Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Even after a win and I’m left with a one-word opening remark:
UGH!
I must also admit – it’s really hard to maintain any level of enthusiasm when writing these GAME REVIEW blogs this season – and where today – this feels like work – and not like fun – and as it once was when I first opened this site eleven years ago.
(For the record, and I had no issue when writing about this team during the truncated rebuilding years, as you knew they were looking for a hopeful golden road ahead. Today? And it’s anyone’s guess what happens next – but with that said – and I don’t see a silver Cup ceremony anytime soon.)
Heck, that’s also why I passed on writing a GAME REVIEW blog last night, after the Rangers put forth another, and of many, “worst loss of the season” candidate – and one that was so unfathomable to any lengths of the imagination.
Then again, consuming about fifteen beers and ten shots throughout Saturday’s match at my local watering hole’s viewing party could have contributed to my Artemi Panarin inspired “no show” too!
But to close this intro segment on Ice Birds v. Blueshirts, then you can say, and especially after watching the Four Nations tournament – that this game felt like the Olympics – or to be specific – “The Special Olympics.”
However, and unlike the physically disabled athletes who participate in those games – then these gifted NHL players just looked flat-out disinterested and mentally disabled.
Another dis-?
Then I’d also consider most of the performances exhibited on Sunday night as disgraceful too.
There’s really no reason to examine every piece of garbage that was strewn all over Rangerstown, USA following the team’s 8-2 ass-kicking in Buffalo – but I do have a few remarks before moving into Sunday in Pittsburgh.
As said on this site prior to the game – then I wasn’t really expecting a Blueshirts’ victory anyway.
After all, it would be so on brand for the Blueshirts to lay another dud to another NHL worst.
It’s just their modus-operandi this season.
Heck, I reiterated this point late Thursday night on Twitter/X too:
Come Saturday, Sabres 6, #NYR 2, the misery continues
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 21, 2025
Go figure: I was off by two goals – and two goals for in the wrong direction!
Ugh!
As far as my on-ice thoughts from that travesty, then I present to you the following:
— I do wonder if this game had been played right before the Four Nations break began, then would have Peter Laviolette received his walking papers?
Then again, it’s probably too late for that – but with GM Chris Drury making the move for J.T. Miller – then maybe the ZOOM ZOOM manager would have axed Bozo The Bench Boss – and even if such a move would be an indictment on Drury’s work as a front office executive too.
We all know that it’s the core that’s rotten, and one that’s shed a few players as well during the past few months, but with Miller hopefully set-up as the new face of the club – then it would have been okay had Drury fired his third coach in four-years.
But he also has to deport Mika Zibanejad from this roster too.
Sadly, such potential and future departures will have to wait until the summer.
As far as what Drury, who created this mess himself, does prior to this year’s trade deadline?
It’s still anyone’s guess – but I do think that we can rule out any idea of a rental.
— Anyone see Artemi Panarin?
While “The Breadman” remains as the greatest free agent signing in franchise history – he’s also currently experiencing his worst stretch as a Ranger throughout his six-year tenure.
Just to say it, then, and without a question, Panarin has been much more serviceable than the other alleged member of the 1-2 scoring punch, Missing Mika.
But then again, what does that mean, as nearly everyone else on the team has been more effective than the mopey loser in the #93 jersey.
As we all know, then it’s nothing but “big games” from here on out for the Blueshirts, which as a result, I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Panarin has been a ghost throughout all of them recently – and just as he always is come the playoffs.
He’ll always have the pretty and eye-popping regular season numbers – but there’s also a reason why you don’t see “BIG GAME BREAD” shirts being made-up either.
— Buffalo, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, once again went belt to ass on the Blueshirts.
For the fourth time this season and the Rangers lost or got blown out by the worst team of a respective conference.
After being completely embarrassed by the Sabres earlier this season (on M$G ice no less), then the Rangers have also suffered defeats to two teams that were the worst in all of the league when the Blueshirts hosted them, the Blackhawks and Predators.
That’s eight pissed away points right there alone – and had the Rangers won just one of these games – then they’d be tied for the second wild card spot today.
And of course, there have been a ton of pissed away points this season – but these four losses stand out the most.
Another loss that also stands out?
The Blueshirts’ final loss prior to the Four Nations break – a home ice defeat that they suffered to a Penguins team missing both Crosby and Malkin.
(And go figure – the Rangers beat the Penguins on Sunday night with both of these future Hall of Famers in the line-up. As I say, “that’s hockey Suzyn!”)
— It’s getting tough to defend CZAR IGOR.
As I write these words, then I don’t know if the goaltender conducted a post-game interview after a strong performance in net against Pittsburgh.
But I do know that he skipped out on all media requests on Saturday.
We’ve talked about these comparisons before, the CZAR IGOR v. Henrik Lundqvist comparisons, and where Shestyorkin’s predecessor was always there to say something after every game – win-or-lose.
Lundqvist’s successor?
Not so much.
That said, I do give CZAR IGOR the tiniest of hall passes here, because unlike Lundqvist – he’s not the highest-player on the team (not even close to it yet – but that changes next season) – and where also unlike Lundqvist – CZAR IGOR isn’t the main face in town.
Heck, he’s not even the second banana, especially when you consider the money earned and tenures gained by the likes of Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider, Fox, et al.
But to show responsibility, while also personifying the word “team” – then yes – CZAR IGOR has to be there – and not only after wins.
Should there even be a Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award ceremony this year?
Outside of Jonathan Quick, Sam Carrick and Will Cuylle – then I’m hard-pressed to come up with anyone else that really deserves the honor this year – and where let’s stress that the words “EXTRA EFFORT” are attached to it.
If anything, then I’d rather see a rich/poor season ticket holder schmuck, one getting robbed of a high five-figures for ducats, get honored for attending every game at M$G this season. (Hello Dancin’ Larry!)
Nothing against Quick, Cuylle and Carrick, a trio who have played well and don’t give up like the others always do (exception: the newly acquired J.T. Miller) – but this McDonald Class is one of the weakest fields in years.
As we now move past that unacceptable, inexcusable and pathetic loss in Buffalo, then come Sunday in the Steel City – and the only thing that changed was that the Rangers’ opponent couldn’t do anything on special teams, while their foe also sported a third-string goalie, making near league minimum money, Joel Blomqvist, in net.
And of course, CZAR IGOR wasn’t a hot mess as he was a day prior either.
Yeah, yeah, yeah – at this juncture of the season – then it’s not about how you win, as it’s only about getting the win.
But even so, then Sunday wasn’t inspirational or motivational at all.
In addition, then I can see the hated Islanders, who do have a goalie, just absolutely annihilating the Rangers come Tuesday, when the two arch-rival teams play next – and especially if Panarin continues his tribute to Casper The Friendly Ghost.
Until really the final frame, one that wasn’t devoid of a myriad of mistakes either, then this game was a complete bore – that is – except for CZAR IGOR who had to shoulder the entire load.
The shots on goal differential was truly the biggest theme throughout the sixty-minutes.
The Penguins out-shot the Rangers to a tune of 39-16, following respective period totals of 12-5, 19-4 and 8-7.
The Blueshirts’ sixteenth shot on goal was of the empty net variety (Miller’s 5-3 ENG).
As noted earlier, not only were the Rangers trailing in the SOG department 26-5 at the half-way mark of the game, but they didn’t register their first SOG of the second period until there was only 4:47 remaining.
I’ll bring up the SOG stuff during the GAME REVIEW segment, but just to say it here – and the Rangers got OOGATZ from their forwards.
The two highest-paid forwards, who make $20M combined – which also means that they eat up 25% of the team’s payroll?
Together, and Panarin and Zibanejad totaled zero shots on goal.
Away from CZAR IGOR’s outing in net, then the Rangers were able to find a way via their special teams.
In a game that was pretty much a one-goal difference on the scoreboard (Miller’s empty-netter took place with only six-seconds remaining), then it were the special teams that swung this game.
The Blueshirts’ penalty kill went a perfect three of three, while the PP2 unit, on their only opportunity, went flawless (one of one) too.
And yep again – a third-string black-and-yellow netminder also made a positive difference for the Rangers too.
The Rangers couldn’t muster up much of anything once the first puck was dropped, but thankfully, neither could the Penguins.
As both teams played mainly whistle-free hockey at the onset, then it was a fluky (but they all count) broken play Evgeni Malkin goal that opened the scoring at the 12:53 mark of the first frame.
Following the Rangers killing a bogus penalty assessed to Matt Rempe (more below in the GAME REVIEW segment), then it was the giant who drew a penalty himself, as he forced Kris Letang into tripping him with just 2:29 remaining in the period.
A rip from CUYLLE HAND LUKE, with just 47.6 left on the clock, tied the game, where following the strike, the Rangers’ special teams were now a perfect two of two.
The second period was another all-out nightmare for Blueshirts – that is – sans CZAR IGOR.
Following eighteen consecutive saves in net, and where the Penguins looked mighty frustrated with themselves too, finally, and J.T. Miller broke the tie with just 3:00 left on the clock – following his laser of a snipe.
2-1, “good guys” – and where we see this all the time – one team does everything but score, while the team getting bludgeoned in their own zone somehow gets a goal following their hectic survival.
(Need recent evidence of this? Then check out the overtime period from Thursday’s Four Nation’s championship game. Ugh!)
Now entering the third period in another “must win game” (although not mathematically correct), and the Penguins, who couldn’t get anything by CZAR IGOR in the twenty-minutes played prior, scored a pair within just 3:31.
The Blueshirts, who must lead the league all-time in most “firsts” allowed, saw Ryan Shea score his first goal of the season at just the 57-second mark.
2-2.
Shea then scored his second goal of the season some 2:34 later.
Malkin set-up the tying score while Crosby set-up the 3-2 go-ahead goal.
As you were just preparing yourself for another “worst loss of the season” contender, then something strange happened – the Rangers actually came back – and where let’s keep repeating it – praise the hockey gods that the Penguins had a third-string AHL schlub in net.
Jimmy Vesey knotted the game at 3-3 just fifty-seconds after Shea’s second strike.
We remained this way for the next seven-minutes, as out of nowhere, Adam Fox, not a goal scorer, picked up his second five-vs-five goal of the season – and on a shot that any real NHL caliber goaltender would have easily denied – and a save that should’ve been so simple that even the TNT broadcasters were laughing at Blomqvist for not making it.
4-3, “good guys.”
The Penguins, who like the Rangers, also gave up eight goals on Saturday (to Washington), may have gassed out a bit during the “do-or-die time,” as it was them that now struggled to find shots on goal.
But when they did put pucks at CZAR IGOR – then the goaltender was there in order to prevent them from retying the match.
After Cuylle hit the post from Downtown Julie Brown, Miller, following the icing and d-zone faceoff, then sealed the deal with his 5-3 empty netter.
Perhaps black-and-white words can’t accurately describe how awful this win looked – and maybe you don’t care about the fashion in how the game was won either; but suffice to say, then if you were steaming pissed after the Sabres smacked them down – then your opinion on these here 2024-25 Blueshirts should remain as such.
I know that many don’t want to hear such verbiage – but the Rangers still suck and this game didn’t change anything.
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-seven down, twenty-five 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?
Probably not.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – a Rangers’ Refresher and thoughts on the Four Nations tournament:
A Rangers’ Refresher; What Lies Ahead For The Blueshirts, Four Nations One of The Biggest Successes in NHL/Hockey History; One of Bettman’s Biggest Feathers In His Cap Too, Russia Needs To Be Included Next Time, Brothers’ Tkachuk Become Household Names in USA; Injuries Incurred, Trump v. Trudeau, Tough Schedule For “Lavy’s Lot”; Seven Games To Determine Deadline Fate, “Lyin’ Larry” Gets Big Mad When Laffy Trade Idea is Universally Panned, Rosen Honor & More
As far as any news that I missed from Saturday, then it was this text message that I received less than an hour before the loss to the Sabres began:
As of this writing, then there is no information on the specifics of the new accord that both M$GN and Optimum Altice agreed to.
(In other words, we don’t know the length of the agreement.)
However, it was reported that Sam Rosen’s recent commercial, as paid-and-produced by M$GN, where the Rangers’ caller called for viewers to switch to Verizon, was the last straw in the war.
But after watching that loss to the Sabres, then as an Optimum Altice customer myself, then perhaps I was better off had this stalemate continued!
I just hope that everyone else in the same boat as me did what I did – and called Optimum’s retention department prior to this new agreement reached.
As noted earlier on this site, I saved $950.
I also know others that saved nearly $3,000 ($100 off of their monthly bill for the next three-years), and a slew of many other people who saved $500+ too.
Kreider, who following his goal scored against Sweden during Monday’s Four Nations match, tied the Rangers’ all-time leader board for most power-play goals on Saturday during the 8-2 loss in Buffalo (116, which he now shares with Camille “The Eel” Henry).
As many hoped to see CK20 set the record on Sunday, then just minutes before puck drop in Pittsburgh and the Rangers announced the following:
UPDATE: Chris Kreider (upper body, day-to-day) will not play today.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) February 23, 2025
Prior to this news, which many believe is once again back-related, and Arthur Kaliyev was slated to be Lateralette’s lone healthy forward scratch.
While it’s not my intent to single-out Kaliyev here, as he’s not the problem – the FAT CATS are; but despite being given this fortunate reprieve – and he was another ghost on the ice for the Rangers tonight – and as was evident by his zero SOG performance.
In comparison, and Jimmy Vesey, who was scratched on Saturday, finished with a two-point showing (1G, 1A), as he was trying to prove himself to the red-nosed coach.
A lot of these depth forwards are trying to cement their individual cases for a full-time roster spot, and while it’s only one game, then you should understand why Kaliyev will be scratched on Tuesday in the event that Kreider is able to return.
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the fifty-seventh game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Casper The Friendly Russian/Miller/Mental Mika
SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Trocheck/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Vesey/Carrick/Smith
FOURTH LINE: Kaliyev/Brodzinski/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Lindgren/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Miller/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
LTIR: Adam Edstrom
DAY TO DAY: Chris Kreider
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Matthew Robertson
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 | 3 | 36 | .923 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
PIT
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 15 | 4 | 11 | .733 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 58:25 | 0 |
TNT featured a twin-bill of NHL games on Saturday, where preceding this Rangers’ 5-3 win against the Penguins, we saw the Capitals knock off the Oilers by a 7-3, four-goal, margin.
Since the end of the Capitals’ victory bled into the start time in Pittsburgh, then we had no pregame show today – which perhaps wasn’t the worst thing in the world – as after all – who wanted to relive Saturday night’s events anyway?
During Washington’s win, Ovechkin picked up an empty-net abetted hat-trick, which as a result, now has him sitting on 882 career goals – twelve shy of Wayne Gretzky’s 894.
A baker’s dozen will make “The Great Eight” the league’s all-time leader in this department – and will also cause a heavy case of tear-induced flooding from Larry “The Putinista” Brooks.
Despite breaking his leg earlier this season, which as a result, forced him to miss a huge chunk of time, and the 39-year-old Russian (29 goals) now has as many red lamps lit as the ambiguously gay duo, the BFF, Missing Mika (12) and CK20 (17).
That’s an indictment on the Rangers.
More indicting below, as it’s now time for the GAME REVIEW segment, and where as always, you can find the complete play-by-play of the match here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC/
FIRST PERIOD
As this game’s start was delayed by 23-minutes for all of the Ovi coverage, then come 3:53PM, we finally had our first puck drop – and one that TNT, which featured their A-Team for this broadcast, outright missed (Miller beat Crosby in case you were wondering).
Most of the opening minutes were back-and-forth – but with no SOG either.
But at least the Penguins, and unlike most Ranger opponents, didn’t score within the first two-minutes!
(They saved such a showing for the third period!)
After CZAR IGOR made his first save on Cody Glass with 15:20 to go, then come 14:37 remaining and we finally had our first whistle – after a Lindgren shot was sent out of play.
By the time that the seven-minute mark had elapsed, then both of these shots remained as the only SOG of the game.
For whatever reason, and with 12:13 to go, Letang, while using his face, blocked a J. Miller shot attempt. Despite the puck in play – and the refs blew their whistles – or in other words – defied the NHL’s rule book.
Letang never missed a shift afterwards.
As Igor stopped Crosby for the first of five times with 11:30 to go, then the TNT broadcast booth said that J. Miller gives the Rangers a rare “alpha male,” and where they also cited that the Blueshirts lost the only two that they had when Drury unceremoniously parted ways with both Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba.
Such commentary was an indictment on “Lavy’s Lot,” but I wasn’t sure if it was necessarily true either, as Rempe and Cuylle fit such a bill – although you can argue that both of them have been neutered a bit by their moronic head coach, and in #73’s case, the league too.
Following a Rempe hit and forecheck – and not one Ranger forward had registered a SOG as we hit nine-minutes to go.
It wasn’t until there was only 7:40 to go, and with Trocheck falling down and desperately swiping at the puck, when the first Ranger forward recorded such a rare event.
But 33-seconds later, and Malkin, who didn’t play against the Rangers some two-weeks ago when the Penguins emerged victorious at M$G, not only recorded a SOG – but a goal too:
Evgeni Malkin puts Pittsburgh on the board first with his 10th goal of the season!#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/5IqmNos4Rc
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 23, 2025
1-0, bad guys – and this was more of a broken play/bad puck luck incident for the Rangers than anything that CZAR IGOR and his lines of defense did.
Plus, Malkin is pretty good at this hockey thing too.
Down to 5:36 remaining and this is when we had our lone “controversy” of the game – a “Remputation” penalty:
Rempe with a clean hit, going off for 2 min #NYR pic.twitter.com/JnXy0ujrW6
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 23, 2025
While the head of defenseman Matt Grzelcyk did hit the glass after this hit; Rempe only hit him in the arm – and not in the head.
For whatever reason, and rather than calling charging, boarding or something else, and the officials decided on a five-minute major for interference – and despite the puck being where the hit was committed.
After review, and the penalty was lessened to a two-minute minor – rather than being completely erased as it should’ve been.
But it was no harm, no foul, here, as the Rangers easily killed off this penalty.
And for those tracking such stats, then Smith, while short-handed, was stoned on a breakaway, as the Rangers are now 3 and 7986786986798679867986898768698697867 on breakaways this season.
Come 2:29 to go and this is when Letang tripped a flying-into-the-zone Rempe, which in turn, set-up CUYLLE HAND LUKE for a late tying dagger of a goal:
Cuylle ties the game with his 15th of the season. #NYR pic.twitter.com/yZuihuyoZS
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 23, 2025
1-1 – and where in a rarity – this Cuylle score wasn’t reviewed, nor overturned either!
It should be noted that the PP1 did nothing during their opening 1:20’s worth of an attack too.
We remained tied at one-all after twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-1 after 1. 1P Thoughts:
— #NYR get a late PPG to tie it – got a break too as Mika should’ve been boxed for a high-stick while on the PP.
— This game feels blah, but that’s more because of what happened yesterday.
— FAT CATS, Mika, Panarin, Miller, Lafreniere and Fox, have…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 23, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
We can blow right through this period, as the majority of it was dominated by CZAR IGOR (and the Penguins too), while the Rangers couldn’t get a SOG until there was only 4:47 remaining.
Among what you need to know:
— Matt Grzelcyk, after becoming Rempe’s latest victim, never returned to the game. That means that the Penguins were down to five defensemen – yet they still ate the Rangers alive – at least on the ice (not on the scoreboard – or literally for that matter either).
— Igor robbed Crosby just 14-seconds in.
— Igor prevented the customary former Ranger goal allowed at the ninety-second mark, and as he did when he stopped Kevin Hayes.
— Malkin created three scoring chances on one shift, as he out-worked every Ranger imaginable, which in turn, kept the Blueshirts in their own zone for over two-minutes. As a result, Urho was forced to hold Anthony Beauvillier at the 4:45 mark.
— The Blueshirts killed their second penalty – and where this particular kill was more about the goalie than anything else.
— When the Pens’ PP concluded, they were now out-shooting the Rangers at a 4:1 clip – 20-5 – which also meant that the Rangers hadn’t recorded a SOG yet, much less have the puck in the Pens’ zone either.
— At the 9:10 mark, Igor made a trio of robberies on Rakell, Rakell, “The Musical,” Letang and Beauvillier. As a result, the Penguins had recorded fourteen consecutive SOG since Cuylle’s goal, and where they were now out-shooting these Blueshirt bums to a tune of 26-5 – and where for you math majors – also means they were out-shooting them at over a 5:1 ratio.
— Down to 7:24 remaining and a frustrated Cuylle, in an undisciplined act, elbowed Letang in the face. This put the Penguins on the power-play for the third time in the game.
— Igor survived this penalty kill too – and where the Rangers still remained with five SOG – and where need I remind you again that Blomqvist is a third-string goalie making near league minimum?
— With 4:47 to go, Blomqvist made his first save of the period (on Schneider) – start the parade!
— This also tells you that you weren’t getting anything out of your forwards.
— At this time, a pregame tweet and a real-time tweet:
I can see J.T. Miller having a big game today, but the rest of them? I’m not so sure. #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 23, 2025
Miller, 2-1, #NYR, 3:00 to go. Said this would happen – Pens had a million chances, Igor makes a million saves and it’s one play that allows the Rangers to take the lead. Just a demoralizing goal allowed for Pens too.
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 23, 2025
And here’s Miller’s 2-1, good guys, laser too:
JT Miller with the snipe!! #NYR pic.twitter.com/pvz0WG1wk6
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 23, 2025
Similar to CZAR IGOR – and the Rangers don’t leave Pittsburgh like thieves in the night without Miller.
We remained at 2-1, good guys, after two periods of play.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-1, #NYR after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— SOG are 32-9, so the Rangers are nearly being out-shot 4:1 yet lead.
— CZAR IGOR has rebounded from yesterday – and where I do expect them to win – Pens blew it, especially with their 0-3 PP.
— Even if the Blueshirts win, this changes…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 23, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
Perhaps fitting to their New York opponent – and it was “Shea Stadium” night in Pittsburgh.
Here’s Ryan Shea scoring his first goal of the season:
Ryan Shea ties the score up at 2 for the Penguins with his first goal of the season!#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/HBEDr1WvDp
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 23, 2025
2-2 – and just 57-seconds into the period – so another early goal allowed by both the Blueshirts and CZAR IGOR.
Once Shea tied it, then those familiar chants from 2022, the trolling “IGOR!” sing-songs, returned.
They grew even louder after Shea hit K’Andre Miller with a puck – and one that then went right behind CZAR IGOR too:
RYAN SHEA AGAIN! 3-2 Pittsburgh!#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/LGl328gsBA
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 23, 2025
3-2, bad guys.
What once was a 2-1 lead had now become a one-goal deficit within the first 3:31 of this period.
But just before you could start a “SHEA HAT TRICK WATCH,” which was fitting considering what Ovi had just done two-hours prior, then fifty-seconds after Shea’s second and Vesey returned this game to even:
Vesey with his 100th goal of his career is a SNIPE!! #NYR pic.twitter.com/u615oiue3R
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 23, 2025
3-3 – and where we now had three goals scored in just 4:21.
And kudos to Vesey on his 100th career goal too.
As the intensity picked up, then both Noel Acciari and J.T. Miller got banged up, but neither missed a shift.
As you were just waiting for the Rangers to blow it, then down to 8:34 remaining and Fox exposed the AHL goaltender:
Foxy makes it 4-3 #NYR pic.twitter.com/5uW2Aae5Rb
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 23, 2025
4-3, good guys – and you eventual game-winning goal too.
The Penguins looked deflated after this – as they couldn’t muster up anything on net afterwards – and even including when Mike “Larry Brooks Has Said For Four-Years That I’ll Be The Next Coach of the Rangers” Sullivan put a super line on the ice, a trio featuring Crosby, Rakell and Malkin.
It was this line, and as expected, that challenged CZAR IGOR the most – but none of these attacks were as good looking as the ones that the Pens piled-up during the middle stanza.
Lindgren had his best showing of the game here too, as with under 3:00 remaining, he made a pair of blocks on both Rakell and Crosby.
Now down to 1:45 lef on the clock, and the goalie who will be paid ten-times less than CZAR IGOR will be paid next season went to the bench.
Cuylle hit a post on his EN try – which as a result – was also an icing.
On the faceoff that ensued and Big Billy Borgen saved the game for the Rangers – as with Igor out of position – he prevented both Crosby and Hayes from scoring.
We then had another Miller Time celebration with six-seconds to go following J.T.’s second goal game in his second stint.
5-3, good guys.
5-3, good guys, your final.
5-3, this game didn’t change anything, either.
Up Next For The Rangers: After a worrisome weekend, the Rangers will have off on Monday and will then return Tuesday night at IBS for a game against little brother.
This game is just as big as it is for the Manhattanites as it is for Long Islandians.
Up Next For Me: As mentioned last time around (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/22125/ ), I have a ton of mandatory overtime coming up at the real j-o-b this week, including three double-shifts.
It’s my plan to get something up following the (eventual loss) game with the Isles – but if the Blueshirts do get blown out as I fear – then I may just save myself the headache.
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
