rangers rport card

The Final Report Card of the Year

Typing the usual, "Welcome everyone to another blog here on DOINOW.com" still hurts, because it looks so cheery. As I type this blog up, I am still sickened and disgusted by how this season ended. It's one thing to lose to a better team or a fluke shot goes in, but to lose your season because you don't show up at home in back-to-back games? I'll never forget it. I will never understand how you score 17 goals on the road in 3 games and four goals at home, in four games.

I am still healing here, so writing is the best way to vent!

With the season unfortunately over, it's time to do the POSTSEASON Report Card. If you haven't read my report card blogs before, you can check them out here:
New York Rangers Mid-Season Report Card
New York Rangers Regular Season Final Report Card

In this Postseason Report Card, just like the playoff games themselves, we are wiping the slate clean. What you did in the regular season doesn't mean anything here. This is all about how you performed from mid-April til that brutal game 7 loss at home.

When grading, here is what I'm taking into account: productivity, stats, intangible factors, clutchness, players contract/cap hit, and playing your position.

Keep in mind when reading this Report Card, that obviously, this is just my opinion and no one else's. Also remember that the Rangers played mostly one goal games for most of the playoffs. There were many missed opportunities at the net.

 If you read my two other report cards, you will notice a lot of high grades and think I was a homer. However, the Rangers won the President's Trophy and were the best team in hockey. There wasn't much to make a fuss about. Now, when you're favored to win the Stanley Cup and screw your home fans in Games 5 and 7 of an ECF, the grades aren't going to be as high. The expectations were there for this Rangers team.

Don't be fooled - this was a Cup or Bust season. I am not one of those giddy fans that say "WE WILL GET THEM NEXT YEAR, GOOD JOB, GOOD EFFORT BOYS!" No. This was a failed season. Even a Cup loss would've been rough. When you trade away your future (Picks in MSL deal, picks/Duclair in Yandle deal), throw all your money at Lundqvist and pick up pieces to WIN NOW, especially after losing in the Stanley Cup Finals last year, anything short of hoisting the Cup was a failed year.

Yes, Ranger fans have much to be happy about, but without the Cup, the clock just keeps on ticking and the core of this team just gets older. Let's break down everyone's individual performances:

Rick Nash was the hardest player for me to grade

FORWARDS:

Derick Brassard - A
The Rangers top center was the most productive Ranger of the playoffs, even netting a hat-trick in an elimination game 6 against TBL. Brassard also contributed in the games where his linemates scored goals as well. You couldn't have asked more from Brassard in the playoffs. From a guy that seemed hesitant to shoot the puck in the regular season, Brassard kicked it into another gear in the playoffs.

Jesper Fast - B-
These playoffs were a coming out party for Fast. Where MSL may have played himself out of another contract, Fast played himself into getting a new one. Fast had a two goal game in the playoffs and rarely let his man beat him to the net. The Rangers have a lot of  young guns. While Hayes & Miller get a lot of attention, who knows, Fast might become the best of the three.

Tanner Glass - C+
One of the most hated Rangers by fans in the regular season (1 goal), I thought Glass played decent in the playoffs. Of course he didn't score like usual, but he played strong defense. I thought he really stepped his game up come playoff time. He played hard and was the Rangers tough man on the ice. However, that was sort of the problem for the Rangers. If Tanner Glass is your tough man/enforcer, you're not intimidating anyone.

Carl Hagelin - C+
I'm a huge Hags fan, but where was he after that Pittsburgh series? Hags is the fastest skater on the ice and is now a free agent. I thought he would really shine in the Tampa series, against a team that allows a lot of open ice. Hagelin was nowhere to be found. Many may blame his line, as MSL wasn't great either, but I expected more out of Hagelin in these playoffs. On an aside, that being said, I hope he remains a Ranger next year.

Kevin Hayes - B-
Hayes, who scored a game winning goal in the playoffs, and the game tying goal in Game 7 against the Caps, had a great first season as a Ranger. The reason I don't score him higher is because there were way too many times that along with his line buddy Carl Hagelin, that instead of taking an open shot on net, he would pass the puck backwards, which 99% either resulted in a turnover or offside. He got away a bit from what got him here in the first place. The Rangers future does look bright with Hayes in the line-up.

Chris Kreider - A-
The reason I gave Kreider an A-, rather than a B+, is because when Zucc went down, Kreider took over the role of bringing the aggression and became the lifeblood of the team. Kreider had a fantastic playoff run, and was right at the top of the list, with Brassard, as the most productive Ranger on the stat sheet. The only thing you could really criticize Kreider for was taking dumb penalties, but some of those penalties were either retaliation or in an effort to jump-start the team. If I'm Sather, I do not wait until Kreider is a free agent next year, and try to lock him up now.

JT Miller- C+
Another Rangers rookie, he was the least productive out of the Rangers rookies on the roster. JT Miller wasn't bad or anything and even saw work with Nash & Brassard, but he didn't make his presence felt much on the ice either. Sometimes I wonder if these rookies were scared to shoot the puck. I thought they got away from what made them so productive in the regular season. Miller, Fast & Hayes provides the Rangers with a solid future. There is no reason the Rangers shouldn't be in the playoffs next year either with their young studs and core.

Dominic Moore- B+
The anchor of the Rangers fourth line, Moore was the best player at winning faceoffs in the playoffs. Moore scored a game winning goal in these playoffs as well. I thought Moore played solid defense and gave it his all. While many fans/media members will talk about Lundqvist never getting a Cup and how they want to see him win one, I was really pulling for Dom Moore to get it. When you know the story of Dom Moore, see the way he plays on the ice and hear how his teammates talk about him, you can't help yourself but to root for the guy.

Rick Nash - C
This grade would be higher, if he wasn't being paid $7.8 Million a year. What hurts Nash really is that he's being paid to score goals. He doesn't do that in the playoffs. He got a few during the playoffs, but only one was at a time that the Rangers needed a goal. The late "A-Rod" goals, when the game is already determined are hogwash to me. What pains me, is you see the other superstars, like Ovechkin, Johnson, Stamkos, Toews, Kane, Perry, etc, and they are all producing goals.  Nash did not play bad mind you, but he sure didn't play up to his contract. Never once did I think Nash was a liability on the ice or didn't give it his all, but bottom line, for that money, you need to score.

James Sheppard - C+
Sheppard played when Zucc went down. Sheppard wasn't bad or anything, but he didn't do much either, outside of some late/game already determined scoring. It's tough to just walk onto a team, mid-season, then play after sitting out a series. Sheppard won't be a Ranger next year, and it's probably the best thing for him (More playing time elsewhere) and the team. (Chance for maybe Lindberg or someone else from the Wolfpack to get ice time.)

Martin St. Louis - F
This grade is hard for me to give out, because I'm such a Marty fan. What a difference a year makes. MSL was the playoff hero for this team, many times last year. He was their inspiration after his mother passed. However, in these playoffs, I've never seen a player age so fast. He's a free agent, as we all know by now, but I don't know he comes back next year. Maybe if he takes a veteran player minimum deal? It's really hard to explain what happened to MSL, besides age. He just turned ghost the second the playoffs happened. He even had bad turnovers turned into goals for the other team. It's hard watching the great ones fall apart. I just don't see MSL wanting his career to end like this though.

Derek Stepan- A-
The now free agent, will command big bucks from the Rangers this off-season. He will get it. He is too valuable for this team and played well in the playoffs, including the game winner in the Washington series Game 7. Stepan, along with Brass & Kreider, was the most consistent Ranger of the playoffs. However, I can't give any of these guys A+'s when you only produce four goals at home in four games, in the biggest series of the year.

Mats Zuccarello - INCOMPLETE
One question, when assessing the 2015 playoff run, is "how much did the Rangers miss Mats Zuccarello?" When you lose a 7 game series in the ECF, one player, one puck bounce, one anything, could've swung the series the other way. The Rangers were able to win without Zucc, as they squeaked by Washington, but they really missed his fire and tenacity out there. There was a reason fans (including myself) campaigned for Sather to re-sign him and not trade him at the deadline this year. No excuses for the Rangers to get shut out at home twice in the ECF, but losing Zucc definitely hurt the Rangers.

The pillars of the Rangers defense

DEFENSE:
Dan Boyle - B-
Boyle was the most productive defensemen, scoring wise. He also had a game winner in these playoffs .What kills Boyle is at 40 years old, he's slow as shit with these twenty year old kids whipping around, all over the ice. Turns of turnovers and being caught flat-flooted seemed to be staples of Boyle's game. However, he is one of the few Rangers to always shoot the puck, in these playoffs. He wasn't intimidated. He had no problems firing the puck and hoping for deflections or rebounds. Still, I would rather Stralman here, instead of Boyle. Sather really fucked that up, as we all said the Boyle for Stralman idea was a bad one, before the season even started.

Dan Girardi- B+
You're not going to get much scoring out of Girardi, but you do get a lockdown defender. Girardi logged a ton of minutes and did a great job of shutting down Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin and Backstrom down. The triplets line & Stamkos were able to get a few by, but sometimes you have to credit good players for playing well. Still, Girardi was a true warrior for the Rangers during this run, like usual. I still think he's a tad overpaid for a pure lockdown guy that doesn't do much offensively.

Matt Hunwick- INCOMPLETE
He only suited for Game 7 of the TBL series. He's a goner after this year, with Skjei waiting in the wings, and the top 6 defense all locked up. Give him credit, for a guy who sat on his ass for nearly two months, he stepped up, and didn't hurt the team in the one game he played.

Kevin Klein - C+
Remember that part of the regular season where Klein was the highest scoring defensemen in the NHL? Remember when he was at the top of the list for goals scored for the Rangers? Well Klein didn't do anything offensively in the playoffs. He also returned from a broken arm, after missing most of the second half of the season. Who knows if he was 100% healthy or not. Klein is a strong defender, but he wasn't at his best in these playoffs.

Ryan McDonagh - A-
The Captain showed us why he was the captain of this team, especially when we found out after this series that he was playing with a broken foot. He was furious after losses, and the Rangers rebounded for wins. With Girardi, he held down the best offensive players on every team he faced. He also put a few goals in too. You gotta be proud of the Captain. I truly thought he would have his Messier moment this year.

Marc Staal - B+
Staal did his job. Staal didn't produce many turnovers and he shut down the offense of opposing teams. A pure defensemen, Staal is a grinder and wore down the competition. You will never see much of anything in the scoring department from Staal, but you won't see too many minuses on his +/- sheet either. Another solid postseason for Staal.

Keith Yandle- C+
I only give Yandle a grade higher than I would've liked to because of his scoring. He was able to score goals and tally a bunch of assists. He got better as the playoffs went on, perhaps because he was familiar with the system. Still, all the turnovers are on him. How many times is he going to skate with the puck in front of his own net? How many times will he throw a lazy pass in front of his own net? How many times will he not bump a guy away from the net? He can put up the points, that's for sure, so I don't fault him for that, but he needs to be better defensively.

I would've started Talbot in these playoffs

GOALIES:

Henrik Lundqvist- A-
The "in-his-prime" Lundqvist was a monster against the Penguins and Capitals. He kept the Rangers in every game. Then, Tampa, who owns him, came around.

Tampa in the 7 games, scored 1, 6, 6, 1, 2, 3, 2 goals, in each game respectively. Lundqvist played well for the most part, but basically gave Tampa Game 3, and when you lose a series 4-3, that was the difference. What hurts is that when Bishop had his bad games, (Game 4, Bishop gave up 5, Game 6,  Bishop gave 7) Bishop responded with back-to-back road shutouts in Game 5 and 7. Even Holtby posted a shutout against the Rangers. Lundqvist had 0 in the playoffs.

Lundqvist made many highlight reel saves, but for every 10-12 amazing saves, he would also let a soft one in. Hardly regal on Lundqvist's part. Still, and we all know the contract deal, you've heard it here repeatedly in these blogs, but he was the best player in the playoffs for the Rangers. He's still not a "King" in my book, and I do think he's overrated and overpaid, but he played great, for the most part, in the playoffs.

I feel bad for Hank. The first 8 years of his career, he had no offense. These last two years, he's had offense, but he's regressed a bit. He will be 34 come the playoffs next year. That window is getting smaller.

Cam Talbot- INCOMPLETE
Talbot didn't see a second of ice time during these playoffs. I'll talk more about Talbot when I do my blog looking at the off-season. The one thing that drives me nuts is people saying "Without Hank, we wouldn't be this far." Most of those people didn't watch the regular season. Who knows how Talbot would've handled the playoffs? Maybe he's Ken Dryden and the Rangers win the whole thing. Maybe he gets blown out by Pittsburgh. We will never know, and that's what sucks the most to me. What I do know, is that in 10 years, Lundqvist hasn't won any cups, despite a marketable King nickname suggesting that he has.

Despite the loss, he's still King Midas to me

COACH 
Alain Vigneault - A
The hockey media is already salivating about AV, talking about all the President Trophy's he's won and the deep playoff runs, but no Cups. Get Lawst! I don't care about what AV did in Vancouver, I care about what he did with the Rangers.

Last year, he took an overachieving team right to the Cup Finals. This year, he had a ton of injuries and a goalie who gave away a pivotal playoff game. His team didn't score. He can't shoot the puck himself.

I thought AV did a tremendous job, and has been doing a tremendous job since arriving to New York. He's been smart with the media, will crack jokes to lighten the mood, was firm when people were asking about Talbot after Hank's two touchdown games and is generally likable.

Just remember, since 1994 the Rangers were never in the Cup Finals. AV changed that in his first year, and was 20 minutes away from returning in his second year. Can the third year be a charm?

Mr. Cigar

GENERAL MANAGER

Glen Sather -B-
Sather made many good moves to build this team. He got AV here to man the ship. He's done a lot of good with the core and building the future. It's funny how great he's been with the cap in place, after all those years of free-spending.

The negatives: the MSL, Boyle and Yandle deals. Listen, I know the situation with Callahan. I also know the situation with MSL, he wanted out. I don't understand, and I didn't understand then, why do you deal two draft picks along with Cally for MSL? That trade should've been a straight swap.

The Rangers traded for Yandle for this year, thinking he was a piece that could help them win the Cup. It didn't. Fortunately, Arizona covers half of Yandle's $. Still, giving up Duclair and again, another #1 draft pick doesn't make sense to me. That's what drives me nuts about these idiots saying "TRADE TALBOT FOR PICKS!" Why? First, you're gonna need someone to spell an aging Hank again anyway. Then, even if you do get the picks, Sather will trade him for a veteran that will wind up being Bobby Holik here!

The Boyle/Stralman shit is infuriating. How do you not even talk to Stralman and put it out there he wants too much money, then sign a 40 year old Boyle for that same money? I hope Sather enjoys watching Cally & Stralman in the Cup this year.

Another glaring hole with the Rangers is the lack of an enforcer. I don't know the love affair with Tanner Glass. Maybe he's a great locker room guy like everyone says, but locker room guys aren't winning games on the ice. I would've rather seen Dorsett or Carcillo back, or find someone else who can do the role. Most of the time, Glass is fighting when the game result has already been determined.

Still, Sather has been here for 15+ years. While no Cups to speak of, he has this team competitive and has a solid core here. I do believe that he did everything that he thought was best to make this team a winner. I just don't get dealing all the draft picks. He gambled and lost. If Duclair winds up being a stud, or these picks turn into something, then oh boy. I guess having Hayes and these young guys, makes it easier to give up picks at this stage of the game.

The shield we are loyal to

Well that wraps up my Final Report Card of the Season. Despite the season being over, we will be rock and rolling with some end-of-the-season blogs.

You can read my final game of the season report here:
NYR/TBL Game 7 Recap

Upcoming blogs include:
"The Lundqvist Saga"
"Rangers Off-Season"
"Frank Boucher Petition"
"The Death of MSG" and many more.

Keep it here at DOINOW.com for more. You can always comment on the blogs by emailing me or tweeting at me, since I can't figure out this comment section. That's my off-season task!

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter







































http://doinow.com/nyrtbl-game-7-recap-rangers-changed-the-ending-two-weeks-earlier-piss-poor-performance-assessing-this-loss-as-a-whole-the-future-failed-season-in-cam-we-trust-in-hank-we-bust-much-more/

ecf 7

Bow down to someone who could've brought the crown to NY

"The End"

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes...again
Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need...of some...stranger's hand
In a...desperate land
Lost in a Roman...wilderness of pain
And all the children are insane
All the children are insane
Waiting for the summer rain, yeah
There's danger on the edge of town
Ride the King's highway, baby
Weird scenes inside the gold mine
Ride the highway west, baby

The west is the best
The west is the best
Get here, and we'll do the rest
The blue bus is callin' us
The blue bus is callin' us
Driver, where you taken' us

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
It hurts to set you free
But you'll never follow me
The end of laughter and soft lies
The end of nights we tried to die
This is the end 

- The Doors

 

 Welcome everyone to the obituary blog, here on DOINOW.com.

Some site news, then we will discuss the heartbreak:

- DOINOW.com will be changing our name for the 2015-2016 season.

- This will be a shorter blog, as I will have separate post-mortem blogs on this season. Several upcoming blogs include "Rangers Post Season Report Card", "The Henrik Lundqvist Saga", "A Look at Glen Sather", "The Death of MSG", "Looking Ahead To 2015-16", "The Frank Boucher Petition"  and other Ranger related blogs. So keep it here on DOINOW.com for more.

- This was DOINOW.com's first season blogging about the Rangers. I had fun with this. If you came here every day and enjoyed what you read, thank you. If you came here and disagreed & thought I was an idiot, well thank you too for reading. Writing let me vent a lot during this crazy season.

So the 2014-2015 season is over. When the real fans enter MSG for the preseason, they will see another banner hanging in the MSG rafters - "2014-2015 President Trophy Winners". However, it will get as much fanfare as when I walked into MSG for the first preseason game of the year, against the Blackhawks, when I saw the 2013-2014 Eastern Conference Champions banner. In case you're one of the bougias ass motherfuckers who decide to only watch/attend games in the playoffs, I'm being facetious, there will be no fanfare at all. It will hang there silently, just as silent as the Rangers performance at home in the ECF.

Obviously, no normal intro today. You know the deal. You also know by now that the Rangers dropped Game 7, of their ECF series with the Lightning, at a final score of 2-0. The Rangers season is over.

The Rangers losing hurts the most. No question. What compounds the hurt is watching Callahan & Stralman move on. Even worse, the Rangers traded more of their future for Keith Yandle. Was Yandle bad in the playoffs? He wasn't terrible, but he wasn't worth Duclair and a draft pick either. I still believe the Rangers don't make the Cup without MSL last year, but how nice of Sather to also give TBL two draft picks to go along with Callahan!

Another failed season for Henrik Lundqvist

If you've been reading me all season, you know I'll never BS you. Where "real" reporters need to be cordial and very rarely say anything against the grain, allow me to speak the truth. This season was a failure. No ifs, ands or buts about it. F-A-I-L-U-R-E!

Everyone will compare this team to the team of last year, but really, this more of the team of the 2011-2012. For a team that finished third in scoring, they relied on their goalie too much. However, Henrik doesn't get a pass either. He wasn't the same goalie in that 2012 postseason. For every 10 great saves he made, he also gave up a soft goal. His whining was incessant after losses this year, perhaps due to built up frustration of being a crownless King. He also blew game 3 and was solely responsible for that loss. Very rarely can you blame a game 100% on Lundqvist, but that game 3 was it. It was one game, and that was all the difference in this series. More on Lundqvist & his play on an upcoming blog here, as I'll expand on this there.

This team, carried over a lot of 2013-2014 roster. Really, that's where the similarities end. Last year's team was a pure Cinderella team that over-achieved. You had wily veterans and warriors like Brad Richards. You had tough guys and grinders like Boyle, Dorsett and Carcillo. Who is tough on this team? Tanner Glass? The guy who starts fights when you're already losing by 2 goals late in a game?

Last years team got a lot of things to go their way. Hank lost 3 games to the lowly Flyers, yet still won in 7. Hank went 1-3 vs Pittsburgh, but the death of MSL's mother propelled this team and they came back against Pittsburgh to win in 7. Boston, who have been Ranger killers in the last few years, gets knocked off by Montreal. Kreider takes out Price and boom the Rangers are in the Cup. If Hank doesn't blow two goal leads and lose 3 OT games to someone 5 years younger than him (And with 2 more Cups), maybe the Rangers win it all last year.

However, you're not as upset and furious with last year's loss as you are with this years. The Rangers were the third highest scoring team. They won the President's Trophy. Even more astonishing, they showed you they could win without Lundqvist, as Talbot had record-breaking numbers. That's what really eats at me. You know I wanted Talbot from day one. Was Lundqvist horrible in this years playoffs? Of course not. Was he lights out though? No. Rangers had the experience, made the trades for veterans and really were primed to be playing for the Cup. Instead they blew it.

Listen, all I'm saying is if you get rid of the contract of a 34 year old cupless goalie, you have $8.5M to play around with. Maybe you can get more offense. Talbot can do the job. Even if you perceive him to be weaker than Hank, look at the West. Crawford and Anderson aren't elite goalies. The team needs to be balanced and when 10% is going to a goalie who can't win games, then what's the point?

Look at Fleury & Holtby. They stood with Hank this year. Bishop outplayed Hank. Hank is only getting older and looks to be cementing himself with Marino, Ewing, Barkley, etc. I can understand his frustration. When it mattered the most, his team got shutout for 140 minutes at home. Bottom line, you can't win if you don't score.

After two great games on the road, Nash was nowhere at home

When you close the book on this season, the bottom line is that the President's Trophy that Talbot helped win for the Rangers, meant nothing in the ECF. The Rangers finished 1-3 at home in the series. I mean, what do you expect when you can't win at home?

It is beyond frustrating and infuriating at the performances inside of MSG. The Rangers put up 17 goals in Tampa (5,5,7)  while putting up 4 (2,2,0,0)  goals at home. WHAT THE FUCK!

I'll have the Rangers Postseason Report card up later this week, but really, YOU CAN'T FUCKING SCORE AT HOME? I don't get how they just played differently on the road. You can tell me all these schematics, the line-ups, whatever, I will never comprehend 13 MORE GOALS IN ONE LESS GAME PLAYED, on the road.

Home ice advantage? N-Word please! Blame MSG for pricing real fans out. Blame the white collar bougias motherfuckers who still think Messier plays. Blame the team for coming out flat, creating a nervous energy for fans, who bite their nails instead of clapping their hands. Bottom line, the Rangers sucked a big fat dick at home. I don't think you'll see that sentence in NEWSDAY!

I'm surprised these 3 didn't give Sather a DX Crotch-Chop

Just a few more words on the ex-Rangers turned Bolts:

- Dan Boyle was a fucking waste. You know how I feel about him. How do you pay a 40 year old Boyle the same money you refused to give to Stralman. According to Stralman, Sather never even considered signing him for this season. I don't get it. Now Stralman gets a chance to "Change The Ending."

- I talked about Callahan above. I would've loved the trade if it was a straight swap. The picks make no sense, considering the ages of the players and the fact that MSL was done with TBL. The only reason Cally left was because of money. Perhaps the goalie who said "I want to win a cup at all costs in NY" should've acted on that. The Rangers had no money for Cally when Hank held up the team for more money.

- Brian Boyle got a great contract for himself in TBL. I don't blame Sather for not matching it. You can't give a 3rd line center on his best day (Normally a fourth line center), that kind of money. While faceoffs were an issue for the Rangers all playoffs, it wasn't in this series.

It was reported after the series that McDonagh had a broken foot. What a warrior.

Enough rambling and crying. Let's get into the game itself.

5 minutes into the game and you knew what you had. It was going to be another Ranger shitshow, where they were trying to get a goal late and ride Hank to the end. For some reason, they just get away from what worked on the road. Did they pepper Bishop with shots and look for rebounds & deflections? Of course not. Did they crash the net? Of course not. Did they make wild passes and have trouble establishing anything 5 on 5? Of course!

Here are the goals:

GOAL ONE: Alex Killorn gets the eventual game winner, after TBL beat the Rangers defense. However, the shot was a weak one, that trickled through Hank's five hole. Bad defense, even worse looking goal. It hurts even more, because before this, Hank was lights out and looked locked in. The goal came after two scoreless periods of hockey, two minutes into the third period. 1-0 TBL

GOAL TWO: The Triplets line beat Lundqvist again. On a rush, Johnson fed Palat who beat Hank with a wrist shot. Tough shot, but that's what drives me nuts about Hank. He makes these remarkable highlight reel saves, but then this goes in. The goal came with 8 minutes left in the game. The way this Rangers team was playing, you knew it was over. 2-0 TBL.

For the last few games, I was recapping 8, 9, 10 goals. Here we get two. In fact, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN NHL HISTORY A HOME TEAM WAS SHUT OUT IN GAMES 5 AND 7. The New York Rangers, always making history.

Another familiar image, Hank shaking the hand of a victor

As far as the goalies in Game 7, Hank finished with 23 saves on 25 shots. Bishop finished with his second shutout of the series with 22 saves. Bishop takes the King. (I fucking hate that pun, but I'm so miserable, I might as well pile up on myself.)

Again, Hank was remarkable and did whatever he could. It just puts you in pure agony when you see the goals that do go in. I thought Bishop had one of the easiest shutouts in game 5, as he wasn't tested much. The Rangers tested Bishop a bit and I thought Bishop made 5 or 6 game stopping saves. However, Bishop did not face the pressure he faced when the Rangers were in Tampa.

You're sick of hearing it, but it's worth mentioning. This is why you don't pay a 34 year old goalie 10% of team payroll. There are goalies out there for much less and much younger, who can do the same thing. One of them is on your own team.

I wrote a blog earlier in the season and got a ton of twitter feedback (insults, go fuck yourself, that kind of stuff, etc) that said the Rangers will never win with Lundqvist. I was hoping to be proved wrong and have everyone throw it in my face. Fact is, I still believe the Rangers will never win with Lundqvist. I just can't stop thinking about that game 3.

These two men have a lot to talk about in the upcoming days

There's not much more to say about this game. The Rangers looked anemic on two powerplays. They wouldn't shoot the puck. Bishop outlasted Hank. The Rangers were flat. The Rangers missed Zuccarello. McDonagh had a broken foot. Staal is dinged up. Bottom line, it's over.

I'll expand more in a future blog, but just some quick shots on the future/next season:

- Priorities to me is keeping Hagelin & Stepan. Stepan will get big money, but the salary cap is increasing. Gotta keep him here no matter what. Hagelin will be tricky. He should be getting Zucc money and probably can get it elsewhere. I do think he wants to stay here, but if your own "leader", Lundqvist won't take a hometown discount, why should Hags?

- That was MSL's final game as a Ranger. He wants to be in the organization. He lives here and raises his kids here. Give MSL a job as a coach, even if it's in Hartford to start. I never saw a player age so fast.

- Thanks for the stay Sheppard. See ya.

- It will never happen because everyone is infatuated with him and he's their face of the team, but really, some thought should go into Hank's contract. They are just not winning with him.

- If Talbot is the one who has to go, I'll be sad. I hope he stays, but like Valiquette told me, it's the gentleman agreement to trade a goalie who can start elsewhere. It should be here. If Talbot is dealt, I hope it's to Arizona so I can watch Talbot & Duclair get a cup before Hank.

- I think you will see a lot of new faces here. Not free agents, but a lot of call-ups.

- I fully expect Duclair to have a monster year while Yandle continues to put the puck in front of his own net non-stop.

- I would also see if you could re-sign Kreider before his current deal expires at the end of next season.

- You can try  to trade Dan Boyle & Tanner Glass, but really, who will take them?

- Rick Nash will get a lot of media attention for not showing up when it matters. To say he's overpaid too is an understatement. However, he is not the one who said he wants to win a cup at all costs, then gets the coach fired, teases free agency and signs the biggest contract in hockey at his position.

Will I ever see this in NY in my adult life time?

There are so many topics and stuff to get into. We'll address all that stuff in individual blogs. I just can't believe it's over. This should've been the year. Don't lie to yourself, this was a Cup or Bust year. Change The Ending? What two weeks earlier than last year? It is so hard to win in the NHL that when you squander these opportunities, you are just wondering what if?

The Rangers are quickly turning into the Philadelphia Eagles with all these Conference Championship losses & Cup loss. The common factor in all these losses - Henrik Lundqvist.

I said it all season, so I'll say it one last time now -
"IN CAM WE TRUST, IN HANK WE BUST!"

Tons of material coming here on DOINOW.com in the next few days. If you want to send in a guest blog, with your thoughts on the season, you can email me at BULLSMC@aol.com

Ugh, Let's Go Rangers.

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter

pc

Game 7 is this Friday. Who will play for the Cup?

After doing a successful Point-Counterpoint Blog, previewing the Eastern Conference Finals, with John Fontana, of http://www.rawcharge.com, a site that covers the Tampa Bay Lightning, I decided to sit down and chat again with John. This time, John and I preview Game 7 and talk this wild Eastern Conference Finals. Fontana has been just as diehard about his Bolts, as most of you have been about the Rangers. I always enjoy these conversations with reporters from other teams, as we get to see a different perspective.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

---

Sean McCaffrey: John, it's a pleasure to have you back here on DOINOW.com. I would like to thank you for your time again. Leave it our mutual love for the NHL, that we are able to debate once more, this Rangers vs Lightning Best of 7 series.

Since our NYR/TBL series preview, (You can read that preview here: http://doinow.com/pointcounterpoint-with-tampa-bay-lightning-reporter-john-fontana-previewing-the-eastern-conference-finals-talking-rangers-vs-bolts-callahan-vs-msl-bishop-vs-lundqvist-strengths-vs-weaknesses/) we've witnessed six unpredictable games. Both of us have had our ups and downs watching this series. Two weeks after our first conversation, we are left with the two best words in sports (If you are just a fan and have no rooting interest) "Game 7."
One of us will be excited and going nuts Friday night. The other one will be depressed and just wonder "what if?"

Let's start say the same way when previewed the series. John, how are you feeling and who do you like to win this series?

 John Fontana: Ah, the stomping grounds we've already tread... Point/Counterpoint and it't take two. Lovely, lovely indeed. Now if we could just find someone in the media to actually take these conversations for the worth they hold -- impassioned fans talking it out and not being a belligerent asshole in the process (hell, Mike Milbury). 

This series has played like the code for "Contra" for unlimited lives... Up-up-down-down-Rangers-Lightning-Rangers-Lightning.-select-start. 

I'm already on record as mumbling "this series doesn't go 7 games" and I blew that one pretty damn good, now didn't I?  How am I feeling, though? Agitated a bit. I still want my own team to win the series.

SM: How does Mike Milbury even have a job? I mean really? Out of anyone out there that covers hockey, played hockey, has a PS4 and plays NHL '15, I mean really, Mike Milbury? A guy who destroyed the Islanders franchise so bad, that they are just now recovering from it?

This series is so unpredictable. You never know what's going to happen next. I have no clue what to expect at all in any of these games, nor know what's in store for Game 7.

I went Rangers in 6 and that would've happened if that damn Lundqvist didn't blow Game 3. What's going on with our goalies? They are either having amazing games or shaky games. How is there no consistency in this series?

The biggest asshole in the NHL, Mike Milbury

JF: Mike Milbury holds a job either by way of friends in high places or compromising photos. Or probably compromising photos of friends in high places. He's been at ESPN, he's been at the Comcast station now known as NBC Sports Net (and previous versions of said station). The man is connected and an outright dick, but connected.

The one great quality for this series is the edge-of-your-seat aspect. Yeah, it leaves you guessing, you don't know what will happen next.  That, my friend, is a thriller.

As for the goaltending... I'm not sure. If we talk game 6, that was a Tampa Bay collapse. Some of the narrative on Bishop out there right now is stupidity ("it could be a career altering situation if Bishop drops game 7") that hasn't seriously taken hold going the other way. Hank's been just as inconsistent and no one thinks he'd be in trouble if he'd dropped game 6 or drops game 7.  The truth is both goalies are secure contract wise. They've been inconsistent facing a very strong opponent in the opposition. 

SM: It's ironic how a man named Charlie Wang took over ownership of the Islanders and moved them out of Long Island, considering Milbury is the biggest wang in hockey.

I'm sorry, give me more Game 6's, than this "edge-of-your" seat nonsense! I'm going to have a heart attack watching these games! It must be great to be watching these games with no rooting interest. Just like how I am when watching Chicago/Anaheim.

You can ask any Ranger fan you know, I'm known as the Talbot guy! You can read those blogs in the archives. How many teams, that pay their goalie Top 5 in the league money, have won cups? Sometimes it's better to be more balanced, in my opinion. I'm also frustrated with these last 10 years that it hasn't happened yet for him. Hopefully one day he will surpass Richter. He's still overrated and overpaid, to me, for what it's worth, when you compare his age and other goalie contracts. Kings don't give up touchdowns two games in a row. Maybe Game 7 he will get his shutout, just like how Bishop got his.

It seems the best way for the Rangers to beat Bishop is to SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT, crash the net, find rebounds and deflect pucks. I feel Hank has given up a few soft wrist shots.

I have no clue what goalie for either team will show up for Game 7. For Tampa, is it the Bishop who has the shutout? Or the one who has given up 5 goals a few times? Will Hank live up to the hype and his Game 7 home record? Or will he be the guy who gives up a touchdown?

I hate to sound confident, but Lundqvist vs Bishop in a Game 7, you have to feel that Lundqvist has the advantage since he's been in this pressure cooker 6 times before, and won every single one of them. Then again, there's the part of me that says he's due for a loss. THIS SERIES IS DRIVING ME NUTS!

What do you see going down, goalie wise, in Game 7?

These two were the best goalies of the playoffs before this series, but have both given up 6+ goals in games too

JF: Oh, don't be the college-football guy again... I've dealt with that stuff from the Lightning fanbase, or more like Tampa Bay fan base, period.  They liked winning under Tony Dungy in the NFL with the Buccaneers in the late 1990's/early 00's but hated his defense-first, close-game philosophy. They wanted Steve Spurrier style run-up-the-score stuff (against Division I-AA clubs, usually). Yeah, running up the score is nice to see, but the heart attack, edge-of-your-seat stuff is what's to be expected in the playoffs. We've been spoiled to get the score-fests.
 
Bishop is under the microscope at the moment because of game 6 and the pressure has turned up a notch for him... At the same time, where we are right now with the playoffs, nothing of what's been experienced before really means jack right now. Yeah, Henrik's been in these pressure positions before, he survived being on the brink Tuesday. But that's looking back. It's not moving forward.
 
What I'm expecting in Game 7 is game 1/game 5.  What I'm not even going to try to guess is who comes out with the win on this. I want my Lightning, it could be your Rangers. Tyler Johnson hasn't scored in how-many games? He's overdue to light that lamp just as much as Hank is due for another loss.

SM: I think in this case, more  Lundqvist than Bishop, it's time for Hank to get his crown. Both teams were known for their scoring this year. (TBL first in total goals, Rangers third.)

I agree, there has been no momentum in this series. I've never seen a series like this. What really concerns me is Game 7 ending on a fluke goal or something cheap. These two teams have played so hard that, we the fans, deserve to see a true winner one way or the other.

Funny you mention Johnson, as some reports are saying that a flu is running through the TB locker room. What have you heard about this on your end? These sicknesses are no joke, this is the same Ranger team that lost a ton of manpower because of mumps. 

Remember when the Rangers lost a ton of man games because of the mumps from this idiot?

JF: Hank and the Crown... Eh, be careful on that one.  You do have the seniority on the rosters (and I've already seen a Lightning team deemed "too young" win the Cup. This is Bishop's first playoffs, period (which adds to my agitation at some media people thinking his career is on the line here or something). It's going to go either way by more than the netminders.

The players also deserve a clean close to this one. 

What I heard on this end was the same - something's gong around and actually the Rangers supposedly had it too. @TGFireandIce reported it's in both locker rooms though the Rangers claimed everyone is fine. Brayden Coburn dropped out of game 5 because of this thing, Ondrej Palat and Johnson both missed practice because of it (supposedly).  Hey, at least it's not the mumps, right? It's going to really suck if that thing ruins game 7 (missing players, lost ice time by starters/regulars). 

SM: Yea, at this point, you just want to see a clean game, with no BS.

We've talked about how the goalies could be erratic. How about the offenses?

One game, Derick Brassard has a hat trick, Rick Nash is scoring goals and PP looks amazing. The next, the Rangers get shut-out. On the flipside, the Bolts will struggle to score, but then will put up a touchdown in the next game.

One thing the Rangers and Rangers fans certainly overlooked was Tampa's defense. They've done a great job, especially in Game 5.

In our preview, we walked about the big MSL/Callahan trade. However, I'm not surprised that either one is essentially a non-factor, with each man only having one goal. I do find it funny how TBL fans still boo MSL every time he touches the puck, where Calllahan always gets a polite applause at MSG.

Predicting this Game 7 is useless. The way these games are going, someone could win 1-0, just as fast as they can win 7-0.  There is no point using cliches or asking you what does TB need to do. We know what the Rangers have to do. We know what TB has to do. We will find out who can execute better when it matters the most. As a Rangers fan, you have to like your odds, but it feels like if anyone can snap their Game 7 win  streak, it's these Bolts.

Seems so long ago since the trade.

  JF: Cally does get some boos at MSG and I've seen a good deal of hate / dislike pointed at him in talk leading up to the serie (from fans).  "Greedy" is the word always thrown around. Greed. Greed. Greed. In St. Louis' case it was abandoning the club, leaving it cold.  Fans took it very personal (I'm one of them) because he had been the dynamo that made the Lightning go for so long. That goal Marty scored? It was his first against Tampa Bay since the deal and I think the first ever against TB (that meaning I'm including his Calgary Flames time).  

Cally is playing post-appendectomy. Him playing at all comes off amazing, how much pain is he playing with and through? To score on top of that seems huge. But largely, as you said, non-factor. 3rd line minutes, limited shots. 

As for what the Lightning need to do, it's what happened in game 5 and game 6 -- demoralize the opponent by getting the key goal at the key time. That's only part of it. They need to limit odd-man rushes (which has become a bad habit in these latter games, that's a fault on defense and the forwards too). But it really goes back to the offense and how TB shoots / from where.  Hank is covering his crease fine and dandy when the Lightning are up close.  It's when they're shooting from a few feet out that they're getting them by him.  

That goes back to the crease, that goes back to the goalies. I think we can both conclude some consistency would help on each end too, huh?

SM: I will never argue Callahan's toughness. The guy has an organ ripped out of him, and he's back out there 3 days later.

Speaking of returns, the word here in NY is that Mats Zuccarello is close. His replacement on the roster, James Sheppard, hasn't played bad or anything, but Zucc can be the heart of this team at times. He brings a different kind of energy, passion and fire that no one else really matches, outside of Chris Kreider.

That was what was so amazing about the Game 6 win. I thought Tampa dominated the puck & time of possession for 40 minutes. Then the Rangers just exploded for goals. I feel like the Rangers only played their game in Game 1, the 2-1 defensive battle. The game they were used to playing in the Washington series. Sometimes I wonder if that Caps series hurt the Rangers a bit, because they were used to running through mud with those guys, and here comes Tampa flying around like Olympic skaters.

It's too late for consistency in this series now! That is what I find funny about social media or other hockey blogs. Everyone has the answers and knows what will happen. How can anyone predict anything with the way these two teams are playing?

I don't mean to harp on your loss, but Game 6 was the most recent game. Tampa already won one Game 7 in these playoffs, against Detroit. You're my eyes with the Lightning. How did TBL come back to win that series? How do you expect TBL to rebound?  Is Bishop's confidence hurting a bit after being pulled, or was his pulling a good idea, just to give him some rest for the game 7 and see the Rangers from a different angle on the bench?

While on Game 6, what was the point of leaving the back-up goalie out there when losing by three and on the powerplay? Are any TBL fans wondering why Cooper wouldn't leave it 6 vs 4 for the full PP, especially with the Rangers struggling on the PK? Additionally, the Rangers didn't pull Lundqvist with the lead, to give him rest either. Does Bishop have any edge at all going into game 7?

It was announced today that Zucc will not be available for Game 7

JF: Here’s a question in regards to Zuc’s potential return: even if he’s “close”, playoffs usually mean guys try to force their way back in even if they’re not 100% (or are well below it). If Mats Zuccarello is game capable, does it concern you at all that he could be a liability on ice (playing while still recovering)? I mean, it’s a quirk in hockey with guys coming back and playing while ailing, happens all the time especially when the stakes are high.

The Lightning did dominate the first 40 minutes; it’s why I roll my eyes seeing fans talking about the team “not showing up” to play. Oh, they played all right, and the Rangers stood their ground despite the onslaught. It was like game 5 in a way but once we lit the lamp in the 2nd period, instead of collapsing entirely, the Rangers went into a shell but held the line. That’s why it wasn’t 3-0 or 4-0 or 5-1 as a final.

The only predictable thing for game 7 is that after it’s over, someone will have some time opened up on their schedule to hit the golf course while the other will have a potential date with immortality and their names on the Stanley Cup.

If you look at the Bolts results against Detroit, you’ll notice a trend that resembles what has happened in the ECFs: inconsistency. Tight game loss, lop-sided win, shutout loss, tight win, shut out loss, tight win, shut out loss, lop-sided win, tight SO win. 5 goals in a game isn’t the same lop-sided as what we’ve seen here. They’ve rebounded though, they haven’t been lost confidence., and they’ve done it all playoffs long. You cited Detroit, Bishop got pulled in game 4 of the Atlantic Division finals (game quirk: flip-side of back-to-back games), Tampa Bay lost two straight, they didn’t shut down. I don’t expect Bish to be shaken at all (but I’ve never understood the ego-side of goalies). Keeping him in wouldn’t rally the troops; it was a mop-up duty situation.

Let’s go back to an issue we’ve already touched on with the Lightning roster: illness. We don’t know who was showing signs of it, who was hit by it. As far as we know that was part of why Cooper waved the white flag and brought in Andrei Vasilevskiy (Side note: remember that name; a top prospect, KHL star, 1st round draft pick in 2012) and didn’t go 6v4 on the power play. As for an edge or not for Bishop, I wouldn’t think so at all: two days between games are going to pretty much wipe away any extra rest Bishop had by not playing as much as Hank in the game. 

SM: Well the Zucc factor is a non-factor. It's been announced he's not playing now. I have no problem with Sheppard, but the Rangers do miss Zucc. 
(http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-insider-zuccarello-close-return-article-1.2239451 is where you can read the official report about Zuccarello.)

It really will suck for the Rangers or Lightning, as well as the Ducks or Hawks by late Saturday evening. All four teams have made a hell of a run. That's the playoffs and why the Cup is the hardest thing to win in sports.

I understand pulling Bishop. Just surprised that the Rangers allowed Lundqvist in there when the game was decided, especially with the Bolts pulling "Kreider's" by skating into him.

We've talked a ton about the goalies thus far.  Let's switch gears a bit. As a Rangers fan, I know all the stats and how Game 7 should be a slam dunk win for the Rangers. We know Hank is 6-0 in Game 7's, 15-3 in elimination games, yadda yadda yadda. When you talk to non-Ranger fans, they are more confident than me that the Rangers will win. I am stressed out beyond belief and nervous. I really feel the Bolts have a better chance in the Game 7 to win. I just feel they've been a bit better all series and I can't see Bishop having another bad game. Then again, I can't see the Rangers going 1-3 at home in this series either. Regardless, I'm nervous.

How are you feeling right now? How good are you feeling about your chances? It's so tough for either of us, or anyone for that matter, to say, "Well this guy will get hot, this guy will be cold, this will work, this won't work." Home ice means nothing either, because most of the hardcore Ranger fans are priced out of this game, so expect a ton of suits and celebrities taking seats from fans who watch this team year-long. At least you don't have to worry about Donald Trump and some random loser Knick taking a seat away from a fan. MSG is the easiest place for a visitor to win in, which gets me so rattled.

So, let's hear it, can I get your state of emotion right now?

JF: Certain players bring a certain game. So Mats being out, I totally understand how things are being missed that he brings. That was Marty to use in his prime.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous. This is an all-or-nothing game and it’s been a great run up to this moment and I’d hate to see it end. Yet, at the same time, I’m not dwelling on players, performances, what we have to do better, what we need to avoid, how puck possession, Corsi, Fenwick, TOI, PP and PK efficiency have to be blah-blah-blah. I wrote about it earlier ( http://www.rawcharge.com/2015/5/28/8681793/2015-nhl-playoffs-ECF-WCF-Game-7s) and while I take a wide swing at the Rangers (the mystique thing) it’s relevant here for all parties: Nothing that happened matters, nothing about the series before, or the playoffs before, or the season that was. There’s game 7 and nothing else. I don’t hold fear because of Hank’s performance in game 7’s. I’m not thinking about the Rangers in these situations. The past is moot. There’s Friday night at the Garden and nothing else. It applies to the Rangers, the Ducks and Blackhawks at Honda Center on Saturday too. There’s one game for all four teams, and that’s where the fans should be focusing. One game. It doesn’t rid you of nervous necessarily (or rid those of smug arrogance of such) but it just reminds you that the microscope stuff is not something to let your worries grow around; the microscope and over-analysis is useless.

As for chances, I am not worried there. I’ve been following Jon Cooper as a head coach since he came into the organization in 2010-11. First year he took the AHL club to the playoffs, second year he grabbed the Calder Trophy and set a new AHL record for most consecutive wins, 2012-13 was split in the AHL and NHL but the progression has started immediately. In that regard I’ve got confidence he can milk the squad to get the W. You’ve seen our guys, you know what we’re capable of just like I’ve seen what the Rangers can do. 

Vigneault has been gold ever since arriving to NY last season

SM: I agree with you, when you say whatever happened in the past doesn't affect this Game 7. A fluke puck can decide who makes the Stanley Cup Finals, come Friday.

As I re-read our conversation back, I think we've covered it all. What more is there left to be said. I don't know what to expect or what teams will show up. You don't either. We've seen it all this series. Both of us have every reason to be confident, and every reason to think we will be miserable around 11:30 PM Friday night.

I want to say I have enjoyed our conversations and if my boys don't pull it out, I will be rooting for your team to win it all. How can I hate on the ex-Rangers, especially Ryan Callahan? I would also like to think if TBL somehow does go all the way, Tyler Johnson may take some of the headline attention from Crosby & Ovechkin, as the beast from the east & perhaps some buzz away from McDavid's entry to the league.

That being said, I hope your season ends tomorrow! I harbor you or your team no ill-will, but this is a Cup or Bust year for my Rangers. Lundqvist has been denied long enough. AV has been King Midas since joining this team. The Rangers have been the best team in hockey all year, even with all the inconsistency. They have found ways to win games all year, when it mattered the most. They just need to do it one more time, and get a chance to redeem themselves and change the ending of last year. I believe the Rangers can do it, just as much as you believe in your boys.

Win or lose, I would like to once again thank you for your friendship and time out to do these blogs with me. Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
JF: I've had fun with these conversations. My closing remarks are basically Go Bolts!  Well, that and Steven Stamkos is due (before Tyler Johnson) to finally get some league limelight instead of Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin... But Johnson's the wizard and Stamkos is the force.  I digress.  Though we'll have to certainly do this again in the off-season sometime or next season at latest.

SM: Thanks again, and LET'S GO RANGERS!

nyr/tbl g6

The DOINOW.com 1st Star & the person who deserved the Broadway Hat in my book!

Welcome everyone to another blog here on DOINOW.com. I don't mean to rush you here, but I have the "real" job tomorrow morning, at 5AM, so let's get right into it. If you don't know the normal intro, check the archives on the right hand of the site for previous blogs.You can also check out the official NYR Game 6 report, as well as the official postgame news/notes, from BLUESHIRTSUNITED.com on the main page.  For now, let's dive right into Game 6 of the ECF.

Emotion. Stress. Nerves. Severe abdominal gas. That basically describes me all day going into this Game 6 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals. All day at work, (I'm a union construction worker, hence my blue collar blueshirt views here), I could not leave the porto potty. If you know me in real life, and have the displeasure of being really close to me, like say the infamous JEFFREY, it's just a horror show. During these playoff games, I am a fucking wreck. I'm shaking like Michael J. Fox or like Kurt Cobain going through withdrawal. It's bad.

All jokes aside, I just can't stop. I think about the game all day long. I read other blogs. I read social media. I text my friends. I get about 37377374373 opinions from 3377437473 people, all discussing the Rangers. Call it deranged lunacy or just being a fanatic, but really, I probably would've banged out sick tomorrow if the Rangers dropped Game 6, thus ending their season.

In case you've been living under a rock, the Rangers defeated the Lightning, 7-3, to tie their Best of 7 ECF series at 3-3. The 7 goals was the most amount of goals the Rangers have scored all playoffs. Game 7 will be played at MSG on Friday night. That game will determine if the Rangers return to the Stanley Cup finals, or lament over what could've been.

JT Miller had his best game of the playoffs in Game 6 of the ECF

Don't let the final score fool you. Tampa owned this game for the first 40 minutes. The Rangers got two lucky goals early and then sweat out Lundqvist for two periods. Tampa dominated the puck  so much, you just felt that even up 2-0, the lead would be gone fast.

I wouldn't say the Rangers looked lost, just that Tampa was better. Even with the 2-0 lead, the Rangers had a hard time moving the puck. They did not have one good 5 on 5 possession, where they could move the puck and try to find a quality shot. It was just a frantic pace and Tampa was more than willing to accommodate.

Tampa played strong defense, met the Rangers at the blue line and were able to turn most Ranger rushes into cleared pucks within seconds. On the flipside, Tampa was constantly in the Rangers zone, teeing off and making big plays.

For 40 minutes, this elimination game was a nerve-wracking game.

I can't lie, going into this game, I just kept thinking about that Game 3, the 6-5 OT game. Lundqvist lost that game for the Rangers, after giving up 6 goals the game before. However, Game 2, the Rangers let Hank down big time, where I would put the Game 3 loss solely on Hank. All I could think about was what if the Rangers won that game, and the Rangers entered this game up 3-2? After all, my original prediction was Rangers in 6 anyway.

Instead, these Rangers, who never do anything easy, after tying the series in Game 4, decided to shit the bed and lay an egg in Game 5, losing 2-0, at home. What kills me about these Rangers is that they are consistent at being inconsistent.

However, the stats will tell you, in these last four years, where the Rangers have played 75 playoff games, they are now 15-3 in elimination games and Lundqvist is 6-0 in Game 7's. He will have a chance to go 7-0 on Friday. That's a stat that scares me because at some point, you think they are due for a letdown, but here tonight, the Rangers stayed true and won the game. And the third period was their best hockey of the playoff season.

Brassard has had several big games in these 2015 playoffs

In the interest of staying consistent with my other blogs in this series & in the interest of time, let's recap every goal, one-by-one. After that, we'll talk more about the game.

GOAL 1: Brassard scored the first goal of the game, less than four minutes in, after taking a pass from Miller. Brassard beat Bishop with a backhand shot in front of the net. Beautiful goal and the Miller Lites were going down a bit easier. 1-0 NYR.

GOAL 2: Keith Yandle scored, with 4:30 to go in the first period, with a bomb from between the circles. The puck deflected in off JT Brown of Tampa. While Yandle's decisions with the puck are questionable (skating/passing in front of his own net), Yandle has contributed offensively as of late. 2-0 NYR.

GOAL 3: Ryan Callahan scored a late goal in the first period, a powerplay goal, when he beat ex-teammate Henrik Lundqvist on a breakaway. This shouldn't have even happened. Before the goal, Stamkos was called for a cross check. However, Stamkos continued the play and the whistle wasn't blown. During that time, Kreider & Stepan were both called for cross checking penalties. I don't know how the play continued. The official explanation was that Kreider committed the first penalty, Stamkos the second and Stepan the third. It didn't look that way on the ice. It led to a 4 vs 3 PPG for Callahan. Credit Callahan for beating Hank as Hank couldn't deny his former captain. Still, a very questionable call to even make this a TBL PP. 2-1 NYR.

GOAL 4: JT Miller got his first goal of the ECF, three minutes into the third period. After a second period, that featured great goaltending, both goalies imploded a bit, with Bishop taking the worse of it. The Rangers nearly fucked up a 3 vs 1 rush. Nash found Miller, who missed. Brassard then missed an easy goal, which would've went in if he lifted the puck an inch. However, Brassard got his own rebound and found Miller for the tip-in. Talk about a huge insurance goal. 3-1 NYR.

GOAL 5: James Sheppard, playing for the injured Mats Zuccarello, got his first goal of the playoffs, with 14 minutes to go in the third. Moore took a shot, Sheppard crashed the net and put it past the goal line. After a review, which shouldn't have been necessary, as there was no question if Sheppard kicked it, the refs did the right thing and signaled a goal. 4-1 NYR.

GOAL 6: Brassard scored his second goal of the game, off a slap shot, a few minutes later. The rout was on and Bishop was pulled for Andrei Vasilevskiy. 5-1 NYR.

GOAL 7: Nikita Kucherov scored on a weak snap shot with 11 minutes and change to go. Total let down goal on Lundqvist's part. He's lucky this wasn't a one goal game. 5-2 NYR.

GOAL 8: Rick Nash got his "A-Rod" goal, with 9 minutes and change to go, on the power play. Good for him, and I've always defended him here, but he needs to score when it matters the most, like he did in Game 4. 6-2 NYR.

GOAL 9: Kucherov scored another goal. Another horrible goal for Lundqvist to allow. More on that when I talk the goalies in the next section. Kucherov beat Hank with a simple wrist shot with less than 7 minutes to go. 6-3 NYR.

GOAL 10: The hat flew off my head, and my apartment, which was full of my neighbors/friends who all have work early tomorrow too, went nuts. Brassard scored an empty netter, sealing the game. I will have to look it up and I'll post the official post game news/notes later, but I believe it was the first Rangers ECF hat trick since Messier. We had Stepan Mattean against Washington, now we have Mark Brassard here. 7-3 and your final.
EDIT: According to BlueshirtsUnited.com, Gretzky did it in 1997, in a game 2 vs Philly. However, Brassard is the first to do it, since Messier, in an elimination game.

Neither goalie was spectacular in Game 6, but Hank was better

We talk about it every blog, so let's talk the goalies. Hank finished with 36 saves on 39 shots, while Bishop finished with 21 saves on 26 shots. TBL back-up Vasilevskiy finished with 6 saves on 7 shots.

When you assess Lundqvist's game, he did enough for the team to win, despite the 3.00 GAA in this game. However, he had two really bad break downs when the game seemed in hand. There was no reason for Kucherov to add two goals to this game.

I thought Hank looked very shaky in this game. There were times when he was flipping like a fish out of water during this game. Early in the game, he completely left the net open and left his defense to block the net. I wonder if it was just nerves, from someone who usually thrives in pressure cookers.

I thought Hank had a bell-curve game. He started off shaky, played extremely well for the bulk of the game, and near the end of the game, tapered off a bit. He knows this. I know this. We all know this. He can't do this in Game 7. We need 60 minutes of in his fucking prime Lundqvist to win Game 7.

As someone who is probably Hank's harshest critic, I was kind of disgusted that Hank got the Broadway Hat after the game. I mean really? Brassard has a hat trick and two assists. Hank gave you 50 or so quality minutes of hockey. I don't know how giving up 3 goals makes you a star of the game. This is why I think he's overrated and overpaid. Sure there are bad goals and good goals, and while he could've stopped Callahan, I don't blame him for that. I do blame him for those Kucherov goals.

Until the third period, a lot of this game was Tampa firing away and dominating the puck. Give Hank all the credit in the world for not blowing the one goal lead. Still, he drives me nuts with his passes that usually turn into turnovers. However, this is a Rangers team that struggles badly on the faceoffs, so it's not like he can just freeze the puck either.

If I had to give Hank a grade for this game, I would give him a B.

On the flipside, Bishop played a strong game until the third period, where he fell down like a drunken sorority girl. The Ranger flood gates really opened in that third period. In the next section I'll talk more about this, but, I will never know if the Rangers have him figured out.

What was good to see was the Rangers shooting, rebounding and deflecting. I have no clue why they got away from that in Game 5. Tonight was the blueprint on how to beat Bishop. Run the same plan on Game 7, Hank does his thing, and NO JINX, we are celebrating all weekend as we head to the Cup. But Game 7 seems light years away and is never a guarantee no matter what anyone says.

King Midas Vigneault has a lot to smile about tonight

There are two coaches decisions I question about this game. Feel free to speak out and hit me up on twitter or email to discuss, as I have to fix this damn comment section on this blog.

With Bishop pulled, at 5-1, with 10 minutes and change in the game, TB was able to get the score to 6-3 with less than 5 minutes remaining. TBL pulled their goalie, giving them the 6 vs 5 skater advantage. However, TBL then got a powerplay, and TBL Coach Jon Cooper put his back-up goalie back on the ice. With the Rangers having a difficult time clearing the puck on the PK, why not go 6 vs 4 and try to make it a two goal game? Instead, Cooper put his back-up back on the ice, but would pull him with 30 seconds left on the PP? Why not give his offense a full two minutes of 6 on 4?

I don't think TBL would've came back anyway, especially with the clock against them, but it seemed like a Jack Capuano move by Cooper.

On the flip-side, with the Rangers knocking Bishop out, and looking to have a comfortable four goal lead, why not pull Lundqvist? I know, I know, I know, "YOU'RE THE TALBOT GUY!" However, Hank has a huge game on Friday. Why leave him out there to risk injury? Let him leave with a one goal allowed, confidence soaring and extra time to rest for Game 7, especially since Bishop was getting it. I mean, you don't leave your starting quarterback in a game, up 21 points with 5 minutes to go in a game. It's a tick-tacky thing to complain about, but what if Hank got hurt, especially with Tampa playing dirty late and already haven skated into Lundqvist? I don't know if this was a question asked in the press conference, but I would like to know why.

Hank is one win away from a return trip to the SCF

Sorry for not getting too deep into today's blog, I gotta be up early. I will try to have a new blog up between now and Friday, looking at Game 7. Maybe I will get my buddy, TBL reporter,  Johnny Fontana for a preview.

We all know the stats. The Rangers have been remarkable in Game 7's. Hank has been flawless. What does that mean for Friday? To me, nothing. Each game is independent of another. It's not like TBL is going to say, "Hey, the Rangers are great in Game 7's, so let's lose."

I said this a few blogs ago, I don't know what to expect from either team in any of these games. We've seen shutouts. We've seen one goal games. We've seen blow outs. We've seen an OT. We've seen it all. Who knows what the fuck happens in Game 7. What Bishop will show up? The one from tonight or the one from Game 5? What Hank will show up? The one from Game 3 or the one that is perfection in Game 7's at home? It's totally unpredictable.

For me, I want to see Lundqvist have another classic game 7 performance, bring the Rangers to the Cup, win the fucking damn thing and forever be known as KING HENRY. I won't be able to rest or sleep easy until it happens!

Give credit to our boys, when it mattered the most, they showed up again. It's never easy with this team. It's always a rollercoaster.I might have a triple bypass by the time this is all over, but until that happens....

LET'S GO RANGERS

I'll have more either tomorrow or Thursday. Keep it here on DOINOW.com for more!

LGR!

Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on twitter