The Amazing Captain Disappearing Act, Rangers 1, Islanders 2

Captain Jaromir Jagr didn't show up to work last night, though he played most of the game. Our Czech wonder was slow moving, turned over possession a couple of times for no reason and is solely responsible for the strained, tired and beaten-up looking Ranger squad that played The Garden last night.

"SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK!!!!" In section 118, my neighborly Blueshirt fans were screaming "Let's Go Islanders" hoping that the reverse pyschology would boost the Ranger's scoring opportunities to no avail.

The New York Rangers lost 2-1 to the New York Islanders...AGAIN. We haven't beat this team this season, now 0-3. The Dark Ranger attended the frustrating game at The Garden last night and marveled at how we again morphed into that defensive-only minded team we lived through the first 10 games. Didn't the Rangers begin scoring goals drawing 9 out of 10 wins when coach Tom Renney mandated that every player WILL shoot to the net...often? With Shanny planted in front of the net, weren't we supposed to shoot and knock in the rebounds? Our European perimeter game burden reappeared again last night -- thanks Jags - and we waited for the perfect goals that never came.

There wasn't a breakaway star on the "Long-ga-Eye-lind" - even Ricky D.P. played well but not great, and the Rangers lost because of flaws in our defensive lines and the Islanders were there every time to capitalize on every turnover. Our 'special power play unit' is just plain bad. Of all the opportunities last night, we couldn't have shot more than twice. Maybe the Blueshirts were affected by the Broadway theater strike! ;)

One thing is for sure this season, you never know what team is going to show up on any given night - we are not a middle-ground team, the one where you walk away from the loss feeling like they played a great game and were simply outplayed. The Blueshirts either control and shoot the puck or they play mediocre, shaky defense without goal scoring.

The Dark Ranger will feel better when we can expect some level of consistency. No one can expect a win every game, but that consistency should come in the form of leadership -and only Jags can speak to that.

tdr

"Just Call Me Danny" Boy Briere Unable To Make a Difference In Shootout Loss to Rangers, 3-4

Last night The New York Rangers overtook the Philadelphia Flyers again, this time in a shutout shootout credited to our Blueshirt goalkeeping Savior King Lundqvist and NYR second shooter, Brendan Shanahan with the only goal of the shootout. Prior to, Chris Drury suggested to Henrik that his former Buffalo Sabre co-captain Danny "Boy" Briere would shoot low on his approach to the goal; this turned out to be a saving grace as "The King" threw his stick forward to prevent "The Boy" from scoring. It worked and it seemed to disorient the new 'High Flyer." Oh Danny Boy, the pipes the pipes are calling you....

Another win folks and things are looking up for our New York Blueshirts, the Rangers having won four straight games and eight of their last nine. Now tied for first place with Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division, our veterans players are serving the newbies and the true needed chemistry this season has been found in a mix of both. With Brandon Dubinsky on the first line, Jaromir Jagr is coming alive again. Our 'kill him' Sean Avery has enlightened and motivated our Rangers again - a 'need-to-re-sign' valuable asset to New York. The Dark Ranger is declaring Brendan Shanahan "not quite dead yet" for all the naysayers (thanks HH), extending his team goal-scoring lead with his sixth goal of the season last night. Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha, with Chris Drury centering on the third line has been one of the most effective & unexpected line configurations to boot!

Why didn't we play Ottawa later in the season? This may be a hindsight question asked my many Rangers fans as the team has found a new confidence, the lines appear to be working and outsiders are now looking in as we hope to stay on top of the division. The Atlantic Division remains one of the more evenly divided in all the NHL - brutal rivalries, brutal fans and a scrappy physical play.

Though, there is one thing that the New York Rangers have that no other team has:

The Dark Ranger!

The Captain Is Back, Rangers Blank Flyers 2-0

Despite a slightly pulled groin from Saturday night's win against the New Jersey Devils, Captain Jaromir Jagr pulled out the first goal of the evening against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period. Not only did he score first, he delivered a solid performance as he was continually double covered by pesty Orangecoats, escorted by the team doctor into the locker room after recurring injuries, and surprisingly re-emerged third period back into the lineup to dominate the evening and lead The New York Rangers into their fourth straight win against the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-0.

The Blueshirts are now 7-6-1, second place in the Atlantic Division - one point away from taking the first position in the division. As the diehard meathead in Section 317 said after the game, "They may actually be getting their shit together!!!" A prolific sentiment shared by Rangers fans across the land.

Our "defensive strong", "proficient but low-scoring offense" controlled most of the game from start to finish. The Flyers were massively outshot in the first and second periods, but put the heat back on the Rangers in the third, until Brendan Shanahan locked in the second insurance goal with just over three minutes left in the game. The last goal solidified the win. Martin Biron, goalkeeper of the Flyers, deserves a special honorable mention for preventing a 6-0 loss.

...and again, the true hero of the night. The King. Henrik Lundquist. Simply the best goalkeeper in the NHL.

Tonight will be another test - as a 'win' against the New York Islanders will ensure a first place ranking in the Atlantic Division -- a pleasant distant place from the opening of the season.

Maybe Jagr knew something when he said "be patient, it will happen."

Going for five straight.

tdr

Winning Three In a Row, Rangers 2 Devils 1, SO

Three stands for that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, and entire. There are three great divisions completing time--past, present, and future. Not exactly the Rangers of this season. Luck is also said to 'come in threes', which is precisely what our defense relied on as The New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils tonight in a shootout at MSG, 2-1.

With a little bit of luck our defense held the Devils scoreless in three power play opportunities to extend their current streak to 19 consecutive successful penalty kills. Not bad on paper; so why does it look so shaky?

Our confidence tonight may have come in the form of a particular Swedish goaltender named Henrik Lundquist, the Rangers superhero. Our 'King' stopped all three shots in the shootout, turned aside 28 of 29 shots in regulation/overtime to record his third consecutive win and sixth of the season.

Scott Gomez scored the lone Rangers goal in regulation during the first period, his first against his former Devils teammates. During the shootout, The Dark Ranger's favorite Petr Prucha froze New Jersey goaltender Marty Brodeur, with a chip-high shot and score - a chin low moment for 'New Joisey Devils of Newark' fans. Marty, Marty, Marty!!!! Hah.

The New York Rangers are now 6-6-1, looking to take on the Atlantic Divisions leaders, the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night. This will be the first official meeting for former Buffalo co-captains, Ranger's Chris Drury and Philly's Daniel Brierre. I wish I could say that droopy Drury is playing at the same level as Dancin' Danny Briere, but there have been improvements with the Rangers front lines - they are connecting, still conservative, but playing toward the net more than games past.

Tune in folks, as the first division meeting of this NY Rangers-Philadelphia Flyers rivalry is always a bloody one. With Philly currently in first place, superior level of play this season and the New York Rangers on a run, three for three, the Blueshirts will be looking to take their game to a new level on Monday night. Look for Jagr to actually drop his gloves! LOL.

Game on.

tdr

Rangers 3, Tampa Bay, 1

Well, we needed this one.

The New York Rangers were fortunate enough to be taking a win away from the Tampa Bay Lightning, bringing them two steps closer to a .500 team (4-6-1). Our Captain Jagr deserved more than what us fans saw during the game as one of his skates broke in the first period, he had to replace a broken glove in the second period, soon followed by his losing three teeth either from a puck or someone's stick. A bloody mess. Brendan Shanahan was kind enough to retrieve the teeth on ice. Though not able to score more than two goals (thanks "A") and connect in the Rangers system this season thus far, Scott Gomez may have been the guilty party responsible for the captain's missing teeth, hence knocking some sense into our 'Dear Captain'. At least he's contributed to something.

Rookie Nigel Dawes scored the first goal last night, delivering three goals in three games this season (NOTE: Renney, keep him on the roster!), followed by Brendan Shanahan's second goal of the season and ending with a toothless Jagr power-play slapshot.

I am always satisfied walking away with a 'win' - this I know for sure. Though, this game could have easily went the other direction. The first and second periods were 'scrap pucking', both teams unable to control the game, offensive lines breaking down, speedy Scott Gomez always 'skating alone with puck' fifteen yards ahead of any Ranger, and stellar goaltending by both our King Lundqvist and Tampa's Johan Holmqvist. As usual, there were numerous scoring opportunities by our front lines, including a couple of nail-biting shots hitting the posts without connecting. It wasn't until the third period when it felt that the Rangers were controlling the game.

Maybe the team needs some wins and less Dark Ranger criticism!!? Hell no! See you Thursday as the New York Rangers take on the Washington Caps, at MSG, 7PM EST.

tdr

(off to the dentist)

"It's Going To Come, You Gotta Believe" - Jagr (UPDATED)

As Jamomir Jagr was quoted last night after another loss to the New York Rangers, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers are now 2-5-1.

Let us look at the facts.

The Rangers have gone 181 minutes, 9 seconds without scoring an even-strength goal.

The Rangers haven't scored so few goals in their first eight games since they had nine in 1950.

NYR goalkeeper, "The King" Henrik Lundquist was incredible, the little-Rangers (Callahan, Girardi, Prucha) played hard and the veterans played an ineffective perimeter game as to avoid any contact near the opposing net.

This game is not working. Many of us are not prepared to blame any individual player, but it is leaning toward our great Captain Jagr, whose European style finesse game is not working for the once-gritty game play of current Rangers Brendan Shanahan, Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. The system designed around Jagr needs to change. If it doesn't, the coaching needs to change.

Hey Jags, we still believe! Please just don"t wait until December to realize it!

tdr

UPDATE: Blueshirt Bulletin has a post that outlines outrageous stats for our Blueshirts to date. Great reading. Sad realities. Go here.

Embrace The Masters, Dear Captain!

Ranger's Captain Jagr has his lowest total in the first seven games of any of his 17 seasons, going into tomorrow nights first meeting this season against his former teammates, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the Blueshirts now 2-4-1, having lost in overtime on Saturday to the Boston Bruins, it is time for our Captain to embrace his past and channel 'The Greats' - begin playing hockey like an All-Star should and begin meeting our expectations.

The Penguins open a three-game homestand looking to build on their first back-to-back wins of the season after defeating the Capitals 2-1 on Saturday. Ryan Whitney's fourth career game-winning goal provided the final margin with 2:01 left in the second period.

Tuesday's game will mark the first career meeting between brothers Jordan Staal, the Penguins' 19-year-old center, and Marc Staal, the Rangers' 20-year-old rookie defenseman. Jordan Staal scored his first goal of season Saturday.

Our supposed $80 million dollar free-agent powerhouses, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez have given us no more than 3 goals and 6 assists in seven games, so we hope to see a little more production on the first two lines tomorrow night as well.

Here goes another one. The Dark Ranger awaits.

tdr

Gomez Scores First Goal, Rangers Control Caps 3-1 (UPDATED)

"It was just a matter of time, and we just stuck with the game plan. Jags sets you all up, you get a little lucky and just play good old hockey," stated Scott Gomez immediately after tonight's game, having just scored his first goal as a New York Ranger tonight against the Washington Capitols, demonstrating to the home crowd just what NJ Devils have been cheering about for years. Not to mention the pressure that was just lifted off his shoulders as Gomez was undoubtedly one of the most expensive free agents in the NHL this off-season (who hasn't scored yet - giving NJ Devils delight).

This was a solid game tonight: up-tempo, going to the net, shots on goal, effective power playing and this all had a controlling effect on the Caps, as the Rangers owned most of the game. It felt like the first truly balanced hockey performance of the season - a small foreshadowing of what could become of our Blueshirts in the season ahead. I almost felt bad for former Ranger Michael Nylander as he appeared defeated, disappointed and ineffective playing the first line with Ovechkin. His close friend Jagr was not at all feeling bad as he had three assists, one leading to a goal won by Martin Straka, the other setting up a goal by Michal Rozsival.

In discussing this week's rematch against the Ottawa Senators at MSG Scott Gomez added, "Tomorrow is the one that we really want. We made some mistakes in our loss last week and we're ready to take them. We can definitely take this team."

Famous last words by Mr. Gomez. Until tomorrow. The Rangers replay the Senators tomorrow night, Sat., 7PM EST.

tdr

UPDATE: Still thinking about the game tonight and special kudos and a Blueshirt Salute to Marcel Hossa, Dan Girardi and Staal who all played spectacular hockey -- they supported the team better than most, so this idea of bringing in tired, Islander veterans and new prospects from other teams right now could be a grave error. We have the young talent already playing the AHL ready to play the big leagues, some of those were recently sent back up to Hartford - so Sather and Renney should WAKE THE F&*k UP!