Sorry for the bad pun but it’s just about all you can say today after the Rangers’ less then stellar showing Friday night in Philadelphia.  The fact that Scott Gomez, contrary to expert reports (coughLarryBrookscough), did not crack ribs or have any other major injury is a minor miracle. He sure went hard into the boards. Thank God he’ll be alright. 

Here’s something I will never understand. Why do hometown reporters put their teams and players in jeopardy by circulating injury information that other teams can capitalize on? To add insult to the injury, the premature report about Gomer wasn’t even correct. No wonder coaches and players tend to be closed mouthed around the press. These reporters are in such a godawful hurry to get a “scoop”. They are not fans. If they were, they’d sit on injury reports and take one for the team.

The major miracle is that the Rangers walked away with a point after sleep walking through the first two periods.  I thought playing Valliquette might prove to be a mistake after the first goal, Richard’s breakaway. I truly felt Henrik would have stopped it. After seeing Valley flub that one, I knew Philly would triumph when it went to the shootout.

Marty Biron may be an inconsistant goaltender but when he is on he is on and he was on Friday night. As usual, what wasn’t on was the Ranger’s powerplay. No better example was their failure to score 4 on 3 in overtime. They kept trying to set up Shanny for the onetimer and it wasn’t getting through.  They had an opportuniy to bury the Flyers and they didn’t.

Credit the Rangers for coming back to tie it but Philadelphia was the more desparate team. The Rangers were lucky to get the point. It would be remiss of me not mention the goal scored by Marek Malik and the three point night of Christian Backman. These two have been whipping boys long enough. Their play in this game should silence the boo-birds for a while. 

I want to wish Blair Betts a speedy recover. He’s been one of our best face off men and a stellar penalty killer. Scott Gomez justs needs some rest and recuperation. He and the rest of the Rangers have three days to rest and find their powerplay before they meet the Flyers on Tuesday night at 730pm. It’s a Versus game.

To all who celebrate, Happy Easter!