Game 43: Rangers vs Stars
After a great win on Monday (HIGGINS!!!!) our beloved Blueshirts are at it again. Will the arrival of his former team perk up Sean Avery? We shall see.
OPPONENT: Stars
RECORD: 18-13-11
LEADING SCORER: Brad Richards, 11-37-48
GOALIE: Marty Turco, 2.66 GAA and a .911 save percentage
RANGERS LINES:
Brandon Dubinsky-Erik Christensen-Marian Gaborik
Christopher Higgins-Chris Drury-Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery-Artem Anisimov-Ales Kotalik
Donald Brashear-Brian Boyle-Enver Lisin
Marc Staal-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Michal Rozsival
Wade Redden-Matt Gilroy
Hank in net
STATE OF THE BLUESHIRTS: Good. Even though there was an epic collapse against the Bruins, the Rangers found a way to get the win (HIGGINS!!!!). Now, the key is keeping up the momentum. Keep getting the secondary scoring (goal scorers were Kotalik, Christensen and HIGGINS!!!). Will the Stars bring out the best in Sean Avery? We’ll see. If the Rangers stay with the same game plan as they had against the Bruins (minus, you know, the epic collapse) they should be fine.
CRAZY THOUGHT: Avery gets a Gordie Howe Hat Trick
ON THE iPOD: Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare), by Kid Cudi featuring MGMT and Ratatat
FINAL PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Stars 0
So, watch, discuss, have fun. LET’S GO RANGERS!!!
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
Predicting a shutout eh?
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
Nice save by Hank
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 7:12 pm
That’s just unlucky, ugh.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Avery showed up tonight! 1/3 of the way to the Gordie Howe hat trick.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
Am I going to have another conversation with myself tonight?
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
Wow, another awesome save by Hank.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
Well, you got a goal and an assist by Avery, almost there.
By NYRJurgen88, January 6, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
Avery has been brilliant so far. i also have no problem with him mouthing off at turco after gabby’s goal. Sandpaper baby!
I have said for a while Avery should be on that line. Tonight it shows why.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
5-min major away from the gordie howe hat trick!
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
Facing his old team that tried to get him banned from hockey really brought Avery’s game out.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 8:05 pm
leave avery on the top line, as a ranger, he’s excelled there
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
I don’t think he was on the top line, I think it was just a delayed change.
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
But regardless, he’s been awesome tonight.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:16 pm
Holy crap what a shot by Kotalik.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
Does a 10 minute misconduct replace a 5 min major?
Matt Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
was thinking the same thing…I’d say no, only cause you need the fight for the GHHT.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
Is the ref missing a tooth?
By Patrick Hoffman, January 6, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Kotalik has an absolute laser for a shot!
I also agree that Avery has had a terrific game thus far. Looks like himself.
Enjoy your blog! Keep up the excellent work! Feel free to send me an e-mail at patrickhoffm@gmail.com
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Thanks for the kind words Patrick. I appreciate it.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
this game is like when you’re on a road trip annoying your sibling in the back seat and your parents turn around and yell at you, but as soon as they turn forward again, you start back at it with your brother/sister.
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Refs = parents?
Matt Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
of course.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
That’s a real weak call. Let them play.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
Now that’s just an unlucky penalty on Higgins.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
Wow, Richards just missed, and the Rangers got real lucky that Cally knocked the net off. Exciting game so far.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 8:59 pm
Anyone else just see on the lead in for the 3rd avery looking on ice mocking someone? (to green day’s “know your enemy”…how fitting).
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
I laughed at that.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
Wow Avery…he should just pretend like he’s playing the stars every game.
1 goal, 3 assists.
Matt Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
AVE-RY! AVE-RY! chant the garden faithful. (all with serving 14mins in the box)
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
A goal, 3 assists in less than two period of play.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
That was one hell of a play.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
Rozsival is quietly having a good game.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 9:15 pm
Kotalik just tackled Turco, holy shit.
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
It’s about time the Rangers retaliated.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
The Rangers sure are enjoying Dallas’s sloppy seconds.
Matt Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
haha, avery as #1 star?
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
If he’s not then someone blew a voter.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:25 pm
Three stars: Avery, Rozsival, Lundqvist.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Matt, your comment about Kotalik tackling Turco was the 2,500th comment here.
Matt Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
do I win anything? haha
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Want to write a guest post?
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
The defense has very quietly been very sound since the Philly raping.
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Ah crap! I sat Cally tonight in favor of Iginla and Boyes!
By Dave, January 6, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
What a cheap shot by Ott. Tool.
By Matt, January 6, 2010 @ 9:44 pm
7 – 1 – 2 last 10…not bad…of course, they’ll get some momentum and then the Olympics (yeah they still have those) will ruin it.
Dave Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
The key will be the next three games against playoff teams (Atlanta, Boston, NJ). Starting off this trip 2-0 (Boston, Dallas) is a hell of a start though.
By Patrick Hoffman, January 6, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
If you are ever looking for a guest blogger, I’d definitely be up to contributing to your blog.
Feel free to drop me an e-mail at patrickhoffm@gmail.com.
By Jeremy, January 6, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
Sorry I’m late to the party (again). Had my own hockey game (lost, although I played well). From the looks of it, Avery was on fire. And, I’m gonna give myself credit for the Gordie Howe hat trick prediction. I was close enough