The last thing in the world I wanted to say this morning is “I told you” but it is the sad truth. Many people recoil at the idea of playing hunches or following your intuition. I don’t. Two years ago at this time, the Rangers needed one point in their last five games to win the Atlantic Division. They didn’t get it done. They now have ten games left to make the playoffs and just blew four “easy” points in Florida. Que lastima!

Insanity – to keep on doing the same thing while expecting different results 

I revere Tom Renney but this morning I must ask if he hasn’t gone insane.  Clearly, after losing in Sunrise a shakeup was indicated, if for no other reason to try and wake up the team and infuse some energy into the powerplay.  People have been speculating for weeks about the condition of Martin Straka. He has not exhibited his “take no prisoners” Marty Straka style of play for some time. It begs the question why is  Renney sitting a healthy Petr Prucha and playing Straka instead. 

I realize that we are down two defensemen in Mara and Malik(?) but when they come back can we please end the “Backman/Strudwick” pairing? In a previous entry, I mentioned my reluctance to see these two newbies, Sjostrom and Backman, being worked into the lineup at such a crucial time. God forbid they upset what little chemistry this team had developed.

In hindsight, playing Lundqvist instead of giving the game to Valiquette was not an horrendous gaffe. Lundqvist played well in the face of a team that absolutely refused to skate, shoot, hit or check. Still, would not it have been better to start Vally and rest Henrik?  

Self-fulfilling prophecy – a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true

One doesn’t have to be an Einstein or a Cassandra to predict that if the Rangers can’t get their powerplay functioning, they haven’ t got a hope in hell of making the playoffs. The next ten games will be the hardest ten games of this season. After watching this team play this weekend, I cannot help but believe that they have mentally thrown in the towel. How else can one explain the lack of focus and effort against a team with the worst record in hockey?

I would be remiss as a person of Irish descent if I didn’t wish one and all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. The only trouble is that this morning, the only thing Irish that comes to my mind with regard to the Rangers is Murphy’s Law.

For the New York Rangers:

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Posted under New York Rangers