Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Surprise, surprise – the Rangers lost again!
Not that I was expecting anything different – and by now – neither should you.
After all, then you should be well aware of my season-long mantra – and a graphic that I’ve been repeatedly sharing ever since last summer:
If you peruse through every Ranger blog, podcast, beat report, social media account, or heck, even if you communicate through Blueshirts’ ESP too; then, and most likely, the bulk of these game summaries from tonight’s latest failure will be in regards to the Rangers’ impressive third period.
Yours truly, perhaps the most infamous contrarian in town?
Then how can the final frame be considered as “impressive” – and especially when you lose it 2-1!?!?
Furthermore, then was it impressive when the Sabres only needed three shots to score their two goals in the third period?
I think not!
In reality, then perhaps most impressive?
Sabres’ goalie Colten Ellis, who made fourteen saves during Thursday night’s third period.
Following what was essentially a “boring” first period, but where the Sabres won it 1-0 after a Josh Doan goal; then the Rangers entered their locker room after the first intermission with a 7-4 shots on goal advantage.
Some twenty-minutes in game-time later, then the Sabres turned the tables a bit, as not only did they out-shoot the Blueshirts 14-11 – but they also won where it mattered too – on the scoreboard – and as they did, 2-1 – and for a cumulative score of 3-1.
Alex Tuch, the apple of many eyes in Rangerstown, scored the first Sabres goal of the second stanza. A Mika Zibanejad one-timer then cut the deficit, but it only took Buffalo three-minutes, on the dot, to return themselves to a two-goal edge, and as they did following a Jason Zucker power-play goal.
Down by two goals when entering the third period with an abbreviated power-play, then once the Rangers’ new man-up units, now again without Adam Fox (more about the Fox and CZAR IGOR injuries below), were through doing nothing – then blammo – and the returning goaltender from the land where the Anchor Bar reigns supreme, Colten Ellis, gifted Vincent Trocheck a goal – and as he did when he allowed the Olympian to send a soft shot through his five-hole.
This goal brought the Rangers within one, 3-2 – and with 19:09 left to be played.
After Trocheck’s score, then the “Bad & Boring Blueshirts” were no more – as they became the “REVVED-UP RANGERS” – or at least for the next fifteen-minutes or so.
In a game where the Blueshirts out-shot the Sabres 32-21 overall – then it was in this do-or-die final frame where the Rangers really pressed the issue – and as they did via a 5:1 SOG ratio – or 15-3 to be precise.
But of course – and of the Sabres’ three shots on goal?
Then two of them found their way into the back of the Rangers’ net.
While the old cliche should be stressed here – “it’s a sixty-minute game;” but regardless of that – and the Rangers were ripe to win – and even when down by a goal.
The relentless Rangers, who most likely left Ellis with a brown streak in his shorts after the game, just pressed, pressed and pressed.
But Ellis was hellbent on not pulling a Blueshirts – which in this case – means not blowing a multi-goal lead.
Due to their ferocious forecheck and the ensuing momentum gained, then, and now down to 5:36 remaining – and the Rangers received a four-minute power-play, as Peyton Krebs, who was going back-and-forth with Trocheck all game, high-sticked #16 – and where as a result – blood was drawn.
To set the stage for you, then, and just 36-seconds shy of the FOXWOODS FINAL FIVE mark – and the Rangers had four-minutes to not only tie the game (and at least get a point in the standings) – but win the damn thing too.
But as they say, and in another cliche as well, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
You could argue that the Rangers’ first period doomed them.
You could argue that the Blueshirts poor performance on home ice ruined them.
You could argue that Sully’s Squad had a million different chances to win this game prior to this mark.
And that’s all fine-and-dandy – and true too!
But what you can’t argue is that while Zucker scored the game-winning goal on record; then it was the son of a Ranger, Mattias Samuelsson (the seed of Kjell), that ripped the heart right out of the Blueshirts’ throats – and then punted the now dead organ into the East River.
In what was ironic, cruel and perhaps some poetic justice too (in the case of the Sabres); then, and as mentioned, and Krebs and Trocheck were going at it all game.
Since Krebs drew blood on his agitator; as a result, and #16, and as required by the NHL rule-book, had to sit out a shift in order to get repairs.
With Trocheck unable to start the four-minute power-play, then Sully went with who he thought was his next best option – Alexis Lafreniere.
Me, and this isn’t hindsight either, as I’ve been saying this for a long time now?
Then I would’ve went with Matt Rempe.
Not only was he playing well at the time – but Ellis was having trouble with screens – and who better to screen the goalie than the seven-foot (on skates) Blueshirts’ sky-scraper?
But it was #13 – and not #73.
The end result?
Then, and just FOURTEEN-SECONDS into the Sabres’ PK – and there was Samuelsson for the 4-2, shorthanded dagger, goal.
It was also mentioned by Kenny Albert that Samuelsson’s short-hander was the seventh goal of this variety that the Rangers have allowed this season – a league “low” (it’s really the highest).
The man-down score against was solely created because of a poor turnover as made by Lafreniere – and a Lafreniere that wouldn’t have even been on the ice had Trocheck not been forced to sit.
While who knows what would’ve happened had Trocheck not been cut or if Sullivan went with another player over Lafreniere; but what we do know is that the Rangers still had 3:46 worth of power-play time after the Sabres’ shorty.
But even so – and you could feel every ounce of energy escaping the building – and as often is the case whenever the Rangers skate at M$G.
The Blueshirts did nothing with their extended power-play, and as a result, this power-play, that was absolutely atrocious during Fox’s absence, began this latest stint without #23 with an 0-3 showing – and with one short-handed goal surrendered too.
The Rangers, who even pulled Jonathan Quick with over ninety-seconds remaining on the second half of their power-play, could never score.
And with Quick still on the bench when chasing for a goal or two, then, and with a clean ninety-seconds left to be ticked off the clock – and there was Ryan McLeod, on the Sabres’ third shot on goal of the period, to seal the deal – and as he did with his 5-2 empty netter.
And have I mentioned yet that all of this was witnessed not only by the fans – but in front of a bevy of heavy Blueshirt “fan-favorites” too? (More on who showed, and the video of the ceremony too, for you below.)
The Rangers are now without a regulation win on home ice since November 24th, 2025 – and where today – we’re not only past Thanksgiving – but beyond Christmas and New Year’s too.
Maybe the Rangers are waiting for Easter when trying to resurrect themselves.
That all said?
Then did you notice the “culture” tonight?
Me neither.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off, the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Utah Mormons:
As noted following Monday night’s loss to the Mammoth, then it was believed that we wouldn’t get any confirmation about CZAR IGOR’s injury until Wednesday – as that’s when the Rangers were next scheduled to practice.
That was somewhat the case – as after all – and all we know about CZAR IGOR’s injury today is that it is of the – and wait for it – “the lower-body” variety.
However, what we didn’t know on Monday night, and what we didn’t know until around 4:00PM Tuesday either – and only following a bevy of reporters sharing the news – was that not only was CZAR IGOR injured – but Adam Fox got hurt in the game against Utah too.
Due to everything that was going on during that 3-2 loss to the Mammoth; then while Fox was out there for his last shift in regulation time – but he didn’t start during the 3 x 3 overtime.
That being said – and Sullivan has employed Fox’s partner, the more defensively reliable Vladislav Gavrikov, at the start of several overtime games this season – and just as a precautionary measure in the event that the Rangers lose the opening draw.
And it just gets worse-and-worse for a team that has had the injury bug bite them more than ever before during the past ten-years or so.
While league-reporters such as Emily Kaplan and Chris Johnson told us that there was some good news regarding CZAR IGOR’s injury; but it was also revealed that Fox’s injury sustained was significantly worse.
ESPN’s Kaplan, at 4:30PM Tuesday, reported, “Hearing worst case scenario with Igor Shesterkin was avoided after he left last night’s game with a non contact injury. However the Rangers goalie will go on IR with a lower body injury. He will continue to be evaluated.”
Since the NHL is still allowed to remain vague about all injury information, and despite being in bed with 67866798679867986798679 different gambling partners; then, and based on what’s being reported – then we can speculate that CZAR IGOR didn’t tear his groin, his ACL or MCL.
And he most likely avoided a penis fracture too – you know – an injury that’s also covered under the “lower-body” description!
Instead of all that, and the popular conjecture on the streets of Rangerstown, USA is that he hyper-extended his knee.
Again, and just to be clear – this is all speculation – but the fact that CZAR IGOR is on the IR, and not on the LTIR, is somewhat encouraging.
When it comes to Fox, who previously missed fourteen games with a shoulder injury earlier this season, and many more throughout the past two-years with various knee afflictions, then, and like CZAR IGOR, it was reported that he had also sustained a “lower-body injury.”
As was the case following his injury sustained against the Lightning earlier this season; then Fox, who was hoping to be an Olympic roster replacement for the Americans, now has to miss the next ten-games and 24-days of this here 2025-26 regular season campaign.
In other words, then if an American Olympic defenseman hopeful should get hurt, then the only way that Fox could become an injury replacement is via his reputation alone – as he now no longer has anymore games to showcase himself to the likes of you know – the three amigos – Chris Drury, Mike Sullivan and David Quinn.
Only the Rangers, only the Rangers!
And of course – it wouldn’t behoove the Blueshirts, via their Olympic staff, to send Fox to Italy anyway.
After getting hit in the stomach with this 1-2 punch of bad news, the Rangers then responded accordingly and announced the following news at around 5PM Tuesday:
UPDATE: Spencer Martin and Scott Morrow have been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack. Brett Berard has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) January 6, 2026
Recalling Morrow made sense, as he was Fox’s replacement when #23 was last injured.
However, then it was also telling that it was the recently signed from the KHL Spencer Martin, and not Dylan Garand, that got the call to become Quick’s back-up for the next several games.
While of course, there is something to be said about Garand getting more playing time in the AHL as a starter; but for a Blueshirts’ brethren that’s called-up many players from Hartford this season – then you would think that this would’ve been Garand’s chance to get a crack at it – and at the very least – experience the NHL level from a rinkside seat.
So much for that.
Since the Rangers placed CZAR IGOR on the injured reserve list, and as opposed to the long-term injured reserve list, then the soonest that #31 can return is next week, when the Rangers host the Kaapo Kakko (and Ryan Lindgren too) Seattle Kraken.
However, it’s also thought that CZAR IGOR may need more time to recover than the league’s seven-day IR mandate.
What we do know for a fact is that Fox can’t return until there are only two more games remaining prior to the Olympic break – and where at that point – why bother?
While the Rangers did get some good news over the past 48-hours (the return of the often injured and never 100% healthy team captain, J.T. Miller – and who knows how long before he misses another stretch of games too – and for more about him, then continue on reading); but for now, and the team will be without their two best players for a chunk of games.
Granted, while there is no such thing as “winnable” and “on-paper” victories for these Rangers anymore, but just to take a peek, then here’s how the Blueshirts close prior to the three-week Olympic break:
Thursday, January 8th vs. Buffalo
Saturday, January 10th in Boston
Monday, January 12th vs. Seattle
Wednesday January 14th vs Ottawa
Saturday, January 17th in Philly
Monday, January 19th in Anaheim
Tuesday, January 20th in Los Angeles
Friday, January 23rd in San Jose
Monday, January 26th vs Boston
A home and home series with the Islanders, at Belmont on Wednesday, January 28th and at M$G on Thursday, January 29th
Saturday, January 31st, in Pittsburgh
Thursday, February 5th vs. Carolina
The schedule then resumes after the Olympic break on Thursday, February 26th, against Philadelphia at the World’s Most Expensive Arena
As we’re all too well aware of – then after Fox’s first injury, and the Blueshirts’ power-play, a five-forward quintet as assembled by the man that Sidney Crosby carried in Pittsburgh, Mike Sullivan – were god awful – so bad – that they didn’t even convert on 10% of their tries.
And in a league where parity is preached – and the Blueshirts only won six out of fourteen games without Fox too.
If you’ve been a regular reader of these pages, then you already know that I’ve said from day one, where I’d consider day one of this 2025-26 season after the news of Peter Laviolette being fired and Chris Kreider being traded, that the Rangers were going nowhere this season.
Blog archives don’t lie. Ditto social media postings.
While I thought that the Rangers would doom themselves, and of course they did a great job of that too; but I never foresaw the bounty of injuries that would pile up either.
But just as I said in the summer, into the preseason, after camp, at the start of the regular season, and all the way through, including to today – and this is not a team that’s contending for a Stanley Cup anytime soon – and no matter what James Dolan may be selling to WFAN these days too!
And while I don’t really want to get into this topic for the 978678967698686986th time on this site either – but yeah – I only would’ve traded for J.T. Miller during the 2023 and 2024 trade deadlines – and not at the 2025 trade deadline – a year or two too late – and as Drury did last season.
Thankfully, and Drury did get one thing right.
As part of the Miller trade with Vancouver, then the Rangers had to surrender either their 2025 first-rounder or their 2026 first-rounder.
Drury parted with the former, which as a result, means the Blueshirts have full control over their 2026 first-round pick this season – and in a draft class that’s projected to have a lot more hits than last year’s.
That leads me to this:
I know, I know, I know – players don’t tank!
I get it!
That said – and it wouldn’t hurt the Rangers to embrace their all-out state of suck either.
Not only do they have their 2026 first-round pick come this year’s draft – but they could add several more.
Trading the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent NDA Panarin, which has to be a no-brainer, would not only net the Rangers another first-round pick – but perhaps some decent prospects and later-round picks too.
Dealing Vincent Trocheck, whose game is made for the playoffs, should also fetch a package featuring a first-round pick.
While Sam Carrick won’t return you a first-round pick, but he could give you something worthwhile in the futures department.
Nobody knows who the draft lottery system will favor – and as we found out last year after the Rangers crushed the Islanders in the season-series finale between the warring rivals – and a loss for Baby Brother that allowed the Belmont Bozos – and not the Blueshirts – to draft Matthew Schaefer.
Ugh – and where one day – all of this will be remembered akin to the 1977 NHL Draft. (Ron Duguay and Lucien DeBlois over Mike Bossy.)
Should the Rangers sell, instead of stupidly buy (even after all of this injury news – and there are some reports out there that Drury is looking to add – and rather than to go young as he should), then they could wind up with three first-round picks at this year’s loaded draft – and who knows – move up in the draft too.
And if that’s the case?
Then pray to the hockey gods that you don’t get another Lafreniere, Kakko, Kravtsov, Lundkvist, Chytil, Andersson, Brendl, Lundmark, Jessiman, et al.
Egads!
Congratulations to Jack Johnson, who on Tuesday, the former Ranger, who then went on to win a Stanley Cup in Colorado once getting out of town, announced his retirement.
The following comes courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/news/jack-johnson-retires-from-nhl-after-19-seasons :
Jack Johnson announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday after 19 seasons and will join the Vancouver Canucks as a professional scout.
The 38-year-old defenseman had 342 points (77 goals, 265 assists) in 1,228 regular-season games for the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche. The Carolina Hurricanes selected Johnson with the No. 3 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft and traded him to the Kings with Oleg Tverdovsky for Eric Belanger and Tim Gleason on Sept. 29, 2006.
Johnson (1,024 games) became the 19th player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup after playing 1,000 games by helping the Avalanche to a six-game victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, Colorado’s first championship since 2001. He signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Blue Jackets on July 3, 2024, and had six assists in 41 games that season. He last played in the League during a 4-0 loss at the Ottawa Senators on April 6, 2025.
The Indianapolis native attended the University of Michigan, where he set a freshman record of 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 2005-06. He won a silver medal playing for the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and bronze at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Again, congrats to Johnson on a successful career – and one that was mired by controversy due to his own parents wiping out his bank accounts and leaving him essentially bankrupt for a period of time.
While his familial relations will always be strained – he did come out on the other side of it – and successfully at that.
That said?
And he wasn’t included during tonight’s fan-favorite ceremony!
In other news, and news that’s unrelated to both the Rangers and their alumni, then come late Wednesday night, and we found out that one of the greatest goalies of all-time, Mr. Goalie himself, Glenn Hall, had passed away:
Remembering “Mr. Goalie”❤️
We mourn the passing of Hall of Fame Goaltender and Stanley Cup Champion Glenn Hall.
From the entire organization, we want to extend our deepest condolences to the Hall family. pic.twitter.com/1RscRTSN3P
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 8, 2026
RIP to Glenn Hall – and what a tragic past few months that it’s been for legendary goalies, as this news follows the previous deaths of Eddie Giacomin, Bernie Parent and Ken Dryden.
As they say, “time stands still for no one.”
And we’re all getting older too.
As far as any other pregame news unrelated to both Fox and Igor, then the Rangers, following an off-day on Tuesday, reconvened for practice in Tarrytown on Wednesday.
While Fox and Igor were out, then “Captain Culture,” the man on pace for 40-points this season, J.T. Miller, was back.
Ditto Noah Laba – albeit in a red no-contact jersey.
It should also be mentioned that Alexis Lafreniere missed Wednesday’s skate due to an illness; but, and as you already know – then he was even sicker come Thursday night during the Rangers’ power-play.
Sullivan, in a pair of post-practice chats that ran over ten-minutes each, talked to the media on both Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning.
Here’s what he had to say on January 7th:
Here’s what he had to say on January 8th, prior to puck drop tonight – and where I couldn’t believe it when he said that hadn’t talked to Quick about the upcoming schedule. So much for culture!
Here was Sully’s line-up for the forty-fifth game of this miserable 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Mika/Cuylle
SECOND LINE: Miller/Trocheck/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Perreault/Brodzinski/Raddysh
FOURTH LINE: Blidh/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Schneider
SECOND PAIR: Robertson/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Soucy/Morrow
STARTING GOALIE: Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: Martin
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Justin Dowling and Urho Vaakainanen
IR: CZAR IGOR & Noah Laba
LTIR: Conor Sheary, 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
|
| 20 | 4 | 16 | .800 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58:25 | 0 |
|
BUF
|
|
Colten Ellis#92
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 32 | 2 | 30 | .938 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
With the holidays over, then the Rangers held their fifth centennial celebration of the season, “Fan-Favorite Night” – and where of note – Chris Kreider wasn’t invited.
But to be serious?
Then James Patrick, the answer to tonight’s #CadillacTrivia question, hasn’t been brought back either – as despite his name being plastered all over the franchise record books – and he still remains as “The Forgotten Ranger.”
As it was noted that the Sabres, currently trying to avoid a 15-year playoff drought, had won eleven of their past twelve games – then you had to know it in your bones – the Rangers would become their twelfth victim in Buffalo’s last thirteen games played.
To open the broadcast, then John Giannone said, “The Rangers are a medical journal and not a team.”
He wasn’t wrong either – because, and as previously said – and I can’t remember the last time where the Rangers were getting injured left-and-right as frequently as they have been this season (We Miss You Jim Ramsay).
For whatever reason, then to open “Fan-Favorite Night,” and the worst back-up goalie in franchise history, Sieve Vagistat, was allowed to be on-air.
One of the best goalies in franchise history, Henrik Lundqvist, was in-house tonight (more below), but, and for whatever reason – then M$GN went with the seven-foot fart sniffer over “THE KING OF COMMENTARY.”
While Lundqvist remains featured on the number one broadcast in the league, “NHL on TNT;” then conversely – then nobody else besides M$GN wants to be in the Vagistat business – nor plugs/employs his shitty little ANALytical company either.
As Giannone, and later Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney, ran down Buffalo’s line-up, then it wasn’t mentioned that former Ranger, Zac Jones, had just been recalled by the Sabres – but where Lindy Ruff decided to make a healthy scratch out of him – and just as Jones usually was in New York City.
The always strong Dave Starman, who later joined the broadcast, spoke about the returning Scott Morrow.
Starman said that Morrow’s biggest strength is whenever the puck is on his stick. He also added that Morrow needs to make shorter passes and not go for the homerun outlet pass.
By the way that Starman was talking here, then he kind of implied that Morrow was going to be the team’s power-play quarterback tonight; but, and as it was revealed during Wednesday’s practice, then my pick and yours, Gavrikov, #44 himself, filled that role.
In what was a great segment, then M$GN paid tribute to both Bill “The Big Whistle” Chadwick and Jim Gordon.
It was just a shame that this segment lasted for all of three-minutes – and where after this – then it would be nice to see at least a thirty-minute segment on these two legendary broadcasters.
After all, then such a thing would sure beat another methed-out Alex Monaco gambling pregame show!
Come the 7PM hour, then Maloney and Albert were returned to our screens – and in some confirmation here – and it’s true – Albert’s NFL commitments are complete.
Outside of his TNT duties, then he’s now full-time with the Rangers.
Up next was our randomly selected “Fan Favorite” ceremony.
Sam Rosen, a fan-favorite himself, hosted the “Fan Favorite” ceremony.
I should note here that while Rosen has been brought several times, and the same goes for his legendary partner John Davidson too – but we haven’t seen Joe Micheletti returned to M$G once this season.
Say what you want about MISTER FABULOUS – but I’d like to see him get his flowers too.
“Sam, Joe’s a good man! He works hard Sam!”
All jokes aside – Micheletti, while never a Ranger, kept his own pending retirement to himself – as he didn’t want to take anything away from Rosen.
Simply said – and Joe should get his day in the sun too.
For those wondering, then former Ranger, the current moron who runs the franchise today, Chris Drury, wasn’t included during Thursday night’s festivities.
Instead, then here were the alumni that took part of the event:
Nick Fotiu (most obvious), Don Maloney (nice touch, especially for brother Dave), Jan Erixon, George McPhee, Pierre Larouche (back again), Tony Granato (first appearance back I think), Chris Nilan (Really?), Tie Domi (Graves’ cousin and his fights with Probert were legendary), Darren Langdon, Jeff Beukeboom (my all-time fave – and he was even missing a tooth tonight too), Colton Orr (he’s local), Brandon Prust, Ryan Callahan (who didn’t love Captain Cally?), Sean Avery (first appearance in an official capacity in some time – and a huge pop for him), Saint Adam Graves and Henrik Lundqvist (who should be on the broadcast).
For those who didn’t see the tribute to the names of lore, then you can watch it here:
Again, I had no problems with who were there – but it also just felt random.
Plus, I’m not so sure if Lundqvist, and even Graves too, needed to be included in this.
After all, then they’ve already had several individual tributes dedicated in their honor, while also appearing during previous centennial ceremonies.
But the fans enjoyed seeing them – and that’s all that really matters.
I just wondered why Mark Messier, who was in NYC yesterday during a WFAN radio spot, wasn’t invited – and especially since Graves was there.
Then again, I do believe there is a 1994 ceremony (another one) this season – so that’s probably where you’ll see Messier, Graves, Leetch and Richter altogether once more.
And should that be the case, and while Jeff Beukeboom was most certainly a fan-favorite (he was my favorite player from that era), then you could have saved his appearance for then.
But, and one last time to wrap this up – then I guess it doesn’t matter – as every fan just enjoys seeing their favorite players – and where the nostalgic memories never die either.
Only these 2025-26 Rangers die on a game-in and game-out basis!
Speaking of, then let’s get into tonight’s GAME REVIEW and move on.
I’ll try to keep the pain short, so if you do want my complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
Let’s roll.
FIRST PERIOD
It was telling when I saw Ellis in the other net.
After all, then this was his first game in over five-weeks time – and here were the Sabres, in this important game, testing out a rusty back-up on the road against a desperate, albeit banged-up, Blueshirts’ team.
But when you’re as bad as the Blueshirts – then what a perfect opportunity for Lindy Ruff & Co.
Just thirty-seconds into the game and Cuylle fanned on an early 2 x 1 attempt.
Again, say what you want about tonight’s short-handed goal being the dagger – but it were missed plays like this that cost the Rangers too.
At just the 1:50 mark, then Ellis, in his first test, aced it, as he stopped a Soucy-to-Raddysh redirect.
Again, another opportunity blown.
Come the 3:00 mark and Ellis gave the Rangers another chance, as he misplayed a puck. But the Rangers couldn’t make him pay, the Sabres then had a breakaway and Quick said no way to that too.
Some 67-seconds later, at the 4:07 mark to be exact, and Josh Doan, son of Shane, put the Sabres ahead, 1-0:
JOSH DOAN IS RED HOT
FOUR GAME GOAL STREAK
WHAT A PLAY FROM MATTIAS SAMUELSSON
WHERE ARE HIS NORRIS VOTES
SABRES LEAD EARLY pic.twitter.com/yJxAPlOsKa
— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) January 9, 2026
This goal was the end result of a broken play – and a broken stick too.
After Zibanejad lost his stick, then Cuylle had his stick broken when blocking a shot.
The puck then went behind Quick’s net, which then allowed this bang-bang goal, one of the 2 x 1 variety to the right of #32, to take place.
All Robertson and Borgen could do was watch.
Ditto Panarin (-3) and Mika (-2) too.
As we hit the 5:50 mark, then it looked like something was brewing between Beck “FEED MY” Malenstyn and Matt Rempe – but since #73 is unable to fight – then nothing ensued outside of light pushing-and-shoving.
As this boring game moseyed along (8:00 in and the SOG counter was 2-1, Rangers – which also meant that the Sabres were shooting at 100% at the time); then Braden Schneider, formerly nicknamed as “Baby Trouba,” crushed Peyton Krebs with such a big (and clean) hit – that it left the Sabre face looking as if it went through a car windshield.
And this is what later started the Trocheck vs. Krebs stuff too – as Trocheck defended B-Schneid’s honor as the Sabres wanted a piece of #4.
As Dave & Kenny brought up Lindy Ruff, then it wasn’t mentioned how the former Ranger player and coach, now back in his second stint as the bench boss of Buffalo, wasn’t part of the fan-favorite ceremony!
Down to 11:38 remaining and a Gavrikov pass to Zibanejad hit #93’s skate – and not his stick blade.
As (radio) Maloney shrieked “OH BOY” – and Gavrikov got back to block the shot.
This very easily could’ve been 2-0 here.
As we hit the 10:00 mark, then both teams had two shots on goal – as not much offense was going down.
The Rangers’ third SOG took place with 6:44 remaining – as Ellis stopped Robertson in another one of the Blueshirts’ low energy/lower culture first period affairs.
As we got under three-minutes remaining, then Panarin tried to hook up with Cuylle following an ill-timed Sabres’ change – but the goalie who hadn’t played in a month made the save.
Right after that, and the Sabres had a 2 x 1 chance themselves – but the Rangers got a reprieve when Tuch’s shot went an inch high – as his intended attempt hit the crossbar instead of net.
As both referees and linesmen were going down left-and-right, then linesman Devin Berg, who screwed Matthew Robertson earlier this season, got run over during a play at the boards.
The educated, but perhaps boorish too, M$G crowd, roared in approval.
1-0, them, through twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, Sabres, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Six SOG for #NYR, but a rare time where they have someone doubled-up in this statistic, 6-3
— Not much going on, feels like Cardio Night at M$G
— A more entertaining product would have Sean Avery address these guys at intermission.
—…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 9, 2026
SECOND PERIOD
Zibanejad won the first draw from the World’s Most Famous Unretractable roof arena.
After that, and Ellis soon denied Panarin – then a Mika rebound attempt too – and at just the 36-second mark.
Again, more scoring opportunities blown.
Right after that, and Laissez-Faire and Captain Culture had a 2 x 1 odd-man rush brewing, but Miller juggled the puck to create an offside – and a Buffalo break too.
Come the 3:12 mark and Quick made his best save of the game yet, as he denied a Tuch-to-Norris 2 x 1 try.
The Sabres then continued their attack, but where fortunately, an errant shot sent by Jack Quinn thwarted this particular threat.
At the 5:56 mark, Rempe, previously pushed off the puck by Owen Power on this same shift, had a backhander, of the floater variety, shut down by Ellis.
Over a minute later, the 6:58 mark – and the Sabres made it 2-0 – and on their seventh shot on goal too:
ALEX TUCH FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET
BOWEN BYRAM IS INCREDIBLE
WHAT A RUSH
SABRES LEAD BY TWO pic.twitter.com/CgWx7X3rIm
— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) January 9, 2026
Trocheck was furious after the goal and cried so hard that the officials had no choice to box him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
So not only were the Rangers now down by two – but they’d be forced to kill a penalty too.
Quick made two tough stops and that was the end of it – as the Blueshirts’ PK was now 1/1.
Down to 10:45 remaining and we had our third injury as sustained by a zebra, as referee Pete MacDougal took a puck to the face – as following a Bowen Byram shot block on Trocheck – and the flying rubber landed directly in MacDougal’s mush.
Once again, and M$G exploded in approval.
Right after this, and where MacDougal had to be taken to the locker room too?
Then, and now with one less man on the ice – and Zibanejad actually scored on a one-timer from the circle – buy a lotto ticket:
🎥 EDGE VIZ (tracking data): Mika Zibanejad scores for the New York Rangers on a slap shot (10:27 remaining in the the 2nd period).#NYR pic.twitter.com/JwGv4naZhg
— NY Rangers Game Bot (@NYRGameBot) January 9, 2026
2-1, bad guys – and where M$G was happy about this too.
After all, then they wouldn’t have to see the Rangers get shutout there for the seventh time this season.
Just as it looked like the Rangers were building up some momentum after the Mika goal – and Matt Robertson killed all of that – and as he did with 8:07 remaining, following his hold of Zach Benson.
Prior to this power-play commencing, then, and in a rare classy moment as perpetrated by the Rangers – and every Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner that was in the building (Lundqvist, Cally, Graves, Erixon, et al) presented widow Patti-Ann with a custom-made centennial #104 (Steve’s badge) jersey.
This was excellent.
A contrarian opinion – but where keep in mind – I do love how the Rangers always celebrate both McDonald and the NYPD?
Then I just wish that the Rangers would do the same for their legendary alumni – which of course – is another one of my reminders that no banners hang in the rafters for career-long and Hall of Fame Blueshirts such as Frank Boucher, Lester Patrick, Bill Cook and you get my point.
The Sabres, now on their second power-play, increased their lead by two, as a Dahlin shot hit Quick, the puck then hit Zucker’s butt and then went into the Rangers’ net – and as it did with 7:26 remaining:
WELCOME BACK JASON ZUCKER
THE POWERPLAY FINALLY CLICKS
WHAT A MOMENT
SABRES GO UP 3-1 pic.twitter.com/2tIhQtBQKE
— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) January 9, 2026
3-1, Sabres.
The Rangers’ PK was now 1/2.
It was also noticeable that the Rangers, who once were out-shooting their opponents by a 2:1 ratio, were now being out-shot, 16-14, after this goal.
Down to 3:10 remaining and Quick stopped McLeod on a one-vs-one opportunity.
A minute later, and the unlucky thirteen in Rangers’ blue, Laissez-Fair, was gifted a turnover – but when all alone with rusty Ellis – and he shot the puck wide.
Dickhead.
Come 92-seconds remaining and the Rangers finally drew their first power-play, as Panarin, very soft (unless it’s a female M$GN staffer in front of him), dove as Noah Ostlund was all over him on defense.
As mentioned earlier – then Gavrikov was the QB of this power-play.
Trocheck almost scored fourteen-seconds into the man-advantage – but the net was knocked off its moorings, thus resulting in a stoppage.
3-1, them, after two periods.
Here’s what I said at the time:
3-1, Sabres, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— #NYR open 3P on a 27-second power-play. They are also being outshot 18-16.
— Robertson’s penalty kinda stunted whatever momentum the Rangers had after the Mika one-timer.
— Not seeing the culture that Dolan is talking about.— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) January 9, 2026
THIRD PERIOD
After the Rangers failed to score on their power-play, and where the Sabres did get a little lazy on a 3 x 2 jack-in-the-box odd-man rush too – then this is when Trocheck scored the second-and-final Rangers’ goal of the match:
🎥 EDGE VIZ (tracking data): Vincent Trocheck scores for the New York Rangers on a shot (19:11 remaining in the the 3rd period).#NYR pic.twitter.com/TvA4p3bYvW
— NY Rangers Game Bot (@NYRGameBot) January 9, 2026
Back to a one goal game as Vincent Trocheck tallies for @NYRangers #NYR pic.twitter.com/b1q7Xe2Ekg
— Joe Tolleson (@joetolleson) January 9, 2026
This was a gift of a goal – but the Rangers weren’t returning it either!
After that, and prior to the Krebs’ high-sticking infraction as well – and it was an all-out Rangers attack.
But alas – it was also an attack with no goals to show for it.
Nearly everybody had a chance to score too, as during this 15-3 SOG period – and Panarin, Rempe, Carrick, Schneider, Gavrikov, Cuylle and Mika all came close – and as they did at just the 8:20 mark – and where as a result – the Rangers held a 11-0 SOG advantage at the time.
Quick’s first-and-only save was made with 10:15 to go – and it was a big one – as he denied the Sabres on another 2 x 1 chance – and where afterwards – huge chants of “QUICK-IE” were belted out.
As this third period, devoid of many whistles, flew by; then, and with the score still reading 3-2, visitors – and this is when Krebs high-sticked Trocheck.
If it wasn’t the Rangers, then I wouldn’t have believed it.
Just fourteen-seconds into this four-minute PP, and the son of a Ranger, Mattias Samuelsson, beat two Rangers, Lafreniere and Gavrikov – and then beat Quick too for the 4-2 shorty:
MATTIAS SAMUELSSON IS NOT REAL
HE IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
WHERE ARE THE NORRIS VOTES
SHORT HANDED GOAL
SABRES LEAD BY TWO pic.twitter.com/T5Divvnt6z
— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) January 9, 2026
4-2, Sabres – and where many fans in-attendance weren’t sticking around for the final 3:46 of the Rangers’ power-play either.
Not only did these Blueshirt backers have trains to catch – but they also knew the inevitable too.
After the Rangers’ power-play went 0-3, then this is when McLeod scored the 5-2, SEE YA, Sabres’ empty netter.
For whatever reason and this is when Maloney started to make excuses for his “Rah-Rah” Rangers – as he said that the Rangers played well, gave effort and deserved better in this third period.
Similar to Michele Gingras in her post-game interviews – and not mentioned once was how bad the Blueshirts looked during the first forty-minutes of the game.
What a glaring omission.
5-2, Buffalo, your final – and where the sorry-sack-of-shit-Sully’s-Squad have now lost six of their past eight games.
Up Next For the Rangers: Who cares if they practice on Friday or not – they still suck!
But they will fly out to Massachusetts on Friday, as they are scheduled to lose in Boston on Saturday.
Note the 1PM puck drop – and the ABC national telecast too.
As far as the standings go?
Then two words – NO BUENO – as the Rangers remain with the worst points percentage in the East – and that’s with a bevy of extra games played too.
But don’t worry – you can see the culture rising – or at least that’s what Dolan tells us!
Barring anything truly breaking, then I’m taking off on Saturday – as day drinking comes before Blueshirts’ blogging!
I shall return on Monday night, when Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren light up the Rangers at M$G.
Final thoughts?
Sell Drury Sell!
And FIRE DRURY too!
What a way to get into our final segment of tonight’s manifesto, your favorite segment and mine, 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
Positives about the game – Once again we’re winning the bulk of faceoffs. And I got the trivia answer correct. Beyond that, not much. If we could just play more of a 60 minute game maybe we’d have some chance.
Sean, I cackled at your inclusion of TDA being a current player who couldn’t be at the fan favorite ceremony! Absolutely stellar!!!!
Lol, I was wondering if anyone caught that!