Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Throw a parade – the losing is over!
“It [the fight] gives the guys a boost. Sam [Carrick] is a brave guy. He competes hard. He’s a competitor. It gave the guys a huge boost. That was a gutsy effort.” – Mike Sullivan on Sam “I DAMN AM” Carrick.
The anemic goal-scoring Rangers, who entered Saturday night’s match in Montreal as losers in their last three games played, finally got off of the schneid via their 4-3 victory against an exciting “bleu blanc et rouge” Jeff Gorton built team.
And with the way that both of these Original Six teams have been playing thus far this season – then who would’ve thought that the Rangers would had left the Bell Centre with a win – and especially at just the 3:42 mark when the home team Habs were already up on the scoreboard by two goals?
Martin St. Louis’ young-guns, perhaps the fastest team in the league today, lived up to their billing early.
(And I’ll tell you what – while I don’t – and won’t – root for the Canadiens; but at the same time – and I’ll watch as many games of theirs as I can. That’s how exciting they are.)
In front of a red-hot and rabid crowd and it took all of 93-seconds for Juraj “Shane Wright Who?” Slafkovsky to put the Canadiens ahead – as the end result of a Montreal two-vs-one odd-man rush against Jonathan Quick.
Nearly thirty-seconds after that 1-0, bad guys goal – and Urho Vaakanainen hooked Oliver Kapanen.
As the Habitant’s man-up advantage was set to expire – and boom – there was a wide-open Nick Suzuki for the 2-0, bad guys, score.
At the time, then the Canadiens not only had a two-goal lead at just the 3:42 mark – but they were also shooting at a perfect 100% too.
Things weren’t looking any better for the Blueshirts some three-minutes later when Conor Sheary slashed Ivan Demidov.
Still 2-0 at the time – and the home team not only had a chance to kick the field goal early – but to run the Rangers out of their barn too.
If you followed my Tweeter/X timeline at the time (https://x.com/NYCTheMiC ), then what I’m about to say next is basically what I repeated throughout the duration of the contest:
Once the Blueshirts killed off this second Montreal power-play – and that was it.
This was the first turning point of the game – and a second, and certainly most explosive turning point, was soon to come.
Somewhat settled down once preventing a Canadien three-goal lead and Sully’s Squad earned themselves a power-play at the 10:24 mark, following a Josh “Stop Stalking Me Larry Brooks” Anderson hold on Big Billy Borgen.
After initially blowing the Blueshirts’ best chance to score during these two-minutes of man-up time – and wouldn’t you know it – and the damndest thing happened:
Mika Zibanejad scored a one-timed power-play goal from the circle.
2-1, bad guys.
And buy a powerball ticket too – because these sightings are as rare as UFOs.
If I’ve said this once, then I’ve said it 798678698679869869867967969 zillion times over:
“SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES!”
Granted, while both power-plays eventually concluded the contest by batting .500 (1-2); it was not only the Rangers’ second penalty kill – but their first power-play too – that completely changed the momentum of this game.
While the Canadiens would continue to threaten their visitors all night – they also could never regain their mojo either.
As the first period became the second period, then, and down to 4:50 remaining – and Arber “WIFI” Xhekaj was none too pleased after Sam Carrick and the 2025 Calder Trophy winner, Lane Hutson, exchanged vicious hits.
WIFI, who originally had his eyes set on engaging-and-rekindling Matt Rempe throughout the tilt, then turned his sights from #73 and onto #39.
For those not familiar with WIFI, then to give the best Blueshirts’ reference available, then he’s kind of like Montreal’s version of Rempe.
While Wifi is a defenseman (as opposed to Rempe who is a forward); then both players have been accused of being minor-league plugs/slug enforcers – and all while the majority ignore the leaps-and-bounds that these two have taken as they continue their respective NHL journeys.
The Steel Balled Sam Carrick was forced to throw hands against Wifi – and where it should be noted that the Ranger was giving up something like six-inches and fifty-pounds in this fight.
In what should’ve been a squash victory for the Canadien; instead, and it was basically a 51-49 win – and where some may even call the fight a draw.
As both men were throwing wild and vicious haymakers, the officials on the ice, who could’ve easily broken up this fight, just let them go – and much to the crowd’s delight.
After all, nothing gets every fan in the building, no matter who they are rooting for, on their feet faster than a good old-time hockey fight.
But what no one knew at the time, including the home-town rooters, was that Carrick’s toughness was going to create a spark, a jubilant jolt, for the road Rangers.
As if they were living vicariously through Carrick’s coarseness which now ran through their veins – and the Rangers responded – and responded they did.
The Blueshirts, who drew a power-play with only 1:28 remaining in this middle frame (Alexandre Carrier for holding Mika), opened up the third-and-final period on a 32-second power-play.
Two-seconds after the power-play had expired?
Captain J.T. Miller got a piece of a puck that was shot by Adam Fox – and a puck that went by a goalie that’s given the Blueshirts headaches in the past – Sam Montembeault.
While not officially scored as a power-play goal; but in reality, Carrier had just left the box as Miller tied the game at two goals a piece.
The Rangers, who not only turned the tide via their special team work in the first period, but also got the major lift from Carrick too, continued to press, press and press.
The hard work was rewarded at the 4:11 mark, as a Matt Robertson bomb put the Rangers ahead by a 3-2, good guys, score.
For Robertson, who has had to deal with so much adversity throughout his pro career – then this 3-2, GOOD GUYS, goal also doubled-up as his first NHL goal (and point too).
Somewhere, and Adam Hermtrans is reporting that Tony DeAngelo stole Robertson’s first goal/point puck!
And just to jump ahead for a second – and Robertson, who in my opinion should replace U.V. in the line-up once Carson Soucy is able to return (and I think that most Ranger fans would share this opinion too), was beaming ear-to-ear throughout the duration of his post-game interview.
One-hundred seconds following Robertson’s go-ahead goal – and there was NDArtemi Panarin assaulting his first net of the season – and as he did by going top-shelf on Montembeault at the 5:51 mark.
4-2, GOOD GUYS.
This was not only NDArtemi’s first goal of the season – but a much needed Blueshirts’ insurance goal as well – and where this proverbial insurance policy would have to be cashed in on too.
Not only did Montembeault look out of sorts at the time – but so did his skaters in front of him.
However, and at the 8:26 mark of this here third period – and we had two signature staples of Blueshirts’ hockey:
“SAME OLD RANGERS!”
“AND OF COURSE – EVERY FORMER ISLANDER MUST SCORE AGAINST THEM!”
Noah Dobson, the former rearguard at Belmont who left the Isles this summer for the big loonies and toonies in the French-speakin’ city, blasted a shot from the point that somehow got by Quick for the 4-3, still good guys, goal.
That said – and this was also the final goal of the match – but it wasn’t for a lack of trying from either side.
Both goalies were able to go flawless for the final 11:34 of regulation – and including when Montembeault was pulled for the extra attacker.
Thankfully, and when it was all said and done, and despite this game originally shaping up as one of those Henrik Lundqvist horror shows in Montreal (funny enough and #30 always played lights out against the Canadiens in the playoffs – but the complete opposite took place during most of his regular season starts in Montreal) – and the Rangers pulled off their first comeback win of the season.
And oh yeah – they also scored some goals too!
But alas, and of course – they must do it again, and again, and again – and you get my point.
And they also have to not only score a goal on M$G ice too – but win a freakin’ game there as well!
But that’s a problem for Monday.
At this time, then let’s just stick to all of the events leading into Saturday, followed by tonight’s GAME REVIEW segment.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off:
There are only two news items to note following the loss in Toronto and the win in Montreal.
One, Connor Mackey was sent back to Hartford on Friday, ahead of the Wolf Pack’s home-opener.
This was kind of strange to me, because after all, Scott Morrow remains – and wouldn’t it behoove the Blueshirts’ organization to have the young prospect, Morrow, get the ice time in the AHL – and rather than giving a journeyman veteran that very same opportunity?
Furthermore, and had Borgen been unable to go – then wouldn’t you want a heavy like Mackey in your line-up as opposed to a fresh-faced rookie?
But then again, and as mentioned last time around on this site – and we’re still dealing with the same team president/general manager from last season – and a Chris Drury that flew a concussed Filip Chytil cross-country (twice over at that) in 2024-25 – and only to not play the former #72 once arrived.
The other news item to share is the fact that Carson Soucy is back skating with the team.
Like Chytil’s tenure with the Rangers – and the speculation is that Soucy is also recovering from a concussion.
It should be said that Soucy was wearing a no-contact jersey during these past few Ranger practices and he might need at least one full contact practice ahead of his future return.
Additionally, and Soucy is eligible to come off of the NHL’s injured reserve list on Monday, which also doubles-up as the Blueshirts’ fourth home game of the season (Minnesota).
Here was Sully’s line-up for the seventh game of this 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Zibanejad/Cuylle
SECOND LINE: Sheary/Miller/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Parssinen/Laba/Raddysh
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Robertson/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Jonny Brodzinski and Scott Morrow
LTIR: Vincent Trocheck
IR: Carson Soucy
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 24 | 3 | 21 | .875 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59:52 | 0 |
|
MTL
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 22 | 4 | 18 | .818 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57:33 | 0 |
Following a long overtime shift at work on Saturday, then once returned to my domicile and I was saddened when I saw that we had another solo Sieve Vagistat pregame show.
(I assume that “THE KING OF COMMENTARY,” Henrik Lundqvist, had other commitments.)
Once I saw the worst goalie in franchise history, and one who is very proud of that Ron Burgundy suit that he always wears, on my screen – and that was it for me.
While I did leave the M$GN broadcast on my TV (albeit, on mute); I then paid my attention to everything that was going on in college football.
(And hey – what another huge win for Notre Dame! Can they run the table all the way to another playoff spot? Magic Eight ball says “HELL YEAH!”)
As noted on Thursday night, then Kenny Albert wasn’t around for this game, as he continues to fulfill his NFL obligations.
Rejoining Dave Maloney in the booth for this match was Alex Faust – and as mentioned on this site a few times this season – a Faust that’s done a superb job whenever pinch hitting for the future Hall of Fame playcaller.
Don’t take this as a shot at Sam Rosen (as that’s certainly not my intention) – but the Rangers, and M$GN too, have done a perfect job when finding successors to the Hall of Fame Blueshirts’ legend.
Enough dilly-dallying.
GAME REVIEW time!
FIRST PERIOD
Since I covered a bulk of this game at the top of this, then just the pertinent stuff – and for everything else, including a full play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter/X feed: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
— The Habs only needed 3:42 to grab a 2-0 lead:
Great work by Cole Caufield to force the turnover and then setup Juraj Slafkovsky for a perfect 2v1 goal. #GoHabsGo up 1-0 early. pic.twitter.com/YiAnxiOSbB
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 18, 2025
— 1-0, bad guys – and the irony when Faust was talking about how this was Panarin’s longest goal drought to start a season – and then boom – the other team scores for the rotten cherry on top.
— Here’s Suzuki giving his team a 1.000 shooting percentage:
WHAT A FEED FROM IVAN DEMIDOV FOR NICK SUZUKI’S FIRST OF THE YEAR! 👏 pic.twitter.com/WwZerKxyqC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 18, 2025
— 2-0, bad guys.
— But the parasitic Montreal worm would soon turn.
— The fourth line, and because of the U.V. penalty, didn’t get their first shift until nearly five-minutes in – but as always – and they continued to make a positive impact.
— But once the top-six returned – and this is when Sheary took his penalty just 6:50 in.
— The Rangers were extremely lucky that they didn’t give up another power-play goal here – and at the time – I thought that was going to be the case. After all, the speedy and youthful Montrealers just made the Blueshirts look like statues out there.
— While these statues did take some pigeon shit; but the Rangers were also able to clean themselves off and then get back to five-vs-five play unscathed.
— At the ten-minute mark and the Blueshirts only had one shot on goal. Impressive.
— But, and as said above – the tide turned once Anderson went to the box.
— Had the Rangers lost tonight, then everyone would have been talking about Zibanejad, when a foot-out, shot a puck directly at Montembeault.
— But since the Blueshirts won tonight, then everyone will be talking about his second shot from this power-play instead:
Mika Zibanejad you have me feeling things #NYR pic.twitter.com/LAVE0EW0ui
— Dan Godlewski (@Danthfc_) October 18, 2025
— 2-1, bad guys.
— On the broadcast, and really, in most places too, then all I saw and heard were phrases such as “VINTAGE ZIBANEJAD” and “THE OLD MIKA ONE-TIMER.” Such phrases, while meant to be complimentary, also imply that it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a hammer shot like this.
— We also haven’t seen Mika score these types of goals in any consistent fashion since COVID (2019-20 being Mika’s best season).
— Again – do it again, and again, and again – and I’m a broken record at this point.
— Another talking point between Maloney and Faust at this time? “Imagine what can happen if Lafreniere can rediscover this game?”
— Of note, then here is how Google AI sums up Lafreniere: “Alexis Lafrenière signed a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension with the New York Rangers, with an average annual value of $7.45 million. The deal, which runs through the 2031-32 season, includes an eight-team no-trade clause for the last five years.”
— Holy Mika Contract Batman!
— Down to 1:48 remaining – and that impressive fourth line. This time, THE SWEDISH CONDOR, government name Adam Edstrom, left a picture-perfect drop pass for Mr. Carrick. Montembeault made the save on this swift shot – but doesn’t it feel like #39 could have ten goals to his name by now?
— Carrick only makes a million bucks – and without doubt – has the best/most team-friendly contract in town. He may also be the best value in all of the NHL too.
— I forget who wrote this to me (email me and I’ll give you full credit) – but they were right:
Barclay Goodrow who?
Carrick, and for $2.7M less a season, has been much more productive than Goodrow – and that pains me to say that – as I was a huge fan of the former #21 of the Blueshirts.
But it should also be said that Goodrow earned that contract – as he was part of one of the best third lines in all of NHL history (two Cups in Tampa).
— We remained at 2-1, them, through twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-1, bad guys, through 20. 1P Thoughts:
— #NYR looked dead-and-buried early, but after giving up two quick goals, they came on after killing off the second MTL PP.
— Stinka Zibanedud could score a hat trick in every game this season and I’d still want him to waive his NMC.…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 18, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
— After Maloney had said that “the Rangers came hard” (I chuckled like Beavis) – and Miller lost the first draw of this second period.
— By the two-minute mark and each goalie came up with a big stop, with Montembeault initially stopping Sheary and with Quick then denying Alex Newhook.
— The Rangers’ rearguards came to play too. As Adam Fox (of all people!) was laying the body, then there was Borgen blocking shots – and including when he prevented Evans on a breakaway try.
— Come the 4:50 mark and Borgen came up with another block, which then set the fourth line off to the races – but Montreal responded with a block of their own (on Rempe).
— The block party continued, as at the near 6:00 mark, the young rookie, Noah Laba, stepped up – and right in front of a Wifi blast.
— Pure balls – and it didn’t look like Laba even flinched afterwards.
— RESPECT!
— As we approached the eight-minute mark, both teams had a chance to score, but the Rangers couldn’t capitalize on a juicy rebound afforded to Miller, while Evans just missed the net on a bang-bang play.
— Down to 9:00 remaining and another rebound given up by Montembeault (Robertson) was unable to be cashed in by Parssinen.
— With 7:58 remaining – the temperature began to rise. Following a Montembeault glove save on Carrick, we then had a mini scrum, and where league heavyweights, Wifi and Rempe, were at the center of it.
— The refs wouldn’t let them go.
— The questionable “puck-luck” continued, as following the scrum, Lafreniere hit a post, Matheson assaulted Artie which then ended a Rangers’ threat and Panarin, at the end of this same shift, blew an odd-man rush when his attempted pass to Laba hit the rookie’s skates instead of his blade.
— Up next – Carrick and Hutson exchanging monster hits – which then led to Carrick and Wifi exchanging fists of fury:
Sam Carrick delivered a big hit on Lane Hudson and Arber Xhekaj fights Carrick in defense of his star defenseman. #NYR pic.twitter.com/6xdY1vv9lm
— Remy Mastey (@MasteyRemy) October 19, 2025
— Again, this was another turning point of the game – and the ultimate one at that.
— Many people, including Maloney, felt like Wifi should’ve been assessed an instigator penalty too.
— All of these people are correct.
— That said, and if you’re a fan of the fight game like I am (BOOMER!) – then if we get instigator penalties every time whenever a teammate defends someone – then we’ll never have any fights at all.
— In turn, then I liked how the refs allowed this to go – but I will say – and as the refs did so here – there does need to be some discretion.
— I know that I’m talking out of both sides of my mouth here, but what I mean is if you have one big – and CLEAN – hit from a tough guy on a not-so-tough guy, then if someone jumps in – then yeah – call the instigator penalty.
— But if you have two players exchanging big – and CLEAN – hits – and should the flow of the game call for it too – then yeah – forget the instigator penalty and give the fans what they want.
— While Wifi may have won this fight – then Carrick didn’t exactly lose it either.
— Again, nothing but respect (and adoration) for Carrick. After all, then how many of you would want to fight someone six-inches taller and fifty-pounds heavier than you?
— Certainly not me!
— Down to 1:28 remaining and this is when Carrier went off, thus giving the Rangers a power-play.
— About ten-seconds into it – and Panarin missed a WIDE-OPEN and GAPING net.
— This was also the first time this season where Maloney really bit his tongue and restrained himself.
— Had this been RADIO MALONEY – then he would’ve gone on a tirade – which is why I love him!
— But since this was TV MALONEY, then the former captain, while being critical of Panarin, also presented his commentary from an “AW SHUCKS” perspective.
The Rangers still trailed 2-1 through forty-minutes of action.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-1, bad guys, through 40, #NYR open up 3P on a 32-second PP, thoughts:
— Exciting middle period – fast, big hits and an entertaining fight.
— Carrick really is the best value contract – maybe in the whole league too.
— Panarin can’t buy a goal – but he can make you sign an…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 19, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
— Two-seconds after the carryover time from the Carrier penalty had expired – and boom – Miller picked up his second goal of the season:
JT Miller ties it up for the Rangers in front 2-2‼️ #NYR pic.twitter.com/KGO5D8CTIi
— Dan Godlewski (@Danthfc_) October 19, 2025
— Granted, this was more about Fox – and where it looked like Lafreniere could have gotten a piece of this particular rubber too – but hey, we’ll take it – tie game.
— Right after this, and Wifi and Rempe, who were both jaw-jacking at each other both prior and during the game, took off-setting penalties.
— A tip of the cap goes to Mike Sullivan – who unlike that bozo Peter Lateralette – went to town on the officials for this latest “REMPUTATION” call.
— Wifi cross-checked Rempe three times. Rempe finally defended himself. The officials determined that these “offenses” were two equal and off-setting infractions.
— More impressive from the head coach?
— The fact that after Rempe was falsely accused of a penalty here, then, and as Sullivan has done in every game this season – he continued to reward Rempe (and his linemates too) with more ice time. (Maybe Sully will grow on me yet!)
— During the final two-minutes of tonight’s game, and just as it’s been the case in the six matches that preceded this one – and BOOM – there was Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe out there.
— If you’ve been following me, then you know that I wasn’t exactly enamored with the Sully hiring. However, I must give him his due here – and he’s being rewarded everytime whenever asking his fourth-liners to swing their tree-trunk legs over the Blueshirts’ bench.
— And oh – this is when RADIO MALONEY came to play – as he was absolutely fuming and irate about Rempe being boxed too.
— I loved every minute of this – and again, nothing against Joe Micheletti – but he wasn’t a Ranger, nor ever had the passion that Maloney had, and still has, for this franchise!
— Once the foreplay was over, we returned to even-strength.
— Somewhat similar to Mika before him, and immediately thereafter, Panarin too – and Robertson missed the net on what should’ve been a sure-fire goal.
— He didn’t miss on his second attempt:
FIRST NHL GOAL FOR MATTHEW ROBERTSON 🗽 pic.twitter.com/S6guw690uN
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 19, 2025
— 3-2, GOOD GUYS – and in what felt like the Rangers’ first lead since the FDR administration.
— I personally don’t know Robertson from a hole in the wall, but as someone who has followed his story from afar – then I was extremely happy for him.
— May his success continue – and in New York.
— Hartford be damned too!
— Montembeault was set to be damned for a fourth time as well – and via NDArtemi’s first goal after 20+ periods of action:
Artemi Panarin doubles the Rangers lead 🍞 pic.twitter.com/QDvinuT054
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 19, 2025
— 4-2, GOOD GUYS – and where let’s face it – Montembeault never had a chance on this one.
— I’m too lazy to look this up, so correct me if I’m wrong:
I believe this is the first time where Mika, Panarin and Miller all scored goals in the same game ever since Miller returned from Vancouver.
— At the very least, then this is the first time that we’ve seen these three – the highest-paid forwards on the team (which is why I’m bringing this up) – score in the same game.
— At this moment, then here’s what I was writing on X in real-time:
This game turned after the Rangers’ killed off that second MTL PP and they’re being rewarded it – and just as I type this – and OF COURSE, and as predicted earlier – Noah Dobson, the former Isle, scores. 4-3, 11:43 to go #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 19, 2025
— Here’s Dobson’s goal – and of course – his first of the season too:
Noah Dobson shot through traffic and I don’t think anyone else gets a touch on it, so it’ll be his first goal with the #Habs
Down 4-3 they need some more. pic.twitter.com/pZxfzNsWVE
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 19, 2025
— During a TV timeout segment and we returned to the M$GN studio for a stupid bit with Sieve Vagistat.
— According to Vagistat, then he told us that “Montembeault hates to be screened!”
— Not mentioned?
— What goalie actually LIKES to be screened?
— MORON!
— As we approached ten-minutes remaining, then one of the linesman/officials, Scott Cherrey, ate a puck to the face.
— I only mention this for two reasons. One, NHL refs have it tough – and much tougher than any other official in all of sports. Not only do they have to watch 12-players on the ice at any given moment, but they also need to be world-class skaters – and get out of the way too!
— Two, this led to our only Jim Ramsay mention on-air – as Maloney affectionately referred to the former 29-year Rangers’ trainer as “RAMMER” – as Ramsay, Jeff Gorton’s trainer of choice, was out there helping Cherrey – and an official that was bleeding “Cherrey Red” from his nose on the ice.
— And we never got a shot of Chris Drury in-attendance on M$GN airwaves either. I would’ve loved to have known if Drury had bumped into Gorton and/or Rammer prior to puck drop.
— To fast-forward a bit, as it’s getting late in real-time for me – and each goalie continued to rack up the saves in order to preserve the 4-3, GOOD GUYS, score.
— With 3:05 remaining, and after some rustling-and-jostling – and both Gavrikov and Newhook took off-setting roughing penalties.
— While these calls were warranted – this also didn’t benefit the Blueshirts either – as they were now without their best defender for the next two, and crunch-time too, minutes.
— After a Fox icing with 1:50 remaining in regulation – and Montembeault took a seat on the bench.
— The closest time that any team scored during all of this is when Cuylle had his EN try thwarted from Suzuki.
— 4-3, GOOD GUYS, your final.
This wasn’t the best win/game of the season in my eyes (the win against Buffalo was), but to the Rangers’ credit – and they stole a win here via the comeback.
During this young season and the Blueshirts have already lost too many games that they ought to have won (Charlie Lindgren, UGH!) – so this was kind of a make-good.
But even so – and SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES.
And so does Sam Carrick!
Here’s a happy Sully after the game:
For regular readers, then the following is old hat:
I’ve spent nearly the past ten-years trying to get the Rangers to retire Frank Boucher’s #7.
Rather than give you my usual spiel, then instead, and for new peepers, then check all of it out here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/retire-frank-bouchers-7/
(And make sure to check out my first book too!)
Despite my 7986798689678689686896986 attempts of asking the Rangers to retire Frank Boucher’s #7, and despite about 786786767986798679867896 attempts from Frankie Baird, Boucher’s granddaughter, to do the same – and it’s just not happening.
I’ll never forgive the franchise for this – and if prompted, then I’ll them as such to their face!
(But in a peaceful manner – as I’m not one of those neanderthals that makes threats – and as I see a lot of on social media!)
What am I getting at here?
This:
While I’m not happy about the Rangers’ refusal to honor their past; that said – and I will accept tickets to Monday’s game against the Wild – and if only because Mrs. Baird will be in-attendance this Monday night, when the Blueshirts pay tribute to the Original Rangers.
(PREDICTION: The Rangers finally score at home on Monday – and win the damn game too!)
(Another PREDICTION? Once the franchise informs their fans about Boucher’s past – then they’ll be like me – asking why the Rangers won’t put a banner in their rafters for a man responsible for 75% of their Stanley Cup wins!)
While I’m just expecting a video package, a camera pan to Baird that will then appear on the jumbo-tron and first-class treatment of her while inside of an M$G suite; then I’ll never complain about this franchise ever again if they pull off the unexpected – which would be by unfurling a banner in Boucher’s honor.
But I won’t hold my breath. (Especially not as a smoker – but I’m looking to kick this filthy habit via these disgusting Zyn pouches!)
Obviously, not seeing Boucher’s #7 (and others, like the Cook brothers, Johnson, Patrick, etc and read my first book for all of it) in the M$G rafters is something that I can’t let go of – but to pass up a chance to see Frankie & Company again is something that I can’t do either!
If you’re not an old fart like me, then you’ll know this fact to be true later on in your life:
Time is short – and you can’t waste/squander opportunities to be around the people that you love.
The point of this?
Then Monday’s Rangers/Wild GAME REVIEW blog may be delayed a bit – as I’m going to the game – and I might not have the time to write about it immediately afterwards.
(And if you aren’t already, then follow me on X, as I’ll post pictures and stories from the game/event in real-time. I’m also being told that members of the alumni will be where I will be – which could lead to a photo-op that will break the internet – and if you don’t know what I’m talking about – then wait until Monday!)
Once I do get the time to write to you again – then I’ll present something to you that you won’t find anywhere else – which has always been a signature of mine to begin with!
(I also know that I have a ton of emails and comments to respond to as well – and I hope to do all of that sometime on Sunday. I love the interaction, but when I see 400 unanswered emails – it does give me anxiety – as I’m one of those people who need to have all of their notifications on their phone at zero!)
For more on Boucher?
Then what a perfect transition to your favorite segment and mine…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
