Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. HEAVE HO, ONE IN A ROW!
When’s the parade?
If you haven’t already figured it out, then I wasn’t really that impressed, and most certainly not RAH-RAH either, about the Blueshirts’ 2-1 overtime victory against the Blues from Thursday night in St. Louis.
And really, I wouldn’t even consider this extra time win, a victory that’s thought to give a team some momentum into their next match, as much of anything either.
But to be positive, then it was nice to see the Rangers’ organization finally come to their senses – and as they did when they recalled Gabe Perreault on Wednesday – then played him tonight.
Then again, such news was long overdue, and for the legions of Perreault fans that are marching in the streets of Rangerstown, USA right now – then #94’s power-play goal, the only goal that the Rangers scored during the first sixty-minutes of this match, was not only vindication in all of their “Perreault Praise” – but another “what if question” too, as in:
“WHAT IF THE RANGERS HAD RECALLED PERREAULT EARLIER?”
And heck, this one too:
“WHAT IF THE RANGERS NEVER RETURNED PERREAULT TO HARTFORD A MONTH AGO?”
After tonight?
The Rangers are now 4-0 whenever Perreault is dressed.
Now that’s a black-and-white stat that I can fully support!
“I mean, I kind of blacked out. Pretty lucky, but you know, feels good to get the first one.” – Gabe Perreault in his first post-game interview after scoring a goal – and not a victim of NDA Panarin!
Going into Thursday’s tilt and the Blueshirts had every advantage in the world.
After all, not only were they rested, but the Blues had played the night before, in a 1-0 Wednesday night win over Winnipeg.
Elsewhere, and while the Rangers were without Adam Fox, Adam Edstrom and now Artemi Panarin (more below), but the Blues were also missing a slew of top-flight players, including Jordan Kyrou, Torey Krug, Nick Bjugstad, Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud and Zach Dean.
And of course, the Blues also entered this match as the seventh-worst team in the league – but obviously – then this didn’t mean as much as everything else.
After all, and the Rangers have not only lost to three teams that were the worst in the league when they played them (San Jose, Calgary and in their last game against Vancouver), but they were also recently (as in last week) shut out by Chicago too – and a Blackhawk team that’s currently fifth-worst overall.
Rather than getting off to a hot start and pumping in the goals – and instead – and the first period was SAME OLD RANGERS – just bad and boring – and with plenty of “no finish” mixed in too.
And as always, and the Blueshirts, who lead the league in giving up goals during the final two-minutes of a period, did such a thing again during this tumultuous tilt – and as they did when the recently exiled from Detroit, Jonatan Berggren, beat CZAR IGOR off a wicked angle for the 1-0, home team, goal with just 62-seconds remaining in the first frame.
Another “of course” and Ranger staple?
Berggren’s goal was his first as a Blue – so another of a never-ending list of opposing firsts as allowed by the Blueshirts.
The second period was more competitive – and it was the only period to feature penalties too.
The Blueshirts were pretty much near perfect on special teams tonight – a new “Rangers’ Rarity!”
Not only did they go a flawless 3/3 on the penalty kill (and where CZAR IGOR only had to make four saves during these six-minutes too), but the Rangers finally snapped their power-play schneid, as Perreault, while part of the team’s second man-up unit, tied the game at the 6:02 mark – and with just five-seconds remaining on the Blues’ penalty kill too!
Granted, while Perreault’s first NHL goal, and a PPG to boot, wasn’t exactly a true goal scorer’s type of a goal – but hey – they all count.
And without it, then who knows – perhaps the Rangers, who have already been shutout seven times this season (20% of all games played), and where of course, they lead the league in this dubious distinction too, would have been blanked for the eighth time.
That all said?
And I loved this goal!
After the Rangers’ first power-play unit was done dicking around, then, and with about 20-seconds or so, and the second unit hopped over the boards.
A streaking and hard-nosed Laba got the puck to CUYLLE HAND LUKE. The team’s hit leader then blasted a shot towards Binnington – and while the puck didn’t go where it was intended – it did take a fortunate bounce – and right off of Perreault’s left skate for the 1-1 equalizer.
Some doubters may say “right place, right time;” but even if that’s your own contention, then you must also admit that Perreault put himself there – as rather to hang out by the boards like many of these FAT CATS do – and the young pup was right in Binnington’s face and ready to bark.
The Rangers, who despite this now tied score, had dominated the puck for long stretches of time, and where at one point, were out-shooting the Blues 23-8.
Then the third period happened.
And this is where CZAR IGOR earned his money too.
If you hadn’t known any better, then you would’ve thought that the Rangers, 0-6 this season during the second half of a back-to-back – and not the Blues – were the ones playing their second consecutive game when watching this final and do-or-die frame.
The Blueshirts, who had out-shot the Blues 10-5 in the first period, then 15-10 in the second period, were being out-shot by the home team to a tune of 11-3 – and where only the rearguards had challenged Binnington (Robertson, Borgen and Soucy).
It wasn’t until the final minute of play where the Rangers challenged the hopeful starter of the Canadian Olympic team twice more, thus finishing with a third period SOG margin of 11-5, Blues.
(And where really, these two last shots would’ve never happened either had J.T. Miller scored, as during a last-minute sequence, Binnington denied him after Miller had crashed into the goalie. Had the puck went in, then St. Louis would have easily won the goaltender interference challenge that would have ensued.)
Following sixty-minutes where both teams many flaws were exposed to the entire league; then for these two bottom-of-the-barrel squads, overtime was required.
In what just looked lazy, then, and with the 3:00 mark of overtime approaching, and there was one Blue (his name is escaping me) that was just harassing Vladislav Gavrikov as he was trying to get the puck out.
The Blues played it safe, as they didn’t want an outlet pass to beat them.
But when Vincent Trocheck finally got the rubber, and the St. Louis’ laissez-faire approach remained in-tact, which as a result, left Miller all alone, and wide-open, dead-center in the slot, for the 2-1 hammer job.
While I don’t see the Rangers qualifying for the playoffs this year (I’ve been saying this since the summer, so this isn’t a reaction to the worst loss of the season, and a defeat which is now 48-hours old); but should they, then it’s a shame that 3 vs 3 play doesn’t decide postseason matches.
In the Rangers’ overtime bouts this season, and Miller now has three game-winners. He’s also scored a shootout goal to go along with his game-winning assist on a Cuylle walkoff score.
To be blunt, then most of this bad and boring Blueshirts’ win was just that – bad and boring.
And credit to “The Blueshirts Underground Show” too, who have now included the word “blaise” to “bad and boring!”
But they did get the victory – and the necessary two-points as a result in the standings.
However, nothing really changed – and where furthermore – this particular match shouldn’t allow you to forget what we just saw on Tuesday either.
At the end of the night, the Rangers won a 50/50 game against a team in gimmick time – and a squad that was far worse off than them – and one that was under more extenuating circumstances to boot.
And for whatever reason, and despite the additions of both Perreault and Othmann – and Conor Sheary, the golden nephew-in-law, the man signed off a PTO contract in the Fall, still remains on the Rangers’ first line.
Make it make sense!
In case you missed it, then here’s where I left off last time – the worst loss of the season:
If you recall, then prior to the Rangers’ 3-0 home ice loss to the Vancouver Canucks from Tuesday night, and I posted the following on social media:
I’m kinda rooting for a Rangers’ loss against the worst team in the league tonight – might be for the greater good – it could help get Drury fired, the alleged sexual assaulter traded for a haul, and finally, a full-time promotion for Perreault too. #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 16, 2025
While it wasn’t Meatloaf’s “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” but it was one-for-three; as come Wednesday, the Rangers’ off/travel day to St. Louis, and the organization made the following roster announcements:
UPDATE: Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault have been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack. Brett Berard and Jaroslav Chmelar have been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 17, 2025
I had mixed-feelings when this news was first announced.
Obviously, and to the point of an all-out “DUH;” then it was good to see Perreault returned to the varsity club.
However, I still don’t see what Brennan Othmann brings to the team, nor did I think that Brett Berard, and for that matter, neither Jaroslav Chmelar as well, should’ve been demoted in exchange for the 2021 first-round bust.
But what do I know?
After all, then I’ve only been batting somewhere near .999 with all of my predictions about this franchise ever since Chris Drury took over!
(And blog archives and social media postings don’t lie either – as what I’ve been predicting about this team has usually turned out to be the case – and right down to the very present state of this fragile franchise today!)
Like many of you, then if Othmann had to be recalled to the Rangers (and let’s not forget – Drury has been trying to trade him during the past few weeks – and as noted at the time – instead of when he should have – which was during the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline), and should the Blueshirts want to go with a youth movement, then future one-and-done Rangers, Taylor Raddysh and Conor Sheary, should’ve been the pair removed from the Big Apple club.
Ironically, if not morbidly amusing too, then it was just eleven days ago from this particular roster movement (12/6), when Othmann, a spare body/healthy scratch at the time, was sent back to Hartford after a road-trip, and where in return, Chmelar got his second look of the season.
When it comes to Berard, and all of the talk about his no points, then the same could be said about Othmann.
However, and unlike Othmann, then at least you noticed Berard – as it was his energy, ability to forecheck, and just to be a pest that created and extended many Ranger attacks.
It should also be mentioned that when entering St. Louis, and Sheary had only scored one goal in thirty-three games played.
After Thursday, and you can now up that stat to one goal in thirty-four games played.
Last thought?
Then it’s one that I’ve shared before, this:
While I’m happy to see Perreault back; but at the same time, then he shouldn’t have the pressure of having to be “The Rangers Savior” on his shoulders either – and hence the stupid picture that I made and posted at the top of this.
In other words, then going into this game, and really, for all of the remaining matches from this season, then it would be nice to see the overpaid FAT CATS give their rookies/young players support – and not look to them to carry the club.
So much for that.
Heck, Alexis Lafreniere, perhaps the most flailing FAT CAT of them all, and one that I believe is currently on a ten-game goal drought (again), didn’t even register a SOG in this match.
Missing Mika, while challenging Binnington thrice, and with all three shots registered during one Rangers’ power-play, did nothing at even-strength.
And hadn’t it been for the overtime winner, then really, not much out of Miller or Trocheck either.
Come Thursday morning, and now in Ozzie Smith’s favorite city, then the Rangers held a pregame skate.
It was revealed at the practice that NDA Panarin was going to be a game-time decision, as he was battling a health ailment – and not an injury.
(And as you know by now – then he didn’t play tonight.)
In news from the goaltending realm, then obviously, CZAR IGOR, who didn’t play against Vancouver, was going to get this start in St. Louis.
(Prediction? CZAR IGOR goes on Saturday against Philly, then Quick returns on Sunday in Nashville.)
However, since the Blues played the night before with Joel Hofer in net during their 1-0 victory over Winnipeg, then that meant that the Rangers would see Blues’ starter, Jordan Binnington, in net for this match.
Binnington, who was one of Team Canada’s heroes in last year’s Four Nations Tournament, is currently trying to earn the starter spot for the Canadian Olympic team – which only meant that he had a lot to prove against the Rangers tonight.
Come the end of the night?
Then very easily, and not only did Binnington carry his team, but he was the main reason why his Blues left the match with a point in the standings too.
Following the practice, and Othmann drew the most attention, where he said what he always says, you know, stuff like “I am disappointed that it hasn’t worked out yet, but I know what I have to do.”
And once again once more?
Then Othmann, one shot on goal, wasn’t really noticeable – that is – sans one bad turnover and then an even worse o-zone penalty taken.
Sullivan, who previously stated twice this season that if the Rangers were going to have Perreault on their roster, then they’d put him in the top-six, pulled a complete 180 on that talk, as prior to the game, he said, “The challenge [with putting Perreault in the top-six] is you’re playing against the opponent’s top players too. You’re getting the top defense pair and some of the harder players in that situation. It’s a double-edged sword. This is a process. We don’t want Gabe to get overwhelmed.”
This verbal diarrhea just reeked of not only Perreault, but Othmann too, being inserted into Sully’s bottom-six.
Come pregame warm-ups, we then found out – that would be the case – and where one more time – with Sheary on the first line to boot!
(And to be clear, I don’t have anything against Sheary. I just don’t get why he’s on the top line. Put him in the bottom-six and I’m fine with that!)
Here was Sully’s line-up for the thirty-sixth game of this 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Cuylle/Mika/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Sheary/Trocheck/Miller
THIRD LINE: Perreault/Laba/Raddysh
FOURTH LINE: Othmann/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Schneider
SECOND PAIR: Soucy/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Robertson/Morrow
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Quick
SICK: NDA Panarin
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Urho Vaakanainen and Jonny Brodzinski
LTIR: Adam Edstrom and Adam Fox
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
|
| 27 | 1 | 26 | .963 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62:21 | 0 |
|
STL
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 31 | 2 | 29 | .935 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 62:21 | 0 |
Tonight’s M$GN broadcast opened with Albert and Maloney informing us that Panarin’s illness would take him out of the game.
As they were saying that, then I was wondering if NDA Panarin was suffering with an STD – and after ALLEGEDLY bedding another victim that he forced to sign a confirmed NDA with!
I kid, I kid!
After all, then he probably had diarrhea – and like many do after eating that world-famous STL BBQ!
(But it’s so good! Try the brisket!)
Since this broadcast was held solely in St. Louis, then a lot of the time was filled with all of the stuff that I gave to you in the off-day/practice news segment.
It was also brought up by Dave & Kenny that with Panarin out, then Sullivan was going to be forced to abandon his failed five-forward power-play unit, and where d-man, Scott Morrow, would replace “The Breadman” on it.
While Albert & Maloney, true company men (and this is why they always joke about “Radio Dave vs. TV Dave” – so don’t take “company men” to be a knock here), defended Sullivan’s decision to place Perreault on the third line; Maloney then also made mention that Sheary hasn’t been much of a goal scorer this season either.
After that, and John Giannone told us that the Blues stink, they should be embarrassed, they should jump off of the Arch, and blah blah blah – and where really – none of this mattered to me.
As noted above – and the Rangers just got blanked by Vancouver, ranked 32nd-overall in the league, in their last game played.
As M$G showed us a ton of shots of road-trippers who had made the trek to STL (I’ve been there before – and I absolutely loved it – and right down to my trip to the Budweiser Brewery which is only located about five-minutes away from the barn where the Blues call home), and an AFTER DARK Maloney told us, and I quote, “Robert Thomas has a nice package.”
KINKY!
“OH JOE, HE HAS A NICE FRANK AND BEANS JOE!”
“BIG COCKS AND SHAVED BALLS ARE FABULOUS SAM, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS SAM!”
I need to get a life.
That said, and Sam Rosen was on my mind at this time, because M$GN keeps playing these Christmas commercials where Rosen says, “there’s nothing better than watching the Rangers at M$G during this centennial season! Buy your tickets today!”
Such copy should be amended to:
“For people looking to visit N.Y.C. before the terrorist commie mayor takes over, then there’s nothing better than watching the Rangers get shut out at home during this magical centennial season! Watch them get shutout three times, then attend your fourth shutout for free!”
(I must give Jim and Eddie, of BSU, an assist for this joke – as they were the first ones that I heard to make the shutout joke – and as they did on Wednesday night.)
To close, and Albert reminded us that Pavel Buchnevich is still crapping the bed in STL.
It was at this time when I placed a $10 prop bet on an anytime Buchnevich goal.
Despite three shots on net, and three more that didn’t hit the net – and my #89 to score bet never hit.
A curse has been broken!
GAME REVIEW time!
As always, then I’m just going to hit the stuff that I haven’t already mentioned, so if you want my complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter/X feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
FIRST PERIOD
As Maloney reminded us one more time that Sheary, and not Perreault, was on the team’s first line – then just 15-seconds later – and Binnington prevented the guy who married the nepotism niece from scoring his second goal of the campaign.
The Rangers, as noted earlier, dominated large stretches of this period, and as they did at the 2:20 mark – Perreault’s first shift of the match.
CZAR IGOR, not tested much in this period, made his first save, 3:50 in, on Cam “Dylan McIlrath LOL” Fowler. (Yes, that’s a 2010 NHL Entry Draft joke!)
Not even five-minutes in, and Cuylle, the team’s leader in hits, already had one big body blow to go along with a shot block and a two vs one odd-man rush that a Blues’ defender broke up.
By the 6:40 mark – and Sheary, while a foot away from Binnington, couldn’t score – again.
That said, then come the 8:00 mark, and the Rangers had three shots on goal – and Sully’s nephew-in-law had two-thirds of them.
As this game was putting you to sleep, and where all of the bad country music that STL was blasting through their speakers would’ve put an insomniac into a Terry Schiavo-esque coma; then at the ten-minute mark, Albert reminded us about all of the troubles in Blues’ Land, including the six injuries, the back-to-back, they suck, and etc.
And with nothing going on, then Albert also plugged the new 25% off ticket sale promotion that I talked about during my NYR/VAN blog last time around.
As “Kiss Your Cousin – And Your Sister Too Night” continued, as the never-ending country music was so god-awful that even the biggest cow-puncher in the world had to be miffed by it; then Schneider booted a puck into the Blues’ zone for an icing with 5:35 remaining.
(And for the country music fans that may be offended by what I’m writing here? Then I do like that “Tipsy” song about Jack Daniels – as I can relate to that one!)
While we only have a 36-game sample size in New York; but Sully’s leash has been short with the Blueshirt Young Bucks this season.
That’s why, and with 3:15 remaining, and after Rempe (he’s still far off from 100% – and it shows) won a board battle, that it was extremely noticeable when Othmann, in this snoozefest of a match, iced the puck by shooting the rubber at 100 MPH.
Even Maloney, a staunch defender of everything Rangers’ blue, pointed this out.
Igor’s first NYET NYET on his former riding partner, the man he once crashed a car with in Brighton Beach several years ago, Pavel Buchnevich, with 1:51 remaining, marked the third save of the game for #31.
Right after the stop and Buchnevich missed the net.
Maloney then went on a long diatribe about how Buchnevich was grossly overpaid.
Maloney, who has a ton of material should he ever focus this discussion on the Rangers, didn’t make mention of what Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere earn.
Just as you thought that you’d get out of this period scoreless, then, and with 1:02 to go, and this is when Berggren beat CZAR IGOR for the 1-0, them, icebreaker:
Jonatan Berggren’s first goal as a Blue made us all like “OMG!” #stlblues pic.twitter.com/Cuzr2XUtUt
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 19, 2025
This score remained as we hit intermission.
It was also the first-and-last goal that the Blues would ever score too.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, the other Blue team, after 20.
— I don’t know if the word “boring” is correct, but that wasn’t exciting either.
— Complain about Fox & Panarin out, but STL missing six guys, including Krug and Kyrou.
— #NYR out-shooting them 10-5, yet still losing after another late…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 19, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
As the slog continued from The Arch, then I wondered if the Blues, who have given up the most second period goals in the league, while also scoring the fewest, would gas out after having played last night.
That’s not what exactly happened (but the Rangers did win the period 1-0).
And that’s definitely not what happened come the third period either.
The Blues, and in the opening minute, almost pushed their lead to 2-0.
A Thomas shot just connected, so much so, that CZAR IGOR was looking back into his own net.
Immediately thereafter, and we got a STL <DING> too. Schneider then blocked Thomas from scoring and that ended this threat.
Come the 1:20 mark?
Then Borgen prevented a goal himself – as very easily – and the score could’ve been 3-0, home team – but fortunately for the Rangers, and the Blues, and like a failed porn star – have trouble with finishing too.
Up next were a slew of penalties.
Just 1:43 in and Perreault tripped Schenn. This set off a scrum, which then allowed the officials to box Borgen and Neighbours for off-setting roughing penalties too.
CZAR IGOR only had to make one save on this particular penalty kill.
I’m of the belief that Perreault and Laba really don’t have much of a history with one another (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), outside of a few training camp games and practices.
That said?
Then you wouldn’t have known that – as their chemistry was off of the charts tonight.
This line drew a Faulk tripping penalty on Carrick, as after Laba streaked to the net, he found Perreault, Perreault then set-up Morrow and the d-man then found a crashing Carrick – and where Binnington was able to come up with the stop – that is – because Faulk had committed the foul.
Come the power-play that this line drew?
Then, and after the failed PP1 did their usual nothing, the new PP2 came on – and the aforementioned Perreault 1-1 goal:
GABE PERREAULT HAS HIS FIRST NHL GOAL AS IT GOES OFF HIS SKATE 🔥🚨 pic.twitter.com/kZh1i570vR
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 19, 2025
It was nice to see the other team finally give up an opposing first to the Rangers!
About ninety-seconds after the goal, and Binnington prevented Othmann from scoring his first NHL goal in his thirty or so games played.
As I was wondering if Sully would wake up and make a Sheary/Perreault flip-flop line change; then, and down to 11:38 remaining and Boneheaded Buchnevich took an o-zone penalty – and as he did when he interfered with Alexis Daigle.
Only Othmann’s stupid o-zone penalty would rival this.
Binnington, who saw three SOG during the Rangers’ first power-play, saw four more here – and in the first 55-seconds.
By the end of this, and the Rangers’ power-play was now 1-2 – a miracle for them.
As Laba and Perreault continued to look and play effective; then, and down to 8:16 remaining, and this is when the Rangers were not only out-shooting the Blues 13-3 in the period, but 23-8 overall.
Things would change.
And drastically at that.
The remainder of this period was all St. Louis – but again – they can’t score goals – and just like the Rangers.
After CZAR IGOR prevented an odd-man rush goal, then, and down to 5:36 remaining, and this is when Othmann continued to bury himself – and as he did when he hooked Fowler.
Once again, and the Blueshirts’ backstop only had to make one save during these two-minutes of man-down time – and where once the STL power-play expired – and no one was happier more about it than #78, Othmann, himself.
(Maloney even pointed this out – and he was 100% spot-on.)
That said?
And there is a large disparity in talent, play, effectiveness and overall worth when comparing the Rangers’ first-round picks from the 2021 and 2024 NHL Entry Drafts – and it doesn’t favor the eldest.
And this as well:
The 2024 NHL Draft pick looks much better than the first-overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft too.
After Binnington and CZAR IGOR exchanged odd-man rush saves; then, and come 2:03 remaining and the Blues were back on the power-play for the third time, as Lafreniere, when trying to defend a broken play in the Rangers’ zone, blatantly slashed Berggren.
While the Blues had their best lookin’ power-play of the bunch here; then, and at the same time – and the third time was not a charm for them either.
1-1 through two periods.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-1 through 40. 2P Thoughts:
— #NYR Special Teams, and in a rare moment, are carrying them. 1-2 on the PP, 3-3 on the PK.
— SOG are 25-15 #NYR – so finishing remains an issue.
— Blues missing six regulars and on the second half of a back to back, gotta catch them in the…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 19, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
For both teams, then this must’ve felt like a winnable game for either side.
And you can thank the two goaltenders for that.
Binnington, very busy during the first forty-minutes, then watched his peer, CZAR IGOR, match him during these final twenty-minutes.
About a minute in, and CZAR IGOR denied a Comrade Buchnevich stuff-in try – and with how bad #89 has been this season – then I’m wondering if St. Louis would be better off with Sammy Blais these days!
Seriously, $8M a season for Buchnevich?
That’s like paying Mika or Lafreniere!
While the Blues got chances, so much so, that they had the first nine out of ten SOG of the period; but like a current New York Giants kicker (and New York Jets quarterback too) of today – and a lot of their attempts went wide.
As the home team did everything but score, then I found it amusing at the near six-minute mark, when Carrick and Othmann, then on a 2 x 1 odd-man rush, saw the center not even look at another first-round Blueshirts’ bust.
As we quickly hit the half-way mark of the period, and with CZAR IGOR now up to seven saves in total; then, and now with 7:20 remaining, and the goalie stopped the former David Quinn moniker, “Captain Happy,” Buchnevich, once more – and this time – with the skater all alone, and one vs one, with the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner.
As we hit six-minutes remaining and Binnington ended a long Rangers’ SOG drought, as after previously stopping Robertson, he stopped Borgen here.
Two-minutes later, and the 2019 Cup winner stopped Soucy too – as not one Rangers’ forward had challenged Binnington this period – and as would be the case until the final minute of regulation.
The biggest play of this period (in the case of the Rangers) was with a minute remaining – the Miller play.
Miller was right there, but he did crash into Binnington.
Again, had Miller scored, then this goal would’ve been erased.
These two brutally-to-watch teams remained tied at one goal a piece through regulation.
Overtime was needed.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-1 through regulation, both of these bad teams will get a point. 3P thoughts:
— #NYR survived that period.
— CZAR IGOR got them a point – and just like Binnington did in the first period.
— You’d think that the Rangers had played last night – all Blues – or at least 90% of…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 19, 2025
OVERTIME
As Miller, Trocheck and Gavrikov took the ice, then Albert told us that the Blues don’t have an overtime win to their name this season.
It was right there where had I had my gambling app open in front of me – then I would’ve put a mortgage payment on a STL walkoff winner!
Thankfully, and my phone wasn’t close by!
Prior to Miller, then this 3 x 3 portion of garbage hockey was the new iteration of it – and where I’m not a fan of all the backwards skating.
Like others, then I’d like to see an implementation where once you cross the blue line, then you can’t leave the zone until the other team gets possession.
It’s just too much figure skating – and not enough hockey – but I do understand why everyone does it.
It’s just not an exciting product to watch – and really – does anyone disagree with this take?
A god awful Zibanejad turnover, right to Faulk, led to CZAR IGOR making a save with 3:02 remaining.
Had this save not been made – then #93 would’ve been dragged all across the streets of NYC.
But CZAR IGOR did bail out the dry-haired and wet-eyed hippie, which then allowed Miller to finish off a lazy Blues’ defense:
MILLER WITH ANOTHER OT GOAL FOR THE RANGERS 😤🚨 pic.twitter.com/ZZuNV692yP
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 19, 2025
2-1, good guys.
Miller, your walk off winner.
But where was he, and every other single FAT CAT too, during regulation?
Miller scored a gimmick goal.
Laba, Cuylle and Perreault were the best forwards for a complete game in my eyes.
Up Next For the Rangers: An off-day on Friday, followed by a back-to-back set over the weekend, as the Blueshirts will host the upstart Flyers for a Saturday matinee, then will play guest in Nashville on Sunday evening.
Programming Note: Unless something earth-shattering breaks, then I’ll return on Sunday night after Rangers/Predators.
As usual, then whenever the Blueshirts have a Saturday matinee game (12:30PM on 12/20), and I’m going to my local bar to watch the match with my dad and friends.
After all, then somebody needs to wreak havoc on that ice cold Labatt Blue keg!
Of Note: The Flyers, despite their public rebuilding, are ahead of the Rangers in the standings. (Philly has 40 points in 33 games played, while New York has 38 points in 36 games – which also tells you that the orange-and-black attack has three games in-hand over the Liberty head team.)
The Predators, who the Rangers previously demolished at M$G earlier this season, are presently the second-worst team in the league, and come Sunday – could be worst-overall – thus meaning that this match-up could potentially be the Blueshirts’ fourth game this season against the worst team in the league.
Win-or-lose in the Music City, then after this game against a cellar-dweller and the schedule turns – and not for the better.
To close out 2025, the Rangers, who hope to have Adam Fox back after Christmas (he’s presently skating with them in a no-contact jersey), will go to Washington on 12/23, Long Island on 12/27, Carolina on 12/29 and a return visit to our nation’s capital on New Year’s Eve for a 12:30PM matinee.
Again, while I think that the Rangers aren’t going anywhere this season – but it’s these remaining games before the calendar flips that will ultimately determine such a fate.
And it doesn’t get any easier once we hit 2026 either, as on 1/2, the Rangers’ first game of the New Year, and they will play guest in Miami to the two-time and reigning-and-defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, in this season’s Winter Classic.
Egads.
Enjoy this temporary Rangers’ reprieve for now – and I’ll return on Sunday to see where they figure into the standings.
Until then?
Then your favorite segment, you know…
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
