Blues Down Rangers

by gallagher on Feb 16, 2009 11:40 PM CST

It was apparent to anyone who watched this game that the Rangers either don't care or or are just plain lazy. Or, conceivably, they really are trying to get their coach fired.

I mentioned to a couple people that I'd rather watch a team with heart battle for every puck on every shift than watch a more talented team that isn't playing hard. I watched a few Rangers games at the strat of the season and that team was wildly different than the team I watched tonight.

They don't battle for loose pucks. They don't take the hit to make the play. They just got out-gritted by the Blues tonight. If I was a Rangers' fan, I'd be quite frustrated with this group.

Nikolai Zherdev played much like he did in his days with Columbus; he clearly has the talent to take games over, he just doesn't show that talent as much as you'd hope.
Scott Gomez and Chris Drury were basically invisible tonight, which is not good considering their combined $15 million paychecks this year. That has got to make Ranger fans want to vomit.
For his part, Henrik Lundqvist looked really good, but there were giant chunks of game time where he was fighting off chances seemingly by himself.

In the end, whether it's sabotage by the players or not, the Rangers need to fire their coach and sooner would be better than later. They simply shouldn't play this poorly considering the talent they have at their disposal. And that is a coaching issue. If he can't motivate them, find someone who can.

Here are your post-game interviews with Chris Mason and BJ Crombeen. And if you're waiting for me to make a joke about the fact that Mason's shaved head and beard makes him look like a penis and that the other guy getting interviewed is named BJ, well, maybe this time I just won't do it.

Now, on to the fellatio:

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If Mason keeps that beard goin and we make the playoffs, think of how epic his playoff beard would be. I’m getting ahead of myself.

I also noticed BJ put in his front tooth for the interview. Classy.

by oic on Feb 16, 2009 11:59 PM CST reply actions

This feels so good.

I left after the second period and the game was tied. Heard the begining of the third on the radio before I was no longer able to follow the game.

I’m so happy we pulled through. If we can do it all week holy shit. And there’s no reason we shouldn’t. Neither of the teams we are about to play are very good at scoring. Defense sure. But we have the ability to score and do it on the power play which favors us.

It’d be so sweet to see it happen. And though at times I hated the man, I actually think Andy Murray deserevs it. I know that all of us fans deserve it.

I don’t believe Vancouver deserves it. I hate the Canucks.

We big dream is to see Detroit in the first round and this time we can be the eighth or low seed to smoke them. How awesome would that be? Man there’s some communist fans I’d like throw that shit in their eyes.

by Henry Miller's Used Penis on Feb 17, 2009 1:13 AM CST reply actions

The last few interviews with Mason have been the same

“So you are the guy now, how does that feel? I mean are you doing OK with it, do you like it? You know you’re THE guy now right? How are you doing with that? You like playing hockey every night? How you doing?”

Lod

by Lodnod on Feb 17, 2009 2:24 AM CST reply actions

Don’t know if I agree that it’s all coaching, Sean, but you’re dead on about the players just not giving a shit anymore, especially Gomez. Guy’s been absolutely invisible all year. I would put more blame on Sather than Renney, since Sather is the reason why there are four untradeable contracts on this team given to players that aren’t even trying to live up to them (with the possible exception of Drury), but there are certainly a lot of Ranger fans that would agree with you.

Anyway, I didn’t see the game, because I was visiting a friend in the hospital who was hit by a car, suffered multiple brain contusions, and has been sedated for the last five days. Sounds like I had a better time where I was.

Here are some post-game thoughts from our end:

http://rangerland.net/?p=1606
http://rangerland.net/?p=1605

Sorry about the cheap shot I took at your fair city, but these are the ramblings of a bitter, bitter man.

Rangers, Royals, Raiders, Knicks...the man loves a winner.

by self loather on Feb 17, 2009 10:09 AM CST reply actions

So is Mason trying to impersonate Kiprosof (sp?) I am referring to Calgary’s goalie. I’m not big on goalies so forgive me.

Thrillin' Booties and Punchin' Faces.

by Answer Man on Feb 17, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions

This game made me very very happy

Way to be, Beej.

That is all.

Lighthouse Hockey: SBN's New York Islanders blog with hip issues.

by Dominik on Feb 17, 2009 4:38 PM CST reply actions

Like a win on top of a win.

If you’re a Blues fan and an Isles fan.

SWYD

by gallagher on Feb 17, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

A giddy feeling, to be sure. Now Wednesday at the Garden … I don’t wanna get my hopes up.

Lighthouse Hockey: SBN's New York Islanders blog with hip issues.

by Dominik on Feb 17, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions

go Isles !!!!!

we’ve set them up, now knock ’em down!

.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com

by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 17, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions

What the...?!?

What’s with all the Isles love around here?!? Boo.

Dominik, I’m sure that I don’t have to remind you of Election Night, a game which I had the good sense to leave early.

Rangers, Royals, Raiders, Knicks...the man loves a winner.

by self loather on Feb 17, 2009 9:30 PM CST up reply actions

On behalf...

…of Panther fans everywhere, I’d like to congratulate the Blues on an awesome victory!

Not that we have any interest in the trials and tribulations of the Rangahs…

The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Feb 17, 2009 5:43 PM CST reply actions

Your radio PBP guy . . .

is the fucking bomb.

Just thought I’d note that. Not sure how YOU feel about him.

"The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive." -- W.C. Fields

by Donut King on Feb 18, 2009 12:09 AM CST up reply actions

I thought this was interesting ....

The Rangerland.net (which is a fine site, BTW) coverage links to NY Newsday’s coverage of the Rangers. There is also a fan poll “Who do you think the Rangers should trade for?”

Aside from the “nobody” (28.5 ), the top vote-getter is our own Keith Tkachuk, with 18.3 of the vote (235 votes out of 1282). Just thought that was food for thought.

.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com

by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 17, 2009 9:10 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, KT has understandably been a fave of many for a long time, but it is strange that he seems to be getting some attention from Ranger fans lately. Keep in mind, though, that these are the same people who think that Sean Avery is going to come in and save the season.

Rangers, Royals, Raiders, Knicks...the man loves a winner.

by self loather on Feb 17, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions

Considering "Darth" Sather ....

and his history of overpaying for veterans with name recognition, I’d look forward to ~~fleecing~~ doing business with him …

.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com

by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 17, 2009 10:32 PM CST up reply actions

Need I remind you...

….of the Christian Backman trade. Who fleeced who there, my friend. Who. Fleeced. Who.

(whom?)

Rangers, Royals, Raiders, Knicks...the man loves a winner.

by self loather on Feb 17, 2009 11:00 PM CST up reply actions

Is that like a riddle wrapped inside another, more confusing riddle?

Sister Christian Backman and his spotty-at-best play leaving town was classic addition by subtraction for the Blues. Was he that good in NY? I thought Ranger fans were hot and cold on him (which sounds right).

The fact that you guys flipped him for Zherdev means you swindled the Jackets (during the 40% of the games when Zherdev plays with 100% of his talent), but I think the Backman trade was a wash at best.

SWYD

by gallagher on Feb 17, 2009 11:45 PM CST up reply actions

I'm in agreement with G here.

There’s nothing in the world I hate than a defenseman that not only ACTS like he doesn’t give a shit, but goes the full monty and just POSTS up shit. Sister Christian’s Tenure As A Blue in a nutshell.

"The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive." -- W.C. Fields

by Donut King on Feb 18, 2009 12:11 AM CST up reply actions

There’s nothing in the world I hate MORE than . . .

An added word adds to the value of a complete sentence, I’ve heard.

"The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive." -- W.C. Fields

by Donut King on Feb 18, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions

I think...

…that my joke fell into the sarchasm.

To be clear, I agree, that even though they eventually flipped him for Zherdev, the Rangers taking on $2.5M in salary for a very ordinary defenseman was definitely a win for the Blues.

Rangers, Royals, Raiders, Knicks...the man loves a winner.

by self loather on Feb 18, 2009 9:10 AM CST up reply actions