Trying To Focus On The Positive
In all honesty, there is no way any Rangers fan will have woken up on this Thursday and be feeling good about themselves or what just went on last night. That was a heartbreaking loss following some very good hockey early on by the Rangers. At one stage, I thought to myself it was going to turn into another of those 6,7 goal romps over the Caps – oh how I was wrong.
Yet there are a ton of reasons, both from the game and otherwise, for Rangers fans to be positive, optimistic. Today won’t be a day that most Rangers fans will feel like reading the internet so let’s just list a few of those reasons why Red White and Blue is here to stay.
- Brandon Dubinsky. I called his play unacceptable after two games. He said he needed to be better and on the biggest stage in hockey (playoffs, at MSG) he not only said he would be better but has been. He has been bordering on dominant. That bodes very well for the future as Dubinsky has proved he has the mental strength and ability to step up.
- Depth. Every game this series, bar the clunker in game 2, different areas of the team have stepped up. Tonight it was Ruslan Fedotenko’s turn to shine offensively. Drury looked good, offensively Gaborik looked much better creating chances and being more of a focal point. It’s not perfect but this team is definitely learning and growing.
- The King. The Rangers have the best goaltender in the world and he’s here for many years to come. With Henrik Lundqvist in net the Rangers will always have a chance at success. Chicago have shown what the absence of top goaltending can mean when you don’t have it. The Rangers have it.
- This team is only eliminated when it’s officially over. Not many teams show the determination and commitment that the Blueshirts do. That counts for something now – and certainly in the future.
- DDDDDDDD – Mike Sauer 23, Ryan McDonagh 21, Marc Staal 24, Dan Girardi 26, Mike Del Zotto 20. I’m not even naming the great D on the horizon. This is a great young unit that will be the envy of the league for many, many years. With Lundqvist behind them who knows what they can achieve with some guidance.
- Prospects galore. The Rangers have a ton of youth that will be Rangers sooner rather than later. This team is growing exactly the right way, learning on the fly and developing steadily. This team has pieces in place in almost every position of importance that will provide the foundations of a contender. Christian Thomas, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, Dylan Mcilrath, Carl Hagelin, Ethan Werek, Evgeny Grachev, the list goes on….
- The Rangers have Brandon Prust. No one else does, appreciate that fact. Just hope his next deal in 12 months time doesn’t cost too much!!
- Ryan Callahan. Enough Said.
I really could go on with this list. The MSG renovation (to your liking Bruce?), Brian Boyle’s emergence, ditto for Stepan, other prospects on the horizon… etc, etc, etc. You all know all of this anyway. Sometimes though, we just need to try and focus on the positives in the light of a crushing disappointment. The Rangers will be a very good team for a long time with a little tweak here and there. The foundations are set. The seeds sown. Lets just watch this team grow.
By Agentsmith24, April 21, 2011 @ 8:49 am
after 2 i thought either one of 2 things will happen in the third
1. it gets into a pens islanders situation
2. caps come charging back
we know which happened
By The Hockey Suit, April 21, 2011 @ 8:57 am
Hopefully one of these prospects can be a legit scoring threat. Be nice to have someone who can help out our woeful power play.
And everyone needs to pray to the hockey gods that MDZ is not only ready next season, but can be elite.
Dave Reply:
April 21st, 2011 at 9:58 am
I think Christian Thomas surprises everyone next year.
The Suit Reply:
April 21st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I’m anxious to see what he’s got. Hopefully he is a speed demon. Dude def doesnt have size
Dave Reply:
April 21st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
He’s quick, he’s skilled, he’s all offense. The kid is going to be a top liner I think. Him and Kreider are the cream of the prospect crop.
Jess Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 3:18 am
Allow me to add that what makes Thomas different from other smaller players is that he willingly goes into traffic in order to make a play.
I have watched him go right through the crease to deflect a shot into the net.
Even more promising about Thomas is that he was consistent all season long and in fact was white hot at the end of it.
And I am going to disagree that MDZ has to not only be ready but an elite player. He was pushed into the NHL before he was ready and has paid a heavy price for it.
Allow him to just develop naturally over time instead trying to going back to the forcefeeding that damaged his development.
By Matt J, April 21, 2011 @ 10:02 am
Our future looks great, but i’m sick of saying next year. You say that long enough and you end up waiting 54 years.
Dave Reply:
April 21st, 2011 at 11:21 am
You can’t win every year. It takes time to build a team skilled enough and fast enough to win in this league.
By Mikeyyyy, April 21, 2011 @ 10:09 am
We weren’t even supposed to make the playoffs
We weren’t even supposed to win a game
We don’t have cally in the lineup or bogey or frolov.
We have exceeded expectations to the point of being lauded on espn for never giving up.
It’s not over. We play our best with our backs against the wall
Can we please stop sounding like the series is over. Cause the caps need to win the hardest game. Win #4
ceejay Reply:
April 21st, 2011 at 11:43 am
Well, I’m gonna go ahead and say the hardest game of the series to win is probably the one where you have to come back from down three goals in the third period to win in a rockin’ MSG. Win #4 isn’t going to be the hardest unless the Rangers make it even harder than that.
By Sally, April 21, 2011 @ 12:45 pm
It’s not like the Caps have blown them away. Two games went to OT. They are in it. We just haven’t gotten a lot of lucky bounces and it is really bad luck that Cally can’t play!
By luke, April 21, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
caps ROCK!!! ovi’s a stud!!
By Niki, April 21, 2011 @ 3:06 pm
Cant’ even begin to count how many “talented teams” the Rangers have had over the years. Can’t score; can’t win. The rest is talk.
By Dan, April 21, 2011 @ 5:24 pm
Great read after a rough night.
After all the years of not making the playoffs pre-lockout and “buying” our team with free agents like Bure, Holik, Lindros, and Fleury, I am loving this team (as much as last night hurt).
We finally have a good core, that grew up together and are now experiencing growing pains (under the same coach, which I think is key, since they have ALL bought into his system). This is great experience because guys like Staal, Dubi, Girardi, Cally were rookies back in 08 and 09 and now they’re the leaders taking these bumps.
I’m excited every year now to see how the team develops which was the complete opposite feeling I had 8-10 years ago. As long as Sather can spend his money correctly in the offseason and give Torts another skilled guy or 2 to work with, we’re really close to being a Cup contender year in and year out.
By mike, April 21, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
As much as it hurt losing last night, do I ever like this group of players the Rangers have now. Yes it’s not like the old days where the Rangers would buy the top name players past their prime and let them coast out their contracts. I believe these guys actually have pride when they put on their jerseys and even if they dont come back, I look forward to successful seasons in the future.
By Will Anderson, April 22, 2011 @ 12:20 am
The bright future that you talked about for the Rangers applies to alot of teams. Caps Have Holtby in Hershey and two young stud goalies. Mojo (johannson)…Kuznetsov..Orlov..Cody Eakin…Capitals showed NYC that they can flip a switch and score at will..when they decide to abandon their new Defense first style of play…Wishful thinking but this series is over….
By ziggy 2112, April 22, 2011 @ 9:35 am
Rangers have heart, but the initiative is gone, the caps can drive home the dagger saturday night. Whoever comes out strongest will win in a 3-1, 3-2 scenario. in short, so long rangers, good try and good run d=).