Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Biggest win of the season!
Off puck drop tonight, I apologize for not being able to recap the Rangers’ win from this past Thursday night in Detroit (5-2 final), but as noted many times on this site during the past few months – my real life work schedule has been insane.
(And yes, it’s my plan to answer all emails and blog comments this weekend too. Twitter DMs? Sorry, but I have about 350 unanswered direct messages on that app, and it’s impossible for me to get to them all. You’re better off commenting here when seeking a response from me – and yes, I know – that sounds both bourgeois and egotistical!)
In other words – pull up a seat and pour yourself a drink – as this will be a long one, as I play catch-up tonight!
(However, since I always plan all of my lunch and dinner breaks at work around these games – then you can always find my live commentary about everything Rangers over on my @NYCTHEMIC Twitter/X account. And if I like you, then I’ll accept your Facebook friend request too!)
Furthermore, with the insane costs that one must endure in order to see the Blueshirts in-person – then sadly – I’m in no position to turn down overtime cash – and especially since I refuse to run ads on this site as a way to boost my bank account!
After all, I’m not in the same tax bracket as CZAR IGOR – or IGGY PIGGY as my buddy, “The Maven,” refers to CZAR IGOR as – which also definitely means that I’d never turn down an employer offering me $11M per-year either!
(Adding to my sabbaticals this season? I’ve been procrastinating and need to buy a new computer – as I’m still writing on this 2001 dinosaur machine! There are just some nights where this inferno machine won’t agree with me – and after a kick or two – and like Chytil at the dots – I give up in frustration!)
For what it’s worth, I tried to post something late Thursday night after a sixteen-hour shift at the j-o-b, but since that shift preceded the nineteen-hour shift that I had on Friday – it was just impossible – and I still don’t know how I got through these past two-days while running on three-hours of sleep.
I guess that Red Bull is just one hell of a drug!
(I get drug tested at work – so please – don’t accuse me of being a fan of the “booger sugar” – and as if I was a 1980s NY Met!)
But thankfully, I was off on a sleepy Saturday – and better than that – the Rangers had a big game on the docket too – and one that they prevailed in, via a 4-1 final, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
At this time, a few words on Rangers/Leafs, some quick thoughts on the team in general after Thursday night’s win, some news, my adoration for Stan Fischler, and of course, followed by a complete GAME REVIEW too.
Let’s roll!
As said at the top of this, Saturday night’s win in Toronto was the Rangers’ biggest win of the season.
But of course, I’m saying such a statement in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, as it was only the club’s fifth game of the season.
However, the facts are the facts – and this victory against the Leafs was the biggest, and best, of this young 2024-25 campaign.
For the first time this season, the Blueshirts finally squared off against a playoff contender from last season – and very much like the Rangers themselves – with their backs against the well versus another Original Six squad in “CUP OR BUST” mode.
“Lavy’s Lot,” who began the season with a blowout win in Pittsburgh, an overtime home-opener loss to Utah and then a pair of home-and-away wins against Detroit, entered Toronto with a 4-0-1 record – or in other words – the Rangers haven’t been downed once yet in regulation time this season – and a fact that remains true following tonight’s tilt.
On the other side of the equation, the home team on Saturday night, the Leafs, entered the match with a 3-1 record, and where ironically enough, and just like the Blueshirts last season, were “goalied” in their first loss of the season by Montreal netminder, Sam Montembeault.
While I’ve recounted a lot of the similarities between the Rangers and Leafs on this site in the past -and two franchises with fan bases now at the point of deathly starvation when seeking a Stanley Cup to eat and drink from too; obviously, the biggest difference between these two squads begins-and-ends with in net – as Toronto doesn’t have (and hasn’t for years) a goalie like New York does – CZAR IGOR.
(Holy run-on sentence Batman – but bear with me – as I may have been nipping at (or guzzling from) the Buffalo Trace bottle tonight. After all, I had a lot of reasons to celebrate tonight – and as you’ll soon see below – presuming that you make it to the end of this manifesto!)
CZAR IGOR, who has had plenty of success against Toronto in the past (and a monstrous shutout sandwiched-in between his many wins too), was once again the DIFFERENCE MAKER in Saturday night’s 4-1 win.
And as usual, the black-and-white final score doesn’t even scratch the surface when accurately transcribing the events from this game (hence why a site like this is required reading – and if I say so myself!) – as this end result was anything but a three-goal margin of victory.
Instead, and as the two empty net goals scored by both Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider would suggest – it was a razor-thin one-goal game – and a contest where CZAR IGOR was the best player on ice – and by far – no ifs, ands or buts about it.
CZAR IGOR, who finished the game with a .971 save percentage, stopped 34 out of 35 shots from all Leaf shooters, and while I’m not an analytical jackal like M$GN’s San Francisco Sieve Vagistat – I’d reckon to guess that at least 75% of these saves were of the “HIGH DANGER” variety – and where CZAR IGOR’s “EXPECTED SAVE STATS” were probably “only” 10% of the saves that he made.
This also shows you why analytics are meaningless too – because when CZAR IGOR is locked in like this – then no charts, graphs, Vagistat nonsense, NOTHING at all – can be an indicator of such dominance.
Instead, all of this junk can only tell you about what he did – and only after the fact.
(And if analytics were an indicator of anything, then there would be a ton of people robbing the sports books in Vegas too!)
In a word, CZAR IGOR was REMARKABLE – and where I’m sure that the team’s chiropractor was busy working on his back on the flight over to Montreal too – as he carried the team on this weekend night.
But to be fair, it’s not like the team in front of him was bad or anything like that (at least not during the first forty-minutes of action), but the Rangers do not win this game at all if it wasn’t for CZAR IGOR’s heroics, highlight reel tape which included eight saves a piece on both Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
Similar to the pair of victories against the Red Wings – and the Rangers opened up slowly on Saturday night.
And as it was in those two wins, goaltending, both by CZAR IGOR and Jonathan Quick, were able to withhold those early Detroit flurries.
Once the Rangers were able to settle down a bit, and were done sizing up the competition too – they struck first – and as Alexis Lafreniere did at the 11:44 mark of the first frame – and on another scoring play as set-up by the GAG LINE 2.0 to boot.
While I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; this GAG LINE 2.0, consisting of Panarin, Trocheck and Lafreniere, may already be the fifth-best line in all of franchise history – and with plenty of time ahead of them – who knows where they’ll ultimately end up.
And just imagine how many more points they could collect should Laviolette ever have his head examined – and then replace Missing Mika with Lafreniere on his first power-play unit!
(The Top-Four lines in my opinion? The Original Bread Line, the 1940 Bread Line 2.0, the original GAG line and Graves/Messier/Kovalev. Honorable mention? Straka/Nylander/Jagr.)
Lafreniere’s goal was protected by CZAR IGOR, as the goaltender denied everything sent his way – while perhaps taking some huge deep breaths of relief when Toronto flubbed some easy chances too.
The Blueshirts, who officially went 0-2 on the power-play, did score a man-advantage goal in this game (another example of the black-and-white stats never telling you the full story), as while on a delayed Toronto penalty, the Rangers, with the extra skater deployed, scored a 6 x 5 goal – and a BFF score too – as Zibanejad found Kreider wide-open, backdoor, for the easy tap-in.
Kreider’s fourth goal of the season put the Rangers up 2-0 at the 9:08 mark of the middle period – and with the way that CZAR IGOR was playing – it never felt like this goal would eventually wind up as the game-winner.
And while CZAR IGOR never cracked; this goal, an insurance tally at the time, would be a policy that the Rangers would ultimately collect on.
Towards the end of the period and the Rangers received a power-play, one worth 1:53 of time – and a power-play where the first unit stayed on the ice for the entirety of it.
At the time (tweets don’t lie), I opined that the Blueshirts looked tired – but I wasn’t faulting the PP1 for not changing either – as this period was soon to reach its end – which means that these guys were emptying out their tanks before recharging during the intermission.
The third period, the final frame, was all Toronto – and of course, and better than that – CZAR IGOR too.
In an instance where the black-and-white stats DO tell the story, CZAR IGOR entered the third period with seventeen saves. He matched that total during the final twenty-minutes, for 34-saves in all.
At the 3:40 mark of the period, Auston Matthews, who seemingly registered 98566785756675 shot attempts during the game (and I’m not exaggerating with that number either – as that what it felt like!), was able to break through for his team, as the Toronto captain scored on a wraparound.
2-1, good guys.
Until Kreider scored with 59.4-seconds remaining, and later Panarin who scored with 14-seconds remaining, then following Matthews’ goal – you just knew it in your bones – the Leafs were going to score the equalizer – and perhaps with such momentum gained – take two points away from the Rangers.
“NYET NYET,” said CZAR IGOR.
As the final horn went off, it were the Rangers who won this early litmus test game – and where should these two teams ever see each other in the postseason in ’25 – then I’d expect completely different line-ups too – as all contending teams beef-up at the trade deadline.
For the Blueshirts, let’s just hope that Drury doesn’t make Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg his two crown jewels at the deadline this time around.
(I also hope that the Red Wings continue to falter – as who wouldn’t like more Patrick Kane rumors – and for the third consecutive year?)
There’s much more to get into about tonight’s game, which I’ll save for the GAME REVIEW segment, as it is my duty as a world famous author to shower praise upon both Sam Carrick and Victor Mancini following tonight’s tilt.
But before doing all of that and getting into everything else, and while risking sounding like a party-pooper too; I must make sure to restate the mission at hand, in form of our daily mantra, our slogan, our tagline, our credo, or whatever you want to call the following 33-words – and by now – you should be able to recite this passage of text along with me:
“WHATEVER THE RANGERS DO FROM NOW UNTIL THE TRADE DEADLINE DOESN’T MATTER. THEY CAN ONLY BE JUDGED BY WHATEVER THEY DO FOLLOWING THE DEADLINE AND BY WHAT THEY DO IN THE 2025 PLAYOFFS!”
In other words, five down, seventy-seven to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matters, begin.
But for tonight?
Let’s enjoy the moment – and then worry about the playoffs once we get there.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I left off last time:
NYR/DET 10/14 Review: The Nina, The Pinta & The Igor Maria Lead The Way in Columbus Day Win; “First Star” Mika Dines on Wings Too, GAG LINE 2.0 Continues To Sail, Curious Coaching Decisions, Cuylle Shines on Third Line, Rempe v. Brodzinski, Utah Loss Thoughts, M$GN & More
Following the Rangers’ 4-1 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night, come Tuesday, and the team had a well-deserved off-day.
After 24-hours of rest and relaxation, the team reconvened on Wednesday at their training facility in Tarrytown, NY.
The biggest news from a practice that preceded their flight to MoTown was that Chris Kreider was “sick” – and in the truest meaning of the word – and not as a positive way to describe his abilities.
In other news, Ryan Lindgren, who has been skating with the team during the past several days, was also back, now wearing a face shield, while being mock-shift paired with Chad Ruhwedel.
However, double-nickel still remains on the IR and isn’t eligible to play until Tuesday (in Montreal).
On Thursday, game day, the team held a morning skate in Detroit. It was revealed there that Kreider’s illness was a 24-hour bug, as he participated in preparation for that eventual 5-2 victory.
Lindgren, who will not be rushed back (and as opposed to how he was in the past), remained with Ruhwedel, which kept Victor Mancini’s role in the line-up safe – and for as temporary as it may be.
After all, while Mancini, nor Zac Jones for that matter either, has done nothing detrimental, the facts are the facts: this is a hard-salary cap league and you can only carry so many defensemen.
Once Lindgren is able to return and knowing that both Ruhwedel and Jones would have to clear waivers in order to be retained in Hartford, then it’s most likely that Mancini, who wouldn’t have to clear waivers, who will be assigned to the Wolfpack.
Furthermore, when it comes to this numbers game, it doesn’t really help Mancini to be made a healthy scratch every game – and as if he was a Matt Rempe – who following his M$G opening night debut, was made a healthy scratch again on Thursday night – or in other words – Laviolette had scratched his unicorn in 75% of the team’s games. (That number decreased to 60% after Saturday night.)
A contrarian opinion about the rookie d-man?
Jones was mainly a healthy scratch throughout the majority of the 2023-24 season, but once given a shot – he delivered.
Perhaps lightning can strike twice for the Rangers – and Mancini too.
And yep – more on Mancini during the GAME REVIEW – as with each game played – sending him to Hartford seems more ridiculous by the minute.
Just a few quick thoughts about the 5-2 win against Detroit before moving on:
— How about your TRIBAL BREADMAN, Artemi Panarin, who picked up a hat trick?
As noted earlier this season, Panarin finished with 49 goals last year – and he easily would’ve hit 50 – then surpassed that round number – had he been more selfish.
While I’m not saying that Panarin was selfish by scoring a hat trick; what I am trying to say is that #10 seems to have a lot much more confidence in his shot – and as evident with all of his wrist shots full of wizardry.
— Poor Cam Talbot.
In his first start since being named as the #1 in MoTown, Talbot was obliterated – and then pulled from the game. That said, Talbot gave up three goals to Panarin, a Hart Trophy candidate in his own right.
Furthermore, of the five past Talbot, three were power-play goals, one was a shot that not many goalies would be able to stop (Panarin) and the last goal afforded, the one to Mancini, was the only one that he should’ve stopped.
Still, the .737 save percentage and five goals allowed wasn’t the best thing for a guy looking to cement his case against Alex Lyon – who after playing well against the Rangers at M$G, went a perfect 15 of 15 in relief.
— Jonathan Quick picked up right from where he left off.
While I’m too lazy to look up the last time JQ32 played an NHL game; either way, his start from 10/17 marked his first real game since April – a time-span of over six-months.
Quick was outstanding, making 29 saves on 31 shots for a .935 save percentage.
Of the two goals allowed, I wouldn’t fault him for either one, as Moritz Seider was able to outshine the Rangers’ defense on one goal, while Compher scored a late power-play goal, a 5-2 goal, with the Blueshirts pretty much celebrating the win (or checked out) at the time.
Similar to CZAR IGOR, and Quick was lights out when he needed to be – and very quickly – has become an integral piece of the team’s fabric.
— I can’t wait until Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko are gone – and the trade deadline can’t come soon enough!
Including Saturday night’s game, and these two busts have combined for one goal this season – while also holding down the best player on their line, sophomore Will Cuylle.
Remember what I said when Chytil was lighting lamps left-and-right against AHL competition in the preseason?
If you recall, then you know that I said, “let me see him do it against real NHLers.”
Combined, in ten-games played, and “The Concussed Czech” and “Feckless Finn” have been on the ice for one goal – a Chytil score during a Rangers’ blowout.
Chytil and Kakko combine for nearly $8M in cap space, while Cuylle, making under a million, has matched their production with one goal to his ledger too.
And unlike Cuylle, the team leader in hits – and you get nothing physical from these two Europeans – and as you may know by now – YOU NEED PHYSICALITY IN THE PLAYOFFS!
— Someone get a witch doctor to fix Mika Zibanejad.
This fact is a broken record by now – but yeah – is this guy ever going to revert to the player we saw prior to the pandemic?
Five games in, and for $8.5M, and your alleged #1 center only has one goal to his name – an empty-netter at that – and a gift from Panarin who could’ve added to his own goal total himself, rather than picking up an empty-calorie apple.
You know my deal – I just care about the playoffs.
I don’t think that Chytil, Kakko and Mika can help you win a Stanley Cup – and really – they haven’t done much in the regular season throughout the past three-years either – or at the very least – not enough to justify their whopping salaries. (And perhaps Fischler should set his cross-hairs on this trio!)
— I expect to see a whole lot of #90 Mancini jerseys at M$G later this year.
More on Mancini below, but yeah – he’s taking over Rangerstown, USA by storm – and in a way, is making many Blueshirt backers say, “Matt Rempe who?”
After all, everyone loves new!
— Adam Fox is quickly threatening for another Norris Trophy.
I thought that Fox, for as handsomely paid as he is, is somewhat being taken for granted.
Perhaps that’s due to the CZAR IGOR contract negotiations and with what Panarin is doing too – but until I checked the box score – then I didn’t realize that he picked up three assists in this game. (To be fair, two of them were secondary – and Panarin just blew you away.)
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens when Lindgren gets back; but for now, I see no problems with the Fox/Miller pairing.
One thing I’ve said for a bit, and I’ll further examine below, is that Laviolette has a lot of tough decisions to make with the state of his defensemen.
While I think that Lindgren has to be returned with Fox, if only because you don’t want two defensive defenseman (some might say “slow” too) together – and as Lindgren and Trouba would be; but either way, Miller has been strong as the temporary fill-in.
Also strong?
Everyone else on the blue line – and where outside of that Utah loss – the rearguards have more than held their own – but of course – it’s also nice to have CZAR IGOR back there too!
All in all, I thought the 5-2 win was a textbook example of a good team taking care of a bad team – as the Rangers were really never in jeopardy of losing.
I also hope that Quick’s contributions don’t fall to the wayside in light of Panarin’s hat trick too – as it was the goalie that kept the team in there for the first ten-minutes (only two Ranger SOG at the time) before “The Breadman” baked his three cookies.
So that was Detroit. Let’s now get into Toronto, the middle city of this current three-game road-trip.
Prior to Saturday’s Toronto tilt and the Blueshirts held a morning skate where a few line-up changes were revealed.
First, Matt Rempe was in and Jonny Brodzinski was out.
Second, Chad Ruhwedel was in and Zac Jones was out.
When explaining his changes, Laviolette said that he didn’t want anyone to get rusty, and because he has such a deep team, he’ll rotate players in-and-out.
Such line-up maneuvering will only get tougher once both Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey become ready-and-able – and with a present record of 4-0-1 – who wants to mess with the juju?
Despite my own personal fandom of everything Rempe; I do agree with the masses – JONNY BROADWAY has been great – and like Jones – didn’t deserve to be scratched from this prime-time affair.
Hell, I wish that Laviolette held everyone accountable in the same manner, because if he did, then someone like a Chytil or Mika would be scratched.
But in a salary-cap world, such an idea isn’t reality.
When it comes to Jones, I feel for him.
Following comparisons to another diminutive-sized Rangers’ rearguard, the bust known as Nils Lundkvist, Jones, and unlike the Swede, bided his time and worked hard to get himself into the varsity line-up.
However, and no matter what Jones does, he’s not going to knock Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider out of Lavy’s line-up.
The recent rise of Mancini only compounds matters.
While I understand Lavy’s logic of wanting to get everyone some reps; at the same time, it probably didn’t feel so good for Jones when he saw that he was scratched tonight – and in favor of Ruhwedel – an aging defenseman who’s probably better suited in the AHL these days.
No matter what you feel about the line-up – but you can’t argue with what’s working either.
Similar to Mancini, and the Rangers’ 4-0-1 record suggests that the bench boss has difficult decisions when figuring out who to sit and who to play – a good problem to have for him – and sometimes – a frustrating one for the players who then have to spend time in the press box with the likes of Wince Mercogliano and Mollie “I don’t give a shit” Walker – and with the latter being the worst intern that Fischler has ever had!
(My opinion, not his!)
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the fifth game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Kreider/Zibanejad/Smith
SECOND LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Chytil/Kakko
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Miller/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Schneider/Trouba
THIRD PAIR: Mancini/Ruhwedel
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Jones and Brodzinski
IR: Lindgren
LTIR: Vesey
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
|
| 35 | 1 | 34 | .971 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59:48 | 0 |
|
TOR
|
|
A. Stolarz#41
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 27 | 2 | 25 | .926 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 58:30 | 0 |
At 6:30PM, and while watching Notre Dame’s eventual win against Georgia Tech, I flipped over to the M$GN – and where sadly – Sieve Vagistat was left to his own devices.
Once hearing the worst back-up goalie in franchise history proclaim that this game was “the biggest game of the season,” I quickly reverted back to the ND game.
What’s next, calling Game 6 against Montreal a “MUST WIN GAME?”
Moron.
At 7PM and with Notre Dame finishing their trouncing of the Technicians from Georgia, I went back to M$GN – and where I was then greeted by Sam Rosen and Count Micheletti:
As I was hoping for Sam and Joe to tell us more about their upcoming off-day in Montreal (last time around, they were basically fully erect when alluding to all of the strip clubs on St. Catherine’s St. that they would be spending all of their loonies and toonies in); our affable announcers then astutely informed us that this Panarin guy is pretty good at hockey.
I’d concur.
As far as anything else from the broadcast, then I thought that these two were good – but I always say that after wins!
(I always tune out the Vagistat solo performances – and as I did again during this game – especially with the Yankees on at the same time.)
If there was anything irritating about Sam and Michelettihead, then it was their old habit of fellating the other team – but once it was apparent that CZAR IGOR was in the zone, then these two dialed back all of their “Leaf Love.”
But I do want to make mention of this before I forget:
No one, and I mean no one, has more enthusiasm and positive vibes for the Rangers than Sam Rosen.
And his all-out fanboyish commentary about Mancini, and as if Rosen was a teenage girl during the height of “Beatle Mania” too, was very welcomed – and thoroughly enjoyed as well.
While he’ll still make his mistakes (he said that Leafs’ goalie, Anthony Stolarz, won a Cup in Toronto last year); it’s his grandfatherly aura that we’ll all miss next season – but we will also enjoy the hardest-working man in the biz in 2025-26 too – Kenny Albert.
Finally, GAME REVIEW time!
FIRST PERIOD
On the first shift of the game, and Pajama Boy, Islanders’ fan-favorite John Tavares, just had his way with Missing Mika, as he won multiple puck battles against the ghost in the #93 jersey.
(And while on the topic of #93, Mika makes me miss Petr Nedved with each game played.)
However, CZAR IGOR won all battles against the former Leaf captain too – and a JT91 who finished as a minus-3 to boot!
After Sam and Joe went on-and-on about how FABULOUS the new Toronto captain was, AM34, government name Auston Matthews; CZAR IGOR made his first of eight saves on the American-born center.
Early into the game, as in the 2:56 mark, and Stolarz made his first save on a Panarin-to-Carrick try, as the two teammates were on during a line change.
Carrick’s regular linemate, Matt Rempe, and a player who got a lot of buzz going into this game, registered a hit on his first shift; but for the most part, and if you can believe it, then the league’s biggest draw/merch mover wasn’t that noticeable tonight – and certainly not as noticeable when these two teams last squared off – aka the Rempe v. Reaves tilt.
While Rempe did have his moments whenever forechecking; perhaps the biggest thing gained from this game for #73 was experience, as he logged a season-high 7:37 – and more importantly than that – was still out there when the Blueshirts only had a one-goal lead late into the third period.
I know that many expect Rempe to go off as if he were a nuclear bomb during every shift – and in every game played too – but to me – it’s baby steps.
Just get that experience and then come the playoffs – unleash this REMPESTEIN monster!
As CZAR IGOR racked up the saves; come the 4:25 mark, and Stolie The Goalie made the best save yet – a Trouba-to-Kreider tip-in try from the paint.
This should’ve been 1-0 Rangers – but instead – and as hockey fans – all we could do was tip our hat to the former Flyer back-up.
K’Andre Miller, very often accused of not being physical, soon tried to level Matt Knies – but wound up taking the brunt of the hit himself. That said, Miller did finish with three hits tonight and it’s nice to see him laying the body more – as that’s what will be required in the playoffs.
The useless Kakko extended a Toronto shift (and also adding to CZAR IGOR’s save total), when instead of playing a puck, the schmuck raced up ice in hopes for a pass.
Seriously – give me Brodzinski, or Vesey when he comes back, on this line – as Kakko is the drizzling shits.
Mancini, who is already endearing himself into the hearts of Ranger fans, continued his strong play, as following Kakko being a selfish disaster, got to the puck himself, made a spin move, deked out a defender and thus ended a Leafs’ attack.
As we hit the half-way mark of the period, the SOG total was 5-2, Toronto – and numbers that you thought would’ve been higher, considering these two offensive-powerhouses.
However, I wasn’t worried about the Rangers’ two SOG, and only because they’ve done this before – and then turned the jets on afterwards – and as we’d soon see again tonight.
After Cuylle decimated McMann with a hit at the boards behind Stolarz; the Rangers doubled-up their SOG total to four, as the Leafs’ backstop denied Smith and a Missing Mika rebound.
Then, and with GAG LINE 2.0 on the ice, the following occurred at the 11:44 mark:
Laf opens the scoring and now has a 5 game point streak. #NYR pic.twitter.com/BWUpNXL4Ad
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) October 19, 2024
1-0, GOOD GUYS!
Completely lost from all replay clips, and both Sam & Joe for that matter as well, was the fact that Carrick, not given an assist on the play, set this whole thing up.
Right before this goal, Schneider sent a two-line pass to Carrick. With the Rangers changing, Carrick skated in the Toronto zone with five Leafs chasing him around – and with the new fourth line center avoiding all of them.
Once Carrick changed, and with the puck still in the Leafs’ zone, Trocheck got the puck to Mancini at the point – and after a shot from the blue line – BOOM – Lafreniere’s third goal of the season.
And this is why GAME REVIEWS, and not box scores, matter!
I’m telling you, five games in and Carrick has been worth every penny of his $1M salary.
As you all know, I loved Barclay Goodrow – and I hated his trade to San Jose too.
Carrick is making me forget about that deal – or at least for now.
The guy just busts his ass like Goodrow and while the former alternate captain was purely a playoff performer, which will always get high marks from me – admittedly, Carrick, who like Goodrow, is a strong PKer, but better than that – he provides more of an offensive upside – and more about this as we progress.
At the 11:59 mark, Pontus Holmberg, who sounds like he was named after a Grecian philosopher, held Filip Chytil – and the first time that I noticed #72 and his game-low 37.5% faceoff percentage all night.
The Rangers’ power-play didn’t connect here, but it wasn’t for a lack of an effort, as Panarin was stopped twice, and a Breadman who then saw his pass to Kreider deflect off of the post too.
This should also be mentioned:
Someone on the ignorant Blueshirts’ beat has to ask Laviolette, “how many coaches in NHL history do you think have excluded their second-best five-vs-five scorer from the past 120 games from their first power-play unit?”
(I’m hoping that Johnny Lazarus sees this – as in my opinion – he’s the best full-time member on the beat today – and even if he doesn’t do road games.)
Yep – this is also my way of telling you, that once again, that Lafreniere, and not Mika, has to be on PP1!
(And give Lazarus credit again – as he’s predicting a 100-point season for #13 – and I wouldn’t beat against him!)
Come 2:30 remaining and Chytil & Kakko were reckless, which then set up another highlight reel save for their goalie, as CZAR IGOR made a breakaway save on Nylander:
Igor vs Nylander, Winner Igor. #NYR pic.twitter.com/Gz0ms32qrp
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) October 19, 2024
The Rangers got a break some fifty-seconds later – as Knies missed a GAPING net.
Once the horn went off, we remained at 1-0, GOOD GUYS.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, GOOD GUYS, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— GAG LINE 2.0 does it again – might average 2+ a game by the time the season ends.
— CZAR IGOR steady – some breaks along the way too with TOR missing the net.
— Mancini is maximizing his minutes and wants no part of Hartford.
—…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 19, 2024
Best tweet (and one that reeked of G.O.A.T.) that I saw online during the intermission?
This one:
Just bet on Mika Zibanejad to score an even strength goal 🔥🔥🔥 #NYR pic.twitter.com/JBdKKsvyLr
— Lafreniere For MVP (@Laf4MVP_) October 18, 2024
Unfortunately for Mr. Laf4MVP (if that’s his real name), this bet never cashed.
One that did?
Mine:
SECOND PERIOD
After our usual second period inquisition of “SECOND PERIOD, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR HERE JOE?” (“More loonies and toonies so we can make it hail at the fabulous nude clubs in Montreal Sam!”), Schneider made the best first play of these twenty-minutes, and as he did when he stepped right in and blocked a rifle of a shot from Robertson.
Similar to Jones, and I think that Schneider’s strong start to this season is falling to wayside – as #4, once nicknamed “Baby Troobs,” has been solid in his new role as “Father Troob’s” partner.
At the 3:40 mark, Matthews, who was draped over by Ruhwedel at the time, went wide. However, and on the same Toronto possession – and CZAR IGOR came up with four saves, 1-2-3-4, count ’em all – in order to preserve the Rangers’ lead.
As would be the case all game – CZAR IGOR MASTERCLASS.
After Mika went wide, Stolarz, no slouch himself, and who previously robbed Kreider earlier, came up with another ski-mask himself, this time robbing Smith.
In one of those forced M$GN ad-reads, and similar to @LAF4MVP’s Mika tweet – then I was crying with laughter when Rosen told us to watch Ranger games with our boo on the all-new Gotham Sports App – and a poorly designed streaming service that’s impossible to use on laptop.
Down to 12:20 remaining and Panarin just missed on a wrist shot – and a wrist shot that’s already procured three goals for him this season.
In another instance of MANCINI MANIA running wild, the rookie defenseman, now 3 x 1 against three offensively-talented Leafs, broke up a three vs one attack.
Seriously, how can you send the assassin of Joey Zasa to Hartford unless you want to fatally hurt the Rangers?
I know that I keep flip-flopping on this topic, and as if I were Kamala Harris talking about fracking, gun control, or any other political subject – but after tonight – there’s just no way you can send him down.
And sorry to Zac Jones too – as while both players can play both sides – Mancini, and perhaps because of his size – seems like the more valuable asset between the two.
Long-story short?
Keep on playing Mancini until he gives you a reason not to.
After all, and as said about 27982798279862679826626 times on this site in the past – every Cup contender has that one young guy, who like a Randy Orton “RKO,” comes out of nowhere.
Mancini has the makings of being just that.
Down to 10:45 remaining and during a delayed Toronto penalty, Kreider scored his 305th career goal – now 31 behind Jean Ratelle (336) and 101 shy of Gilbert (406) too:
Chris Kreider puts home the backdoor feed from Mika Zibanejad 🚪 pic.twitter.com/gz8Ri49Tah
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 20, 2024
2-0, GOOD GUYS!
Kreider should surpass Ratelle this season – and Gilbert’s record will be broken soon enough with CK20 signed throughout 2026 – and where in addition – I don’t see him ever leaving the Rangers either – as come his next contract – I see him staying on a team-friendly deal – which speaks to the character of this franchise player.
After Schneider hit Reaves so hard that his helmet fell off, Mancini cleared another puck out of dodge – and where Rosen couldn’t stop slobbering over #90 – and in a good way.
Hell, I had puddles of drool at the corner of my lips myself!
Despite Panarin having no points to his name at the time (he was trying to extend his points and goal streak to five – and he did just that later on), I had to agree with this tweet from the savvy Mr. Lou – and the only Lou on Rangers’ social media that matters:
Panarin should have 2 assists and his 5th straight multi point game but deflections have costed him 2 assists
Still the most impactful Ranger forward on offense#NYR
— NYR Louie ™️ (@NYRLouie) October 20, 2024
Down to 7:39 remaining and Panarin worked his way into the box score – although in the form of a penalty, having slashed Knies.
No matter, as following a CZAR IGOR “BITCH PLEASE” glove save on Matthews; Carrick and Cuylle almost assisted on Miller short-handed try – and a try that Stolarz denied.
Once the kill was complete, Domi hit the iron – and to his credit – Rosen was all over this <DING!>
Speaking of Rosen (what a segue-way), the Leafs also honored the HOF announcer:
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a tribute for Rangers play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen who will be retiring at the end of this season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cdFjyEqWpv
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 20, 2024
Classy.
Do you know what else would be classy?
If the Rangers will ever honor all of their legends, and as the Leafs once did, back in 2016, when they righted all of their wrongs/omissions, by hanging banners for every big-name Leaf in franchise history.
The names that the Rangers should honor?
I heard there’s a book dedicated to this very topic, and one that you can find here: “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
Also worth pondering about?
When the Rangers visit Columbus, if John Davidson, no friend to Rangers’ management today, will then do one last call with Rosen in the M$GN booth.
Prediction: JD, betrayed and stabbed in the back by the Blueshirts in 2021, will do just that – and only because that’s how much one of his best friends for life means to him.
Come 4:12 remaining, and the player who may as well be a poo emjoi, Kaapo Kakko, took his fifth penalty in three games played, this time for high-sticking Domi.
And isn’t it amazing Suzyn how Rempe will get scratched for taking penalties – yet the same treatment is never applied to the person currently disgracing the number that “Captain Cally,” Ryan Callahan, once wore?
Hmmm.
Up next was another two-minute CZAR IGOR penalty killing master class, including this save:
OMG!!! Igor. #NYR pic.twitter.com/mIURETP9tk
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) October 20, 2024
At this time, “The Maven!”
I don’t think that I have to rehash my relationship/friendship/mentorship with Mr. Fischler for you guys and gals once again on this site – but long story short – I love the man, he has written the forewords to several of my books and he’s always been a sounding board for me.
Furthermore, I’m just a beer-bellied blogger. He owes me NOTHING – yet – he’s always been there for me.
Another reason why I love “The Maven?”
He knows how to give it – and how to take it too – which is my way of saying that we can always have civil conversations even when we disagree on the the topic – and a lesson to be learned for many others in this fan base!
Recently, Fischler has been savage, to hardcore levels, against Mr. Shestyorkin.
But even if CZAR IGOR is my favorite player – I respect where Stan is coming from – and as someone who loves all alliterative and/or rhyming nicknames, then I must confess – “IGGY PIGGY” is my favorite – as once again, “The Maven” has hit a long fly ball over the wall!
For those not in the know, and also wondering what the hell I’m talking about right now, then just look up Fischler’s most recent columns in The Hockey News – where he explains his talking points in regards to CZAR IGOR’s contract negotiations – and where he’s rooting for his friend, Kevin Weekes (and instead of Elliotte Friedman or the putrid Larry Brooks), to add another scoop to his news’ cone.
But of course, not many of you have the time for articles (thank the hockey gods – my loyal readership DOES have an attention span that lasts more than ten-seconds), which is to mean that many fans are only receiving Fischler through social media, via his Twitter/X account.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again here, but I am in awe of Fischler.
Heck, I cherish the man – and one despite having the means to get the hell out town – still remains in war-zone Israel, often sleeping in safe-place bunkers when things get rough – and sadly – a regular occurrence these days.
92-years-old – and he’s more relevant and tough as ever – as everyone wants to see what he says next.
And if you’re not impressed, then let me know what you’re tweeting when you’re a nonagenarian!
At this time, here are some of Fischler’s tweets on CZAR IGOR – where again – all of them have gone viral – as “The Maven’s” fastball hits harder than Nolan Ryan:
The @NYRangers goalie #RublesShesterkin only allowed six goals last night. Should we raise his new contract to $14 mil?
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 13, 2024
BIG 31 save win for @NYRangers Poor Little Rich Man, #IgorShesterkin means the contract price must go up. But how much for the “Highest Paid Goalie” in history?
Would $11 million be “Chump Change?”
It might. How about a shutout against a playoff team?
$12 Mil? Fun stuff!— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 15, 2024
Guess what? Ace schmoozer Paul Bissonnette is warning @NYRangers GM #ChrisDrury he’d better hurry-up — I mean REALLY HURRY UP — and sign #IggyShesterkin. All hands on deck; that means it could happen momentarily, tonight or tomorrow morning. I hope #KevinWeekes scoops it 1st.
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 16, 2024
Based on warning to @#NYRangers GM #ChrisDrury from savvy #PaulBissonnette, the Blueshirts had better hurry up and sign Ka Ching King #IgorShestorkin right away. Could that be tomorrow or the next day? If Biz knows, he ain’t telling. But if he does break the story — WOW!
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 17, 2024
The @NYRangers #JonathanQuick showed last night that he’s just as good as The Ka-Ching King #Shesterkin. But Quick won’t demand a new contract.
What’s #ChrisDrury waiting for? The cows to come home. Give Piggy his dough and get this waiting over with already. Fans restless.— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 18, 2024
Here’s the deal tonight in Toronto. The @NYRangers Get-Rich-Quicker-Than-Breadman-Goalie will be able to up his ante. Shesty should beat netminder-weak @MapleLeafs, 5-2. Could be worth another half-mil for Iggy-Piggy. Major test for Marauding Manhattanites and My Boy #Mika.
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 19, 2024
And here’s what “Stan The Man,” sticking to his guns (and who predicted a three-goal win too), said after the win:
The Maven called @NYRangers, 5-2, yesterday and the
Blueshirts obliged, 4-1; same two points; same 3-goal
difference. Big game for “Ka-Ching King” Igor and likely ups his ante. Could Greedy Guy hit the jackpot
at $13 mil and really do B’shirts’ Salary Cap a non-favor?
Possible!— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 20, 2024
One more time – the IGGY PIGGY and KA CHING KING nicknames have me rolling with laughter.
Fischler brings the heat – and he doesn’t give one damn about age either!
In fact, and I can personally attest to this – hockey, and all of his columns and tweets, keeps him younger and vibrant as ever!
I can only hope to be like him in fifty-years – as in 2074, hockey-god willing, I’ll turn 92-years-old!
But I do want to say this too:
I detest, absolutely abhor, anyone using Fischler’s age as a detriment when attacking him over his opinions.
One, he’s seen more hockey than any of us – and despite his keen recall memory – has forgotten more than most of us too.
Two, if you can’t see that Fischler is pumping up traffic to his website and Twitter account – then who is really blind here?
Three, what kind of person are you if you are making personal attacks against Fischler – including that StatBoySteven creep who not only stalks young players – but now promotes all virtues in regards to mental health too? Calling a 92-year-old “a dementia bozo” promotes such a cause?
Despite what I say on this site (after all, I did coin “Senile Sather” – at least I’m not a hypocrite – as I don’t preach anything to you – I just share my opinions – and you can do with them what you want!), I’d never give anyone the “soapbox treatment.”
Last but not least, and despite yours truly writing more words than anyone about the Rangers on a game-by-game basis (and Stan rakes me over the coals about this too – “write less – and for money you dumbass!“); it’s Fischler, over in his Kibbutz in Israel, that pumps out more daily and timely content about this franchise than anyone else.
End. Of. Story.
And oh yeah – should I ever live to 92-years-old – then I hope that everyone cares about what I say in the same vein that everyone cares about what Fischler has to say in 2024!
LEGEND!
ICON!
And someone who should be in the HOF too!
Back to this game, and with 1:53 remaining, Carrick, and as if he were an NBA point guard, went between-the-legs when attempting a shot from Stolarz’s crease.
While the goalie came up with the stop, Domi also cross-checked Trouba in the process, which in turn, gave the Rangers another chance, a failed one at that – and the tired one as talked about earlier.
We remained at 2-0, GOOD GUYS, through forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-0, GOOD GUYS, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— Panarin has no points, but he’s been dazzlin’ – needs one next period to keep the streak alive.
— Carrick, who I didn’t even think would make the team (remember, Vesey is out), has been extremely strong – Drury looking good thus far on…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 20, 2024
THIRD PERIOD
We can fast-forward through these final twenty-minutes a bit, as in two words, this period was CZAR IGOR – whose dominance eventually led to late empty net goals for both Kreider and Panarin.
And for Fischler – THE IGGY PIGGY BANK only grew after this game!
Here’s all that you need to know from this final frame:
— CZAR IGOR made 17 saves.
— Carrick tried another between-the-legs move, but while denied again – you liked what you saw – and you know that a goal will soon come from this move.
— Micheletti, who after telling us how Matthews was cold and stunted tonight, immediately scored following such remarks.
— Mancini only upped his stock value – the best “Blueshirt Bluechip” on the market today.
— Chytil accidentally caught Stolarz with his skate, in his pads, but the goalie, after being checked out, continued.
— With 8:43 remaining, CZAR IGOR made two rapid save successions against Toronto’s top line.
— CZAR IGOR robbed Matthews one more time with 7:35 remaining, but Trouba was also boxed for tripping his fellow captain at the same time.
— No matter, as the Rangers, immaculate on the PK this season, continued their flawless man-down defense.
— The sound you heard as the game got under the FOXWOODS FINAL FIVE MARK?
CZAR IGOR’s agent’s procreating tool hitting the ceiling.
— Panarin just missed Lafreniere for a 2 x 1 backdoor try, which led to a faceoff, and a timeout for Toronto with 80-seconds remaining – and with Stolarz now stapled to the bench.
— With 59.4-seconds remaining, Kreider, after skating with the puck and not shooting it on two occasions, made his patience pay off, with the 3-1, GOOD GUYS, goal.
— Panarin sealed the deal with the 4-1, GOOD GUYS, goal with 14-seconds remaining – and with a primary assist credited to “CUYLLE HAND LUKE,” the best player on the team’s third line.
4-1, GOOD GUYS, your final – and a win against a team in the same predicament as the Rangers.
It was also nice to see Kreider, CZAR IGOR and the GAG LINE 2.0 show up in match under these circumstances – but it was also sad and predictable to see Mika, Chytil and Kakko do next to nothing.
At least entry-level-contract players such as Mancini, Cuylle and Schneider contribute. Ditto the fourth line too.
Despite not leaving my fart-stained couch on Saturday – what a day!
Not only did Notre Dame and the Rangers win – but the Yankees finally ended their 15-year ALCS drought and as a result – will return to the World Series this year.
And if CZAR IGOR has a playoffs like Juan Soto – then yeah – PAY IGGY PIGGY!
And if the Rangers can win the Stanley Cup like the Yankees will win the World Series – then I can die as a happy man – as all I want is one Blueshirts’ parade down Broadway as an adult – and where I’d also suspect that the liver damage incurred from such a hopeful celebration will do me in!
But it will all be worth it – even if I wouldn’t be able to live to 92-years-old and troll fans like the showstopper himself, Stan Fischler!
Up Next for the Blueshirts: Rangers vs Canadiens at the Poutine Palace this Tuesday night – and the final leg of this three-game road-trip – and on paper (we know how that goes) – the “easiest” match of the trio.
Up Next for me: Some more beer – as all three of my favorite teams won in a convincing fashion on Saturday – and then more booze (to forget, and as opposed to celebrating) after Saquon Barkley, now an Eagle, presumably torches my favorite NFL team, the Giants!
Up Next for this site: Work-schedule permitting, a Rangers/Habs GAME REVIEW.
Up Next for you?
C’mon, you know it, the following:
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
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
Whew!
Sean, that was a long read! Excellent! I have decided that whenever another network shows the Rangers games, I will watch that network and not MSG. I can’t take Sam’s miscues anymore. I subscribed to NHL network for the season and last night the game was on Hockey Night in Canada. Great pregame and between period commentary. The announcers for the game were fair and called an even game. Praising the play of Igor was one of their noted comments. Sam, I’m afraid I can’t take you anymore. I expected him to say the Utah J*zz the other day instead of the Utah Jazz! And Sean, keep up the great work! Love to get a signed copy of Stan’s book! Is there anyway you could help with that? Ha ha lol
Dave Bauer
At this point, Sam’s routine flubs is part of his charm – and it’s his last season – so I’ll be watching him.
Plus, it makes for good blog fodder!
I can get you a signed copy of Stan’s book if you really want it. Email me at BULLSMC@aol.com and I’ll have Stan’s agent, who has a few laying around, send one out for whatever he charges (I think $20 or $25?)
Sean ; ads are an annoyance . But for a few $ , why not? Fischler is more upset about Igor getting paid than how dumb the cap is. And now that players and agents are more aware of the impact of state and local taxes. Being a big market doesn’t matter any more if Vegas , Carolina , Dallas, Nashville and the Florida teams are getting up to 15% discounts 1on salaries. Until moron Bettman fixes that Rangers and Canadian and high tax American clubs are now at a huge disadvantage .
Brian, mainly because I hate dealing with ads myself.
Plus, and despite this regularly long missives – I’m not really computer savvy, nor have the time to figure out how to embed all these ads that blare around like the lights at Times Square.
One suggestion that I should probably follow up on, is just throw a paypal or venmo link at the bottom of the blogs, as I don’t want to do Patreon nonsense either.
I still don’t understand why the 26 other NHL owners don’t press Bettman about the weighted cap.
Sean, you blew it! Even though you usually refrain from making political comments, you did find space in this long, long post to include a wisecrack about Vice President Harris changing her mind on fracking; but then you completely ignored the chance to comment about ex-President Trump drooling over Arnold Palmer’s penis! Come on, you’ve got to admit that Trump’s dick love is a much BIGGER story than Harris’s decision to support increased oil production!
I’ll share some thoughts from the last few games as well:
-You could put money on Miller doing something boneheaded with the puck in the defensive zone at least once per match, followed by 5 excellent plays where his arms seem to grow and he knocks off top line players! I think the great offsets the bad by a long way.
-That 4th line of Rempe, Carrick, and Edstrom is a monster. Whenever teams play against them, they look tired afterwards! Huge amount of hustle and power. In future I can hear teams groaning when they come on knowing what’s coming.
-Top line is tops, as expected. Lafraniere is continuing where he left off, Tochek continues, and Panarin is going off!
-“Second line” is as good as it will get I think. Smith hasn’t been the detriment he could’ve been so far, and Kreider makes that line worthwhile.
-I’d be amazed if Kakko survives the year. He knows this is his ‘put up or shut up’ year, and aside from a good play here or there, he just doesn’t have it. Maybe a scenery change will be good for him, it’s worked for others! Chytil as well has been up and down, but I suspect he would still stick around over Kakko. Cuylle is great.
-Trouba and Schneider have been doing well together. Mancini and Jones have also been a great pairing. I’d drop Ruhwedel myself when Lindgren comes back, no one is claiming him.
-Igor is getting his pay day. Drury will do it at the end of the day, he needs that level of goaltending that he won’t get from the pipeline. Kevin Weekes said he’d get $11.5m, that seems right to me. Don’t forget Trouba comes off soon too. Going to be cap hell for a little while.
Otherwise it’s been a fun watch for the start to the season!
Great analysis!
Bill
It was more a topical joke than anything else – as I do make topical jokes all the time.
Trump’s dick joke reminded me of Pete Rose’s interview with Mike Francesa when he was talking about Joe Dimaggio, “Joe Dimaggio was a penis with a man built around it.”
Locker room talk.
While on cock-speak, Sean Avery spent about 2-3 pages in his autobiography talking about Lundqvist’s stick – and not his goalie’s stick either!