Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Send in the clowns.
And hey – there are only twenty-five more meaningless games left following these first fifty-seven games of nothing!
Woo-hoo!
Depending on your own perspective – then fortunately or unfortunately – and we’ll have to wait nearly three weeks for Game 58 of this wretched Rangers’ centennial campaign, as up next – the fugazi politically driven Olympic Games from Milan, Italy.
We’ll get more into the Panarin trade fallout as we mosey along tonight, but for now, then let’s stick to our usual opening topic on this site – another Rangers’ loss.
I’ve probably written more words about Blueshirts’ history than anyone else on the planet aside from “The Maven,” Stan Fischler, so I do feel that I’m very qualified when I say this:
In the salary cap era, then this 2025-26 season is the worst of the lot.
Crazier than that?
Then I’ve said this sentence before – twice at that – as in the moment, and I said the same thing about the 2020-21 and 2024-25 seasons.
When I compare all three of these campaigns, then I still think that the COVID-affected 56-game 2021 season was the craziest, and certainly most unorthodox too, of the lot.
Last season was pretty much the catalyst, the set-up if you will, for the crap we’re enduring now.
(And with the benefit of hindsight? Then last season was YEAR I of the Third Dark Age in franchise history. This centennial season is YEAR II.)
While I know that I’m just a beer-bellied blogger, but how any hockey person in their right mind could have thought that these Rangers would be any better than last year after trading away Chris Kreider for nothing in return – well that’s still beyond me.
Quick check?
Then how are those Quackers out in Anaheim doing these days, you know, a team full of former blue now wearing orange?
They are presently holding the second wild card spot in the West – but also only three-points out from first place in the Pacific Division.
Do I even need to remind you where the Rangers are?
Should you need such a mind-jolt – then they are not only dead-last, cemented at that, in the East – but also third-worst overall in the league.
But hey – don’t fret yet!
After all, then James Dolan recently told us that he trusts Chris Drury – and better than that – and the Blueshirts’ Bozo GM believes that Silly Sully will lead the Rangers to a Stanley Cup.
I have a better shot of winning the Powerball tomorrow.
The numbers from the latest bout of Blueshirts’ misery – their 2-0 loss – weren’t pretty.
Take a look:
— Despite what was essentially a one-goal game prior to Jordan Staal’s 2-0 empty netter – and the Canes had out-shot the Blueshirts to a tune of 44-16.
— 44-16 – that’s not a typo!
— I don’t have the zone stats in front of me, but based on the almighty EYE TEST – and the Rangers may have had the puck in the Carolina zone for about 2% of the game – and where that figure of 2% may be giving the Blueshirts too much credit.
— The Blueshirts, now 6-15-4 on home ice this season, which also means that they’ve only won 24% of their games played at Morgue $quare Garden – have also been shutout seven times in front of their hometown fans.
— Let that sink in. ONLY SIX WINS through TWENTY-FIVE games played – but SEVEN SHUTOUT LOSSES!
— Elsewhere, and Silly Sully’s Squad have also been shutout on the road twice this season.
— In total, the Rangers, with a record of 22-29-6, have been shutout in 16% of their games during what was supposed to be a magical centennial campaign!
— The Rangers are now 3-13-2 since Christmas – and where they haven’t won a game in regulation time since November 23rd.
— But don’t worry – because the Pizza Man GM told us just yesterday that this will be a quick “RETOOL” – and not a full-blown “REBUILD!”
— And my poor ten-year-old niece Cayleigh – as she attended tonight’s mess. This was her second game at the World’s Most Expensive Arena – and through 120-minutes of hockey – and she’s never seen the Rangers score a goal with her own two eyes.
But hey – and she did see Quick make over eighty saves in that time – so there’s that!
In a way, then perhaps yours truly, my dad and my brother-in-law, should all be arrested for child abuse – as no young and promising hockey fan should ever have Ranger fandom bestowed upon them, nor instilled into them either.
Sorry Cayleigh.
In front of every top name Blueshirt goalie still alive today – Gilles Villemure, John Davidson, John Vanbiesbrouck, Mike Richter and Henrik Lundqvist, and with both the deceased Dave Kerr and Eddie Giacomin also honored (there were also mentions of Chuck Rayner, Gump Worsely and Jacques Plante – but thankfully – Sieve Vagistat’s name wasn’t brought up) and both goalies in net, Quick and Bussi, where ironically, both netminders also grew up as fans of the Rangers, put on a show.
Granted, while Quick had the much heavier workload (no shit Sherlock!); but Bussi, during the rare times when he was actually challenged, and in-between taking long naps during multiple Blueshirts’ SOG droughts, made every big save possible – including a pair during another failed Rangers’ power-play.
Going into the match, and despite all of the Rangers’ time off and multiple practices gained as a result – and I never doubted myself.
I just knew that the Rangers would embarrass themselves and get shut-out again.
Heck, I even said it last night on this site, and then repeated such a prediction on my Tweeter/X account too:
Shutout incoming #nyr https://t.co/RX2AROi5aF
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 5, 2026
Quick v Bussi in nets – M$GN didnt share a ceremony with the goalies if there was one. I’m calling a shutout for the LI kid in the Canes goal. Mika wins the draw and we’re underway from the World’s Most Expensive Arena. #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 6, 2026
This loss was another “Same Old Rangers” shit-show.
Once again, and it took them a long time in order to register a shot on goal – and by the time that they did – the Canes already had six of them – and a goal scored for themselves too.
In a game where the Canes pretty much did whatever they wanted in the Rangers’ zone, then come the 6:26 mark of the first period, and one of the Ranger Killers in Raleigh, Andrei Svechnikov, blew past Matt Rempe, created an odd-man rush chance for himself too after a bad Blueshirts’ line change – and then beat Quick for the first goal of the contest.
As it usually goes – and this first goal of the game, scored at the Blueshirts’ expense, eventually held-up as the game-winning goal too.
In a way, then this kind of felt like either a preseason game or a match played right before the Christmas break.
While we all know that the Rangers suck; but for Carolina, then they also looked like they were interested in having an extended vacation for themselves too.
I only say this because after their opening score, then they took a pair of bad penalties, as K’Andre Miller, in his M$G return, cross-checked Vincent Trocheck just 62-seconds after Svechnikov’s goal.
The Blueshirts’ first power-play was god-awful – aka – the norm.
A few minutes after successfully killing off the Rangers’ power-play, then come the 12:50 mark and former league MVP (a bogus one at that – as he only won it because Connor McDavid didn’t reach the playoffs that year), Taylor Hall, tripped Will Borgen.
The Rangers’ second power-play was much better – but Bussi was best.
During a chaotic sequence, Jordan Martinook broke his stick after blocking a shot, which then allowed the failed dee-jay, Mika Zibanejad, to have a one-vs-one opportunity against Bussi.
Bussi laughed off the Olympian – then let out a sigh of relief as the Swedish-Iranian then hit iron on his next try.
On the rebound off his friend, the post, then Bussi stopped another Olympian – as he out-right robbed J.T. Miller of a power-play goal.
The end result?
An 0-2 Rangers’ power-play, not only here, but for the remainder of the game as well.
And this is why I thought the Canes were kind of sloppy and in vacation mode a bit – but this was also a wake-up call too -as they never took another penalty for the remainder of the match.
Then again, how could the Rangers draw penalties if they never touched the puck?
What a chicken vs. the egg conundrum!
As I always say on this site – “SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES.”
A Rangers’ power-play goal could have given us a different final outcome on the scoreboard.
But to their credit, and mainly because of Quick (six saves while shorthanded), and the Blueshirts also blanked Carolina’s red-hot power-play – and as they did three times during the end of the second period and into the start of the final frame.
While perhaps most Ranger fans are rooting for losses these days anyway (draft lottery purposes); but, and as always said in this space – and players and coaches don’t.
There is no such thing as “TANKING” for the players and coaches involved with these games.
“TANKING” is only a word used by fans.
That said?
And despite all the time off and practices gained as a result, and here were your period-by-period SOG totals:
— 10-6, Carolina in the first.
— 19-4, Carolina in the second.
— 15-6, Carolina, in the third.
— And one more time, 44-16 in total.
The Rangers, lethargic and uninterested, had this energy spread across the Garden crowd.
Only once, and during the Blueshirts one-and-done threatening even-strength attack, did I hear chants of “LET’S GO RANGERS!”
And the now regular “FIRE DRURY!” chants weren’t audible on TV until the final minutes of regulation time either.
(I was told by people who attended the game that “FIRE DRURY!” chants were heard at puck drop – but between a busy break room at my real j-o-b and the M$GN crew trying to drown them out too – and it wasn’t until late when I first heard these two familiar war-cry words.)
Staal’s empty-netter, scored with 52-seconds remaining, was the only other goal scored in the match – and in what was another boring, watching-paint-dry and grass-grow, affair.
But while the Blueshirts are always tiresome on the ice – then, and as it’s been for some time now – and they’re always in the off ice news.
More about that below.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – Breadman bounces to L.A.:
I covered all of the off-day news last night, so check the link above for all of it.
As far as anything else, then prior to puck drop and Sullivan said the obvious – he was sorry to see Panarin go, he enjoyed coaching him and he wishes Mr. NDA a happy-go-lucky time in La La Land.
Here was Silly Sully’s line-up for the fifty-seventh game of this wretched-and-rotten 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Miller/Mika/Perreault
SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Trocheck/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Brodzinski/Laba/Raddysh
FOURTH LINE: Blidh/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Schneider
SECOND PAIR: Robertson/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Iorio
STARTING GOALIE: Quick
BACKUP GOALIE: Martin
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Scott Morrow and Brennan Othmann
IR: CZAR IGOR
LTIR: Connor Sheary, Adam Fox and Adam Edstrom
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
|
| 42 | 1 | 41 | .976 | 35 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59:14 | 0 |
|
CAR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 16 | 0 | 16 | 1.000 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 59:57 | 0 |
Long before the Rangers lost again on Thursday, then of course, a Canadian scribe, had breaking news about the Blueshirts – as the mooks on the beat today are inept when trying to do so.
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, then not only did Panarin essentially tell Drury “L.A. Or Bust” – but that the Seattle Kraken had actually presented a much larger offer – and to the tune of over $60M guaranteed with an average salary of over $14M.
But as Panarin would later go on to say during his press conference – all he wanted was Los Angeles – and where he even joked that he would’ve signed for less than the $11M annual salary that he agreed to. (In a tongue-in-cheek manner, Panarin said that he would’ve accepted $5M per season.)
In other words?
Panarin left over $30M in guaranteed money on the table by not taking the deal in Frasier Crane’s hometown.
That’s how much he wanted to live in the City of Angels.
I guess he didn’t want to be saddled by The Feckless Finn, Kaapo Kakko, either.
The last time we saw something like this is when Kevin Shattenkirk did the same when he began his Murphy’s Law career with his boyhood team – and where ironically at that – during the newly rebranded “Letter 1.0.”
Shattenkirk, who like Panarin, was already financially set for life, turned down over $30M in guaranteed cash in order to sign with the only team he wanted to play for – the Rangers.
We know how it worked out for Shatty (but at least he did a get a Cup at the end of his career, with Tampa) – and we’ll see how it works out for the alleged sexual assaulter in L.A.
Here are some of the highlights from Panarin’s ZOOM call with the Los Angeles hockey media:
Artemi Panarin was asked if he had any contract talks with the Rangers after the season began: pic.twitter.com/BfKkzfB4Db
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 5, 2026
“I was pretty proud of playing for those guys, for this jersey. Thank you very much for the fans.”
Artemi Panarin thanks Rangers fans for their support and says that he will make a video to thank them: pic.twitter.com/iAZY573rNe
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 5, 2026
Among the other quotable quotables, the following:
“I was not ready to pick a team where I didn’t want to go. I probably go back to Russia if LA doesn’t give me anything,” said Panarin, when asked what would’ve happened had he been asked to wait any longer before the Olympic break roster freeze went into effect.
On his contract talks with Drury, where Panarin said they had several discussions that went nowhere, and where he even remarked that he knew after the 10-2 loss in Boston that his days were numbered, added, “We talked about contract a little bit, but I feel like this offer said ‘we’re not sure we want you or not.’ That’s why I’m not signed.”
Panarin, while repeatedly making it clear-as-day that he only wanted to go to Los Angeles, said he wasn’t looking for a short-term deal, but since it was the only contract presented to him by Kings’ GM Ken Holland, then that’s what he accepted.
The topic of Anaheim, only a twenty-minute drive from L.A., was never brought up.
As far as why only L.A., and Panarin said that he didn’t want to move around and that’s where his family, the wife he allegedly cheated on, his two kids and even his dog, wanted to go.
As I talked about last night – then Panarin never talked to Quick, the L.A. Kings’ legend, about the franchise.
Rather than that, and instead, he talked to his fellow countryman, Vladislav Gavrikov (who must be kicking himself about forcing his way to New York over the summer), about the West Coast hub.
After talking to his comrade, Panarin was convinced, and said, “I just want to play for these guys.”
“I don’t like to switch teams back and forth,” said Panarin, when asked about his refusal of becoming a rental/demand for an extension. “I played already with three teams in the NHL. I have two kids, a dog, a wife. It’s just too much stuff. I also feel like I don’t want to be rented for a couple months, then go somewhere else. I’m just looking for a team who wants me.”
Funny enough – and it didn’t sound like the Kings really wanted him that badly – hence only a two-year deal.
If anything, and I think we can say this with 100% confidence – and Panarin wanted the Kings much more than they wanted him.
This deal, and like Adam Fox to the Rangers (2019), completely fell into the Kings’ lap.
This wraps up everything Panarin-related for now – that is – until March 16th – when the Blueshirts host the Kings at the World’s Most Expensive Arena.
I wonder if Panarin will be honored during another one of the centennial alumni appreciation ceremonies?
At 6:30PM, and now on my extended dinner break at my real j-o-b – and I was disappointed that on goalie night of all nights – and Sieve Vagistat, the worst goalie in franchise history, was there by his lonesome.
Henrik Lunqvist, in-attendance for the “Legendary Goalie” celebrations, wasn’t part of the broadcast – and as Ranger fans – that was a major loss.
Right away, and just as he did several years ago when this effing moron was telling us how Kaapo Kakko would be better than Jack Hughes – and Vagistat, a devout Drury co-hort (which is why he still has a job on M$GN today), started singing the praises of Liam Greentree (the prospect acquired in the Panarin trade) – and where if you didn’t know any better – then you’d think the slow-footed former Kings’ draft pick was the second coming of “sliced bread” too.
After hearing that, I then decided to lessen the load on my bowels.
Once returned, and the always illuminating Dave Starman, when talking about ZOOM ZOOM DRURY, brought up Donald Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal” – but where Starman failed to mention that Colony Chris couldn’t even comprehend “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss.
After that, more talk about the goalies.
I know that I was the biggest critic of Lundqvist’s last contract as a Ranger; but I’m not playing into that when I say this:
How many effing times does he need to be honored by this franchise?
After his own jersey retirement ceremony from a few years back – and I think the Rangers have honored him six times this season during all of these centennial celebrations.
Of course, this was the best time to do it – as it was Legendary Goalies Night and all – but I’d much rather have “THE KING OF COMMENTARY” on the broadcasts – and not solely waving at the fans for the 98678679867986986798678689th time since his retirement.
To be fair, then Richter, Davidson, Vanbiesbrouck, Adam Graves and many others have also been honored on multiple occasions (but Lundqvist has been honored the most) – and where as a result – then these repeated appearances present lesser and diminishing returns.
I hope you can understand what I mean here – as I’m not bashing Lundqvist (after all, Ranger fans need something good these days) – as I’m solely criticizing all of these repetitive ceremonies.
Also of note?
This was originally going to be another pregame ceremony, where everyone would be introduced to the ice.
After all of “FIRE DRURY” chants and general state of an all-out malaise – and the Rangers opted to present these legendary goalies during various time stoppages instead.
That’s why Sam Rosen, who was set to emcee this celebration, was there.
Rather than introducing everyone at ice level; instead, and the Hall of Fame caller settled for a second period intermission interview.
GAME REVIEW time – and where as always – I won’t prolong the pain.
And yep, then if you want my complete play-by-play from this miserable mess, then check out my Tweeter/X feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC/
Let’s blow through this – as there’s still a lot of post-game shenanigans to discuss too.
FIRST PERIOD
Kenny Albert, who I believe had TNT commitments tonight, was pinch-hit by Alex Faust tonight.
With Dave Maloney unavailable, then Brian Boyle sat next to Faust.
But make no bones about it – and the Faust/Boyle team is no B-team either – although both men, fairly new to M$G – wouldn’t really say anything too critical.
To be fair, neither does Maloney and Albert – and where all of this feels like you’re being lied to.
I should also note, and especially since I brought up this topic last night, that, and unlike every other team in the league with an Olympian on their roster – and the Rangers weren’t going to run the risk of honoring their Olympians tonight.
They knew it too – not only would Drury and Sully get vociferous boos – but their own captain, J.T. Miller, would probably be on the wrong end of jeers as well.
I know that I’m going on another tangent here, in my stream-of-consciousness manner; but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I was offered free tickets to this game – and at “The Loft” at M$G!
Due to work, and the fact that this team sucks – and I declined.
Despite free food and drink – and burning a vacation day on the Rangers doesn’t make sense anymore.
And once again – my poor niece Cayleigh!
But to find a silver lining?
Then at least she had a good time with her dad and grandpa!
In front of a half-empty/late arriving crowd, Zibanejad won the first draw of the game.
All of the action was then in the Rangers’ end and by the five-minute mark, the Canes had five shots on goal while the Blueshirts were looking for their first.
Next up was our game-winning goal – Svechnikov’s 1-0 strike:
Ya le pegamos al primer goleador Andrei Svechnikov +180 ✅✅✅
🔥🔥🔥
— +DvidNHL (@dvidnhl) February 6, 2026
Right after this, and with just 12:41 remaining – and Quick prevented the Canes from gaining a 2-0 lead.
A few seconds later and this is when Miller cross-checked Trocheck – and where the Rangers’ power-play, two-minutes after that, were now 0-1.
This failed power-play was all on the Blueshirts too – as despite many GOOD LOOKS at Bussi – and they opted to pass the puck around – and where every time as a result – a free clear for the Canes.
As Morgue $quare Garden sounded deathly ill, and as if they were attending the funeral of a small child – and it was obvious:
Despite all of the R&R that the R’s had – and a man with amputated legs had more jump than the Blueshirts.
Once leaving the penalty box – and K’Andre Miller got a welcome back graphic.
We’re gonna see a whole lot more of these throughout this 2026 calendar year – and where I can’t wait – or should I say pray for – a tribute for former Ranger Mika Zibanejad!
After this, the Hall penalty on Borgen, Bussi making light work out of two Olympians and a now 0-2 Rangers’ power-play.
Following Bussi blanking the Blueshirts here, then this is when Villemure (who had brain cancer several years back), JD and Beezer were honored.
You can read my first book (plugged below) for all of it – but without question – and Villemure, perhaps a temporary starter to some, remains as the best back-up goalie in all of franchise history.
(And I say that as a DAY ONE diehard fan of Cam Talbot – and where go figure – “The Goalbuster” is now the second-oldest goalie in the league – only second to Quick.)
It was also nice to see Villemure, who still hangs out with Pete Stemkowski to this very day, back at M$G.
Furthermore, and while this is probably more about JD than anything else, but if there’s something nice to say about Drury, then it’s the fact that his icy relationship with the man he stabbed in the back has thawed a bit.
And I can only imagine the conversations that JD was having tonight when watching this shit show too!
I’m sure he’s having a nice laugh for himself – and I don’t blame him for that – not one iota.
As Quick amassed saves, then the last Ranger attack took place with four-seconds to go – but as you already know – and Bussi was impregnable – and as he was here when he stopped Cuylle.
1-0, them, through 20 minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, Canes, through 20. 1P Thoughts:
— I like how the crowd is empty – that’s the only way to get Drury out of here.
— Svech’s goal was elementary against a team playing at an elementary school level.
— Watching these games feels like real work – and not leisure/a pastime.…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 6, 2026
SECOND PERIOD
During the first intermission segment, then Trocheck was interviewed.
He looked like he was about to weep – as he was visibly choked up when talking about Panarin’s dismissal.
Trocheck, and like Ryan Strome before him, brought up that Panarin wasn’t only his flank – but one of his closest friends.
He also mentioned how their families were extremely close too.
And just to fast-forward a bit, then after the game, Trocheck, no dummy to what’s going on, told reporters that he knows that his days here are coming to an end here too – as when asked about his pending future, he replied, “it’s [the bad news] all settling in.”
Too bad his buddy from Palestine, Ohio, J.T. Miller, will stay.
As noted earlier this season, I was an invited guest during the Rangers’ tribute to their original alumni.
It was at this game, a loss to Minnesota, where I had the honor of talking to 2001 Hall of Famer, one of the architects of the Miracle on Ice team, and a former Ranger GM too, Craig Patrick.
As said then – and Patrick couldn’t have been any more personable.
Hell, him and my dad, while pounding beers, had a half-hour conversation.
And in a toot of my own horn – then he was very impressed with my first book – and while he could’ve just said that to be nice – but it did feel genuine!
(That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)
Having the experience of being able to talk to Patrick at a personal level, and even if it was only for one night, then the following news from around this time, the Rangers’ second period, hit me hard:
Legendary Penguins GM Craig Patrick has been in the hospital for more than a month after suffering a serious stroke. His old players and the Penguins organization are rallying around him. Read about it here: https://t.co/JcICZViLLg
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) February 5, 2026
I met Patrick just four months ago – and now he’s battling for his life.
Obviously, my best wishes to him and his family.
Similar to others, including James Patrick (no relations Joe!), and I’ve always felt that he’s been extremely underappreciated by this franchise.
Patrick is due to turn 80-years-old on May 20th of this year – and may he live long beyond that too.
I also recently saw him during the new Netflix “Miracle on Ice” doc (and if you haven’t seen it yet – then what are you waiting for?) – and where he also looked as healthy as a horse during that.
Get well soon Craig.
After I was waiting for, “SECOND PERIOD, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR HERE JOE?” – only to be followed by – “A fabulous life transplant Sam!” – then the second period began – and where Miller won the opening draw.
Just 90-seconds in – and Miller, the alumni one, almost scored, but double clutched the puck which then gave Quick time to recover. After that, and Staal almost scored anyway – but Quick wasn’t having any of it.
Credit to Faust, as when speaking about Rempe, who helped allow the Canes to their game-winning goal, he did make mention that #73 isn’t healthy.
Of course, and I’ve been saying this ever since his fight loss to Ryan Reaves.
Example #786786798679867986 of why Drury and Sully are clowns:
THIS IS A LOST SEASON.
WHY ARE YOU PLAYING ANYONE THAT’S NOT 100% RIGHT NOW?
THIS ISN’T A PLAYOFF PUSH. THIS ISN’T THE STANLEY CUP TOURNAMENT.
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU MORONS DOING?
LET REMPE RECOVER!
I’ve had enough of this game.
Just the bullet-points from here on out – but again – all of my live commentary is on my Tweeter/X page:
— The Rangers’ penalty kill went 1/1 – and where the Canes drew three penalties this period because the Blueshirts were chasing them like chickens with their heads lopped off.
— Anyone with eyes could see this too: The Canes knew how horrid the Rangers were. In turn, they’d get the puck in the zone, watch the Rangers flail around when trying to chase them, as a result, tire them out and then rinse-wash-repeat.
— Eight-minutes in and the Rangers didn’t have a SOG recorded in the period.
— The only highlight of this second stanza, aside from Quick’s saves, was this:
I’m not going to fully get into Richter v. Lundqvist again.
After all, not only did I do this in my books, but I also presented the longest argument about this topic on the internet today – and as I did eight-years ago here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/3530/
(The editing and photos aren’t that good, but you’ll get the gist of it anyway. Maybe one day, I’ll rewrite it and tighten everything up.)
As far as this age-old debate for tonight goes, then I think what’s often lost whenever discussing Richter v. Lundqvist is this:
If Richter didn’t play against three out of the best four goalies of all-time (Brodeur/Roy/Hasek), then he’d easily be in the HOF today – and where he should be there regardless.
There were also no overtime points and wins in Richter’s day either.
While we’ll never know for sure, but yeah – maybe Lundqvist does win a Cup had he been born the same year as Richter was.
Conversely?
Then maybe Richter has a few Vezina Trophies on his mantle too, had he been born in 1982 like Lundqvist was.
Truthfully, and after having a ton of time to reflect on this?
Then most likely – you’re going to side with whatever goalie you grew up with (nothing trumps nostalgia – and we do this with everything – movies, TV, music, etc) – and as fans of bygone generations once did when talking Kerr v. Rayner, Rayner v. Gump, and you get my point.
— Down to 11:00 to go – and the Canes were out-shooting the Rangers at a 9:1 ratio.
— Once hitting the halfway mark of the game/period – and Lundqvist was honored for the 4098678676767679867986th time this season – but for the first time – as a solo act.
— Come 6:31 remaining and Quick had now faced 25 shots, saving 24 of them.
— Eddie Giacomin’s family was in-attendance for his celebration – and it’s such a shame that he couldn’t be here for this. RIP #1.
— Down to 3:00 left on the clock and the SOG counter read, Carolina 26, New York 9.
— Again – this is why it was so impressive that this was still a one-shot/one-goal game – and that’s 100% because of Quick’s heroics in net.
— The Canes had several chances to score an insurance goal via a pair of late Blueshirt penalties.
— Down to 1:41 remaining and Gavrikov went off for holding Hall. Down to 3.8-seconds remaining and Trocheck went off for cross-checking Staal.
— The end result was 20-seconds worth of a 5 x 3 Carolina power-play – and where after it – the Rangers’ PK finished as a flawless 3/3 – and once again – and you can thank Quick, and yes, his crossbar too, for that.
1-0 after forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, them, through 40 minutes. 2P Thoughts:
—Canes start 3P on a 20 second 5 x 3 PP.
— Goalie duel – and where Quick has had the heavier workload.
— SOG 29-10, Canes.
— This is tough to watch and it won’t get better. #NYR— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 6, 2026
THIRD PERIOD
— After the Blueshirts’ man-down units finished as 3/3, then the SOG counter now read as 30-10, road team.
— Quick continued to rack up save-after-save while the Rangers just looked like they didn’t give a shit at all.
— With 5:45 remaining and the Rangers, especially THE FAT CATS, doing OO-GATZ – and Quick recorded his 40th save.
— There aren’t that many goaltenders in NHL history who at the age of forty-years old, made forty-plus saves in a game.
— After Faust brought up all of the times where the Rangers were shutout this season, then Perreault, a complete ghost and not a savior, turned the puck over to Walker with 2:00 remaining.
— Quick was pulled with 1:43 remaining.
— Staal, after two previous failed Carolina chances, called game with his empty-netter with 52.6 seconds left on the clock.
— 2-0 Canes, 2-0, your final, 2-0, FIRE DRURY!
The post-game stuff was interesting – and of course – the Rangers just couldn’t go into the break without any controversy either.
Here’s one exchange:
“Where did things go wrong today?” – Michelle Gingras
“At the drop of the puck.” – Captain Culture.
Remember when he said that he’d drag the Rangers into every fight?
Instead, and he’s dragging himself to Italy – and where he’ll embarrass all of America as he is embarrassing all of New York today.
And I don’t care if he’s playing through injury either – and for all of the reasons as previously discussed in this space.
The biggest stuff after the game was in regards to “The Appendix,” government name Brennan Othmann.
Prior to the game, and Chris Johnston, of The Athletic, reported the following in regards to Othmann’s scratch tonight:
“Any player who dressed for at least 16 of his team’s final 20 games before the Olympic break isn’t eligible to be loaned out. Othmann would hit 16 of the Rangers’ last 20 games if he plays tonight, thereby making him ineligible for an AHL assignment during the freeze. By sitting him, the Rangers open the possibility of sending him to Hartford for the next few weeks to get game action.”
Wince Mercogliano, king of the buffet, followed up on his co-worker’s story when talking to Sullivan after the game:
Mike Sullivan on scratching Brennan Othmann:
“We had a number of conversations. We had a conversation today on why I made the decision I made. I think there are elements of his game that have to continue to improve in order for him to establish himself as an NHL player” pic.twitter.com/xleRbKXaHh
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 6, 2026
Translation?
“Othmann effing sucks!” – Sullivan.
And while I don’t trust Sully as far as I can throw him, but I do believe that he knows Othmann is no good – but at the same time – then expect to see Othmann back with the Pack during the break.
I should add, that while I think that Othmann is another bust; but at the same time, then this isn’t exactly how you retool.
And oh yeah – at least Othmann was “untouchable” during the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
Have I ever mentioned that before?
That all said?
And Othmann wasn’t sent down to Hartford after Thursday night’s loss – and as others were:
UPDATE: Hugo Ollas has been recalled from the Bloomington Bison. Anton Blidh and Spencer Martin have been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) February 6, 2026
The reason for these moves is simple.
With the Olympic break, Martin will get more starts with the Wolf Pack – and for as dumb as that may be.
For whatever reason, and the Rangers are favoring a KHL journeyman over goalie prospects in their minor-league ranks.
Prediction: You’ll forget the name of Spencer Martin as soon as the summer.
This also tells you that CZAR IGOR isn’t ready either – as he still remains on the IR.
During this Olympic break, then every NHL roster must carry two goalies.
In turn, Martin can stay active in Hartford, while Hugo Ollas, much younger than Martin, collects some NHL paychecks to do nothing – you know – like THE FAT CATS!
And after Sully’s damning comments on Othmann?
Then I do wonder if Drury will back him up, which would mean no AHL games for Othmann during the next three weeks.
As they say, “we’ll see.”
As now enter the fugazi Olympic games – then I’m taking a deserved break from this site.
Since no trades can be made, then we shouldn’t have any Ranger news until they return to Tarrytown ahead of their February 26th home match against Philly.
And after seeing what the Blueshirts did tonight after 100-hours off?
Then expect the Flyers, and in a rarity for them, as they are the only team that the Rangers have dominated this season, to finally beat these bums.
There will be no Olympic coverage on this site – as after all – and I don’t care about it.
As much as I want to see America prevail – then I’d also get a good laugh if Drury, Sullivan and Miller get embarrassed by an underdog.
And with the IIHF soft-as-shit rules – then expect a Canada vs Sweden or Finland final.
Last parting thought?
That’s how bad the Rangers are.
That’s how bad they’ve broken me.
That’s how disgusted I am with them.
I’m actually hoping to see the Ranger failures get embarrassed in international play.
And that’s why I need a break from this mess – and perhaps a therapist too.
With the break?
Then it will open up some more time for me to work on the 798696667986986986 book and script projects that I have going on, and where one day, these writings will be included in your favorite segment, which of course, 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!
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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
