Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. The misery continues.
After all, if the Blueshirts had to lose again, and as they did tonight against Dallas, then couldn’t they have lost in regulation time?
Not only would such a loss have prevented the eventual prolonged pain, but it would’ve helped the Rangers’ draft lottery chances too!
(TANK FOR HAGENS!)
But for a team that just can’t get out of their own way this season, then an overtime loss at this juncture of the campaign shouldn’t surprise anyone either.
All of these never-ending losses, now a total of 22 as we approach the half-way mark of the season (18-20-2 – and where Thursday night’s game against the Devils is Game 41 of 82), makes it tough to come up with new things to say about these dreadful 2024-25 Rangers.
(Of note: I hope to post my annual Mid-Season Report Card blog sometime over the weekend – and where yeah – all of my grades are pretty predictable.)
Then again, for a team that constantly and continually finds new ways to lose – this squad also finds new ways to make the headlines – and where as you’d expect – all of the lede stories are of the negative nature.
As you’ll fully read below in the pregame news segment, then prior to puck drop tonight and the Rangers had a busy 24-hours during their off-day from the ice, as Matt Rempe was sent down and then recalled; another new player (and a reclamation project at that), Arthur Kaliyev, was brought into the fold; and Chris Kreider joined CZAR IGOR Shestyorkin on the injured reserve to bring in the rear.
If that wasn’t enough for you, then more rumors about Mika Zibanejad spread in Vancouver, as following a report from a week ago when David Pagnotta stated that #93 was willing to waive his no move clause – then Josh Yohe, who usually covers the Penguins, reported that Canucks’ general manager, Patrik Allvin, turned down a Chris Drury one-for-one trade request – and where had it been accepted – then Missing Mika would have been sent 3,000 miles away in return for former Ranger, J.T. Miller.
(And what does this say about that Miller/McDonagh trade from 2018 too? But alas, I’ve been down this road before with you guys and gals – and about 96786669876 times before too!)
Similar to Pagnotta’s initial report on this subject – and I remain leery in regards to what Yohe said.
I’m still waiting for the big guns, Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Weekes and/or Chris Drury’s official Public Relations Director, Larry Brooks, to confirm these reports/rumors.
In addition, and akin to ESPN who has just been having a field day whenever picking at the bones of this Blueshirts’ carcass – then I believe that there’s a whole lot of rumor mongering and single-sourced material being spread all over the place like wildfire.
If you don’t know by now, then the days of double-sourcing stories and fact checking are long gone – and especially for writers who work for click-bait and paywall websites – and where in some cases – these typists are only paid by the ad-revenue that they generate for their employer.
Furthermore?
It would be nice, and in an attempt to either deny or confirm these rumors, that if one of the Blueshirt beat reporters actually asked Zibanejad about this stuff.
While Missing Mika wouldn’t be able to tell any one of these scribes if he was actually offered to Vancouver for his former teammate; but at the very least, he’d be the best source when trying to get an answer in regards to if he has agreed to waive his NMC or not.
Similar to Vincent Trocheck recently telling the beat that the rumors of the team trying to get the GM fired were false, then Mika should do the same.
There was also the game played on Tuesday night – where not only did the Rangers manage to blow a three-goal lead – but they also lost Filip Chytil again – and where of course – everyone is quick to suspect another brain trauma incident sustained by the “Concussed Czech.”
Again, for a team that always finds new ways to lose – they invented another way on Tuesday night – as not only did they blow a three-goal lead – but they also lost their second overtime match of the season.
It wasn’t all bad, but following an opening 11:24 where the Rangers scored thrice over – and it was all downhill from there.
But truth be told, and even with Alexis Lafreniere scoring a deflection goal (6:56 mark), Trocheck doing the same (9:55 mark) and then the first-overall pick scoring his third goal in his last 21 games played (11:24) – and Dallas was still dominating the ice.
At the time, the Stars had ten shots on goal, while the Rangers had scored three goals on five shot attempts.
And as noted – two of the Ranger scores were of the deflection variety – but hey – good things happen when you shoot the puck.
The Stars, who never relented despite their three-goal deficit, continued to own zone possession time.
A bevy of odd-man rushes led to nineteen Dallas SOG – but “only” seventeen saves for Jonathan Quick – who was hoping to leave M$G on this cold January night as the first American-born goalie with 400 wins to his name.
Matt Duchene, off of a deflection, brought the game to 3-1 at the 12:57 mark.
A Braden Schneider penalty, which then put the Stars on the power-play, allowed Evgenii Dadanov to score a man-up goal at the 15:56 mark – and on another shot that Quick had no chance in hell on.
As the two teams took to their respective locker rooms at the first intermission, then, and to go along with Dallas’ impressive SOG totals was one <DING>.
Come the second period, and the Stars would hit iron twice more.
The Blueshirts, who were able to stymie their opponents for about a ten-minute stretch during the second stanza, couldn’t hold down the fort.
During a chaotic sequence on a long Dallas attack, Will Borgen lost his stick (then played without it for 41-seconds while no Ranger forward offered up his piece of lumber), which then allowed Jason Robertson to tie the game with a backhander.
3-3 – and a score which remained come the first puck drop of the final frame.
As the Stars kept on pressing, it were the Rangers, who had already imploded, that were able to fight back a bit, as Trocheck, following a Dallas penalty for airmailing a puck over the glass, was soon allowed to deflect his second puck into the net of Stars’ goaltender, Jake Oettinger, which in turn, put the Blueshirts ahead, 4-3, and with a scamp 7:04 remaining.
But old habits die hard.
And they haven’t died yet.
Following a play where Mental Mika missed the net on a dead-to-rights breakaway; come three-minutes remaining and Panarin spearheaded a 3 x 2 odd-man rush.
Looking for the dagger insurance goal – and “The Breadman” missed the net.
As they say, “hockey is a game of inches” – and such inches went straight up the Rangers’ five-hole after this errant attempt.
As Dallas retrieved the puck and made their way into the N.Y. zone, there was the usual repeat offender, K’Awful Minus Miller, who was just lackadaisical with the puck – and rather than chipping it up the ice and clearing the rubber – instead – he turned it over – and where right after this boneheaded play, then allowed Thomas Harley to knot things up at four goals a side with 2:39 remaining.
Somehow, and I didn’t expect this at the time either – and the Rangers were able to escape with a point in the standings – as they were able to fend off the Stars from finding goal #5 during the final seconds of regulation time.
Enter Panarin once more.
Just 25-seconds into the bonus period and with Wyatt Johnston set to cross the blue line – and the Star was hooked by a bread stick.
Since the Rangers have a knack for sucking the life out of you for as long as they can, then with just eight-seconds remaining on what was looking to be a successful penalty kill – and there was Jamie Benn for the 4 x 3 power-play goal – and the 5-4 walkoff winner too.
To make matters worse, Chytil, who has been playing extremely well this season during the rare times when he’s not hurt, was dinged up late towards the end of the second period, which as a result, he never returned to this contest.
Following the game, and the clown head coach, Peter Laviolette, just gave his usual stock answer of “day-to-day” and “he’s being evaluated.”
Bad things happen to bad teams – including never-ending injuries – and where let’s face it:
Despite Chytil pretty much missing all of last season, then the Rangers have been on the right side of this fortune of fate during the past several years – and especially when compared to their peers.
It’s just bad play – and bad luck – all-around for these miserabes.
It’s also becoming a lost season too – and while I know that one major run could swing things – I’m not banking on it.
Heck, going into this game and I was predicting that this match would become the first game of an eventual five-game losing streak.
(One down, four to go.)
While Dallas didn’t blow out these bums as I was expecting – the end result was still the same – and with the Devils, Golden Knights, Avalanche and the all-mighty Utah Hockey Club next on the schedule – then I don’t expect to see Quick win the 400th game of his career for sometime – nor the Blueshirts to go sticks up at center ice either.
At this time, let’s get the disclaimer segment out of the way before talking about everything else in regards to Dallas downing New York.
However, I do want to remind you that this disclaimer has always implied that the Rangers would reach the playoffs.
In other words, and for the first time in four seasons as well – it’s now high time to start judging these guys in the regular season too.
After all, there may be no post-season in New York this year.
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 down, forty-two to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matter, begin.
But at this rate – will the Rangers even be there for the real hockey?
I still wouldn’t bet on it.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – The Paper Tiger Blueshirts beating the worst team in the league:
NYR/CHI 1/5 Review: The Paper Tiger New York Feelings Finally Blowout An Opponent; But Consider The Competition Too, Rangers’ Alumni and Fathers Speaking Out, Team USA Gives Hope For A Brighter Blueshirts’ Future; Wins Another Gold Medal, Kreider Injured, Quirky Original Six Stat, Welcome Back Jonny Brodzinski; Zac Jones Remains in Lavy’s Doghouse, ESPN/Captain Cally & More
The Rangers, following their weekend road-trip where they played a pair of back-to-back matinees in Washington and Chicago, had Monday off.
But of course, and since this team just can’t stay out of the news, then the day wasn’t without something to talk about either.
The first news item was in regards to Matt Rempe, who despite still having one game left to serve of his current eight-game suspension, was sent down to Hartford.
For those unaware, then in order for Rempe to serve the full-term of his suspension, then he must be on the NHL roster, as he is unable to be credited with time served while receiving an AHL paycheck.
Following Rempe’s latest “demotion,” it was soon revealed why, as at 2PM EST, it was announced that the Blueshirts had claimed Arthur Kaliyev (now formerly of Los Angeles) off of waivers.
Here’s what the organization had to say about the claim, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-claim-arthur-kaliyev-off-waivers :
In a way, then this Kaliyev pick-up can be compared to the Rangers’ trade of Kaapo Kakko to Seattle.
While Kakko was traded, rather than waived-and-claimed like Kaliyev; but either way, then this was still another case of a high-end pick from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft wearing out his welcome, and in turn, thus requiring a fresh start.
Kaliyev’s NHL career, just like Double K, has been rocky.
Heck, even prior to being drafted nearly six-years ago, and you had professional scouts labeling him as “divisive,” and where in one of these reports, his “hostile personality” was compared to the likes of Tony DeAngelo and Josh Ho Sang.
But just to give you the other side of it, and much like DeAngelo, and somewhat like Ho Sang, and Kaliyev was also described as having “limitless talent,” hence the reason why he was drafted so high in the first place.
Then again, there was also one NHL scout who said that he saw the Uzbekistan-turned-American play in ten games – and where he couldn’t recall anything positive that the right-winger had done in any of them.
In The City of Angels, Kaliyev had been the odd-man out more times than he’d like, including in the present, which is why he was waived, as the recently injured Kyle Burroughs was ready to return.
Kaliyev, who as mentioned in the Rangers’ press release, has spent all but two of his twenty-three years as a Staten Island resident, needed a change – and perhaps playing for his hometown team could be what the doctor ordered.
Kaliyev, who never had any real consistent success in L.A., began this 2024-25 campaign on the injured-reserve, as he fractured his clavicle during the team’s training camp.
Once healthy and able to return as the calendar was set to flip – and the Kings made him a healthy scratch – and as they had done in the four consecutive games where Kaliyev could have played.
Current L.A. bench boss, Jim Hiller, wasn’t the first black-and-silver head coach to scratch the young man either, as last season, Todd McLellan, prior to being fired, had done the same.
At one point, and when asked about his decision to make a healthy scratch out of Kaliyev and McLellan said that he needed to see more out of his player – both on and off-of-the-ice – and where the head coach even added that his right-winger needed to be a better fit – and <GULP> – a better teammate too.
And what place like the high-pressured and fractured locker room in New York for Kaliyev to pick up the pieces?
If Kaliyev had become a malcontent on the other coast, then I can only imagine what it’s going to be like here – and where this general manager has already run his captain (Jacob Trouba), alternate captain (Barclay Goodrow) and former second-overall pick (Kakko) out of town.
And let’s face it:
Things have gotten so bad in the Rotten Big Apple, a team with no leadership, where it was non-letter man Vincent Trocheck – and not the present soft-spoken alternate captains such as Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin – that had to publicly dispel rumors that the players held a meeting with the hopes of getting their boss, their general manager, fired.
What a thriving environment for Kaliyev to walk into!
That said, Kaliyev is only on a contract that annually pays him $825K, so if things don’t work out, then it’s no big deal.
It should also be opined that Kaliyev, who has now flamed out of one locale, should be on his best behavior during this second chance. And again, playing for his hometown team, or at least in theory, should give him some extra “oomph” too.
So that was Monday. Let’s now get into Tuesday.
As discussed in this space on Sunday night (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/1524/ ), then it wasn’t going to be until Tuesday morning where we’d get a health update on Christopher James Kreider.
Prior to the Rangers’ pregame/morning skate, then it was announced that Kreider had been placed on the injured-reserve – and retroactive to Sunday, January 5th.
In turn, then the next time that Kreider can play, assuming that he recovers by then, would be on Tuesday, January 14th, when the team is in Colorado.
After now missing games against the Blackhawks and Stars, and Kreider will also be unavailable on Thursday when the Rangers host the Devils, and then on Saturday too, when the Blueshirts have their annual one-day residency in Las Vegas.
And who knows, perhaps Kreider doesn’t even travel with the Rangers when they head out west for a three-game swing either, as following the 1/14 game against the Avalanche, the club will then visit Utah for the first time in franchise history, and as they will on Thursday, January 16th.
Following the trip, and just to look ahead, and the Rangers will then return home for a game against Columbus on Saturday, January 18th.
I find this Kreider stuff to be both interesting and telling.
As previously talked about on this site, then we already know that Kreider has back issues and where he even said (right after “THE MEMO” was released) that he was “damaged goods.”
While what Kreider said could have been a tactic in order to turn off potential suitors; he’s now missing games today, so in turn, we then have to assume that there’s a modicum of truth in all of that.
It also makes you wonder why Kreider was publicly humiliated right before Christmas when Peter Laviolette made him a healthy scratch against the Devils (December 23rd).
Knowing Kreider’s ailment, and what he said too – then the Rangers, and the clown head coach as well – could have very easily said that CK20’s back had flared up and that he was being held out for precautionary measures.
But since this is a bad team – and one that can’t get out of their own way either – then the franchise decided to embarrass a player who arguably should have his jersey hanging from the rafters of M$G one day.
Furthermore, and when looking ahead, then Kreider, who is on Team USA’s Four Nations Tournament roster (set to begin on February 12th), shouldn’t be allowed to play one match in this money grab gimmick of games.
As opined last time around, then whether you want Kreider to stay here for a playoff run or traded for the future, then either way, you need him healthy.
Playing what really amounts to meaningless exhibition matches isn’t what’s best for a player whose back issues are now costing him games during this pivotal point, the half-way mark too, of the season.
During the morning skate and Kaliyev, wearing #34, was there.
It was also announced that after being demoted one day earlier in order to accommodate the Staten Islander, that Rempe had been recalled, another corresponding roster move, with Kreider out.
In turn, Rempe was able to serve the final game of his suspension on Tuesday night – and if Lavy isn’t completely retarded, then he’ll be able to deploy the REMPESTEIN MONSTER on Thursday night – when the Blueshirts are due to dance with the Devils again.
Following the light practice and Laviolette said that he wasn’t going to throw Kaliyev right into the mix, as instead, he was going to use the same line-up that he used on Sunday – and where he noted how well the team had played in that rare win.
(He also added that Jonathan Quick would return to net – and in an attempt to win game #400 of his career.)
Lost in such Laviolette fake news nonsense was how bad the last-place team of the league had played during that matinee.
But of course, with Rempe unable, Kreider hurt and Kaliyev to yet have a true full practice with his new club, then alternative options were extremely limited.
As far as anything else, and yep – Zac Jones remains in Lavy’s doghouse – and where he might not get another bone until he’s traded elsewhere.
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the fortieth game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Brodzinski/Mika/Smith
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Chytil/Berard
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Vesey
FIRST PAIR: Lindgren/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Miller/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: Louie Domingue
BANISHED TO HARTFORD ONLY TO THEN BE SCAPEGOATED AGAIN: Matt Rempe
IR: CZAR IGOR and CHRIS KRIDER
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Zac Jones and Arthur Kaliyev
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
|
| 39 | 5 | 34 | .872 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62:17 | 0 |
|
DAL
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 25 | 4 | 21 | .840 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 62:17 | 0 |
Tonight was the annual “Hockey Fights Cancer Night” broadcast, so I’ll try to keep my usual dim-witted barbs to a minimum.
This broadcast featured three men who successfully fought off cancer – Dave Maloney, Brian Boyle and Joe Micheletti.
Soon enough – and John Giannone will become the fourth to do so:
MSG Networks and the New York Rangers stand with John, and we are proud that he chose ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ Night to share his story and encourage others to get tested early. #HockeyFightsCancer@NYRangers | @jaygeemsg | @VallysView pic.twitter.com/RMddEYJDOH
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) January 8, 2025
I think it goes without saying, but let’s put it in black-and-white anyway:
GOOD LUCK JOHN GIANNONE.
WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU.
And despite all of my daily Vagistat jokes – and don’t worry – I got another bad one coming below – but it was heart-warming when Giannone thanked Steve Valiquette for lending him assistance during this fight – and you could also tell that Giannone and Valiquette’s relationship goes far behind the normal co-worker bond.
But not even Hockey Fights Cancer night can deter me from providing you with horrible comedy.
This is my way of saying that while tonight’s awareness cause was noble, but I’m also not so sure that I needed to begin the broadcast (on an illegal streamer to boot!) with John Giannone telling us stories about having his asshole probed.
Speaking of assholes, then sadly, Sieve Vagistat, after a two-week break, was back.
However, and at least, and for the first time this season as well, we also had a three-man panel, as both “The King of Commentary,” Henrik Lundqvist, and cancer survivor, Brian Boyle (chronic myelogenous leukemia), were there too.
And yes – I’m going to hell too – but please – take these bad jokes as if you were attending a stand-up comedy show – and live from your own seat at your home or work-place!
(Try the veal that’s leftover in your fridge!)
After all, the Rangers are so horrendous that I am reduced to find some way to entertain you!
But one more time, and seriously speaking, I hope to hear Giannone tell us how he’s cancer-free in the near-future – and my respect to Valiquette for going above-and-beyond for a friend.
As far as the pregame show goes, then it was mainly the M$GN crew telling us about their battles with cancer – and how we should all we get checked out too.
I have to admit, this personally hit me, as I’m now past the age (I’m 42 – most experts say you should get tested at 40 – and sometimes earlier than that if you have a family history) and I have yet to get tested myself.
I guess that I’m just trying to avoid a run-in with Dr. Sausage Fingers at the local urologist – and especially since I heard that they don’t knock you out for this exam anymore – and if my five-hole is going to violated, then I rather not be conscious for it!
(I already told you – I’m full of crappy comedy tonight!)
And can’t they just make a prostate cancer test, akin to a COVID test?
Then again, I’m not so sure about an anal swab either!
And I gotta stop with these poor jokes too – as after all – we have a bigger joke to dissect tonight – the New York Rangers!
Come 7PM, and Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti hit our illegal streams – and where of note – once I get the time this weekend – then I’m cutting the cord.
It’s just too easy to illegally stream these games – and thank you Optimum for making this fact crystal clear to me.
I’ll also be saving somewhere near $175 a month by doing so, but I’ll most likely use some of these future savings to purchase a service where I can watch M$GN and the NHL legally anyway – as admittedly – I did have some buffering issues tonight – but only during the third period.
After Rosen proudly shrieked, “OH JOE, CANCER HAS TOUCHED ALL OF US JOE AND NO MEANS NO JOE!” (Okay, he didn’t say anything else after the second “Joe,” as I’m just being silly); then the soon-to-be retiree, and I’m not making this up either, then spent the next three-hours going bat-shit crazy about Brendan and Reilly Smith.
As you all long know by now, and whether it was the Staal’s in the past or the Hughes’ of today – and nobody, and I mean nobody, gets more cum-in-your-pants excited about two siblings playing this sport than Mr. Rosen.
At one point during this Smith slobberfest – then I thought that the fans sitting under him would require an umbrella – and in order to prevent themselves from being showered with DNA produced from Sam’s schmekel.
I just don’t know what it is, but Rosen was as giddy as a schoolgirl whenever non-stop yammering on-and-on about the Brothers Smith.
Following a salute to some cancer survivors (including a touching moment when a young kid rung a bell to signal that he won his fight), we then went to the National Anthem – and where it first became obvious – there were a lot of Star fans in-attendance – as these Dallas supporters belted out their usual stuff (such as “Stars”) throughout.
You later heard these fans during all four Dallas goals – and they were at their loudest following the fifth-and-final Star score.
And finally, and some 7,000 words later – GAME REVIEW time.
FIRST PERIOD
As M$G hosted this most noble night, while their greedy network continued their cancerous battle with an even greedier cable provider; then Trocheck lost the first draw of the game, as Roope Hintz won this first battle at the dot, which then led to the first of many never-ending Dallas attacks.
As Rosen was still going on about the Smith brothers, then Quick made his first of 34 saves, on Duchene, and as he did at just the 56-second mark.
Conversely, the Rangers didn’t register their first SOG until the 5:13 time-stamp – an easy save for Oettinger against Zero Zibanejad.
Since I always tell you about my gambling wins, then I must do the same about my gambling losses – as I had a prop bet on an anytime Nils Lundkvist goal (+1400).
I almost hit it too – as at the 4:30 mark, the former crybaby of the Blueshirts had an open net to shoot at it, but Adam Fox, and as if he was proposing, then got down on one knee and blocked the shot.
Fox would later make a similar block – and it would be nice if Miller took anything out of these shot blocks too.
Once Rosen was done wiping his mouth after talking about the Smith brothers, he then gave us his Ode To Evgenii Dadonov – who of course – would later score in this game.
Bless Sam’s heart.
As Quick was stopping everything early, including a back of the right leg save made on Logan Stankoven with 14:05 to go; then over in the Dallas end, it said something when Miro Heiskanen was able to bump off and knock down the 6’8″ Adam Edstrom.
And of course – Heiskanen didn’t have to worry about Matt Rempe in this rematch from last month either.
Lundkvist, who didn’t score tonight, helped set-up up the first Ranger goal of the game – and as he did with 13:04 remaining:
Laffy opens the scoring. No punches to the face this time for him scoring. #NYR pic.twitter.com/3m9izm6rY7
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 8, 2025
Following a pass from Panarin, Lafreniere, who entered this game with only one goal in his last twenty games played, shot the puck, Lundkvist got a piece of it and Oettinger was unable to make the last-second save.
1-0, Feelings – and despite being out-played – they were winning where it mattered.
Up next saw Benn miss on an odd-man rush, while Quick made a glove save on Harley with 11:04 remaining.
As you already know by now – then Benn and Harley would later become heroes.
Out of a TV timeout and Laviolette told Giannone that he wanted his team to play heavy.
If they were only as heavy as Lavy’s hand whenever applying that sickening black shoe polish to his follicles, then they’d be 82-o this season.
After a god-awful Mental Mika turnover, Quick bailed out his third line center with a stop on Robertson with 10:20 remaining.
Speaking of turnovers, the Stars created twice the amount that the Rangers created (14-7).
And really, until the final five-minutes of regulation or so, and Dallas was also out-shooting New York at a 2:1 clip too (39-25 in total).
Following the Mika turnover/Quick save, the GAG LINE 2.0 hopped on – and boom – 2-0, Feelings, just like that:
Trocheck makes it 2-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/riIQO1DXxj
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 8, 2025
Trocheck, starring in the role as Chris Kreider, deflected a Borgen shot past Oettinger.
Again, good things happen when you shoot the puck.
Not even two-minutes later and Lafreniere applied this life lesson – and picked up the 3-0, Feelings, goal after his successful breakaway:
Laffy with his second Goal of the game makes it 3-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/zknXzTvDlb
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 8, 2025
I can’t lie – and I’m not making this up either:
Despite the Rangers leading by three-goals at this point – and I still thought that Dallas would come back and win.
I mainly believed this because there was still a lot of hockey left to be played – and also because I haven’t missed a minute of this woeful season either.
The Stars, who as a reminder, were the better team on the ice during this period and even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect that, only needed ninety-seconds when starting to dig themselves out of this 3-0 hole:
One at a time. pic.twitter.com/CwzUmm2ezh
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 8, 2025
3-1, Feelings, following Duchene’s deflection.
At the time, this felt sneaky, in an “excuse me” type of way – but I’m telling you – I felt it in my bones – I knew this would become the beginning of the Blueshirts’ end (live tweets don’t lie).
Immediately after the goal and Duchene almost got another one during an odd-man rush – but Lindgren was there to break it up.
Down to 5:39 remaining and this is when Schneider held/took down Stankoven.
This was the first of two Stars’ power-plays – and they scored on both of them – as the league’s former best penalty kill in the league continues to drop off.
Here’s Dadanov’s rebound goal:
Daddy’s got us within one! pic.twitter.com/LJGkpDRBOG
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 8, 2025
Really Dallas?
You call him “Daddy?”
It was Hockey Fights Cancer Night – not Pride Night!
(The bad jokes never end on this site!)
For whatever reason, and with the Rangers on the verge of blowing this three-goal lead; this then led Rosen into another Smith lovefest – and where I really thought that he was going to pull down his pants and jerk himself off to kingdom come.
Included during this “Smith Brothers: This Is Your Life” segment, were camera shots of Mother Smith and Third Brother Smith, as Father Smith was under the weather and unable to attend.
And during this time, I wanted a blacksmith to affix a metal piece over Rosen’s pie hole.
To close the period – and the Stars just missed Quick’s net by an inch.
3-2, Feelings, after twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
3-2, Feelings, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
—- Dallas largely dominated that period. 18-8 SOG advantage.
—- Only difference this game is that the GAG LINE 2.0 seems to have woken up.
—- #NYR are prone to bad second periods.
—- Quick is not only the reason for the lead, but why Dallas…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 8, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
As this period was set to begin, then I was just waiting for Rosen to recount to us every single time when the Smith parents fornicated.
Again, I just don’t get his mania over siblings.
But yep – I’ll miss Rosen when he’s gone too.
After all, he gives me a ton of material to work with!
Just 17-seconds into this period and Dallas almost had their tying goal, but a Robertson shot had hit the iron – and the second time where the Stars elicited a <DING> sound throughout M$G.
To their credit, and the Rangers were then able to slow down their opponents for a bit – but it didn’t last for long.
Furthermore, they could never get one past Oettinger this period either.
At the 1:12 mark, the Rangers had a chance to double their lead, as Lundkvist had hooked Zibanejad.
This is when Rosen dropped these stats on us:
— The Stars’ PK had only given up one PPG in their last twelve games, and where they had killed 25 of their last 26 opposing power-plays.
— The Rangers’ power-play was 1 of their last 31 – and a streak that encompasses eleven games.
The law of averages weren’t defied here – and where it was actually the Blueshirts’ second unit that out-shined the PP1 quintet during these two-minutes.
As Rosen came up for some air after the failed power-play, he then demanded us that we bet our balls off while attending the uber-pricey annual Casino Night.
If you got a tux and five-figures to blow – then gambling with these losers should be right up your alley.
More salt in the wound?
While taking pictures with the players at Casino Night is encouraged; autographs are forbidden.
Up next featured a long Rangers’ attack, as set-up by the fourth line – and with Sam Carrick just absolutely rocking the world of Ilya Lyubushkin.
This was a clean hit near the boards, but vicious nonetheless.
This also showed us why the NHL is completely a Mickey Mouse/garage league when compared to the other major sport leagues in the country.
Despite Lyubushkin’s eyes rolling in his head as if he was “The Undertaker” from WWE – and he wasn’t able to receive medical attention until there was a stoppage in play.
There were a lot of problems with this.
For a league that allegedly promotes player safety – and the NHL concussion spotters needed several minutes when determining if Lyubushkin should be checked out or not.
Then, and when these doctors thought that Lyubushkin should get a once-over – they needed a stoppage in order to get him off from the bench and to the zamboni doors at the far end of the ice.
We didn’t get a stoppage for five-minutes in real-time.
While Lyubushkin wasn’t convulsing or anything as severe as that; this was time lost for an injured player that required medical attention.
Furthermore, and Lyubushkin never returned to the game either.
Too bad this wasn’t Hockey Fights Concussion Night – but then again – the “c-word,” concussion, has been banned by League Fuhrer, Gary Bettman.
As we got beyond the half-way point of this period and game – and this is when the Stars would be stymied no more.
Down to 8:09 remaining and Bourque hit a post, the third rattling that Quick heard.
Up next was the aforementioned shift where Borgen lost his stick and the Stars capitalized on the Rangers’ inability to address a problem that you solve at the mites level:
ZAPPY! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/jr6YtQ9NwF
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 8, 2025
3-3.
Three-goal lead blown too.
I had some fans on Elon Musk’s app ask me if this was a coaching issue or not.
In my eyes (and keep in mind – I never played past the high-school level), then I thought that this was exclusively a player issue.
After all, all that Lavy could do here was scream at his three forwards to give Borgen their stick after his twig laid broken in pieces on the white sheet.
To me, this was all about a lack of a defensive awareness.
And yep – these things happen when you’re a bad team too.
A round of applause goes out to “Jumpin'” Joe too – as he was completely irate about the fourth line forwards for not giving up their stick to their d-man.
Of course, “The Fabulous One” was a defenseman during his heyday in the league.
Come 5:55 remaining and with a chance to regain the lead – and Miserable Mika, on a breakaway, airmailed a puck into the Phish banner at M$G – and where it looked like the dry-haired Swedish hippie was on the pot like the hippie band too.
Dallas continued to hem and haw at Quick, but we remained tied after forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
3-3 after 40. 2P thoughts.
— Dallas really could have ten goals on the board, but Quick has 25 saves and where half of them were of the high danger variety.
— #NYR only 16 SOG.
— Stars also have hit iron three times too.
— Only bad thing about a stream is that I’m about 3…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 8, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
As noted earlier – Chytil never returned to the game after the second intermission.
The always reliable hardcore fan, @DaveyUpper, on X, a must-follow for any Blueshirt backer, posted two clips of Chytil’s final shifts from the second stanza:
Here’s Chytil last shift. It was the tying goal. Next shift, Mika took his spot. #NYR pic.twitter.com/kwSu0mKZmy
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 8, 2025
I deleted a tweet of Chytil because i seen his last shift was at 4min mark.. Here it is. #NYR pic.twitter.com/EjfK6bQ0QT
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 8, 2025
After watching both of these clips (and the first one may be deleted by the time that you read this) – and I still don’t know what could have caused Chytil’s latest injury.
As you’d suspect – and everyone is worried about another concussion.
There’s no point in rehashing all of my usual Chytil talking points again – but yeah – I rather see him retire – instead of seeing him as a vegetable by the time he hits the age of thirty-years-old – or worse than that – more senile than Sam Rosen.
For a Ranger team that took another L tonight – then it should be said that they were without their best player from the past two-weeks during this do-or-die third period.
Let’s breeze through these twenty-minutes, as assuming you’re still with me here – I’m already up to word 10,000 – and I’ve gone on long enough. (I’m also past my bedtime too!)
As Panarin continued to shoot everything wide, we soon had two scoring chances for either side, as both Robertson and Trocheck missed easy open nets – and as they did at around the seven-minute mark.
Down to 8:40 remaining and this is when the Rangers, via Twitter/X, officially announced that Chytil had been ruled out of the game with an upper-body injury.
It was also at this moment when Harley motored a puck over the glass – and a delay of game power-play awarded to the Blueshirts.
The PP1 unit began this most pivotal power-play, but down to 43-seconds remaining and the puck went out of play.
For a head coach that I’ve raked through the coals before for not using his timeouts wisely; then Laviolette took a smart timeout here.
While some may have wanted to see the PP2 group; without Chytil (and Lafreniere too – as he took over Kreider’s spot on PP1), then the better odds were with the first five-some.
As the seconds on the man-up time were melting down to triple zeroes, then this is when Trocheck deflected a Zibanejad shot past Oettinger for the 4-3, Feelings, go-ahead goal:
Trocheck!! It’s a Power Play Goal!. #NYR pic.twitter.com/RPEagpmgmU
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) January 8, 2025
But since the Rangers can’t have anything nice, then they couldn’t protect this new-found and returned lead either.
As M$G was oozing electricity following the power-play goal – and the plug was soon pulled out.
Down to 3:00 remaining, and while on a 3 x 2 odd-man rush – and Panarin missed the net.
This then led to this:
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 8, 2025
4-4 – and the second blown Rangers’ lead of the game.
Listen, I know that everyone and their mother wants to tar-and-feather Miller right now – but c’mon – this play should have never happened.
After all, Zac Jones should have been playing for him!
Seriously speaking though, but if your best player, the greatest free agent signing in franchise history too, Artemi Panarin, had just hit the net – then this Dallas attack never ever happens.
Ditto this Miller miscue.
Granted, Panarin missed, so Dallas did go into the New York end, which is my way of saying that Miller isn’t off of the hook here either – and where this season – a regression of a campaign for him – and it feels like he’s due for one bad goal allowed in every game played yet.
Similar to other terrible situational hockey that this team regularly exhibits – and all Miller had to do here was chip the puck up off of the boards – or hell – even taking an icing would have been acceptable.
Instead, he got lazy, Dallas took advantage of this cocky behavior – and boom – tie game.
And since I always like to tell you when I’m wrong (I know – these times are rare – har-har-har), then I really thought that the Stars would score one more in regulation.
That didn’t happen, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying, as with 2:10 remaining, it was all Dallas from this point on – and where they had a 39-21 SOG advantage at this moment too.
Four-all after sixty.
Overtime, and for the second time this season (first occurrence took place during the home-opener – the 6-5 loss to the former Coyotes).
Here’s what I said at the time:
4-4 after 60. #NYR playing their second OT game of the season. Thoughts:
— Well they got a point in the standings – and one they probably didn’t deserve either, considering they blew a three goal lead, Dallas hit three posts and they are almost being out-shot 2:1.
— Wonder…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 8, 2025
OVERTIME
Panarin penalty, Benn goal.
5-4, bad guys, your final – and the first time when the Stars ever “led” the game too – aka – “The Rangers’ Way.”
Here’s a man that I’ve grown to detest this season, Bozo The Clown, or my original moniker for him – LATERALETTE:
Kudos to part-time beat reporter (he doesn’t do road games), Jonny Lazarus, for asking Laviolette about his deployment of Miller.
(Furthermore – no one asks better questions than Lazarus too – and I hope that he gets a full-time gig one day – as he’s much better than his competition. I also enjoy how he previews the opponent before games too, as it give you a different insight. A message for Mr. J.L.? Just don’t be like the rest of them – as I don’t care what you eat at M$G!)
As far as the player interviews went, then of course, only Trocheck talked to the media, while Zibanejad, Panarin and Miller were nowhere to be seen.
As far as anything else before hitting our go-home segment; then I thought that Henrik Lundqvist was far too nice about this loss during the M$GN post-game show.
I get the levity of the night and how the Rangers almost actually won a litmus test game too (now 2-15 on the season), but if it were him in goal on this night – then he’d be having one of his infamous temper tantrums – and if he wasn’t politicking to get another head coach fired (John Tortorella), then he’d at least be asking Laviolette to give Miller a timeout.
Last bad joke of the night?
Perhaps Jonathan Quick and CZAR IGOR should become Garden of Dreams kids – as they too are also in an unfortunate situation.
Whenever publishing one of these blogs, or my books too, including all of my work on the legendary Frank Boucher who the Rangers ignore from their rafters and history today – then I never know where my writings will reach.
Earlier this week, I encountered an 80-year-old resident of Ontario, Robert Short, whose father Austin Short, once played for the New Edinburgh Juniors of the Ottawa City league back in 1916.
While Short (seated center on the floor) never made it to the NHL, two of his teammates in this photo did. Even better, both of these men then went on to have Hall of Fame careers.
Three-time Stanley Cup winner, Aurele Joliat (Montreal Canadiens), is pictured center in the back row. He was inducted into the HOF in 1947.
Joliat’s old-running buddy, the man who then went on to become the greatest Ranger in franchise history (and even if these idiots running the organization today won’t tell you that), Frank Boucher, at fifteen-years-old, is spotted far right and in the back row.
Also known as “The Paddlers,” and this New Edinburgh club won the league’s championship in 1916 – when this photo was taken.
In the two playoff games required to win the league championship and Boucher led all skaters with six goals.
It wasn’t until ten-years later, then at the age of 25-years-old, when Boucher joined the “expansion” New York Rangers.
And if you need another history lesson on Boucher’s value, worth and career with both the Rangers and hockey history in general, then buy my books – or check out this free link: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/retire-frank-bouchers-7/
A big thank you goes out to Robert Short for sharing this picture with me, one that was sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame too, as even as a “Rangers’ Historian” – and I have never seen this picture before.
I’m also now under the impression that this photo is the oldest (when Boucher was at his youngest) in #7’s legendary career.
Up Next For the Rangers: Thursday night hosting a Devils’ team that’s already 2-0 against them this season – and one that’s cumulatively outscored them 10-1 too.
And I can’t believe that M$GN is actually going to have Mr. Instagram Hockey himself, Sieve Vagistat, on the broadcast – as he’s already been severely embarrassed during the two previous NYR/NJD broadcasts.
Prior to that eventual loss and the Rangers will practice on Wednesday – and where we should get some news on Chytil’s health – or lack thereof.
Of Note: Thursday’s blog may be delayed – if written at all.
Not only do I have a double-shift at work that day – but the Notre Dame playoff game will get top billing at our work screen during our extended dinner time.
Furthermore, if the Blueshirts get blown out again – then what’s the point?
Up Next For Me: BED!
Up Next For You: Your favorite segment – and where funny enough – I have noticed an uptick in sales for my most recent book.
Gee I wonder why!
And this 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
I can’t even watch them anymore! Disgusted with their play and coaches decisions.