The New York Rangers are clinging to their playoff lives. Not too long ago, they were seven points up on a playoff spot. But Buffalo and Carolina kept winning while the Rangers lost Ryan Callahan and played like horseshit in a 3-0 loss at home to the stinky Atlanta Thrashers.
Here's the bottom line. The Rangers are about to face off against the New Jersey Devils in just a matter of minutes. The Carolina Hurricanes take on Tampa Bay at home tonight. The Rangers and Canes are tied in the standings with 91 points. Carolina owns the tiebreaker so the Rangers need to gain a point. If they lose in regulation, they are done. If they only gain one point, Carolina must lose in regulation. If they win, Tampa HAS to be beat Carolina.
I do not feel good about these odds. Missing the playoffs would be an absolute disgrace. Not because the Rangers are so talented, they're not. And they work hard most of the time. But their goal scoring is so inconsistent. Six goals in one game, three goals over the next three games. They should be better than Tampa, better than Buffalo, maybe better than Montreal. And they can beat any team in this fucking league, they have proved that time after time.
I am happy Chris Drury is back from knee surgery, though I don't see why Erik Christensen is playing and Sean Avery is scratched. Isn't his energy what this team needs against the Devils and their goalie? As for Matt Gilroy playing over Steve Eminger, whatever. Both will be history after this season anyway.
11:40: Faceoff time. This crowd better bring it today. Not to mention the players.
11:43: 1-0 New Jersey. Kovalchuck. Unfuckingbelievable 11:45: Drury ties it! His first shift back and it's his first goal of the season! Holy crap! The Maaaaaaa-rty chants are deafening.
11:52 Pretty back and forth now and I love that crowd.
11:56 Halfway through the first period. I like this defense working in the offensive zone. The forecheck is working well. Against that young Jersey defense, the Rangers need to impose their will. Hits count: Rangers 10, Devils 2
12:08 Brodeur robs Fedotenko. Boyle is really palying hard. He will get a significant raise next season. No penalties to this point. Three minutes left.
12:11 That no good motherfucker Kovalchuk again. 2-1.
12:36: Well, I had to restart the computer and missed Wolski tie the score at 2-2. Grab that lead!
12:38: First penalty, coincidental minors, 4-on-4. Watching Kovalchuk close.
12:46: Rangers continue to block shots, Boyle with a sliding block. Both teams playing with a lot of physicality. Neither seems be able to get the edge over another.
12:49: Ryan McDonagh! His first career goal over Marty's shoulder. It's 3-2 Rangers!
12:55: Rangers continue to press hard on the Devils. They really seem on the verge of taking this game over.
12:59: The Prust is a must! 4-2! Now the Devils are trying to goad the Rangers. The Devils are hitting, trying to get the Rangers to retaliate. The Rangers have not been short handed today and the refs don't seem eager to blow the whistle. I have a good feeling about this game. The one later tonight...
1:05: The second period is over. 20 minutes remaining. The Rangers have continue to play assertive hockey and not let the Devils control possession.
1:33: No real action in this period and that's probably good. Six minutes down.
1:37: 5 shots on goal over the first 9 minutes between both teams. Still no power plays at all.
1:40: On a 2-on-1, Anisimov finds Prospal, who deposits the puck over Marty's right shoulder into the net. 5-2, nine minutes left. You can put this in the books! 1:43: Rangers fans start a "Let's Go Lightning!" chant. Awesome!
1:49: Another TV timeout. Four minutes and counting... 1:53: Two minutes to go...Drury still out there skating.
1:55: And it's a 5-2 final. They did their job today. Time for the Blueshirt Off Our Backs ceremony.
Carolina has won 8 of 10 and one of those losses was in overtime to Buffalo, of all teams. For the next seven hours, I am the biggest Tampa Bay Lightning fan in the state of Illinois, maybe in the entire Central time zone! For everyone I will see at Game Night tonight, forgive me if I am totally distracted the entire time...
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