Happy Holidays and Happy Hockey

...or (insert) the head of Ilya Kovalchuk

Nothing better than a good Turkey Shoot, eh?  

As the holiday season begins, here at The Dark Ranger we wanted to wish everyone safe travels and a fun-filled weekend of hockey! We appreciate your readership and hope that you continue to visit for some good fan insight and, better yet, a good laugh.
 
Happy holidays to all and see you tonight in Tampa Bay.


The Dark Ranger        Graying Mantis       J_Undisputed

Bruins and Devils Fall This Weekend

Sat NYR 3, Bruins 2

Sun NYR 3, Devils 1

Woh.
Are you as stunned as I am?  This weekend the New York Rangers treated us to some of the hardest working and hardest hitting hockey we've seen all season; all this without Marian Gaborik, Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury, all out on injured reserve. 

We may now be witness to the realization of the Utopian John Tortorella system and the kids are listening while the overpaid watch on the sidelines.  With these kind of results, what is a coach to do when your injured are feeling better?  Play Gaborik, sit Prospal & Drury?  I'm just sayin....

Ryan Callahan has been kicking ass the last 3 games

Tonight's win against the NJ Devils at home makes for three wins in a row (4-2-1) erasing earlier worries that we couldn't be a playoff contender.  I know, I know, it's too early to even go there, but our weekend warriors pounded our opponents - the Bruins Saturday night (Official recap here) and tonight against the NJ Devils (Official recap here).  On both occasions, the Rangers outworked our opponents, played aggressive forechecking two-way hockey for 60-minutes each game (Yeah, really!).   It makes everyone believe for a moment or two or three (wins) -- they are united and they know what they need to do.   Even Micky Rozsival played solid hockey (with the exception of that Kovalchuk goal in the 3rd period tonight).

I couldn't be more thrilled and we'll get to more on the games after this Kovie update:

Kovalchuck, in the first season of a 15-year, $100 million deal, returned tonight to New Jersey's lineup against the Rangers a night after he was benched by coach John MacLean for undisclosed reasons.  The NJ Devils proceeded to lose to Buffalo 6-1.

Okay, so let's back up and read that again.

Trouble in paradise NJ Devil's GM Louie Laminated?  Karma catching up to you 'ya salary cap dodger?'  Did the bionic $100 million dollar man have words with Devil's coach McLean before the game?   Perhaps Kovie is blaming everyone else around him for the Devils slumping season -- or perhaps the rest of the team is pissed that he was paid circles around what they're making?    I simply love this.  This is picturesque.    This will continue to be a problem for the Devils.  So much Devils talk for a Rangers blog, but this small digression absolutely has everything to do with the Rangers...

...because we won tonight.  Even more than that, we controlled them tonight.

Kovalchuk back in the lineup had ZERO effect on the game, with the exception of his one goal.  NY's Ryan Callahan played Kovie man-to-man much of the game, and very effectively at that, and the Blueshirts shut them down.  Not until the last four minutes did we see a threatening force attacking the Rangers goal and waking up a hibernating Henrik Lundqvist.  The only redeeming force on the Devils side tonight was Mahhh'ty Brodeur in goal.  That's it.  He prevented numerous Rangers scoring opportunities, but our boys never let up and never stopped believing.  Pound the net, push forward and shoot...and shoot....and shoot.....  "Gooooaaaal......."

Those last 30 seconds of defensive hockey were awesome.  Thrilling, adrenaline inducing and proud moments for a fan.

The King Henrik is back with Prince Biron at his side. 

Last night against Boston and tonight against the Devils are the perfect examples that we have finally left the days of the Jaromir Jagr perimeter-hockey system - or simply, the 'play the outside and look for the perfect shot' system.  Even Rozsival & Dubinsky seem to be moving toward the net with more frequency.  We have now entered 'dirty goal heaven' where you shoot no-matter-what and dig and grind your way in.    It also appears that Tortorella's message of 'stick up for your own' is having an effect on the boys, as there haven't been many hesitations on our end to stick up for a player that might have been wronged.  Yes - there were a couple of clean hits that we retaliated against (i.e. Sean Avery/Boston) but it sent the right message to not f*ck with us and keep the game fast and clean.  But most importantly, we are seeing the results of "LET YOUTH BE SERVED" a bold statement made by coach John Tortorella in the off-season.  We are seeing just that and these kids want it and are earning it.   Amen.

We all acknowledge it's early in the season - the Rangers sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference (NJ is 15th) but it is this crucial time that a team develops the chemistry necessary to pound through another 75 or more season games together.

Things are looking up for this young Rangers team and, for the moment, we are proud fans and proud devotees of this very special Original Six franchise.

Let's Go Rangers and see you Wednesday against The Thrashers.

tdr

Always A Favorite Picture of Mine....he he eh eh  MAAHHHHH-TY

If Kovalchuk Was Offered Less Money Than He Wanted....

Here's a random funny clip that made me think of Ilya Kovalchuk being told by his manager that The Devils were offering him less money than he was asking....and his subsequent reaction.

With everyone closing the door on this schmuck, the Los Angeles Kings taking themselves out of the running and now the rumored NJ Devils closing the door -- he is most likely preparing to take a trip to the KHL.

So enjoy my visualization of Kovy getting upset, or maybe it represents a Knicks season ticket holder's reaction to watching LeBron's special at 9:10pm tonight on ESPN....or maybe your crazy Uncle George on the Fourth of July after one too many.....

With no news on the Blueshirt front - enjoy.



tdr

Farty Marty Wins First At The Garden

NYR 2, NJ Devils 4

It's safe to say I personally had a sh*tty day.  Watching the game tonight made it even sh*ttier.  Go here for the official recap.

NJ Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur won for the first time in 10 regulation matches at The Garden while playing goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist, as the New York Rangers (now 7-3-0) lost their second in a row at home.  Why you might ask?  Because Marty earned it.  Tough to say, but Fatty (or Farty) was the dominant goalie tonight.   As for Lundqvist, he made 21 saves and the Devil's game winning goal was Henrik's to stop -- a 'throw it toward the Blueshirts goal, block and piddle in between Henry's pads shot' by NJ's Dainius Zubrus ended Henrik's reign over Oily Brodeur at The Garden.  Mind you, our puck moving defenseman found themselves ineffectively losing the puck in the offensive zone while Devil snipers left them behind to carry multiple '3 on 2's' & '2 on 1's' against The King all night.

The end was a mess.

The opening of the game looked promising, as the Blueshirts aggressively opened the first period with a physical forechecking type of game, obviously looking to rebound from Monday night's embarrassing, horrific and exposing loss to the San Jose Sharks.  As pointed out this week in this blog, Monday's loss was a blueprint for how to play our New York Rangers, and The Devils certainly read those plans and jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Parise and Bergfors.

Rangers pest Sean Avery dropped the gloves for the first time this season in a fight with Mottau. After Avery pasted Mottau to the boards with a clean hit, the pair went at it for nearly two minutes before Avery capped the brawl with a takedown.   This was a chance to meet the challenge and motivate the Rangers into a new way, a new day....it worked.

The 2nd period was owned by the Blueshirts, as Gaborik scored his seventh of the season at 1:47, just seven seconds into a power play,  to cut the lead to 2-1.  Vinny Prospal won the faceoff back to the point, where Kotalik drew the defense and slid the puck to Gaborik. His sniper's shot bounced off traffic in front and past Brodeur.  With 5:35 to go in the second period, the Rangers turned defense into offense.  This was the turning point.  The great coaching Torts equalizer philosophy was in the house!

The third period disproved the need to push everyone forward at all times, as our boys were caught with their pants down -- giving too many opportunities for the NJ breakaways....the third period Zubrus goal followed by Parise adding an empty-netter in the final minutes ended the rivalry for one-night this season.

Despite a high-goal scoring and puck possession level of play, the Rangers have exposed serious deficiencies in their blueline.  Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival have stepped up their game considerably in the last four games -- the newbies get a pass as they've put the Blueshirts in a winning ranking to start -- and all D-men have shown that they adapt to Torts system well (more Redden, less Rozzy), but we are still missing the stay-at-home-defenseman, the stud, who controls the neutral zone.  When the D-men fail to capitalize on scoring goals, the forwards (Prospal, Kotalik, Higgins, Anisimov) panic to get back to defend the blueline.  The men in back can play up front, but the goal scorers are not conditioned to play back and have been relying on the defense to cover all grounds.  This will soon be a bigger problem for our Blueshirts as every subsequent team will learn from the tapes. 

This Saturday we meet a taste of the old Rangers, a meeting with Scott Gomez and Paul Mara of the Montreal Canadiens -- who this evening won their first game at home against the Long-ga-Islanders.  There are rival battles throughout the season (like tonight) and there are games that we are expected to win.  In looking at both of the teams, where they stand and what they've earned, the Rangers are expected to beat the Habs.  

Leave it to Torts, Henrik and Marion Gaborik.  If they won't figure it out, no one will.  Shuck is off, Rangers brethren -- this one hurts but it's only one game against those Jersey 'what exit?' Schmucks!

Hey Marty, now go enjoy a victory steak and lots of creamed spinach with mushrooms.  You deserve it plumpy!

tdr

Adrian!!!! Henrik???? Oh Crap, A Bear....

How will the Blueshirts respond when they've been beat into chum?

With the New York Rangers recently getting baited, flipped and filleted by the San Jose Sharks 7 to 3 -- the real question is how the Blueshirts will respond to our rival Devils of Newark tomorrow night, 7pm EST.

The prophet coach John Tortorella said this before Monday's Jim Jones exhibit, obviously seeing vulnerabilities in the team:

"We're teetering on going the wrong way here."

How right he was.  It would have been interesting to know how he addressed the team privately -- and not through the NYR fan channels -- and the first period will tell everything as we all look forward to one of the greatest Rangers Rivals --- Marty the Fatty VS. Sean the Pest.  

I say Avery takes another goalie interference five minute penalty, as a response to how much he adores Mr. Famous Unctuous Goalie - with permission from Torts.  Coach Torts has taken the high-road by asking the league to look at how many teams have taken-out our King Goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist through spontaneous slides, & runs at the net.

As the league prizes their prize goalkeepers and record holders, the Rangers are bound to test the physical and mental limits of M-A-A-R-R-T-T-T-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y straight out of the gate.  Expect a brawl with Mah-tee in the first period and a newly confident team working hard for every goal.

See you then and Let's Go Rangers, friends!

tdr

Boys In Blue Beat Brodeur, NYR 3, NJ Devils 2

 It keeps looking better.

In the opening minutes of the game last night, the Devils scored on the Rangers forcing NYR Coach John Tortorella to use his only timeout.  "Sh*t or get off the team!" or something related was the message forcefully delivered by Torts as he proceeded to wake-up their lazy asses and send the right message back on the ice.

It worked.  We are 2-1.  Official recap here.

Both rookies Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy changed the tone of the New York Rangers last night against the NJ Devils, both scoring one goal each and revitalizing the anemic power play.  So our top D-men are 19, 22 and 25 year olds.  Already there are improvements in the power play -- evidenced by a tighter passing, more confident looking unit, they were bound to begin scoring goals in this third game of the season.  It is entirely too early to compare these young D-men to other great Rangers defencemen -- in fact, it is taboo at this point, but with Michael Del Zotto bound to stay in the NHL having scored two goals in his first three NHL games, along with Matt Gilroy and his one goal, it does bring two potential candidates for the Calder Trophy into the thinking.  (on a side, the last time two rookie Rangers defensemen scored a goal each in the same game was 1990 by Miroslav Horava & Jeff Bloemberg)

Other obvious observations:  'The King" Lundqvist remains the best asset for the Rangers.  He was the true 'Rock' at the Prudential Center showing his nemesis Marty Brodeur a thing or two about rival goalkeeping.

Ales Kotalik scored the second goal in the first period on the power play, his first as a Ranger and the first reminder that he is actually wearing a Ranger's jersey.  Nice work Kotty.

But I am way ahead of myself...

Together with the potential talents of these young Ranger newbies, plus Marc Staal and a (hopefully improving) Dan Girardi, we are getting what the coach has been preaching - forward puck moving blueliners that are not afraid to shoot the puck.  That should motivate the play of invisible Dan Girardi, not-as-bad-as-usual Wade Redden and horrifyingly bad Michal Rozsival.   If not, things will change.  Torts is running this team, not Chris Drury and it shows; he won't have it any other way.  Even the Captain has been taken off power play duty, and the Coach rules.

Some don't like him.  I do.  He is good for the team.

Plus the Devils (albeit only 2 games in the season) are in last place in the Eastern Conference.  How cool is that? (someone chant M-A-R-T-Y very loudly right now).   Ironically, the Detroit Red Wings are in last place on the Western Conference side.   How that will change, but enjoy it while it lasts.

So without giving in to all their potential and yet believing in this new Rangers team, I have to admit --  I am starting to believe.  It is convincing enough that the youth of this new Blueshirt squad can and will motivate the veterans to 'step up' and improve the inconsistent crap we've all become so accustomed to supporting.  Today I am "Torts happy" and giving him credit for last night's win; motivating by fear, integrity and strong words.

Now a healthy Sean Avery is another story....

tdr

Staal Scores Winning Goal and The Hockey Rabbi Speaks, NYR 5, NJ 3

Call it 'Rookie Ranger Redemption' or just simply call it 'Making Marty Brodeur Eat Dirt.' Whatever suits your fancy, newcomer Marc Staal scored the third and goal-winning goal, a beautiful slapshot that slipped underneath NJ Devil goaltender Marty Brodeur's pads -- even this one MAAARRRTTTTYYyyyyy admitted to the press was a good shot and "sometimes they get past us", referring to the plural use of 'us' - meaning the entire team let a great shot through, not Brodeur himself. Typical.

Official recap here. The game last night was solid 'old-time' hockey -- good hits, going to the net for dirty goals and high scoring, despite what most people expect from these defensive-mind franchises. Unlike the first and second games of this series, Coach Tom Renney let the Blueshirts take to the net -- special mention goes to our rookies out there: Staal with his first playoff goal against the 'Greatest Goaltender Ever...and ever...and ever....', Dan Girardi contributed remarkable blueline coverage, and Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky were everywhere the puck was -- relentless, physical and a threat to those 'Sutter Demons of Louie.' NJ Devil General Manager 'Lucky Louie Face' may be ready to fire Sutter before the fifth game, sending a negative message to all AHL coaches throughout the land. Place your bets.

The New York Rangers now lead the first-round of the post-season 3-1, the fifth game tomorrow night; we all hope our Blueshirts will close the series Friday at the beautiful 'Prudential' home of the Newark Devils (when walking from the train to the arena, speak softly and carry a big hockey stick).

If we close out the series, we can expect to meet the 'red-hot' Pittsburgh Penguins, starring the second-biggest-whiner-to-Brodeur, The Kid Known as Sid (Crosby). No one could have expected the in-season powerhouse of the Ottawa Senators would have been sweeped by the Penguins in the first-round, when most expected Ottawa to take the Eastern Conference and be a true contender in the final round. Truth hurts. Weak goaltending (Gerber) will end any playoff run.

Some comments on the officiating:

The Hockey Rabbi says:
The atrocious officiating, on the other hand, absolutely erodes the integrity of the game. The Devils' 3rd goal in game 4 should have never occurred. The play should have been blown dead when Parise clearly and intentionally interfered with Lundqvist by knocking Lundqvist's stick out of his hands. Instead, the Devils are allowed to tie a pivotal game relatively late in regulation. This non-call could have easily changed the out come of the game AND the series. That's just unacceptable.

I couldn't agree more, Rabbi. I do think Joisey's had a 'bug up their turnpike' since the first playoff game in Newark, when in the last minute of play they were unfairly called for hooking. That may have changed the course of the series in their favor, but that is the Devil's Advocate point of view- and who cares about anything related to the Devils anyway?

Tune in tomorrow night on MSG (7pm EST) when the New York Rangers hopefully close-out the first round and force all of us to absorb the double-cost of the second-round playoff tickets. Worth every penny.

tdr

Brodeur Not Amused By Avery's Chicken Dance

Turns out after the Rangers loss on Sunday was only half of the news. The Canadian media has had a field day with Sean Avery's face-to-face shield dance with NJ goaltender Marty Brodeur, and Devils coach Sutter didn't like it one bit.

So much that he personally called NHL Commissioner Bettman to complain about it. And guess what? The League actually created a new rule (from now on) to prohibit such behavior. You can imagine how relieved goaltenders across the world must now feel?

The Avery Rule Principle.

As long as Sean Avery continues to score goals throughout the playoffs (3 goals in 3 games), I don't give a damn at how he embarrasses himself. He is a good hockey player and an exceptional theatrical magician. If players were to avoid him, he wouldn't be effective.

Let them play hockey, Bettman, even if it's at the street level. You are more radical than Avery by bowing to the Canadian press and changing the Leagues laws, and your Utopian self-righteous 'vanilla and honey' hockey league will not hold the fans in the long run. What's next? Ban fighting?

Let 'em play Bettman...let 'em play!!!

TDR

The Marty & Sean Show, Part II

It's playoffs time, folks and coming off a ridiculous SO loss to the New Jersey Devils yesterday, our New York Rangers do not have home-ice-advantage going into the first round this week and we end the regular season in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Official recap here.

Beyond that, the game was a wash - a preemptive look at what this first-round NY Rangers/NJ Devils will look like: defensive hockey, stellar goaltending, and Sean Avery grating on Marty Brodeur! Though Avery was 'below the radar' during most of the game, this week should see the return of the most famous instigator/goaltender rivalry we've ever seen between these two organizations. We should also look toward some pretty hard hitting from the start. The first period of yesterday's game the Devils dominated with physical force, which the Blueshirts immediately adjusted to come the second period.

With the Blueshirts winning 7 of the 8 meetings this season against the NJ Devils, and with Marty Brodeur looking mortal lately, it should be a fantastic series in the world of professional hockey. With the first games in Newark this upcoming Wednesday, April 9 (first game) and Friday, April 11 (second game), MSG will look forward to it's first home games on Sunday, April 13 (third game) and April 16 (fourth game). Hopefully, the Rangers will not need more than the first four games to close out the series (IT'S OKAY TO BE WILDLY OPTIMISTIC......WE MADE THE PLAYOFFS FOR GOD'S SAKE). Let's go Rangers!

As The Dark Ranger is wildly bias these days, especially at the opening throngs of the first round - I share with you a terrific hockey blogger Faux Rumors' comments that put into perspective how Rangers fans are feeling these days:

Faux says, "If we were Ranger fans we'd be happy with our matchup. Sure we'd be wary of any team led by Brodeur, but he's human. Just do what worked 7 times this year. Also, last year Marty started to look a bit weary from all the work. Perhaps it'll happen again? This Ranger team is NOT the same as last season. Drury is on your side this time, AND there are some very hungry young guys. Should be a great series!"

It is exciting stuff and I am confident that Coach Tom Renney will remember to bench Marek Malik (after slamming our own goaltender Henrik Lundqvist yesterday) and, mostly, allow our forwards to break from the defensive posture and score some goals (exactly what they did after our system broke down after the first horrible period yesterday). The young guys will give it their all - we can count on that - the veterans have decided something is worth fighting for (i.e. Chris Drury body checking to make a point & Jagr scoring goals lately) and our goaltender has recently found his old self in net - the key to our Stanley Cup run. There.....I said it. The SC words.

Possible? Simply, yes.

tdr

Eight Is Enough (for now)

After a much needed Marty Brodeur benching after giving up three goals against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night, and after losing to the Rangers seven times this season alone, we can expect in our final and eighth meeting this afternoon (3pm EST) a New Jersey goaltender with something to prove. When the heat is up is when Marty comes alive!

This is why our kick-ass New York Rangers need to deflate him fast, taking it to their home net quickly, outnumberring them with shots on goal and take our Blueshirts message to Brodeur. Make him understand that when you whine about losing, it doesn't get you 'wins', when you complain to the press, it doesn't get you sympathy from the fan base.

In our final regular season game in NJ at The Prudential Center and home-ice advantage against this very team in the first round at stake, this game may come to symbolically represent how both teams will meet later in the week.

All cylinders ahead Rangers young and old. Today is when it means the most and it all starts with hitting Marty over the head! With the playoffs ahead, eight wins will not be enough.

TDR

Pinch Me! NYR ...THREE, Isles......ZERO!

We clinched it.

The Blueshirts are going to the playoffs for the third year in a row - thanks to the "off/one-again" hustle from our Captain Jaromir Jagr, with the Rangers currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand. Tonight we will play the second in a row of the Islanders home-and-home, this time at MSG -- so the Garden should be psyched! We dominated play at all times against the Isles, not much more to say about the non-qualifying and ailing AHL NY Islanders. Though, ten shutouts for The King! Bravo! Official recap here.

With the 'anything can happen' playoff race happening over the next three days, it is looking likely that we will be meeting the NJ Devils of Newark in the first round of playoffs. Assuming everyone continues to win games - home ice advantage will come down to our beating the Islanders again tonight and capturing our eighth of eight meeting on Sunday, our final game of the season...against the Devils. With the Rangers 7-0 against New Jersey this season, one would think this is a good thing - unless you've ever played against Marty Brodeur during the playoffs. With the exception of last year, Brodeur is one of the most consistent goaltenders in the league, especially during the playoffs - someone to fear. Home ice advantage with Brodeur in net would be thrilling as we all know how much he hates the Rangers, and even moreso, the fans.

"Hey Marty, your left knee pad is loose..." or "Hey Marty, how many Vezina's does it take to win a game against the Rangers?....." will be heard from every angle, so it will be up to The Dark Ranger and his minions to shake things up a bit. This 'aint no job for Dancing Larry/Grandma -- this is real business, true hockey. Some other things...

Coach Tom Renney needs to allow our players to offensively throw themselves into the Devils defensive system -- let them loose and make the dirty goals. Most of our meetings this season were due to our penetrating their defensive system -- allowing our rookies and sharpshooters to get into the net, get Sean Avery back into Marty's face, shaking them up in their zone, etc. If Renney employs our defensive zone system against the 'king of defensive zone' Devils - then we will be at a disadvantage throughout the first round.

It is time to let loose and play some playoff hockey. Dark lurks above the Garden, ready to take on anyone at the Garden wearing red & white, but let's sweep these Isles and build up a tad more confidence for Sunday.

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

A Good 'Ole Fashioned Rivalry Tonight, 7pm EST

Tonight the New York Rangers 2-5-1 have their first meeting with the arch-nememis New Jersey Devils 3-4-1, and the first game that Scott Gomez will face his former teammates after the Blueshirts acquired him this summer in free agency.

While there's still plenty of season left, Gomez hasn't made much of an impact with his new team so far. He is tied for the team lead with two goals but only has one assist in eight games, contributing to the Rangers' atrocious 2-5-1 start.

Let me look at the downside going into tonight's game. Despite a wealth of offensive talent, the Rangers have scored a league-low 13 goals, getting shut out three times already. With one goal in eight games, Jagr is off to the worst start of his 17-year career. Don't look for Sean Avery, Martin Straka and now rookie-superstar-to-be Ryan Callahan as they are all on injured reserve. Callahan is out indefinitely with a sprained knee, grade 2, after crashing into Nigel Dawes during the Pittsburgh loss two nights ago. So we are relying on our veteran lines to get down to business (and Martin Brodeur will be in net for the Devils tonight). Hurrah.

On the positive side, Henrik Lundquist is in prime form - despite having only two wins in eight starts, he has a stellar 2.00 goals-against average. The last two games have shown an improved defense - so it appears Renney is addressing one thing at a time. With our offense having a disastrous effort making goals, New Jersey also has had trouble scoring, having been shut out twice while managing six goals in its four losses.

So tonight should be a good one - it is a home game, the fans still believe and we are ready for that damn buzzer. Jersey 'on'!

In other Rangers news, according to Hockeybuzz, there are plenty of rumors flying that the Montreal Habs and Blueshirts management are in major trading discussions, suggesting that some of the veteran Ranger players are being shopped to add better play makers and add more depth to our blueline.

The Dark Ranger knows that NYR owners are not happy with Tom Renney and are prepared to make major changes if the Rangers drop the next two or three games.

tdr

We Take It, 4-3

The first game of the season (pre-season) ends with a New York Rangers victory filled with many hungry young kids looking to impress management by throwing themselves into the nearest NJ Devil.

Sean Avery taking out his teammate of four months ago, Kevin Weekes, is now the first-string backup to that Marty Fella. As expected, Avery made his presence known and again showed his affinity toward New Jersey goalies. Kevin Weekes was taken out of the game due to (temporary) injuries caused by Avery.

Ryan Callahan had a goal and an assist. Dane Byers, Blair Betts and Martin Straka also scored for the Rangers, while Al Montoya stopped 12-of-13 shots. On the Devils end, Brian Gionta posted a goal and an assist for the Devils.

I love Ryan Callahan -- he pulled a Brian Leetch on that second goal and it is inspiring to see some of our starters playing toward the net. Perhaps perimeter play is a thing of the past.

Tomorrow, the debut of Scott Gomez, Chris Drury and our Captain Jagr playing on the ice tomorrow against my favorite Philadelphia Flyers. Have I mentioned how much I dislike the orange and black?

tdr

Pre-Season Matchup vs. NJ Devils Tonight, 7pm EST

In the first pre-season game tonight against the rival NJ Devils, we expect to see Coach Tom Renney mixing up the Rangers lines and giving some of the new guys some pro-ice time.

Jagr & Gomez & Drury will probably not line-up tonight, but on the first line we should see Avery, Shanahan and Anisimov. Dubinsky will center, Straka and Callahan. Third line Betts, Hollweg and Colton Orr. The fourth line will feature new prospects that have made the cuts. The first-line of defense will most likely be Tyutin and Girardi. "The King" Lundquist will not start in goal tonight, but expect to see Montoya and Valiquette starting.

It's hockey time in NYC - the buzz is low, but the adrenaline is high.

tdr

The Future New Jersey Devils Are Not Strong, They Are Weekes!

"Leafs Lunch" reports the New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Kevin Weekes. TSN reports it's a two year, $1.375 million contract. They are scrap(p)ing for a team, and being on the other side of the river, Joi-sey better hope that Marty is in tip-top healthy form throughout the season, with Weekes as your backup. Here's hoping...

UPDATE: The better news is that the strong get stronger -- the Rangers re-signed Prucha for a two-year deal worth $3.2 million.