NYR/TOR 3/20 Review: Find-A-New-Way-To-Lose Rangers Strike Again; This Season Can’t End Soon Enough, Pajama Boy Scores Two; Isles Jump Blueshirts In The Standings Too, Both “Miller Times” Look Piss-Drunk, Bozo The Bench Boss Continues to Clown Around, Another Putrid Power-Play Performance, M$GN, Sam Rosen & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. That 4/17 season-finale loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning can’t come soon enough.

But before sinking to the depths of negativity once again; then at this time – a joke:

The Rangers were actually -130 favorites heading into Thursday’s tilt with their fellow Original Six rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs!

Apparently, the bookmakers in Vegas haven’t been paying attention to either team this season – and as was also evident by the minuscule -5.5 over-under figure.

(And yep – I cashed in by betting both the Leafs and the -5.5 over – as only a fool would put money on the Rangers these days – and pay to see them play too!)

Not only did the Leafs go up 4-2 with over five-minutes remaining in the second period, thus securing a win for over bettors – but the blue-and-white easily cruised their way to a 4-3 victory against the Blueshirts too.

I’m just left to assume that the power-to-be at the almighty sports book in Sin City thought that the Rangers would have an advantage over a team that had just played the night before – and as the Leafs did in their Wednesday night 2-1 home win against the Avalanche.

I’m also to deduce that the odds-makers didn’t take notice of what happened between New York and Calgary on Tuesday night – and as fully detailed here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/31825/

And leave it to Bozo The Bench Boss & Co. too:

With strife and hostile feelings between the United States and Canada at an all-time high – then it were the Rangers, who just gained complete control over their playoff destiny on Sunday night (the win over Columbus – and their best victory of the season at that) – who then followed-up that epic statement win with three straight losses to Canadian teams (Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto).

Not even Elon Musk and DOGE can save these sorry sacks parading around as a hockey team in the Big Apple!

As repeatedly noted during this past month on weeknights – then this will be a short GAME REVIEW tonight.

And yep, my non-stop crazy work schedule at the real j-o-b is the reason why – and where as I write these words at 1AM – I have to be up in just five-hours for another double-shift.

But really, what’s left to say anymore?

This team flat-out SUCKS.

Worse than that, and there aren’t that many players to root for anymore – as the majority of them just make you sick to your stomach.

The only thing that’s more vomit-inducing than most of the players in the line-up?

The two people in control of it, general manager Chris Drury and head coach Peter Laviolette.

But yet again – and I’m already saying the same old shit about this same old team.

Following this 4-3 loss and I heard many people – the players, the moronic head coach, the fans, M$GN analysts and everyone else alike – all say an iteration of this:

“They played much better tonight than they did on Tuesday.”

Really? That’s what you’re going to hang your hat on?!?!?!

After all, there was nowhere to go but up after not only the worst loss of the season – but also one of the worst losses in all of franchise history – and such a statement covers 99 years’ worth of time!

Simply put: There was never a point on Thursday night where you thought that the Rangers would actually, you know, win.

At the 12:30 mark of the first period, John Tavares, who much like these Rangers, knows what it’s like to have a captaincy stripped, blasted a puck behind CZAR IGOR – the end result of another Toronto odd-man rush.

Speaking of those three-words – “odd-man rush” – and I can only think of one time where the Rangers had one themselves.

To their credit – and unlike Tuesday night – and the Rangers didn’t exactly give up after going down by a goal.

(That took place only when they went down by two! Baby steps!)

But of course – we are also long beyond the point of participation-trophy speak – aka “moral victories.”

As a pair of fourth liners, but on this night playing on the third line due to injuries and garbage elsewhere, Jonny Brodzinski and Sam Carrick, were screening and playing physical in front the net of Leafs’ goaltender, Anthony Stolarz – then boom – it happened – a rare Rangers’ goal!

Tying the game with only 47.9 seconds in regulation was Big Billy Borgen, as the d-man ripped a wrist shot from the top of the left circle.

1-1.

But alas – we are not allowed to have good things in Rangerstown, USA.

At the time, Borgen’s goal prevented the 18,006 suckers who paid real money to attend this game from booing this team off of the ice come intermission – AGAIN.

The Blueshirts weren’t going to have any of that.

With only 9.6 seconds left in the initial period – and BAM – Bobby McCann tipped/deflected a Jake McCabe shot right past CZAR IGOR – and where afterwards – the goalie had every right to slam his stick over K’Andre Miller’s head if he had so desired.

2-1, bad guys – and a chorus of boos some 9.6 seconds later too.

When the two teams returned from their respective locker rooms for the start of the second period, then it only took Artemi Panarin a minute-and-twenty-two-seconds to tie the game – as “The Breadman,” following a strong in-the-zone play from Carson Soucy, was able to capitalize on Stolarz rebound afforded to Trocheck.

2-2.

Here is how I covered the play in real-time:

Buy a lotto ticket – a Fat Cat goal! Panarin, rebound into a vacated net, 2-2, 18:38 to go. Let’s see how long this lasts. #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 21, 2025

The answer to how long the tied score would last?

Just under three-minutes – or 2:54 to be precise – as at the 4:16 mark – Tavares scored again.

This time, the former Islander captain – aka Pajama Boy – banged home a rebound for the Leafs 3-2 lead.

That was it for the Rangers – who routinely check out of games when things get hard.

I mean put it this way:

In a game where theoretically, you’d think and expect that the Blueshirts would be playing desperate and doing everything in their power to win – and it were actually their opponents, mind you, a team that had just played a grueling game the night before, that wanted it more.

Just look at the blocked shots total, where the Leafs doubled-up the Rangers 20-10, for all of the evidence that you need.

It’s clear as day that “Lavy’s Lot” don’t play for each other – but don’t worry – Mika still likes the way they are playing!

Loser.

At the 14:26 mark of this same here second period and Matthew Knies doubled the Leafs’ lead to 4-2.

This time around, and it was a disjointed play between Adam Fox and K. Miller that led to the goal, as Fox, who isn’t even a top-12 defenseman in this league anymore, made a tough pass to his newest partner – and one that Minus-3 Miller couldn’t handle either.

Following this most recent flub – and blammo – Nylander, from behind the net, had all day when finding Knies in the slot all alone.

I could try to sell you that the Rangers had a chance in the third period – but I’d be lying to you if I did.

With 10:52 remaining in the final frame, and with this 4-2 Leafs’ lead still in-tact – and Knies was boxed for slashing Zac Jones.

This was our second penalty of the game, as prior in the contest, the Rangers had killed off a K. Miller penalty during the first period.

The Blueshirts, now on the power-play for the first time – and where even before it – Sam Rosen, of all people, said “OH JOE, THE RANGERS’ POWER-PLAY STINKS JOE! WHERE DID IT GO JOE?” – and Bozo The Bench Boss decided to bench his best man-up player, Christopher James Kreider.

Trust me – I’m aware about all of the negative Kreider discourse in Rangerstown, USA – but at the same time, then you can’t debate me when I say this:

CK20’s biggest strength, his best use, is while on the power-play.

Rather than trying to shake things up, and Laviolette rolled out the usual suspects – the struggling Adam Fox, the most overpaid player in the NHL Mika Zibanejad, nothing-but-wide Artemi Panarin, the scoreless in his last nine J.T. Miller and where have you gone Vincent Trocheck.

The end result, an 0-1 power-play – and where a PPG would have duh – brought this game within one.

Such a dumb decision on behalf of Bozo The Bench Boss would only become magnified during the waning minutes of this match.

Still trailing 4-3, then come 2:40 remaining and Laviolette signaled CZAR IGOR to join the losers on the bench.

The Rangers, the only team without a 6 x 5 goal in the league – broke that streak tonight – and it only took them seventy games to do so!

But it was also too little, too late – and for a team that’s been nothing but too little, too late all-season.

With just 35-seconds remaining prior to the final horn – and boom – that long awaited 6 x 5 goal was finally scored.

And of course – it was Chris Kreider who made this game 4-3 – following a tip on a wide Panarin shot.

Could this have been a 4-4 late equalizer had CK20 played on the power-play?

While the answer may be “highly unlikely;” but at the same time, we’ll never know.

The end result, another loss, another shit show and where after this latest attack on the fan base – and the Rangers are not only out of a playoff berth – but the Islanders, with two games in-hand too, have leap-frogged them:

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, seventy down, a dozen 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?

Magic Eight Ball is still saying “LOL!”

In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the worst loss of the season to Calgary:

NYR/CGY 3/18 Review: SEND IN THE CLOWNS! Rangers Put On Their Floppy Shoes & Red Noses; Get Absolutely Flamed, Steven “Extra Effort” McDonald Must Be Rolling in His Grave; Blueshirts Don’t Have a Care in the World, Where Are The “$11.5M” Remarks Now; CZAR IGOR Only Player with a Pulse, “Irish Flu” Takes Over M$GN’s “Women’s Empowerment Night,” Refund The Fans & More

Following one of the most listless, gutless, inexcusable, effortless and feckless losses in all of franchise history, the 2-1 no-show against the Calgary Flames from Tuesday night – and how did Bozo The Bench Boss respond come Wednesday morning?

By allowing his players the decision to participate in an optional skate.

That fact tells you all that you need to know about this team.

While the CBA prevents such practice today, but in another era, one where 1940 Stanley Cup champion Phil Watson served the franchise as head coach; then “Fiery Phil” would have bag skated this team after their dreadful performance – and as Watson once did when he had control.

Had Laviolette been legally able, then he would have had every right in the world to embarrass his players in front of both the fans and the media by immediately forcing them to practice on M$G ice after that loss to Calgary.

What Laviolette could have legally done under CBA rules was call for a mandatory bag skate on Wednesday.

Instead, the country club vibe for the FAT CATS continue – via the optional practice.

What a disgrace.

Will Cuylle, Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, Matt Rempe, Juuse Parssinen, Braden Schneider, Urho Vaakanainen, Carson Soucy, Calvin de Haan and Jonathan Quick participated at Wednesday’s optional practice.

Of course, the thieves in the night, men who should be wearing ski masks whenever they cash their pay checks – Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin – weren’t on the ice.

Ditto another BFF group – Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller.

What a great way for the leadership group to tell everyone that they care – but it should be said that Adam Fox DID participate.

Following the farce of a practice, Laviolette told the birdbrain beat reporters that he wants to move on.

He’ll be moving on himself in just a few short weeks.

On Wednesday morning, GAME DAY, Rempe skated by himself before his teammates had the choice of participating in another optional practice, which suggested perhaps an injury or ailment for the Big Friendly Giant.

Elsewhere, and U.V. stayed late on the ice with de Haan, which as a result, suggested that Carson Soucy was going to rejoin Lavy’s Line-Up of Unlovable Losers.

Come puck drop and it was revealed that Anton Blidh had been recalled from the ‘Pack – and as it was also confirmed that Rempe was out with an illness.

Should #73 return to full health by Saturday, then expect Blidh to be returned to Hartford.

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

FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Cuylle

SECOND LINE: Lafreniere/Miller/Mika

THIRD LINE: Kreider/Carrick/Brodzinski

FOURTH LINE: Othmann/Parssinen/Berard

FIRST PAIR: Miller/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Soucy/Borgen

THIRD PAIR: Jones/Schneider

STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

BACK UP GOALIE: Quick

SICK: Matt Rempe

LTIR: Adam Edstrom

DONE FOR THE SEASON: Arthur Kaliyev

HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Calvin de Haan, Urho Vaakanainen and Anton Blidh

BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

Since I’m short on time, then let me say this here and then keep on moving.

Sam Rosen Day is this Saturday, when the Rangers host the Canucks – and a Vancouver team that will be without “The Concussed Czech” too – as Filip Chytil is not making the trip after suffering his 76798696789686797th bout against head trauma.

The 1994 tie-in is why the Rangers chose the Canucks as an opponent for this event – but where I’m surprised that this ceremony is being held during daylight hours rather than at night – as prime-time games draw more eyeballs.

Then again, with how bad the Blueshirts are – then maybe I just answered my own question!

I will say, then I do think that it’s fitting that the Rangers have gave us this most dreadful season during Rosen’s last year in the booth.

After all, his “AND THIS ONE WILL LAST A LIFETIME” jinx has never been stronger – now 31-years and running!

He got what he deserved!

The Rangers will honor Rosen at 12:30PM.

As noted on this site all-week, then it’s heavily rumored that John Davidson will be in-attendance.

And who knows, maybe James Dolan will realize that he made a mistake four-years ago – and as a result – JD will be re-installed as Team President – while Chris Drury talks a long walk back to his shitty pizzeria in Connecticut!

But ah – that’s just wishful thinking.

Still not confirmed as of this writing is if the Rangers will give Rosen a banner in the rafters.

Obviously, he deserves it – but so does Boucher, the Cooks, Johnson, Hextall, Greschner, etc.

If only Rosen was part of a pot-smoking hippie band or better yet – a repeat drunken driver offender – then a banner ceremony would be guaranteed.

Another thought?

Perhaps the Rangers will pass on giving Rosen a banner in the rafters of M$G on Saturday – but only to give him one during the centennial.

After all, that’s a way to boost ticket sales and to sap the suckers into paying high prices for two games instead of one!

Before approaching another rapid-fire GAME REVIEW segment, then I must get this off of my chest too:

Had this been last season, and had I been working the crazy hours that I’m working now back then – then, and without a question – then I’d still be doing my 10,000-word manifestos every night.

Big Ranger wins simply pump me up – and where the adrenaline gained allows me to fight off Mr. Sandman too.

Yes, I’m working a lot right now (I even just got a promotion too) – but I feel more drained after watching these daily Blueshirt miscues than as I am after being at work for sixteen-hours a day.

This team has beaten the shit out of my faith, my devotion and fandom – and where for the first time in eleven-years – writing feels like a chore – and not a fun hobby as it used to be.

This team is an all-out mess – and barring somehow landing Brady Tkachuk over the summer – then I don’t see how they become a Stanley Cup contender next season either.

Even if the Rangers do clean house – and that includes the head coach, the general manager and all of the FAT CATS too – then it will take some time for a new Blueshirts’ brain-trust, and the roster they assemble as well, to gel, create chemistry and find their way.

That 2024 ECF loss may be the furthest this franchise goes for some time.

Potentially worse than that?

We may already be in the third “DARK AGE” of franchise history.

For the Rangers’ sake, then let’s hope that their 100th season goes much better than what the Giants just experienced.

As usual whenever pressed for time, then if you want the complete play-by-play from this fiasco, then check out my Tweeter feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC

Tonight’s GAME REVIEW will just be my real-time thoughts following each period – but I do have some final thoughts to share on the other side of this too.

Let’s roll.

FIRST PERIOD

2-1, Leafs, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— You knew that late Borgen equalizer wouldn’t last. The Rangers always find new ways to lose.
— Sam and Joe are nearly as bad as #NYR.
— These two announcers keep bringing up how TOR played last night – as that makes a difference. We just…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 20, 2025

SECOND PERIOD

4-2, Leafs, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— Yeah, #NYR look better than they did on Tuesday – but that says absolutely nothing.
— Pajama Boy one goal away from a hat trick.
— Another poor performance from “J.T., K’Andre, Miller, no relations Joe.”
— 20 min away from going 2-7 on…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 21, 2025

THIRD PERIOD

4-3, Leafs, final. #NYR https://t.co/pbL0K5O0BJ blog thoughts:

—- This season can’t end soon enough.

— 2-7 against playoff teams during this 11 game stretch, Vancouver and LA next.

—- Where’s Mika? Where’s Laf? Where is the heart?

—- Lavy will use the same powerplay despite…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 21, 2025

FINAL THOUGHTS

— Miller and Fox were absolutely dreadful together tonight. Following the game, Fox, who had already previously expressed his disdain over the Ryan Lindgren trade, brought up how it’s hard to find chemistry (understand your partner’s tendencies) with a new teammate.

— Fox was flip-flopped a lot tonight – and also spent a few shifts with Soucy – a player that he never skated with before. While Fox wouldn’t blame his head coach for all of the defensive confusion on the ice – I WILL.

— I will say, I’m also surprised that all of these defensive pair changes didn’t lead to a Rangers’ specialty – a too many men on the ice penalty.

— Bozo The Bench Boss has no clue what to do with his defense – and just like he has no clue what to do with the power-play either.

— Not helping matters is all of the collection of crap that Drury has brought in. Then again, it also doesn’t help when your fourth-liners and role-players are more effective than your FAT CATS.

— You have to consider trading away Alexis Lafreniere. It’s been five-years – and if possible (considering how poorly his career began – and you can use the COVID excuse if you want) – he’s actually regressed. After all, even when he wasn’t scoring, at least he was hitting and physical – and I can’t remember the last time where I saw him engaged as he used to be.

— I see a lot of people making much ado about Othmann’s lack of ice time (6:44). However, he’s played something like 15 games in the NHL – and for the alleged goal scorer – he’s yet to garner a point.

— Playing time must be earned – and where like everything else with this team – a complete state of disarray – you can’t reward Othmann with more playing time when he’s not playing well/earning it. But of course, Mika and Lafreniere continue to play, so that goes against all of that too!

— If the Rangers still weren’t publicly screaming the word “playoffs,” and in turn, accepted the inevitable – no postseason this year – then yeah – Othmann should get a few twirls with the top-six in order to see what he could do. But again – the FAT CATS stink – and it’s actually the bottom-six, where Othmann plays, that’s having more success this season.

— I can’t wait to see Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey win a Stanley Cup this year – while the Rangers thank Juuse Parssinen, Calvin de Haan, Arthur Kaliyev and Carson Soucy for their services.

Up Next For The Rangers: Probably another kids’ gloves optional practice on Friday.

After that, the Sam Rosen ceremony, followed by Rangers/Canucks at 1PM Saturday.

Of note: I am attending my local watering hole’s Rangers’ watch party – so I might not be back on Saturday.

If that’s the case, then I’ll use my off-day, Sunday, to give you something special.

Following the 1994 rematch, the Rangers, starting on Tuesday night, will do their California swing – and where the game against Jacob Trouba’s Ducks will sure turn some heads.

Up Next For Me: Bed – and where I’m already immune to Ranger-induced nightmares too!

I’m a seasoned veteran in this department by now!

Up Next For You: Your favorite segment (and make sure to read my first book if you haven’t already – as it really ties into the Rangers’ centennial – and hmmm – maybe I’ll release centennial edition time-willing), 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