NYR vs. Flames: Well, the popcorn was ready but the only fireworks were 2 exploding shots fired on Halek less than ONE minute into the game, giving the Flames a 2-0 lead before John McEnroe could ask “Are you serious?!”.
But, in typical NYR fashion, after playing less than 24 hrs before down 4-0 to Edmonton and winning in a 5-4 shootout, Jaro Halek also kept the flames off the score sheet for the next 59 minutes – including a breakaway save on Mangiapane that would have made it 3-0. The #noquit kids clawed back with a beautiful tape to tape goal by Vladamir Tarasenko and a hustle goal by LaFreniere (both assisted by Trocheck who was the Rangers best forward) to at least get a point in a 3-2 OT loss to the Flames.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Ranger are headed home to the Garden with a hard fought 2-0-1 Western Canada swing while continuing to keep pace with the Devils and Canes. Next game? Vs. the Winnipeg Jets
Adam Fox: Was booed by the Flames’ fans for requesting a trade to the Rangers each time he touched the puck. He is 1 of 4 players who has 50+ points and a +25 rating. He is the only D-man on that list. Among the advanced metric crowd he is #2 in all the NHL second to the incomparable Connor McDavid.
As for us old school fans, Fox passes the “eye test” – as in, we watch him in amazement every night in the o-zone, d-zone, pp, and pk. He reads plays and stick checks, cuts off passes on D, then head & shoulder fakes while keeping pucks at the blue line. He’s an absolute stud, a joy to watch and root for. Not many like him, past & present.
Where would the rangers be without him? Well, it’s hard to believe they would be a contender for the Cup without him. Besides being a front runner for his 2nd Norris trophy in three years he should also be a finalist for the Hart trophy as well.
Patrick “Hat-trick” Kane: With the Maple Leafs trading for O’Reilly it seems that the Rangers, even though they traded for Tarasenko, could still be in the running for the 3x Stanley Cup champion. Kane, who listed the Leafs & Rangers as his two destinations, could be a Ranger for a 2023 1st round pick, Vitali Kravtsov and a 4th round draft pick going to a 3rd team to help with the cap hit.
It could solve several items at once: 1: Alongside Goodrow & Tarasenko on the top line with Kreider and Z-Bad. 2: Kane would slide onto the 2nd line with his buddy Panarin centered by Trocheck. 3: As good as the PP has been since Tarasenko arrived putting Patrick Kane on the #1 unit would make it an All-Star 1 with the 2nd line having Tarasenko on the point with the kid line. And Miller would be a potent #2 PP.
It also would put the Kravtsov saga to rest.
It’s been almost 30 years since the 1st cup in 54 years. That’s one Stanley Cup in 85 years. We say let’s go ALL IN.
Dude scored a hattie tonight vs. the Leafs. He’s still got so much left in the tank.
New York’s got the ways and means….Maybe Jerry was on to something?
Special Shout Out: Thanks to Julien Gauthier for his tremendous play on the 4th line. He embodied #NoQuit and his heart and hustle deserve recognition. He’s a special talent with size, speed and hunger. Good luck Goat!
Breaking News: Tyler Motte Traded to NYR for Julien Gauthier and a Conditional 7th Round Pick
Tyler Motte: Running it back
The NYR have re-acquired locker room favorite Tyler Motte for Julien Gautier and a conditional 7th round pick. Motte should now replace Jake Leshysun as the 4th line C. He is exactly who the Rangers lack and need for the gauntlet that is the Eastern Conference Finals and to lift Lord Stanley’s cup.
