On Kid’s Day at Madison Square Garden the Rangers turned in a performance so bad it can only be described as child abuse. Suffer the little children. Hell, suffer the parents, suffer the season subscribers, suffer the entire fan base. And, after watching two dissolute shoot out performances in Florida, the Ranger’s chickens and turkeys came home to roost.

It’s not a question of where the Rangers went wrong this afternoon. They never went right. All of the problems they have been having this season erupted into one stinker of a game. Renney pulled Lundqvist not so much to wake up his team but to save Henrik’s save percentage and his goals against averages. It wasn’t Henrik’s fault that the rest of this team didn’t show up to play. Why make Henrik suffer unnecessarily?

The numbers say that the line of Naslund, Dubinsky and Zherdev (-3) and the defense pairs of Redden/Girardi (-2) and Rozsival/Staal (-2) were on the ice for Florida’s four even strength goals. So they were not defensively responsible. That doesn’t excuse a total lack of team offense and that ongoing disgrace of a powerplay (0 for 5 and 1:45 of it with 5 on 3 advantage).

Section 409 started a chant of ”Wake Up” after Florida scored their fourth goal one minute into the third period. It was for naught. It seemed that none of the Rangers on the ice really wanted to be there, most particularly the defense. People in the Garden were booing, calling for Renney to be fired. They were the same embittered responses one hears when any Ranger team mails one in. 

I yelled out “Suicide Drills Tomorrow”. Were I Renney, I’d be all over their asses Herb Brookes style on Monday morning in Greenburgh. Goal line to goal line drills ’til they drop. It may not resolve anything but it would certainly send a message. Show up and play the game like men, not college boys or stay the hell home.

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I am not feeling very well this evening. I have a turkey hangover. You know, too much to eat, too much to drink, too much aggravation.  I served 17 of my relatives a sit down Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday. Mind you, I work full time so I do not have the kind of time Martha Stewart has to prepare. This was the least of my issues.

I am really nauseous tonight because I watched the Rangers get taken to their second consecutive shoot out by two bottom feeding teams. That’s not a negative reflection on the Panthers. They played well tonight. It’s the Rangers and the officials who literally made me sick to my stomach.

I can no longer deal with the Rangers and their asinine powerplay. You could see how well the Panthers scouted the Rangers because they had several juicy opportunities for shorthanded goals. The Rangers, once again, failed to score a one powerplay goal on five opportunities.

They had 11 shots on goal in 10 minutes of powerplay time. That’s about one shot per minute with the man advantage. It’s almost as though the Rangers are afraid of taking shots for fear of giving up another shorthanded goal. It’s really disgraceful. 

Although the Rangers obtained the D2GL early in the game, it was clear to see that the officials were hell bent on making up calls for the Panthers. What I don’t get is why? It’s not like the Rangers scored on the early powerplays they were given. Why do the officials feel the need to even up the calls? Wait, the Campbell kid plays for the Panthers. Makes ya go, hmmmmm.

Once again, could someone please tell me why Wade Redden is still on the ice. Many fans are quick to boo Rozsival and and call him out. Why aren’t they skewering Redden with as much zeal. This guy has brought nothing to the table this season. He has a bigger contract then Rozsival but he gets a pass? Redden got beat on Booth’s goal that tied the game. Girardi tried to take away the pass that Booth put in and Redden didn’t hustle to take Booth out of the play. He let him blow by. Redden blows. Waive Redden. Petr Prucha could play better defense.

Yeah, all you Kool Aide drinking bleeding hearts out there are saying, shut up Margaret! The Rangers won in the shoot out anyway.  They did win but not before they aided and abetted the agita already in my stomach from yesterday. Ranger hockey is sometimes enough to make me go postal.

Speaking of postal, how bad must Islander fans be feeling today.  First, the Fish blow a three goal lead on Wednesday night and let Cindy Crosby and his girls score five unanswered goals for the win. Then, today the Icelanders get taken to the wood shed by the Bruins losing 7-2. Bad times on the Island. It should make me grateful and happy I’m a Ranger fan. It doesn’t. There but for the grace of King Henrik go the Rangers.

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Yeah, I know after spending a week in Italy you thought any food analogy I might make would be to pasta or gelato. Not so. After witnessing my first Ranger game in two weeks, the Rangers were playing more like that quintessentially Chinese American dish, Chop Suey.

What I mean by this was that for most of the first period and part of the second. the Rangers were chopping and slicing and tossing the puck like a chef at Benihana. It’s bad enough that the damn ice is usually so bad it makes the puck bounce and roll unpredictably. Last night, instead of sliding, carrying and passing the pill, the boys looked more like they were playing lacrosse.

The defense was particularly guilty of this but I saw it happening all over the ice. The mind set to just chop away means the puck comes back down and lands randomly at the feet of either a teammate or a foe. Not a good plan.  Notice that when the Rangers “handled” the puck, they were more successful. Nikolai Zherdev is a consummate handler. When he was on last night, I had flashback visions of Jagr when he was at his best.

Bett’s goal was set up by a beautiful pass from Zherdev. Bett’s, in a rare display of touch, was able to deek Bryzgalov and put it past him low. Blair Bett’s has hands. Who knew? Dubinsky takes a nice little pass from Zherdev and goes for the wrap around. The puck is sliding on the ice. The puck goes in with an assist by Jovonowski.

Girardi had three great shots on that powerplay and the third one was a charm. Again, Zherdev and Dubinski were working it down low with Dubi screening Bryzgalov. Wait. Don’t tell Renney this powerplay trio is good. He’ll break them up immediately. 

So what did we learn last night? The Rangers should listen to the Ranger’s Victory Song.

Just keep your stick on that puck
And don’t lay down on your luck;
That’s the Rangers’ Victory Song!
Get through the enemy’s goal
With all your heart and your soul;
That’s the Rangers’ Victory Song!

You’ve got to fight, Rangers fight
With a grin on your chin!
Tonight is the night
So get in there and win!

This game is worth any price;
Go out and put it on ice
That’s the Rangers’ Victory Song!

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According to the standings I see that the Rangers were able to win two of three of the games I missed while I was away. Two of the wins came in shoot outs. The loss was a semi-blowout. I’ll have to play catch up this weekend as I recuperate from the jet lag and evaluate all that transpired. No rest for the weary.

The Rangers are no longer at the top of the league in the standings. Henrik Lundqvist lost to his main competition for the Vezina, Roberto Luongo. The Rangers are still having problems beating western conference teams. The only good news so far is that the Rangers aren’t losing games to teams they are supposed to beat. Let’s see if this holds true in Ottawa this afternoon.

As for the trip, Italy is a beautiful country (Italia e una bella paese). The weather was good. I got to see the Sistine Chapel at last. I appreciated Venice more this time. I still love Florence the best.  Rome is the most congested city I’ve ever been in. I didn’t gain any weight. I shopped till I dropped.

I only have one question. Why can’t we produce wine in the US without the sulfates? I drank more wine this week then I have in my life and allora, no hangover. Viva Italia!

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The good news is that the Rangers were able to beat the Devils and earn two points. The bad news is that the Rangers beat a completely decimated Devils team and Kevin Weekes. More good news was that the Rangers scored two powerplay goals and five goals overall on 39 shots.

The bad news is that no one has any clearer picture as to what line combinations are actually working. The water is now muddier then it has been at any time during this young season regarding who should stay, who should go and who should play with whom.

With the injury and absence of Scott Gomez, Ranger fans witnessed Renney juggling players like a sideshow performer at the Big Apple Circus. Just when Ranger fans thought Nigel Dawes had permanently punched his ticket to Hartford, Nigel comes up with a two point night. The same can be said of Dan Fritsche.

The most important conclusion of all is that Lauri Korpikoski can light the lamp and needs to stay on Broadway for good. Where does this all leave Petr Prucha and what does it say about the recent play of Scott Gomez? Many have speculated that Gomez has been playing hurt for a while.   

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Wade Redden to the Rangers, 8 weeks late. Redden was a +1 tonight and had a helper. He was actually on the ice for three of the Rangers goals and he had four shots on goal. Could this be Redden’s awakening. We live in hope.

Tonight the checkers checked, the shooters shot and the defense combined for 5 points. That has to be the highest point total by the defense this season. Nikolai Zherdev proves he can play with any line mates. Chris Drury has stepped up and solidified his position as Captain with his strong play.

All these things notwithstanding, it’s too bad tonight’s success will lead to more looks, more player swapping and less clarity regarding line combinations as the Rangers approach the twenty game mark in the season. The Rangers stand in second place in the league overall. While their play has been up and down, they still find ways to win games. That’s always a good thing.

I will miss the next three games, as I have business outside the country. Hopefully the Rangers will be 15-5-2 when I return on November 22.

Arrivederla, amiche.

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After watching the Zebras and the War Room in Toronto hand tonight’s game to the Caps in the first period, I would have let the dogs out if I were Renney. Orr could have held his own with Brashear or died trying. I hope Henrik Lundqivst went into the locker room after the game and reminded his teammates that their 11-5-1 record is largely because of him. If Henrik goes down, the Rangers are well and truly screwed.

The Rangers were one for three on the powerplay tonight, which in and of itself isn’t too bad. What is too bad are the other approximately 6 holding/obstruction/interference penalties by the Caps which were not called by Marouelli and Gordon.

All that aside, the Rangers got suckered into not playing their game and being run ragged by the Caps. As Renney would say, they got caught in a foot race. The most telling statistic of the game was the abysmal percentage of face offs won by the Rangers, 38%. Dubnsky won 8% , Gomez 38% and Betts 42%. Only Chris Drury had a good night in the circle winning 60%.

They know they have to do all the little things well, like they did against Tampa, to win games. It seems the Caps and the Refs got into their heads. They did not focus on doing what has brought them success.  But, rather then seeing the Rangers lose their focus and get caught up in the foot race, I would have preferred seeing them pound the snot out of the Caps.

Next time Ovechkin and Semin play the Rangers, the boys in Blue better send them a message that they will be physically punished if they run Henrik Lundqvist. Tonight messageboards denizens were screaming for the Rangers to run the Caps goalie. That’s BS. I say put a hurting on Ovechkin and Semin every time they touch the puck.

Mara, Staal and Girardi have shown so far that can earn their keep. Redden, Rozsival and Kalinin were useless tonight. Why is Kalinin still here? This guy is a zero. We all knew Rozsival was soft. Redden has the biggest contract and seems to do the least. He doesn’t quarterback the powerplay and he doesn’t hit. He truly is the Rangers worst signing since Holik. Where’s Darius Kasparaitis?

Mike Smith slashes, cross checks and punches Voros and gets away with it on Thursday. Tonight Semin and the Caps run over Lundqvist and get away with it. Every single Ranger on the ice needs to man up. If the officials aren’t going to protect Henrik, he better watch some old Billy Smith video and learn to use his stick creatively. Every single player needs to exact a pound of their opponents flesh anytime any Ranger gets run.  

Hose the Rangers once, shame on the NHL. Hose the Rangers twice, shame on the Rangers.

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Did I really see the powerplay actually work at last night’s game or was my attention misdirected? Magicians use misdirection to focus the audience’s attention away from the mechanics of the trick. I did not see Perry Pearn wearing a pointed hat and waving a wand.

Last night’s game was by no means a litmus test for Perry Pearn’s powerplay. The Rangers were able to score on three of their six 5 on 4 opportunities. The fourth powerplay goal was on a 5 on 3.  The first three powerplay goals came off the rush. When the Rangers did try to set up in the Bolts zone, they were not successful.  

What I did see were fewer mental errors last night. I saw everyone engaged, finishing their checks and paying attention to the little things that win games. Petr Prucha may not have lit the lamp but his tenacity on the puck drew two penalties. Gomez has had better games. For the most part, the play was moving in the right direction and heads were facing the right way.  Henrik Lundqvist was his sensational self.

I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth here. I am glad the Rangers won and tried to amend the misdeeds of their last two games. However, I will not be convinced by last night’s performance that the Rangers powerplay is now either honky or dory.

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Whoever writes the headlines on the Rangers website must think we are all idiots. Are these people kidding me? The Islanders did not win tonight’s game because Joey MacDonald stood on his head. Do not let the number of Ranger shots on goal fool you. The vast majority of those shots were not quality shots.

The reason the Islanders won and the Rangers lost the game tonight is because the  Rangers allowed 2 shorthanded goals and because of their GOD AWFUL POWERPLAY. Who coughed up the puck both times for the shorthanded goals? Michael Rozsival.  But, his poor decisions with the puck were just the tip of the iceberg. All of the big ticket players on this team made poor decisions tonight.

My first clue that the Rangers were going to lose was when I saw several players, Gomez and Zherdev in particular, try to make cutesy drop passes to no one or worse to an Islander. Zherdev was one of the worst offender mishandling the puck. It is surprising that so many Ranger turnovers didn’t lead to more goals for the Islanders.

Credit Joey MacDonald with making a couple of decent saves on the softballs the Rangers were shooting at him. You would be better giving credit to players like Richard Park, the Islanders new Jason Blake and Nate Thompson who scored his first NHL goal on a shorthanded breakaway on Henrik Lundqvist. Not for nothing but Henrik needs to keep his glove closed.

Credit the Islanders scouting staff. They had the Islanders forechecking the Ranger defense at the points forcing turnovers. They used many of the same tactics tonight as they did last week, only tonight the Rangers did not mentally come to play. The Islanders played 65 minutes of hockey last night and looked sharper and more alert than  the well rested Rangers.

Tonight the Islanders were the better team. The New York Rangers just continued to disgrace themselves in a downward spiral that started in Toronto on Saturday. Something has to happen to wake the Rangers up. Something has to happen to get the powerplay working. If it means firing Perry Pearn, so be it.  If it means trading players, so be it.

The Rangers are now lumbered with players who are not producing but are eating up all the cap space. I don’t care how much these players are being paid. If they aren’t following the game plan, if they are not producing, sit ‘em or ship ‘em.

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Okay, so I got a little angry and emotional after last night’s game. I cry when I read Yeats. So sue me, sue me what can you do me. Despite the fact that the clocks went back last night, I got a little less sleep then usual. I haven’t been getting more then six hours a night lately. I had been chalking it up to my advancing dotage. However last night’s tossing and turning was because of the Rangers.

How much longer can the Rangers go on without having a consistent powerplay? After being embarrassed and demoralized by the Leafs, this team has to wake up and start moving their feet and taking more shots with the man advantage. After last night debacle, other teams are now going to try and run the Rangers into the ground in the third period. They will take liberties because they now know if they do get penalized, it probably won’t cost them.

Through 14 games, the Rangers have 8 goals on 91 powerplay opportunities. 7 of those 91 powerplays were with a 2 man advantage. And, the Rangers lead the league in shorthanded goals allowed (3). You do the math. Thems ain’t good percentages folks. I was a history major and an english minor. I can write. I can do research. I just can’t extrapolate. That’s why we have the HockeyRodent. He tells me his RealStats will be up RealSoon.

I guess Perry Pearn isn’t completely responsible for this state of affairs but maybe he needs to go. The Rangers need to get someone in there with new ideas who can reach these players and turn this around.

A bag of pucks to anyone who can pick out the thinly veiled lyrics to two Broadway musicals contained herein.

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The Ranger’s disgraceful powerplay is the reason they lost this total embarrassment of a game in Toronto. The Rangers had a 2-0 lead and a powerplay with 8 minutes left in the game. All they had to do was put the puck in the net and they would have gone up 3-0. Now, once again, the Rangers are the laughingstock of the NHL.

Something has to happen. Someone has to answer for this. Where does the buck (loonie) stop? The entire coaching staff were wearing their poppies for Remembrance Day. I’ll bet this is one day they’ll never forget. I know I won’t. And, if anyone dares chastise the fans for booing this team’s nonexistent powerplay, I have a few cherce words for them. Blow it out your Barracks Bag.

Sin e.

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