Game 23: Rangers vs Blue Jackets
Welcome to the first edition of “Rangers Need A Win”. Feel like we’ll be seeing a lot of these. (Note: I’m changing the style of the game thread. If you hate it, just tell me).
OPPONENT: Blue Jackets.
RECORD: 12-6-3
LEADING SCORER: Rick Nash, who has 25 points. 14 of those are goals.
GOALIE: Steve Mason, he of the 3.44 GAA and the .890 save percentage.
RANGERS LINES:
Chris Higgins-Vinny Prospal-Marian Gaborik
Sean Avery-Artem Anisimov-P.A. Parenteau
Enver Lisin-Ryan Callahan-Ales Kotalik
Donald Brashear-Brian Boyle-Aaron Voros
D-pairs are the same. Lundqvist should be in goal.
STATE OF THE BLUESHIRTS: Not good. We can talk all we want about injuries, but the truth is, this team doesn’t have the secondary scoring. Higgins needs to produce. Avery needs to produce. So does Ryan Callahan. This team reminds me a lot of the Jagr years. Yeah, Gaborik can probably carry this team to the playoffs, just like Jagr. But, it’s not enough to be a contender.
CRAZY THOUGHT: Donald Brashear gets a point. Or two.
ON THE iPOD: Five More Hours, The Gabe Dixon Band
FINAL PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Blue Jackets 1. Just going on a feeling.
Use this as your open thread for the game. Watch, discuss, have fun. Most of all, LET’S GO RANGERS!!!!
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Someone reads the Lohud Yankees Blog
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Yup. Exactly where I got it from. And what a bad goal. But rangers are attacking
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
You have to be kidding me….
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Again? Really?
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
Everyone climb on, Gaborik is gonna carry them to the playoffs.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
REDDEN!
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Or Anisimov!
Where is everyone?
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
WOO! TIED!
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
I would marry Marian Gaborik if I could. He is such a stud. Unbelivable. Also, Anisimov just scored!!!! Torts knows how to call a timeout
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
AA deflected a shot from Redden, although it looked like Gaborik had scored before that
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
There’s some serious man crush-age going on here for Marian Gaborik.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Not afraid to admit the man crush. Him, Will Smith and Brad Pitt. But, Gaborik is first. Is he better than Jagr was in 2005-6?
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
He’s doing it by himself. Jagr had two 75 point guys on a line with him.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I’ll take that a yes. Gabby should win the Hart this year
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
ANisimov’s goal is the first goal by a ranger other than Prospal or Gaborik in 212:19
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
WTF
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
The Hart always goes to the one with the most points, not the MVP. It’s a flawed award.
See: Jagr, 2006.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
MY bad. Meant MVP. He could get both
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that the Hart never actually goes to the legitimate MVP.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
WOW! What a play by Del Zotto!
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
MDZ=Calder. So the Rangers have the leading Calder candidate, and a leader for the MVP. And somehow, the Rangers are last in the Atlantic. Somethin’ ain’t right.
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Hockey is the ultimate team game. I love how one player can’t turn an entire team around.
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By becky, November 23, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Dear Del Zotto,
Wow…
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
I guess that’s how you answer back.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
So THAT was a pretty good period, no? At least the second half
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I’m still stunned by that.
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By david, November 23, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
how did del zotto score
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Took the puck at the Columbus blue line, Columbus changed, Del Zotto just danced around a few players to the slot and ripped it low blocker.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
I think moving Higgins to the first line was a pretty good move
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Any of the “grinders” who play a natural center/LW work there. They have the skill with Prospal and Gaborik, all they needed was someone to get them the puck.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
Has anyone seen Rosival?
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
We will soon, Staal hurt his shoulder.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Wait, is that a goal? How did Parenteau miss that? Avery put it in, under review
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
That’s a goal. Avery makes it 4-2!
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
That’s a goal. Avery!
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
What a pass by Avery to Parenteau. Tremendous
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By becky, November 23, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
dear the rangers…
wow
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
That’s how you answer back!
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By david, November 23, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
avery its about time!!!!
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
WOW!
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
AVERY AGAIN!!! Wait, GABORIK JUST SCORED AGAIN!!!!!
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
You have to be kidding me!
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By Jordan, November 23, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Incredible.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
6-2!!! They pulled Mason, and on Garon’s first play, Gabby scores
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Avery scored on Garon too!
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Oh really? Rough start!
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Who is this team, and what have they done with the Rangers.
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becky Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Somethin’ good…
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By david, November 23, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
hell yaa!!i was waiting for a game like this
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
And then Voros fights the dude who hit Staal. They’re finally listening to BSB
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
About damn time! They gotta stick up for themselves sooner or later.
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By becky, November 23, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
Jeremy you gotta always set up the game threads like this man.. though your prediction is just a little off
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
A little?
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Hey, I’ll take this. But, I’m holding out hope for my Brashear prediction!
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becky Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Ha like your Voros goal?
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I don’t call ‘em crazy predictions for nothing.
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By Mike A., November 23, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
I think we’ll see this Higgins-Prospal-Gaborik line together next game.
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
And that Avery-Anisimov-Parenteau line.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
What a move by Gilroy!
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Indeed. Think they’ll remove Garon?
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
For who? Think Nash can play goalie too?
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
At this point, it might be better
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
Hey, remember when the Rangers were losing 2-0?
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becky Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Vaguely..
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By Mike A., November 23, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
That timeout might be the turning point of the season.
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
That fight with Voros sticking up for Staal too. Let’s make that a habit.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
It’s amazing how the comments for any game thread come with how well the Rangers are playing. During this 4-9-1 stretch, no one posted. The Rangers put up seven goals, and now we have a ton of posts.
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becky Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Don’t complain
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Oh I’m not. I’m gonna start bribing the Rangers to win more.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
I love the Bronx cheer for Garon.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
This was a good night for Garden Of Dreams awareness night, wasn’t it?
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
These kids must be so happy.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
That was a rip by Huselieus.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Huselieus should be on the Swedish Olympic team. what a shot. BTW, Kotalik got hurt
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I wonder how many people are going to over react that the goal was high glove on Hank. I’m going with roughly 500.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Two shoulder injuries. Awesome.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
Full of applesauce? Thank you Stan Fischler.
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Did he just compare metal bats in baseball to composite sticks?
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 9:02 pm
Who leaves the lineup when Drury comes back? Voros? Parenteau? I would say Voros…
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Brashear. Voros has been good recently.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Yeah, but I have 1.2 million reasons why Brash wouldn’t get benched.
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
$1.4
He’s earning them now. Sort of.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I like Voros though. Interesting to see what they do.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
I believe 82 comments is a record.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
Two solid plays by DZ there. His defensive game is the most underrated part of his game.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
Jeremy, Voros has been solid. I prefer Brashear to get benched. I was actually thinking about writing about that tomorrow. You want to? You brought it up.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Yeah sure. I’ll write it.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
The Rangers are more physical than I’ve seen in awhile. Redden was in a guy’s face after he poked at Hank. The Voros and Brashear fights. Some big hits. Very good to see
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
It’s awesome to see them standing up for each other. It’s about damn time too.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
Crap.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
If the Rangers hadn’t scored 7 goals, we’d be in panic mode
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Seriously. I’m already thinking about the defense and how porous it is.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:22 pm
Rozsival took a shot!
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Shoot the puck Rosy! Shoot the puck! RIP Big Whistle
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Well played sir.
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
Ehhh. Weak call on Nash. That’s not interference.
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
The problem is that there isn’t a real clear rule on running the goalie. It’s a judgement call, but it really shouldn’t be. If he’s pushed, no call. If he isn’t, penalty. Simple as that
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
It’s a shame Nash plays in Columbus. If he was in New York, or Toronto, or Chicago, he’d be as big as Ovechkin. So good
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Columbus is actually a good market. They get snow and ice there. Unlike Kovalchuk and Atlanta…
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
True. I still don’t get how they thought Atlanta/Phoenix etc were strong hockey markets. Move some teams to Canada!
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
See Hank, that’s what happens when you take shots off the face. Cut that out.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Hey, we reached 100 comments! How cool! Great job guys!
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
That’s a record!
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Well placed timeouts, and lots of scoring, for the win
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By Dave, November 23, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
2008 Rangers scoring leaders:
Gomez/Zherdev – 58 points
Naslund – 24 goals
How soon until Gaborik shatters both?
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Jeremy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Goals by late december. Points by early January
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Dave Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
He’s got 18 goals and 32 points right now.
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By Jeremy, November 23, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
That is what I call a great win
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