Give Girardi a Break

Thursday night’s game was an utter embarrassment for the Rangers. They didn’t show up, they forgot how to plya hockey, and worst of all, they let Marian Gaborik take a beating from caveman Dan Carcillo. This topic has been beaten to death, but I didn’t have time to write something yesterday, so you all are going to have to deal with one more post on this.

Much was made over Dan Girardi’s lack of effort in standing up for Gaborik as he took a beating. Yes, the proper play was to take the third man in penalty, get a game misconduct, and protect Gaborik. But give the kid a break. Girardi did not want to put the Rangers down an additional man, and play the remainder of the game with just five defensemen, in a 1-0 game that has serious playoff implications. It was a split second decision.

The next time the Rangers face the Flyers is on March 14, a game that I will be attending. You can bet your house that the Rangers will not forget what happened on Tursday night. There will be retribution, and I guarantee you will see Donald Brashear in the lineup that night.

For now, the Rangers need to focus on their poor effort during the game. They just flat out did not show up. Tonight is another important game with playoff implications against Montreal, who have not forgotten the 6-2 drubbing last week (another game I attended). You can expect them to come out with a much different game plan, one that will counter the relentless forecheck that caused so many turnovers that game. Tonight’s game is a must win.