Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Yeah, we’re only two-games into this 2025-26 season – but it sure feels like CZAR IGOR is taking Connor Hellebuyck’s 2025 Hart Trophy win to – wait for it – Hart! (Har-har-har!)
As was obvious to all, then following the disgusting home-opener – and the mood in Rangerstown, USA was as sour as a face-full of lemons.
Come Thursday night – and the Rangers looked to rebound – and rebound they did.
As a result, they turned those sour lemons into sweet lemonade.
But of course – while the taste of Thursday night’s victory was delicious – then unless CZAR IGOR is going to maintain a half-a-goal allowed average all-season – then it will only be matter of time before everything becomes bitter again.
It is not my intent to take anything away from a Rangers’ win – but at the same time – I’m not going to do back-flips and jump through hoola-hoops over this victory either.
(And please – just pretend that I can do back-flips and jump through hoola-hoops and leave it at that!)
Aside from what was another empty-handed showing on the power-play (0-3), a second period where the Rangers were out-shot 14-5 (and where the Sabres’ two DINGS aren’t included in that figure of fourteen shots on goal) and another uninspiring performance from the $8.5M Swedish-Iranian, Stinka Zibanedud (1 SOG, completely ineffective on the power-play) – then the biggest reason why I’m somewhat downplaying Thursday night’s 4-0 win is simply because of the opponent.
After all, the Buffalo Sabres haven’t reached the playoffs since 2011.
And it’s only a matter of time before this graphic becomes reality again too:
With that out of the way, then of course – you can only play the teams that you’re scheduled to face – and when you face a perennial patsy like the Sabres – then you have to take care of business.
CZAR IGOR most certainly took care of business – and really – outside of a second period where you were just waiting for the other shoe to drop – and the Rangers survived.
The only true black mark from the win was Vincent Trocheck, as the new alternate captain, who since camp, has been wearing a fishbowl over his dome due to a broken nose, left the match just 13:10 into the second period.
What caused Trocheck’s departure is currently unknown – but don’t worry – both the Rangers and Mike Sullivan made sure to inform us after the game that the second line center is presently “day-to-day” with his “upper-body injury.”
In other words, we don’t know what Trocheck’s injury is, nor do we know how much time he’s expected to miss either; but following the game, and both Sullivan and Alexis Lafreniere made it sound like he’d be out of action this weekend.
As they say – time will tell.
And of course – get well soon.
I did this rant several times last season and I’ll give you the mini-version of it tonight.
I PAY FOR THE GOTHAM SPORTS APP VIA MY CABLE PACKAGE.
BIG MONEY AT THAT TOO!
In other words, then I am paying my cold-hard cash for the Gotham Sports app – and I’m also trying my best to watch every game in a legal manner!
As you may recall, then as part of a recent promotion that I got at my real j-o-b (I’m on PP1) – and I’m currently working the swing-shift at work (3PM-11:30PM) – and a whole lot of overtime too.
(In fact, and as I write these very words to you now, I just came off of a sixteen-hour shift – which is why this will be a “short” blog – or at least short for me!)
Long-story short – then I’m forced to use the Gotham Sports app at work – and just like last season – IT NEVER WORKS.
Put it this way:
Prior to the change, and whenever I logged onto the M$GN app at work to watch Ranger games (during my dinner break – of course!) – and I never had an issue.
Since the switch – and Gotham Sports never works.
In turn, I’m forced to find illegal streams to watch these games – and sometimes – the opposing team’s home stream.
(This is also why I prefer the Rangers on TNT and ESPN on work nights – as I never have an issue with their applications/services/streams.)
Trying to watch tonight’s game was a pure fiasco for me, as the illegal streaming site I found for this game kept going in-and-out of the Sabres’ and Rangers’ home broadcasts.
Furthermore, then since I was at the real j-o-b, where we all work hard and then take our breaks later into the night – my co-workers were more interested in the Giants v. Eagles game – an NFL contest that was played a stone’s throw away from M$G.
And let’s face it – the Giants “GIANT” win over the Eagles was much more impressive – and bigger too – when compared to the Rangers beating a team that hasn’t been relevant since the Bill Clinton administration.
Hell – the Sabres, and like the Clinton administration, have been a stain ever since.
(We have two TV’s at work – and of course – Big Blue got the big screen, while I huddled around the smaller screen for the big bad WINTER CLASSIC 2018 rematch!)
This Gotham Sports App should be ashamed of themselves – as it’s not just me that has never-ending issues.
All over the place – and from you readers alike – and all I hear from other Blueshirt backers is how they have non-stop problems with Dolan’s garbage app.
Get your shit together!
The first period between these New York teams was a one-sided round – and in favor of the visitors.
At one point, the Rangers were out-shooting the Sabres to a tune of 16-6 (Buffalo then finished the period with five more shots, which pushed the first period SOG total as 16-11).
I have no clue what the time of possession stats were, but it felt like the Blueshirts spent 90% of the first twenty-minutes of play attacking in the Swordsmen zone.
A member of the alumni, and despite his brief time in-town, Mason Geersten, gave the Rangers a chance to draw first blood, as at the 7:14 mark, he tripped the player that’s currently disgracing the number (#93) that Petr Nedved once wore.
(For my complete explanation of my diehard fandom of Nedved, then check out my books!)
Two-minutes later and the Rangers were 0-1 on the power-play.
Down to 8:17 remaining in a frame where the Sabres were no match for the Big Buck Blueshirts – and finally – all of the offense paid off – as we had our first Rangers’ goal of the season – and boy was it pretty – and even if it was “video gameish.”
A line that I once coined (two-years ago – but certainly not last season) as “The G.A.G. Line 2.0” – Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere – made it happen.
As Panarin and Trocheck were attacking, third-string Sabre goalie, Alex Lyon (tonight’s starter due to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s injury and because Lindy Ruff didn’t want to go with the recently acquired Colten Ellis – and an Ellis who beat out former Ranger, Alexandar Georgiev, for an NHL roster spot where the Buffalo roam) gave up a juicy rebound.
In a play which required smooth-and-fast hands, akin to a guitarist playing the epic solo from “Freebird” – and there was Lafreniere retrieving the rubber from a tight space and then tucking the puck into the Lyon’s Den for the 1-0, good guys, goal.
And #13 did all of this in one motion.
Better than that?
Then because of CZAR IGOR – and not only was this Lafreniere’s first goal of the season – but his first game-winner of the campaign too.
Heading into the second period with this 1-0 score in-tact – and those three filthy slur words, “SAME OLD RANGERS,” made their appearance.
The Sabres received three consecutive power-plays, and one two-minute spurt of foreplay too (Braden Schneider and Jason Zucker took off-setting penalties), which in turn, gave them a 14-5 SOG advantage.
They also hit iron twice during this time too.
But CZAR IGOR was dialed in.
Whether he was bailing out his forwards or bad turnovers from the likes of Big Billy Borgen – and CZAR IGOR was a brick wall in net – and in a performance that felt like something ripped straight out of his 2021-22 Vezina Trophy season.
The Blueshirts, after a trying middle frame, played much better in the third period.
During the final twenty-minutes, each team recorded twelve shots on goal – and where 25% of the Blueshirts’ shots found net (including an Adam Fox empty netter).
Still 1-0 as both teams approached the FOXWOODS FINAL FIVE mark, and in a game where you were just expecting the SAME OLD RANGERS to strike again – and instead – leave it to Carson Soucy, a man who has received a bunch of derision and criticism from Blueshirt backers ever since his late arrival last season, to score the almighty insurance goal.
In what looked like a simple-wrister in real-time, then down to 5:14 remaining in this one-shot/one-goal game – and there was Soucy using some sauce once being fed a puck on a platter from Borgen.
2-0, GOOD GUYS.
Whew.
Come 2:49 remaining – and where you weren’t exactly sure if the Rangers would come out of this unscathed yet – and the 29th captain in franchise history, J.T. Miller, who also picked up the secondary assist on Soucy’s goal, made it 3-0, good guys.
Game. Set. Match.
A Fox empty-netter, scored just fourteen-seconds after Miller had put a Rangers a field goal on the board, made the score 4-0, GOOD GUYS – and NO – I have not revived my (in)famous 4-0 bet just yet.
(Regular readers recall that I bet nothing but 4-0 Ranger finals for years – but I stopped that very early into last season. A few more games like this one? Then I’ll bring it back!)
Was this game perfect?
No.
Then again, what game is truly perfect anymore in this league of parity?
Aside from NDArtemi, then CZAR IGOR is your highest-paid player – and as such – he lived to that billing.
Your new captain, who admitted to rust and heavy legs following the home opener, is now averaging a point-per-game after his two-point showing in Buffalo.
While I still don’t support the notion of playing the likes of what I deem to be future one-and-done Rangers, third liners Conor Sheary and Taylor Raddysh, over hopeful Young Guns (Brett Berard and Gabe Perreault); I did like the fourth line, one first assembled last season – Adam Edstrom/Sam Carrick/Matt Rempe.
Edstrom created a major turnover in this game and then almost scored on his breakaway that ensued.
Carrick finished with an assist, two blocked shots and three hits.
Rempe had a forward-high five hits (Schneider had six) and finished with a +1 in the box score.
That’s one more +1 than Minus Mika has this season (-2).
Defensively, and outside of one egregious Borgen turnover (no defenseman is perfect – and the other team is paid to play hockey too) and a stupid Urho Vaakanainen penalty – and I thought that the rearguards played well too.
At the very least – they allowed CZAR IGOR to shine!
But of course, and just like a bad loss (Tuesday night) and this win can be forgotten about very quickly too.
And as noted up top – beating the Sabres is what the Rangers are supposed to do.
Let’s see them do what they are supposed to do on Saturday night, when they will try to seek revenge in Pittsburgh.
Then let’s see how they do against two of the best teams from last season – Washington (Sunday night) and Edmonton (Tuesday night).
In case you missed it, then here’s where I left off last time:
NYR/PITT 10/7 Review: SAME OLD RANGERS – But Hey – At Least The New Jerseys Are Fresh! Crybaby Stinka Zibanedud Continues His Pathetic “Woe Is Me” Act; Sullivan Sticks a Pacifier In His Mouth, Noah Laba Takes Top Honors – And A Rookie Spin Too, Another Back-Up Goalie Shuts Out The Blueshirt Bums; No Surprises, NDArtemi & Miller Can’t Save Listless Power-Play, Baffling Roster Decisions, The Two-Words That Dumbass Drury is Banking On & More From A Match That Felt Like a Preseason Game
Just a quick news update before getting into everything else.
Remember, and just a few short weeks ago, when we all thought that the Summer of 2026 had the potential of becoming the greatest and most-newsworthy unrestricted free-agency period of the salary cap era?
Well you can poo-poo all of that talk now.
Following the recent re-signings in Minnesota (Kirill Kaprizov) and Edmonton (Connor McDavid) then on Wednesday, news broke that both Kyle Connor (Winnipeg) and Jack Eichel (Vegas) had also re-signed with their respective teams.
Right now?
There’s a good chance that Assaultin’ Artie could become the top name of the Free Agency Class of ’26.
Again – time will tell.
And at this rate?
Hell, who knows – maybe Conor Sheary will be that guy – as everyone and their mother is staying put at home!
Here was Sully’s line-up for the second game of this 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Lafreniere/Trocheck/Panarin
SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Miller/Zibanejad
THIRD LINE: Sheary/Laba/Raddysh
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Soucy/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Jonny Brodzinski, Juuse Parssinen and Matt Robertson
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
|
| 37 | 0 | 37 | 1.000 | 28 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
BUF
|
|
Alex Lyon#34
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 32 | 3 | 29 | .906 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 59:51 | 0 |
I didn’t watch a lick of the M$GN pregame show tonight, nor will I ever whenever Sieve Vagistat is left to his own devices – but you already know that.
Plus, I was at work anyway – but where I was also told from several readers that all that the seven-foot asshole did was verbally lick Zibanedud’s taint – but only during the times where the worst goalie in franchise history was done talking about his made-up ANALytics – you know – the company that he owns – and one that no other hockey broadcast in the league today promotes and/or uses.
At this time, just a quick-and-dirty GAME REVIEW – and for all of the reasons as listed above.
Let’s roll – as it’s now 3AM in real-time as I write this – and I believe that meth addicts have had more sleep than I have had during this past week too!
And oh yeah – this will be a bullet-point format for this go-around – and hopefully a more detailed review come Saturday night (vs Pittsburgh).
(My merry crew are expecting to make our 2025-26 debut at our local watering hole on Sunday vs. Washington – and that includes my dear old dad. But as they say – plans are subject to change!)
FIRST PERIOD:
— I forgot to mention it earlier, but joining starting goalie UPL on the Sabres’ walking-wounded list was top-sixer Zach Benson, and a top-two d-man too, Owen Power.
— So yeah – a loss would’ve been devastating for the Rangers – but we don’t have to talk about that either.
— I thought that the blonde woman who sang both anthems (they always sing the Canadian anthem in Buffalo Wing Land, as you can piss on the border from their home arena) did an amazing job.
— Kenny Albert, who I can’t stop raving about, just makes these broadcasts feel bigger – and for the first time in a long time – professional too.
— There were about three different instances where Albert just seamlessly covered up mistakes, and whether it was something Dave Maloney had said, a production error or something else, and unless you were looking for it (I have a keen eye – self-pat on the back) – then you wouldn’t have noticed it.
— Eleven-seconds in and Lyon made his first save of the game on Zibanedud. The most overpaid player in hockey today wouldn’t record another SOG during the next 59:49.
— Gavrikov, who had a rough outing in his debut, rebounded quickly – as not even a minute in – and he broke up a Sabres’ 3 x 2 odd-man rush. (He’d later do the same in the third period.)
— Seven-minutes in and Lindy Ruff’s charges hadn’t even recorded a SOG. Again – the Rangers just dominated this period.
— It should be noted that the Blueshirts, who went 0-3 on the power-play tonight, made a major change. Out was Matt Rempe (PP2), as the man who was alleged to drug and sexually assault a female M$GN employee, NDArtemi, was in.
— Panarin never left the ice during man-advantage time – and based on reports – he’s a man who (ALLEGEDLY) likes to take advantage.
— I just wonder what all of this says about Sullivan.
— This was not a vote of confidence in Rempe’s favor. I mean one game, where the PP does nothing and Rempe is singled-out? Too bad not all players are treated equally – as the useless Zibanedud remains.
— Ten-minutes in and the SOG total was 10-2, Rangers. This meant that the Blueshirts weren’t capitalizing on all of their chances. It also meant that CZAR IGOR, who again, finished with 37-saves, was about to endure a heavy workload.
— Here’s Lafreniere’s pretty-as-a-picture, 1-0, GOOD GUYS, goal:
The perfect guy to kick things off for #NYR
Alexis Lafreniere also had the 1st goal of the season to kick off 23-24 in Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/DBCQYTRNZX
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 9, 2025
— For as much as this play needs to be hung in a museum – I won’t get excited yet. Let’s see Lafreniere do this again – and then again and again and again and you get my point.
— After all, let’s not forget that the first-overall pick had many stretches last season where he was nary a goal for ten or more games.
— Down to 3:00 remaining and the SOG total was now 16-6, Blueshirts.
— CZAR IGOR then made five consecutive saves, including a thunderous and loud stop on Zucker.
— Buffalo started to gain some momentum here and it would carry over into the second period.
1-0, GOOD GUYS, after twenty.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, #NYR, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— A dominating period, but only a one-goal lead against the worst franchise in hockey, and one missing Power, Benson and their starting goalie.
— Better than the alternative I suppose.
— SOG 16-11, NYR, was 16-6 at one point.
— Special…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 9, 2025
SECOND PERIOD:
— As noted earlier, the Sabres brought the noise and the funk – but CZAR IGOR brought the pads and the glove to drown out all of that sound and junk.
— After a Cuylle tripping penalty just 28-seconds in – and #31 in Rangers’ white was a one-man PK, with three game-changing saves in total.
— At the 4:46 mark, and Lyon, who wasn’t really bad tonight, and who admittedly, kept the Sabres in the game until the final minutes of regulation, made the save of the night on an Edstrom breakaway try.
— A You’re A Ho Vicodin penalty, a blatant infraction for interference, put the Rangers on the PK again. Two dings from Thompson and Doan later – and more saves from CZAR IGOR too – and the Russian netminder’s shutout bid remained in-tact.
— Down to 2:02 remaining, and following a full ten-man scrum (in other words – Mika wasn’t on the ice) – and Borgen was the sole offender in the eyes of the officials – and because he ripped the bucket off of the head of Zucker.
— No matter, as the Rangers’ flawless PK proved true once more.
We remained at 1-0 through forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, #NYR, through 40 minutes. 2P Thoughts:
— Sabres’ PP now 0-3, NYR 0-1.
— Buffalo had the better middle frame but it’s what’s on the scoreboard that matters.
— That said and CZAR IGOR is carrying them again.
— Kenny Albert has done a fabulous job – RIGHT?— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 10, 2025
THIRD PERIOD:
— To paraphrase Jan Brady – “IGOR, IGOR, IGOR” – as the man who may be hellbent on becoming the second consecutive goalie to win the Hart Trophy this season racked up a final dozen saves in his eventual 37-save showing.
— But, and as noted earlier – then I think that many viewers/fans were thinking what I was thinking prior to Soucy’s go-ahead goal – it was only a matter of time before Buffalo tied the game.
— Praise Igor.
— The Sabres threatened all-period long, including when on their fourth power-play with 13:06 remaining (Cuylle, tripping) – but one more time – and let’s spell it out – I-G-O-R!
— The Rangers had another power-play themselves this period – and where Assaultin’ Artie made the boards pay with his wide shot at an open net.
— Holy Mika Batman!
— As you were watching the clock, and with the FOXWOODS FINAL FIVE mark approaching too – and this is when Soucy, not really known for his offense, allowed you to relax back into your seat with his 2-0, go-ahead, insurance goal.
— Miller’s Kreideresque deflection on a Schneider shot sent from the blue line, allowed you to finally breathe and relax for good. 3-0, GOOD GUYS.
—- It was at this time that I knew that I would regret not returning my 4-0 Rangers’ prop bet.
— Fourteen seconds later, and a Fox shot, which was sent from his own zone, hit a Sabres’ high-stick and then went into the net that was vacated by Lyon for the extra Buffalo attacker.
— 4-0, GOOD GUYS.
— 4-0, GOOD GUYS – and a much needed win too.
And I don’t think it’s just me – as I believe that everyone who loves this franchise is over-analyzing every second, every minute and every game played too – an end and carryover result from last season – and despite how much everyone associated with this organization wants you to forget about that miserable 2024-25 campaign.
The only way for anyone to have amnesia about last year is to get out of the gate hot – and even if that becomes the case – then I’m not so sure if it will be that easy.
For this particular beer-bellied blogger, admittedly, a Rangers’ historian – and I can’t let it go.
Here are the post-game interviews:
Up Next For The Rangers:
The Blueshirts will attempt to seek revenge against the Penguins – and for Sullivan – his return to a town where he made his eventual Hall of Fame career comes early.
It’s also time to exact payback on Dan Muse too.
After Saturday night’s Rangers v. Penguins game, the Blueshirts won’t get any rest, as they will be right back at it on Sunday, when they host the 2024-25 Metro Champs, Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals – and an Ovi who may be looking to score career goal #900.
In the interim, then the big news to keep an eye out for is the status of Trocheck – and where we might not get any news about his health until Saturday.
For me?
I gotta worry about my health – which means that I need to catch up on some sleep.
This also means for you, that you need to catch up on your reading, which brings us to…
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
