The scores for last night’s home opener and last season’s home opener were identical. A Ranger scored the first goals less then a minute into the games. But, this is where all similarities end. Last season, the Rangers played 60 minutes of hockey and were dominant throughout. Last night the Rangers played 30 minutes of hockey and took the entire second period off.

For a team proported to be one of the leading contenders for the Stanley Cup, let’s hope last night’s game was a hiccup on that road. The Rangers may be able to get away with this type of game now, against a team like the Panthers but that won’t be the case in Ottawa on Saturday.

What we can take away from this game is that a player like the much maligned Marek Malik can turn his game around. We can be overjoyed that the exuberant youth are playing so well and could be the Rangers salvation. We can be grateful that we have one of the best goaltenders in the NHL that can keep his team in games when they do decide to take a nap.

The other thing about last night that was different then the 2006 season opener was the homecoming of Brian Leetch. It added a nice touch to the game. The last of the ‘94 old guard dropping the puck and passing the torch to this Ranger’s team of the future.

Here’s a shout out to Section 409. Nice job on the opening night balloon drop.

Posted under New York Rangers