Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Call the FBI.
Without question, the Rangers, and as if they were paying homage to former New York Giant Plaxico Burress, have shot themselves in the foot a lot this season – and many times over at that – and especially whenever on home ice.
Following Sunday night’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights – and the Rangers’ home record dropped to 3-8-3 – but where for the first time this season – then this loss was more about the officiating than anything else.
Sure, and I must say this in order to be fair – and the Blueshirts did themselves no favors at all during tonight’s first period.
And while “you have to play a full sixty-minutes” is one of the truest adages in all of hockey – then at the same time – the Rangers also played a more complete sixty-minutes than their opponents did.
Or at the very least, the returning Jonathan Quick, a regular skinny dipper at the proverbial “Fountain of Youth,” did as such.
It must also be reminded to you in this space that due to the upcoming fugazi Olympic Games, and the Rangers, and just like the other 31 teams in the NHL, have been playing their centennial season under a compressed schedule.
This is my way of saying that I completely understood why the Rangers came out flat in the first period.
Heck, I predicted it!
This Sunday night soiree against the Knights marked the Rangers third game in a span of four days.
In addition, the Blueshirts, in their last four games, have also played some of the best teams in the league (Dallas, Colorado and Vegas – and hey – even Ottawa is a playoff team right now too) – and of course – without Adam Fox available to them in any of these contests.
That all said?
Then the Rangers, after getting a chance to find their legs, and perhaps after downing a few gallons of Red Bull too, came out like gangbusters in the second period.
After being out-shot 8-3 in the first period (and where Vegas was originally credited with eleven SOG – and that doesn’t include the two <DINGS> that they had either), then the Rangers out-shot the Knights, 16-6, in the middle period.
Down 1-0 early, as in just 36-seconds, following a goal by who else, former Ranger Brett Howden – and come the mid-mark of the second period – and the Rangers scored two goals themselves, and in a time-span of only 3:53 too – as Mika Zibanejad tied it – then Alexis Lafreneire put the Blueshirts ahead.
The team from The Strip, and as you’d expect, pushed back throughout the final frame – and as their 13-3 shots on goal advantage would tell you.
Of course, the fact that it was the road team that drew the only power-play of the game also pumped up the Vegas SOG – and where Quick valiantly made four saves in order for the Rangers’ penalty kill to finish as a perfect 1-1.
While penalties – or should I say “no calls” plagued this game (and that’s fine if it works both ways); but previous to the only power-play of the game, then NDA Panarin was tripped late into the second period, and when no call was made, the frustrated Breadman then high-sticked Brayden McNabb in his response.
This was our first glaring Exhibit A of piss-poor officiating.
As the Rangers and Quick continued to fend off long Vegas attack after long Vegas attack throughout the remainder of the third period – then boom – Exhibit B of piss-poor officiating.
With the score still 2-1, in favor of the home team, then down to 1:58 remaining – and Lee decided to box both Brett Howden and Will Borgen for off-setting roughing penalties.
Whether you’re a Ranger fan, a Knight fan or just a fan of the league in general, then everyone can agree when I say this:
YOU WOULD NEVER SEE SUCH A CALL IN A PLAYOFF GAME.
For all of the rough-stuff, scrums and other bouts of physicality that the referees allowed in this game (and again – I have no problems with this – in fact, I prefer it), then it was with under two-minutes remaining when Lee decided to make himself the story – and where after all of these sports gambling controversies – then you have to wonder if this NHL referee had some money on the Knights himself too.
The end result of this horrendous call was that the Knights, still trailing by one, were going to be able to pull their goalie and then employ a 5 x 4 empty net attack – which of course – would allow them more space and opportunities when compared to a 6 x 5 attempt.
Just 66-seconds later – and blammo – there was Marty Biron’s favorite player, Tomas Hertl, to tie the game at two goals a piece.
You can argue that the Rangers should’ve played better in the third period or crack down during crunch time – and you’re not wrong either should that be the debate you favor – but two conflicting things can be true too – and without question – the off-setting penalties, thus setting up this 5 x 4 goal, should have never been assessed.
Lee, who outside of betting on the road team, may have also bet on player props, and perhaps a Jack Eichel anytime goal too, wasn’t done yet.
Exhibit C of piss-poor officiating – and one that took place in the overtime period too:
Hey @NHL how does a player with the puck get tripped in blatantly obvious fashion at center ice and get nobody saw it?!? This is ridiculous.. #NYR pic.twitter.com/nev5xI3FPe
— Metsno1fan (@metsno1fan) December 8, 2025
As you can see from the video above – and not even a minute into the bonus time to boot – and Matthew Robertson was blatantly tripped.
No call.
But wait, Lee still had one more trick up his sleeve.
Down to just 16.9 seconds remaining – and prior to a potential shootout contest too; then, and following a Carter Hart save-and-freeze on Mika Zibanejad – and as a result – we had a Blueshirts’ o-zone faceoff to the left of the recently acquitted goaltender.
Lee dropped the puck.
Mika won the draw.
Lee then blew his whistle, as he thought that he didn’t drop the rubber in a fairly fashion.
After two false starts, as Lee’s hands must’ve been trembling with his big bets on the line; then Lee dropped the puck again – and where the puck fell directly to the blade of “OLD FRIEND” Howdy Doody himself, Brett Howden.
Eight-seconds later?
A Shea Theodore bank pass off the boards – and then an Eichel walkoff winner.
Four major offenses were committed against the Rangers on Sunday night.
Lee should be investigated – and where his crimes bruised up Quick’s numbers – and a JQ32 who, and without a doubt, should’ve left this game as a winner.
We can talk about every play from the 64:52 of hockey that we saw – and that’s all well-and-good as well – but without Chris “30% Promo Boost on NHL Parlays” Lee – and the Rangers win this game – and in regulation time to be specific!
And that’s why I’m not upset about the Rangers losing on home ice tonight – because for the first time during this centennial campaign – and it wasn’t 100% on them.
“Really? Zero power plays and you don’t call that? I don’t know. Again, we can’t control it. It stings now. We could probably look at other things that we could’ve done better not to get to that point, but thought that one was pretty obvious.” – Mika Zibanejad, on the Robertson no call – and where for the first time in a long time – and I finally enjoyed and agreed with what #93 said following a game.
“There was nothing going on,” said Sullivan, when asked if Lee had given him an explanation on the Borgen/Howden off-setting penalties.
“What gave it away?” was Sully’s response when asked if he was frustrated about it – as he was going nuts on the bench when it happened.
When pressed, Sully added, “I think the coincidental minors had a huge implication, right? There’s a big difference between a 6-on-5 and a 5-on-4 and trying to defend it. It had a huge implication. So we got to do a better job, obviously, in that situation and kill it off. It’s disappointing.”
While you could both see and hear the all-out frustration permeating throughout Sullivan’s body and facial reactions – but at the same time – the long-time hockey savant kind of bit his lip a bit too.
I thought that the Lee Pearl Harbor job against the Rangers could’ve led to Sullivan’s first signature moment as the bench boss of the Blueshirts.
In a way, then I was expecting Sullivan to pull a John Tortorella – and whatever fine he received afterwards – then so be it.
Plus, then you know he would have been reimbursed and protected anyway- and just like how Panarin was – and still is – by team owner James Dolan following #10’s sexual assault allegations and confirmed NDA and victim payout.
After all, had Sullivan went bonkers and blasted the league (Lee) for this loss – then I think it would’ve rallied every resident of Rangerstown, USA in a unified manner.
In a way, then a raging Sullivan post-game promo could’ve been akin to the infamous Jacob Trouba helmet toss from two-seasons ago.
The Rangers may have lost the battle – but they could’ve won the war with a fired-up Sullivan salvo.
And while this isn’t just exclusive to hockey – but this game was another example of how gambling is ruining sports – as there’s just no way that Lee is this bad at his job – or at least I don’t think that he is.
In the past eight-weeks alone, and we have had confirmed gambling scandals in the NBA, MLB, NFL and even in the UFC.
And don’t get me started on how money (although ESPN television rights money in this case – and as opposed to gambling dollars) robbed Notre Dame out of a college playoff football bid either!
(These blogs are long enough -and I could do 798678678678679878 words about the Fighting Irish getting screwed tonight too – so I’ll spare you tonight! Plus, I’m also extra salty after Don Mattingly was snubbed by the Hall of Fame voters on Sunday – so all of this news was a black-mark of hat tricks for yours truly.)
It’s sad when after watching Lee tonight – and the WWE referees have more credibility than him.
There are only two things that we can say about Lee after this travesty.
One, he’s so god-awful at his job, that in turn, he should be removed from it.
Two, and the most likely scenario, he was involved in some sort of gambling controversy.
And if the NHL doesn’t at least reprimand/punish him (and where in the best-case scenario – a full length investigation should be had) – then we’ll continue to see more of this.
I understand that “the human element” is part of sports.
We all make mistakes.
I know that you might not believe it – but I make mistakes too! (Perish the thought!)
That’s one thing.
To make four egregious and game-changing errors?
Then consequences must follow!
Making matters even worse?
Then, and as Brian Boyle on the M$GN broadcast even said too, was how Lee was so animated, as if he was a WWE referee, when exaggerating his calls.
Such buffoonery, when any official in any “real” sport makes themselves part of the show, is why these officials must be held accountable – including making these zebras available for post-game interviews.
After all, if Lee wants to act like a jackass and become part of the story (if not the the climax of the tale too) – then he must also answer for his actions as a result!
His phone should also be checked – and where it wouldn’t shock me to find out that he has a few sports gambling apps on it either!
But alas – and Gary Bettman and Co. will continue to bury their heads into the sand about this matter.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off, the Rangers’ Thursday night win in Ottawa:
Due to my own busy real-life schedule, both work and day-drinking included, then I wasn’t around on Saturday following the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Avalanche.
Just a few quick thoughts about the game, as I know that it’s already dated by now:
— It was nice to see Connor Sheary, the golden nephew-in-law, finally score his first goal as a Ranger.
— That said, and I still don’t know why he’s here, especially on the top-six, while Gabe Perreault continues to toil around in Hartford.
— It was also nice to see NDA Panarin score the Rangers’ second 6 x 5 equalizer of the season.
— We all know that Colorado is a freakin’ wagon – and despite the Avalanche dominating long stretches of the game – but the Rangers hung in there too.
— Going into the match, then I was expecting the Blueshirts to get blown out – and especially after Jared Bednar’s team suffered their second regulation loss in their previous game played (a 6-3 loss to the Islanders – ugh!)
— That’s why I was elated about the Rangers just getting a point – and where I’d even say that they passed this proverbial litmus test too.
— The Rangers’ special teams were a mixed-bag, as once again, and the five-forward power-play finished with another goose egg – as the man-up units finished 0-2.
— That said, and the Blueshirts’ penalty kill bounced back, as they went a flawless 2-2 – and against a power-play that features two of the best players in the league (Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar).
— CZAR IGOR was magical on Saturday, as he made 39 saves on 42 shots faced. Of the two goals surrendered, then MacKinnon, a former league MVP and one more time, one of the greatest players in the world today, scored them. This is just to say that in this “best vs best” match-up – and Mack won it – but at the same time – then at least #31 wasn’t getting beat by fourth-line no names and bottom-pair defensemen.
— For as fast and physical as Colorado is, then I was also happy to see the Rangers not afford that many odd-man rushes to a team that’s known for them.
— While it goes down as a loss, albeit with one-point netted in the standings; but I thought that Blueshirts did a marvelous job against the best team in the league – and all while missing their best skater too (Adam Fox).
Prior to Saturday’s matinee, then the Rangers announced that goaltender Spencer Martin had been returned to the Hartford Wolfpack, which in turn, meant that Jonathan Quick had been removed from his previous injured reserve status.
Following the overtime loss to the Avalanche, then the Blueshirts announced the following:
UPDATE: Jaroslav Chmelar has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack and Brennan Othmann has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 6, 2025
When it comes to the roster moves – then you should already know my reaction by now.
Quick was ready to return, so as a result, Martin had to go bye-bye.
This was obviously a no-brainer – and where despite this 3-2 overtime loss tonight – and it was Quick who allowed the Rangers to escape with at least one-point.
Due to the Adam Edstrom injury that nobody has any information about and the Blueshirts are going to Hartford for a 13th forward.
Othmann, with the varsity club during the past three matches prior to Sunday, never saw the ice.
He’s obviously a bust – but since he isn’t doing much in the AHL either – and Drury, who once considered Othmann “untouchable” when his team was at its peak (the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline – and I’m not going to explain everything again tonight – so check the archives of this site if you don’t know it already), can’t get an offer he likes in return for the 2021 first-round draft pick.
I thought that two things spoke volumes on Sunday.
One, Perreault wasn’t recalled – as Sheary still remains.
The Rangers need goal scoring, yet, and aside from a short one-time call-up earlier this season – and #94 remains howlin’ in Hartford.
I can understand if the Rangers kept Perreault at the AHL level had they had a team like they did in the 2023-24 season – but today?
Give the kid a shot.
The other thing that popped out to me was when Jaroslav Chmelar, who I thought played well and to his role during his first call-up here this season, was not only recalled in exchange for Othmann – but then played against one of the toughest teams in the league today – which the Vegas Golden Knights truly are.
ALLEGEDLY, and the Rangers view Othmann like Perreault – a top-six guy – and not as a bottom-sixer.
While I wouldn’t agree with such a notion; but I do agree with the organization that Chmelar is a good bottom-six fit.
And you already know how I feel about both Sheary and Taylor Raddysh – good depth pieces for a true contender – but that’s not these here 2025-26 Rangers – or at least in my own not-so-humble opinion!
In addition, then it’s also been my season-long prediction that both of these veterans are future one-and-done Blueshirts – so in turn – I’d rather see both Perreault and Chmelar in the line-up on a more consistent basis.
As we move out of this NEWS segment, then here is what Sully said after the 3-2 loss to Colorado:
Here was Sully’s line-up for the thirty-first game of this 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Miller/Trocheck/Sheary
SECOND LINE: Panarin/Zibanejad/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Laba/Berard
FOURTH LINE: Brodzinski/Carrick/Chmelar
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Schneider
SECOND PAIR: Soucy/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Robertson/Morrow
STARTING GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Taylor Raddysh and Urho Vaakainainen
DAY-TO-DAY: Adam Edstrom
LTIR: Matt Rempe 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
|
| 29 | 3 | 26 | .897 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64:52 | 0 |
|
VGK
|
|
Carter Hart#79
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 23 | 2 | 21 | .913 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 64:09 | 0 |
At 6:30PM, I tuned into the M$GN – and where it was announced that Carter Hart – and not Ranger Killer Akira Schmid – was going to make his second start of the season.
As opposed to Panarin, and Hart recently had real legal charges of a sexual assault nature levied against him.
No NDA would do for the former Flyer – and as a result – he lost two-years of his career.
Hart has since been acquitted of all charges – and since he’s been cleared (and where he’s publicly spoken about them too) – then I have no problem with him playing in the league.
Again, and I’ll just say it and move on, as I know that I’ve been beating this dead horse ever since it happened – and I just wish that Panarin, and like Hart did, would publicly speak out against all of the ill-talk about him.
But since the Rangers, their state media and every M$GN announcer will ignore what Panarin did – while also praising him at an incessant rate – then he also feels no obligations when trying to defend his name.
As long as he shaves his head and carries a flip phone – and all is good in Rangerstown, USA.
Perhaps Hart should shave his head and carry a flip phone too – and if that’s ever the case, and assuming that the NHL and Vegas beat reporters are just like the ones in New York – then he’ll be praised as the second coming of Jesus Christ!
Since Sieve Vagistat was left to his own devices tonight, then I skipped most of the pregame show.
Come 7PM, I returned my clicker to M$GN, and where two things of note were brought up:
One, tonight’s game marked Captain J.T. Miller’s 900th NHL career game – and his 402nd as a Ranger.
Of course, the prime years of Miller took place in-between his two Ranger stints.
The other thing was that with Kenny Albert out doing football, while Dave Maloney (only contracted for fifty games this season) had the night off – and M$GN gave us the best pinch-hitters in broadcasting, Alex Faust and Brian Boyle.
I’m telling you, then outside of Vagistat – and I love this new and improved M$GN crew.
Whether it’s Faust, Boyle or Dave Starman on TV (and as all three were tonight – as Starman was brought in as a TV analyst while also calling the game on the radio) – and M$GN has found a great back-up crew whenever all-stars, Albert and Maloney, aren’t around.
Plus, and as said about 7866779867986798678967896 times before on this site – and “THE KING OF COMMENTARY,” Henrik Lundqvist, may one day become a two-time Hall of Famer – as an Elmer Ferguson winner – as he continues to do ace and top-notch work as a studio analyst.
Holy crap, I’m already at word 7,500!
Let’s now get into tonight’s GAME REVIEW – and we’ll talk about everything else on the other side of this.
And of course, then I’m just going to hit the stuff that needs talking about – and for the complete play-by-play commentary, then check out my Tweeter/X feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
FIRST PERIOD
Mika lost the first draw of the game, which then resulted in Quick making his first save of the match on Noah Hanifin.
However, Vegas, and as they did a lot, stuck with the play, and in turn, and at just the 36-second mark too – and there was Howden, left all alone in-between the hash-marks, to capitalize on a feed from Mitch Marner, where previous to this, and the ex-Leaf forced a turnover on Vladislav Gavrikov:
36 seconds in Howden gets us rolling!#VegasBorn| @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/qlo3d1weGf
— VegasHockeyFreak (@VGKHockeyFreak) December 8, 2025
1-0, bad guys.
As noted earlier – and this first period was all Vegas.
In fact, the Rangers didn’t even register their third shot on goal until there was only six-seconds remaining in the frame.
Following the Howden goal, and Trocheck was left alone like Howden, but had his shot deflected away from Hart’s net.
As I would later go on to say (tweets don’t lie – and you can find them here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC ) – and the Rangers were extremely lucky that they escaped this period down by only one goal.
Very easily, and Vegas could’ve scored three, four or five goals – and you can credit Quick, and two rings of his post too, for that.
In addition, then despite how bad and flat the tired-and-gassed Rangers looked – and they didn’t take any lazy penalties during any one of the many chaotic and frantic Golden Knights’ elongated offensive attacks.
After Brandon Saad missed the net on an odd-man rush at the 2:20 mark, and a situation where he should’ve improved his team’s lead to 2-0; then Faust, and for whatever reason, said that Berard hadn’t scored a goal during his seven games.
Such a statement didn’t speak to the only thing that matters – THE EYE TEST – because Faust, while talking black-and-white numbers, failed to mention that Berard has created at least five goals this season – three on screens and two others after initializing-and-stabilizing a forecheck.
At the 6:44 mark, Howden almost had his second – and from the same spot from where he scored his first – but Quick was there.
As the Rangers only had one SOG at the board (Carson Soucy – who else?), and a Mika and Trocheck 2 x 1 odd-man rush failed when Mika put too much on a pass with 12:20 remaining.
Forty-seconds later, and Quick stopped Hertl – and where it felt that Vegas should’ve had a 4-0 lead at the time.
In Exhibit #87967866869 of why Sam Carrick should win the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award this season; then down to 10:31 remaining, and in a game where the Rangers were looking like shit in – and there was Carrick, once again, heeding the call and trying to jump-start his team – and as he did when he won a 10-9 round (even if this was more Greco-Roman wrestling than fighting) against Keegan Koleslar:
Sam Carrick trying to give #NYR a spark with the takedown on Keegan Kolesar pic.twitter.com/YV3An27If9
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) December 8, 2025
As Cuylle would later say during his first period intermission interview, and as Miller and others echoed after the game too – and this fight from Carrick, another win for that matter too, woke up the Blueshirts.
You won’t see that in any ANALytic.
EYE TEST ALWAYS!
The Rangers, who were playing their fifth second-leg of a back-to-back set this season, were 0-4 in these situations – and where they were also outscored by a tune of 12-2 too.
You can now update these numbers to 0-4-1 – and 15-4 too.
As Vegas had hit two irons, then down to 8:03 remaining – and after another Quick odd-man rush save too – and the SOG count was now 7-1, visitors.
As the Blueshirts were being caved into their own zone all period, then, and for whatever reason, and both Boyle and Faust doubled as Panarin’s agent – as they must’ve mentioned all of the points he has scored since shaving his head (but no mention about his five no-shows either – and especially against the Islanders).
This all felt like “Panarin Propaganda” – and similar to Lee having money on the game – then this felt like Faust and Boyle were paid-off by Panarin’s agent too!
Despite how bad the Rangers were in this period, and where the schedule most definitely caught up to them – and they only trailed by one goal come the end of the horn.
Furthermore?
Then, and until Lee’s late third period “heroics” – and Vegas never scored again either.
1-0, them, after 20-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, Vegas, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— SOG 11-3 – last #NYR SOG took place with six seconds left – and Vegas has two <DINGS> too.
— I think VGK will regret only getting one goal – should’ve easily had 3, if not 4.
— Had to expect the Rangers to come out flat, just gotta wake…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 8, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
This is what I said on social media in real-time as this period was set to commence:
“2P time and where you just hope the Rangers had IV’s of caffeine during the INT. Mika loses the draw and we are underway.”
And that’s what happened.
The third line, and is normally the case, started all of it – as they forechecked the hell out of Vegas – and then created several scoring chances too – including when Hart made a desperate stop on Berard at just the 1:53 mark.
Once the fourth line came on and Chmelar, off a Brodzinski rebound, almost caught Hart off-guard too.
Quick didn’t have to do much, but when the top talent in Vegas challenged him, and he was there for every save.
Hart, who did have some heart-breaking moments, robbed Sheary – then denied a Trocheck rebound too – and as he did with 13:30 remaining.
But after that?
Back-to-back Blueshirt red lights:
Mika Zibanejad ties the game at 1! pic.twitter.com/7G87XTX9yO
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 8, 2025
1-1.
On this goal with 10:52 remaining and Mika initially missed a wide-open net – but as you can see here – he didn’t miss his second try.
More important than that – and despite how bad the first period was – and the Rangers erased all of that with this tying score.
It was also reported to us that this Zibanejad goal was his 13th against Hart – and in only 15 games played against him.
That’s Alex Ovechkin vs Henrik Lundqvist numbers – or anyone against Sieve Vagistat!
Off the top of my head, and I can remember the Rangers, and twice at that, scoring nine goals against Hart’s Flyers – and where in both instances, Kris Knoblauch, subbing for a COVID-sick David Quinn, was behind the bench.
Then there were also a 7-goal and 8-goal Rangers’ explosion against the rebuilding Flyers too.
For everything negative that I’ve said about Mika in the past – then this is true too:
He’s been a MAJOR FLYER KILLER – and as this 13 goals against Hart in 15 games played stat/fact will tell ya!
Come 8:30 remaining and the score was tied 1-1 and where the SOG were now tied too – 13-13.
The Rangers’ 15th SOG was the best yet:
Alexis Lafreniere with an absolute SNIPE 😨
Puck might’ve came off the bar harder than it went in the net 🚨 pic.twitter.com/emv8odCtuj
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 8, 2025
The Blueshirts, who love their Harlem Globetrotter passing act, had such fancy passing pay off here – and where as a result – this was the sexiest goal that Lafreniere has scored ever since that backhanded breakaway that he scored three years ago.
This top-shelf job, right under the bar, put the score as 2-1, GOOD GUYS.
It should have also held up as the game-winner too – but that degenerate gambler in the Foot Locker jersey had different ideas.
Fifty-eight seconds following the goal – and Chmelar, who has only impressed during his brief NHL stints, tried to fight Ben Hutton.
Lee broke up the fight – then gave them off-setting roughing minors in return.
Why not let them fight?
This also set a precedent too – because you had two players looking to go at it – yet a pair of roughing minors.
Apparently, such physicality is also the equivalent of two players bumping into each other and having words – and as Howden and Borgen later had.
Down to 6:10 remaining and Hart made his best save yet – as he absolutely robbed Miller – and then he stopped Mika from point-blank range too.
As Boyle continued to call Lafreniere “elite” (cool the jets Boyler); and d-man Kaedan Korczak hit the Rangers’ iron for the third time.
As Vegas struggled to record a SOG and connect for two consecutive passes too; then down to 49.1 seconds remaining – and this is when Lee ignored a tripping infraction committed against Panarin – and then boxed the alleged sexual assaulter for a high-stick.
During these final seconds – and Cuylle had the best scoring chance – but his short-handed try was denied.
2-1, GOOD GUYS, through 40-minutes of play.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-1, #NYR, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— Pretty much what I said 20-min ago happened here – Vegas has to be kicking themselves for not running up the score in the first and in turn, the Rangers, now awake, made them pay.
— Vegas does have three <DINGS> tho.
— Said it earlier,…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 8, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
The Rangers killed off the final 1:11 of the Panarin penalty – and where Quick recorded four saves in all.
By the 4:30 mark – and Quick had already recorded six saves.
One more time – Quick, and without question, should have been the lede story and headliner of this game.
Eff Chris Lee.
As the Blueshirts battled, and Big Billy Borgen smushed Saad into the boards with 12:40 to go.
Twenty-seconds later, and Hart made another highlight reel save – and as he did when he denied the one-goal-this-season Sheary on a breakaway.
As Vegas pressed the issue, so much so that they went with four forwards/one defenseman; then Borgen, during a long Vegas attack that looked like a power-play, was able to block a shot and get it out of dodge.
Quick, rivaled, but never out-matched, then stopped Ivan Barbashev on a breakaway with 7:30 to go.
Sixty-seconds later, and during an 80-second Vegas attack – and a Quick poke check ended it.
As Quick made the saves and while the Rangers exited the zone too – and down to 1:58 remaining – the phantom off-setting Howden and Borgen roughing penalties.
And you know the rest.
I thought that Sullivan was going to “Chris Benoit” Chris Lee, and his whole entire family too, after Hertl tied the game:
Tomáš Hertl has a three-game goal streak. Eichel with the blast, Hertl chips it home, and the Golden Knights score with the goalie pulled.
2-2
— Hannah Kirkell (@h_kirk6) December 8, 2025
Sully, who was seeing a murderous red, called timeout after the goal – and where had he hopped over the boards and then slapped Lee’s jaw loose – and I would have fully applauded him.
It was during all of this where Boyle, perhaps channeling his inner Dave Maloney, did his best work.
Prior to, during and after the penalty – and Boyle was ripping Lee to shreds.
Boyle was furious with Lee’s animated theatrics – and he wasn’t a fan of the bullshit call either.
Boyle laid it all out for the people who couldn’t figure it out on their own – and when Hertl scored – the irate level only rose to a furious pitch.
Kudos to Boyle – where if you didn’t already know this about him – then he still bleeds blue!
2-2 after regulation.
Here’s what I said prior to the overtime:
2-2 after 60. OT is required. 3P Thoughts:
— Two schools of thought – you’d be happy to get a point out of this not just going into the game but most certainly after that first period.
— But of course #NYR deserved the regulation win for the final 40 minutes.
— Refs swung…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 8, 2025
OVERTIME
Most of this period was “foreplay” – as Borgen and Howden, just seconds into these five extra minutes, left their respective sin bins.
And no less than 40-seconds into this bonus time – and this is when Lee decided to fully lodge his own bulbous head into his own asshole – as he ignored Robertson being tripped.
YES, YES, and YES – I am not denying this:
The Rangers could’ve won this game in spite of Lee.
After all, they pretty much owned the puck for the first three-minutes of overtime.
But since they didn’t, then this allowed Lee to intervene, which in turn, allowed Eichel to end it:
GOLDEN KNIGHTS STUN THE RANGERS 🤯
Jack Eichel wins it for Vegas in the final seconds with the Subway Canada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/hZWaiOclQz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 8, 2025
3-2, bad guys, your final.
Furthermore, a pair of 3-2 overtime losses where two league greats, MacKinnon and Eichel, ended the Rangers’ night.
Where’s Panarin?
Shaving his head?
Allegedly raping another M$GN staffer?
Hmmm!
The Rangers will now receive a rare two-day break after this back-to-back weekend set.
The Blueshirts have an off-day on Monday, then will return to practice on Tuesday.
They will then return to action on Wednesday night – for a nationally televised game against their fellow Original Six rivals – the Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite the screw job tonight – and where you have to keep in mind of the games in-hand too – then here are your updated standings – and where for now – the Blueshirts, after a pair of loser points against the league’s elite – are now a wild-card team:
The Rangers, again, 2-0-2 without Fox, don’t exactly have the most intimidating schedule prior to the Christmas break – and where of course – it’s after Christmas, 12/27 to be specific, when the Blueshirts travel to the home of the Belmont Bozos, when Fox can first return (it’s being reported that he may not return until 2026 – so we’ll have to wait and see).
The Blueshirts have eight games remaining between now and presents time, and where during this octet of matches, they’ll play in these contests:
— 12/10 at Chicago
— 12/13 against Montreal
— 12/15 against Anaheim
— 12/15 against Vancouver
— 12/18 at St. Louis
— 12/20 against Philly
— 12/21 at Nashville
— 12/23 at Washington
While we already know that the Rangers, on ice, aren’t exactly what they are “on paper;” but a quick glance at the remaining games before Santa time isn’t really a murderer’s row of opposition.
Outside of Anaheim and Washington – and every other game is “winnable” – and after seeing the Rangers handle their own against Colorado and Vegas – and you shouldn’t rule out the Blueshirts against these first-place foes either.
But of course – and you can’t rule out the bottom-of-the-barrel teams against the Rangers either!
The Eastern Conference remains wide open.
While I will still contend that the Rangers won’t make the playoffs this season (and if they get there – then it will be a one-and-done) – these next eight games may determine their fate.
A Wednesday night win in the Windy City could become the start of a solidified postseason berth – but where a loss could also become the commencement of a fire-sale – and especially with Panarin’s pending unrestricted free agent status still unsettled.
After a ton of computer trouble tonight, it’s getting late for me, which for yours truly, means bed-time, which as a result, for you, means 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
