 1 penalty against???
the one 5 and 3 is the game so far......
Posted by: stuarta | March 30, 2008 at 02:07 PM
-Three Chord Monte
best post in a long time
Posted by: Chris | March 30, 2008 at 02:10 PM
I'm not sure if I heard wrong,
Pierre discussing about Gomez/SHanny/Drury winning Stanley Cups and Milbury stated "ancient history"...
I wonder if that's his favorite phrase when asked about his GM work.
Posted by: Sam | March 30, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Let me say this! Ovechkin is the face of the future of hockey. He does it all, and isn't a crybaby like Crosby. I'd be more worried going against the Caps then Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Now, getting back to the Rangers, we need to step it up in the 3rd period with a lot of shots on goal. And stay out of the penalty box. Lets go Rangers!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 30, 2008 at 02:13 PM
sydney didnt get a penalty cuz he didnt break his stick. lol
Posted by: max | March 30, 2008 at 02:18 PM
The last I looked The Pens are up a goal.... could have been worse as the Pens had at least 4 really strong scoring chances on the PP. Thankfully we killed of two straight power-plays. Also...we're on the road as well as having to overcome shifty officiating.
Posted by: Blaze | March 30, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Matty,
Thanks for the background! Hope you feel better soon, man.
No problem Cutter, but I'm a girl ;)
Posted by: Matty *Sick .... again* | March 30, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Heck, if NBC is going to be in love with the Pens at least let them give credit to the person who's the biggest reason why they're tops in the division, Malkin. Aside from the skate in the face and his goal, they've barely talked about him. Earlier in the game they were talking about "Team Leaders" in the statistical sense and mentioned how Drury is the co-leader for the Rangers in goals/PPG and then they mention how Crosby is #2 on the Pens in PPG but that he also missed 20+ games...at least do Malkin a favor and give him his credit.
Posted by: And This One Will Last A Lifetime | March 30, 2008 at 02:23 PM
is sindy an actress now?
Posted by: Paul R | March 30, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I'm tired of these BS calls by the refs that Crosby is selling!!!
Posted by: Laserman | March 30, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Did Roszie pass that to Jagr instead of shoot it in the open net? Since he was at an ackward angle I will give him the benefit of the doubt because if he passed .....
Why do they put the mic on players and then spend most of the time showing us the plays saying "here, I got it" ect ... then of course showed Sidney telling the ref "I have the better job" and playfully bumping him ... or was that the linesman? Oh does it matter?
=P
We are doing an excellent job defensively but we need to get more pucks at the net, and try to drive to the net as much as we can ...
Posted by: Matty *Sick .... again* | March 30, 2008 at 02:28 PM
At least NBC calls him out on it
Posted by: And This One Will Last A Lifetime | March 30, 2008 at 02:28 PM
at least someone does
Posted by: Paul R | March 30, 2008 at 02:30 PM