NYR/UHC 1/16 Review: Sam “I DAM AM” Carrick Puts The Rangers On His Back Again; Propels Blueshirts To First Third Period Comeback of the Season, Flip #93 & #39 on PP1; Minus Mika Continues His Selfish & Rotten Ways, Off-Night For CZAR IGOR – But Almost Scores His First Goal in Mormon Country, Multi-Goal Panarin Sighting Against The Polygamists; Lafreniere Shows Up Too, Laviolette Bailed Out; Almost Blows Another Game, Four Huge Tests Up Next, Brian Boyle Returning to Boston, M$GN & More

For the fans who stayed up late on Thursday night, then I wonder how many of them saw this game through to completion? On the night of January 16th, the Rangers and the Utah Hockey Club, playing their first match of their epic “Original 32 Rivalry,” had a high-scoring affair. However, the Blueshirts, who have given a lot of sixty-minute efforts lately, didn’t have the same jump and mojo that they have recently displayed. After two periods of uninspired hockey – it was finally the Rangers – and not their opponent – that reminded us that hockey games are contested in three separate twenty-minute frames. Trailing 3-2 when entering the third period – and where it felt much worse than that – and the Blueshirts scored three goals themselves – not only enroute to a 5-3 victory – but into their first third period comeback of the season too. Prior to this match and “Lavy’s Lot” were 0-17-1 under these parameters. While this “historic” comeback victory was nice; but at the end of the day, these two-points netted just allowed the Big Apple club to maintain pace in the standings, as many of the teams that they are chasing – the Devils, Capitals, Senators, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, Flyers and Canadiens – also improved their point totals on Thursday night.

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. The Rangers finally found a new way to win!

And much like most of their losses – and the Blueshirts won this game in an ugly fashion too.

But of course, and if you’re still rooting for a 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff invite (then the eventual first-round exit that will take place immediately afterwards), then you’ll take the two-points in any way that you can get them – James Hagens be damned!

However, so will the bevy of other teams that the Blueshirts are currently chasing, where after all games completed on Thursday night, the standings presently look like this:

The Rangers are now four-points out from a second-wild card spot – but also six-points away from dead-last in the tipsy-turvy Eastern Conference. Photo Credit: ESPN

As previously opined in this space, then I don’t believe that the Rangers will be able to overcome the insurmountable hole that they put themselves in – which is when they decided to only win four games during a nineteen-game stretch.

And even if they do – then I don’t see them making much noise in the playoffs either – and especially should they draw the Panthers, the Lightning or any one of their Metro foes.

(I could see them beating Toronto though.)

While the chances of landing James Hagens, or a player of his caliber, are growing slimmer by the day; then either way – I rather see success at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft – and without even knowing the roster for next season – then it’s also my belief that the Blueshirts have a better chance of contending for the 2026 Stanley Cup when compared to their odds this year.

But since these are the Blueshirts, and because I know my history too, then it will be so on brand for the club, who has just been dreadful and disappointing for most of the season, to go on a mini-run here – then finish as the 9th-overall team of the Eastern Conference – as the top team “outside looking in.”

And should that be the case, and with what’s going on in the West too – than rather a first-overall, a top-five pick, a top-ten selection, you get my point – and it will be a middle-of-the-pack pick – no man’s land – for a franchise that following a 54-year Cup drought, is presently 31-years without one today.

So before continuing, I ask you the following:

What are you rooting for?

A Rangers’ 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff shirt that you’ll get a wash or two out of before burying it to the bottom of your dresser drawer – or strong chances at a seeing a parade in 2026?


The Blueshirts’ odds at landing a first-overall pick would have been better if it wasn’t for that pesky little Superman, Sam “I Am” Carrick! The fourth-line center, who just like last year, should be the attention of contending GMs at this season’s trade deadline, once again brought the Blueshirts across the finish line. For Carrick, who not only recently scored an overtime winner against the Devils, he now has five points in his last four games played – and where his two-points recorded on Thursday – both assists – were on both the game-winning goal – and the empty-net insurance tally that followed afterwards.

Following two days of consecutive morning skates, and where the Blueshirts followed up both of them with their usual talk full of bravado – and those words immediately rang empty once the first puck was dropped in the city of polygamy.

“Lavy’s Lot,” and where CZAR IGOR is most certainly included too, have been prone to giving up early goals all season – and whether it be at the start of the first, second or third period.

On this night, it was Matias Maccelli’s turn to join the long list of opposing players to score early against the Blueshirts.

Just 1:01 in, and as Mental Mika did nothing (he looked extremely weak when trying to clear “The Crease of Mormons”) and there was Maccelli to bang home a rebound for the quick 1-0 Utah lead.

To their credit, and the Rangers, who have adopted John Cena’s motto of “NEVER GIVE UP” ever since the calendar flipped, once again paid homage to the man that you can never see.

While the majority of this game was “Same Old Rangers,” and where the Blueshirts had reverted back to the team that they were from the final weeks of 2024 as well – but whenever they found themselves down – they were ultimately able to respond.

Panarin was the Rangers’ “first responder,” as at the 3:42 mark, “The Breadman” capitalized off of Lafreniere forcing a turnover – and as a result – then made short work of Utah goalie, Karel Vejmelka, for the 1-1 equalizer.

However, Matias Maccelli, who the Blueshirts were incapable of stopping – and as if he was Wayne Gretzky in his prime too – returned the Utah one-goal lead – and as he did at the 8:12 mark.

Also returned?

Those “Same Old Rangers” feelings – especially since this first period saw them get out-shot again by a 2:1 ratio – and 16-8 to be specific.

However, some of those vibes did dissipate a little bit, as with 3:35 remaining in the opening stanza, the newest Ranger, Arthur Kaliyev, banged home a rebound goal himself, following an initial save made on Chytil.

By the time the first intermission commenced – and despite how bad the Blueshirts looked – and it was still a tie game.

You also couldn’t forget that despite the new city, the new look and the new name too – and the Rangers were playing the former Arizona Coyotes – one of biggest blackmark franchises in all of NHL history.

Even the California Seals laugh at them.

After all, and a better team, a playoff-bound one, would have never let the Rangers hang around – and as the Blueshirts have often done this season against inferior competition too (especially in the losses to Chicago and Nashville).

If you’re not bald, or if you don’t shave your head like I do – then you would’ve been hairless following the second period – as the Blueshirts’ inept play left you ripping every follicle off of your dome – and where I’d reckon to guess that a few remote controls were left broken too.

With seconds remaining in the first period and Kaliyev, who had previously joined “THE ARTIE PARTY” when he scored after Panarin (and with Artemi and Arthur, then all we need is Artie Lange here to make this a true hat trick of such a soiree), was boxed for high-sticking Mike Carcone.

In turn, Brigham Young’s favorite team, and his 9867866698679687967986798698 different wives favorite hockey club of choice too, had a 1:38 power-play to open the middle period.

Come the 57-mark of this here second period and there was Logan “OH JOE, NO RELATIONS TO WILL CUYLLE JOE” Cooley to once again put Utah on top via his 3-2 power-play goal.

You know what I always say on this site:

“SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES” – and where at this point of the match – a man-up goal was the difference.

Following the Cooley goal and the Blueshirts were returned to the penalty kill, as at the 3:29 mark, Reilly Smith slashed Nick Bjugstad.

Thankfully, and the Rangers were able to escape these two-minutes.

What followed next was not only what I thought would be the turning point of the game – but also a fireable offense for Blueshirts’ bench boss, Peter Laviolette.

At the 5:39 mark, Mikhail Sergachev stunted his team’s momentum when he interfered with Will Borgen – somewhat a fluky penalty too – as the two-time Cup champion had lost his glove – and when trying to retrieve it – collided with the big-boned Blueshirts’ rearguard.

With the useless Missing Mika still remaining on PP1, and with his BFF, CK20, watching from the bench too – and the Rangers did nothing.

However, they also got another fortunate break, as the 6:25 mark, Alex Kerfoot, when trying to clear a puck off of the glass, put the puck over it instead.

End result?

A 1:14 two-man advantage, 5 x 3, power-play for the Blueshirts.

I said it at the time and I’ll say it again here:

With the Rangers trailing by one – and Laviolette should’ve taken his timeout.

He should have also deported Zero Zibanejad from the PP1 too – and where I don’t think that I’m out of line when I say that the head coach should inverse the jersey numbers on his top man-up unit – and by replacing #93 with #39.

But since this head coach has rarely ever had a feel of what’s going on in front of him this season – then Zibanejad remained.

I couldn’t help myself from thinking that with Martin Luther King Day coming up (this Monday) – then wouldn’t it be nice if the head coach treated every player fairly and equally?

I’m sure Zac Jones would agree.

This pivotal point of the match, Utah up by one and with the Rangers having two extra skaters on, was won by the home team.

A Vejmelka save on Panarin was the only work required from the Hockey Club netminder.

Rather than tying the game – or let’s be bold – taking the lead – and instead – and the Blueshirts served a healthy golden plate of momentum to the former Desert Dogs.

Come the end of the period and with this 3-2 score still in-tact?

Then Lafreniere was assessed with a questionable, if not all-out weird, cross-checking penalty against Ian Cole.

It wasn’t just bizarre that this penalty was called in the first place, as it was equally as perplexing that the refs didn’t blow a whistle while the Rangers had the puck.

Perhaps this slight from the zebras put a hair under the Blueshirts’ ass.

As noted above, the Rangers have played in eighteen games season where they were trailing when entering the third period.

They haven’t won any of them.

But as they say, “the nineteenth time is a charm!”

Following forty-minutes of play and it was pretty much all Utah – and where you were just expecting the Rangers to limp to the finish line too – and especially with Brigham Young’s Boys on the power-play.

Not so fast.

Just 28-seconds into this final frame – and Smith beat Vejmelka on a shot that he had no business scoring on.

Two funny things about this 3-3 equalizer.

One, for as wretched and horrid as the Rangers have been this season, then not only is their penalty kill one of the best in the league – but they also lead the NHL in short-handed goals too.

Then again, the Blueshirts do spend a lot of their time on defense, while chasing around their opponent, which in turn, could explain why they are so good whenever a man-down – after all – they have had a ton of practice!

Two, these Rangers have played a lot of games this season where either it was a “GOALIE’S DUEL” or they just got “GOALIE’D” themselves.

This match was the complete opposite – as this was no duel – as both goalies got cut-up instead.

For both CZAR IGOR and Vejmelka – all they were doing was trying to survive – and akin to an 1850s Mormon trying to fight off cholera, typhoid and measles when trying to reach Utah on the Oregon Trail.

As we wound down to ten-minutes remaining – and despite everything – this game remained tied – but where the Rangers had tilted the ice too – as Utah had a ten-minute stretch without a SOG.

38-seconds past the ten-minute mark?

Then there was SAM FREAKIN’ CARRICK, who shouldn’t only be the NHL Player of the Week -but should start getting some Hart Trophy consideration too (I kid, I kid – or am I?) – who won an o-zone draw – and where in turn – there was the longest-tenured Ranger, CHRISTOPHER JAMES KREIDER – muscling a puck right on by Vejmelka.

4-3, Rangers, following another carry job by Carrick – and your eventual game-winner too.

This was another play that made the ANALytical jackals look flat-out retarded – including the King of All ANALytical Retards, M$GN’s Sieve Vagistat himself – as these people, who must be deprived of oxygen from repeating such junk from out their blowholes so often, always say that faceoffs aren’t important.

Similar to Fox’s lone non empty net goal of the season from last week, which was set up by a Trocheck o-zone win (albeit, while on a power-play) – and this was the same sequence and set play here.

Utah, having now blown three separate leads, found themselves trailing for the first time.

While credit to their crowd, as they brought the passion like one of those Mormons who knock on your door and beg you to join their cult (I don’t apologize for saying this either – because if you don’t know the story of Joe Smith and how Mormonism was created – then that’s on you and not on me – plus, I’m an atheist anyway!), but not even Karl Malone and John Stockton could instill a comeback “Jazz” into this group.

With 38-seconds remaining – Carrick put the game – and all 6347073847383073409734793479370934793 Mormon wives to bed too – as following a strong defensive play made during Utah’s 6 x 5 empty net attack – Carrick displayed patience (and unlike Mika – willing to take a hit too) – then found Panarin for the 5-3 empty net goal – and an empty-netter that CZAR IGOR almost had himself too!


I don’t expect help to be on the way come the deadline. Another thought for your attention? As we all know by now, the Rangers, now 6-1-2 this year, are playing their best hockey of the season. That’s why it’s so on brand for this franchise that they’ll soon have a two-week break (which will most likely stunt their momentum), because of the cash-grab Four Nations Tournament – and a gimmick series of games that hasn’t created much interest based on the low ticket sales. Of course, omitting Russia and many other European nations is also part of the lack of interest, as this tournament, designed to fill the league’s pockets, isn’t truly a “best vs best” tourney.

Listen, I get it – teams (players and coaches to be specific) don’t tank.

But general mangers do.

That’s why I still feel that even after this win, and where the Rangers did a great job of taking five of a possible six points on a tough road-trip as well, that Drury won’t be selling the farm at the deadline.

I know this takes away from the win a bit – but let’s face it – the Rangers outlasted a team that’s worse than they are – and where they caught a goalie even shakier than theirs on an off-night for both backstops.

Suffice to say, and this could’ve been another long-winded rant where I tear everyone to shreds – and where I’m not so inclined to give Zibanejad and Laviolette a pass either.

Both of them were terrible on Thursday night – and where again – this team was saved by their fourth line center.

While that’s great for Carrick, and you need games like this when you’re a winning team – but you’re not going to win a Stanley Cup when your highest-paid center and head coach continue to make baffling decisions on a routine basis.

But it’s a win, and with that out of my system – let’s get through everything else.

After all, and if you notice the time when I published this blog – then I have to be back at work in three-hours!

EGADS!

(Furthermore, and while working a sixteen-hour shift on Thursday was part of this – but the first forty-minutes of this game exhausted me to no end, which as a result, by the time I got home, I immediately crashed – then after three-hours of sleep – I’m writing these words that you’re reading right now.)


Following another “resurgence” on Thursday night (that’s what Colin Stephenson, Joe Micheletti and Sam Rosen have described Zibanejad as) performance from Minus Mika (-2 v. Utah) – and Zibanejad is now rated 825 out of the 826 players who have qualified to be ranked in the plus/minus stat. ELITE! Give him the Selke! Photo Credit: ESPN

Here is our 82-game mantra, which is also known as 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, forty-four down, thirty-eight to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matter, begin.

But at this rate – will the Rangers even be there for the real hockey?

I still wouldn’t bet on it.


In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Blueshirts pissing away a point in Colorado:

NYR/COL 1/14 Review: Rangers’ Fourth Line – “Carrick Carries,” “Steady Eddie” & “REMPESTEIN” – Puts Forth a Flawless Performance – But Big Buck Blueshirts Brutally Betray Them; CZAR IGOR Out-Played By Blackwood Too, Bullish Breakaways & Missed Nets Bury Blueshirts, Kreider & Chytil Are Back; Rangers Return to Losing Ways Too, The Laughable “Resurgence” of Same Old Missing Mika; FAT CAT Lafreniere Not Much Better, Optimum v. M$GN Update, Mid-Season Report Card, Updated Standings, Tony DeAngelo is Home & More


I thought the Rangers blew their chance at saving their season when they didn’t fire Laviolette following the 12/9 loss to Chicago. While it’s not all his fault – heck – he doesn’t even deserve the lion’s share of it – but he’s lived up to his reputation during this campaign too – a strong first year followed by a brutal second season.

Following the overtime loss to Colorado from Tuesday night, the Rangers immediately took to the air and come Wednesday, they were back on the ice, practicing in Utah.

They also had an optional morning skate on Thursday.

In a rarity – and we didn’t have an ounce of real news to come out of these practices.

Everything remained the same – which was bad news for the likes of Zac Jones, Jonny Brodzinski and Jimmy Vesey.

I said this on Twitter/X at the time, so I’ll repeat it here – but I really thought that Jonathan Quick was going to get the nod in net – especially since Utah isn’t any good.

Then again, CZAR IGOR had been playing well and is rested following his stay on the IR.

Furthermore?

Perhaps Laviolette wants to give Quick a chance to win the 400th game of his career in front of a home crowd – and against his former team too – the Columbus Blue Jackets!

(More about this below.)


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

FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere

SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Mika/Smith

THIRD LINE: Kreider/Chytil/Kaliyev

FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Brodzinski/Rempe

FIRST PAIR: Lindgren/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Miller/Borgen

THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider

STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

BACK UP GOALIE: Jonathan Quick

HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Zac Jones, Jonny Brodzinski and Jimmy Vesey


BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

NYR
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
31 3 28 .903 20 7 1 0 0 60:00 0

 

UHC
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
24 4 20 .833 19 1 0 0 0 58:59 0

In another rarity and it was the Rangers playing the role of Bill Clinton on Thursday night – and not their usual starring role as Monica Lewinsky!

Since I was at work, then I didn’t get a chance to watch the M$GN pregame show.

But even if I was at the home base – then I wouldn’t have watched it anyway – as once again, Sieve Vagistat was left to his own devices.

Speaking of M$GN, then earlier on Thursday afternoon and a report out of Boston said that Brian Boyle would be joining Bruins’ telecasts on NESN.

I’m not 100% sure about this – but I believe that Boyle makes Boston his full-time home – and where he makes round-trip flights and drives from Massachusetts to the NY/NJ area (not only does he work for M$GN – but he also works for the NHLN which is located in Secaucus).

Boyle, nor M$GN either, has commented about this report.

But if true (and I can’t imagine that this was made-up or pulled out from thin air), then that means that Boyle’s two-years with M$GN has reached its end – or most likely – come the end of this season.

For Boyle, then I get it.

His family is in Boston and unnecessary travel, especially when you’re set for life financially, is a nuisance.

The guy loves hockey and if he can get paid – and do what he loves (remaining in the sport) – then it makes all the sense in the world to do it from his home base.

But this is another instance of a REAL former Ranger, one that played more than a handful of games, leaving M$GN – and an analyst that’s much better than Vagistat too.

In recent years, M$GN has lost Dominic Moore, Ryan Callahan, Anson Carter, Ron Duguay and others – while retaining the worst goalie in franchise history.

In addition, then other M$GN employees, such as Henrik Lundqvist, Bill Pidto, Kenny Albert and Boyle himself, work elsewhere on the national level, and whether it be on TNT, ESPN or NHLN.

Not one of these mainstream outlets have ever hired Vagistat – nor do they ever use his garbage ANALytical company whenever talking about these made-up stats. (They usually use SportsLogiq.)

Of course, this brings me to a question that I’ve been asking for years on-end here:

WHY IS VAGISTAT HERE?

WHY IS M$GN GIVING THEIR VIEWERS THE WORST PREGAME SHOW POSSIBLE – WHILE ALSO ALLOWING BETTER PEOPLE TO LEAVE?

And with Lundqvist (TNT) and Mark Messier (ESPN) both in the game, then are you telling me that you rather hear from the seven-foot shithead than getting pearls from two Hall of Famers?

Ugh!


At 9PM, and now on my dinner break, I found an illegal link (check my previous blogs for more, but in short, I’m still an Optimum customer) and where I immediately then heard Rosen shriek out, “OH JOE, THE MORMONS JOE! POLYGAMY JOE,” where Micheletti promptly responded with, “Sam, having sex with 9679867986798698776 different wives is fabulous Sam!”

Okay, I made that up – as when else am I going to get all of my Mormon jokes in?

(And if the Blueshirts ever play a Scientologist team – then watch out!)

In reality, then Sam and Joe told us how much Utah sucked, how they were bad, how they don’t win often, how they are the worst closing team in hockey, and you get the rest.

And of course, not only did Utah score 61-seconds in, and not only were they the better team for the majority of this match too – but about three-minutes into the game – and Team #32 honored Rosen for his forty-years of service.

Apparently, they didn’t hear what the senile old man was saying about them during the pregame show – and where speaking of Sam’s battle with facts – then after telling us how Alexandar Georgiev won the Stanley Cup in Colorado last time around – come Thursday and he referred to this team as the “Arizona Coyotes” no less than three-times.

That said, I can understand the Coyotes/Hockey Club confusion – but I gotta ask – did Sam know where he was?

I mean, I don’t think that I’m breaking any news to you here – but the weather in Arizona is very different when compared to the weather in Utah – and especially at this time of year!

GAME REVIEW time, and where I gotta keep it quick due to my own work schedule and because I pretty much recapped everything above.

In other words, just the highlights – and some “low-lights” too!


I haven’t had a chance to check Twitter/X yet – but I do wonder if my buddy, “The Maven,” Stan Fischler, is wearing his PIGGY IGGY jersey after this game!

FIRST PERIOD

Right after Rosen was done telling us how much Utah sucks – and where he didn’t say the same about Mika either – and there was Maccelli striking first:


1-0, Latter Day Saints.

Mika’s defense here was more offensive and brutal than Brigham Young ever was.

(And Young was a murderous piece of shit – and check out “American Primeval” on Netflix, which was just released last week, for some of the story on the second biggest Mormon in history.)

That said – and CZAR IGOR can’t allow these rebounds – nor these regular early goals allowed either.

Once Utah took the lead and Micheletti said that CZAR IGOR looked terrible during warm-ups.

While what Micheletti was inferring did play out as the game progressed – but he only said this AFTER Utah had scored early.

In other words, why not bring this up during the pregame show?


After Sam astutely informed us that Kevin Stenlund once played for the Panthers (why sharing this factiod was a matter of the most utmost importance is beyond me), then this is when Lafreniere forced Sergachev into turning over the puck, fed Panarin and where “The Breadman” baked his second goal in his last twelve games played:


1-1.

Since this was a late game and this is when the out of town scores were coming in – and where none of these results were favoring the Rangers either.

In other words, and especially if you want to see this team in the playoffs, then the Blueshirts needed these two points, just to hold pace.

And that’s why your frustration levels grew as the game continued – as it was pretty much all Utah – that is – until when it mattered most – the third period.


After Jumpin’ Joe gave us a deep dissertation on the state of Utah ticket sales, this is when Micheletti spent five-minutes talking about all the gifts that the retiring Rosen has been receiving – and right down to the Mormon bible placed aside his bed at his hotel room.

“OH JOE, I DON’T THINK JOE SMITH WAS CIRCUMCISED JOE! I SAW IT THROUGH HIS MAGIC UNDERWEAR JOE!”

As it looked like CZAR IGOR was settling down a bit following a pair of back-to-back saves on Logan Crouse with 12:26 remaining, such an idea was put to bed as Maccelli had scored again some forty-seconds later:


2-1, door-knockers.

Again, what is Mika doing here?

Drury has to get rid of him.

This isn’t a slump, a bad season or anything like that.

Instead, it’s Father Time winning again – as Zibanejad has routinely regressed to a shell of his former self – and as it’s been the case ever since the 2022 Eastern Conference Final.

Utah almost had a two-goal lead with 9:30 remaining, but Lafreniere, much more active and noticeable than he has been recently, broke up the try.

Come 7:45 remaining, Cuylle, who has been slumping ever since being paired with Mental Mika (and this is not a coincidence – Zibanejad sinks every ship – including a player that once was the best skater on the team for a clip there), fanned on a wide-open shot which then led to a chance for Utah in the other end.

As the Rangers weren’t doing much of anything (they were being out-shot 12-5 at the time), then I prophetically tweeted out the following with 5:00 remaining:


Right after this – and Zibanejad turned over the puck during a Rangers’ possession – a free clear for Utah too.

The Curse of Sam Rosen Never Fails – Exhibit #9876798678679869868 transpired next.

After Sam “Bless His Heart” Rosen told us how Kaliyev hasn’t done nothing since arriving and how he’s been struggling ever since joining the line-up – and BOOM – and like clockwork – LA’s failure tied the game:


2-2, following Kaliyev’s rebound.

I’m not going to go back on what I said either – nor was Rosen wrong when he criticized Kaliyev too.

These 2024-25 Rangers don’t have the luxury of toying around with a reclamation project.

Long-story short?

I rather see Brett Berard than Kaliyev.


Utah had another chance to regain their lead during a 4 x 2 attack with 1:30 remaining, but Schneider got back, which then allowed everyone else to return.

End result?

A 4 x 2 chance didn’t even produce a SOG.

Come the end of the period and this is when Kaliyev took his high-sticking penalty.

2-2 after 20.

Here’s what I said at the time:


As I have said a few times during these past two-weeks – and Will Borgen is coming along nicely – and has already made a clean transition to his new home. And yep – it’s going to be interesting to see how Drury handles Borgen’s future – as you can make a case that he should stay, while also arguing that the defenseman could fetch a mighty return. Photo Credit: NHL

SECOND PERIOD

After Rosen opened this middle period by telling us that the Mormons are the worst second period team in the league – then you know it – BANG – Cooley scored a power-play goal not even before a minute could tick off the clock:


3-2, the teetotalers.

And despite how bad the Rangers were at this point – and how terrible they’d be throughout this period – and this Cooley goal eventually became the last goal that Utah scored – but that’s more an indictment about them, rather than praise for the Blueshirts.

As the Rangers were still looking for their first true zone possession and attack, and while that’s all what Utah was doing at the time; then this is when Smith took his slashing penalty.

In another “K’ANDRE IS A WUSS” moment, as despite his size, he seems deathly afraid to block shots; there was a sequence during this Rangers’ PK where CZAR IGOR stopped Mike Kesselring, and where on the ensuing rebound from near the point – and Kesselring fired the puck right back at net.

Miller did his best to get out of the way – but when running away with his back to the puck – the rubber caught the back of his leg.

You would’ve thought that Miller was a deer that had just been blown to pieces from five-feet out.

The Blueshirts ultimately killed this Utah power-play off, which then led to the 1:14 two-man Rangers’ power-play as described earlier in tonight’s intro.

Just to show you that I’m not full of shit, as if I was a Mormon Bible, then here’s what I said at the time:


After Panarin’s one shot on goal – and that was it – and where I could’ve strangled Laviolette (I AM EXAGGERATING FOR EFFECT – I WOULD NEVER DO THIS EVER – SO RELAX) for his non-stop usage of Zibanejad.

Have a feel for the game man!

Ride the hot hand – and I don’t care if it’s a fourth-liner either – you know – the guy who not only won the game for you tonight – but has been killing it for the past two-weeks.

(Yes, Carrick has been strong all-season – but defensively. He’s now an offensive machine too!)

In a weird question when talking about the 2002 Olympic Games that were held in Salt Lake City, and Micheletti, and I’m not making this up, asked Rosen, “Do you remember 9/11 Sam?”

I don’t know if Joe was checking to see if Rosen was senile or not – but this was just bizarre.

After Rosen responded and shifted gears by saying, “OH JOE, THE MOUNTAIN MEN JOE, THEY WANT TO BE CALLED THE YETI NEXT SEASON JOE!” – it was noticeable that Carrick’s flanks, Edstrom and Rempe, had been stapled to the bench.

Rempe played a game-low 5:33, while Edstrom totaled 11:05 – and where he only received more ice time than his fellow giant counterpart.

Of the non-GAG LINE 2.0 players, then Minus Mika totaled the most minutes on ice among Ranger forwards, 17:24.

Keep in mind, this fourth line has been strong ever since Rempe returned, including scoring game winning goals.

But Lavy either has a hellbent obsession with Zibanejad – that or he just gets at thrill at watching this loser fail and fail and fail, and you get the point, again.

At least the idiotic bench boss had enough sense to not cut Carrick’s time down (14:12 – which I believe is his season-high or close enough to it).

The end of the period saw Lafreniere get assessed with that questionable cross-check.

3-2, the magic underwear, through forty-minutes.

Here’s what I said following the period:


Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear #39 jerseys for the Rangers. Photo Credit: Getty Images

THIRD PERIOD

Down 3-2 and with Utah to open the period on a power-play – and you thought this game was over.

Here’s Smith’s shorty – and his ninth goal of the season to boot:


3-3.

I can’t lie – I wasn’t expecting that at all.

And what a shot too.

As the ice was beginning to tilt, and following the Rangers’ shorty-and-kill too, then at the 8:08 mark, Juuso Valimaki tripped Cuylle, which as a result, gave the Blueshirts a chance to score a power-play go-ahead goal.

But Mika remained.

Two-minutes later and we remained tied – and where the Blueshirts were now 0-3 on a power-play that no longer features their best special team’s player, CK20.

Speaking of Kreider?

Once returned to even-strength – and it only took him 14-seconds to score the game-winner – the end result of a Carrick o-zone draw win:


4-3, GOOD GUYS.

I just loved this.

As you all know, not only am I big fan of the blue collar guys (hence this site’s name) like a Carrick – but I have never joined the TRADE KREIDER camp either.

Seeing these two hooking up was a delight – and it was kind of an EFF YOU to both the moronic head coach and selfish center too.

To fast-forward a bit, as I’m now really pressed for time, then down to 1:33 remaining and Utah pulled their goalie and then used their timeout.

After that?

We almost had it – the first goal of CZAR IGOR’s career:


Can you imagine if that puck went in?

Instead of various headlines and comments about how subpar he looked tonight – then all we would have done was discussed how epic his first goal was.

But alas, it wasn’t tonight – and where I still predict that we’ll see it one day.

Instead of the Russian goalie scoring the empty netter, it was the greatest free agent signing in franchise history instead, fellow comrade Artemi Panarin:


5-3, GOOD GUYS – and where Panarin doesn’t get this bonus goal if it wasn’t for Carrick.

I know that I was very negative tonight which is kind of foul after a win – but if you saw this game – then you know what I’m saying is truthful.

Also valid?

While the Rangers weren’t at their best tonight, far from it; but they didn’t throw in the towel either – which was something that we saw a lot of during the last six-weeks of 2024.

They kept fighting – and yeah – Vejmelka having a bad game helped too – but you can’t knock the hustle.

But I can knock myself!

After all, and if you can recall, then back on 1/4, when the Rangers were stomped 7-4 by the Capitals and then bounced-back on 1/5 with a 6-2 win in Chicago, I said that I expected them to go on a five-game losing streak.

I felt extremely confident in that prediction when the Rangers lost 5-4 at home against Dallas.

In fact, I defiantly proclaimed that loss from 1/7 was one loss down, four to go.

Since my grand prognostication?

A 3-0-1 record – and where the two best wins of the season were recorded during it (1/9 against the Devils, 1/11 in Vegas).

So for those who say that I can’t admit when I’m wrong (but let’s face it – it rarely happens – I kid, I kid!) – then there you have it!


I enjoyed my trip to Columbus last year – and if you’ve never been, then put it on your bucket list.

However you feel about playoffs vs draft lottery, then either way, the next four games are huge for the Blueshirts.

Up Next For the Rangers: An off-day on Friday, followed by the first meeting between the Blue Jackets and Blueshirts this season, and as it will be this Saturday night at M$G.

I don’t know if it’s possible, but for the first time in hockey history (and assuming CBJ, presently the first wild-card today, makes the playoffs), then I think that an entire HOCKEY TEAM, and not an individual, should win the Bill Masterton Trophy this season.

What Columbus is doing is nothing short of incredible – and I don’t have to explain why again.

But for the Rangers to reach the postseason – then they are going to need to win – if not sweep – this upcoming four-game in-season series – and as a result – crush the good vibes in Columbus in the process.

Following the first meeting of these two Metro rivals, the Blueshirts will then play a pair of Canadian teams that are not only looking to end their own respective playoff droughts – but who are also ahead of the Rangers in the standings too.

On Sunday, a night removed from their game at M$G against CBJ, and the Blueshirts will play guest at the Bell Center to the Montreal Canadiens.

The Rangers are presently 2-0 against Marty St. Louis, Jeff Gorton and Co.

After that is a Tuesday night tilt when the Blueshirts will host the Senators.

If that’s not enough for you, then come Thursday, 1/23, and the Rangers will host the Flyers too.

And it doesn’t get easy after that, as also featured during the next home-stand are games against the Avalanche (1/26) and the Hurricanes (1/28) – but let’s get through these next four before getting ahead of ourselves.


Up Next For Me: Two-hours of sleep – then gutting myself through work to the weekend!


Up Next For You: Your favorite segment, 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/


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/UHC 1/16 Review: Sam “I DAM AM” Carrick Puts The Rangers On His Back Again; Propels Blueshirts To First Third Period Comeback of the Season, Flip #93 & #39 on PP1; Minus Mika Continues His Selfish & Rotten Ways, Off-Night For CZAR IGOR – But Almost Scores His First Goal in Mormon Country, Multi-Goal Panarin Sighting Against The Polygamists; Lafreniere Shows Up Too, Laviolette Bailed Out; Almost Blows Another Game, Four Huge Tests Up Next, Brian Boyle Returning to Boston, M$GN & More

  1. Sean – Good job highlighting MSGN’s stupidity in letting Brian Boyle get away while keeping Steve Valiquette. It’s a mystery why they insist on force-feeding Valiquette to viewers. Maybe he’s working on TV for free just so he can promote his sideline hockey camps and statistical nonsense. Also, you made a valiant effort with the Mormon jokes, but sorry. Mormons aren’t funny. They’re just not.

    1. I think Vagistat has black mail on them.

      Eh – I was running on fumes when I wrote this – was hoping the Mormon jokes would land.

      After all, both Facebook META and Twitter GROK AI both proclaim this site to the be the most humorous hockey website in all of the land.

      Not all jokes land with all!

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