NYR/VGK 2/2 Review: Jonathan Quick Becomes First U.S. Born Goalie To Reach 400 Wins; JQ32’s N.Y. Legacy, Rangers Use Rare Comeback to Beat Knights; Blueshirts Open Two Cans of MILLER TIME, “J.T. Effect” Has Already Emerged; “The Great Eight” Carrying The Offense, Mika Hits Scoring Quota For the Month; Panarin Back On The Board Too, Special Teams Swing Games, Standings, “Too Little Too Late,” M$GN & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Congratulations to Jonathan Quick!

On the evening of February 2nd, 2025, Quick, stuck on 399 wins for the past month, and where he didn’t get much help during his last three tries when trying to procure that 400th win that has eluded him, finally became the first American-born goalie to reach this milestone – and where as a result – he’s now become the fifteenth inductee of this elite “400 Club” too.

In other words?

We witnessed history on this date.

I’ve written so much about JQ32 ever since his Big Apple arrival, and like many of you, I used to despise him – but only once I was able to let go of the hatred that I had for him following the 2014 Stanley Cup Final – and I have pulled a complete 180 – as today, I’m now one of his biggest supporters.

Of course, Quick being successful in New York, and also as an American too, has helped me to lose all of my former feelings of utter disdain for him – but really – it’s not just about what he brings to the ice either.

As mentioned many times before on this site and the three-time Stanley Cup champion – and a future Hall of Famer too (and I can remember when people told me during the height of the “Henrik Lundqvist Era,” that Quick, and for that matter, Marc-Andre Fleury too, would never reach the hallowed halls in Toronto – but I’ll end this tangent here), has been a hockey godsend for the Blueshirts.

Granted, the 39-year-old still needs to be able to produce in order to remain here (and as he has done), but away from his on-ice exploits and Quick has emerged as a locker room leader.

During his swansong stay with the Rangers (and where if you didn’t know any better, then you’d think that the best years of his career were still ahead of him) and the Connecticut native has more than put in his fair share.

Not only has Quick been a strong sounding board for CZAR IGOR, and where unlike Igor’s previous back-up, Alexandar Georgiev, and Igor doesn’t have to worry about his back-up trying to take his spot (and that’s a huge mental load off of the Russian’s mind) – but Quick, during his twilight years, has more than embraced his new career role as a pinch hitter.

For those who don’t know, and not many legendary goalies have been as willing as Quick to pass the torch, as many Hall of Fame goalies, including Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall, Gump Worsley, Eddie Giacomin, Terry Sawchuk and others, preferred a time-share instead.

In other words – and CZAR IGOR never has to look over his shoulder.

And when he does?

Then all he sees is one of his biggest fans in JQ32.

But there’s even more that Quick brings to the Rangers’ locker room.

Between Matt Rempe crashing on his couch for months on end, while also being a role model and mentor for players like Will Cuylle & other “youts” – and Quick, who very easily could just show up to work, proverbially punch the clock and then go straight home to his family and kids – has done nothing of the sort – and instead – has extended himself beyond reasonable means and expectations.

I know that I’ve said these two things several times before on this site this season – but it bears repeating once more:

One, what is Chris Drury waiting for? RE-SIGN QUICK FOR NEXT SEASON ALREADY!

Two, Quick, who I believe wants to remain with the Rangers until retirement (he lives in the area), should also remain with the organization once he’s done as an active player.

I don’t care if Quick is a goalie coach, an ambassador, a M$GN talking head or what – but with Quick being local – and with the Blueshirts being his boyhood team too (we all know about the Mike Richter posters on his wall) – and it behooves the Rangers to keep a class act like Quick around.

The Rangers, who somehow swept one of the best teams in the league during their two-game season series, were able to defeat the Knights on Sunday night via rare means – a comeback victory.

The Blueshirts, trailing 2-1 when entering the third period, scored three unanswered goals en route to their 4-2 victory.

As you should know by now – and prior to tonight – and the Rangers were 1-24 whenever trailing entering a third period.

You can make that 2-24 now.

While it must’ve been a cold day in hell – and where pigs must’ve been flying outside of M$G too; but suffice to say – and despite the win – and the Blueshirts, outside of their goaltender, didn’t really look that impressive through the first forty-minutes.

It was their comeback during the final frame that earned them the much needed two-points in the standings – and where in a way – it felt like the Knights were starring in a Broadway role as the 2024-25 Rangers on this night.

After all, the Blueshirts, who lost in Boston after having three-days off, defeated a Vegas team that entered this match with 72-hours of rest.

More remarkable than that, and the Rangers, who had played the day before, seemed to find their legs as the game progressed, while at the same time, the Knights gassed out.

Whether the Blueshirts ingested meth, cocaine, speed and Red Bull during the second intermission or not, I do not know; but what I do know is that they looked like a different team during the final twenty-minutes when compared to how they looked during the first two periods.

Quick, who was obviously named as the top star of the game, was lights-out for the first 19:41 of the match.

However, a Ryan Lindgren hooking penalty, committed at the 18:36 mark, would soon ruin Quick’s shutout bid.

The Blueshirts’ penalty kill, still fourth-overall in the NHL, but which has also been struggling as of late, saw K’Andre Miller do his matador act as Jack Eichel, of the league’s third-best power-play, beat Quick for the 1-0, bad guys, last second goal.

And while the Rangers weren’t particularly “bad” or anything quite as severe as that – they were still being out-shot 14-7 as the two teams took to their respective locker rooms at the intermission.

With the benefit of hindsight, and only with such powers, then we can deduce two things from this first period:

One, the Knights kept the Rangers’ hopes alive – although Quick also derailed what Vegas was trying to do too.

Two, you can understand why Vegas had more jump to start, as again, New York had played the day before – and where they had to travel back into town to boot.

Just 1:37 of game-time later – about 20:37 in real-time too – and come the 1:18 mark of the second stanza – and Alexis Lafreniere tied the game following a pass from Adam Fox that even my beer-bellied butt could have finished on.

1-1.

However, and nearing the half-way mark of the game/period – and Jack Eichel scored his second goal of the game following a rocket of a shot.

2-1, bad guys – but the last goal that the Knights would score too – as thankfully, the Rangers didn’t allow back-to-back hat tricks in consecutive games played.

The third period was complete gangbusters for the Blueshirts – and where J.T. Miller drove all play.

At the 5:04 mark, and while on the power-play, and Miller fired a shot at Knights’ goalie, Adin Hill.

It looked like Hill had stopped it, but in a rarity – there was Zibanejad actually crashing the crease (after previously failing to do so earlier) – and more rarer than that – actually scoring a 2-2 power-play rebound goal too!

At the 11:33 mark, the other Miller, K’Andre, beat Hill from the left circle for the 3-2, good guys goal.

Following a destructive hit from Will Cuylle on Alex Pietrangelo at the 13:07 mark (and where had Rempe been the hitter – then he would’ve been kicked out of the league – and just look at the soft boarding penalty that was assessed against him in the first period – and the clip is included below too), and CUYLLE HAND LUKE was forced to defend himself against Nic Hague.

The first Ranger to give Cuylle his props after the fight?

J.T.

A frustrated Pietrangelo hooked Kreider with 2:47 left in regulation, which in turn, not only put the Rangers on the power-play – but also dashed the Knights’ hopes of pulling their goalie during these critical two-minutes too.

Enter J.T. Miller once more.

With just 1:41 remaining and Miller, after some elite precision passing, set-up the other stagnant dud in town, Artemi Panarin, for the 4-2, good guys, insurance goal.

I mean, just look at Miller’s game.

Not only is he now averaging two-points per-game in his return (2 goals against Boston, 2 assists against Vegas), but he’s lifting up the two struggling alleged superstars in New York too.

Panarin ($11.67M) and Zibanejad ($8.5M), who combine for over 25% of the team’s payroll, are now getting a boost from the team’s now third-highest paid forward, J.T. Miller ($8M).

While in reality, it’s sad that these two need Miller in order to jump-start themselves – as it should be Mika and Panarin lifting others; but that’s the situation that the Blueshirts are in.

Had Panarin and Mika been doing their jobs all-season, then it would be nice to see what Miller could do with young guns such as Lafreniere and Cuylle.

And had #10 and #93 been performing to their salaries earned – then you wouldn’t be worrying about this team missing the playoffs either.

But these are problems for a different day.

It would have been so on brand, so on script, for the Rangers to lose on this night – as after all – they didn’t play a full sixty-minutes again.

However, J.T. Miller is here – but as noted last night (in case you missed all of the latest news, including the J.T. Miller trade, Jimmy Vesey’s remarks, the Adam Edstrom injury, etc, then check out last night’s blog here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/2125/ ) – and I still feel like this is a case of “too little, too late.”

That said, and for this one night – and nearly everything broke in favor of the Blueshirts.

Not only did the Rangers win, but the Devils, Flyers, Canadiens, Islanders and Blue Jackets all lost on Sunday too.

Only the Red Wings, against Miller’s former team/Filip Chytil’s current team, the Canucks, won among the squads that the Blueshirts are currently chasing in the standings – and where following all games played on 2/2 – the standings now look like this:

I’m not going to explain all of my previous talking points again, as by now, you should understand that any of the teams that the Rangers are chasing, if not several of them, are guaranteed to win on any given night (because they all play each other a lot) – but needless to say – and it’s not a true five-point difference between playoffs and golf come the Spring.

For the Rangers to reach the postseason, then they will have to rip-off an epic winning streak.

This up-and-down shit must end.

While you have to be happy about what you saw during the final twenty-minutes on Sunday night; but at the same time, I wasn’t that impressed with the overall performance.

I also don’t think that the Blueshirts will qualify for the playoffs either – as I feel that they have already pissed away too many points in order to get there.

But as noted on this site about 9679867986798679867986986 times this season – my expectations are low (so I don’t get disappointed) – and I won’t allow the “Rangers’ Rug” to be pulled out from underneath my feet ever again.

This is my way of telling you that I hope in my heart of hearts that these here 2024-25 Blueshirts reach the playoffs – but I just don’t see it happening either.

One of the many reasons why I don’t see the Rangers qualifying, and aside from their own self-inflicted damage, is because of everyone that they are chasing – and some of the teams trailing them too – are all gunning for the postseason like them.

Only the Flyers remain adamant in rebuilding, while everyone else wants to become one of the eight Eastern Conference teams in the tournament.

And despite this comeback victory from Sunday night – and I just can’t forget why the Rangers are in the predicament that they are in today either.

In other words, one feel-good win doesn’t change anything.

But for the fans who remain optimistic, then I guess it’s a start too.

And for my pessimistic peers?

How many start-and-stops can this team sustain this season?

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, fifty-two down, thirty 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 wouldn’t bet on it.

In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Blueshirts getting beatdown in Beantown:

NYR/BOS 2/1 Review: Rangers Now Have Two Millers; But Defense Looks Twice as Drunk, Same Old Blueshirts Beat Down in Beantown, JT May Regret His Decision to Waive NMC; Saddled With A New Swede, Jimmy Vesey The Latest To Use Media To Vent Frustrations, Bozo The Bench Boss Continues Clown Affair with Miserable Mika, Chris “Zoom Zoom” Drury Waited Too Long; Kakko & Chytil Should’ve Been Dealt Last Season, Mollie “Sherlock” Walker’s Exclusive Story, E$PN & More

Since the Rangers played yesterday, then we didn’t have much pregame news to talk about when entering this match at M$G.

As expected, then all that was announced was that Quick would get the nod in net – and finally – at home too – and after being forced to play on the road during his past attempts at trying to secure win #400.

(And that’s how ignorant Laviolette is too. He could’ve had Quick try to get this win at M$G, in front of his friends and family, three-times over by now – but the stubborn and pig-headed bench boss kept exclusively playing Quick on the road.)

As far as anything else, then we didn’t receive any update on the injured Adam Edstrom, outside of the usual “day-to-day” nonsense.

Jimmy Vesey, who I covered last night, returned to the line-up with Edstrom out – and while he played well enough – he also didn’t do too much to impress, nor bump Edstrom out of the line-up once he’s able to return either.

Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the fifty-second game of this 2024-25 season:

FIRST LINE: Panarin/Miller/Zibanejad

SECOND LINE: Smith/Trocheck/Lafreniere

THIRD LINE: Kreider/Brodzinski/Cuylle

FOURTH LINE: Vesey/Carrick/Rempe

FIRST PAIR: Lindgren/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Miller/Borgen

THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider

STARTING GOALIE: Jonathan Quick

BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

DAY-TO-DAY: Adam Edstrom

HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Zac Jones, Arthur Kaliyev and Jimmy Vesey

BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

It was exciting to see Brian Boyle back on the broadcast – and it was even better to see that Sieve Vagistat wasn’t there too!

Boyle, who played with Miller during the Rangers’ last Stanley Cup Final appearance (2014), but who missed him in Tampa by a year, said the following about his former teammate to open the broadcast:

“Miller is fiery, he’ll get his nose dirty and he wants to win. He doesn’t care about people’s feelings. He wants to be competitive. He’ll say what he has to say. He brings passion and energy.”

While we all knew this – it was nice to hear Boyle say it anyway.

Boyle also said that he wants to see Miller get fired-up (I was hoping that he would throw the dry-haired hippie into the Hudson River – because if that happened, then at least his hair would get wet), while also making it clear that he was rooting for Quick to win his 400th game.

(Of note: Boyle also played with Quick during his time in Los Angeles – and where he also played with the goalie in the AHL when both men began their pro careers with the Manchester Monarchs.)

After that, we then had about fifteen-minutes worth of “Black History Month” segments, which is the time of the year when the NHL dusts off Willie O’Ree (and then you don’t see him again until twelve months later); and where in tribute to the month, Sam Rosen promised us to mix-up J.T. and K’Andre Miller no less than 67867867986796 times.

Okay, I’m making that up.

But what I’m not making up is the following:

Come 7PM, and when Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti first received face-time, then the Hall of Fame announcer, with complete sincerity, as he does have a heart of gold, said the following when promoting Black History Month:

“OH JOE, WE HAVE COLORED PLAYERS IN THE LINE-UP TONIGHT JOE!”

Let me be clear.

Rosen was in no way, shape or form trying to be offensive – but I must admit – when he said the outdated word, “COLORED,” and as if he was still living in the 1950s – then I was crying with laughter.

You know that Rosen means well – and yep – I’m going to miss his senior moments and inane banter once he retires.

A quick aside?

For all of the promotion for “Black History Month” that was featured on this broadcast – and we are never really taught any of the history.

All we see are people receiving checks while also being told how great the month is.

Instead of just saying platitudes and making empty gestures – then perhaps doing video packages on several black players would be better – and where all of the routine O’Ree footage should be excluded – but only because he never played for the Rangers.

In other words, tell me more about Tony McKegney, Roman Ndur, Donald Brashear, Kevin Weekes, Nigel Dawes, etc – and rather than just giving us hollow words with no meaning and stuff that feels a charity case.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that it just comes off as phony and insincere when all you see are the Rangers & M$GN giving out checks to random black folks.

While that’s all fine and dandy – I’d like to see the broadcast educate us about these players and their journeys to the NHL.

Plus, and as you may be aware – and people are people – and just handing out money and saying “black people are great Joe/Sam, the blacks are fabulous,” just comes off as making one race/heritage feel inferior rather than trying to present everyone as equals.

I hope these words come off as intended – but I’m sure that I also “Rosen’d” myself too.

And while I’m not one of these honkies that have to tell everyone that I have black friends (and as a “qualifying” statement) – but I’m sure that my buddies will feel free to tell me if I loused up here!

(But guess what – I’m not giving any of them my money – and when I see two of my black friends at work tomorrow – then I’m going to ask them to buy me post-work drinks. Now that’s equality!)

(Of note: Only one of them will see these words, as he’s a fellow hockey fan, which is how we became friends in the first place, while the other will not – but I’ll still ask him to cover the tab anyway!)

“OH JOE!”

GAME REVIEW time – and for the complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter feed over at https://x.com/NYCTheMiC

FIRST PERIOD

After Mika turned over the puck on his first shift, there was white Miller to hit “old friend” Brett Howden – which of course – got a thunderous roar of approval from the 18,006 fans in-attendance.

Speaking of Howden – then I’d like to see him become a two-time Ranger too – but only if it meant that Mika was deported to Vegas!

Panarin, active all night, but who could never score until late, was stopped by Hill at the 36-second mark, which reminded me that for as often as the Rangers give up early goals – they don’t score that many themselves.

Jumpin’ Joe, and like everyone else (including yours truly), mentioned that J.T. was the best Ranger during the loss against the Bruins – and where even he was shocked that this was the case – but only because of Miller’s hectic travel and lack of sleep.

Howden, who always seems like a lock to score against his former team, almost had one with 16:30 remaining, but thankfully, just missed the net by an inch.

On Zibanejad’s second shift – he refused to crash the net – which in turn prevented the Rangers from scoring the game’s first goal:

So close #NYR pic.twitter.com/5NNJMQ0EbW

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 2, 2025

A few things about this play:

One, what a pass from Miller to Panarin.

Two, yes, Panarin probably should’ve shot this puck.

Three, since he didn’t, then Mika has to crash the net and not allow a Vegas defender to break up this potential scoring play.

Four, at least Mika learned a valuable lesson here – as he’d crash the net on a play similar to this one, which in turn, allowed him to score his first “greasy” and physical goal of this season.

Following another whistle and this is when Rosen proudly shrieked out, “GOOD PACE JOE!”

Bless Sam’s heart.

Rempe, very noticeable in this game, continued to extend forechecks while also making clean hits – and more about the bullshit penalty assessed to him in just a second.

However, the fourth line got caught out there for over two-minutes, with an icing included, but Quick was able to bail them out when he stopped Eichel.

Speaking of Eichel, here’s what I said with 12:20 remaining, after Quick had stopped him for the second time:

Eichel is shooting everything, one of them are going to go in eventually #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 2, 2025

Here’s Quick’s second save on Eichel – and one full of SWAGGER too:

Quick wants that 400th win. Nice save #NYR pic.twitter.com/1TaOvSz09W

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 2, 2025

At the halfway mark of the period and the Knights were out-shooting the Rangers at a 3:1 clip, 9-3.

This meant that Quick was averaging nearly a save per-minute.

These totals would have been higher too – but for every shot on goal that Vegas recorded – they also sent two more high or wide.

In other words, the Blueshirts got a break – and Vegas allowed the Rangers to hang in there too.

Down to 8:21 remaining and we had a complete REMPUTATION call.

Rempe, and just like any other hockey player, made a clean hit on Shea Theodore by the boards.

This hit was so clean that we’d see about 97866696 more of them throughout the game – but of course – it was only this one that earned a player a penalty.

Take a gander for yourself:

Rempe is going off for 2 min for a body check #NYR pic.twitter.com/Lf77Qb4D2I

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 2, 2025

Thankfully, and rather than this bullshit call leading to a Vegas power-play; instead, and we had two-minutes of foreplay, as Theodore, and before Hill could even leave his net, put the puck over the glass for a delay of game.

Long story short?

Even when Rempe plays right and the officials still have it out for him.

In another example of “THE J.T. EFFECT,” then it was noticeable that Panarin was actually backchecking and playing defense for once, and where with 6:55 remaining, his work was rewarded by forcing a turnover in the Rangers’ d-zone.

You could also see white Miller barking at his teammates all game (but in a positive manner), including at the player who shares his surname – and where his advice of “SHOOT THE PUCK,” as if he was a common fan, would later pay off for black Miller.

As Sam and Joe congratulated my pal, “The Maven,” Stan Fischler, for being inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame – and where both men even mentioned that Fischler continues to write today as he approaches his 93rd birthday (but the phrase “PIGGY IGGY” was never mentioned on-air); then following such acknowledgment and both announcers did a standings-watch update.

As Quick continued to keep the Rangers in this game, then down to 4:10 to go and Kreider & Brodzinski flubbed a 2 x 2 attack.

Two-minutes later and Theodore broke up a Miller, the forward, breakaway attempt.

Down to 1:24 remaining and this is when Lindgren took his undisciplined and unnecessary penalty, a tripping infraction as committed on Pavel Dorofeyev.

The Knights just owned the puck for the next minute-and-change, and where as a result, Eichel scored the game’s first goal with only 18.8 seconds remaining in the period:

Jack Eichel kicks off the scoring for Vegas with a great shot on the power play!#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/cCjr8shz4C

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 2, 2025

1-0, bad guys – and that’s where we remained some 18.8 seconds later.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-0, bad guys, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Another early or late goal allowed – but I said Eichel was gonna get one – he was shooting everything.
— #NYR being out-shot at a 2:1 ratio, 14-7.
— Quick can’t do it all.
— Rangers have had trouble scoring goals lately.
— Mika…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 2, 2025

SECOND PERIOD

It was notable that the fourth line began this period – but Sam Carrick lost this opening draw.

In turn, and Stone came perilously close of scoring just 33-seconds in.

But he didn’t, and as a result, Lafreniere soon did:

Laffy ties the game 1-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/7r0B8oGV5e

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2025

1-1 – and more “JT MILLER EFFECT” too!

While Adam Fox made a hell of a pass to set up Lafreniere, it was Miller who had set a legal pick, while crashing the net, on a Vegas defender – and a defender who had no chance to help out his goalie as Lafreniere was gunning for twine.

While this wasn’t exactly a “screened assist,” but without Miller, then I don’t think that this goal is scored.

At this time, and I have to mention it and then move on, but new Knight, Raphael Lavoie, was a force to be reckoned with.

I don’t know how he was credited with only four shots on goal in this game – as it felt like he had forty – and about four-hundred other shot attempts that either sailed high or wide too.

I can’t profess to having watched all of Lavoie’s games in Vegas – but I must say that I was most impressed with him tonight.

I’m not exaggerating at all when I say this:

He was all over the place (in a good way), generated offense and was a major pain in the Blueshirts’ ass.

Outside of Eichel – and he was the most noticeable opponent on the ice during this contest.

Following Quick stopping Lavoie with 16:53 remaining, we then saw this sequence:

Hill stops Carrick, puck/rebound too fast for Vesey, Vegas gets a 2 x 1 the other way, Saad denied by Quick at the elbow, 15:25 to go #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 3, 2025

As Lavoie continued to shoot every puck imaginable, while #8 in Rangers’ blue finished every check imaginable, then come 10:44 remaining and Eichel put himself on hat trick watch, following this ferocious rip:

Jack Eichel with a LAZER for his second of the game 💥 pic.twitter.com/w5wkpxN5Ht

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 3, 2025

2-1, bad guys – and while Quick may have wanted this one back – he was beat by one of the best players in the league today – so there’s no fault in that.

I must also mention that two-seconds prior to the goal and Rosen said, “Both teams have tightened up a bit Joe.”

Bless Sam’s heart.

As Quick continued to rack up the saves, then Panarin, who has had trouble scoring goals lately, hit iron with 6:39 to go.

A few seconds later, and Kreider & Brodzinski had a 2 x 1 odd-man rush – and where Kreider, also cold as ice these days, didn’t even hit the net.

On the ricochet off of the boards and Cuylle fired a puck off of Hill’s mask so hard that it fell off – and where whenever you see a save like this – it just makes you appreciate the likes of Gump Worsley and that ilk even more.

As Sam and Joe were begging for Mark Stone to score after another Quick denial; Lavy hit the line blender and shortened his bench – and where of course – Rempe became the clown coach’s biggest victim.

That said, things did return to normal in the third period – and where REMPESTEIN played a gigantic 10:08 – which rivals his career-high.

As we worked our way to the end, then, and with 1:50 remaining, Lavoie had two more scoring opportunities, but where Trocheck blocked one of them and where Quick stopped the other.

We remained at 2-1, bad guys, through forty-minutes – and where at the time – this game had “RANGERS LOSS” written all over it.

Here’s what I said in real-time:

2-1, bad guys, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— We’ll never forget the time #NYR didn’t go all-in for Eichel, prioritized Mika and Kravtsov instead.
— Quick has done his job, offense continues to sputter on empty.
— I remember last year when Panarin could take over games.
—…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 3, 2025

THIRD PERIOD

I have no clue what transpired during the second intermission – but whatever it was – the Rangers need to keep on doing it.

As everyone was writing off the Rangers’ season, yours truly included, then Carrick lost another opening draw.

At the 1:30 mark, and during a Rangers’ attack, then I found it questionable when I saw the white Miller playing up high by the blue line, while the black Miller was skating behind the net.

But this is also when the forward was telling the defenseman to trust in his shot – and by telling him to shoot the puck.

I still think that Vincent Trocheck will become the next captain of this team – and where I’d also rip the “A” off of Mika’s sweater tomorrow and give it to the new “GREAT EIGHT” in town.

The turning point of this game was created by none other than MATT FREAKIN’ REMPE!

At the 4:03 mark, then Rempe, who again was leading an attack (his line doesn’t play in their own end often), was interfered with by a frustrated Howden.

This gave the Rangers their first power-play of the game – and they’d make it count.

Here’s white Miller boosting Zibanejad:

Rangers tie the game with a Mika PP goal #NYR pic.twitter.com/Uy4Gqzxrrr

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2025

2-2.

It’s only two games – but man oh man – has J.T. Miller been a revelation.

That said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that it’s so on brand for the Blueshirts to trade away one of their first-round picks – only to see him then have his prime years elsewhere – and then only to bring him back after his peak.

But I must also add that I don’t think that the soon-to-be 32-year-old is out of his prime years just yet – but as long as he remains – then the downhill of his career will take place with the Rangers.

In other words – TRADE MIKA!

IT’S CUP OR BUST – AND MIKA IS A BUST!

As Rosen and Micheletti paid tribute to Filip Chytil (and where as mentioned last night – I don’t see anyone ruing the fact that he’s gone) and where of course, both announcers were also chomping at the bit to tell us that “he’s a good man;” then with 10:19 to go, Quick stopped Hertl.

Fifty-seconds later and Lavoie almost set-up a scoring play – but his pass to Roy was off by a c-hair.

Whew.

Down to 8:48 away from Quick winning his 400th game and Borgen hit the iron.

A few seconds later?

The other Miller scoring what wound up becoming the game-winner:

Miller gets one to take the lead 3-2 #NYR pic.twitter.com/sy9k8vbWNU

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2025

3-2, GOOD GUYS.

And for as much as I can’t stand the sight of him – what a hell of a pass from Mika too – who admittedly – looks to be rejuvenated with the white Miller carrying his ass.

The fireworks weren’t done yet.

With 6:53 to go, the following:

Will Cuylle vs Nicolas Hague, Cuylle smoked Alex Pietrangelo. This should be a Power Play for #NYR pic.twitter.com/8138qc19kl

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2025

I gotta say this – and you will agree with me too – that had Rempe hit Pietrangelo like this, then you’d never see him in the NHL again.

In real-time, I thought that Cuylle was a tad late with the hit, but after seeing the replay – it was a clean, although vicious as well, check – and a check that most certainly was followed through too!

Cuylle didn’t win this fight, but it didn’t matter.

The Garden was rocking after this “TROO TROO TRAIN” tribute – and where as noted earlier – there was J.T. to give Cuylle his props – and where yes, and one more time, the following:

Once J.T. is done carrying the sorry asses of Mika and Panarin – then I want to see him become the leader of a line flanked by Lafreniere and Cuylle.

That’s the best way to develop young talent – or so I say.

Vegas, now down by one, did try to tie the game – and where the Rangers had to go the extra mile, via the art of shot blocking, in order to ensure Quick of his historic victory.

I thought a Lafreniere shot block, with 3:35 to go, stood out the most.

Following Pietrangelo hooking Kreider, and the Rangers’ power-play, so dreadful this season, finished a perfect 2-2, as Miller’s passing awed everyone – which in turn – led to Panarin finally scoring again too:

Panarin makes it 4-2. #NYR pic.twitter.com/OOUQwyf62X

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2025

4-2, good guys.

4-2, good guys, your final too.

And the first player to congratulate Quick after the win?

The same player who consoled CZAR IGOR after the ECF loss to the Panthers – your future captain, Vincent Trocheck.

In other words, Trocheck is there in both the bad times and the good times.

Here’s Quick, the Miller’s and Miserable Mika after the win – and where of course – the always humble JQ32 just thanked his teammates, rather than taking joy in his own personal accomplishments – and on a night where he had every right to just soak it all in:

Here’s Bozo The Bench Boss – who owes J.T. Miller a steak dinner for carrying the offense tonight:

All in all – a good final twenty-minutes.

But this win did feel like an abnormality – and not routine.

Up Next For The Rangers: Three more games until the useless two-week break in order for the cash grab gimmick fake news “best of best” tournament to commence.

The Blueshirts will be off on Monday and will then practice on Tuesday.

After that, a home game (to be broadcasted on TNT) against the Bruins on Wednesday (2/6), followed by a back-to-back starting on Friday (2/7) against the Penguins, followed by a Saturday (2/8) game in Columbus.

And yep, you know it – it would be nice if the Rangers can enter the break with a four-game winning streak – and especially against these three teams that are also jockeying for a playoff berth.

Up Next For Me: Yaaaaaaaawwwwwwn. Bed time!

Up Next For You: Your favorite segment, which brings us to…

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

My fourth title and tenth book is now available!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading.

LET’S GO RANGERS!

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine