There is just no pleasing some Ranger fans. After complaining that the Rangers were 3 and 6 last week, now that the Rangers are at .500 some fans are complaining that the Rangers are playing boring hockey. It’s ironic that this point was perfectly illustrated last night against arch rivals, the New Jersey Devils.

After both teams scored goals within 33 seconds of each other in the first period, a scoreless and souless game ensued. It was a game so defensively centric that one would be hard pressed to attribute the advantage in play during regulation and overtime to either team.

Overtime is my least favorite part of a regulation tie. The tension and anxiety can become overwhelming for me. At least the shootout is less stressful on my psyche, especially with Lundqvist in goal. I was very apprehensive because Henrik hasn’t looked too great so far this season mano a mano. The LeCavalier penalty shot comes to mind as well as the shoot out loss in Boston. When Renney put out Hossa, I was definitely worried.

This is not the kind of hockey Ranger fans want or are used to seeing but it does produce the desired result. The Devils won three Stanley Cups playing trapping, defense first hockey. After the retirement of players like Daneyko and Stevens and the lose of Brian Rafalski to free agency, the Devils have had less success with their brand of trap and transition hockey. But, by gum, that isn’t stopping Sutter and Lamarillo from trying. They just don’t have the playmaking center in Gomez to set up Gionta and Elias, who seem lost.

We’ll see how well the Rangers “defense first” hockey works when the high scoring, division leading Flyers come to the Garden tomorrow night. The Flyers are .500 on the road. We need every Ranger fan to show up and bring their voices and their support. I don’t care if the final score is 2-1 Rangers, as long as the Rangers get the two points and don’t get owned by the Flyers.

The Rangers need to make the Flyers pay every time they touch the puck. Chris Drury needs to start showing Ranger fans that Sather chose the right Sabre. The Flyers have killed 76% of the minor penalties called against them. The Rangers have killed 90%. Clearly, the Rangers need to get their powerplay going against the Flyers if they want any shot at winning tomorrow night .