NYR/MTL 1/19 Review: Habs Outlast Blueshirts in The Most Exciting & Entertaining Game of the Season, “Lavy’s Lot” Pisses Away Another Point at The Poutine Palace; Finds Four New Ways To Lose Too, Third Time’s Not a Charm For Gutsy Jonathan Quick; Dave Maloney – Bonafide “Groinacologist,” WiFi Knocks Out Rempe’s Connection, Schneider Avenges Trouba; Tells Larry Brooks To Eff-Off Too, Sam’s Sad Senior Moment, M$GN, Standings & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. What. A. Game.

And WOW too!

Despite another brutal and backbreaking loss sustained by the Blueshirts on the night of January 19th in Montreal – then it would be ridiculous for yours truly to rant and rave in a negative fashion about it.

No joke?

These three-hours in Quebec (as in real-time, this was also the longest game that the Rangers have played this season too) flew by – and where after it – I felt like I had watched a thrilling and riveting seven-game playoff series.

Granted, while there were a whole lot of holes in the Blueshirts’ game on Sunday night; but at the same time, there was never one point throughout this near 65-minute affair where I was ever bored, nor was I ever lamenting about the Rangers’ inability to put the Habs to bed either.

Not only did I, and many other residents of Rangerstown, USA too, deem this match to be the most entertaining and exciting game of the season – but so did many others throughout the hockey world, including Canadien (and Canadian) scribe, Eric Engels (SportsNet):

Patrik Laine wins it. Game of the year?

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 20, 2025

Elsewhere, and you also had many other high-profile men and women saying the same thing, people with no skin in the game too, including Ryan Whitney of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, who shared this opinion on Twitter/X:

One of the best games of the year in Montreal. Laine gets another one and this Habs team is so fun to watch

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) January 20, 2025

But of course, and for these here 2024-25 Rangers’ – entertainment value is not their goal – winning games is – and once again, and as it’s often the case for this club – they failed to attain their aim.

Furthermore?

For a Blueshirts’ bunch that has found new ways to lose all-season long – they once again accomplished that feat – as this time around – and of course, in another first – the Rangers blew four separate one-goal leads en route to their eventual 5-4 overtime defeat.

And for good measure you may ask?

(And you may ask!)

The Rangers also allowed a no-name rookie goalie to beat them too – as new man in town, Jakub Dobes, is playing like he’s the second-coming of Ken Dryden – including matching Dryden by going 5-0 in his first five career starts too.

And yep – poor Jonathan Quick as well.

Despite his most gutsiest performance yet, as he played through an obvious injury (groin and/or leg related) – the team in front of Quick let him down when it mattered most – but where he should be used to that by now anyway.

Sunday night’s tilt at The Poutine Palace had something for everyone.

Whether it was the nine total goals, the breakneck pace of a thrilling overtime, big hits, monstrous saves, non-stop end-to-end rushes, special teams, and of course, a heavyweight fight featuring Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj (aka “WiFi”) too; and needless to say – it was only once the game had reached its end when you finally were allowed to sit back in your chair and breathe again.

These two Original Six rivals had played the night before, as Montreal blew a 3-0 goal lead in their eventual and embarrassing 7-3 loss on home ice to their most detested rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Also taking place on the evening of Saturday, January 18th, was the Rangers’ 1-0 shutout/shootout victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Of the two oldest teams in the league, then it were the Blueshirts who had to travel just a tad over an hour across the border, while the Habs rested their heads in their own beds.

Going into this game, and I somewhat expected the Rangers to lay an egg – but only because they haven’t had a chance to rest following their three-game road-trip out west – and where following it – they then had this immediate back-to-back set with a late-night flight involved too.

I also expected Martin St. Louis’ team to bring it too – as you had to know that they’d be chomping at the bit after that brutal loss they took by their arch-rival.

In reality – and both teams entered the Bell Centre with an edge – and with a playoff brand of physicality too.

That said – and the Rangers, and as I felt going into the game, did gas out a bit.

In a contest that was pretty much evenly played throughout, then it was only the third period where we had our first true mismatch.

The Blueshirts were up 4-3 when the final twenty-minutes of regulation time began.

In a game full of responses, Alexis Lafreniere opened the scoring at the 11:17 mark of the first period. This puck-luck goal (the puck took a fortunate Rangers’ bounce off of the back boards) marked the second time in the past twenty games where the first-overall pick had scored in.

This goal was matched a bit over two-minutes later, as Brendan Gallagher, via a deflection, evened things up at 1-1 at the 13:52 mark.

However, and just 46-seconds later, and there was Will Cuylle, who also entered this game on a goal-drought, to return the Rangers’ one-goal lead as he capitalized off a bad Canadiens’ o-zone turnover.

The Rangers, still up 2-1 when entering the second period, officially saw Christian Dvorak knot things up at 2-all, and as he did at the 5:07 mark, following Chytil putting a puck into his own net.

But yet again, the Blueshirts soon found themselves with the lead once more, as at the 10:24 mark, we had an event that rivaled pigs flying during a cold day in hell  – and with a winning powerball ticket in your hand to boot – a Mika Zibanejad power-play goal – and as set up by his BFF – Christopher James Kreider.

However, and no less than five-minutes later, and at the 15:05 mark to be specific, and there was Habs’ captain, Nick Suzuki, to erase the Rangers’ third one-goal lead of the match.

Not to be outdone, then Kreider, the longest-tenured Blueshirt of them all, and the man who received the most vociferous of jeering too (that 2014 Eastern Conference Final has not been forgotten), put the Blueshirts up again – and as he did following a gorgeous pass from Adam Fox at the 16:20 mark.

This brought us to a score of 4-3 as the two teams took to the locker room for the second intermission – and where you knew it in your bones – this Kreider goal couldn’t be it – as there was just no way it would hold up as the game-winner on a night like this.

Therefore, the Blueshirts really needed an insurance goal, a 5-3 goal, which would’ve marked their first two-goal lead of the game, in order to take away the much-needed two-points in the standings.

So much for that.

Come the start of the final frame and the Canadiens wasted no time when trying to tie – and as they had already successfully done three times before during the first forty-minutes of play.

In turn, Quick, previously injured during the second period, but also a goalie that refused to take a seat as well, had to make fifteen saves – but he also faced sixteen shots too.

Conversely, Dobes only had to make six saves during this final frame.

The Rangers, who never scored again after Kreider’s go-ahead goal, saw Juraj “Shane Wright Who?” Slafkovsky tie the game once more – the fourth time – and as he did at the 12:52 mark.

This goal from the Habs’ first-overall pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft was inevitable.

Quite frankly?

Then the Rangers were lucky that this was the only goal that their opponents scored during this third period – as the Habs were all over them like white on rice.

And you can thank Quick for that too – as despite what his black-and-white box score suggests – then this game was one his most colorful outings to date – and a rare game when a goalie gives up five goals and is still arguably your team’s best player.

In a way, then it only felt fair that both teams would receive at one least point in the standings following a chaotic and enjoyable sixty-minutes of regulation time hockey.

The 4-4 score was also great for the fans too – as who wanted to see this high-octane game end?

The Blueshirts, who had an ample amount of opportunities to take a two-goal lead previous in the game, then had a pair of chances in the overtime period to put the game away.

However, it was Patrik Laine, with only 1:40 remaining in bonus time, who eventually did – and as the Habs made fools of Kreider and K’Andre Miller in the process – but not a goal scored without controversy either (check the GAME REVIEW segment for the details).

5-4 Canadiens – and while Ranger fans can somewhat be proud of what they saw (again – keep in mind of the fatigue factor due to the schedule) – the Blueshirts themselves can not.

They dug this hole themselves and Sunday night was the latest example of why they find themselves in this predicament.

It also remains to be seen if both Filip Chytil (who took a brutal hit from Josh Anderson in the overtime – an obvious crosschecking/boarding penalty – but one that wasn’t called because the officials didn’t want to give the visitors a 4 x 3 power-play to end the overtime) and Jonathan Quick (whose nether regions were bothering him so bad that even Dave Maloney, while on the M$GN broadcast, said, “he’s going to need a groinacologist after this one” – hence tonight’s blog header photo too) will be able to avoid the injured reserve list.

I know that I’ve said some iteration of the following a lot during these recent overtime losses, but it’s also worth repeating again – and it’s also true too:

Had the Rangers had a playoff spot long secured, then you’d feel a whole lot better after this loss.

But since they don’t, then it’s very easy to have a bad taste in your mouth.

Should the Blueshirts not be able to replicate the 2019 St. Louis Blues – and as a result, miss the playoffs – then this will be one of these games that you’ll remember from the realm of “coulda, shoulda, woulda.”

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-six down, thirty-six 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 – CZAR IGOR’s first shootout shutout win of the year:

NYR/CBJ 1/18 Review: CZAR IGOR Zips The Jackets; Goes Flawless in First Shootout Win Of The Season, Blueshirts Overcome a “Scheduled Loss,” Stinka Zibanedud Has Another Game To Forget; Big Billy Borgen Continues to Standout, MILLER MANIA RUMORS RUNNIN’ WILD (J.T. – Not K’Andre); The Latest Details on His Potential Return, PLEASE REUNITE JD & ROSEN FOR ONE GAME; M$GN & More

Since the Rangers had played the night before – and had a flight to catch afterwards too – then the team didn’t have a morning skate prior to this match in Montreal.

Come 5PM and Lateralette addressed the media, where he basically said that the line-up would remain the same, besides the obvious goaltender switch.

As far as what we discussed last night – and there was no update on the J.T. Miller rumors.

In fact, the three Hartford players that were scratched on Saturday – Bo Groulx, Adam Sykora and Jaroslav Chemlar – all played in the Wolf Pack’s 3-0 win against the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday.

Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the forty-sixth 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: Jonathan Quick

BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

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:

As I tuned into M$GN just minutes prior to the pregame show and there was Henrik Lundqvist, hosting his “Club 30” podcast – and where he was interviewing some guy who was talking about the positive effects of psychedelic drug usage.

This kind of foreshadowed what was to come – as this Rangers vs Canadiens game was pretty much the hockey equivalent of meth vs crack.

Once in Montreal and there was John Giannone standing in front of a table cloth nailed to a wall with a Rangers’ logo on it.

I guess M$GN really needs that Optimum money – as the production values have really decreased ever since the calendar flipped to 2025.

As it was reported that the Rangers would start one of the oldest and most experienced goalies in the league today, Jonathan Quick (and where Marc-Andre Fleury is the other), then it was also reported that the Canadiens would be starting one of the youngest and most inexperienced goalies in the NHL today.

And of course – we should’ve known then what the final result was going to be.

Joining Giannone in Quebec was the always great Dave “RIGHT?” Maloney.

Maloney immediately praised Vincent Trocheck – and where the former captain also argued for #16 to join him as a captain of this franchise.

And it’s really so refreshing to hear Maloney, and his enthusiasm too, during these half-hour segments. He talks to you as a person, rather than barking out bullshit charts that he made up like the seven-foot shithead, Sieve Vagistat, always does.

In more examples of poor production issues, then M$GN ran the same exact five-minute segment as they ran the night before – Lundqvist’s return at the annual alumni charity game against the Islanders.

Right after that?

Then Maloney and Giannone, who were in Montreal, were now at the Bud Light Tranny Fluid Studios in New York City!

“DOC, THEY WENT BACK TO THE FUTURE!”

“GREAT SCOTT MARTY!”

In reality, then Maloney & Giannone didn’t have a Delorean on hand – as rather – and in the first time that I can remember – M$GN ran a prerecorded segment instead of presenting something live.

Lazy production.

Come 7PM we went to Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti and where I was hoping to hear the following:

“OH JOE, MONTREAL JOE! WHY ARE YOU ITCHING YOURSELF SO MUCH?”

“Sam, I made it hail loonies and toonies at the bottomless strip club last night – and these fabulous French women don’t shave!”

“JOE!”

Sadly, such a puerile scenario would’ve been better than what actually happened.

Following Rosen’s non-stop shrieking about Cole “NO RELATIONS TO HOLDEN” Caufield and Lane “NO RELATIONS TO ANJELICA” Huston – and there it was – arguably the worst “senior moment” (and there have been many) that the Hall of Fame caller has ever had on-air:

Get it together Sam!!!!! @Welcome2NYRtown @SNYRangers @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/YJpfHepynV

— Mike (@medm19283) January 20, 2025

I’ve watched this clip where Rosen said, “OH JOE, WHERE ARE WE JOE? I’VE LOST MY SPOT JOE!” about twenty-times.

At first, I thought it was funny – and I was actually crying laughing.

Several re-watches later – and it just felt sad.

But we’ve talked about Rosen’s daily bouts against senility a lot throughout the past five-years – so I can’t say that I was surprised about this latest event.

As I’ve opined in the past – Rosen stayed too long – and where sadly – it will be the forgetful grandfather version of Rosen that most will remember once he does actually retire at the end of this season.

(There’s always a recency bias – plus as older fans die off – then this version of Sam is the only version that young fans know.)

But despite that all said – I’ll miss him when he’s gone for good.

GAME REVIEW time – and man-oh-man – is there a lot to get into.

(And as usual, for the entire play-by-play, then check my Tweeter/X feed over at: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC )

FIRST PERIOD

To open, and as Sam and Joe were telling us how they talked to Laviolette earlier in the day – and where the head coach told them that he was extremely satisfied with his starting six on defense (but it wasn’t mentioned what the shoe-polished-hair bench boss said about Zac Jones); then while Borgen, who took a beating in this one (he ate about four or five big hits), was tangled up with Slafkovsky, then at the same time, Alex Newfoot missed a gaping and vacated net.

Right after that and a Fox shot and Kreider deflection try just went wide.

This was just a harbinger of what was to come – as it was nothing but non-stop action throughout.

Another omen?

When Rosen, and not even four-minutes in, was predicting a Rempe v. WiFi fight – and accurately at that due to all of the monstrous hits that were already taking place.

Panarin, who probably deserves more criticism these days, as he’s not scoring that many goals despite his status as the team’s best skater (and where you can also argue that his many games with no goals have cost the Blueshirts a bunch of points in the standings), had a 3 x 2 odd-man rush, with his GAG LINE 2.0 linemates beside him, with 15:30 remaining – but he shot the puck at a Hab defender rather than at the goaltender instead.

As noted earlier, then Chris “I was tripped into Carey Price” Keider, was booed all-game by the loyal Habitant fans.

However, at about the five-minute mark, and with Kreider on the bench, we then heard a ton of booing.

At the time, we didn’t know why, but M$GN replay cameras found the root of the cause:

Rempe with a clean hit on Even #NYR pic.twitter.com/cZZvweD096

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

Rempe, despite playing a game-low (but season-high for him) of 7:18, also recorded a game-high of four hits too.

Aside from Rempe, then only Will Cuylle registered more than two hits (3).

And yep – THE REMPESTEIN MONSTER was also a big factor in this game, even finally receiving shifts in the third period too – but he also took another huge loss on his fight card – and one that’s already gone viral throughout social media.

Following the hit on Evans – and after a Dobes freeze with 12:54 remaining too – and Rempe & WiFi set the stage for what was to come:

Rempe and Wifi having a chat #NYR pic.twitter.com/ctqJGp4uGR

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

As play continued, then it wasn’t until there was 10:20 remaining when the Rangers finally recorded their first shot on goal – a Dobes save on the reclamation project from L.A.

As Rempe continued to play well himself – even creating – and then extending – a forecheck with 9:15 to go, then it Lafreniere who ultimately scored – and on the Blueshirts’ second SOG too:

Laffy gets thing started 1-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/KJsIJq4mV2

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

1-0, good guys – a fluky puck-luck goal – but hey – they all count.

On this play, Miller, from the point, hit the lively backboards and the puck then took an immediate bounce to an awaiting Lafreniere.

Dobes didn’t have a shot on this one.

But as was the case all-game – and the Habs quickly struck back:

#Habs Brendan Gallagher redirects Christian Dvorak’s shot for goal vs #Rangers

Assists: Dvorak, Anderson #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey @RocketSports pic.twitter.com/KI2yGr6sim

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) January 20, 2025

1-1.

Gallagher had deflected a Dvorak shot past Quick here – and it looked like the Hab caught the rubber with a high-stick.

Despite the officials affording Laviolette plenty of time to call for a video review – and such a challenge never came.

I hated this.

Lavy should have given his goalie the benefit of the doubt – as Quick was calling for the challenge too.

And even had the Rangers lost this challenge – then who cares?

After all, their penalty kill is one of the best in the league – and they proved that again tonight by their flawless three-of-three showing.

And had this challenge been used – and then had this goal been overturned as a result?

Then maybe the Blueshirts win this game – which is why Laviolette deserves some of the blame for this loss.

Thankfully, and with 5:22 remaining – and CUYLLE HAND LUKE created a turnover in the Montreal zone – and then buried the puck past Dobes:

Will Cuylle puts the Rangers back in front 🔥

(via @TSN_Sports) pic.twitter.com/uuPManu6FD

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) January 20, 2025

2-1, good guys, following Cuylle’s hell of an individual effort.

Right after this you ask?

MORE PHYSICALITY:

Things are starting to get interesting. Schneider tosses Anderson #NYR pic.twitter.com/26MVvZj1RU

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

I loved this!

And the irony and hilarity wasn’t lost on me either.

As we all know, Larry Brooks, of the New York Post, has a raging hard-on for Josh Anderson – and where the master of clickbait has written about 987678669867868 stories over the years suggesting that the Rangers go out and trade for Anderson.

Brooks spent all summer bashing former captain Jacob Trouba, even involving his wife too, and then went as far into saying that Trouba was the worst captain in franchise history-  while ignoring the fact that it was his leak, his source, his propaganda machine, Chris Drury himself, who is actually the worst captain that this franchise has ever had.

After all – how many Eastern Conference Finals did Drury lead the Rangers to? How many Presidents’ Trophies were won under Drury’s leadership?

Hmmm.

In one of Trouba’s final games as a Ranger – the former captain fought Josh Anderson during a November 30th game (a 4-3 win at M$G).

A day prior to the fisticuffs – and Brooks was trashing Trouba again to kingdom come.

That’s why it was of no coincidence when Trouba sought out Anderson for a fight in that game.

Fast-forward to today, and Mr. Paywall, a HOF writer that’s been reduced to making up stories in order to generate revenue (how’s that Brady Tkachuk trade coming along?), had just suggested that the Rangers trade Braden Schneider to Vancouver (in a possible J.T. Miller trade) on Saturday night.

A day later?

Then Schneider, formerly known as “BABY TROOBS,” avenged his “father” – as he completely rag-dolled Anderson here.

The loud cries and sniffles you heard?

They came out of the face of Larry Brooks – and a Brooks who also had to explain to the resident airhead of the Blueshirts’ beat, his co-worker, Mollie “I don’t give a shit” Walker, why Canadien fans were booing Kreider.

After all, the useless broad talking Broadway hockey, has made it clear that she “doesn’t give a shit” about Rangers’ history – and the only thing that matters is what she knows – which is next-to-nothing – that is – outside of posting thirst-trap videos on TikTok.

The end-result of Schneider owning Anderson, and where Edstrom (who is starting to emulate his fellow giant, Rempe, more-and-more – and that’s a good thing – as he needs to be physical too) was going at it with Gallagher, were two off-setting penalties for either side.

As the period was starting to reach its conclusion, then official Jon Deschamps went down with an apparent leg injury.

This is when M$GN was forced to shoot (on camera – not with a pistol!) their former employee of 29-years, Jim Ramsay – and where Rosen even referred to him as the Rangers’ trainer of today!

And despite it being nearly two-years – and not one beat reporter dares to say why Ramsay was fired by the ZOOM ZOOM pizza-makin’ GM.

For that matter, then even the top reporters north of the border, including Elliotte Friedman, won’t touch this story either.

Deschamps, after receiving medical attention from Ramsay, returned to the game once the second period began.

Down to 2:20 to go and we had another chaotic sequence of many – and where despite Montreal having about ten chances to score on a stickless Quick – they never could.

This led to another scrum – and one that the biggest pussy in all of hockey today, Mental Mika – immediately skated away from.

He just watched the whole thing go down – and where all he was missing was a bag of popcorn and a soda.

However, give credit to U.V. here – as he was headlocking all Habs on sight.

It was also at this time where you just knew this wasn’t your ordinary game from the dog days of winter.

Heck, I even said this in the moment – and with more than 40-minutes left to play too:

This is starting to feel like a playoff game – and why you need Rempe for the rough stuff. #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 20, 2025

Dobes stopped a Cuylle deflection with 3.6-seconds remaining.

In another case of questionable coaching, then despite an o-zone faceoff with minimal time remaining – and Lavy opted not to pull Quick for an extra attacker.

While it’s most likely that the Rangers wouldn’t have scored here anyway had this event transpired – we’ll never know either.

2-1, good guys, after 20-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

2-1, good guys, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— #NYR have them doubled-up where it matters – the scoreboard – Montreal has them doubled-up on SOG.
— Without question and this 1P has been 3784687368736874638764 times more exciting than last night – and this third game between these…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 20, 2025

SECOND PERIOD

Not even fifteen-seconds in and Quick made two robbery saves in succession – on Nick Suzuki and Alex Carrier.

Again, you might see five goals allowed, and a .868 save percentage too, in the box score – but don’t get it twisted – Quick was the difference between a regulation loss and an overtime loss.

He was fantastic tonight – but the Rangers, again, fatigued, failed him.

At the 2:45 mark, Miller broke up a Habs’ 2 x 2 try. Right after that, and Anderson and Kaliyev collided – and where the Hab braced for impact as he went into the boards.

We had a stoppage here – and where two trainers had to help Anderson to the locker room – as he couldn’t put any weight behind his legs.

Despite this looking like a game-ending injury, and whether it was the power of Brooks’ love or not, I do not know – but Anderson would return about five-minutes or so later.

HOCKEY PLAYERS.

Then, and the 2:58 mark – the heavily anticipated fight between Rempe and WiFi:

Rempe vs Wifi #NYR pic.twitter.com/xEm68KmzhI

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

Yikes.

I’ll never knock a player for fighting, and where the goal is to motivate your team too – but I also have to say what this was – Rempe got his ass kicked here.

Worse than that?

Rempe “Pearl Harbor’d” WiFi – yet despite having the jump on his opponent – it was WiFi who cleaned his clock.

Since Rempe perpetrated a sneak attack, as he dropped the gloves and charged at an unready WiFi – then Rempe also received an extra two-minutes for roughing – and where you could have called instigating here too.

I was fine with Rempe getting the extra penalty assessed here – as after all – I always wanted these calls whenever Trouba was forced to defend himself – and where we didn’t get those calls more times than not.

In other words?

The officials got this right.

With Rempe in the box, and Chytil serving his two-minute minor too – and up next was the Jonathan Quick show – again!

Quick immediately robbed Suzuki again – and then made two more saves during a 2 x 1 down-low Montreal attack.

It was when extending his leg, when making a successful save, is where Quick looked to have injured himself.

Quick was shaking his legs, adjusting his gear and wincing in pain – so much so that the officials even asked him if he was alright – and where the future HOF goalie told them, “Game On.”

But immediately after the penalty kill proved successful – and the Habs tied it:

DVORAK TIES IT UP! pic.twitter.com/RMid37XIgC

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2025

I wouldn’t really say that an ailing Quick was the reason for this 2-2 goal.

After all, it was Chytil who deflected the puck behind him following a shot from Dvorak.

Furthermore?

Quick isn’t a man to make excuses either.

And since he was gunning for win #400 – then I don’t think that there was any way that you were going to be able to pull him from this game – and especially with the Rangers tied or up by one throughout the sixty-minutes of regulation.

Following another post-whistle scrum, this time between Kaiden Guhle and Chytil, then come 14:22 remaining and the Rangers got a power-play.

I gotta give it to Chytil – he has to know that he’ll be a vegetable by the time that he hits 30-years-old – yet he never shies away from the contact like another teammate with a concussion history always does, Missing Mika.

I also have to pay my respect to the officials here too – as they were consistent.

After giving Rempe an extra two-minutes, they did the same thing to Guhle here – as he was the first offender.

The Rangers’ power-play couldn’t make the Habs pay here – but they would later on.

Down to 11:10 remaining and now returned to even-strength – and Superman Sam Carrick prevented a goal. At the same time, Josh Anderson had returned too – and the noise that you heard at the time was Brooks’ belt buckle popping from his pants. (Watch out Mollie!)

Brooks’ favorite player then took the most moronic and retarded penalty that you’ll ever see too.

With the score still at 2-2, then Anderson blatantly cross-checked Miller, not only in front of his goalie, but in front of the officials too.

In turn, this o-zone penalty soon led to a Rangers’ power-play goal:

Mika!! It’s a Power Play Goal #NYR https://t.co/Olbm2tCWyT pic.twitter.com/pkctAiUM8Q

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

3-2, good guys, following this super-rare Missing Mika sighting.

It should also be said that Dobes had problems with his mask – after a puck had hit it – but at least Mika finally, and in a scarce occurrence, actually put a puck on net.

Credit to Kreider here too – as while Dobes was trying to fix his mask – CK20 blinded him with a perfect screen – which brings me to one of my usual talking points:

The NHL needs to track screened assists – as very often – it’s these screened assists that are more valuable than secondary assists – and sometimes primary helpers too.

After Borgen ate another big hit, Rempe, with his penalties expired, returned to the game.

At least Laviolette had enough sense not to punish him.

As we got down to about six-minutes remaining – and the Chytil line had one of the best Rangers’ shifts of sustained o-zone time.

But with 4:55 to go – and Borgen, as mentioned, who just took hit-after-hit, perhaps wanted to avoid another, and in turn, coughed up a puck to Suzuki:

NICK SUZUKI INTERCEPTS THE PASS AND SNIPES IT!

Tie game once again, 3-3! pic.twitter.com/AEkE3v6nYy

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2025

3-3 – and in identical play of the Cuylle goal.

But Borgen would later redeem himself – although he couldn’t take back this one.

It should also be mentioned here, that Quick, now with three goals allowed on his ledger, wasn’t responsible for any of them.

Not even close.

This Borgen miscue then allowed Kreider to have a chance as finishing this match with the game-winning goal:

What a pass by Fox, Kreider scores! #NYR pic.twitter.com/P3Ta20C8Vm

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

4-3, good guys, as with 3:40 remaining, Dobes stopped Fox, Lindgren went wide and then #23, once recovering the puck, found CK20 for this big-time goal.

By the time the period ended – then two-hours of real-time had elapsed – and due to all of the goals, whistles, fighting and penalties – and I loved every second of it.

Here’s what I said at the time:

4-3, #NYR after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— I feel like I have watched three games already – and we aren’t even into the 3P.
— A complete 180 of a game from last night.
— I’m going to need to ice my fingers and take a nap while mentally preparing to write tonight’s 50K word blog -…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 20, 2025

THIRD PERIOD

Speaking of “real-time,” then as I write these words – I have to ice my fingers – as I think this may be the longest GAME REVIEW of the season!

But that’s how crazy this game was.

However, and prior to this period commencing, then this is when Maloney, when talking about the obviously injured Quick, said that he needed a “groinacologist.”

At the time, and since my attention was diverted elsewhere (the Bills’ win over the Ravens), then I thought he actually said “gynecologist!”

But after being corrected on Twitter/X – and then watching it back too – then Maloney did say the former – and where I wonder if he has any medical expertise in this area to offer Quick too!

This final frame opened up just like the one before it – as Quick was busy early.

But before his first save, Quick overplayed a puck, which in turn, left his net empty for Patrick Laine.

And just twenty-seconds into the period – and Borgen redeemed himself:

Borgen totally redeemed himself #NYR pic.twitter.com/9zF1mYusZI

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 20, 2025

But Montreal wasn’t done yet – not by a long shot.

After another robbery on Suzuki, then at just the 1:15 mark and a Guhle shot absolutely floored Quick, knocking his bucket off in the process.

Quick, writhing in pain, popped up and then told a worried official, “I’m fine.”

As Montreal was getting chance-after-chance against these tired Blueshirts – and you knew it was only a matter of time before this game became tied again.

It was also noticeable that Rempe was playing during this third period – and for the first time since returning from his eight-game timeout.

At the 4:59 mark, U.V. interfered with Suzuki, which in turn, gave Montreal a chance to even-up things on their power-play.

These two-minutes were all about Quick – again – and who totaled six short-handed saves.

Once back to even strength, and U.V. had a jack-in-the-box try – but he hit the post with 12:50 to go.

The frantic pace and roller-coaster continued:

Chytil, 2 x 1, Dobes stopped him, 2 x 1 the other way, and Quick stops Guhlne, 11:45 to go – this game is crack meets meth – aka the streets outside of M$G! #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 20, 2025

As we hit ten-minutes remaining – and this period was all Montreal – who had most certainly found their legs while the Rangers were missing theirs.

As the Canadiens continued their relentless attack, Quick then stopped Gallagher and Dvorak – and where once again – Quick’s mask was jostled loose.

But then the inevitable finally took place with 7:08 remaining:

JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY BARRELS INTO THE NET AND TIES THE GAME!

Lane Hutson extends his point streak to eight games as well. pic.twitter.com/LWfIUbKl7u

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2025

4-4 – and where Quick was left defenseless on this odd-man rush rebound goal too.

For as valiant as an effort that the Rangers gave tonight, they also were porous defensively – but I think you also have to give Montreal some credit for that too.

They wanted this win bad – and especially after that shit-show against Toronto from the night before.

It should also be noted here that Rempe was still playing with the game tied – and as he was with 6:30 remaining.

Again – at least Lavy rewarded Rempe for fighting – and even if he arguably took the worst loss of his career (when you consider that he instigated the sneak attack).

After Montreal honored Sam “Where Am I?” Rosen – and where Micheletti mentioned that Jeff Gorton (not on camera) set the whole thing up (and for what it’s worth – and Gorton has never made a trade with “ET TU DRUY” ever since joining the Canadiens) – and Trocheck, while on a 3 x 2 – had a shot blocked.

With 3:30 remaining – and Montreal had tripled up New York’s SOG totals this period – 15-5.

I can’t lie – in the moment – and I really thought that we were being set up for a heartbreaker.

The final three-minutes saw a never-ending Montreal attack – but about 986879698 shots sent wide too.

It would’ve been so on brand for the Rangers to give up the dagger goal during the last seconds of regulation – and that’s probably what would’ve transpired had this game been played six-weeks ago too.

But in the end – the Blueshirts survived – and I mean SURVIVED – which in turn – meant that overtime was required.

Here’s what I said at the time:

4-4 after 60 – and where both teams definitely deserved a point tonight. Overtime next for the big winner’s point. And no matter what happens next – then this has been the most exciting game of the season. #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 20, 2025

OVERTIME

Here’s what happened prior to Laine’s walk-off winner:

Panarin wide from the slot, #NYR maintain possession, Dobes robs a streaking Trocheck, Panarin one-timer stopped and MTL gets the puck back, holy shit, 3:15 to go.

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 20, 2025

In other words?

Then despite everything else that had taken place at this point – and your team’s top-two forwards, Panarin and Trocheck, couldn’t beat a rookie goalie – which is why I think it’s unfair to just slam Kreider and Miller for what happened next:

PATRIK LAINE OVERTIME WINNER pic.twitter.com/T8wkuztoHG

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2025

5-4, bad guys.

5-4, bad guys, final.

This game-winner wasn’t without controversy either.

Anderson, who didn’t get an assist here, but he should have for what he did, absolutely crushed Chytil head-first into the boards while in the Rangers’ end.

This took place in front of an official – yet no call.

Anderson may have given Chytil his latest concussion with 1:55 remaining – and I had to agree with what both Sam and Joe said at the time too:

Had this play taken place during regulation – then most likely – it’s a Rangers’ power-play as a result.

But since the game, with minimal time remaining, was in overtime – then the officials said “Play On.”

It took Chytil a few seconds to pop-up – and by the time that he did – it was too late – as both Miller and Kreider were forced to defend a 3 x 2 situation.

Again – and one last time – this is also why I can’t go up-in-arms about their defense on this game-winner.

I’ll also stay consistent and say that while a penalty should’ve been called here – which would’ve given the Rangers’ power-play a chance to win themselves – but again – and the Blueshirts had numerous opportunities to win this game in regulation – and blowing four one-goal leads didn’t help either.

In conclusion, and as made clear in the 10,000 words featured above – and I can’t be mad about this loss.

However, I was happy to see that the team, and the head coach too, were.

Rather than smiling about getting one-point and playing a high-octane physical brand of hockey – and instead – and the Rangers were furious about the point lost.

Six-weeks ago and this wouldn’t have been the case.

Heck, they would’ve been doing their KING KONG act.

All of this shows you that they are caring again – but at the same time – is it too little too late?

A win over the Senators would help negate such talk.

Up Next For The Rangers: An off-day on Monday followed by their Tuesday night tilt with Ottawa.

Up Next For Me: Celebrating the inauguration – and a hopeful Notre Dame national championship too!

LET’S GO TRUMP!

LET’S GO FIGHTING IRISH.

Up Next For You: We’re finally here, which brings us to…

PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)

My fourth title and tenth book is now available!

“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!

For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/

My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”

As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD

For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:

Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today

My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.

My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.

To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/

To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”

The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!

“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.

All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.

To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com

To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/

If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:

Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”

If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com

For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/

Thanks for reading.

LET’S GO RANGERS!

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine