Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. BLUE COLLAR BLUE SHIRTS!
In another “biggest game of the season,” and also another non-mathematically applicable “must win game” too; and the Rangers aced their mission against the woeful New York Islanders – and as they did on Tuesday night over at the ice rink in Belmont.
While there was much joy to be shared following the Blueshirts’ 5-1 domination over baby brother – and especially after the complete up-and-down ass kicking that the new line of Othmann/Brodzinski/Rempe delivered to the orange-and-blue punks; but at the same time, I also ponder the following:
No matter what your feelings are on the issue of “buy or sell” before the March 7th NHL trade deadline; but come the final horn of this match – did your opinion change on the matter?
For those in the buy camp, then after witnessing this 5-1 shellacking of the crummy nomadic rival, then you must remain in the mindset of “all in.”
For the fans with the opposite perspective, those who remain firm in the field of sell, then you can’t get overzealous just because the Rangers knocked off their most-hated enemy.
To give you the full story, then the beat-up Islanders were without six of their stars, including Noah Dobson, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, and to a lesser extent, Matt Martin and Scott Mayfield too.
The other man compromising the half-dozen of Lou Lamoriello’s walking wounded was goaltender Semyon Varlamov – and a backstop who not only has emerged as a “Ranger Killer” over the years – but who was also the goalie of choice for Patrick Roy once he took over the reigns at the horse track.
As the Islanders were forced to skate many AHLers and others who wouldn’t ordinarily be in their line-up during this particular tilt; then it were only the players making six-figures (and J.T. Miller and U.V. too) who really made a positive difference for the Rangers.
I can’t stress this enough:
The new Blueshirts’ fourth line just owned the Islanders – and in every which way too.
Not only were JONNY BROADWAY, REMPESTEIN and OTTER kicking down Ilya Sorokin’s dam in net; but they spent nearly all of their ice time in the Isles’ zone too.
Rempe (11:30) was rewarded with more time than usual, and as a result, he also finished the match with a game-high six hits.
And if you didn’t know any better?
Then you would’ve thought that it was Rempe, and not Casper The Friendly Russian, who was the one being paid $11.67M in New York – and rather than just a shade over the league’s minimum as he presently is.
Despite the Islanders nursing more patients than an emergency room during a July 4th night – and the Rangers got absolutely nothing out of Panarin – and even including when the Isles replaced Sorokin in the third period with their third-string goalie, the little-known Jakub Skarek.
Skarek made seven clean-up saves during the final frame – aka garbage time – and where three of these stops were on odd-man rush attempts from the greatest free agent signing in Rangers’ history.
Had this been a one time thing, a one-off if you will, then fine.
But this has now become a daily occurrence – and where the bakery has been closed throughout all of Black History Month.
And what does it say when Rempe now has more goals scored during the past three-weeks, and in one-third of the time to boot, as Panarin does?
Zibanejad, who did assist on a J.T. Miller goal when the game’s result was already long decided, also didn’t do anything to write home about either – that is – unless you want to consider how he completely ruined the Rangers’ power-play on two separate instances.
FAT CAT in training, Alexis Lafreniere (he gets paid next season), continued his schneid – and where the former first-overall couldn’t even register a SOG during his -1 performance.
There are many reasons why the Rangers are where they are in the standings – and you can look at the FAT CATS for that.
But if the plan is to have the fourth line carry you every night – and should you be able to successfully execute such blueprints – then watch out – the BLUESHIRTS ARE BACK!
But until we see such results?
Then I still remain jaded – and even after making the Islanders look like dime-store hookers.
The Rangers, who entered this match without Chris Kreider for the second consecutive game, allowed Brennan Othmann to make his 2024-25 season debut – and where the former first-round pick almost scored on his first shift.
While Othmann has been lighting lamps in Hartford; he didn’t score tonight.
That said, and he was effective and made a seamless transition too – which of course – having his former ‘Pack mates howling along with him, Rempe and Brodzinski, only bolstered matters.
Unlike many Blueshirt games this season, where all of the FAT CATS make these maddening cross-ice passes to nowhere – and tonight was the complete opposite – or at least when it comes to the small-time salaried players.
Most of the Ranger goals scored against a struggling Sorokin were the end result of screens, tips and deflections – and where yet again – I urge the NHL to track “screened assists” as an accredited stat.
Urho Vaakanainen opened the scoring at the 6:22 mark after guess what – a screen.
An Isles’ goal scored a tad shy of two-minutes later, by Alexander Romanov, would be the only mar on CZAR IGOR’s near-perfect 36/37 showing (.973 save percentage).
Following the Isles’ tying 1-1 score and that would be it for the home team – and where once again – the Belmont Bozos were outnumbered by Blueshirt Backers in the stands.
Up next?
Four straight unanswered goals for “Lavy’s Lot” – but sadly – two major injuries too.
JONNY BROADWAY came close to scoring a natural hat trick tonight – but he had to settle for the 66.7% mark of such a feat.
But I’m sure that he’s not complaining!
Two wrist shots, the first from the circle (while yep – you guessed it – Sorokin was screened), and the second from the blue line – gave double-deuces the game-winning goal – and the insurance goal too!
But with the way that CZAR IGOR was playing?
Then such an insurance policy wasn’t required.
Brodzinski scored the 2-1, GOOD GUYS, goal at the 12:39 mark.
For the kick in the pants, the former Wolf Pack captain scored his second of the match with only 47.6 seconds remaining.
Come the second stanza and K’Andre Miller left with an injury – but where after viewing the clip (included in the GAME REVIEW segment) – it was tough to see what caused his physical ailment.
As a result, the Rangers were left with five rearguards – but that didn’t matter either.
The other Miller, the one that has outscored both Panarin and Zibanejad since his arrival, picked up his fifth goal during his second spin in the Big Apple at the 11:21 mark.
4-1, GOOD GUYS – and where really – and even before this goal – and you never thought that the Isles would comeback.
Not with the way that CZAR IGOR was playing – and most certainly not with the way that his commie chum, Ilya Sorokin, was playing either.
Brodzinski almost had his hat trick at the 16:30 mark of this here second period, but just as the puck was about to beat the rusty Russian – and there was Rempe to deflect it into the Isles’ net instead.
And Part I: It wasn’t like Brodzinki or Rempe were complaining – as both just praised each other during their post-game interviews.
And Part II: 5-1, GOOD GUYS!
Come the third period and with the victor of this game already long determined – and all the Rangers had to do was close out.
The Isles never stood a chance.
The only thing to befall the Blueshirts is when Adam Fox, when trying to prevent John MacLean’s seed from scoring, took a nasty tumble on the ice at the (Austin) 3:16 mark.
I’m not a doctor (you may have figured this one out), but according to the people who are (and the ones who pretend to be too) – and it’s being speculated that the 2021 fugazi Norris Trophy winner broke his collarbone.
Again – who knows what’s true.
As a result of Fox’s injury, this left Bozo The Bench Boss, Peter Lateralette, with only four healthy defensemen – and a number that went down to three when Braden Schneider came up gimpy after blocking a shot.
However, and thankfully at that – and Schneider later returned unharmed.
Just to jump ahead, and Lateralette, during his post-game interview, gave his textbook stock answer of “day-to-day, they are being evaluated,” when asked about half of his Top-4 of defense.
With five goals scored, and CZAR IGOR’s stellar showing in net too, then it might be easy to lose sight of the following:
DESPITE BEING DOWN TO FOUR DEFENSEMAN FOR OVER SIXTEEN MINUTES OF PLAY – AND THE RANGERS CONTINUED TO DOMINATE.
In other words?
Major kudos to U.V., Ryan Lindgren, Big Billy Borgen and Braden Schneider.
Granted, the Isles were dead-and-buried already – but there was no 5-2 goal, which as a result, never gave Roy an inkling of seeing his team of ever making this a two-goal game.
We’ll have to see what lies ahead for the Blueshirts (and where I’m to expect that Zac Jones is presently trying to withhold himself from smiling right now – but that’s just human nature and you can’t blame him for wanting to play either), but for one night in Rangerstown, USA – and everything is okay.
However, the biggest question still remains:
How does Chris Drury approach this deadline?
After all, and for the third consecutive game – and the Blueshirts got torched in the SOG statistic, this time, 37-18.
And as noted – his top stars, outside of J.T. Miller, aren’t really producing either.
We’ll get a better glimpse of what’s really what’s what when the Rangers host their Original Six Rivals, the Maple Leafs, this Friday night.
Then again, this is an “Any Given Sunday” league – and as the recent 8-2 loss to Buffalo made crystal-clear to us.
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-eight down, twenty-four 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 – the Rangers stealing a win in Pittsburgh:
NYR/PIT 2/23 Review: Rangers Follow a Buffalo Belting with a Putrid Victory in Pittsburgh; Style Points Don’t Matter – But This Wasn’t Inspiring Either, Another No Show From “Casper The Friendly Russian”; Missing Mika No Better, J.T. Miller & CZAR IGOR Do The Heavy Lifting; Rare Fox Goal Sighting Too, Special Teams (And Third String Goalies) Swing Games, “Remputation” Penalties Return, Drury Remains in a Difficult Predicament (But He Did Create It), Kreider Hurt Again & More
As you have probably heard by now and former M$GN talking head, Al Trautwig, passed away on Monday, February 24th.
While the type of cancer he had isn’t known just yet, it was cancer that took his life.
Knicks’ broadcaster, Alan Hahn, first broke the news when he tweeted out the following on 2/24:
“I’m sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that.
“He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career.
“Rest in peace Al Trautwig.
“Al had an amazing voice and knew how to use it the way a tenor could bring depth and intensity to a song. He loved sports and had incredible versatility from baseball to basketball and hockey. And that’s not even counting his incredible work at the Olympics.
“He was the voice of MSGN.
“He was a skilled host who knew how to make every game feel like something you don’t want to miss.
“I’d say I’m sad, but he’d hate that. “Get the f— over it!” he would bark. “You’ve got a show to do!”
“Godspeed, Al.”
John Giannone, Trautwig’s former partner during Rangers’ M$GN broadcasts, said the following:
ICON: “A person widely admired for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.”
The words personify Al Trautwig in our sphere. From day one together at MSG in 2002, as a co-host, a colleague, a teammate & a mentor, Al set the bar for brilliance on air. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/h0AcICdMKS
— John Giannone (@jaygeemsg) February 24, 2025
(2/2) For nearly three decades, Al was THE narrator of New York’s most fervent passions. His words were sublime; his voice distinct; his presence undeniable. His seat, and his shoes, are impossible to fill. His passing is impossibly sad. Rest easy, Al. Forever the gold standard. pic.twitter.com/fNEjlW1POl
— John Giannone (@jaygeemsg) February 24, 2025
Stan Fischler, who also worked with Trautwig, went to Twitter/X to say the following remarks:
Our pal Al Trautwig was a master broadcaster of
all sports especially at MSG Networks.
What few realized was that Al knew more
about “The Sopranos” series than anyone. At our production meetings Al would discuss the last show and preview the next and do it with high glee.— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) February 25, 2025
Trautwig, and like many other NYR and M$GN employees that have attained “legend” status, was cruelly forced off of the network without nary a word.
I don’t want to get too deep into this, as I don’t want to disrespect a man who just died; but it was known that Trautwig could be snippy, curt and full of attitude at times.
There was also that whole controversy he had during the Olympics – and a whole other can of worms when he googled the phone numbers of fans, called them up and then cursed them out for criticizing his work.
But at the end of the day – Trautwig was passionate, good at what he did and well-respected by his peers.
He also had one of the funniest clips of all-time when after a bad Sieve Vagistat joke, Trautwig called him a loser while also looking like he was going to strangle him (I wish I could still find this clip, but I’m sure it’s still out there. However, I’m pressed for time – so do your own research).
My first thought when I heard that Trautwig had passed was, “he was only 68?”
To me, then I thought that he was in his late 80s – as all of the years of smoking (hence his brutal teeth) had done its damage.
I mean, just look at Trautwig during the 1994 Stanley Cup coverage.
Are you telling me that he was only 37-years-old then? He looked like he was sixty!
These comments aside, and as noted many times over – then I have always despised the way his M$GN exit was handled.
From what I’ve been told – he wasn’t fired – as M$GN just let his contract expire.
(And when fans asked about what happened and if Trautwig would return? Then M$GN offered no comment as a response.)
But long prior to his contract’s expiration, he wasn’t used for a long time, and when he did return, it was only for one game – and where to be nice – he looked like he was suffering from either withdrawals or Parkinson’s Disease – and not the cancer that we later found out to be true.
Trautwig, who was quietly released in 2021, never returned – and M$GN, nor their employees either, ever mention him again.
In a way and this was just like Ron Duguay and Jim Ramsay all over again.
As you all know, and it bothers me to no end how M$GN, and how Ramsay’s alleged good friend, Sam Rosen, will never bring him up – and even when his face is accidentally pictured whenever the Blueshirts are playing the Canadiens.
In addition, and as previously written about a 79867867867986796879 times on this site (and in my first book too), then I absolutely detested how the Rangers ignored Emile Francis in his later years – and where I even previously predicted that when that day comes – his death – then that would be the only time when NYR & M$GN would release flowery statements about him.
In other words – the Rangers never honored him when he was alive – and where “The Cat” still deserves a banner in the rafters of M$G today.
But when Francis passed?
Then the Rangers and M$GN pretended that they were his biggest supporters.
Both the Rangers and M$GN adopted a “mum’s the word” status on Trautwig following his near 30-year association with both companies.
Sound familiar Jim Ramsay?
For a comparison, then the Rangers and M$GN always gave updates on the people they liked, the chosen ones, such as Rod Gilbert, Dave Maloney and Joe Micheletti during their health scares – and in the case of Gilbert – his eventual death.
But nothing about Trautwig.
It would’ve been very easy for M$GN to say, and as Trautwig later did, that he was having health issues.
Instead, M$GN pretended that he never existed.
But when he passed on Monday?
Then the Rangers and M$GN were callously there to pretend that they’ve been there for him every step of the way.
And Sam Rosen doesn’t get a pass either.
After all, if making 987667878689679867896798 mistakes per broadcast wasn’t enough to get him fired, then shouting out Trautwig every now and again wouldn’t have led to a pink slip either.
If you get anything out of what I’m saying here, then let me make my intentions and points crystal clear to you in the event that you’re confused:
One, I hate how the Rangers ignore their past – and as my first book fully explains (plugged below).
Two, and this isn’t just Rangers/M$GN exclusive either – but I think we should all make an effort to praise, honor and love the people who have helped us along the way – and especially when they are alive.
Giving flowery and fake tributes now doesn’t accomplish anything.
Duguay, also spurned by the club (they don’t even invite him to alumni games anymore ever since his M$GN departure), agreed with me on X:
Correct https://t.co/KjfcHCau9u
— Ron Duguay (@RonDuguay10) February 25, 2025
RIP Al Trautwig – and I will always get a chuckle out of our old Twitter exchanges from ages ago.
The Blueshirts, after their back-to-back set over the weekend, had Monday off.
However, the off-day presented news, as the Rangers announced the following:
UPDATE: Zac Jones (conditioning) and Brennan Othmann have been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack. Matthew Robertson has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) February 24, 2025
Come Tuesday morning, GAME DAY, and the Rangers held a practice skate near the horse stables.
Chris Kreider was a full participant – but also took extra work – which meant that he most likely wasn’t going to play – and as it would later be revealed as the case.
At the time, then it wasn’t 100% clear if Othmann was going to make his 2024-25 season debut after playing three games with the club last season.
After all, the Rangers have a little thing for Arthur Kaliyev.
What was known?
There was no shot in hell that Lavy was going to play Zac Jones – and where on this night – such a decision did work out.
But as you know by now, Othmann did play and as a result – he becomes the latest forward to create a log-jam for the Rangers – and especially if Kreider is able to return on Friday.
After all, Lavy will never hold Mika and Panarin accountable.
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: Othmann/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: Zac Jones and Arthur Kaliyev
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 37 | 1 | 36 | .973 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
NYI
|
|
Ilya Sorokin#30
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 7 | 0 | 7 | 1.000 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19:24 | 0 |
| 11 | 5 | 6 | .545 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40:00 | 0 |
As noted last time around (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/22325/ ), I’m presently two-days into a six-day eighty-hour work week – and where I should probably be in bed right now too!
As a result, I missed tonight’s pregame show – and despite Henrik Lundqvist being there – I was probably better off – as Vagistat was there too.
The only thing I saw from the pregame show were the clips that M$GN released:
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti pay tribute to colleague and friend Al Trautwig followed by a moment of silence in @ubsarena pic.twitter.com/OVuzRw1WRv
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) February 26, 2025
Before the start of tonight’s @nyrangers @nyislanders game @jaygeemsg @VallysView and @HLundqvist share their memories and honor the legacy of Al Trautwig. pic.twitter.com/XKQE5iCQ8t
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) February 26, 2025
While I thought that Rosen came off as phony; conversely, and I thought that John Giannone came off as authentic.
And since I have to be up for work in three-hours as I write this, then I must fly through tonight’s GAME REVIEW segment.
(We’re only doing highlights and what you need to know below. Plus, I covered most of the game above!)
However, if you want the full play-by-play of the game, then you can find it on my Tweeter/X account (https://x.com/NYCTheMiC ), as I scheduled all of my break-time around this game – and as any diehard Ranger fan would!
GAME REVIEW time!
FIRST PERIOD
Once Rosen was done pretending that he was best friends with Trautwig, so close that he didn’t mention his name once during the past four-years (while also rattling off the names of every college coach and former Islander in the land); then Brock Nelson, the absolute worst American player during Four Nations, beat fellow USA teammate, Vincent Trocheck, when winning the opening draw.
Akin to the win against Pittsburgh – and the Rangers’ foe dominated them in the SOG statistic – but it were the Blueshirts who led where it mattered most – the scoreboard.
The Isles raced out to a 4-0 SOG lead and ultimately out-shot the Rangers 9-5 during this opening frame.
But it were the Blueshirts who scored on 60% of their shots.
The Isles would continue to dominate the SOG total – which only made CZAR IGOR look that much grander against his BFF, as the Isles out-shot the Rangers 14-6 in the second period and then 15-7 in the third.
As Sam and Joe sounded gravely concerned about the Isles’ injuries, while Rosen just verbally fellated and slobbered all over Kyle Palmeri all game; then on their first shift, at the 3:20 mark to be specific – and it was obvious that this going to be a big game for Lavy’s fourth line.
After all, this was the first time when the Rangers had the puck in the Isles’ zone.
Down to 15:51 remaining and this is when Rosen realized that Tony DeAngelo was back in the NHL – and where yes – I also bet on an anytime TDA point scored in this game – and a gamble that I later won on.
Adam Boqvist almost broke the nil-nil score, as with 14:15 to go, and with Lindgren draped all over him too – CZAR IGOR came up with his sixth save of the game – while Sorokin was still seeking his first.
But as it was in Pittsburgh, then as the Rangers were getting their dicks kicked in, but with their goalie remaining rock hard in net – and it were the Blueshirts who struck first:
Vaakanainen makes it 1-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/ALQdI7zLvP
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
1-0, GOOD GUYS, as U.V. capitalized on the busy traffic in front of Sorokin’s net.
Up next you ask?
The first instance of Panarin and Lafreniere just over-passing and doing nothing but coughing up pucks – and as they did here with 12:15 to go.
After their routine bouts with fumbling the rubber?
Alexandar Romanov scored – and with DeAngelo picking up the assist.
1-1 with 11:41 to go – and the final goal that CZAR IGOR allowed too.
Once Sam and Joe were done with their “Ode To DeAngelo,” then Panarin turned over the puck again with 8:10 to go – but CZAR IGOR was able to deny Palmeri – who Rosen was just pleading with to score.
After Rosen gave us a rounding recap of all things Notre Dame hockey and what Palmeri’s balls tasted like – two things that weren’t pertinent to this game – and it was JONNY BRODZINSKI who scored his first of two:
Brodzinski makes it 2-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/LrRaGren6K
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
2-1, GOOD GUYS.
In the compass world – they call this NORTH-SOUTH hockey.
This was also Brodzinski’s second point, after previously assisting on U.V.’s goal – and had he decided to drop the gloves from this point on – then he would’ve had a Gordie Howe hat trick too!
Then, and with just 47.6-seconds to go – JONNY BROADWAY lit up the Long Island lighthouse again:
Brodzinski makes it 3-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/UkyK5BXAWV
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
3-1, GOOD GUYS!
In other words, Brodzinski has doubled-up Panarin’s goal production during the past three-weeks – and he’s also doing a whole lot more than Zibanejad too – especially considering that Mental Mika gets to play with J.T. Miller!
While I don’t have any sympathies for Sorokin; but at the same time – these Ranger goals were tough to deny – as he had a lot of grid lock traffic in front of him.
That said – and he’s looked a whole lot better than he did tonight.
3-1, GOOD GUYS, through twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
3-1, GOOD GUYS, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Fourth line is carrying everyone. Brodz, one shy from a hat trick, a +2 – ditto Rempe and Othmann.
— Anyone seen Panarin and Mika, the guys taking up 25% of #NYR‘s payroll?
— DeAngelo point was inevitable.
— SOG 9-5 Isles, so…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 26, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
The Isles had a chance to make this a game – but CZAR IGOR, following two quick saves, and a post that Duclair hit too, ended such thoughts just 3:00 into the period.
Right after that, and a Nelson miss off the boards almost set-up Pelech for a goal at just the 3:12 mark – but his shot hit the side of the net.
It was right after this where K. Miller went down – and where I still don’t know what happened to him – and even after watching this clip a few times over:
This is K’Andre Miller last shift before leaving the game. I don’t anything wrong, do you? #NYR pic.twitter.com/gjyaJkFpet
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
Down to 16:05 to go and the Rangers got their first power-play of the game as Pelech held Panarin.
But when Mika still remains on PP1 – then you have no freakin’ chance.
Following two brutal turnovers from the moron who should be deported, and two turnovers that forced CZAR IGOR into making two highlight reel saves too – and the Isles’ penalty kill, second-worst in the league, was a perfect 1-1.
Mika, once returned to even-strength, had a chance to score too, but once retrieving a TDA turnover at the blue line – he couldn’t even get a SOG off during a breakaway.
Loser.
This is the stuff that makes Stanley Cup champions – but Mika never converts during these do-or-die plays/moments.
But Mika did have one highlight.
After being kicked out of the faceoff circle for cheating, then Miller stepped in, Mika eventually got the puck behind Sorokin’s net and then set up the two-time Ranger for his fifth goal since his return:
JT Miller makes it 4-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/2kh4AK1Nwb
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
4-1, GOOD GUYS.
Game over too.
As Fox was blocking shots, the Rangers were being out-shot at a 2:1 clip, 18-9.
But SOG stats don’t win games – and as these past two games have shown us!
Miller, who scored with 8:39 remaining, didn’t see his team take another shot on goal until there was only 3:30 remaining – but Brodzinski and Rempe made it count:
Rempe makes it 5-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/LBOMvI4Pcy
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
5-1, GOOD GUYS – and as Rempe continued his dominance over the Islanders.
Just ask Matt Martin and the 80,000 other fans who attended last year’s game at Giants’ Stadium.
Again, great for Brodzinki and Rempe that they have more goals combined than Mika and Panarin during this past month – but that’s not good for the Blueshirts either.
5-1, GOOD GUYS, through two periods.
Here’s what I said at the time:
5-1, GOOD GUYS, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— All headlines tonight will be about the #NYR fourth line – without them – and this is a tied game.
—CZAR IGOR deserves credit too.
— Is Casper The Friendly Russian playing?
— SOG are 23-11, Isles, but Rangers up by four on the…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 26, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
We can breeze through this period – as there’s really only one thing to talk about – Fox’s injury.
But before getting into in that, and just to summarize these twenty-minutes as a whole – then the Rangers pretty much sat back and tried their best in not allowing much.
Fox’s penalty, just 3:16 in, brought on his injury – and where we hope that it’s not anything serious as currently rumored:
Adam Fox has now left the game. Looks like he popped his collarbone. Full play plus repley. #NYR pic.twitter.com/xfD3DjKg1q
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 26, 2025
After this injury and penalty – and the Rangers’ PK did their job.
Let’s hope that both Fox and Miller are able to return on Friday – although that’s not what Jones is rooting for (again, the human element – and you can’t blame him).
Two more things that you need to know before going home here:
One, Panarin had three glorious chances to score (a trio of odd-man rush opportunities), but third-string Skarek looked like his head coach in his prime against him.
Speaking of Roy, then two, the head coach pulled his goalie with 8:36 to go.
In a response, the large Blueshirt contingent in the crowd started belting out “IGOR! IGOR! IGOR!” – and all in anticipation for CZAR IGOR’s first goal scored.
I didn’t see any Islander reporter ask Roy about this after the game, but thirty-seconds later, and at the 8:06 mark to be specific?
Skarek returned to the net – and he never left it again.
Such a scenario led me to believe this – and you’re not changing my mind about this either:
Roy was so scared and intimidated over the IGOR chants that he just put his goalie back in the net – and just in order to prevent an embarrassing goalie goal allowed to be scored.
I mean, why else would he pull his goalie and then change his mind only a half-a-minute later?
That is, unless he bet the under on the over/under total of six goals.
At least he got his push – but the Rangers also pushed a redwood tree up the Isles’ ass too!
5-1, GOOD GUYS, your final.
A happy day for Rangerstown, USA, but there’s a still a long ways to go – and especially with many of the teams they are chasing guaranteed to get points since they all play each other down the stretch.
One last time, because I can’t gush enough:
WHAT A JOB BY THE RANGERS’ FOURTH LINE!
KUDOS TO U.V. TOO.
NICE TO SEE IGOR SHUT IT DOWN TOO – BUT GIVE IT UP FOR LINDGREN, U.V. AND BORGEN FOR PLAYING A LARGE PORTION OF THE THIRD PERIOD BY THEMSELVES.
Up Next For The Rangers: I’m not sure, but I think they are off on Wednesday and will then practice on Thursday prior to their M$G return on Friday against Toronto.
That game will be telling.
Up Next For Me: BED!
I should be back on Friday night – but I may save it for Saturday – once I can get home and get some sleep!
But I will have a complete GAME REVIEW blog on Sunday, following Rangers/Predators.
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
