APRIL 6th, 2023NY RANGERS 6TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 3In a rematch of last years ECF and a possible matchupin this years ECF, the Rangers came out swinging. TheRangers scored 3 times on their first 5 shots againstlast weeks N.H.L star of the week, Andre Vasilevskiy.Vasilevskiy had allowed 1 goal in his previous 100 shots. Tyler Motte was the Broadway Hat, potting 2 goals from his 4th line spot, which had to rotatelinemates due to Patty Kane’s absence. Jimmy Vesey replaced Kane on the top line with Mika and Kreider.Speaking of Chris Kreider, he scored his 34th and 35thgoal to move into sole possession of 5th place on theall time NY Ranger goal scoring list. With 264, he needs 73 to move past the great Adam Graves for 2nd and 143 to move past Mr.Ranger himself, Rod Gilbert.Rod Gilbert’s wife was in the Garden last night topresent Captain Jacob Trouba with the 1st Mr.Ranger,Rod Gilbert award prior to the game. Trouba then wascheaply hit by Corey Perry(who else) and Tanner Jeannot and had to leave the game after his face hit the ice. I call it cheap because if you look at the replay, you can see Perry and Jeannot working in tandem to trip Trouba’s skates up and Trouba was unable to brace his fall. Trouba is listed day to day and willaccompany the team to St.Louis for tonights game.Back to Perry. He is a great player, Stanley Cupwinner and former M.V.P. At this point of his careerhe continues to be a net presence and an agitator of players and goalies, specifically. Vincent Trocheck, noSaint in this City, took exception and dropped thegloves with Perry in the 2nd and landed a nice rightbefore the fight ended. Trocheck spoke after thegame, talking about how important it is to a team toknow they have each other’s backs. This game hadmany moments of that sort. Ryan Lindgren returnedto battle, taking exception to Igor Shesterkin gettingspeared by Tampa Bay”s Cirelli, by tackling Cirelliimmediately. This game was yet another example ofplayoff teams doing battle to get ready for the run tothe cup. The Rangers have played exceptional hockeygoing 11-2-2 over the last 14 and stopping theLightning’s winning streak at 3. Igor was on his game,stopping a breakaway by Brayden Point with theJeannot and had to leave the game after his face hitthe ice. I call it cheap because if yoy look at the replay,you can see Perry and Jeannot working in tandem totrip Trouba’s skates up and Trouba was unable tobrace his fall. Trouba is listed day to day and willaccompany the team to St.Louis for tonights game.Back to Perry. He is a great player, Stanley Cupwinner and former M.V.P. At this point of his careerhe continues to be a net presence and an agitator of players and goalies, specifically. Vincent Trocheck, no Saint in this City, took exception and dropped the gloves with Perry in the 2nd and landed a nice right before the fight ended. Trocheck spoke after the game, talking about how important it is to a team to know they have each other’s backs. This game had many moments of that sort. Ryan Lindgren returnedto battle, taking exception to Igor Shesterkin gettingspeared by Tampa Bay’s Cirelli, by tackling Cirelliimmediately. This game was yet another example ofplayoff teams doing battle to get ready for the run to the cup. The Rangers have played exceptional hockeygoing 11-2-2 over the last 14 and stopping the Lightning’s winning streak at 3. Igor was on his game, stopping a breakaway by Brayden Point with the game hanging in the balance. The power play unit,minus Kane, with Tarasenko ably replacing him, went2-5 with goals from Kreider and a beautiful snipe offthe goal post and in the back of the net by the Breadman. Mika Zibanejad had 3 assists and the KidLine, which could now be called the G.A.G. line 2.0 ( Iknow, I know, you don’t have to get angry),continued their torrid stretch, when Kaapo Kaakoripped a wrister past Vasilevskiy in the 1st. That linehas now accounted for 19 points in the last 6 games.For Kaako, its nice to see him think shoot 1st and let itrip. Chytil has gotten a lot of the headlines lately, butdo not sleep on what Kaako has done. He has nowscored 4 goals in 6 games, 17 for the season. He hasset career highs in goals, assists and points. He isgaining confidence at the best time of the season.LaFreniere, who dazzled with his goal vs Washingtonon Sunday, is playing a 200 foot game at the age of 21 that coaches love. He throws hits, blocks shots and creates transition opportunities. These “Kids” aresomething right now, imagine what they will be in 2-3years?!?! Speaking of throwing his weight around,Braden Schneider, Baby Trouba himself, blasted Nick Paul to the ice and then wrestled down Ross Colton, game hanging in the balance. The power play unit, minus Kane, with Tarasenko ably replacing him, went2-5 with goals from Kreider and a beautiful snipe offthe goal post and in the back of the net by the Breadman. Mika Zibanejad had 3 assists and the KidLine, which could now be called the G.A.G. line 2.0 ( Iknow, I know, you don’t have to get angry),continued their torrid stretch, when Kaapo Kaakoripped a wrister past Vasilevskiy in the 1st. That linehas now accounted for 19 points in the last 6 games.For Kaako, its nice to see him think shoot 1st and let itrip. Chytil has gotten a lot of the headlines lately, butdo not sleep on what Kaako has done. He has nowscored 4 goals in 6 games, 17 for the season. He hasset career highs in goals, assists and points. He isgaining confidence at the best time of the season.LaFreniere, who dazzled with his goal vs Washingtonon Sunday, is playing a 200 foot game at the age of 21 that coaches love. He throws hits, blocks shots and creates transition opportunities. These “Kids” aresomething right now, imagine what they will be in 2-3years?!?! Speaking of throwing his weight around,Braden Schneider, Baby Trouba himself, blasted Nick Paul to the ice and then wrestled down Ross Colton, after he was challenged by Colton for the hit. At 21, he is a force and unafraid. Always playing smart, took hisshot, a lot like Trouba would and can defend himself.The Rangers future is now, but at the same time, thenext generation Ranger leaders looks so bright. Fox,Lindgren, Miller, Schneider, Chytil, Kaako, andLaFreniere are 25 and under. Well done, Chris Drury!!How about Ben Harpur, taking on Pat Maroon early inthe game and Corey Perry at the end of the game.Nice to see him go out there and play and be physical.Be mean, Harpur!!The Rangers holding off the Lightning and playing the right way when they had the lead in the 3rd was a thing of beauty. They were defensively responsible, andcapitalized on Lightning mistakes and when theLightning took their chances. It was a clinic and allowed the Rangers to add on and coast to the 6-3 victory. The last week, outside of the Buffalo game inwhich they got a road point, anyway, the Rangers have played tremendously in their zone and arekeeping the other teams high danger scoring chances down. You can’t simulate the playoffs but thesegames vs the Devils, Washington, and Tampa are greatlearning opportunties.Best wishes to the Maloney brothers, Dave and Don,both great Rangers, who lost their Mother this week.Our prayers are with them.Next up…..tonight vs the Blues, Vladamir Tarasenkoand Nico Mikkola return to St.Louis for the 1st timesince the trade to New York. Tarasenko played 11years for the Blues, winning a Stanley Cup. With Mikkola also being drafted by the Blues and playing there since 2019-2020. I expect a warm welcome from the city. On the other side, I expect Sammy Blais to be a force vs the Rangers. He never got a real shot afterthe devastating knee injury in 2021, thanks to P.K.Slubban. Zero goals as a Rangers. 7 so far this year with the Blues. Prediction: Rangers score 6 again in a convincing win,with Tarasenko scoring twice, getting many chances to play on that Number 1 power play unit.Questionable to play: Jacob Trouba and Patrick Kane.I doubt the Rangers brass will risk further injury toeither. Playoffs are what matters. April 6, 2023ShortyLeave a Comment on APRIL 6th, 2023NY RANGERS 6TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 3In a rematch of last years ECF and a possible matchupin this years ECF, the Rangers came out swinging. TheRangers scored 3 times on their first 5 shots againstlast weeks N.H.L star of the week, Andre Vasilevskiy.Vasilevskiy had allowed 1 goal in his previous 100 shots. Tyler Motte was the Broadway Hat, potting 2 goals from his 4th line spot, which had to rotatelinemates due to Patty Kane’s absence. Jimmy Vesey replaced Kane on the top line with Mika and Kreider.Speaking of Chris Kreider, he scored his 34th and 35thgoal to move into sole possession of 5th place on theall time NY Ranger goal scoring list. With 264, he needs 73 to move past the great Adam Graves for 2nd and 143 to move past Mr.Ranger himself, Rod Gilbert.Rod Gilbert’s wife was in the Garden last night topresent Captain Jacob Trouba with the 1st Mr.Ranger,Rod Gilbert award prior to the game. Trouba then wascheaply hit by Corey Perry(who else) and Tanner Jeannot and had to leave the game after his face hit the ice. I call it cheap because if you look at the replay, you can see Perry and Jeannot working in tandem to trip Trouba’s skates up and Trouba was unable to brace his fall. Trouba is listed day to day and willaccompany the team to St.Louis for tonights game.Back to Perry. He is a great player, Stanley Cupwinner and former M.V.P. At this point of his careerhe continues to be a net presence and an agitator of players and goalies, specifically. Vincent Trocheck, noSaint in this City, took exception and dropped thegloves with Perry in the 2nd and landed a nice rightbefore the fight ended. Trocheck spoke after thegame, talking about how important it is to a team toknow they have each other’s backs. This game hadmany moments of that sort. Ryan Lindgren returnedto battle, taking exception to Igor Shesterkin gettingspeared by Tampa Bay”s Cirelli, by tackling Cirelliimmediately. This game was yet another example ofplayoff teams doing battle to get ready for the run tothe cup. The Rangers have played exceptional hockeygoing 11-2-2 over the last 14 and stopping theLightning’s winning streak at 3. Igor was on his game,stopping a breakaway by Brayden Point with theJeannot and had to leave the game after his face hitthe ice. I call it cheap because if yoy look at the replay,you can see Perry and Jeannot working in tandem totrip Trouba’s skates up and Trouba was unable tobrace his fall. Trouba is listed day to day and willaccompany the team to St.Louis for tonights game.Back to Perry. He is a great player, Stanley Cupwinner and former M.V.P. At this point of his careerhe continues to be a net presence and an agitator of players and goalies, specifically. Vincent Trocheck, no Saint in this City, took exception and dropped the gloves with Perry in the 2nd and landed a nice right before the fight ended. Trocheck spoke after the game, talking about how important it is to a team to know they have each other’s backs. This game had many moments of that sort. Ryan Lindgren returnedto battle, taking exception to Igor Shesterkin gettingspeared by Tampa Bay’s Cirelli, by tackling Cirelliimmediately. This game was yet another example ofplayoff teams doing battle to get ready for the run to the cup. The Rangers have played exceptional hockeygoing 11-2-2 over the last 14 and stopping the Lightning’s winning streak at 3. Igor was on his game, stopping a breakaway by Brayden Point with the game hanging in the balance. The power play unit,minus Kane, with Tarasenko ably replacing him, went2-5 with goals from Kreider and a beautiful snipe offthe goal post and in the back of the net by the Breadman. Mika Zibanejad had 3 assists and the KidLine, which could now be called the G.A.G. line 2.0 ( Iknow, I know, you don’t have to get angry),continued their torrid stretch, when Kaapo Kaakoripped a wrister past Vasilevskiy in the 1st. That linehas now accounted for 19 points in the last 6 games.For Kaako, its nice to see him think shoot 1st and let itrip. Chytil has gotten a lot of the headlines lately, butdo not sleep on what Kaako has done. He has nowscored 4 goals in 6 games, 17 for the season. He hasset career highs in goals, assists and points. He isgaining confidence at the best time of the season.LaFreniere, who dazzled with his goal vs Washingtonon Sunday, is playing a 200 foot game at the age of 21 that coaches love. He throws hits, blocks shots and creates transition opportunities. These “Kids” aresomething right now, imagine what they will be in 2-3years?!?! Speaking of throwing his weight around,Braden Schneider, Baby Trouba himself, blasted Nick Paul to the ice and then wrestled down Ross Colton, game hanging in the balance. The power play unit, minus Kane, with Tarasenko ably replacing him, went2-5 with goals from Kreider and a beautiful snipe offthe goal post and in the back of the net by the Breadman. Mika Zibanejad had 3 assists and the KidLine, which could now be called the G.A.G. line 2.0 ( Iknow, I know, you don’t have to get angry),continued their torrid stretch, when Kaapo Kaakoripped a wrister past Vasilevskiy in the 1st. That linehas now accounted for 19 points in the last 6 games.For Kaako, its nice to see him think shoot 1st and let itrip. Chytil has gotten a lot of the headlines lately, butdo not sleep on what Kaako has done. He has nowscored 4 goals in 6 games, 17 for the season. He hasset career highs in goals, assists and points. He isgaining confidence at the best time of the season.LaFreniere, who dazzled with his goal vs Washingtonon Sunday, is playing a 200 foot game at the age of 21 that coaches love. He throws hits, blocks shots and creates transition opportunities. These “Kids” aresomething right now, imagine what they will be in 2-3years?!?! Speaking of throwing his weight around,Braden Schneider, Baby Trouba himself, blasted Nick Paul to the ice and then wrestled down Ross Colton, after he was challenged by Colton for the hit. At 21, he is a force and unafraid. Always playing smart, took hisshot, a lot like Trouba would and can defend himself.The Rangers future is now, but at the same time, thenext generation Ranger leaders looks so bright. Fox,Lindgren, Miller, Schneider, Chytil, Kaako, andLaFreniere are 25 and under. Well done, Chris Drury!!How about Ben Harpur, taking on Pat Maroon early inthe game and Corey Perry at the end of the game.Nice to see him go out there and play and be physical.Be mean, Harpur!!The Rangers holding off the Lightning and playing the right way when they had the lead in the 3rd was a thing of beauty. They were defensively responsible, andcapitalized on Lightning mistakes and when theLightning took their chances. It was a clinic and allowed the Rangers to add on and coast to the 6-3 victory. The last week, outside of the Buffalo game inwhich they got a road point, anyway, the Rangers have played tremendously in their zone and arekeeping the other teams high danger scoring chances down. You can’t simulate the playoffs but thesegames vs the Devils, Washington, and Tampa are greatlearning opportunties.Best wishes to the Maloney brothers, Dave and Don,both great Rangers, who lost their Mother this week.Our prayers are with them.Next up…..tonight vs the Blues, Vladamir Tarasenkoand Nico Mikkola return to St.Louis for the 1st timesince the trade to New York. Tarasenko played 11years for the Blues, winning a Stanley Cup. With Mikkola also being drafted by the Blues and playing there since 2019-2020. I expect a warm welcome from the city. On the other side, I expect Sammy Blais to be a force vs the Rangers. He never got a real shot afterthe devastating knee injury in 2021, thanks to P.K.Slubban. Zero goals as a Rangers. 7 so far this year with the Blues. Prediction: Rangers score 6 again in a convincing win,with Tarasenko scoring twice, getting many chances to play on that Number 1 power play unit.Questionable to play: Jacob Trouba and Patrick Kane.I doubt the Rangers brass will risk further injury toeither. Playoffs are what matters. Continue Reading