NYR/CHI 3/27 Review: Baby Buck Blueshirts Set Many “Firsts;” Rangers Get Their First Win in Seven Games Too, Windy City Wins “The Toilet Tank Bowl;” But The Big Apple McKenna Dream Ain’t Dead Yet, Sykora, Garand (Better Start Chanting His Name!) & Fortescue Have Nights That They’ll Never Forget; Perhaps Brodzinski’s Last Highlight Reel Game As Well – And Maybe The End For Jonathan Quick & Adam Edstrom Too, Consider The Competition, M$GN & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Good God Almighty do the Blackhawks suck!

And praise the hockey gods too – as for one night at least – and the BABY BUCK BLUESHIRTS gave us something to root for – and where we haven’t had much to cheer about during the past two-years either.

Just to stress this point before continuing, then on Friday night, two teams fielding primarily AHL and college rosters did battle – and where the loser of the sixty-minute affair would “win” the second-best odds at landing the first-overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

In other words, then on the evening of March 27th, we had the second-worst team in the league, the Rangers, hosting the third-worst team in the league, the Blackhawks.

By the end of the night, and as a result of Sully’s Squad 6-1 win – and the roles are now reversed – as the Rangers reverted to having the third-best odds at landing the #1 overall pick, while the Hawks improved their chances to second-best.

It should also be mentioned that everything favored the Rangers heading into Friday night.

After all, the Blueshirts had an off-day on Thursday, while the Blackhawks skated in a 5-1 loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia.

And for as much that’s being made about all of the college kids and AHL call-ups in New York – then you had the same exact thing going on with Chicago.

Furthermore?

Then when was the last time you saw a team that’s been historically as bad as the Rangers have been on home ice this season, who were also trying to avoid a seven-game losing streak on Friday night, be listed as a heavy favorite (-150)?

I don’t want to take anything away from perhaps the most important win of the season (due to how well the BABY BUCK BLUESHIRTS performed – and to add onto this point – where confidence was most definitely gained too); but yeah, and this remains true:

The team that the Blackhawks fielded on this night may have been the worst team that the Rangers have ever seen this decade.

Heck, the Hawks even allowed J.T. Miller to snap his 13-game/two-month goal drought too!

That bad!

A quick counter-point before continuing?

Then while I don’t think that anything was necessarily learnt, nor a true indicator of what lies ahead neither – but what we did gain after the sixty-minutes spent on M$G ice was that the BABY BUCK BLUESHIRTS can hold up – and excel – against rosters in similar predicaments.

In other words, then while I think that Sully’s Squad would get crushed by the likes of Colorado or Tampa – but against teams that are also struggling like the Blueshirts?

Then the YOUNG & THE RANGERS are not only exciting – but they can win games too.

The Rangers, who have been making negative franchise and league-wide history all-season, flipped the script against the Blackhawks, and in turn, here’s this random result from the never-ending positivity displayed in front of a rare sold-out house (these days) at M$G:

In tonight’s game, Drew Fortescue made his NHL debut, Adam Sykora scored his first NHL goal and Dylan Garand earned his first NHL win.

It is the first time since Nov. 10, 1932 (Asmundson, Aitkenhead, Voss) that three different Rangers each recorded such milestones in the same… pic.twitter.com/k8FI3bPgh7

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) March 28, 2026

Despite a first 17:33 of action void of scoring; then regardless of that fact – and the Rangers owned the Blackhawks just as Corey Perry (ALLEGEDLY) once handled Mother Bedard.

(I kid, I kid – and I know – that alleged rumor wound up becoming complete horseshit – but I can’t help to make a bad joke whenever possible!)

And even when Nick Lardis opened the scoring at the 17:34 mark, thus giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead?

Then you still felt like the Rangers would prevail – and when was the last time you felt that way?

The Blueshirts, and despite not technically pulling off the “wire-to-wire” job, were the better team throughout the entire match.

Not only were they battling, winning loose puck battles and going to the net – but they were willing to get physical whenever possible too.

And again – when was the last time you said that about this team under Mike Sullivan?

The Rangers owned the Hawks in every which way, while also excelling on special teams too.

The Blueshirts went a flawless 3/3 on the penalty kill, while also scoring on one of their three power-play tries.

And for a Big Apple club that has been struggling to get shots on goal – then there was no such issue on this night.

The Rangers out-shot their Original Six rival 39-29 overall – but even that whopping ten SOG disparity is a bit misleading – as it was much more severe than that.

The Blueshirts out-shot the Hawks 15-11 in the first period, then 16-4 in the second period, for a cumulative total of 31-15 – which equates to a more than 2:1 ratio.

Only a third period, with the Rangers up big and playing conservatively, allowed Chicago to improve their totals, as the Hawks, long dead-and-buried, finished the third period with a 14-8 SOG edge.

And when Lardis scored the game’s first goal?

Then it didn’t take long for the Rangers to find a response either.

Just 58-seconds after Lardis’ opening goal, then Schneider, from the point, sent a shot towards Arvid Soderblom, the Hawks netminder on this night. The golden nephew-in-law, Conor Sheary, then put the rebound back.

At the time, it looked like Sheary’s puck had hit the skate of defenseman Alex Vlasic, but upon multiple replays and it was revealed that Sheary’s rebound had instead hit the skate of his captain before crossing the goal line.

1-1 – a goal for Captain Culture, J.T. Miller.

The good vibes were temporarily stunted with just 16.9 seconds remaining, as Vladislav Gavrikov hooked Ryan Donato.

No matter, as the Rangers’ PK was perfect all night.

The Blueshirts, after killing off the remainder of the Gavrikov penalty at the start of the second period – not soon just went ahead – but then scalped the Indians too.

A Matthew Robertson (another rookie) rebound goal, a hell of a loft and a shot, put the Rangers ahead 2-1 at the 5:24 mark.

For Robertson, then he’s also on record for scoring the game-winning goal too.

At the 8:20 mark, and if you weren’t there, then you felt the jubilation and sheer ecstasy pour off of your television regardless – as Adam Sykora, skating in his second game as an NHLer, took a 2 x 1 odd-man pass from Will Cuylle – then blistered Soderblom’s net with it.

3-1, home team – and the first of many pucks that were soon taped-up and preserved for safekeeping.

(Somewhere, and Adam Hermtrans is reporting that Tony DeAngelo stole Sykora’s first goal puck.)

Come the 16:07 mark, and Jonny Brodzinski, who may not be long for this Rangers’ world much longer, took a puck sent his way from Big Billy Borgen, then, and while in the circle to the right of the goaltender, sniped the rubber for the Rangers’ 4-1 score.

JONNY BROADWAY would soon score again – but an Alexis Lafreniere power-play goal, in homage to Chris Kreider (deflection from distance), improved the Rangers’ lead to 5-1 at the 13:17 mark of a heavily-filled penalty-plagued third period (check the PENALTIES segment for more).

With just four-minutes remaining from the final horn, and the new d-man in town, Drew Fortescue, picked up his first assist, a secondary helper (Taylor Raddysh earned the primary assist), as Brodzinski struck again – and for the Rangers’ 6-1 goal.

Elsewhere and Garand, who was absolutely fantastic in his first foray, only looked better in his second soiree, as he finished the game with 27 saves on 28 shots faced (.964%).

It was at this time where “Rangers’ Reality” hit for me – as while this was only one short sample size, and again, against much inferior competition – because I don’t think that Brodzinski, nor Jonathan Quick, will have their current roles with the team/franchise come next season.

While such news may not be heartbreaking to some; but for me, then I have all the time in the world for both of these guys.

Granted, while I can see Quick, a future Hall of Famer who lives in the area, remaining in the organization in some capacity (a scout, a coach, a TV broadcaster, whatever); but for Brodzinski, who has no plans on retiring anytime soon, then the five-tool workhorse may have had his last highlight reel as a Ranger on this night.

When it comes to JONNY BROADWAY, then you have to admire and respect the guy.

He was the captain in Hartford many years, and helped assist the careers of many of his charges -and often at the expense of his own career/potential earnings.

Once called-up to New York on a permanent basis, then Brodzinski continued to mentor his former Packers – while also accepting whatever role asked of him – and by any coach too.

Whether it was as a second-line winger or as a fourth-line center – and Brodzinski has always been up for the challenge.

While tonight is all about the BABY BUCK BLUESHIRTS; then let’s also pay our respects to Brodzinski too – as he’s always done everything asked of him.

And just to expand on Quick’s future with the club?

Well my initial thoughts were confirmed once Sullivan took the podium after the game – and where I’ll have all of it for you following tonight’s GAME REVIEW segment.

6-1, Blueshirts over Blackhawks, your final – and where for one night – then you were able to smile.

That is, unless you remain tunnel-visioned about Gavin McKenna.

In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Rangers’ 4-3 loss in Toronto:

NYR/TOR 3/25 Review: Same Old Rangers (Now Featuring Adam Sykora) Find a New Way To Lose; Officially (And Finally) Eliminated From Playoff Contention, Hockey Card Help; Centennial “Unboxing” Idea, Draft Pick Lotto Dreams Get Brighter By The Day; Six-Game Season-High Losing Streak Strengthens Second-Best Odds at McKenna, “The Art of The Tank;” Gotta Start From The Bottom To Go Up, Rough Night For CZAR IGOR; Captain Culture Hasn’t Scored a Goal in Two Months Either, Mika Award SZN Continues, Blueshirts Turn Joe Woll into Joe WALL, M$GN & More

Following another “Find-A-New-Way-To-Lose” Rangers’ loss, and as was the case on Wednesday night, then come Thursday, the team had the day off.

Come Friday, then what I predicted on Wednesday night became reality – Drew Fortescue, and just like Sykora before him, and Garand before that, would be making his NHL debut.

As far as why Sullivan made a guy, who the Rangers have burnt the first-year of his entry-level contract, wait a few games to debut, then the head coach replied to such questioning with this:

“He’s had enough of an opportunity here this week to be around the group and get comfortable in the surroundings. Get him on the ice a handful of times, and then spend a few opportunities with (David Quinn), one-on-one, watching film, so that he has a better understanding of how we’re trying to play.”

Fortescue, when asked about what the moment meant to him, obviously responded with glee.

The Pearl, N.Y. native also mentioned that he’d have a ton of people in the stands (hence why the Garden was sold out for the first time in ten-games), and where by the end of the night, it was reported (by Kenny Albert) that 200 friends and family members of Fortescue’s purchased tickets.

I understand that NHL veterans get a ton of extra leash – and as we have particularly seen with Mopey Mika Zibanejad during the past three-years.

This is to say that J.T. Miller, who again, has been injured more than anyone this season, while also being more inconsistent as anyone too, is excluded from entering Sullivan’s doghouse.

Not exempt?

Big Ed, government name Adam Edstrom.

Despite “THE SWEDISH CONDOR” missing a ton of games this season due to injuries, then, and for whatever reason, and Sully is singling-out the Swede.

Since the Rangers won this game, then the story of Edstrom being the odd-man out tonight, the healthy scratch, will fall to the wayside.

But it shouldn’t.

And nothing personal against the likes of Taylor Raddysh, Conor Sheary, nor Jonny Brodzinski either (heck, I just raved about JONNY HOCKEY in our last segment) – but are any of these three names going to be on this roster at the start of next season?

While I understand that this is a minor gripe, especially even more so after a big win; but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that it was my belief that #84 should have been included on Sully’s line-up card on Friday night.

Sullivan, following the team’s Friday A.M. skate, commented about Edstrom:

“What we like about Eddie’s game is his size, his strength, his skating ability, his reach. He’s a disruptive player – but it has to be consistent. He’s got to skate, he’s got to finish checks, he has to make good decisions with the puck. I think consistency has been the challenge. We’re trying to find a balance here of maintaining a certain level of accountability, establishing a standard that we want to hold ourselves true to, and we’re trying to win the game right in front of us.”

How encouraging.

As far as keeping Edstrom as a center, and rather than as a left-winger, the coach that Sidney Crosby carried to two Stanley Cups said:

“I don’t have a specific answer for you. We’re going to keep talking about what we have and how we’re going to try to utilize these guys moving forward.”

A regular Scotty Bowman!

Here was Silly Sully’s line-up for the seventy-third game of this wretched-and-rotten 2025-26 season:

FIRST LINE: Perreault/Mika/Lafreniere

SECOND LINE: Kartye/Miller/Sheary

THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Trocheck/Sykora

FOURTH LINE: Raddysh/Brodzinski/Chmelar

FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Borgen/Schneider

THIRD PAIR: Fortescue/Robertson

STARTING GOALIE: Garand

BACKUP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR

HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Parssinen, Iorio and Edstrom

UNHEALTHY SCRATCHES BUT NOT ON IR: Laba and Vaakainanen

DAY-TO-DAY: Quick

IR: Matt Rempe

BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

You know the deal – I turn off the screen whenever Sieve Vagistat is there by himself for the M$GN pregame show.

As far as anything else worth mentioning during the thirty-minutes that preceded puck drop on Friday – then it was Fortescue’s rookie lap – and where afterwards – both Dave Maloney & Kenny Albert said that it received the biggest reaction that they could ever remember – and mainly due to the 200 “FORTESCUE FRIENDS & FAMILY FANATICS” that were up against the glass:

The flow is flowing for #NYR Drew Fortescue’s rookie lap pic.twitter.com/k59W4hikSq

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) March 27, 2026

Another thing to note?

Then this was one of these stupid “SPOTLIGHT” broadcasts – but where in another FIRST – and we had more positive history to come out of it.

Not only did Lafreniere, our featured M$GN player on this night, play well – but he also scored a goal.

I think this was the second time, of maybe twenty-five broadcasts in total, where the SPOTLIGHT PLAYER scored a goal (NDA Panarin is the first player that I can remember).

GAME REVIEW time – and you know my usual spiel – which includes how if you want my complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter/X feed over at: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC

And yep – it’s been nothing but overtime for yours truly at the real j-o-b this week – so let’s finally roll!

(And thankfully – we’re now less than three-weeks away from this miserable season finally reaching its unmerciful conclusion!)

Also of note?

Then I had five other co-workers watching this game with me during my extended dinner break – and as a result – it was loud – so I didn’t hear everything that Albert & Maloney said tonight.

But really, does this matter to anyone else besides me?

Probably not!

FIRST PERIOD

As Garand and Soderblom took to their nets, then M$GN reported that 38% of the players dressed in this Toilet Tank Game were rookies.

Let that sink in – and only from the “consider the competition” aspect.

Garand, impregnable once again, made his first save of twenty-seven in total at the thirty-second mark.

By the 4:18 mark, he had four saves – and where half of them were due to his amazing glove hand.

Sykora (1G, 3 SOG), who was leaps-and-bounds more noticeable during the second game of his career when opposed to his first, was denied at the 4:38 mark.

About a minute later and the SOG tally was equal at 5-5.

Come the 7:50 mark and Fortescue almost had his first assist/point of his promising NHL career – but Soderblom denied Fox – and where Sykora just missed the net on the rebound too.

But either way?

Then the fact that the names of Fortescue and Sykora appear in this potential scoring play speaks volumes.

Jaroslav Chmelar, another rookie, and who later picked up his first NHL assist (to go along with his two pretty-as-a-picture backhanded breakaway goals), had his potential third career goal shut down at the 9:48 mark.

Again – another rookie creating scoring chances.

Come 9:23 remaining – and here’s Fortescue’s name again – as this time – he rung a puck off the iron so hard that it even woke up the dead – and even Sam Rosen heard it too!

In what could’ve been a terrible result, Miller was stripped and turned over the puck right to Bedard – but there was GARAND THE GREAT, GARAND THEFT AUTO, with a BESSIE glove save – and as it was with 8:44 remaining.

Perhaps Gabe Perreault, who is thought to have the most potential of any Ranger rookie/prospect around, exited stage-right tonight – but only to allow all of the other rookies to get some spotlight.

Down to 5:15 remaining, and Perreault off the rush, just missed Soderblom’s net.

This then led to a rush the other way – and where again – Garand was gargantuan – as he denied a Landon Slaggert back-handed try – and from a foot out.

This was perhaps the save of the game.

A failed Borgen clear then led to the Tyler Bertuzzi to Nick Lardis easy tap-in goal – a shot that Garand never had a chance on – and where the new #33 in town (No #33 will ever be better than CAM TALBOT – and that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!) would never be broken again either:

Nick Lardis should never sniff the 4th line again#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/G4rEtEtCtU

— Bedsy (@bedsysburner98) March 27, 2026

1-0, Hawks, only for the Schneider-to-Sheary-to-Miller goal to follow some 58-seconds later:

Sneaky work from Conor Sheary 🤭 pic.twitter.com/GnAn5KIpoh

— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) March 27, 2026

1-1.

For a Rangers’ team that has led the league the past two seasons in most goals allowed during the final 2:00 of a period – then Garand didn’t want to be part of this – as he stopped Donato with 24-seconds remaining.

Eight-seconds later, and this is when Gavrikov went to the box for hooking Donato.

1-1 after twenty-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-1 after 1. CHI will open 2P on a 1:44 PP. 1P Thoughts:
— Kind of flat to start, but then picked up.
— Sheary, at least for now, has the only #NYR goal – that’s why Sully keeps playing him.
— Garand continues to look grand.
— SOG 15-13, home team.
— Fortescue has…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 27, 2026

SECOND PERIOD

The young guns were full of piss and vinegar this period – and by the end of this frame – pumped in a trio of red-lighters.

And there could’ve been more than three Ranger goals scored in this period too.

After their first successful penalty kill, the Rangers then saw Soderblom come up with a pair of saves on Lafreniere at the 2:52 mark.

The Hawks were then able to sniff-out a Mika and Fortescue give-and-go try – and where I was impressed that these two, who have never played together before, were even able to pull off such a play.

But come the 5:24 mark?

An offensively-keen Robertson finished a play – and then scored his fifth goal of the season as a result:

pic.twitter.com/OT4mnFPXUr

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 28, 2026

2-1, home team.

By the time the 6:00 mark hit, the Rangers had raced out to a 22-12 SOG lead as well.

Some 2:20 later – a play that Sykora, and hopefully Blueshirt fans too (because of his hopeful career success in the future), will never forget – and you can thank CUYLLE HAND LUKE for this 3-1, GOOD GUYS, goal too:

FIRST NHL GOAL FOR ADAM SYKORA 👏🚨 pic.twitter.com/qXfcs8hVhe

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 28, 2026

Hell of a play, hell of a finish.

A few Garand saves and minutes later?

JONNY BROADWAY’s 4-1, SEE YA CHICAGO, snipe:

Jonny Brodzinski – New York Rangers (5) pic.twitter.com/xiIKbNSzRL

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 28, 2026

4-1, GOOD GUYS (yes, that’s twice that I’ve returned the “GOOD GUYS” phrase) through forty-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

4-1, #NYR, through 40. 2P Thoughts:
— Rangers found someone worse than them – and a team who played last night too.
— No tanking tonight – hope it doesn’t hurt the McKenna chances come 5/5
— Chicago looks like an AHL team.

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 28, 2026

THIRD PERIOD

There was never a chance that the Rangers would blow this “dreaded three-goal lead.”

And it was also fun to see Sykora, while on the bench waiting for puck drop, with that toothy grin all over his face.

It’s very to easy to root for players who care – and including during the bad times too.

At the 18-second mark, Mika temporarily put a potential dash in the three-goal lead, as he slashed one of the Chicago’s rookies on this night, Anton Frondell.

The Rangers’ PK allowed only one SOG and that was that – a perfect 2/2 PK.

By the 4:00 mark and the Rangers were now out-shooting the Hawks 31-16.

As Albert and Maloney continued to fawn never-ending praise upon Fortescue (and it was all merited), then I wondered – did the 200 FORTESCUE FANATICS take advantage of the free Blueshirts’ BFF bracelets and Phish merchandise that have been attached to these recent single-game ticket promotions?

And did they place their “POLYMARKET” wagers too?

After all, then who will you bet on to pick his ass during the Western Conference Final?

At the 5:36 mark, Sheary was boxed for cross-checking Artyom Levshunov.

This call was softer than baby shit.

“I took cross-checks worse than this during pregame warm-ups in my career,” cracked the ever-wise former captain, Dave Maloney.

Garand’s best save during these two-minutes was when he denied Lardis on a picture-perfect one-timer.

And the Rangers’ PK?

3/3.

At the 9:00 mark, the Rangers were being out-shot in the period 10-1 -but again – they were just protecting their lead – while also limiting Chicago from ever getting too close to Garand (a lot of shots from deep and the perimeter).

When talking about the FORTESCUE FAMILY AND FRIENDS trip, Albert suggested that everyone met at a local bar before boarding their bus to the Big Apple.

Maloney, with his Irish-Canadian blood, had a rock hard erection when talking about pre-game drinking.

For that matter, so did I!

If there was ever a play to criticize from the match, then it was with 10:18 remaining – as Sykora and Cuylle were fighting off four Hawks – most notably Ethan Del Mastro and Sacha Boisvert.

Maloney said it best, “Sykora and Cuylle are fending off four Chicago players – but where are the other Rangers?”

No replays revealed who else was on the ice at the time – and where a shift change may have taken place just prior to the brawl at the boards too.

The end result was the Rangers’ first power-play of the game – but where despite three shots on goal, including a Mika one-timer that had twine written all over it – and the Blueshirts’ man-up attack finished 0/1.

But come 7:10 remaining when the Rangers got their second power-play (Vlasic for interfering with Chmelar)?

Bada-bing-bada-boom – the SPOTLIGHT PLAYER lit up the room – and as Lafreniere did after deflecting an Adam Fox (I haven’t mentioned his name that much – does that tell you something?) point shot for the Blueshirts’ 5-1 goal:

pic.twitter.com/FcyFP8asI7

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 28, 2026

And come 4:00 remaining?

Fortescue’s first NHL point and assist – and JONNY BROADWAY’s sixth of the season too:

pic.twitter.com/5gbdjbbOAT

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 28, 2026

6-1, GOOD GUYS!

And when M$GN P.A. Joe Tolleson read off Fortescue’s name for assisting on the goal – then you would’ve thought that Craig MacTavish was taking a faceoff on June 14th, 1994.

Right after the goal, as in 23-seconds later, and we had a full line brawl – and a quick tilt between Borgen and Boisvert too:

This one was brewing.

Boisvert and Borgen had been yapping a lot tonight.

Sacha Boisvert wanted to drop the gloves in the NHL, he does it in his 2nd career game. pic.twitter.com/aVrvvBc3gi

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) March 28, 2026

The Rangers got a power-play out of this (again, check the PENALTIES segment for all of it), but with a five-goal lead – and they were just interested in running the clock out – the right move – and why you shouldn’t put much into the overall 1/3 man-up showing either.

And that’s what they did.

6-1, GOOD GUYS, your final – and again – for one night at least – and Ranger fans enjoyed hockey again.

Glass half-empty?

Did this win mar the Rangers’ chances at McKenna come Cinco De Mayo?

We’ll find out soon enough.

Here are some of the quotable quotes during the euphoric post-game reaction:

“Once I got to the bench after and I took a stop and kind of looked around and saw everyone, was able to see some of my cousins and family members and my parents in the crowd, definitely was an unbelievable feeling – and a feeling that I’ll never forget.” – Drew Fortescue

“We just have to bring our all every day. It’s our opportunity to show up and just bring all we can.” – Adam Sykora, while happy about his first goal, but who also wants to continue to build off of it.

“I can speak on behalf of the guys from Hartford – We’re all so proud of him and happy for him, and he deserves it. He’s such a great guy. We all love him.” – Garand on Sykora’s goal.

“This is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I think we’re all hungry. This is kind of, for some of us, our opportunity. Guys like me and [Sykora], we’ve been playing in Hartford for a long time and we finally get to play games. We’re hungry and we’re excited to try and help this team win in any way we can. It’s a lot of fun right now.” – Garand on his first NHL win.

And to conclude what I teased at the start of this?

Here’s what Sullivan said about Garand – while also commenting about Quick’s future too:

“That would probably be a fair statement just based on his performance to this point,” said Sullivan when asked if Garand would play again this season.

“As this moves forward, when eventually we get a healthy Quickie back, I think [Chris Drury] and I will sit and probably have a conversation around it,” added Sully, when asked what happens when Quick is ready to return.

Yours truly?

Then my prediction is that Quick gets one last game – and while he hasn’t announced his retirement intentions just yet – whatever that game is – then it will be promoted as such.

And he’ll deserve a sold-out house too.

I know that Quick can still go, but since he wants to remain in the area, then unless he has a change in heart – it won’t be here next season.

We’ll get more into this once we get there, but for a “RANGER KILLER” – then his last three seasons in the Big Apple have helped to ease some, definitely not all, of that 2014 pain.

For the full post-game reactions, then click the play buttons below:

Up Next For The Rangers: A Sunday matinee against a Panthers’ team, that funny enough, remains a thorn in the Blueshirts’ side.

How so?

Then the Panthers, mainly due to injuries, are also tanking – and if they should land McKenna in June – then call every conspiracy theorist in the land!

I most likely won’t be around with a GAME REVIEW following Blueshirts/Cats – as I’m going to my local watering hole to watch it.

After all, then there aren’t that many games left on the schedule when trying to share my Rangers-induced misery with family and friends!

Should I not be around, which I’d bet on, then next week, we’ll open up the voting for this year’s 2026 Frank Boucher Trophy winner.

Again – I think it’s a lock that Zibanejad will win it – and just as he will with the McDonald and MVP awards.

Up Next For Me: Icing my fat fingers then going to bed!

That said?

I am off on Saturday – and where maybe I’ll do that centennial Rangers’ card unboxing gimmick if I get the time.

Up Next For All Of Us: Say it with me, my favorite segment and yours, you know…

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