NYR/VAN 11/19 Review: Adam Fox Out-Duels Quinn Hughes in Battle of Elite Norris Trophy Winners; Blueshirts Eke By Canucks, No Chytil (But He’s Coming Back), No Problem: Brodzinski & Co. Stand Tall Amongst All; Third Line Carries Team on Rare GAG LINE 2.0 Off-Night, CZAR IGOR’s Stats Take a Beating; But Why I’m Not Concerned, Secondary Scoring Shows Up, M$GN & More

While admittedly, the Rangers caught the Canucks under the most fortunate circumstances imaginable; but either way, the top one-vs-one match-up heading into Tuesday night’s contest, the battle of the Norris Trophy winners, certainly lived up to the billing – as both Adam Fox (2 assists) and Quinn Hughes (1 goal, game-high 28:17 TOI), more than delivered – and in all three zones too. Heck, both men played like a pair of bad ass Chuck Norris’ to boot! Following the Blueshirts’ 4-3 win in British Columbia, the team is now half-way through their present four-game road-trip, and where just like last season, are currently undefeated during this barnstorm too. Left remaining? The two squads that compromise “The Battle of Alberta,” Calgary and Edmonton.

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. As said after the victory in Seattle – “a win’s a win.”

Also said this past Sunday night, following the 2-0 shutout of the Kraken?

Whenever you win on the road, and especially on the left coast, then it’s really hard to find much to nitpick about – and even if there was a lot of material to choose from on Tuesday night (hello Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba) – and material so questionable that it even raised your eyebrows at points (CZAR IGOR’s questionable three goals allowed).

But hey, we all know the drill by now, which is my way of saying, “take the two points and move on,” and an early transition too – our 82-game mantra – aka my 33-word daily disclaimer that I post on this site after every game played:

“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, seventeen down, sixty-five to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matter, begin.


It’s been almost four years since Fox last won the first-and-only Norris Trophy of his career – and where some may even attach an asterisk next to this career accomplishment too – and only because it took place during a 56-game season where the Rangers played the same seven teams eight-times over. It’s up to Fox to one day win his second Norris Trophy of his career – and during an 82-game season where he plays against all of the other 31-teams in the league – and as Hughes did last season. Photo Credit: NYR

Prior to puck drop in Vancouver, which took place at around 10:08PM EST here in New York (and that’s the reason why this blog will be shorter than usual tonight), and the Rangers got some good news earlier in the day when it was revealed that Filip Chytil DIDN’T sustain another concussion.

And more on this story below.

Whether it was the news of Chytil’s pending return or what, but whatever the case, and Jonny Brodzinski (1 assist, game-high 77.8% success rate at the circles), the new center of the club’s third line, had another hell of a showing.

Ditto his line mates, Kaapo Kakko (1 goal, 1 assist) and Will Cuylle (also 1 goal, 1 assist), and where collectively, this trio, along with Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller (1 assist), finished as a game-high +2 – and where the plus/minus stat DOES tell the story!

Far too often, and as you all know, and “Lavy’s Lot” have become a squad that’s extremely reliant on one line, the GAG LINE 2.0, which stars Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere.

More times than not, and where it feels like 99.9% of the time – then if the GAG LINE 2.0 doesn’t get on the board – then don’t expect the Rangers to win.

Due to tonight’s third line and first-pair, this quintet was able to blow up such a theory.

While the GAG LINE 2.0 all finished as a -1, and without a point next to their names either – and it was the Cuylle/Brodzinski/Kakko line that just absolutely dominated, so much so, that they even received double-shifts together as the game progressed.

Also unexpected, but certainly most welcomed and appreciated, was a rejuvenated second line triad, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith, and where arguably – they played their finest game together of the season yet.

Not only did this line score a much needed equalizer early into the first period, but for good measure, they then scored a pure line goal with only 9:17 remaining in regulation – and a score that would hold up as the 4-3, GOOD GUYS, game winner.


There is no goalie controversy in New York, but you did hear people arguing for Jonathan Quick, following his second consecutive shutout of the season on Sunday, to take the Rangers’ net in Vancouver. Photo Credit: NYR

While these 2024-25 Rangers will largely be dictated by however CZAR IGOR plays in the playoffs; it should also be mentioned that ever since (and even during) his 2021-22 Vezina Trophy season, and #31 for the Blueshirts has always been prone to stretches of time where either he doesn’t look so hot, is injured, or both.

I think we’re experiencing one of these times now.

After surrendering five goals a piece to both the Sabres and Jets on home ice, CZAR IGOR then got a gimmie “get right” game against the San Jose Sharks prior to this present road-trip.

While I wouldn’t call this contest against a keeping-their-head-above-water Canucks’ team a “freebie,” it’s also true that the Rangers had every advantage in the world when heading into this match.

For starters, the Canucks were already without Brock Boeser and Derek Fobort.

Rick Tocchet’s club were also without their starting goalie, Thatcher Demko, which as a result, forced the head coach to start his third-string goalie, Arturs Silovs, against a former Vezina Trophy winner.

If that wasn’t bad enough, then just prior to the game, it was announced that former Ranger, J.T. Miller, now playing the best hockey of his life in Western Canada, had left the team for “personal reasons.”

While I have no way of confirming such rumors, but it’s thought that Miller’s take of leave is all about mental health – and in no way related to drugs & alcohol – and with the latter, booze, something he previously said (during podcast interviews) that he struggled with during his young playing days in the enticing Big Apple.

Long-story short?

Road-game or not, and the Rangers were favored to win this game due to three huge names in the blue-and-green being unavailable.

However, and despite such fortunate circumstances (and this was kinda like deja vu – and as recently explained on this site last week – as the Rangers are catching a lot of these PST teams during down times – and just as they did last season when they went 5-0 on a similar road-trip), and the Blueshirts spent most of their sixty-minutes in Vancouver, B.C. just one shot away from losing.

I know that many will jump down CZAR IGOR’s throat because of this showing, but to me, and while I wouldn’t pay him anything over 10% of the team’s annual salary-cap hit either – history tells us that while he’ll stumble a bit during the regular season – he always shows up when it matters – the playoffs.

I should also stress this following fact for the team’s most consistent player, is that as I write these words – it’s November 20th, 2024 – and not April 20th, 2025 – which is around the time when the Rangers will expect to be hosting the first-round of next year’s postseason.


I openly admit that I don’t watch many full-length games featuring the 2024 Norris Trophy winner (but I do watch all of the recap/highlight shows that he’s often on), which is my way of saying that I didn’t realize how truly good he was. While yeah, I know that he won the Norris and that he’s one hell of a hockey player too – but after tonight – I can see why many rank him above Colorado’s Cale Makar – who going into this game – was my pick for best rearguard in the league. Now I’m not so sure – that’s how convincing Hughes’ was in this Rangers’ “let’s get the hell out of here” 4-3 victory. Photo Credit: NHL.com

If there was anything that I personally learnt at around 1:00AM Wednesday morning, which is when this game concluded, then it was that a pair featuring Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes will be one hell of a duo for Team USA during this season’s upcoming Four Nations tournament.

While of course, there’s no individuality in hockey, as it’s a team game; but man-oh-man – did it feel like these two were trying to one-up and up-stage either – and kind of like those Wayne Gretzky vs Mario Lemieux games from a bygone era – or like Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin today.

Hughes fired the first shot – literally – as at just the 34-second mark – his beautiful backhander went past CZAR IGOR for the 1-0, bad guys, goal.

For CZAR IGOR, this marked the third time this season where he gave up a goal in the first/opening minute of a game – and where all three such instances have taken place during his last four starts.

The one time where he didn’t give up a goal in the opening minute?

He gave up a goal in the first 2:50 of a match.

Obviously, while it’s not all on him (Mika had the best seat in the house during this play), but yeah – this trend needs to be nipped in the bud – and eradicated altogether too!

Down 1-0 early, and no less than two-minutes later, following his own o-zone faceoff win, and Zibanejad, after winning the draw, saw Fox shift the puck to Miller, where as a result #79 blasted a puck towards Vancouver’s third-string goalie, and much like his BFF, CK20, MZ93 soon deflected the puck into the net for the 1-1 goal.

In other words?

My prediction of Mika being unable to score during this road-trip was blown to smoke – and even if this more of a “puck-luck” goal than a true goal scorer’s goal – but hey – they all count the same and where furthermore – you’ll take them anyway that you can get them.

Despite numerous opportunities for either side to take the lead as the period progressed; and it wasn’t until the 14:38 mark where we saw our third tally of the game – a CUYLLE HAND LUKE breakaway goal.

This was just perfectly executed, as Fox made a defensive play in his end, threw the puck to the neutral zone, Kakko masterfully made a touch pass – and BOOM – Cuylle picked up his sixth goal of the season.

And let’s not forget – if two c-hair offside reviews hadn’t robbed him – then he’d have an octet of goals next to his name.

Sadly, Kiefer Sherwood (NO RELATIONS TO KIEFER SUTHERLAND OR THE SHERWOOD STICK MAKER JOE) was able to knot the game at two goals a side, following a shot that CZAR IGOR most likely would have wanted back.

Now 2-2 with only 2:21 remaining, and it was noticeable that the Mika line and Lindgren/Trouba pairing were on for both opposing goals allowed.

But this was another case of two conflicting things both being true:

While the team’s two hardest blue collar work-horses, #8 and #55, had a bad outing tonight; CZAR IGOR wasn’t that much better.

But of course, this was game #17 on the season – and where following it – the Rangers improved their record to 12-4-1.

A contrarian opinion, and as I speak out both sides of my mouth?

(But I’m trying to give you all angles here!)

The fact that while the Rangers did go on to win this game against a playoff team from last season, this latest victory also comes with an asterisk, due to all of the missing stars in Vancouver.

Perhaps the game in Edmonton, and as it was formerly against Florida and Winnipeg, will be our next true litmus test of this regular season.


As you know, I’m high on Cuylle and low on Kakko, but I must also stick to the facts too: Both players were amazing on Tuesday night. While I think that Cuylle will be a hell of a stud one day (if he isn’t already), he has most certainly pissed-on any such talk of a “sophomore slump.” Kakko? While I’d still trade him for Patrick Kane tomorrow; if he could ever find a routine scoring touch, then that word that’s most associated with him, “BUST,” would evaporate into thin air. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Still at 2-2 after twenty-minutes of play and the Canucks entered the second stanza with over a minute of power-play time, because at the 19:07 mark of the first frame, Sam Carrick was boxed for high-sticking Danton Heinen.

The Rangers’ penalty kill, tops in the league, once again did their job – and then did it two more times for a grand total of three successful penalty kills (100%).

But it should also be mentioned that the power-play went 0-2 – and where yes – Mika Zibanejad, and not Alexis Lafreniere, remains on the first unit.

As both teams continued to amass scoring chances, it was at the 8:45 mark of this second period where Kakko scored his third goal of the season – and following assists from both of his linemates.

Much like any Mika goal scored these days (and I wonder what a parlay of both #24 and #93 scoring tonight would have paid?) – and many Ranger fans celebrated Kakko’s third goal in seventeen games played as if it was New Year’s Eve.

Simply stated: Both of these Scandinavian imports need to score at a regular rate – or else it will be the same old shit come the playoffs.

And while it’s great that both of them finally scored on this blue moon – let’s also not forget about the state of the Canucks on this night either.

But at least they did their job on Tuesday – and as they were supposed to do against a third-string goalie.

The Rangers’ lead was short-lived, as at the 13:02 mark, soon father-to-be, Connor Garland, who decided to forgo the maternity ward, where his pregnant wife presently is, for the hockey rink, scored the three-all equalizer.

This goal led to a do-or-die third period – and where the Rangers would never say the latter – as instead – they did the former.

Put it this way: The Canucks only finished with seven shots on goal in the final frame – but where they only had one shot on goal as the game approached seven-minutes remaining.

In other words, a late power-play afforded to them with only 6:26 remaining (a Trocheck high-sticking penalty on Garland), and after that, once pulling Silovs with 1:40 left to be ticked, are the only reasons why they were able to increase their looks at CZAR IGOR – and six in total.

Following a Canucks’ turnover and failed clear; this is when Kreider scored the 4-3, GOOD GUYS, goal, a beaut at that, as this was a tic-tac-toe tally as set-up by his linemates.

While this game was certainly one of CZAR IGOR’s weakest from this season (but that Buffalo debacle remains as the worst); when he needed to hold down the fort late, he did just that, as Hughes, Garland and the apple of Sam & Joe’s eye on this night, Sherwood, were all denied.

Again – not the best win ever – but this was also a game not to get up-in-arms about either.

After all, the GAG LINE 2.0 never scored, yet the Rangers found-a-way to get it done.

And that’s all that matters on this night – and we can worry about what comes next as we get there.


In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – Jonathan Quick’s second consecutive shutout of the season, his 2-0 win over Seattle:

NYR/SEA 11/17 Review: SCORELESS IN SEATTLE! Quick Shuts Out Krakheads; Extends Flawless Streak To Over Two-Hours, “Same Old Script”: GAG LINE 2.0 Continues To Motor But Nothing From Missing Mika; The Real Top Pair Excel Again, “Jonny Broadway” Suitable Replacement For “The Concussed Czech,” What a Night For Sam Rosen/M$GN, “Piggy Iggy” & More


I’m happy with the Rangers’ record – but I still question some of Laviolette’s moves – including his steadfast refusal to give Lafreniere time on the first power-play unit.

Following Sunday night’s win against the Kraken, come Monday and the team enjoyed a practice in Vancouver, B.C.

Not much was learnt from the exercise – somewhat a rarity – but also a reminder that “no news is good news” too.

As far as anything worth noting from Monday goes, then following the skate, head coach Peter Laviolette basically said that there was no update on Filip Chytil – and where as noted when it happened – I doubt that you’ll see #72 appear during this current four-game road-trip.

24-hours later?

So much for that.


Every beat reporter on Tuesday afternoon were tweeting about how a “SOURCE” told them that Chytil would soon return to the Rangers. Holy State Media Batman! Who was the source that led every birdbrain beat reporter into tweeting the same thing? Drury? Laviolette? Chytil? Or maybe it was Tua Tagovailoa!?!?

On Tuesday, and prior to the team’s morning skate, and every beat reporter in the land was tweeting about how an unidentified source told them that Chytil didn’t sustain a concussion after all, following K’Andre Miller’s decision to sharpen his elbows upon the Czech’s face, and as a result, #72 will rejoin the team in Calgary.

(Following the Rangers’ Tuesday morning skate – and such news was confirmed by Laviolette.)

While it remains to be seen if Chytil suits up or not on Thursday night; obviously, his return is good news.

That said, I remain questionable about all of this.

After all, and call this a “conspiracy theory” if you must; but let’s face it:

Who cleared Chytil?

Certainly not an independent doctor.

Instead, it was the Rangers’ team doctor – and one who serves the best interests of the team, and not the players, above all else.

It was also this doctor that after ruling to shut down Chytil for the season last year, that decided to miraculously clear him some eight-weeks later after the initial diagnosis too – and as if this M.D. was Mother Theresa herself, for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

I also question the medical degree of a doctor who would allow someone with a severe concussion history to board a 3,000 mile flight – and even if they are saying this latest Chytil episode wasn’t another episode of brain trauma.

Why not err on the side of caution?

Furthermore, I question the entire Rangers’ organization too.

After all, it’s November, the Rangers have won every road-game thus far and Chytil’s replacement, JONNY BROADWAY, is playing well too.

So why risk it?

Long-term, and as noted when the injury first took place, then at best, I would have waited until the Blueshirts returned home before reinserting Chytil back into the line-up.

And of course, and similar to all of the talk about CZAR IGOR’s insane contract demands following every goal allowed – then whenever Chytil is out there – then all you will do is wince and watch with one eye whenever contact looms his way.

And that’s not a recipe for playoff success either.

As far as any other news prior to this game, then it was announced that CZAR IGOR would get the start, while the line-up remained the same as it was in Fraser Crane’s hometown.


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

FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere

SECOND LINE: Kreider/Zibanejad/Smith

THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Brodzinski/Kakko

FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Vesey

FIRST PAIR: Miller/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Lindgren/Trouba

THIRD PAIR: Jones/Schneider

STARTING GOALIE: Jonathan Quick

BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Leschyshyn and Ruhwedel


BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

VAN
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
33 4 29 .879 24 5 0 0 0 58:21 0

 

NYR
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
24 3 21 .875 17 4 0 0 0 59:38 0

The second our two favorite bozos said that Elias Pettersson sucked, he should be taken out by the mob, his family should leave him and etc, then I knew that #40 in Canuck blue was in for a big game. As a result, I wasn’t surprised when Pettersson matched Fox’s game-high two assists. Photo Credit: M$GN

Since this broadcast started at 10PM on the east coast (and there was no way I was going to sit through a solo Sieve Vagistat pregame show), then I decided to take my dinner break late at the real j-o-b – and once leaving – I was able to watch the end of the second and third periods from home.

While I was able to watch the first period uninterrupted, there were parts of the second period that I had to watch while on my way home – and where listening to Sam & Joe on the illegal stream on my phone while paying attention to the road isn’t always the best thing – and especially since Sam confuses the names of every player under the sun.

(And that’s also why if you follow my Tweeter account in real time, https://x.com/NYCTheMiC  , then that’s why I stopped live-tweeting a chunk of the middle period too. Cat’s out of the bag!)

As noted up top, it’s my aim to keep this manifesto as short as possible tonight, so I’ll just cover whatever I missed above during our forthcoming GAME REVIEW.

As far as the pregame show went, Rosen opened up by saying, “OH JOE, THE VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES JOE! BRYANT REEVES JOE, NO RELATION TO RYAN REAVES JOE!”

Okay – I’m making that up – but you would’ve believed it if I said that such foolishness really transpired!

In reality, Sam and Joe told us how great Mika was in Seattle (he was not) and then told us how bad Petterson is (he wasn’t tonight).

The burial of Pettersson was so bad that I even went as far to tweet this at the time:


He wound up “only” scoring two – so I was one off.

And Mika scored too – but on a night where he finished with one goal and one assist – he also finished with a plus/minus rating of zero – and yes – where as noted earlier – CZAR IGOR didn’t help matters either.

And now, an abridged GAME REVIEW – finally!


Where other young and recent Rangers have failed, including both Kakko and Lafreniere, and Cuylle, and much like Braden Schneider, has immediately adapted to the NHL game like a fish to water. In other words? There’s been no waiting period for Cuylle to finally “break out.”

FIRST PERIOD

As Sam and Joe kept on telling us how Pettersson should be deported, then on his first shift, the Canucks’ center went wide on his first shot attempt, stuck with the play, got the puck to Filip Hronek – and boom – this led to Quinn Hughes dazzling us with this highlight reel goal:


1-0, bad guys.

And yeah, while I obviously have a natural disdain for all things Hughes’ brothers, and not only because his two brothers play for the Devils, but because Sam Rosen always slobbers over Jack Hughes whenever the Rangers play against him – but yeah – what a talent.

Similar to Fox tonight (who I thought had his best game of the season and where he really came up to play against a fellow member of his Norris brethren), and Hughes wasn’t only a beast in the o-zone – but he was also a fire-breathing dragon in the d-zone too.

Both Fox and Hughes were breaking up plays all night – that is – when they weren’t picking up the points themselves.

After watching Hughes’ first Vancouver goal of the game, Mika was in the right place, and at the right time too, when tying the match some two-minutes later:


1-1, and where it was interesting to note that whether you’re a Vezina Trophy winner, a third-string goalie, a netminder looking to paid nearly $12M a season or one just happy making seven-figures, that both backstops at this time had allowed a goal on their first shot faced.

Isn’t that amazing Suzyn?

Noticeable early, and from both sides, was that both teams kept on using the backhand when looking for scores.

As you may know, the backhander is the toughest shot for a goalie to stop – and also one that’s hard to pull off in traffic too.

But both teams were successful when racking up and executing this shot type.

As the Rangers were attacking and as Silovs just made a save near the five-minute mark, and Sam and Joe were telling us how great the recently fired in Boston, Jim Montgomery, was/is.

While I didn’t agree with the B’s firing of Montgomery either; but with the puck in play, this wasn’t the best time for Sam & Joe to wax poetic about the canned Bruins’ bench boss.

But at least we didn’t have to suffer though another ten-minute love letter dedicated to all things Minnesota hockey – and for that matter, and in a surprise too – Sam & Joe avoided going on-and-on about Jack Hughes too – a first!

Similar to the third line tonight, and I thought that the fourth line also had a good showing too, as they accumulated many shifts spent in the ‘Nucks zone.

After Fox drew a hooking call on Joshua with 11:40 to go, Silovs made a pair of amazing saves on Kreider, including one where the longest-tenured Ranger put a puck through his legs, backhand-to-forehand, on his second attempt.

That was the highlight of this 0-1 Blueshirts’ man-advantage.

But then again, Kakko did create a loud <DING> during the PP2’s 24-second shift (the puck hit where the crossbar and post intersect).

And go figure?

Both Kakko and Kreider would later beat Silovs.

As the game continued, it was noticeable that Hughes was going to shoot any puck that came his way, rather than “Rangering” it up, by looking to pass-first, shoot maybe later.

I can’t praise Hughes enough – and I really hope that we see a Hughes/Fox pair in February too!

In a funny moment with 8:42 remaining, and following an icing call on Sam Carrick, Rosen actually apologized to Carrick’s family for calling him “Sam Kraken” last game.

Micheletti then said that everyone makes mistakes.

No comment!

The Rangers had a chance to go ahead with 5:39 to go, but after a save on Panarin, a Lafreniere rebound missed the GAPING net, but to be fair – the puck was on edge, thus limiting his chances.

Cuylle wouldn’t miss on the next Blueshirts’ shot attempt:


2-1, GOOD GUYS!

Cuylle is a cool customer too!

While Fox is still looking for his first goal of the season (although one was taken away after a goalie interference call), this assist gave him his 15th helper of the season.

For comparison, Hughes, after tonight, has 4 goals – and the same amount of assists as Fox, 15, too.

Each former Norris winner are a +4 thus far this season as well.

Then, and come 2:21 remaining, Sherwood, on Pettersson’s second assist of the game, tied everything at 2-all, following his odd-man rush goal – and where such a tally did no favors to people like me – ardent supporters of both Lindgren and Trouba.

But alas, CZAR IGOR could’ve stopped this puck too.

We remained at 2-2 after 20.

Here’s what I said at the time:


Kakko had a good reason to flash his pearly whites – and dark black too! Photo Credit: NYR

SECOND PERIOD

After the Rangers killed the Carrick penalty, Fox continued his defensive wizardry by preventing a down-low Canucks’ 2 x 1 attack – if not, and with the way that CZAR IGOR was playing, then this could’ve been the 3-2 goal.

However, Fox was there, which after two teams traded successful penalty kills in-between (and a Rangers’ power-play where Silovs, despite losing his stick and his blocker, was able to make a glove save on Trocheck – and yes – the GAG LINE 2.0 center should’ve shot at the bare hand), soon allowed The Finn to score the fifth goal of the game – and as he did with 11:15 remaining:


3-2, GOOD GUYS, after this pure third line goal.

But once again, this lead was short-lived, as Connor Garland, who most certainly did a good job of agitating tonight, and where Trocheck took the most umbrage to such peskiness too, tied the game, 3-3, with 6:58 remaining.

Canuck fans, both from Vancouver and the country of Canada too, are no dummies – and they know their shit too.

Following CZAR IGOR’s field goal allowed, and they all started chanting “SILOVS BETTER,” in tribute to the chants that #31 once heard during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs – and an eventual seven-game first-round series win over the Penguins.

CZAR IGOR took such chants personally – and never allowed another goal after such derision.

All of this set the stage for a third period where I even noted at the time – felt like the next goal would win.

Here’s what I said following this middle period of play:


I’m really not that concerned with CZAR IGOR playing his worst hockey of the season, because after all, he always saves his best for the playoffs. But a $12M salary? I’m not down with that – and where furthermore – I wonder if Shestyorkin and his agent will soon rue the day where he rejected an $11M deal right before the start of this season too. Will such a contract be presented to him over the summer? (One way to get it? WIN THE DAMN CUP!) Photo Credit: NYR

THIRD PERIOD

The Rangers did everything to beat Silovs for the first ten-minutes of this period – but the Canuck backstop wasn’t allowing anything either – including when he stopped Lafreniere during a clear-cut breakaway.

Conversely, after a save on Sherwood at the 3:02 mark – that was basically it for the home team – that is – until Trocheck took his penalty with 6:26 remaining.

(Preventing a rebound goal after Sherwood’s shot that rattled CZAR IGOR’s mask? Lindgren – and I’m sure that his detractors will ignore this fact too!)

Then, and FINALLY, CK20 called game with 9:17 to go:


Easily, and this was a top-five “Most Prettiest” goal of this young Rangers’ season.

Funny thing to note?

Just prior to this goal, and M$GN caught a Ranger fan sitting next to a Canuck fan – and where both fans looked absolutely miserable.

They know puck!

To get to the end, the Rangers’ PK held off the Canucks’ PP again, while the Blueshirts also prevented a threatening empty-net, 6 x 5, home team attack.

It should also be mentioned that the Blueshirts, and much like their power-play, are failing to put games away during these opportunistic situations.

Such information is key for puck line bettors too!

4-3, GOOD GUYS, your final.


Here’s a (relieved) Laviolette after the win – and perhaps a head coach that knew what the headline would’ve been had the Rangers lost (they can’t beat good teams) too:


While I think it will be Shestyorkin; I’d still go with Quick on Thursday in Calgary, then let CZAR IGOR get the toughest test of this road-trip on rest, when the Rangers travel to Edmonton on Saturday night. Photo Credit: NYR

Up Next For the Rangers: Thursday night, in Calgary, against the Flames.

While one of the least desirable cities in the league didn’t see a playoff run last year, the red-and-white are currently third-place (23-points) in the Pacific Divison.

Up Next For Me: Bed – and work in about three-hours too! UGH! But like a Creed song, “MY SACRIFICE,” to you – no sleep!

Up Next For You: Your favorite segment – and hey Christmas is coming up too – so why not purchase some Blueshirts’ stocking stuffers?

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

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2 thoughts on “NYR/VAN 11/19 Review: Adam Fox Out-Duels Quinn Hughes in Battle of Elite Norris Trophy Winners; Blueshirts Eke By Canucks, No Chytil (But He’s Coming Back), No Problem: Brodzinski & Co. Stand Tall Amongst All; Third Line Carries Team on Rare GAG LINE 2.0 Off-Night, CZAR IGOR’s Stats Take a Beating; But Why I’m Not Concerned, Secondary Scoring Shows Up, M$GN & More

  1. Sean – Why do you keep suggesting that trading Kaapo Kakko for Patrick Kane would be a good idea? All the numbers say that’s nuts. Age: Kakko 23, Kane 36; Size: Kakko 6’1” 215 lbs, Kane 5’10” 177 lbs; Goals: Kakko 3, Kane 3; Assists: Kakko 8, Kane 7; Points: Kakko 11, Kane 10; +/-: Kakko +12, Kane -6; Salary: Kakko $2.4 million, Kane $4 million. Kakko keeps getting better. Kane just keeps getting older. Swapping them would be a steal for DET and nothing but dumb, dumb, dumb for NYR.

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