Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. WE WANT THE PICK!
(And it better not be Alexis Lafreniere 2.0 either!)
While I’ll get into it below, but as you may have noticed (and based on a ton of emails – you did – as many of you guys and gals wanted to see me explode), then I wasn’t around on Saturday following the Rangers’ 10-2 loss to the Bruins.
Akin to their Winter Classic win against Florida, which was the team’s biggest victory of the season, then conversely, and their ass kicking in Massachusetts was not only their worst loss of the season (and a historic franchise loss for the ages too) – but also another Rangers’ game that was broadcasted on national television.
Tonight’s latest blasphemy committed against the Blueshirts’ now rapidly waning fan base (as mentioned before, and it’s not just me either – then all Rangers-related content numbers are down – and you can’t blame the casuals for checking out), was another all-out disgrace from a “Country Culture Club” that always talks the talk – but sadly – never walks the walk.
The top three things that immediately popped into my head following Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Krakheads were the following:
— One, and this is the saddest, is that this loss, a game where the Rangers were once up 2-0 but also went 0-2 on the power-play without even registering a shot on goal, was brutal – yet – and this wasn’t even close to being one of their worst five losses of the season.
Heck, and this loss might not even fall into the category of “Top-Ten Worst Loss of the Season” either.
At this point, then these daily drubbings and blown leads are to be expected.
— Two, then it behooves this Empire State organization to not pull a repeat of last year – and what the New York Giants have done during their past two seasons as well – including, and ironically enough, during their own respective centennial season.
Simply said? Embrace the suck.
Or as the kids say – SELL SELL SELL!
While players and coaches don’t tank; but there are things that a general manager and a team owner can do in order to sway the odds in their favor.
This Rangers’ team, one that I’ve been telling you ever since last season ended, wouldn’t be going anywhere this season – needs to get the word “playoffs” out of their head – and instead – sing the words of “Rebuild” and “Draft.”
If you recall, then these fool-hearted, done-for-the-season, Rangers decided to go all-out against the Islanders last year, in their penultimate game of the campaign.
The end result – and one that I’ve brought up many times before?
The Islanders lost that particular early April game, and because of this late-season defeat – and it was baby brother – and not the Manhattanites – that landed the first-overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft – and where today, and exaggeration or not – and people are now referring to Matthew Schaefer as the next Cale Makar, Bobby Orr, and you get the sad rest of it.
Granted, while Schaefer would’ve ultimately been a used tire salesman had it been Chris Drury who picked him – and just like every other top pick that the Rangers have ever had too; but even so – then just presenting the idea of going for Gavin McKenna, or whoever else, at this year’s upcoming draft, is something that the fans can get behind.
Trying to finish in the middle of the pack is nowhere man’s land – and that’s where the Blueshirts are today.
— Three, then I wonder how James Dolan, who as we discussed last week, had just given Chris Drury a raving review to Craig Carton during his WFAN interview, felt when for the first time this season, “FIRE DRURY” chants were belted out throughout every square inch of Morgue $quare Garden tonight?
Say what you want about Larry Brooks, and while yes, he was the team’s official conduit towards the end of his life; but, and as we later found out from Dolan himself – and the team owner often relied on the more hockey knowledgeable (and Hall of Famer too) Brooks than anyone else that was not named Glen Sather.
I mean, who is Dolan going to turn to now? Wince “Feed Me Sandwiches” Mercogliano? Mollie “Giggles” Walker? Colin “Is Soccer On?” Stephenson? A twenty-something Peter Baugh or Jonny Lazarus?
(It was also telling that not one of these State Media scribes asked Sullivan, or anyone else for that matter, about the “FIRE DRURY” chants. What a real go-getting group that we have!)
It may be an age thing with everyone not named Stephenson above (I think he’s good – but you can tell this is strictly a job for him – and I can’t remember the last time when he broke a story either); but seriously – then who, outside of Senile Slats, can Dolan turn to today when discussing his pathetic hockey franchise?
(And let’s not forget that it was Sather that also orchestrated the firings of both John Davidson and Jeff Gorton, his two immediate successors – while also championing for Drury to take both of the now vacated Team President and General Manager positions too.)
Sadly, and that answer today is Drury himself – but if Dolan, now 70-years-old, wants to avoid going to the grave as a team owner, that with over sixty combined seasons running both the Knicks and the Rangers, to never win a championship – and Dolan needs to find somebody else.
My suggestion? A person that I’ve often brought up in this space – Kevin Weekes.
He checks all of the boxes – a former Ranger (which Dolan loves), he knows everybody through his second act as a respected insider, he’s local (so he won’t have to uproot his young family), and between all of his relationships with players, agents and coaches alike – and he has a firm grasp on what’s what.
Someone who would give Weekes a ringing endorsement – and a person with much more clout than yours truly at that?
The man who “Wally Pipp’d” him out of town – and still his close friend of today – Rangers’ icon Henrik Lundqvist.
(If you recall, then when Lundqvist first went public with his heart issues, then it was Weekes who was granted the exclusive interview – and similar to Weekes – and Brooks was a Lundqvist confidant too.)
Whether it’s Weekes, a 90-something Scotty Bowman, the ghost of Frank Boucher, your slobbering dog or someone else; but regardless and those two-words ring ever-so-true:
FIRE DRURY!
(And more about ZOOM ZOOM Chris as we continue.)
Let’s do this most recent loss to Seattle, then get into Boston and then cover everything else that I may have not hit yet.
The Blueshirts, after being throttled and embarrassed in Beantown, did what they always did when going into this match against Seattle – talk a big game.
The head coach did what he always does after significant loss too – he tinkered with his line-up (check the LINE-UP segment below).
And come the end of the night – and the entire organization did what they always do too – LOSE.
For the always “find-a-new-way-to-lose” Rangers and the Blueshirts decided to shake it up a bit – as in a rarity – not only did they out-shoot an opponent during a first period (even reaching a double-digit SOG total) – but they actually outscored them too, 2-0!
Throw a parade.
It didn’t feel like the Blueshirts would strike first in this game, and especially not when Captain Culture, J.T. Miller, slashed Matty Beniers – and as he did at just the 36-second mark – and while in the Blueshirts’ o-zone no less!
Following two clutch saves made from Jonathan Quick during the Rangers’ early penalty kill – and the Blueshirts’ man-down teams were now batting a perfect 1.000.
No less than thirty-seconds after their successful kill, the 3:08 mark to be specific, and there was Mika “Where Was This Version of You During The Past Three Playoff Runs?” Zibanejad, to take a rebound off of the back boards and then slap the puck off the back of the pads of Seattle goaltender, Philipp Grubauer, for the home team 1-0 score.
Some 2:23 later, the 5:31 mark to be exact, and there was the man who deserved a goal more than anybody else on this rotten Ranger team, Sam “I DAM AM” Carrick, to increase the Blueshirts’ lead to 2-0.
To show you how smart and educated the Blueshirts’ fan base has become – and everyone, and as if this was a unifying act of world-wide peace, all celebrated Carrick’s second goal of the season as if it were a Cup winner.
After all, then nobody has put their body on the line more than Carrick this season – and as I’ll later say when we get to the Boston game – has bigger balls than him too.
(Furthermore? Then outside of Rempe, who hasn’t won a fight this season, and Carrick is the Lone Ranger to win a battle of fisticuffs this year.)
So, and to quickly recap, then at just the 5:31 mark of the game – and the Rangers had not only killed off a penalty – but were now up on the scoreboard too, 2-0.
And that would be all of the scoring for the Rangers on this night – and despite receiving two power-plays as the game marched on.
While I wouldn’t call the first period “flawless;” but it was somewhat encouraging.
But unless you’re the biggest cockeyed optimist of them all – then you had to know what was coming next – and especially with two members of the alumni on the other side – The Feckless Finn, Kaapo Kakko and “The Heart-and-Soul Warrior,” Ryan Lindgren.
The Rangers had scored two goals within the first 5:31 of the match.
The Kraken did them one better – as franchise #32 scored a pair themselves to open the second stanza – and where they only needed 4:27 to do so.
And of course, then it was the former Ranger, one that rarely ever displayed offense during his meandering tenure in New York, Kakko himself, that assisted on both of these early scores.
A Gabe Perreault turnover, as he couldn’t handle a chip from Braden Schneider, led to a Kraken goal at the start of the second period.
With Kakko kick-starting the play, then, and at the one-minute mark – and there was Eeli Tolvanen beating Quick top-shelf for the 2-1 score.
As the Rangers looked overwhelmed and completely out of their league in this period, then there was Kakko once more, at the 4:27 mark, to set-up Jordan Eberle for the 2-2 one-timed equalizer.
The Rangers, who had now blown a two-goal lead, would get a power-play at the 12:53 mark, as Trocheck was interfered with by Ryker Evans.
The “response,” the word that the Blueshirts had repeatedly used in the build-up to this game?
Not one shot on goal when a man up.
Come the third-and-final frame, then both teams tried to play it safe – and where really – it was boring, back-and-forth, rudimentary hockey for a while.
In a game where we saw the Rangers out-shoot Seattle 11-9 in the first period, then only to be out-shot as the game went along, 9-4 in the second period, and 11-6 in the third (and the Rangers’ six SOG in the 3P stat is a tad fugazi – as they doubled-up their total of three once pulling Quick with 2:00 to go) – and neither team had more than three shots on goal come ten-minutes remaining in this then tied 2-2 game.
Now into crunch time – and the Kraken, chasing for a return to the playoffs, turned it on.
At the 12:02 mark, then there were both Berkly Catton and Shane Wright, at Quick’s crease, to poke in a puck.
(Who scored this goal is up for debate – and where we might not have an official answer until tomorrow – but for now – Catton is the person on record.)
3-2, visitors – and where the Rangers, who had already blown their multiple-goal lead, were now trailing for the first time too.
Picking up the secondary assist on this eventual game-winning goal?
Double-nickel himself, Ryan Lindgren.
In other words, Kakko assisted on two goals and Lindgren had the game-winning helper.
So Rangers, so Rangers!
Now down a goal, and we’ve seen this about five times during the past three-weeks – and the Rangers got a chance to tie late – as down to 7:32 remaining – and Tolvanen had tripped Miller.
As it was during their previous opportunities – and not only did the Rangers fail to find the equalizer – but they didn’t even record a SOG while on the power-play.
Come the two-minute warning and Quick left his net.
The Rangers had their best attack of the game yet (three SOG) – but as is always the case – “too little, too late.”
A Jared McCann empty-netter, scored with just nine-seconds remaining in regulation, and a 4-2 goal that made both puck line and over -5.5 bettors elated, sealed the deal.
4-2, Krakheads.
Another bad loss for the Blueshirts – but where today, and after nearly two seasons of this – and we’re not only used to it and expect it – but where it’s all numbing too.
And poor Jonathan Quick.
I know he’s local, his family is here, he’s already won three Cups, he’s a future Hall of Famer and blah blah blah – but should he decide that this is his final season (and where if not – then he could always return to New York over the summer) – then it would be prudent for him to seek employment elsewhere – as he won’t be getting his fourth Stanley Cup with his boyhood team this year.
Quick hasn’t won a game in over two months – and where insanely at that – none of these losses are on him.
Once again, and like they do to their fans – and the Rangers failed their goalie – which seems to be their signature staple this season.
Just to briefly skip ahead, then following the loss and it was a lot of the same old shit – that is – except for the fact that J.T. Miller, and for the first time this season, was especially short-and-curt when talking about this slop, as he said, “I don’t know what to say.”
Here’s something he could’ve said:
“I’m going to shut it down for the rest of the season and try to get healthy – and skip the Olympics too.”
Obviously, he’s still hurting – and his presence isn’t bettering the Blueshirts either.
The fact that he’s still hellbent about skating on Milan’s mushy ice is completely selfish – and a detriment to the Rangers too.
But perhaps he’ll break an ankle or a leg once there – and that will be it for his 2025-26 season – and where very quickly – I’m hearing fans proclaim him to be the worst captain in franchise history.
Me?
Then it’s the person that I’ve always said lays claim to this title – Drury.
Elsewhere, and both Mika Zibaneajd and Braden Schneider said a word that we heard a whole lot of last season – “fragile.”
Forty-seven out of eighty-two games in – and if you’re hearing the word “fragile” – then you know it’s bad.
“You gotta keep digging in. It’s not for the faint of heart. You have to simplify the game,” said the head coach of the Country Culture Club. “Can’t be overwhelmed by the circumstances. This group cares. When you don’t have success nobody feels it more than us.
“We just didn’t execute” – and where I believe that Sullivan has said some iteration of these words about a hundred times already this season.
And when Sullivan is saying that the team cares more about losses than anyone else?
Then perhaps refunds can be provided to Garden patrons – you know – the fans who spend more money in the league when attending their favorite team attempt to play hockey.
Sullivan also said, “North-South, East-West” – and where he may want to share his compass with his team – and a moral compass for the alleged sexual assaulter, NDA Panarin, as well.
“Otter had a good game for us,” said Sullivan, as Brennan Othmann, still without a goal after 33 career NHL games played, hit two posts on Monday night – which also doubles-up as an earth-shattering event in Rangerstown, USA these days.
Last thing before shipping out to Boston, the GAME REVIEW segment and everything else?
Then Gavrikov, who never finished worse as a minus-one this season with Fox, went minus-three tonight without #23 by his side.
And that’s the third time that’s happened since Fox went down for the second time this season.
The FAT CATS you ask?
Then Mika, Panarin, Trocheck and Miller, you know, your alleged top-four forwards, all finished as a -2.
But hey, at least Lafreniere, demoted on Monday (more in the news segment), “only” finished as a minus one!
He’ll get that Calder Trophy yet!
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off, Thursday night’s loss to the Sabres:
NYR/BUF 1/8 Review: Rangers Fall “Short” Again; Special Teams & Alexis Laissez-Faire Give Buffalo a Big Boost in Front of Blueshirt Fan-Favorite Alum, Adam Fox & CZAR IGOR Enter The IR & ER; “Captain Culture” Returns, Silly Sully, Let The Sell-Off Commence; Stock-Pile First-Round Picks Via FAT CAT Trades, Can’t Win in New Threads; Can’t Celebrate at Home Either, Standings, Upcoming Schedule, Fire Drury & More
I don’t want to go too long about that travesty that we witnessed on Saturday afternoon – but I do want to share what my dad said to me right before puck drop:
“Bruins have #nyr wearing their home jerseys because they know how much the Rangers suck in them.” – My dad’s thoughts from the pub.
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 10, 2026
Nailed it.
As said in this space on Thursday night following another Rangers’ loss, this time to their 2018 WINTER CLASSIC rivals, the Buffalo Sabres – then it was never my intention to immediately write about Saturday’s matinee in Beantown – as I was going to my favorite local watering hole with friends and family instead.
What a wise decision – and where in another one of my “as previously said in this space” remarks – “misery loves company” – and there was a shitload of misery on Saturday.
10-2!
Ten to effing two!
If there was anything “good” for any Ranger on that date of 1/10/2026 – then at least they weren’t Sieve Vagistat – as he still remains as the only goalie in franchise history to give up ten goals in any one game (a 10-2 road loss to the Dallas Stars on 2/6/2009 – and one that I once wrote about here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/32920/ ).
Much like all of us – and even Donald Trump, a noted Rangers’ fan himself, was miffed about the eight-goal loss – and where prior to Boston’s tenth goal – and the Beantown crowd was chanting “WE WANT TEN” – and where it felt like the Blueshirts were more than happy to oblige such a request:
Wow #nyr pic.twitter.com/edteD20SB0
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 10, 2026
I know that I’m all over the place – but that happens when you’re back-loaded with a wicked dump in the chamber and need to spew – and where the Rangers have been complete shit too!
I thought that friend of the blog, Mike S. (similar to politics – and it’s great when people from different sides of the aisle actually TALK – and rather than to do the “you don’t agree with me, you’re Satan” shit), kind of hit the nail on the head with this remark after the loss in Sam Malone’s favorite city:
It’s all been a downhill slide since Drury effed Barclay Goodrow. #NYR
— Michael Silvers (@msilvers1979) January 10, 2026
Just like any television show or movie that deals with time travel – and the main character, and whether it be Michael J. Fox in “Back to The Future” or James Franco in “11.22.63” – is always looking to travel to an origin point when trying to change a negative event that only created more bad shit after a butterfly effect.
Mike S., and to his credit, had to deal with a lot of idiots after his Tweeter/X posting.
While Mike said that he understood why Goodrow had to be dealt (and he must’ve said it a thousand times, as his tweet went viral); but what his naysayers failed to realize was that this situation could’ve been handled better.
Just go back to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Goodrow led the team in goals – and much to the dismay of every chart nerd and virgin in the land.
But once the Rangers were eliminated by the Panthers (I may have talked about this 2024 Eastern Conference Final once or 798678686787866798 zillion times before) – and you can directly pin-point the origin point of this Blueshirts’ demise right to the day when Drury did Goodrow dirty.
No playoff appearances since.
And a whole lot of a failing core traded too.
However you feel in the case regarding Drury v. Goodrow – and this can’t be disputed – the second that Drury tried to pull a Julien BriseBois/Ryan McDonagh situation (and keep in mind – the Tampa GM has two Stanley Cups to his name as an executive – the Little League Loser has none) – and the Rangers have never been the same since.
(Furthermore? And McDonagh understood too – and where he quickly returned to Tampa after a year in NashVegas. To compare, and do you think that Goodrow is clamoring a Big Apple return? I think not!)
We have since heard Jacob Trouba admit this (the Rangers were broken after the way Drury did Goodrow wrong).
We also heard both Mika Zibanejad (who should’ve been traded too) and Chris Kreider say the same.
Me?
Then I must’ve written 40986787896247862525479825425252547982525 trillion times that the 2024 Eastern Conference loss was the pinnacle of that core – and that since they lost – then a rebuild would be required.
Unlike Drury and Dolan – and I’m ahead of the curve!
Just some quick thoughts – as after all (my favorite phrase) – why relive all of this shit again?
— This game felt like it was fifty-hours long in real-time. No joke, and the owner of my favorite bar, Brian, asked my merry crew, “how long is this shit?”
— He also asked, “if I buy you guys a shot, then I can turn this shit off?”
— Since we’re gluttons for punishment – then we watched every second – and where we accepted the free shot of booze too!
— I never thought that the Rangers had a chance – not even when up 1-0. I also knew that they’d never win once they had to return from the locker room after a video replay review had overturned a no goal call – and where as a result – 33-seconds were put back on the clock.
— Two hat tricks for Boston – what history!
— Six assists for David Pastrnak – which is six more than Othmann has this season.
— Lafreniere was complete dog shit – but at this point – is anyone surprised?
— I really felt bad for JQ32 – who is just getting shit on by these losers.
— Spencer Martin? Well the goalie from the KHL gave up a goal on his first shot faced – then gave up three more. Why he is even here, and especially over Dylan Garand, remains mind-boggling.
— Poor Sam Carrick too – who actually fought despite the Rangers being down by five goals. While he lost his tilt – at least he gives a shit – which is much more than I can say about him when compared to everyone else not named Quick.
— Rempe, who I do like (I always defend the good graces of #73 to his haters) – looked bad. God awful bad. (More below – and where I totally agreed with his scratch against Seattle – heck – he should’ve never been returned until fully healthy to begin with!)
— Once again, and all of the “No BS,” “No Quit in New York,” and “Blueshirts’ Pride” crap was flushed down the toilet – and where Drury should be swirlied in his one of his diarrhea-filled Colony Grill commodes too.
— All of the post-game nonsense bothered me the most, as my blood was boiling when listening to these morons say the same old crap. At this point, then I’d put duct tape over their mouths until they delivered on all of their big words.
— I know that a lot of you want me to continue on an epic rant – but I’m over it. You can find all of my other commentary about this game here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
Final thoughts from this mess?
Then everyone is tradeable – and that includes the injured Adam Fox and CZAR IGOR too.
BLOW IT UP.
REBUILD – and not retool.
I know that I bring up the Steven McDonald Award a lot on this site – but really – is anyone other than either Quick or Carrick deserving of it this season?
And when I conduct the voting for this year’s Frank Boucher Trophy (biggest fan-favorite) – and is there anyone out there worth receiving such honors?
Following Saturday’s 10-2 disgrace of a loss to the Bruins, and whether you want to dub it as “The Boston Massacre,” “The Boston Teabag Party,” or something else; then come Sunday, and the Rangers had an undeserved day off from practice.
However, the mastermind of his own generation, the Pizza Man ZOOM ZOOM GM himself – or as James Dolan called him last week – “Mr. Drury” – and the Rangers made a pair of roster transactions with their AHL affiliate in Hartford.
Returned to the Pack was Anton Blidh. Returned to the Rangers for his 786798696796th stint was “The Appendix,” government name Brennan Othmann.
Come Monday morning, and in preparation of the returns of both Ryan Lindgren and Kaapo Kakko, and the Rangers reconvened for practice.
The most notable thing to take place during the AM skate was that Sullivan somewhat held Alexis Lafreniere (-4 on Saturday) accountable – but rather than to go all-out and give him a one-day break in the press box – and instead – and all the Blueshirts’ bench boss did was flip-flop Lafreniere with Gabe Perreault from the team’s second and third line.
After listening to the pair of U.S. Olympians, Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller, cry like babies, while also making it clear that they weren’t sure how the team’s response would be on Saturday; then following the practice and Miller, “The King of the Empty Words,” rung out his latest and most hollow verbiage:
“We’re lucky we get another crack at it every couple days in this league. I’m really looking forward to our effort tonight. I think we’re going to have a good effort in the game, respond well and feel good about it.”
– J.T. Miller pic.twitter.com/Vne7x49tYP
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) January 12, 2026
After the practice and Mr. Word Salad himself, Mike Sullivan, held another one of his lengthy ten-minute plus chats with the ignorant Blueshirt beat reporters – and a gaggle of scribes who only after Saturday, have come to the conclusion that this team is no good.
Gee, I wonder who first predicted such a fate over the summer?
As far as the Lafreniere and Perreault flip-flop goes, Sullivan admitted that it was “performance based” – as obviously, then outside of only The Winter Classic – and a game where pigs flew over a frozen hell too – and the former first-overall pick has been nothing but a bust.
Sullivan, on the switch, also added:
“We need more. We need more out of some guys. I think Laf is a guy that can bring more to the table for us.
“Laf and I have had this conversation, part of my job is trying to provide a pathway for players to thrive and succeed. I think Laf is an extremely talented player. He’s a good player. We think he’s capable of next level play. We’re trying to find a way to get him there and that’s part of this process that we’re going through.
“Laf is another guy that cares a lot about what’s going on here. And he also puts a lot of pressure on himself to contribute in a way that helps the team win. We’re trying to tweak the lineup in ways that we think give us the best chance to win, try to get the most out of certain guys.”
Much like anything else Rangers-related these days – and this was another example of “Broken Record Blueshirts” – and where today – this is the fourth different head coach (David Quinn, Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette) to say the same thing about Lafreniere.
At what point does a head coach say, “Lafreniere has never reached his potential and we need to move on.”
Perhaps after head coach #8 in #13’s career!
Sadly?
And it will be Drury who hires that coach too.
In more from the “I was right, they were wrong” files – and files that now require about 66767867677798767986 different cabinets to store such information:
After I told you that it made no sense to bring Matt Rempe back if he wasn’t 100% healthy, and as the Rangers did several weeks ago when #73 returned in the game against the Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba Anaheim Ducks – and finally – the Rangers have come to the same realization.
Heck, and as I even said during that game, then it especially made no sense to bring Rempe back into the fold when even he admitted both to the Ducks’ Ross Johnston and the fans alike, that he was still healing from his broken thumb – an injury sustained after trading hands with former Ranger, and the current San Jose Shark of today, Ryan Reaves.
Since Rempe’s return, and he’s maybe had two solid games – and that’s being kind.
In reality, then Rempe, while overcoming his tentativeness somewhat to hit as the games progressed, still won’t fight – which as a result – means that Sam Carrick is the only Ranger with a set of balls today.
At Monday’s pregame skate, then it was revealed that Rempe would be a healthy scratch for the M$G match against the Krakheads – and wait for it – guess why?
Because Sully wanted Rempe some time to heal his broken thumb.
All you can do is shake you head.
When asked directly if Rempe’s healthy scratch was about his healing thumb or for performance-related reasons, Sully responded with, “It’s a little bit of both. We want Rempe to make an impact on the game. And as you guys are well-aware, he’s not completely healed. That’s just the reality.”
Again, and I must ask – WHY WAS HE EVEN BROUGHT BACK IN THE FIRST PLACE?
In other head-scratching news, then Silly Sully was forced to answer questions about Othmann’s fourth call-up this season.
“He’s played very well as of late down in Hartford,” said Sullivan about Othmann. “We’re hoping he can bring some energy, give us some juice. We’re looking for players to earn their way onto the roster. If they can make an impact, they get a chance to play.”
Outside of a handful of players (Carrick, Quick, Laba, Shesterkin, Gavrikov and Fox) – then the Rangers are still looking for such players – and for a whole bunch of them at that!
For Sullivan’s context to these black-and-white quotes, then you can view his Kamala Harris inspired pregame press conference here:
In other news, and in news unrelated to the centennial club of today, then it was first reported on Monday, January 12th, that former Rangers’ head coach, “The Turk,” Gerard Gallant, has left his KHL post with the Shanghai Dragons for medical reasons.
For the complete story, then check out: https://rg.org/news/hockey/heart-condition-forces-gerard-gallant-exit-shanghai-dragons
As Daria Tuboltseva reported, Gallant has been suffering through a heart condition, and in turn, has missed the past five Dragon matches.
Mike Kelly, his former assistant in New York and his current right-hand man of today, has taken over as interim head coach.
Gallant has since returned to his Prince Edward Island home as he recuperates – and where hopefully – he’ll make a full recovery.
He also deserves another shot in the NHL – but obviously – getting back to 100% health comes first.
Get well soon Double G.
IN TURK WE TRUST!
Here was Sully’s line-up for the forty-seventh game of this miserable 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Mika/Cuylle
SECOND LINE: Miller/Trocheck/Perreault
THIRD LINE: Othmann/Brodzinski/Lafreniere
FOURTH LINE: Brodzinski/Carrick/Raddysh
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Schneider
SECOND PAIR: Robertson/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Soucy/Morrow
STARTING GOALIE: Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: Martin
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Matt Rempe & Urho Vaakainanen
IR: CZAR IGOR
LTIR: Conor Sheary, Adam Edstrom and Adam Fox
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
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NYR
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SA
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GA
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SV
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SV%
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ESSV
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PPSV
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SHSV
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SOSA
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SOS
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TOI
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PIM
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| 28 | 3 | 25 | .893 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58:07 | 0 |
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SEA
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SA
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GA
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SV
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SV%
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ESSV
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PPSV
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SHSV
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SOSA
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SOS
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TOI
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PIM
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| 21 | 2 | 19 | .905 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
Tonight’s M$GN broadcast began with John Giannone telling us that he had just talked to Culture Chris Drury – and where it was the Rangers’ plans to hold the Kraken to only single-digits tonight – and that it was also their mission to lose by less than eight goals too!
Okay, I just made that up.
Not made-up?
When Giannone went on-and-on about the standings – where the phrase “playoff cutline” should be eliminated from this broadcast’s vocabulary too!
Kudos to M$G – as after all, once that slimy seven-foot jackass came on, Sieve Vagistat – and Giannone didn’t shy away from the fact that the worst back-up goalie in franchise history, and the worst broadcaster on the M$GN today as well, was the goalie on record the last time when the Rangers lost 10-2 – and where unlike Quick and Martin – and Vagistat was in the net for the full double chili. (Lundqvist was sick that day and unable to take over.)
In a serious tone and Vagistat said that game, the 10-2 loss to Dallas from 2/6/2009, ruined his life for two-years – and that it took him that much time to get over it too.
I just wish that he’d get over his job of today – and go back to Connecticut where he continues to train not one goalie to ever reach the NHL level.
What a clear-sighted asshole!
Up next was Giannone sharing with us what Miller, Mika and Sully said after the loss to Boston – and where each man’s words rang more hollow than the next – and especially even more so after tonight’s result.
For whatever reason, and Vagistat started breaking down all ten goals allowed to Boston – and if it mattered.
What would’ve been more entertaining is had he broke down the ten goals that he once gave up to the Stars – and a Dallas team that had him seeing stars too!
Moving on, and Michelle Gingras interviewed Vladislav Gavrikov.
Another thing that impresses me about #44 is the fact that the Russian-born rearguard has not only learned English – but speaks it fluently.
That’s more than I can say about the alleged rapist who signed a confirmed NDA.
After that and it was brought up that the Kraken were 8-1-2 in their last eleven games played – and where no shit – and I can’t remember the last time when the Rangers won twice in a row (they’re now on a season “high” four-game losing streak) – and I definitely don’t remember the last time when the Blueshirts won two games in regulation time in a row either.
As both Kakko and Lindgren were brought up, then Starman entered our homes to talk about the bust known as Lafreniere.
Starman, who did have his Ranger Rah-Rah pom poms with him, said that Lafreniere needs to be an asset – and despite only having two goals scored in his last fifteen games played – or as we know this as – the usual.
The heart of L.I. hockey, Starman, someone that I’ve routinely praised in these pages, was definitely selling the M$G propaganda tonight.
For the first time this season and I took issue with him – as he was making out the loss to Boston as a one-time thing.
Starman isn’t stupid – not even remotely – which is to say that he knows these bad Blueshirts have been a trend for nearly two years now.
Had the Avalanche just lost a 10-2 game – then yeah – what Starman was saying here would have been applicable.
Move on, erase the tape.
But for the Rangers?
Then they need to move on from their general manager and erase Drury too!
Up next was a fluff piece on Sam Rosen and John Davidson.
This wasn’t necessary – and I say that as someone who loved and grew up with this super duo.
For starters, this piece didn’t hit like the Bill Chadwick and Jim Gordon one from last week.
Furthermore, and we’ve had a lot of Rosen/JD reunions over the past six-to-eight months – so this wasn’t required at all.
Plus – and nothing new was learnt either – as much like the broken record Blueshirts – and we’ve seen this all before.
As M$GN was trying to sell us on “The Appendix,” Brennan Othmann, as he still serves no function for the franchise today; then, and as I was looking at social media where some fans were praising this nincompoop – and it just made me laugh – as it were these same people that praised the likes of Arthur Kaliyev, Jusso Parssinen, Vitali Kravtsov, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and other Ranger flame-outs – and where Othmann will soon reach this status yet.
When Dave Maloney and Kenny Albert entered our homes at the 7PM hour – then you saw that Maloney was still pissed over Saturday – as in a first – and he completely cut-off Albert when rightfully shitting on the Rangers.
In a big-time statement, as TV Maloney isn’t as harsh or critical as Radio Maloney used to be (and this is always brought up so you should know this by now) – and Maloney absolutely called out Lafreniere – where when talking about his third-line demotion – and my favorite youngest captain in franchise history and yours said that Lafreniere doesn’t put in the effort – and that he doesn’t work hard either.
SHOTS FIRED.
And shots full of truth serum too.
To close their first segment and Maloney, when talking about the Rangers’ alum on the other side, said that he wanted to talk about character, heart and pride – which is when everyone knew that he was going to talk about Lindgren – and not Kakko.
GAME REVIEW time – and where between never-ending computer issues (my dinosaur computer from 2002 – yes I never upgraded – I just don’t want to set-up a new one – nor know how to do it), the length of this blog already and the fact that this team flat-out sucks – and I’ll try to limit the pain.
But as always, then if you do want my complete play-by-play commentary, then check out my Tweeter/X feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
FIRST PERIOD
In a nice touch from former Islander bench boss, and the head coach of the Kraken of today, Lane Lambert – and both Kakko and Lindgren started tonight.
I bring this up because Silly Sully scratched Matthew Robertson in his hometown earlier this season (Edmonton) – much less play the kid.
Players remember this stuff.
Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
As Maloney wondered aloud if Lindgren’s style of play could last – then I was wondering – can Othmann ever get started?
As noted up top, Captain Culture took a stupid o-zone penalty, the Rangers killed it, then Mika scored:
Mika Zibanejad remains red hot with another tuck to start off Monday🔥
12 Pts (6G/6A) in last 5.33 GP
– 14 SOGClassic Zibanejad heater, we missed these🫡
— Beebs Bondy (@Beebsbondy) January 13, 2026
1-0, home team – but where the Kraken then went on a 3 x 2 immediately afterwards – and a Quick stop on Beniers as a result of it.
Right after that, and Quick stopped a Tolvanen one-timer – so of Quick’s four saves at the time – and 75% of them should’ve/could’ve been goals.
Up next saw Othmann hit the post for the first of two times – and when the Rangers, and their State Media reporters too, are praising such a thing as pure positivity – then you know that the well is dry.
It’s been 33 games. How about putting the puck in the effing net?
Even Rempe scores from time-to-time!
Up next was Carrick’s 2-0 goal:
There may be no more deserving Ranger to score a goal.
Consummate professional Sam Carrick.@NYRangersRadio | #NYR pic.twitter.com/oh0xGjfNW5
— Steven Pappas (@StevenPappasTV) January 13, 2026
With the Rangers now shooting at 50% – and this would be it for the Blueshirts’ scoring on this night.
Quick, who had to face breakaway-after-breakaway, and odd-man-rush-after-odd-man-rush, denied the Krakheads once more, and as he did with 11:40 to go.
Perreault, somewhat noticeable tonight, but albeit, also younger than the likes of Othmann and Lafreniere, was unable to score too; as he had a stuff-in try denied with 9:50 remaining.
Up next saw GRAPHICS – and not VIDEO TRIBUTES – for both Lindgren and Kakko.
Both men received a respectable applause.
This was kind of lazy by the Rangers.
While I understand that Kakko was a complete disappointment; but Lindgren, a former McDonald and Players’ Player winner, deserved better.
And had the Rangers made a Kakko video tribute, then 95% of the footage should’ve been dedicated to the Feckless Finn hanging out by the boards – and the rest of it dedicated to his routine post-game interviews where he complained about every coach not giving him more power-play time.
Speaking of the Seattle power-play, with new top-liner Kakko in the mix?
0-2.
It was also sad when both the M$GN and the Rangers didn’t replay Vagistat’s 2019 draft analysis – you know – when the seven-foot jerkoff said that Kakko would be better than Jack Hughes.
Speaking of these “Welcome Back” tributes?
Then there may be a whole lot of them next season – and perhaps with Lafreniere among the mix – and definitely one for Panarin too.
Fun Fact: Then if you combine both Lafreniere and Kakko, you know, the respective first- and second-overall picks that the Rangers last selected – and once more, COMBINED – and they still don’t average point-per-game.
Only the Rangers, only the Rangers!
2-0, home team, after twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-0, #NYR, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— SOG 11-9, home team, so they are getting shots off for once.
— PK 1/1 – and got two goals in 2:23 after the kill.
— I know Seattle has won 8 of their last 11 – but they are playing exactly like a team with Kakko on their top line.
— I’d…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 13, 2026
SECOND PERIOD
As I was thinking that Seattle was looking sloppy – then boom – 2-1:
EELI GOALVANEN! 🚨 #SeaKraken
Freddy Gaudreau with the neutral-zone steal and a great saucer pass to Eeli Tolvanen, who makes a move and buries it upstairs.
2-1 NYR pic.twitter.com/7ozOD21xMR
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) January 13, 2026
The Garden got real quiet after another early period goal allowed.
And you could feel the 2-2 goal coming.
Heck, I even predicted it in real-time:
Feels like the Krakhead equalizer is only a matter of time, 15:55 to go, puck over the glass, no penalty, sent out of play #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 13, 2026
22-seconds from that real-time tweet of mine?
Kakko-to-Eberle for the tying goal:
O, CAPTAIN! 🫡 🚨
Kaapo Kakko with a great setup to Jordan Eberle, who dusts it off and snipes the top corner.#SeaKraken have started shooting high on Jonathan Quick, a wise adjustment.
2-2 pic.twitter.com/b0VbKQqWq5
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) January 13, 2026
At the 4:56 mark, Othmann, and for the second time, hit the post.
For The Appendix, then he should demand a trade – as once elsewhere – then he’ll be guaranteed to score his first NHL goal once playing against the Rangers!
As Seattle dominated the period, and where M$G not only sounded like a funeral, but of the funeral of a small child that was killed in a car wreck too; and Quick prevented Gaudreau of a goal.
The next big moment took place when Braden Schneider collided with his captain – which then allowed the Kraken to go on a 3 x 1 odd-man rush.
Lindgren (+5500 to score a goal tonight), didn’t allow his bettors to cash in – as like Othmann on this night – and he hit the post too.
More concerning than a prop bet was the fact that Miller had to leave the game:
JT Miller went back to the Rangers’ locker room after Braden Schneider collided with Miller. pic.twitter.com/hSzRYsZ0FJ
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) January 13, 2026
Miller would eventually return – but seriously – and to quote Jon Taffer – “SHUT IT DOWN!”
Seriously, the Rangers are going nowhere – and why exacerbate and risk a more serious injury by continuing?
Why, so he can play in the fugazi Olympics?
I’d just tell Miller, and like Fox and Igor, to sit out the rest of the season.
There’s just no point in worsening any previous or existing injury condition.
Come back fresh next year.
As Krakheads were falling down all over the place (Milan ice is no better than M$G) – and the Rangers could never capitalize on all of these ill-timed falls and turnovers.
By the time we got down to 9:00 remaining – and Seattle was out-shooting New York by a 3:1 ratio – 9-3.
The Rangers got their first power-play of the match with 7:07 remaining – but, and as noted earlier – nary a SOG.
Same old Rangers.
After another failed power-play (and this is when Miller returned as well), then Quick prevented Wright from scoring on a breakaway with 3:37 remaining.
On their next shift – and the Krakheads then flubbed a 4 x 2 chance.
To close this mess, then, and down to 39-seconds – and McCann missed a vacated net as Quick was fending off two other Seattle shooters.
McCann wouldn’t miss his next vacated net afforded.
What a disgrace.
2-2, through two periods.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-all after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— SOG 18-15
— You had to know #NYR would blow the lead – but where I thought Kakko would score goals – not assist on both of them!
— Both PP’s are 0-1 – but where Seattle challenged Quick twice, no PP SOG for NYR
— Quick, despite the two GA,…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 13, 2026
THIRD PERIOD
This was a very boring period, as both teams, still tied, played it safe.
We can fast-forward to the only things that matter, but again, then if you do want the full play-by-play, then check out: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
After Quick kept making save-after-save – as the bulk of the Kraken’s third period SOG total took place right prior to their 3-2, visitors, goal – and there was the go-ahead goal scored, by either Catton or Wright – and as it was with 7:54 remaining:
WRIGHT AS RAIN! ☔️
Berkly Catton fans on a sure goal, but Shane Wright crashes and pokes it over the line.
3-2 #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/eJ62amuQPp
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) January 13, 2026
And once more – and this was not only the game-winning goal – but a game-winning assist for Lindgren too.
On brand, so on brand!
It was also after this goal allowed where the “FIRE DRURY” chants were first heard.
Maloney somewhat acknowledged them, as while not repeating what was said, he did say, “the crowd is getting heated.”
I know that some people don’t want to hear this, but if you’re in the FIRE DRURY camp (and I’m sitting front-row center in it), then the only way to have your voices heard is by not attending these games at all.
Let the Rangers play in front of 5,000 people – and then Dolan will take notice.
(Sorry season-ticket holders!)
But if the building is sold-out every night – then the owner has no reason to make a change – and as was always the case during Sather’s near 25-years worth of Cupless terror.
After the Rangers had another power-play where they couldn’t send one lousy shot Grubauer’s way, then, and right around the FOXWOODS FINAL FIVE mark too, and this is when both Albert and Maloney finally brought up Gallant’s issues.
I would’ve railed them had they omitted it – so this is why I bring it up here.
And again – good luck Turk.
As I was predicting a Kakko or Lindgren empty net goal to seal the deal with 2:00 remaining; then instead of that, and it was McCann that put the Blueshirts away for good – and as he did with his 4-2 empty-netter with nine-ticks left on the clock.
(I should also mention that Silly Sully used his timeout during the Rangers’ second-and-last power-play – which as a result – didn’t leave him with a timeout once he finally decided to pull Quick.)
Similar to Chris Drury’s Christmas not being ruined – and this 4-2 final score didn’t ruin my night either.
After all, not only did I bet the over on the line of -5.5 – but I also bet the Kraken on the puck line (win by two) too.
Ah, if only we can return to the days of old when I bet the Rangers to win every game – and by a 4-0 final too.
These days?
And I think that the Rangers have only scored four or more goals three times this season!
They only have two shutouts too – while being blanked nine times themselves.
But don’t worry – Drury and Dolan are preaching “patience!”
UGH!
Up Next For the Blueshirt Bums: A practice on Tuesday, where afterwards, they’ll spew shit out of their mouths, stuff like, “We have to be better,” “We know what we got to do,” “We’re not happy about this either,” and blah-blah-blah.
After that, they’ll then lose on Wednesday night, when they host the Senators – and an Ottawa team that comes into M$G playing a second game of a back-to-back – as the Sens will host the Canucks on Tuesday night.
Depending on whatever happens on Tuesday between Ottawa & Vancouver, and the game between the Flames and Blue Jackets too – and the Rangers could head into Wednesday as not only the worst team in the Metrosexual Division – but in all of the Eastern Conference too.
(And even if Columbus and Ottawa lose? Then the Rangers will still have the worst points percentage in the East, due to the fact that they’ve played more games than everyone else.)
But don’t worry – both Chris Drury and James Dolan want you to remain patient.
After all, it’s only been 32-years since the last Rangers’ Stanley Cup win.
What’s 32 more?
And what’s a 54-year Cup drought too?
Ugh.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Yes, I’m going to the bar for Saturday’s matinee against Philly. Duh!
After all, then I’m not going to drink alone when watching another Rangers’ loss!
However, I may not be around on Wednesday night either (hence why I went so long tonight) – as I have a busy day at the real j-o-b when the delayed 7:30PM puck drop takes place between Rangers and Senators.
Maybe I’ll just post a belated thing on Thursday morning – but I am working six-hours of overtime on Wednesday night – and at this point – and this is a rarity for me – sleep is now prioritized over the Blueshirts.
Ugh once more.
And you may be saying “ugh” yourself, as we now head into your favorite segment and mine…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
