NYR/MTL 10/22 Review: HOLY CHYT! Three-Pointers From Chytil & Kakko Lead Blueshirts in Cruise Control Victory; Mika Actually Scores Too, Panarin Extends Scoring Streak; CZAR IGOR Continues To Roll, Lindgren’s Return Leads To Tougher Decisions For Laviolette (And Give #55 a Break Too!); Mancini’s Spot To Lose/Poor Zac Jones, The New Gotham App Sucks, Focus On The Big Picture & More

Go Figure: In the Rangers’ latest victory, which transpired on Tuesday night, it was both “The Concussed Czech,” Filip Chytil (2 goals, 1 assist) and “The Feckless Finn,” Kaapo Kakko (1 goal, two assists) who left the Canadiens dazed and confused. While I don’t want to take anything away from the win, nor these two performances neither – as after all, you can only play the game and opponent that’s on the calendar; but two things need to be duly noted too: One, this match pitted a Stanley Cup contender against a hopeful #1 lottery pick team. Two, our daily mantra still remains in effect. That said, the Rangers did what they were supposed to do on the night of October 22nd – and heck – they far than exceeded all expectations too! What a win!

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. HOLY CHYT!

On Tuesday night against the Canadiens, and where some Blueshirt backers, yours truly most included, were “worried” about Lavy’s Lot potentially coming down with a case of “The Montreal Flu;” the Rangers showed no signs of ailing – and instead – they pummeled their fellow Original Six rival to kingdom come – and by a final score of 7-2.

Somewhat ironic?

Prior to tonight’s tilt, the Bleu Blanc Rouge honored their 1979 Stanley Cup winning squad – and where if you recall, then it was this team that ended the Rangers’ hope for what would’ve been then a fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

In a story as old as time, or to be precise, now 45-years, and one that’s been retold in many of my books as well, it was Phil Esposito, the former Bruin and forever rival of the Canadiens, and now as the elder statesman of the 1978-79 Rangers, who pleaded with then head coach, Fred Shero, to make the team stay in Lake Placid, NY following Game 1, a Blueshirts’ win, during the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.

Esposito, who had been through many wars with Montreal before, knew that his teammates, “The Hockey Sock Rock Rangers,” were young – and where being young went hand-in-hand with two words – “party animals.”

Fearing that his fresh-faced teammates would ride their Game 1 victory to a whole new level of adult debauchery, Esposito wanted everyone out of Montreal before Game 2 – as he knew what the French-Quebec streets had to offer to young and impressionable men.

Shero declined – if not outright refused such a request – and the Rangers never won another game that season – as Montreal took the next four games in order to win the championship series in five.

While who knows if Montreal would have still prevailed had Shero taken up Esposito on his sage advice; what we do know is that many Rangers from that team, including Ron Greschner, Ron Duguay, John Davidson and others, have all admitted in later years when recounting this series that they probably didn’t make the best use of their off-days in-between Games 1 & 2.

Similar to the Golden Knights’ inaugural 2017-18 season, where they had one of the best home records in the league as opponents lived it up in Las Vegas – and ever since 1979 – and “The Montreal Flu” has not been forgotten.

Fast-forward to today – and the 2024-25 Rangers made the home team look sickly.

Hell, Sam Montembeault, who has quickly developed a “RANGER KILLER” reputation during his short time spent in the league thus far, looked like he had the freakin’ bubonic plague.

Just 54-seconds into the match and Missing Mika was found – and while we don’t know how long it will be before he goes lost into the wind again – it was nice to see the team’s #2 center kick off the scoring early.

Then, and just a tad over a minute later, and there was Jonny Brodzinski, who capitalized on the astute play of his winger, BIG ED, aka Adam Edstrom, as the gigantic Swede beat out an icing – and then set-up his fourth line center for a quick 2-0, GOOD GUYS, goal – and at just the 2:05 mark of the game.

Come the 6:40 mark of the contest and the score improved to 3-0, following new second-line right-winger, Reilly Smith, creating a turnover and then cashing in on his own self-made breakaway.

As we hit the 9:28 mark, first-line center Vincent Trocheck drew a penalty which then put the lethal Rangers’ power-play on the ice.

While the first unit didn’t muster up a goal, the second quintet did, and of all people, it was Filip Chytil who ended the night of Montembeault – and at just the 11:05 mark of the first period.

4-0, GOOD GUYS – and where not only was “The Montreal Flu” non-existent – but so were the alleged superpowers of the Canadiens’ backstop.

Nick Suzuki would then go on to score two goals, which as a result, cut the Habs’ deficit to two.

Rather than allowing Suzuki to score a natural hat trick, instead, Braden Schneider pumped one past back-up goalie Cayden Primeau, thus making the game 5-2, GOOD GUYS, at the 8:57 mark.

Assisting on the “dreaded three goal lead” goal?

Chytil and Kakko.

While this game, which had something for everyone, including 5 x 5 goals, power-play goals, elite goaltending from CZAR IGOR, and of course, fights too (the TROO TROO TRAIN made a special stop on St. Catherine’s St.); admittedly and the Blueshirts did get loose and sloppy at times once going up 5-2.

Perhaps the Blueshirts gassed out a bit after a first period that couldn’t be topped.

But they didn’t allow Montreal to get back into the game either – and despite his paltry number of saves (for him), CZAR IGOR, who went 21 of 23, made sure of it.

To close out the final frame, both Chytil and Kakko scored goals, within a time-span of 38-seconds to boot, to not only give the Rangers a touchdown on the board – but the extra point too.

And with the way that the Blueshirts are scoring touchdowns these days – then perhaps both Aaron Rodgers (Jets) and Danny Jones (Giants) are feeling extremely envious!

7-2, GOOD GUYS, your final, good for an overall record of 5-0-1 – and also as a result – their first road-trip sweep (3-0) of the season.

But I must remain fair, firm and without hypocrite accusations too, which of course, is my way of reminding you of the mission at hand – and 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, six down, seventy-six to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matter, begin.

But for tonight – sure – enjoy it!

After all, what else are you going to root for these days besides the Yankees?

The Giants? The Jets? The Mets? Sieve Vagistat’s brand of cornhole?


Before getting into our usual segments, including the almighty GAME REVIEW; at this time, here’s where I last left off:

As noted a few times previously this season and for whatever reason, the Rangers don’t upload Peter Laviolette’s pregame interviews anymore. I guess when you’re a multi-billion dollar organization that can charge insane prices for tickets, then you don’t have to share information with your rubes. Sad!

The Rangers, following their Toronto takedown on Saturday night, were off on Sunday.

Come Monday, October 21st, the team returned for a practice in Montreal where Ryan Lindgren continued his progression. However, Alexis Lafreniere was withheld from all drills, as he was ruled day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Despite whatever was ailing him, the first-overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, a Quebec native, skated by himself once the team was through practicing.

Obviously, if there is one building in the league that Lafreniere wants to shine at, and outside of M$G, then it’s at the Bell Centre in Montreal. (And spoiler, #13 was in the line-up on Tuesday night.)

A day later, Tuesday morning, GAME DAY; the Rangers held a morning skate where it was revealed that double-nickel would make his season debut – but with a twist – as rather being paired with his usual partner of Adam Fox, the only real defensive partner he’s ever known – instead, Lindgren was going to make his 2024-25 debut with Victor Mancini by his side.

As talked about before on this site – the only person who may not be thrilled with the recent ascension of Mancini is none other than Zac Jones – but I’ve talked about this topic in-depth before, so no reason to do so again here – and especially since I have a different style of rant on this subject below for you!

But yeah – you have to feel somewhat for Jones, who after breaking his hole to get here – and then who finally earned a roster spot too – he’s already been usurped by a younger, bigger and more physical Mancini.

I guess that’s how the cookie crumbles – and you really can’t blame Laviolette for going down this path either.

But yeah – Jones may as well try to find his worn and butt-imprinted cushion that he used last season for his press box chair.

It’s also worth noting that after being paired with Ruhwedel last game, and on his off-side (LD) to boot, that Mancini reverted back to his natural position of RD tonight.

And just to mention it, as I’ve already done this rant 6796656675678567565 times during the past two weeks – Matt Rempe was made a healthy scratch, as he’s now been seated for 66.7% of the six games that the Blueshirts have played thus far this season.

But similar to Jones – when you’re winning – and winning big – then it’s hard to knock the head coach for his line-up decisions; but of course – all of this time spent in the press box isn’t helping Rempe’s development, nor getting him “playoff ready” either.

At this rate, one must wonder if Rempe will even be on this roster in the near-future once Jimmy Vesey is able to return.

Furthermore, once Vesey is ready-and-able, then who is joining Jones in the press box?

Brodzinski? Edstrom? (I can’t see it being Sam Carrick, as he is quickly becoming a Rangers’ revelation and who is also making many people like me, “GOODROW TRUTHERS,” forgetting all about Drury’s knife to the back of #21 over the summer.

Sadly, a Hartford demotion may be warranted for REMPESTEIN – which I’m not sure is the best thing either, as you have to think that a lot of AHL plugs will be looking to make their names off of him once howlin’ with the ‘Pack.


Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the sixth game of this 2024-25 season:

FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere

SECOND LINE: Kreider/Zibanejad/Smith

THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Chytil/Kakko

FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Brodzinski

FIRST PAIR: Miller/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Schneider/Trouba

THIRD PAIR: Lindgren/Mancini

STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

BACK UP GOALIE: Jonathan Quick

HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Jones, Rempe and Ruhwedel

LTIR: Vesey


BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

MTL
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
35 3 32 .914 25 4 3 0 0 48:55 0
10 4 6 .600 5 1 0 0 0 11:05 0

 

NYR
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
23 2 21 .913 21 0 0 0 0 60:00 0

In a word, the new Gotham Sports App “SUCKS!” Photo Credit: Gotham Sports

As many of you all know by now, I’m working a ton of overtime hours at my real-time j-o-b, and very often, double-shifts.

(I know – “waa, waa, waa!” – and – “do you want cheese with that wine?”)

(And if Donald Trump wins this election and then follows up on his campaign promise of “no taxes on overtime pay” – then I hope it’s made retroactive too – as then in that event – I could afford to go to one game at M$G this season!)

During a night like Tuesday night when working around the clock, I schedule all of my breaks from 7:15PM-9:45PM, while doing what I need to do during intermissions. (All of my co-workers are fine with this, as we are a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” type of folk.)

Whenever at work and awaiting Rangers’ puck drop, I fire up my laptop and log onto the M$GN app, the E$PN app or the TNT app.

I’ve never had a problem when doing so – and the streams come in crystal clear.

Tonight, and for the first time, I had to use the new Gotham Sports App, as the M$GN app is no more, a new transition that began this season.

This app must’ve been created by a bunch of junior high school summer school failures – as it doesn’t work.

Since I don’t directly pay for the Gotham Sports App (it comes “free,” as part of my monthly $220 Optimum TV cable bill), then I don’t know how they can justify the insane prices that they charge ($10 a game or $40 a month) for this putrid service.

Throughout the game – and I checked several times – IT NEVER OPENED and IT NEVER PLAYED.

All I had was an infinity of loading screens.

And when I didn’t have loading screens, I then got a message saying “Check back at 6:30PM,” despite you know, trying to log in about hundred times throughout the hours of 7PM-9:45PM.

For the purpose of this site, I also tried the app on my phone, but the stream came in blurry, if it came in at all.

So here I am, a world famous author of ten books and more importantly than that, a professional bullshit beer-bellied blogger too, yet despite this new-age service – it was as strong as the Giants trying to stop Saquon Barkley – or Sam Montembeault trying to stop the Rangers!

In order to get a stream of this game, I had to go to one of those illegal sites (won’t plug it here, as I don’t want any legal trouble, but if you know, then you know) – and where this FREE and ILLEGAL service provided nothing but hockey nirvana – and a stream in the most pristine of conditions too.

(But this stream also featured a very questionable chat room that I had to click out of – and again – if you know, then you know!)

Again I ask?

Why would anyone pay for this Gotham Sports App junk?

Not only does it not work – but it’s insanely priced too.

Get your shit together Gotham Sports App, as the Rangers are already six games in, the Knicks are now active and the Yankees are in the World Series.

Silver lining?

Since this terrible app refused to work – I missed the M$GN pregame show – and where Sieve Vagistat was again left to his own devices.

Praise the hockey gods.

But since I was watching a Montreal stream of the game, then I did see their 1979 celebration (and I even saw Jim Ramsay too) – two things that didn’t air on the M$GN/Gotham Sports.


Going into this game, and I tweeted out the following:


As noted above, we quickly found out the answers to both of these questions.

YES and DISCIPLINED.

And in a spoiler, and as you’ll soon see below as the GAME REVIEW is our next segment on the docket – another one of my prophetic tweets proved true.


Following the game, Ryan Lindgren, still wearing a face shield, told the media that he had his jaw broken in his preseason fight with Scott Mayfield. The Ultimate Warrior of the Rangers then had surgery on his jaw – and rather than waiting for it to fully heal – made his season debut on Tuesday night. Photo Credit: @DaveyUpper & M$GN. (Of note: a huge thank you to DaveyUpper, who doesn’t get enough credit for posting every pertinent Rangers’ clip a nanosecond after it occurred. I don’t know how he does it – but then again – I’m not computer savvy either – as I’m still writing these blogs via my AOL email on my 2001 dinosaur P.C.!)

Real quick prior to the GAME REVIEW – as I have to get the following off of my chest.

Prior, during and after the game and I was bombarded with social media postings, including from people that I like, such as the two gents below – and where everyone was bashing Ryan Lindgren – and as if he was part of Hamas.

For reference, here are just two of the two million anti-Lindgren tweets that came my way:



When I saw this stuff, I was disappointed, but not surprised.

After all, just the other day and I was talking to my buddy Stan Fischler, and during this “Maven vs Maven” conversation where I defended CZAR IGOR and was down on Mika Zibanejad, while he was down on CZAR IGOR and high on Mika, I brought up how historically, and throughout the age of social media – and more times than not – as in 99% of the time – and Ranger fans have always found a defenseman to make their whipping boy.

The first Rangers’ rearguard that I can first remember receiving so much disdain from fans online was Michal Rozsival. Following him were the likes of Michael Del Zotto, Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo, Jacob Trouba, and now Ryan Lindgren.

While all of these defensemen have had varying degrees of success following their tenures in New York, and where some of them then went on to win the Cup elsewhere too;  but for the true blue Rangers, the ones that began their careers here, and really, all of them sans Del Zotto, were heart-and-soul/defensive-defensemen types.

I know that this is a “what have you done for me lately?” world and how the salary-cap alters opinions from fans too (no one knows more about this than me – wink-wink – my thoughts on Henrik Lundqvist’s final contract), but really, people are now burying Lindgren?

I guess that similar to the “what have you done for me lately?” stuff and anything NEW is immediately a hit – and no matter how long or short the sample size is.

This is no knock against Mancini, as I’m a fan of him like all of you too (heck, it even feels like Braden Schneider has already become yesterday’s news too) – but to say that Lindgren sucks, is a piece of shit, is overrated, or anything else like that which I saw on social media – well, and even if I like you personally – then I think you’re an idiot.

Again – refer to my season-long disclaimer.

We don’t know what Mancini will do in the playoffs, and where really, I think the biggest bone of contention from the anti-Lindgren brigade is that Zac Jones is taking the brunt of it – and via his daily & game-by-game returns to the press box.

Not mentioned by the pitchfork and torch “LINDGREN MUST GO” mob?

That it’s MANCINI that wrested the spot from Jones – and not Lindgren.

After all, if Lindgren was never hurt to start the season, then he’d never be included in these terrible talks.

When it comes to Mancini and Jones, and call it fair or not, but like male porn stars – and what my exes have said to me after breaking up too – these three words:

SIZE DOES MATTER!

In other words, someone like a Mancini, 6’4″ and 225 pounds, will always have an edge when compared to Zac Jones, who is listed at 5’9″, 170 pounds.

And such an edge is required in the playoffs.

Granted, while Lindgren is no true brute at 6’0 and 200 pounds, what he has going for him is that he’s PROVEN.

And when healthy (I know that’s an issue now), he’s also RELIABLE.

He’s been through the wars. He takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’. He’ll block 100MPH pucks. He’ll take a punch. He’ll hit.

Similar to all sports – and good defenses usually beat out good offenses.

And with the one-goal games that most playoff games usually are – then you need every edge – and every inch and pound too – on that 200′ by 85′ surface.

One thing that I won’t disagree with?

If you’re of the opinion that Lindgren will be gone after this season, then yeah, you’re most likely right.

Salary cap and younger (and cheaper) players is just the circle of life for most NHLers.

But this remains as a CUP OR BUST team, and while it sucks for Jones (I do feel for his case and cause) – Lindgren is the guy that you want in your line-up for every big game.

And while the rest of the season will truly tell us this, but for now, Mancini gives the Rangers a better chance to win too – and where furthermore – when it comes to Mancini v. Jones, and even if you think that Jones is better than him – but either way, the Blueshirts are better off developing and giving Mancini his reps now as they prepare for the playoffs.

End rant!

And LET’S GO LINDY!


Chytil and Kakko arguably had the best games of their long Ranger careers on Tuesday night – but again – I must consider the competition – and my preseason concern still remains – can they stay healthy for 82 games? And bigger than that, can they produce in the playoffs too? Photo Credit: Getty Images

FIRST PERIOD

As noted above – and this game, exciting as hell, had its final result pretty much determined in the opening minute.

Just 54-seconds in, and with Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin leading the way, Mika Zibanejad finally scored his first five-vs-five goal of the season:


1-0, GOOD GUYS, just like that – and where finally – one of Mika’s hammer shots found the back of the net.

Nothing against Mika, and you’ll soon see what I mean by what I teased above – but I wondered if this was a case of Zibanejad turning the corner – or Montembeault having the worst night of his life.

Maybe both.

Before you could finish celebrating Mika’s “Haley Comet Goal,” as it doesn’t feel like these scores come as often as they should, and there was Jonny Brodzinski, as the beneficiary of some heads-up play from both Braden Schneider and Adam Edstrom:


2-0, GOOD GUYS – and we were barely two-minutes in!

I can’t say enough about the beautiful passes from Schneider and Edstrom either – and give JONNY BROADWAY credit for finishing the job too.

As the Rangers continued to eat these guys alive as if they were poutine – and blammo – Reilly Smith joined the box score just 6:40 into the game:


3-0, GOOD GUYS, and where this venue, the Bell Centre, once known as Lundqvist’s “House of Horrors,” had become FRIGHT NIGHT for Montembeault.

Following this goal – and here’s what I said after it in real-time – and as if I was the anti Sam Rosen – as this “reverse curse” soon rang true:


During the rare times when the Montreal offense tried to stifle up some life?

And there was CZAR IGOR saying NYET NYET TO MY NET, as he made his first big stop on Dennis Savard.

Come 10:32 remaining and Trocheck was cross-checked by Anderson.

Once the PP2 came on, Smith gave Chytil a pass that a Jets’ receiver could only wish that he saw last Sunday night – and one that the Czech banged home by Montembeault too:


4-0, GOOD GUYS!

And that was one of two goals for Chytil – and Kakko would eventually conclude the scoring with the team’s overall seventh goal.

More on that once we get there – as man oh man – did I blow a shot at winning $1,500!

Not only was Montembeault pulled after this goal, but in addition, nine different Rangers had picked up a point, including Panarin, who extended his scoring streak to six (a franchise record to begin a season – kind of a big deal considering this is the 99th season in Rangers’ history – and where all of the league parameters that have changed throughout the years doesn’t negatively impact this feat).

Come 7:08 remaining and Suzuki scored.

4-1 – and where this redirect goal was hardly something you’d fault CZAR IGOR for either.

Down to 5:51 remaining, and Kakko, perhaps bothered by all the noise, took another penalty, after having a slap-fest with Jake Evans.

I thought this was a good penalty to take – but only because it was off-setting.

I also like Kakko showing off an edge and getting as angry as someone trying to serve him a plate of gluten.

You need fire in the playoffs – and maybe after six-years – Kakko has finally learned something.

During the foreplay and we had two <DINGS> – one for Suzuki and one for Chytil during a breakaway – and a breakaway only set up following a CZAR IGOR breakaway save too (on Kirby Dach).

I’d normally bury Chytil for not being able to bury the puck here, but he had already scored.

Furthermore, this was the first of SIX, yes SIX, separate Ranger shot attempts to hit iron.

That has to be an NHL record – and since these pucks hit iron instead of goalies and nets – then these six attempts weren’t factored into the team’s total of a whopping 45 SOG!

As the game progressed, the Rangers then had Carrick, Mancini, Lindgren, Chytil and Lafreniere all on the ice – and where they spent about a minute in the Montreal zone during a relentless attack.

While they didn’t score here, this was one hell of a shift – and one that showed that these guys weren’t going to play lax with the lead.

You know me – I’m not high on Chytil at all – but even I must admit – if this guy can play like this all the time (and remain healthy too) – then it’s like getting a huge free agent during the summer.

But again – this was only one game – and against a terrible team with their goalie having an off-night too.

Let’s see him do it again – then again and again – and then throughout the playoffs too.

We remained at 4-1, GOOD GUYS, through 20-minutes, and what a frantic and amazing first period it was.

Here’s what I said at the time:


Go figure: The Rangers score seven goals, and where it felt like everyone on the roster picked up a point tonight, yet the best goal scorer on the team from the past three seasons was not involved. And don’t get it twisted – this is a good thing – as you can’t expect Kreider to carry the load every night – which means that it was great seeing everyone else chip in. Photo Credit: Getty Images

SECOND PERIOD

After our usual question of “SECOND PERIOD, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR HERE JOE?” (“A baker’s dozen on the board Sam!”), Captain Jacob Trouba, who looks like an all-new player when compared to his hampered-by-injuries play from the 2024 Trade Deadline and throughout the playoffs, set-up Panarin – but “The Breadman” baked this shot off of the iron – the team’s second of six <DINGS>.

Still – more strong play, not only from Trouba – but from the GAG LINE 2.0 too.

Like Kreider, and again, go figure:

Seven goals, a million points, yet the team’s top trio, this GAG LINE 2.0, “only” picked up one point – Panarin’s opening assist on Mika’s goal.

This is not to say that Trocheck and Lafreniere did not play well, because they did; but it just speaks to the fact that anyone can be a hero and lift the team – and where it’s nice to not be so reliant on one line either.

At the 5:02 mark and Fox was boxed for hooking Brendan Gallagher – a good penalty to take as the Hab had nothing but white ice between himself and CZAR IGOR at the time.

The penalty didn’t prevent a second goal for Montreal, as just 23-seconds later, and Suzuki made one gorgeous play, where he took a long stride, tucked the puck, pulled even further back and then backhanded the rubber past a sprawling CZAR IGOR.

4-2.

While perhaps you wouldn’t want to see CZAR IGOR go down so early, and as if he was emulating an in-his-prime San Francisco Sieve Vagistat; conversely, Nick Suzuki, captain of the Canadiens, is one hell of a talent.

In other words, one of my usual talking points:

The other team is paid to play hockey too – and especially the elite players.

More important above all else?

This was the last Montreal goal of the game.


Down to 12:45 remaining and Lafreniere hit the crossbar so hard that even Sam Rosen heard it – and our third <DING> of the game.

Schneider wouldn’t hit iron on the Rangers’ next shot – and as we saw with 11:03 to go:


5-2, GOOD GUYS – and arguably – the biggest goal scored of the game too.

Put it this way:

At 4-2, and momentum was going to swing in the direction for the next team who scored.

Had the Habs made it 4-3 – then you’re sweating bullets (and the home crowd gets hot too)- and who knows if the Rangers would have ultimately won out.

But now at 5-2, and a goal allowed for Primeau too, and the Rangers were right back to rockin’-and-rollin’ again – and while the Montreal crowd went back to slinking in their seats too.


The Rangers could’ve scored another goal with 9:00 remaining, but during a give-and-go play from Panarin and Fox – and Fox delivered one more give to an unexpecting Panarin – as everyone thought that the 2021 Norris Trophy winner was going to bang the puck home.

Sometimes, ya gotta be selfish – but with this score – this play was easy to forgive – and now forgettable too!

Chytil, and despite his putrid performance at the dots (2 of 10, 20% – and where no one is bringing this up either), was Gretzkyseque everywhere else on the ice (and in the box score too) – and a Chytil who earned the fourth Rangers <DING> of the game, as his backhanded try hit the post.

Down to 3:00 remaining and Carrie Matheson roughed up Lafreniere, via a glove to the mouth, which put the Rangers back on the power-play.

No goal this time around and we remained at 5-2, GOOD GUYS, as the second intermission commenced.

Here’s what I said at the time:


Chytilmania Ran Wild in Montreal! Let’s hope it keeps running all the way to a 2025 Stanley Cup victory.

THIRD PERIOD

Montreal showed a little fire to start this period, but CZAR IGOR doused all such flames.

At the 3:53 mark, and Miller, who flubbed on a play, was forced to hook Jake Evans.

Somewhat like Lindgren – and I saw many people say how Miller sucks, he’s trash, he’s garbage, he doesn’t recycle, he doesn’t scoop his dog’s poop and blah blah blah.

One bad play and everyone loses their shit.

My take?

He’s been great this season, and has helped Fox excel too, so to rake him over the coals for one shit play is mindless to me.

Again – the other team is handsomely paid big bucks to play too.

And the end result of this Rangers’ PK?

Trocheck doing some excellent work, Carrick almost scoring a shorty and CZAR IGOR flashing gloves like O.J. Simpson in court.

With emotions running high, come the end of this PK and Kreider and Gallagher went at it, as CK20 defended his captain – and where really – and as we’d immediately see – a captain that needs no such protection.

Now back on the foreplay and this is where we saw our first TROO TROO TRAIN hit of the season:


Call me a homer if you must, but as usual, then I didn’t see anything wrong with Trouba’s initial hit on Barron.

These are just clean hits – but because these hits are so violent looking, and to callback what I said earlier – since SIZE DOES MATTER – then they look much worse (dirty) than they actually are.

Clean hockey – and play on – and as the officials implied following the game too:


Following the hit on Barron and Carrie Matheson took umbrage and challenged Trouba to a fight.

I have no problem with Matheson defending the honor of a teammate.

I also had no problem with the officials getting this right – and as they did when they gave the “Homeland” star an extra two minutes for instigating – and then an extra ten-minutes for a game misconduct.

Matheson got some cheap shots in early – but once Trouba regrouped, and as Mr. Upper said (if that’s his real name) – Matheson effed around and found out (I don’t use the f-word on this site, so if you want an abbreviation, then Matheson FAFO’d here!)

Once the penalty on Kreider concluded then the Rangers had a short power-play – and one that CK20 almost scored on – but his stuff-in try, his patented move, was denied.

Right after that?

Panarin hit the post again – for the fifth Blueshirts’ <DING> of the match.

Down to 7:30 remaining and CZAR IGOR, who only had to make three saves this period, made his third here – and like his previous two – this wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t a heavy workload night for #31 – but when tasked – he delivered.

A minute later and it was Cuylle’s turn to enter the sin bin after slashing Cole Caulfield.

No matter, as the Rangers killed this penalty – and where Trocheck and Smith almost scored on a 2 x 1 short-handed try.

Up next, my two least favorite Rangers/players I would’ve traded this off-season:


6-2, GOOD GUYS – and again – how about that Sam Carrick!?!?!


7-2, GOOD GUYS, Kakko’s first this season – and another A-Rod goal, which make up 75% of his career goal scoring too!

Remember how I told you how I missed out on making $1,500 tonight?

Here’s how:

Prior to the game, I had a $10 free bet in my Caesars Sports book account.

I figured I’d blow it on a parlay – and as all suckers do.

One bet, the one I took, at -300, was for Kreider to score two points – so had CK20 put up two-points, I then would’ve won $30.

BALLER!

Another parlay that Caesars offered was Mika to score a goal, Chytil to score a goal, Panarin to get a point, Kakko to score a goal and the Rangers to win by 2+ goals.

This bet featured a line of -15000 – so $10 would’ve got me $1,500!

This Kakko guy always screws me!

But it was also nice to see him screw the Rangers’ opponent for once!


Down to 1:13 remaining and Edstrom hit the post on a backhanded try – the sixth-and-final <DING> for the Rangers.

7-2, GOOD GUYS, your final – and where my final tweet about this game says it all:


Here’s Laviolette, trying not to show how happy he was (he has to keep everything in perspective), after the game:


The Rangers will face their new nemesis, the Florida Panthers, this Thursday night, for the first time since the 2024 ECF loss. Photo Credit: NHL.com

Up Next: A true litmus test game, as the Rangers host the Panthers this Thursday night.

And if Kakko and Chytil can post three-pointers in that one, then I’ll back off a bit!

Prediction: CZAR IGOR gets this start, while Jonathan Quick makes his second start of the season this Saturday night, when the Rangers host the lowly Ducks.

Programming Note: There may not be a GAME REVIEW blog on Thursday night – as my damn work schedule is crazy.

But even with yours truly working this Saturday – I’ll definitely have something posted after the game with Anaheim.

Also of note: I know that I have about 7986798689678967896 emails and comments to get to – and I’ll try to do so tomorrow night, as after writing this – I need to get my four-hours of sleep before going back to work.

But still, keep firing away, as I promise to get into all of them, as everyone who puts their time in deserves a response.

Up Next for you:

You know it, your favorite segment…

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/


The hardcover version of my first book, available now at Amazon.com

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:


Now on sale!

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

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 thoughts on “NYR/MTL 10/22 Review: HOLY CHYT! Three-Pointers From Chytil & Kakko Lead Blueshirts in Cruise Control Victory; Mika Actually Scores Too, Panarin Extends Scoring Streak; CZAR IGOR Continues To Roll, Lindgren’s Return Leads To Tougher Decisions For Laviolette (And Give #55 a Break Too!); Mancini’s Spot To Lose/Poor Zac Jones, The New Gotham App Sucks, Focus On The Big Picture & More

  1. Thanks for the memories, Sean! I can’t remember the last time I saw a game at the Montreal Forum, but I loved your comment about the “TROO TROO TRAIN” making a “special stop on St. Catherine’s St,” where the Canadiens played until 1996. Bell Centre is a great place for a game, but it’s not quite as saturated with the spirits of Rocket Richard, Jacques Plante, and Jean Beliveau as the Forum was.

    No thanks for the political comment about Trump’s promise to abolish taxes on overtime pay. We all know what his customers, contractors, employees, and 3 wives learned the hard way: Trump makes lots of promises, but he never keeps any of them.

    1. Obviously, the old building in Montreal can’t be replaced, and much more so than when M$G changed locations.

      Like him or hate him, but I hope Trump follows through on that overtime pay promise – and if he doesn’t – then I’ll give you your flowers.

      1. Ha ha! Thanks for the offer of flowers, but don’t forget that the President can’t change tax laws without the approval of both houses of Congress. That would give Trump two scapegoats (the Senate and the House of Representatives) to blame for failing to keep his promise of eliminating taxes on overtime pay, and he usually needs no excuses for breaking promises. He just pretends he never made them.

        1. Of all campaign promises, this is the one that I hope sees the light of day the most – then I could buy a new computer – and then have faster (and civil) debates with you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *