Rangers Pull a Rabbit Out of Their Hat

In the "All's well that ends well" department, the Rangers came back from yet another 2-0 deficit to reach a shootout, the third time in their last six home games they have done exactly that. This time, unlike the last time, they prevailed in the shootout when Chris Drury fooled Tim Thomas with a sly, almost imperceptible double clutch to score after three scoreless rounds and Henrik Lundqvist survived the referee's silly initial goal call, one that was reversed by replay.

The win negated the damage inflicted in this game by a woefully inept power play, which not only failed to win this game when it had the chance, it almost lost the game, giving up the sixth shorthanded goal of the young season. The win also negated the damage done by the once-again error prone Michal Rozsival, who was victimized for both Boston goals, including that shorthanded goal, the third that has resulted directly from a miscue of his. Wade Redden is fortunate not to be in this same category -- his miscues, including a horrendous turnover in the slot and a near-breakaway that ensued when he tripped over the red line (along with the power play the Bruins got as the Rangers tried to defuse the resulting situation) were erased by Lundqvist.

But this one win doesn't mitigate the ongoing problems with the power play, which reverted to form (bad form) after a good four-game stretch. Coach Tom Renney insisted afterwards that Boston get credit for shutting it down, but despite a good penalty killing stretch for them during their now-ended five game win streak, they are 22nd in the league in that area, and were far less responsible for short-circuiting the Rangers' advantages (two of them two-man advantages) than the Rangers themselves. At some point, Renney his going to have to look beyond execution to the possibility that there are problems with either the system or with the available personnel.

As for Rozsival and Redden, who are part of a corps of defensemen who have been effective in inverse order of their salaries, there is no excusing their mistakes. But the treatment of Rozsival by the fans as well as the tension that was so palpable in the arena during Ranger power plays (even the first one when the score was still 0-0 and the Rangers were in control of play) leads us to pose a simple question to those fans who chose that route: How would you react if the team itself, individually or as a group, chose to quit on themselves as quickly and decisively as you quit on them? If they did that, the Bruins would have been able to cruise to another 6-1 win rather than being caught by behind in the final minutes. But they didn't quit.

Busy morning here tomorrow, so look for a story at Blueshirt Bulletin+ later in the day, focusing on the third line of Lauri Korpikoski, Nigel Dawes, and Dan Fritsche, who got the goal that started the comeback after getting some power play time that was taken away from the usual units who were so ineffective (ditto Marc Staal in place of Rozsival in the third period). Check back right here for a link to that story when it becomes available.

Game reports: Newsday, Journal News, Record, Times, Post, Daily News, NY Sports Day, NYR.com, NHL.com, AP, Boston Globe, and Boston Herald. More from Newsday, the Record here and here, Inside Shots, and the reporters' blogs (who report from practice today that Scott Gomez remains doubtful for tomorrow night) -- Rangers Report here, here, and here, Ranger Rants here, here, and here. Blue Notes here, here, and here, and Blueshirts Blog. Not sure how much to recommend this Sporting News story on Lundqvist -- after all, the reporter was so knowledgeable about his subject that he asked Drury to tell him about "Heinrich". Prospect Park has a recap of last night's prospect action.

Comments

[Jive]

Alright, fairly decent article. I need to disagree with you though Dubi. Season ticket holder in the 400s here. Two things drive me mad. First thing is the Potvin sucks chant. Enough, it needs to go the way of the dinosaur. Only in games against the Islanders should I have to deal with this 3 decade old chant.

Second off, the "SHOOT" cry needs to end. Fans scream shoot within 5 seconds of the powerplay starting. They fail to realize it takes puck movement to have an effective powerplay (see Detroit and their 33% powerplay...puck movement scores goals, not D to D passes and far shots to the net).

That being said, the crowd is 100% accurate with Rozi. I stick up for the guy, but this long of a poor showing deserves the Malik treatment. You want us to feel bad for the guy? Turnover after turnover, costing us another shorthanded goal. Enough is enough. You get a free pass for some mishaps. Fans are wrong to think he never shoots. He shoots when he has the lanes. However, this guy makes what, 1.5 million less than Henrik? Really? 5 million a year and you cant keep the puck in the zone on a powerplay? You cant stop turning it over and giving the other team break out opportunities? I mean, Redden has disappointed, but not as bad as Rozi.

Rozi needs to man up, deal with the boos, and win us, the fans, back. Sorry Dubi, we pay his salary. Want us to stop? Play better. I pay my season ticket holder fee each year, I can yell whatever I want to. Rozi wants me to stop yelling? Simple answer...stop costing my team games/goals.

[Jameson]

I'm glad Dawes was in the line-up

[Godwin]

A lucky win in my eyes. I don't understand how for so many games already this season, the Rangers fall asleep for about half the game and decide to turn it up a notch towards the end. We got lucky to get the 2 points, plain and simple. We're not going to be leading the conference for long if we continue to play like this. Rozsival has been atrocious. But the problem in my view is more serious than just Rozy. First off our PP is garbage. Perry Pearn is useless. On 5 on 4 power play's the d-men don't shoot yet today on the 5 on 3's only the d-men took the shots. It's a 5 on 3... try for a play down low, it's common hockey sense!

This has to be the most upset I've ever been considering the Rangers came back late in the third and stole 2 points. I like that they didn't give up but I just don't understand how there are two different teams. Why do we never see the Rangers of the final 15 minutes of the game play like that all game long? Renney and his staff need to go, plain and simple. If it's not for Lundqvist night in and night out, we're probably a sub .500 team by now.

[Jess]

From previous thread:

Jack

I have nothing against Del Zotto but I still believe that Jack Carlson would have been the better pick for the Rangers at the draft.

In fact Del Zotto would have been my 4th choice after Carlson, Greg Nemisz and Anton Gustafsson.

All

I think that I have to agree with Jive on Rozsival as I watched the game on tape and I don't think the booing was unwarranted.

To me it is the same kinds of mistakes that lead to the booing. Heck even Joe M pointed out that giving up 6 shorthanded goals when you are not using a forward on the point is inexcusable.

As Dubi himself wrote it is the lower priced defenders who have been the Ranger's best this season.

Mara took a pay cut to remain a Ranger and has been doing things at both ends of the ice as well as standing up for his teammates.

Girardi has been his typical consistent self and Staal has not played badly.

[Brooklyn Hockey Guy]

Rangers can't keep playing this sloppy early on in games and expect to win games like this. They have to get their forecheck going in sixty minutes. Rangers were also lucky that they didn't have penalties called on them right before both of their goals.

[Matty]

Jive and Jess,

I agree that the booing of Roszival, for his play tonight and the hefty salary he carries, was warranted.

However here is the issue that I have with the way some of the Garden fans boo their own players is that at times it is at the expense of the entire team. Sometimes fans are so focused on booing the player they are focusing on that they completely forget to support the rest of the team.

That creates a very hostile and negative atmosphere for the entire team NOT just the one being booed. Specially if it carries on to Mondays game. Because Monday is a brand new day and a whole new game and if from the very first moment Roszival touches the puck he's booed then that will be a negative for the entire team. I agree with booing when the team/player is playing badly but not for past transgressions as nobody's perfect and fans should allow him to start fresh on his next game. Unfortunately I don't believe they will.

[Bob Merchant]

Rozy had a bad game, in a place like NY you are going to hear about it. I just hope people (and you know who you are) don't go into "Malik Syndrome" and start booing the guy every time he is on the ice or touches the puck. That can't be productive for anyone and does not bode well for a first place team.

[Phill]

I agree that, for at least last night, Rosival's booing was warranted. I'll also agree he was the catalyst behind both of Boston's goals, but just as quickly as I'm ready to admit that, it's not as if there weren't other Rangers culpable.

Lundqvist saves the Chara goal had he not been DOUBLE screened by (I believe) both Orr and Betts. Really no excuse for that.

The second goal was in all honesty, despite Henrik's superb game, he probably should've had. I don't expect him to be perfect every single night as well as last night, but maybe there's a reason he's still looking for his first shutout. Either way, HL has been the MVP of this team thus far, with Zherdev and Naslund slightly behind.

Anyways, my points are that Rosival's gaffes are magnified because teams happen to score off them. If you notice that the three SH goals that he's been directly involved with (2 vs LI, one last night), various teammates have let him down by missing assignments, not doing the right thing, or simply letting in a rather weak shot. Again, he is the catalysis behind all of those goals, but at the same time, I'm not willing to throw him under the bus all the time like so many of us already do.

It's clear the booing has an adverse effect on Rosival so I hope it doesn't continue into Monday night's game. I'm done ranting now.

[Joe]

One thing that I noticed on the power play is that the puck movement is not quick. The point man or the winger gets the puck and then waits around for a while to either shoot or pass. This gives the defenders time to get in position to block the lanes. The puck movement has to be quick so that they catch the defenders out of position.

[Chris G]

I'd Rather Focus on the goals by Dawes and Drury as well as Henrik's stellar play than mistakes..people just love to focus on the negitive...

[wwwc9]

I think this lies on the coaching staff. The first unit is always given prime powerplay time whether they're effective or not. My perception is that on five on fours, they usually stay on for around a 1:10-1:20. Thus they don't have any urgency and are lax with passing the puck.

Remember early in the season? They were passing the puck quickly, physically moving around and looked good as a unit even though the results weren't there.

The same is true for the 5 on 3's. If the first unit isn't working, the second unit doesn't get to start the second five on 3.

[paulinflorida]

I don't think Rangers fans ever 'quit' on 'their' team. Although it may sound like it with the 'Bronx Cheer' it shows the passion and the understanding of the game that the fans have for 'their' team. Let's face it....New York fans expect a lot and they will let you know when they are not happy...I doesn't matter which sport it is. Just ask the fans at the Garden that have had season tickets for decades. They have seen 'the good, the bad, the ugly' but never 'quit' on 'their' team. The passion, we as Ranger fans have, is second to none..and I hope that never changes. The negative 'serenade' Rozy got last night shows that passion and the expectations of very demanding fans. How he deals with it and how it effects his play is up to him...but don't expect the fans to do anything different if it happens again. Anyway...great comeback last night despite some recurring issues. One thing ever so consistent....Henrik Lundqvist. He gave the Rangers the opportunity for the comeback and perfect in the shootout...totally awesome!

[oleosmirf]

the coaching staff is to blame for the 5-3 PP

Instead of Shanahan and Jagr on the point passing back and forth its now Redden and Rozsival. The 5-3 PP is coached to keep the puck to the outside and don't even bother attacking the net. That is the problem.

[Ice]

Dubi, you are such a nudnik when it comes to fan booing. I couldn't disagree with you more, well I could, but this is too much fun. You must have never been to a game in Montreal, where the fans frequently let the team know they are displeased. How has that worked out for Montreal?

I used to take the train from Kingston, Ontario to the QE 2 for games at the Forum, and booing was a way of life. I agree with your disparagement of the Potvin cheer and homophobic fan behavior at MSG, but Rozy has earned his plight. It is not just his turnovers, but his ill timed pinches, too. He appears to be another one of those super sensitive Czechs. I would love to have a Czech as a son-in-law, but give me a Western Canadian mentality any day for the team.

I can't help but feel that he is lacking a good "feel" for the game. Maybe a change of scenery would do him good. Allan Stanley blossomed when he escaped the fans booing him. If I was lucky enough to attend games at MSG, I don't think I could resist booing him, either. It would make me feel better, if nothing else.

How long would Brian Burke accept a soft, slowish D man like Rozy?

[adam w]

The reason we gave up that shorthanded goal is because Rozi paniced. I was actually bashing him last night and honestly when he lost that battle in the end boards by lucic on that 1st goal I knew he was going to start to get booed.
The reason for the 2nd goal was because it really is all psychological with him. They guy is going to start playing really bad and start squeezing the stick if we continue to get on him and boo him. The puck was bouncing on him and in the back of his head I guarantee you he was saying to himself please don't lose it. We are all human but the guy played scared last night. You might not realize it but it really does get to a player some more than others but when a defensive player that is as important as rozi can not be booed because when he is in his own end he will more than likely cough up the puck to someone or just clear it while not looking for a player breaking out.

I don't know what is wrong with rozi this year. Even though he got that big contract I was kinda of happy with his play and I knew what we were going to get with him, when I didn't know what we were going to get with Redden. Even though he wouldn't shoot on the power play he was very sound defensively and some what physical.

So I suggest we give him a mulligan and let him start over and I think he would want the same. The guy is a great guy who has done a lot for the community and will be here for a long time. He just needs to regain his composure.

[paul arensburg]

I'd like to see how Roszival would respond to playing a hard forechecking/puck pursuit system instead of the passive 1-2-2 that Renney deploys.

[Dan Letizia]

We are the #1 team in the conference lets focus on the positive. I can't think of one example how booing your own players can help that player or team. Did everyone see how tense rozi was last night. Keep the booing to the opposition.

[True NY Rangers Fan]

You know it is disgusting to hear the so called "I pay my money, so I could boo if I want to" comments. This is our team, like the videos say "I am a Ranger!". If you truly believe that then stop booing players for playing poorly every time they touch the puck. From 1997-the lockout this team had a bunch of quitters in uniform and the fans never did this! This Rangers team since the lockout have exemplified what it means to be a NYer and a Ranger>>> Heart, effort, passion and the desire to win. This includes Malik, Rozsival and whoever we decide to boo next! Neither player is Kamensky or Lefebrve or Quintal... these are players who WANT to be Rangers.
Anyone who is being and thinks they are being a true Rangers fan you are an ass! A true win is trying to install confidence in these players not destory them. How about cheering for Rozsival to boost his confidence so he can HELP this team win. This team plays their ass off every single night and WE the fans need to start respecting that. Mistakes will happen, that is how over 95% of the goals in the NHL are scored.
Nobody is owed anything except a hardworking honest effort from the players. If you feel you deserve more then please stay home, give up your tickets bc in truth you are more of a hinderence in this team accomplishing its goal then helping out. There are plenty of "Real" fans out there who want to be a part of the NY Rangers and not tear them apart! Time to grow up people!

[Mark]

Anyone notice Kalinin had a good game?

[angry]

"We're a resilient team," Naslund said. "We don't stop working until 60 minutes are over."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You might say that don't start working until 40 minutes are over.

[angry]

"I'm disappointed that things like (the booing) happen, because I'd like to see anybody that decides they want to boo him to stand out there on bad ice like that and take a pass when it's coming in flipping," Renney said. "I'm disappointed that he gets what he's getting right now, because he's a hell of a human being, he's a great teammate, he's a damn good player and has been from the moment he got here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I understand the booing, but I wouldn't do it.

[stan the man]

The fans are turning on Rozsival and that is the kiss of death as we've seen from the past examples. His contract though might be hard to deal. Its too much money and too many years for a player of his ability.

[JohhnyP]

I hate to do this but I think it's necessary. Having spent nearly a year in London I have become quite familiar with English football. I've gone to a few matches and you will NEVER here a boo for the home team. Maybe you'll get a few at the end of a bad loss but they NEVER boo their own team. We are so critical of these guys. Any miscue, we let them hear about it. As fans we'll never get a chance to put on the jersey and play but we sure as hell can make a difference for our team by making the Garden the scariest place for opposition to play. NOT just when we're winning but for 60 minutes. It's easy to get loud when we're up a goal but that's not when they need to hear us. Recently went to see a Croatian club play Tottenham Hotspurs in London. Croat team got slammed 4-0 and their supporters did not sit down or shut up for 90 minutes!!! We have a lot to learn.

[Jive]

JohhnyP

Maybe you were only watching the good teams that have no reason to boo. Did you not see England's last World Cup qualifier? Ashley Cole cost England a goal, and heard it for the rest of the game from the English fans.

[Johnny P]

Ashley Cole is an insolent, self-centered player. We're also talking World Cup bro, not game umteen of the regular season. How can ANY positive come from booing a guy while he's wearing blue? He's a Ranger and he's not purposely fumbling the puck at the blue line. Good idea, let's take a player who is struggling and place him in the pressure cooker that is the angry, impatient Garden. My main point was that as we want a full 60 minutes effort from the players, I doubt they'd mind us giving our all for 60. Again, that doesn't mean cheering at the anthem and for hits, goals and Hank saves. We fancy ourselves as such great fans, let's start acting like it. 60 minutes of love. Win or lose.

[rangerbill94]

On Rozi

By booing, the fans think they can effect a roster cahnge, like Malik. In the process, they end up hurting the team. SOME FANS!!! If I was Renney, I would have put Rozi on the end of the bench with the explaination that he needs to get composed and leave it at that.

On the game

Usually it's the Rangers who complain that they didn't give a complete 60 minute effort. This time it's Boston. I'll take that. Second, this game reflects what a very good team does. They find a way to win. It wasn't pretty, Rozi was responsible for the two goals against, but WE got the W and that all that counts.

[brian]

Anyone need 2 tix for tomorrow nights game against Ottawa? If you do, please email me @ bmihans@yahoo.com

[JohnnyP]

Here here Bill!

[Dubi]

Jive -- I wasn't referring just to the Rozsival booing, I was much more concerned booing the power play even on its first try in the first period and just the general giving up that I heard, including the futility of a few fans who tried to start LGR chants and got no response. Lately, a few morons are even yelling "Shoot!" when the puck is behind the net or even in the other team's possession!

Paul -- I was there last night and heard what was being said. The fans quit on the team in the second period. If the Rangers quit the way the fans did, this would have been one ugly loss, not a comeback shootout win. My question to fans was this: how would they react if the team quit that way? Look in the mirror and hold yourself accountable. You can boo to express your displeasure, or you can cheer to try to help motivate the team. Your choice. Just imagine if a player chose to yell and point fingers midway through a game rather than motivating himself to try to pull something out, and there's your answer.

Ice -- I seem to recall Montreal fans NOT booing when their team was down 5-0 to the Rangers last season, instead cheering them and, by all accounts, being a HUGE part of that comeback by motivating their team. That's what I'm talking 'bout.

Look folks, Rozsival has made some huge errors that Henrik hasn't been able to erase the way he erased other errors. Still, there is no excuse for those mistakes. But listen to Tom Renney's words from last night that have been quoted at the reporters' blogs -- when you boo Rozsival, you're booing all of us, he said.

These guys know which side their bread is buttered on, so they're not going to criticize the fans directly. But they know hockey is a team game and that their overall cause is hurt if fans tear down one of their teammates. So when they say something like that, look at it closely, take it seriously. That's their way of saying the same thing I'm saying. If you want to quit on them, fine -- just don't start getting all indignant when they quit right back on you.

[Jameson]

Jive,
lol, last time I checked the Rangers are the best team in the conference and just beat the 2nd best team in the conference without playing their best game. So there goes that maybe he was watching a good team argument..woops

[paul arensburg]

Boston was cruising to a comfortable win umtil they attempted their version of 5 in the picture.

[BobbyC]

Went to the game last night. It was a lot of fun.

I think though, that we the fans, need to give the power play and perceived slow start to the games a bit of a break. The Bruins are the hottest team in the league. Their goalie has (I think) the top GAA in the league. They have a young fast team. And even though the Rangers did not assert themselves early, they we in the game getting some chances. We had a great third period and showed a lot of resolve and character.

Between the 2nd and 3rd period, I was waiting in line to go to the restroom. We were down 2-0 and the guy behind me says to his friend... jeez down 2-0, it doesn't look good... and his friend says back to him, don't worry we will have some 3rd period magic... I have a rather optimistic way of looking at things, but to come back and play dominant third period hockey against the hottest team in the league, I thought was awesome... I think this team has the potential to be special.

Now on to our third line. Dawes-Korpo-Fritche. They played some great hockey and it looks like Korpo and Fritche have rightfully secured spots on this line... Dawes possible too... So my question is who sits when Gomez gets back?

[alan]

i was happy that redden had a decent game last night. wasn't beaten every time he was on the ice (except for when he fell) and actually completed some outlet passes on teammates' sticks. wow. impressive stuff.

i'm having a little problem understanding gomer's ankle injury. wouldn't that affect his skating? the last thing gomer seemed to have any problems with was his skating. could something else be going on? dubi?

[rangerbill94]

paul a

Good obsevation. However, that's exactly why Renney preaches "stay within the system". When you change what you normally do, you get burned. I know that's not your point, but you made mine; and Renney's!

[Bones]

I will criticize Rosy and have been for some time, just like Malik, because I don't think either of them are very good defencemen, but if I was at the game I would never ever boo him. Renney frustrates the hell out of me frankly more than Rosy. He continues to make excuses for him, rather than putting him on the end of the bench and leaving him on the PP when he's a liability out there not an asset. Ice mentioned the western canadian mentality which evolves around toughness and passion for the game. To me both Rosy and Malik lack that passion. They don't play like the game is everything to them at that moment. Neither one of those guys are as good as people seem to think they are.

[Riche']

Dubi,

I used to frequent this site (before you guys went +, still do sometimes, obviously) and I don't always agree with your write ups but this time you're dead on about the booing.

Someone above said "I hope this doesn't continue into the next game... but I'm afraid it will."

I'm afraid they're right. If this becomes a regular thing everytime he touches the puck it's a horrible mistake on the part of the fans. Mailk may have turned the other cheek but this guy won't and it'll hurt more than help.

[paul arensburg]

Rb94,

Thanks. Technically the Rangers also weren't playing within tneir system during that time either.

[paul arensburg]

Did anybody notice what happened on the opening faceoff? Betts clean win to Mara who passes to Staal and then skates backwards. Staal sends it back to Mara who slowly carries it to his blueline and then flips it towards Orr who is standing near the Bruins' blueline. After the puck bounces off the lineman's skate and settles, Orr flips it deep. Betts moves up while the other guys set up rest of the 1-2-2.

Is setting up a 1-2-2 on a dump in from the other guys' blueline in the opening seconds of a game standard procedure throughout the league or do other teams get up and pressure the breakout?

Gotta wonder if Renney's "we were prepared to win 1-0" against the Islanders system isn't sucking the life out of the players.

I'm sorry but thanks inordinately to Henrik Lundqvist the Rangers are winning despite Tom Renney.

[Ice]

Dubi, the Canadien fans started going nuts when Montreal started their comeback in the game you mentioned; just like the Ranger fans did in the third. I don't agree with booing Rozy the posy every time he touches the puck, but he deserves to be reminded by the fans, when he makes a bonehead play, that we take these games very seriously (admittedly more so than rationality would suggest). He is a professional and has to learn to deal with it. He is a great guy and I'm sure takes in all of the cultural offerings of the Apple, but I wish he would develop the Canadian attitude, criticized rightly by Sean Avery, that this is life or death.

BTW, can I extend my BB subscription via the internet? This is not a blatant attempt to suck up to you.

[Jess]

Hey I just got to change the subject because I think this is the kind of stuff you folks want to hear.

Evgeny Grachev (2008 3rd) had a 4 goal game this afternoon for Brampton as the Troop defeated Ottawa 4-2.

I will have more tonight on Grachev later at Prospect Park.

[ntb]

The problem is that fans do not distribute the boos evenly. For better or worse, Rozi is the whipping boy now. Meanwhile, Girardi almost gifted one to Bruins with an errant pass thru the slot -- no boos. Staal rushed the puck the length of the ice only to be poke-checked by Kessel and off go the Bruins -- no boos. Redden falls down giving Kessel a semi-breakaway -- no boos. Roszival skates behind the net to start a breakout -- chorus of boos. You want to boo bad plays, fine. But boo regardless of jersey number.

[rangerbill94]

paul a

You described a 1-2-2 just the way it should be played. A 1-2-2 is a conserative system, designed to create turnovers. Not a bad way to start a period. The goal is to get the first faceoff of the period in the attacking zone. If you get it, then you change lines. It's like getting that first batter on base. Good forecheckers can create turnovers, penalties and faceoffs. Yes, it is not suited to an agressive offensive game, that's what makes it conservative. If you have the personnel to play that system, it works well. A more aggressive system is a 2-1-2 or a 3-2, but it is a risky system as you can get 2 men trapped deep, leading to an odd-man rush. BTW, a 1-2-2 system is not, necessarily a "trap". A trap is a specific variation of the 1-2-2. Detroit used the Left-Wing Lock, another "trap" variation.

[paul arensburg]

If the Rangers have the personnel to make a conservative system work well it seems to me that said personnel starts and pretty much ends with Henrik Lundqvist. Because the guys in front of him seem to be airheads and or soft-ish. It's like, with almost any goalie other than Hank back there the competition routinely would be laying a 5 spot on us; while their goalie has mostly a bunch of routine saves to make.

According to www.behindthenet.ca last season Hank faced more tough saves than any goalie other than Brodeur.

[rangerbill94]

paul a

I didn't say the Rangers play a conservative system. I was addressing your comment about the Betts line starting games and periods. The Rangers play a number of different systems. The goal by Dawes was a 2-1-2, agressive forecheck. And don't tell me that was because there was only 6 minutes left in the game. That line was playing a 2-1-2 most of the game. And as for the backup goalie resulting in the opposition being spotted 5 goals...PLEASE, give me a break.

Maybe you don't like Renney and his system, but the pattern is the Red Wings. We don't have the complete package they have, but we surely have the better goalie. Some of the better players are not with the team yet; Del Zotto, Sags, Grachev, Anisimov; but the goal is to have a balanced team that is defensively responsible. We are on the way toward that kind of team. This present roster is a strong one and this team has very positive potential. The comeback last night is another positive sign. When can you remember the Rangers playing poorly and with less then 7 minutes left in the game come back to tie and then win in the shotout? Everybody gave up on them, because we never seem to mount a successful comeback. Renney made sure the team didn't give up on themselves.

[paul arensburg]

This was Renney's Rangers last season: one of the worst offenses in hockey and a defense that gave up more high quality scoring chances than every other team but one. This year, new personnel, same story. Add to that once again he has one of the worst PPs in the league that has have given up the most shorthanded goals in the league. Meanwhile, he stubbornly refuses to cut the first unit's minutes even though anybody can see the 2nd unit is better.

And, worst of all, on most nights the Rangers phone it in for like half a game.

btw, last night the Korpi line played like ten minutes.

[rocketnyr]

When does Renney finally see what all of us have seen for two seasons... that the "system" being used on the power play is the problem, not the personnel. Pearn obviously doesn't have the ability to make it work, so he needs to go. Renney's friendship with Pearn shouldn't enter into the equation.

To the Rozsival apologists: he is being booed not because he makes a mistake... every other Ranger makes mistakes as well. Rozi is being booed because he never learns from his mistakes, and he makes multiple mistakes every game... and then his reaction is usually to either stand there watching the play or to cover the wrong man after his turnover.

Renney's constant support for Rozi is all well and good, but if he'd just sit Rozi for a few shifts after a bad gaffe, the fans would sense that there is some accountability, and ease off. But Rozi never misses a shift despite being totally responsible for at least 6 or 7 goals against. Yet Renney was quick to bench Dubinsky, and trash him to the press, after a single error that led to a goal against. Is that fair? The fans are frustrated because of the lack of even-handed justice.

In my opinion, Renney is making it a lot worse.

[Phill]

"Rozi is being booed because he never learns from his mistakes, and he makes multiple mistakes every game... and then his reaction is usually to either stand there watching the play or to cover the wrong man after his turnover.

Renney's constant support for Rozi is all well and good, but if he'd just sit Rozi for a few shifts after a bad gaffe, the fans would sense that there is some accountability, and ease off. But Rozi never misses a shift despite being totally responsible for at least 6 or 7 goals against."

It's pretty obvious that you're exaggerating quite a bit with respect to Rosival's turnovers/mistakes. And I'm guessing by your benching statement that you didn't see the 3rd period of that Islander game, or at least, weren't paying much attention to ice time.

Again, Rosi hasn't done the following: passed the puck to the opposition in the slot ala Girardi and Zherdev (Boston/NYI,respectively), but they get passes because they've had good seasons right? Or how about Callahan missing his checking assignment on Hossa in that overtime game? Another good one-- Gomez's cross ice pass in (I believe) Toronto that set off the ensuing defensive, meltdown. Those are just a few I can name off the top of my head.

Rosival's been a victim of dumb mistakes on his part, dumb mistakes by his teammates (read my other post above for more examples) and HL being unable to stop those particular scoring chances, but people never notice that.

[oleosmirf]

rangerbill

while the Rangers are moving in the right direction, without a legit finisher, the Rangers cannot get to where the Red Wings are right now.

With the death of our best prospect in years, and 4 terrible contracts on the team, the Rangers will have to inevitably move one of them, if this team wants to go far.

[rangerbill94]

oleo

I didn't say there were where the Wings are now. In 2-3 years they will be. By then I see Rozsival, Redden, Drury and Naslund all gone. So, I'm not sure we need to give anybody up. And yes, the loss of AC was a blow and many levels, but life does go on and the Rangers will adjust.

[Jive]

How do you see Drury gone in 2-3 years?