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| Someone call Benson, the Devils were raped tonight! |
Before hitting the game recap, I have to tell you as always to check out the right hand of the site for the archives, live tweets, the search button and all that other good stuff. In addition, don't forget to not drink and drive, tip your bartenders, lift the seat when taking a piss, baby wipes are a plus when you have the beer shits and always, and I mean always, use "IN CAM WE TRUST", as your personal mantra.
This blog is two paragraphs old, and I already said "IN CAM WE TRUST". I am always open to constructive criticism in these blogs, so let me shout out my good friend Brian Lonergan. Perhaps the anti-Hank/pro-Talbot talk is too much on these blogs. I guess I assume people know me and can tell when I'm joking and laying it on thick. However Brian, a diehard Rangers fan, is right. Perhaps people don't get when I'm joking or not. I'll try to back away a bit in this blog.
However, let's talk Hank's performance here tonight. My King Contract/cupless nonsense aside, Hank played his best game since returning to net. In his first game back at MSG, since the injury against Carolina on 1/31, Hank had his strongest start since his return, in a 6-1 defeat of the NJ Devils. Hank was strong for three periods, and only a bullish goal by Jacob Josefon late put a black mark on another wise strong performance. At the same time, you won't be seeing a team of the NJ Devil's terrible caliber in the playoffs. This was a game Hank needed a strong performance in and he delivered.
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| Lundqvist thanked the Garden faithful after the game |
I don't even know where to start. The Rangers, as of late, have been a strong team after a back-to-back, but have started off slow with rest. However, going into this game, the Rangers had to only go 3-2 the rest of the season, to clinch the President's Trophy. The Rangers continued to make a huge statement, as they have been all season, destroying the Devils 6-1 tonight. One down, two more wins to go, before becoming truly Presidential.
If you get this Henrik Lundqvist of tonight or the 2012 Henrik Lundqvist, there is no reason why this team shouldn't be playing in late June and winning a Stanley Cup in the process.
The Rangers have been anemic on the powerplay and horrible defensively as of late. While the Rangers scored no powerplay goals tonight, they scored a touchdown tonight and the defense was the best its been as of late. Lundqvist who stopped 35 out of 36 shots, played a strong game and made 3 big saves. I'm not here to say "THE KING IS BACK" or anything like that, considering the opponent, but Hank did his job. I am still of the thinking that Talbot is the hot goalie that you can ride, similar to Ken Dryden, but it is what it is. Gotta support Henrik and this team, as they embark on what I pray to the love of shit, is a Stanley Cup.
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| NASHTY |
No Rangers vs Devils game is easy. However, my asshole unclenched a bit, when Nash was able to take an errant puck, that started off a Zuccarello shot, and bury it past ex-Vigneault goalie, Corey Schneider. 1-0 after 5 minutes of game time expired. It was a big goal, because it was the second game in a row Nash scored. I've talked about it a bit in these blogs, and I'll say it one last time. I give Nash a pass for last years playoffs. He had a concussion. We know how dangerous concussions can be and what it's like to recover from them. No excuses this year. Nash is healthy. The Rangers need their highest paid forward to deliver, come the playoffs. Getting hot is now brings a pearly white smile to every Rangers fan's face.
Yandle would score 7 minutes later, finding a deep shot. Horrible goal on Schneider's part. Yandle, who has been terrible defensively as of late, was able to just float one by Schneider from deep. You can say Schneider was screened, but it was something he should've stopped. However, before you could celebrate Yandle's tally, the fourth line, like last year's fourth line, produced. Tanner Glass, yes Tanner Glass, found Dominic Moore. Moore was left all alone with Schneider and scored on a beautiful move 25 seconds after Yandle. 3-0 Rangers. See ya Schneider!
I wouldn't say Schneider played that bad, as much as it was the Rangers wanting it. For once, the Rangers established their dominance over a weak team and just exerted force over their opponents. This wasn't a 1-0 over last place Buffalo. This was the Rangers just kicking the shit out of the Devils on every level.
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| Stepan put gas on the fire |
With Schneider out, 12 minutes into the game and the Devils down 3-0, the Devils turned to back-up Keith Kinkaid. Kinkaid played a strong a game, stopping 23 out of 26 shots. However, the game was over, as the Rangers kept the Devils at bay.
The heartbreaker for the Devils, was while on a PP, due to a Carl Hagelin tripping penalty, was Stepan scoring a shorty with 3 seconds left in the second period. Kinkaid was strong until then, but giving up the fourth goal, putting the Rangers up 4-0 with 3 seconds left in the second period was deflating for the black and red. However for the Rangers, it was a statement that the Rangers were playing a full 60 minutes. I was very happy with Derek Stepan, who has been erratic at times this season. Stepan can play like shit forever, but I will never forget the way he came up last year, broken jaw and all, for the Rangers. The man is a true warrior.
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| The fourth line looked like the 2013-2014 Rangers tonight |
The Rangers never took the foot off the gas tonight. Derick Brassard would make it 5-0, two minutes into the third. For Devils back-up Kinkaid, he was no Cam Talbot. He gave up two goals in two minutes. Not like Schneider was playing that much better.
Dominic Moore would have his first two goal game of the season, when he scored 8 minutes into the third. with Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi, the top defensive pair, collecting assists. Touchdown Rangers.
As talked about above, Jacob Josefon scored a late goal, ruining Hank's shutout with 3 and change to go in the third period. I wouldn't put this goal on Hank, it was a bang-bang play.
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| A huge confidence win for Hank |
We all know I'm the conductor of the Talbot Train. I will go on record saying I wish Talbot stayed. However, Hank is the guy, and I gotta root for the man to win. It's all about the team and the front of the jersey. I don't care how the Rangers do it, just bring a Cup back to NY. At the same time, while I want to be jumping up and down like a jackass, we can't forget who the Rangers beat tonight. They beat a crap Devils team. This is not a team they will see in the playoffs. The Bruins still loom at large. However, if Hank, who did make 35 saves (which might get lost, as everyone talks about the 6 goals.) continues this play throughout, I am very confident with Hank in net. I just hope he stays this way.
There are four games left on the schedule for the NYR and people can talk potential playoff match-ups all they want, but the bottom line is that we won't know shit until the last day of the regular season. This has been a great regular season for the NHL as a whole. Many teams are alive in the last week. The Rangers will have either the Bruins, the Isles, the Panthers or the Senators. The Bruins would be the roughest match-up, with Hank being 1-8 in his last 9 with the Bruins. Hank is 0-3 in his last 3 with the Isles. The Panthers and Senators favor the Rangers, on paper.
At the same time if you're an unbiased hockey fan, you have to love these playoffs. Anyone can beat anyone, just like last year. Remember the Kings comeback on the Sharks? While I'm proud and my dick is hard with this Rangers season, no way would I guarantee a first round victory, home ice or not.
The Rangers only need two more wins, out of their next four games, to be Obama, and get that President's Trophy. Are they Muslim enough to do it? (Relax, it's a joke) With another game against a team in hell and the Bluejackets, you should be able to seal the deal like a ziplock bag. After the Devils & Bluejackets, the Rangers have Ottawa (playing for the 8th seed) and Washington (who could finish second place in the Metro) left.
It's a happy Easter for the 50 win Rangers. In fact, here are the post game notes: (I hate copying and pasting Ranger press releases, but this is worth it)
Team Notes
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BIG 5-0 – The Rangers earned their 50th win of the 2014-15 season in
tonight’s contest. The Blueshirts have now earned 50 or more wins in a
season four times in franchise history (1991-92, 1993-94, and 2011-12).
By reaching the 50-win plateau in their 78th game of the season, the
Rangers tied a franchise record for the fewest amount of games to earn
their 50th win of the season (78 games in 2011-12 and 80 games in
1991-92 and 1993-94). With four games remaining in the 2014-15 season,
the Rangers are two wins shy of tying the franchise record for most wins
in a season (52 – 1993-94).
- MAKING HISTORY – The
Blueshirts have earned 107 points in 2014-15, which is the fifth-highest
single-season total in franchise history. The Rangers earned more than
107 points in the following seasons: 1993-94 (112), 2011-12 (109),
1970-71 (109), and 1971-72 (109).
- POINT TAKEN – New
York has earned at least one point in 23 of its last 28 games (20-5-3),
including 13 of its last 17 games (12-4-1). The Blueshirts have won 20
of their last 27 contests (20-5-2), including 16 of the last 22 games
(16-5-1). The Rangers have also recorded at least one point in 26 of
their last 32 games (23-6-3). The Blueshirts have won 43 of their last
60 games (43-14-3), including 41 of their last 57 games (41-13-3) and 39
of their last 53 contests (39-11-3). The Rangers have earned at least
one point in 56 of their last 74 games (49-18-7), including 49 of their
last 64 games (44-15-5).
- TEAM EFFORT – Five different
Rangers tallied at least one goal and 13 different Blueshirts recorded
at least one point in the contest. Five different Rangers recorded two
points in the game.
- PICK SIX – New York registered
six goals in a game for the sixth time this season. The Rangers’
five-goal win also matched their largest margin of victory in 2014-15.
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FIRST IN SCORE – The Blueshirts outscored the Devils, 3-0, in
the first period. New York has outscored its opponent, 8-2, in the first
period over the last four games and has outscored its opponent, 79-52,
in the first period this season. The Rangers lead the NHL in first
period goals and first period goal differential (plus-27) in 2014-15.
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FINISHING THE JOB – The Blueshirts have posted a 34-0-1 record
when leading after two periods this season. New York has registered a
148-1-9 record in its last 158 regular season games when leading after
40 minutes. The 158-game stretch began on Feb. 6, 2010 vs. New Jersey.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rangers are the only NHL team
since 1999-2000 (the first year when teams earned a point for a loss
after regulation) to have no more than one regulation loss over a span
of 150 or more regular season games when leading after two periods.
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TWO GOOD – The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in three
straight games, in 14 of the last 17 games, and in 43 of 78 contests
this season. New York has posted a 39-2-2 record when allowing two or
fewer goals in a game in 2014-15.
- KILL ZONE – The
Rangers were 4-for-4 (6:00) on the penalty kill and tallied a
shorthanded goal in the contest. The Rangers have not allowed a power
play goal in seven of their last eight games (21-for-22; 95.5%) and in
10 of their last 12 games (30-for-32; 93.8%). The Blueshirts are
40-for-43 (93%) on the penalty kill over the last 15 games and are
47-for-51 (92.2%) on the penalty kill over the last 18 contests. The
Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in 20 of the last 26 games
(66-for-73; 90.4%) and they are 128-for-147 (87.1%) on the penalty kill
over the last 54 games. New York is tied for second in the NHL in
shorthanded goals this season (nine) and is tied for the NHL lead in
shorthanded goals since the start of the 2013-14 season (19). The
Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in each of the
last three games and have posted a 17-1-1 record when outscoring their
opponent on special teams this season.
- DEVIL OF A
TIME – The Rangers’ five-goal win over the Devils was their largest
margin of victory against New Jersey since Oct. 30, 1996 (6-1 win in New
Jersey) and their largest margin of victory against New Jersey at MSG
since Dec. 26, 1993 (8-3). New York extended its winning streak against
New Jersey to five games. It is the first time the Rangers have posted a
winning streak of five games or more against the Devils since they won
each of the first seven meetings between the two teams during the
2007-08 season.
Three Stars on Broadway
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Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves to extend his winning streak to
three games and record his 28th win of the season. Lundqvist has posted a
1.67 GAA and a .949 SV% (93 saves on 98 shots) during the winning
streak. Lundqvist has posted a 19-5-0 record, along with a 1.89 GAA and a
.937 SV% in his last 24 appearances. Since the start of the second
period on Mar. 28 at Boston, Lundqvist has stopped 108 of 114 shots he
has faced (.947 SV%).
- Dominic Moore tied a
single-game career-high with two goals and won 11 of 17 faceoffs (65%)
in the game. The contest was Moore’s ninth career multi-goal game. He
has tallied a goal in each of the last two games (three goals over the
span).
- Keith Yandle tallied two points (one goal, one
assist), including the game-winning goal, recorded four shots on goal,
and posted a plus-two rating in 20:35 of ice time. He has tallied eight
points (one goal, seven assists) in the last eight contests. He is tied
for third on the Rangers in assists (seven) and leads all team
defensemen in points (nine) since he was acquired on Mar. 1. Yandle is
one of three NHL defensemen who have posted a 50-point season in each of
the last two seasons and three times since 2010-11.
Blueshirt Breakdown
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Rick Nash registered his 42nd goal of the season, recorded a
shorthanded assist, led all skaters with seven shots on goal, and posted
a plus-two rating in the contest. Nash has established a new
single-season career-high for goals. He is the first Ranger to register
at least 42 goals in a season since Marian Gaborik registered 42 during
the 2009-10 season. Nash’s 42 goals are tied for the 11th-highest total a
Ranger has tallied in one season in franchise history (Phil Esposito –
1978-79; Gaborik in 2009-10).
- Derek Stepan tallied
two points (one goal, one assist), including a shorthanded goal,
registered five shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating in 18:13 of
ice time. The Rangers alternate captain has tallied nine points (three
goals, six assists) in the last eight contests. Stepan is tied for
second in the NHL in shorthanded points (five) this season.
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Ryan McDonagh tied a single-game career-high with two assists,
including his 100th career NHL assist, and posted a plus-three rating in
20:26 of ice time. The Rangers captain has established a career-high –
and is tied for the NHL lead – in shorthanded assists (three) this
season. McDonagh is the first Blueshirts defenseman to record at least
three shorthanded assists in one season since Brian Leetch tallied four
during the 2000-01 season. He has posted a multi-point game in two
consecutive games for the first time in his NHL career. McDonagh
extended his assist streak to four games, tying his career-high (six
assists over the span).
- Derick Brassard registered a
goal and won eight of 11 faceoffs (73%) in the contest. He extended his
point streak to four games (three goals, two assists over the span) and
tied his career-high by registering his 18th goal of the season.
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Mats Zuccarello notched an assist in the contest. He has
recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in the last nine games,
including three points (one goal, two assists) in the last four
contests.
- Chris Kreider registered an assist and was
credited with two takeaways in 16:14 of ice time. Kreider extended his
point streak to three games, tying his career-high (one goal, two
assists over the span). He has notched a point on the game-winning goal
in three consecutive contests.
- Martin St. Louis
recorded an assist and posted a plus-one rating 14:46 of ice time. The
Rangers have earned at least one point in the last 20 games in which St.
Louis has registered a point (19-0-1).
- Marc Staal
notched an assist and posted a plus-one rating in 19:55 of ice time. The
Rangers alternate captain is tied for third among team defensemen in
points (19) this season and is two assists away from recording his 100th
career NHL assist.
- Dan Girardi tallied an assist,
recorded two blocked shots, and posted a plus-two rating in 19:11 of ice
time. The Rangers alternate captain is tied for third among team
defensemen in points (19) this season.
- Tanner Glass
tallied an assist, was credited with two hits, and posted a plus-one
rating in 11:07 of ice time. He ranks second on the Blueshirts in hits
(201) in 2014-15 and he has recorded at least 200 hits in each of the
last three seasons which were 82 games in length.
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Jesper Fast recorded an assist and posted a plus-two rating in 11:02 of
ice time. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 39 of 51 games
in which Fast has played since he was recalled on Nov. 10 (36-12-3
record).
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| Thank you Talbot |
However these playoffs, work out, one thing is for sure - THANK YOU CAM TALBOT. You know I'm a huge Talbot supporter, but no goalie could've done what Talbot did in Hank's absence. I really hope the Rangers don't trade him, win or lose, in the off-season. He has a great contract for the Rangers, and this team should be competing next year for the Cup as well. There's no reason to get rid of him. Win or lose the Cup, without Talbot, the Rangers aren't challenging for the President's Trophy this year.
I was going to do a Yankee blog before the season, but it's not even worth it. Here's my thoughts, the Yankees will be lucky to finish in fourth place this year. It's going to be a long summer, where baseball fans will be waiting for the NHL & NFL to start.
How about Kentucky? Ouch. I can't wait to hear Mike Francesa break down his boy John Calipari's loss tonight. I feel the luster is lost on the NCAA Championship with Kentucky's loss, unless you're a diehard Duke or Wisconsin fan. I could care less either way. College basketball is just something to gamble on for me.
The Rangers have a back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday, with the CBJ and NJD. I assume Hank starts versus CBJ, to see a new team and look. In the same assumption, I guess Talbot gets his last start of the year vs the Devils. It sucks Cam won't get another MSG start, as I think Hank needs as much work as possible. However, let be the first to say THANK YOU CAM.
Upcoming blog topics will be a book review on the book "Deception & Doublecross" and "Black NHLers". Should be some interesting discussion on both fronts.
LET'S GO RANGERS
Happy Easter
ICWT
BIG WIN HANK
FUCK THE DEVILS
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the twitter machine
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