Sidney Crosby - the NHL's poster child and alleged fake-diving-penalty-drawing leader - was held without a point for the third straight game, and Evgeni Malkin - the NHL scoring leader - has only two assists in seven games. HA HA AHA HA AH AHA Ha.The New York Rangers spanked the Pittsburgh Penguins blanking them 4-0, in a surprising display of 'playing like a real hockey team.' Everything clicked. We gave the slumping Penguins a real treat in the form of power play points (really?), scoring more than 1-2 goals and shutting down "The Diver" Sid Crosby and the menacing E. Malkin.
Official recap here.
The Garden was wild last night and it was undoubtedly the best performance we've seen from our Blueshirts this season. By the fourth goal, section 118 was harmonizing the 'Goal Song' (we are a creative bunch!) and some Dad showed up parading around in a full diving outfit. The game was foreshadowed by some 80-year old dude in front of me wearing a Colton Orr jersey. Now THAT is 'f*ck-you money'.
The Dark Ranger is thrilled with the win. Don't get me wrong - I love our team. Though, I still feel that Coach Tom Renney and his gum chewing needs to depart from MSG and find new employment; even with last night's stellar performance, we remain an inconsistent team with a horrible track record on the power play and a consistent team that loses two to four goal advantages. Despite our own DARK-stats, the Penguins were 0-for-24 on the power play in their previous six games and failed on all eight chances against the Rangers last night- including five in the first period when they fell behind 1-0. Pittsburgh had a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:59 that generated only one shot. Cringe worthy at best. S-I-D-N-E-Y S-U-C-K-S.....
Regardless, kudos to goaltender extraordinaire "The King" Henrik Lundqvist - who had a brilliant game with 27 saves, and has already achieved 20-wins this season. Nigel Dawes (and it hurts to say this) played an aggressive game and looked like he belonged on the ice. Drury had a goal and played like a pro. Scott Gomez and his speed scored on the 4th empty net, and huge kudos to secondary players Paul Mara and Colton Orr for enforcing nothing except fighting other enforcers -- and doing a damn good job of it. Even Tom Renney's power play coaches deserve a nod (once).
The only invisible player was Nik Zherdev. I don't understand this, but...
Here's to a great game that will, in all probability, not be repeated against Montreal tomorrow night at MSG. Looking forward to another win as our mediocre New York Rangers again take back the first place spot in the Atlantic Division.
Who knew? Who knows...
tdr
(For your enjoyment, various internet shots of SIDNEY THE DIVER....cheers! and LOOK OUT!)
Oh Dark-one, you must love your team on occasion. These are dark days and dark times ahead, maybe we can look forward to some wins again. I watched the game last night, and it felt like Renney & the boys got their act together. I know just when I start believing again they will play like they have the last five games. the irony.
ReplyDeleteYou took the words right out of my mouth, DJ.
ReplyDeleteHeheheh Manic,
ReplyDeleteCrosby doesn't take dives... yeah, and Malkin doesn't slewfoot... Where do they get this stuff?
They both have gotten away with so many, the only answer could be that they practice on each other. Team practice must looked like one of those choreographed backyard wrestling matches between two hicks on youtube.
I hear the refs are already practicing turning their backs while someone from the penguins bench starts swinging folding chairs and garbage cans over the boards...
-J_Undisputed