Kings vs. Rangers? posted by Richard Kagan

It is pretty certain that LA will come out of the Western Conference playoffs.  What remains much more in doubt is the Rangers-Devils series.  NY has a 1-0 lead in the best of 7.  But this series is by no means over.  The Rangers play almost the oppositie of LA.  They grind it out, slow down the game, and let their goalie become the anchor of defense.  A goal or two is usually all the Rangers need to win a game.  That pattern may remain in the Eastern Finals, but it will be sorely tested if NY plays the LA Kings. 

The sleeping giant, that is the LA Kings, has woke up with a vengence.  The Rangers play like the the little engine that could.  It huffs and puffs its way toward the finish line. 

True Blue has some truly high expectations posted by Julius Says

              The nhl season's right around the corner and the NY Rangers are looking to start strong. Expectations are much higher this year as the team has had one of their quietest but most succesful offseasons in recent memory. With the young core of home bred talent and leadership hitting their stride and coming to full maturity, whispers are starting to get louder about the solid squad these Rangers have. With basically one player's health in question (Staal), the Rangers are aspiring to finish the reagular season with home ice advatage to start the playoffs. They needed a quality first line center and they went out and signed the prize of the offseason free agents. They needed some toughness, went out and signed a hard nosed player like Mike Rupp. They're a solid squad on paper and now have an effective weapon on the power play with Brad Richards. This all sounds pretty good but that's why we play the games!! Let's see what we got going here.Continue reading "True Blue has some truly high expectations"

New York Rangers Sign Derek Boogaard to a 4-year, $6.5M Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

The boys in blue found a way to get even meaner on Thursday.

On a team that already sends out Sean Avery, Brandon Prust and Aaron Voros every night, the Rangers went after one of the toughest guys in the league.  Boogaard, after being involved in many rumors of him heading to the Detroit Red Wings, gladly accepted a big contract for a big man (6'8” 257 lbs.). 

After scoring four assists and 107 penalty minutes in 57 games played last season for the Minnesota Wild, Boogaard will be happy to earn his money when playing sparingly.  The slow-footed Saskatoon native will probably see a lot of time riding the bench since the Rangers' roster is stacked with players who are tough but can still skate with a lot of talent in the league. 

This deal definitely is a victory for Boogaard and his agent; the Rangers did not need him on their team.  What the Rangers should have been worrying about to start the free-agent period was goal-scoring.  They ranked 16th in the league in goals per game (2.67) last season, which is not too shabby unless you want to consider they were just one goal away from making the NHL playoffs.  Boogaard's 2 career goals will do nothing to improve those totals.Continue reading "New York Rangers Sign Derek Boogaard ..."

Golden Effort Falls Just Short posted by Brad VanFossan

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short By Brad VanFossan I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.  It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.My in game thoughts from the penalty box: -In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics. -Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, theyContinue reading "Golden Effort Falls Just Short"

The NHL Could Learn from the NFL posted by Jeff Ponder

Did you see that crazy backhand goal by Michael Del Zotto of the Rangers that snuck its way through Boston's Tim Thomas a few weeks ago?  Of course you did, it was the only afternoon game on that Saturday.

Well how about that exciting shootout between Colorado and Buffalo that went through 22 skaters?  Or that great defensive win by the Panthers over the Senators where Tomas Vokoun had an 18-save shutout?  No, you probably missed those because you were watching your favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, get shelled by Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-1 on home ice.

The Rangers-Bruins game was broadcasted at 1:00 EST on January 9, making it the only game on between the hours of 1:00 and 7:00.  But that is when the NHL flood started; six games were played at 7:00, three games at 8:00 and three more at 10:00 or after.

What can the National Football League teach us?

On December 27 (NFL week 16), NFL fans watched a great game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at 1:00 in which Steelers' receiver Santonio Holmes got 86 receiving yards against a tough Ravens defense, and Ravens' halfback Ray Rice amassed 141 rushing yards in a 23-20 Steelers victory.  Shortly after that game ended (approximately 4:15), NFL spectators watched in horror as American hero Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts fell to the New York Jets 29-15 to end their perfect season bid.  As if that wasn't enough, the NFL had yet another exciting game start at 8:20 between the surging Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears.  Greg Olsen's brilliant catch in the endzone during the first half led the way as the Bears squeezed out a victory, 36-30.
Continue reading "The NHL Could Learn from the NFL"

8-18 Football News and MLB Waiver Wire Deals posted by Ryan Turner

1. Well, Brett Favre is back. Just as he started to drift out of our minds again, BAM, breaking news on ESPN: "Favre is a Viking." As obnoxious as this story has been for the last three years, it sure will make the Vikings vs. Packers games more interesting, especially the November 1st game when he returns to Lambeau Field. My guess is the reaction will be half cheers, half boos from the fans, all boos from Ted Thompson.

2. Another quarterback who has run rampant through the media lately is Jay Cutler. He needs to shut up right now if he even wants a chance at not topping the "Number One Douche Bag of All-Time" list. His latest remarks were after the Bears' first preseason game in which they played the Buffalo Bills. He criticized wide receiver Devin Hester for not breaking up an interception on an under-thrown pass. How about this Jay? Either make the passes in the first place or be gracious if Hester does break up the interception. If Hester can't fix your screw up, man up and take the blame yourself. That's where it belongs. Peyton Manning doesn't always own the blame after a loss, but the difference between Manning and Cutler is, Manning has the record to back up those types of comments. Cutler needs to earn the right to make those types of comments. He could be in danger of losing that locker room really quickly, if he hasn't already.

3. Marc Bulger broke his pinkie on his throwing hand during Monday's practice on a snap exchange from center Jason Brown. It's not a major injury and it should only keep him out for two weeks. However, this could open the door for backup Kyle Boller. The Ravens had some decent years with a strong defense and Boller managing games. Baltimore went 9-7 in 2004, Boller's only year in which he started all 16 games. 9-7 won the NFC West last year and it could do the same this year. I'm not suggesting the Rams' defense will be anywhere close to Baltimore's, but the NFC West isn't as strong as the AFC North typically is either.

Rangers sign Marian Gaborik to 5-Year, $37.5 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

As expected, the New York Rangers have made a splash in the free-agent sweepstakes.  Rangers GM Glen Sather announced late Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms with star free-agent, Marian Gaborik.  

The Slovakian right-wing had a troubling season in Minnesota last year, playing in only 17 games caused by a nagging hip injury.  Even though his time was limited, he was still able to scrape together 23 points.  Gaborik has had surgery since then and the Rangers are hoping that he can return to his old form.

Gaborik's best year came in 2007-08 when he amassed 42 goals and 83 points in 77 games played.  He was always a bright spot for the Minnesota Wild, until the State of Hockey saw the likes of Mikko Koivu and Pierre-Marc Bouchard.  He will join a Rangers lineup that has been depleted since losing to Washington in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.  Markus Naslund has announced his retirement from the NHL, while Scott Gomez has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens and Nik Antropov is on the free-agent market.

This is a smart move for the Rangers.  Acquiring Gaborik for the top line can only help a struggling Rangers team.  The only downfall is Gaborik's recent injury history.  If Gaborik can stay healthy, this may prove to be one of the best signings of the off-season.Continue reading "Rangers sign Marian Gaborik to 5-Year, ..."

Rangers Trade Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto to Canadiens for Chris Higgins, Doug Janik, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko posted by Jeff Ponder

Analysis:  The biggest name in this deal is obviously 2-time Stanley Cup winner Scott Gomez.  Being signed through 2013-14, this Alaska native has been a slight disappointment for the New York Rangers.  Being signed in the summer of 2007 to a 7-year, $51.5 million deal, Gomez has registered 128 points in two seasons with the Rangers, which is a little lower than the Rangers had originally expected.  In 2005-06, Gomez registered 84 points in 82 games with the New Jersey Devils.  He is still a top-line center, but Montreal will be hoping that he can earn his paycheck with better point totals for the remainder of his contract.

Going with Gomez is 22-year old winger Tom Pyatt.  Being selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers, Pyatt is known for his offensive instincts and good hands, but has yet found a way to crack the Rangers' lineup.

Defenseman Mike Busto will also be joining Gomez and Pyatt in the deal.  In 2007, Charlotte Checkers head coach Derek Wilkinson said that Busto's "skill set is getting better, but his intensity level needs to improve, and he has just got to get a little more assertive. The talent is there now, the drive just needs to match it."

Going to New York, Chris Higgins, much like Gomez, had a bit of an off-year in 2008-09.  Higgins registered just 23 points in 57 games for Montreal, while nursing hand and groin injuries throughout parts of the season.  Higgins' best year came in 2007-08 when he notched 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points.  He can still be a top-6 forward if utilized properly.
Continue reading "Rangers Trade Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt ..."

Habs Can Lock Up a Playoff Spot Tonight in New York posted by Julia Borgini

The Montreal Canadiens can lock up a playoff spot tonight with a win against the New York Rangers in New York. They gave away their first chance to lock up the spot last night with a 3-2 loss against the Senators, but can redeem themselves tonight. Gainey is putting in Andrei Kostitsyn and Matt D'Agostini, while sitting Georges Laraque and Gregory Stewart. 

The Habs can also make the playoffs tonight with a bit of outside help, but they would be best served by just winning the game outright and earning the berth directly. They were on a 3-game win streak up until the game against the Senators, so a win tonight would help bolster their confidence going in to the home stretch.

The Canadiens Move Up to Seventh in the Playoff Race posted by Julia Borgini

Saturday night's 6-2 convincing win over the Toronto Maple Leafs provided the Canadiens with a little breathing room in the race for the playoffs. They moved up to seventh in the Easter Conference standings, with 4 games to play.

THE GOOD: Montreal wins 6-2 against Toronto. Three goals scored on the power play. Balanced scoring as Kovalev, Latendresse, Tanguay, Higgins, Gorges, and Lapierre all score. Halak solid in net for a flu-ridden Price, who's also playing well of late.

THE BAD: Tanguay coughing up the puck to Toronto's Boyd Devereaux, who scored a short-handed goal in the third period.

THE UGLY: The blue line took a serious hit when both Schneider AND Markov left the game with 'upper-body injuries'.

THE RESULT: Montreal is in seventh, 3 points ahead of the eighth place Rangers and Panthers (who are now tied.) They still have one game in hand against both of those teams, and sit only 1 point behind the sixth place Penguins. The Canadiens finish off the season with 4 games in 6 nights, with two of those games against the Rangers and the Penguins.

Hold on to your hats everyone, it's going to be a wild finish.

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