Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. What a fart in the wind to close a Toronto-bound career.
One quick thought before motoring on into everything else?
Then, and following Wednesday night in Tampa – and I never want to be in the position to root for Ranger losses ever again.
Suffice to say, then, and hockey gods be willing, then let the Rangers win the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery – and as a result – allow this crappy centennial campaign to ultimately be remembered as the year that the Blueshirts drafted future Hall of Famer, Gavin McKenna!
As you’re probably and fully well aware of by now – and as we’ll also discuss in-detail below – and Monday night’s 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers concluded the legendary career of Jonathan Quick.
While this wasn’t exactly another “SAME OLD RANGERS” loss; but for all intents and purposes – and it kind of was.
After all, then the Blueshirts came out flat again, fell behind 2-0 early and despite receiving thrice the amount of power-plays that the home team received on this night – and they could never find the back of Daniil Tarasov’s net when it mattered most.
While the loss most certainly soured the finale of the greatest American-born goaltender in all of hockey history; then, and for the 2026-27 Rangers – the defeat in Sunrise did improve their draft lottery odds – where after tonight – and they now have the third-best chance in the league to land projected first-overall pick, Gavin McKenna:
Despite all of the big talk, bravado and bloviated pregame commentary prior to puck drop on Monday night – and Quick’s teammates, the Rangers, didn’t exactly get out of the gate.
Rather than that – and instead – they looked like they were heading to the glue factory.
You know, the usual.
Before continuing on, then I do want to mention/remind you of what I said following the Blueshirts’ 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings from April 4th (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/4426/ ):
Had it not been for Sean McDonough’s fat face during the ESPN broadcast of the match, where this idiot was severely hellbent on jinxing Quick’s then 4-0 shutout at the time (it was broken with just a half-a-minute remaining in regulation) – then I think that would’ve been it for JQ32.
I mean, what a better way to go out than posting a shutout?
At the expense of rookie goaltender Dylan Garand, who at this juncture, seems to be the successor behind goalies such as Henrik Lundqvist (he counts), Alexandar Georgiev, Jaroslav Halak and now Jonathan Quick as CZAR IGOR’s back-up – and JQ32, without any fanfare (that’s the way he wanted it), decided to close his career in Sunrise, FL – and rather than in New York, NY.
The Rangers, specifically general manager Chris Drury and head coach Mike Sullivan, obliged the request of the life-long Blueshirt fan and future Hall of Famer – as they allowed Quick – and not Garand who could’ve used the experience – to get this start against a Florida Panther team, that due to decimating injuries throughout their ranks, mainly fielded a roster full of AHLers and prospects.
Perhaps Quick should’ve allowed that 4-1 win against the Wings to serve as his final swan-song.
In game that had as much boom, energy and life as the laryngitis-stricken Dave Maloney’s voice on this Monday night – and not only did the Rangers come out as flat as a plate of warm piss on a hot summer day – but just as was it in Dallas on Saturday night – and they couldn’t score on their power-play either.
Following a first period SOG total of seven for each side, six more for both teams in the second, then come the third-and-final frame – and the Blueshirts out-shot the Panthers 13-4 – and where it also took nearly eighteen-minutes of play for the soon-to-be former-and-reigning champions to pick up their second SOG of the last period of regulation play.
In-between that, and the Blueshirts’ power-play went 0/3, including one received with just 6:11 remaining in the game, while Paul Maurice’s Cats went 0/1 on their only man-up attempt.
Florida’s third SOG of the third period?
Cole “Who?” Reinhardt’s second goal of the game – and the eventual 3-2 game-winner too – and as scored with just 1:50 left in Jonathan Quick’s epic and Hall of Fame career.
Reinhardt’s “see ya goal” was very unexpected.
After all, then if this was a Hollywood movie, then what script writer wouldn’t have had Quick winning the match in overtime – you know – just as he did multiple times in 2014?
(Ugh, I know – he completely destroyed my 32nd birthday on 6/13/14.)
While both Quick and the Rangers’ playoff fates had long been decided; then at least the Islanders will be watching the playoffs from the golf course too!
During a weekend where Ranger fans were forced to root for the Flyers (a Philadelphia playoff berth meant no Islanders in the post-season – and that’s exactly what happened – as after the orange-and-black’s 3-2 bonus time win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday – we will now see a Battle of Pennsylvania first-round series between the Penguins and Flyers) – and Reinhardt scored his first of two goals at the 9:35 mark against Quick – the end result of an odd-man rush rebound afforded.
No less than two-minutes later (1:59 to be official) and Mackie Samoskevich, after a Braden Schneider shot was blocked, raced up the ice on a breakaway – and then beat Quick for the Florida 2-0 goal.
Now down 2-0, and where the Rangers’ power-play was 0/1, while their penalty kill was 1/1 – and it was Matthew Robertson, at the 15:19 mark of this same here first period, that cut the Panthers’ lead to 2-1 – the end result of a Noah Laba o-zone faceoff win – which then allowed the rookie rearguard to wrist the puck past Florida netminder, Daniil Tarasov.
In a game that felt as slow as molasses, then the Rangers didn’t tie the game until there was only 2:40 remaining in the middle period – as Gabe Perreault was in the right place and at the right time – as Adam Fox was able to deflect a puck off of him for the 2-2 equalizer.
Come the start of the third period, and with the Blueshirts now 0/2 on the power-play too – and this is when the Rangers started to rev up.
However, they could never beat Tarasov once more.
Between both a third failed power outage and a pressing attack – and the Rangers accumulated twelve shots on goal before the Panthers managed two.
But it was the third Florida SOG of the period, with just 1:50 remaining, that sealed the deal – Reinhardt’s second – the 3-2 game winner.
In a way, then most of this game felt like it was Tarasov – and not Quick – that was retiring.
After all, then Tarasov finished with a lucky-for-him, thirteen saves in crunch time, while Quick finished the final period of his career with a .750 save percentage (3 saves on 4 shots).
While the Panthers clawed the Rangers out of another memorable moment (the less said about the 2024 ECF the better – and the same goes for what I’ve said about 798678677986786786786 times after that loss too); but at least they were classy about it – as despite Quick racing to the locker room after the final horn – he soon returned once he found out that every member of the Panthers’ organization wanted to pay their proper respects to him on the ice – a final goodbye if you will.
This game didn’t go the way that Quick wanted it to.
Ditto his teammates.
But for Blueshirt backers firmly entrenched in TEAM TANK?
Then the regulation loss was a sweet victory – as not only did the Blueshirts improve their odds at landing the first-overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft – but, and as of this writing (everything depends on what the Flames and Rangers do next) – and they also put themselves in a position to finish no worse than selecting fifth-overall come June.
Conspiracy theory time?
Then perhaps the life-long fan of the Rangers, the Connecticut kid that grew up idolizing Mike Richter, “threw” the game late – and all in the hopes of the Blueshirts winning the lottery come Cinco Di Mayo.
After all, then how else can you explain Reinhardt’s game-winner?
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Rangers’ home finale at M$G – a 5-3 loss to the Sabres:
NYR/BUF 4/8 Review: On Brand Blueshirts Close M$G Finale With All Of Their Bad Traits on Display – But “The Ethical Loss” Was Good For The Tank! CZAR IGOR Wins 74th Annual Frank Boucher Trophy; Final Voting Results Tallied, Upper Deck v. Parkhurst in the Rangers’ Centennial Card Wars; Ugh – A Signed Chris Drury Piece of Cardboard, “The Hockey News” Names Bill Cook As The Greatest Player in Franchise History, Defending Dancin’ Larry and Why; Hypocritical Birdbrain “We Love NDA Panarin – He Has a Cool Flip-Phone” Beat, Three Road Games Remain, M$GN & More
As noted on Wednesday night – then I wasn’t going to be around on Saturday to recap the Rangers/Stars game in Dallas.
After all, it was the final watch party of the season at my local watering hole – and there was no way that I was going to favor sobriety over writing!
PRIORITIES PEOPLE!
While I didn’t know it then; but I picked a perfect game to take a day off from this site – as there wasn’t much to write home about following the Blueshirts’ 2-0 defeat in JFK’s least favorite city – and the tenth game out of eighty where the Rangers were shutout (12.5% of all games played).
Most of the game was as boring as watching paint dry – and where Sully’s Special Teams, 0/5 on the power-play (including a lengthy 5 x 3 attack), didn’t do them any favors either.
I mean, just check out the stats from the defensively-played snorefest:
As far as Saturday’s game went, then it really boiled down to Jason Robertson scoring a power-play goal with just 7:11 remaining in regulation time – a 1-0 goal – and the end result of a Matthew “No Relations” Robertson holding penalty on ex-Blueshirt, Colin Blackwell.
A Stars’ Robertson 2-0 empty-netter, scored with just 59-seconds remaining in the third period, sealed the deal.
While I wouldn’t say that the Rangers looked “listless” and “lifeless” – but I wouldn’t argue with you had you reached that conclusion either!
As I always say in this space – “SPECIAL TEAMS SWING GAMES” – and it was a 1/4 Stars’ power-play that was the difference – and especially when you consider the five man-up attacks that the Blueshirts blew.
The only thing to really bring up from Saturday was the fact that Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan did some stupid “Moneyball” nonsense with their rookie defenseman, Drew Fortescue.
Fortescue, had he played in ten games this year, would’ve received an $80,000 bonus.
Rather to encourage a player, support a player and try to create some positivity with the rookie – and instead – Drury and Sullivan scratched Fortescue.
As a result, and with only Florida and Tampa remaining after the 2-0 loss in Dallas – and the maximum games that Fortescue can play in this season is nine – one match shy of triggering his bonus bucks.
Whether Drury came to this decision because he was in fear of blowing any more of his owner’s/boss’s money (James Dolan) or not, is unknown.
But either way – then for a young guy not making much money (in the sports world – not ours!), while also living in the most expensive market in the planet – and this was a slap in the face – and especially when Sully, prior to this healthy scratch on Saturday – was actually praising Fortescue for playing well!
It should/must be mentioned by not allowing Fortescue to skate in ten games this season, then it also allows the Rangers to prevent Fortescue from receiving offer sheets for an extra year – and where after screwing him out of a paltry sum (for them) – then would you blame Fortescue should he explore such offers when legally being able to do so?
This franchise has been a mess all-season – and where under Drury – it’s never been worse than during these past two-years.
From running off captains, jettisoning off Chris Kreider (now playoff bound in Anaheim), going through coaches like the way most people change their underwear, ruining/rushing Matt Rempe’s recovery, etc – and this “Fortescue Folly” is just another mistake on a long list of them.
After all, then if Fortescue pans out, then wouldn’t the Rangers sign him long before he could legally receive an offer sheet?
The rotten cherry on top?
With Fortescue out of the line-up on Saturday (and everything else remaining the same – including Dylan Garand not getting any action) – and Urho Vaakainanen, who won’t be back next season, took away some game experience from the Rangers’ rookie.
Great job PIZZA MAN!
After being embarrassed once more on Saturday, then come Sunday – and the team had the day off.
Come Monday, and now in Florida (and isn’t it amazing that these two teams just contested for the right to go to the Stanley Cup Final just under two years ago – and where I may have written about the aftermath of that series about 67686896896897679 times before in this space too!), then what we all expected became confirmed – Quick will be hanging up the skates at the end of this terrible season.
I’ve written a lot about Quick over the last three-years – and where one day – I’ll have to update his chapter in my “RANGER KILLERS” book too!
Yeah, 2014 sucked – but what – did you expect him to embarrass himself by throwing the Stanley Cup?
I’ve long been over my previous hatred of Quick – and as noted many times before in this space – then, and whenever he desires, then I hope that he remains in the organization – and in any role for that matter to boot – goalie coach, ambassador, scout, a commentator/analyst on M$GN, whatever.
Quick, who again, not one for the fanfare, much less talk about his own amazing accomplishments either, simply announced after the Rangers’ pregame skate on Monday that this would be it.
Here’s what Quick said verbatim about his decision:
“Obviously, the past few years, I am very lucky to be part of this organization and wear this jersey, but tonight will be my last game in the league.
“You know, I’m looking forward to it [retiring]. Very fortunate. My wife flew down with the kids. They’ll be here in attendance tonight. My parents will be here. So looking forward to this last one and try to get one more win here.
“With the ups and downs the season, you don’t really want to admit it to yourself, you know? So as we kind of got towards the end of the season here, I let Chris [Drury] know and Sully know. Just so they can plan accordingly. I’m grateful for them. They’ve helped me out through this process. They let me know the games I’m going to start so I can make sure to get the family there and stuff like that.
“The organizations I’ve been a part of, they’ve been great to me. Very grateful for Columbus and how they handled that situation and Vegas and how they handled the situation. Then obviously you get the opportunity here.
“As far as like myself, not to that point where I’m really reflecting on all that stuff.”
Quick also confirmed what I said following his last home win from 4/4 – everyone knew that this season would be it for him.
During the same interview and JQ32 said that his teammates knew this decision would soon be official, as his wife, Jaclyn, “is not great at keeping secrets!”
“There have been [retirement] talks here and there [with his teammates],” continued Quick. “They’re excited for me. The conversations I’ve had, some humble conversations.”
Here’s how the Rangers covered the announcement on their website:
https://www.nhl.com/rangers/video/congratulations-quickie-6393039929112
All in all and I think that Quick will be remembered as a fan-favorite – and a player that was respected by everyone.
Unless you’re just an asshole who can’t get over 2014 – then you have to be proud of what Quick did during his final three years in New York.
I can’t say that I knew everything about Quick’s personality prior to signing with the Rangers – but I can say now – and after writing about him for three-years – that he gets high marks from me.
(Not that he needs such praise!)
Like others, and Quick could’ve had a long retirement tour – ala one of his peers from last season – Marc-Andre Fleury.
Instead, and Quick just wanted to go out as silent as he could – while also putting his teammates first.
And I think that’s a huge part of his future Hall of Fame legacy – as he was always one hell of a teammate – and certainly much so during his elder statesman role in New York.
Here was Silly Sully’s line-up for the eighty-first game of this wretched-and-rotten 2025-26 season – the penultimate match of the campaign:
FIRST LINE: Perreault/Mika/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Kartye/Miller/Sheary
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Trocheck/Brodzinski
FOURTH LINE: Sykora/Laba/Chmelar
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Fortescue/Schneider
THIRD PAIR: Robertson/Borgen
STARTING GOALIE: Quick
BACKUP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Iorio, Raddysh, Vaakainanen, Garand and Edstrom
IR: Matt Rempe
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
|
| 17 | 3 | 14 | .824 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 58:17 | 0 |
|
FLA
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 26 | 2 | 24 | .923 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
Since I was at work, and since Sieve Vagistat was there too – then I didn’t pay much attention to the M$GN pregame show.
That said, and “The King of Commentary,” Henrik Lundqvist, was also in-studio on Monday night.
What I’ve found telling, humorous and sad – and all at the same time – was the fact that during the past three-years and this mental retard, Vagistat, would always be quick (pardon the pun) to get on/criticize Quick.
Elsewhere, and Lundqvist, whenever speaking about his future HOF peer, was always extremely complimentary – and one more time – against a foe that robbed the Swede of his crown.
Keep in mind – this is also the same Vagistat that shit-talks Jack Hughes and the Devils at every turn – and how has that worked out – and especially in 2023?
(And I’ll save you from posting Vagistat’s commentary from the 2019 Draft too – but needless to say – and Hughes is much better than Kaapo Kakko!)
As Lundqvist was positively reflecting upon all of the great goalies from his generation who are now retired (Carey Price, Fleury, Tim Thomas, Roberto Luongo and now Quick); and elsewhere, then I’m to assume that Vagistat was pontificating about his legendary nights at “The Ramrod.”
In what was the final broadcast between Dave Maloney and Kenny Albert this season (both confirmed after the game that they’ll be back next year) and it was a tough night for the youngest captain in franchise history – as Maloney was fighting laryngitis all game – but since this was the last tango for these two this year – and he didn’t want to sit this one out.
GAME REVIEW time!
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
Let the rolling commence!
FIRST PERIOD
During a broadcast that was “All Quick, All The Time” – and rightfully so – then of course – all of the talk during the game surrounded JQ32.
It was also immediately brought up that not only was Quick’s entire family in-attendance – but so were some of his former teammates too – including Jeff Carter.
As both teams skated in front of a half-empty arena (those Panther fans sure are loyal), then Albert & Maloney brought up how shallow the Florida line-up was due to their never-ending injuries sustained this season.
At one point, Albert remarked, “It would take us the entire first period to read out all of the walking wounded in Florida.”
Maloney responded with, “The Panthers have five players in their line-up that have never scored an NHL goal.”
And while no Panther scored their first NHL goal against Quick tonight – but at the same time – then you knew it in your bones that the Rangers were done right there.
The Blueshirts got a break at just the 58-second mark as Florida was penalized for Vagistat’s favorite penalty – too many men.
The Rangers got one shot on goal during the next two-minutes and that was that – an 0/1 power-play.
After Tarasov denied Brodzinski at the 3:57 mark, then just five-seconds later and Cuylle was boxed for blatantly tripping Wilmer Skoog – a hell of a hockey player name if I say so myself!
Florida’s power-play was no better than New York’s, so come the 6:02 mark and each side was 0/1 whenever up a man.
At the eight-minute mark, Quick made a pair of tough saves.
The SOG total at the time was 3-2, home team.
Following Brodzinski (at least he tried tonight) being blocked in one end, Florida rushed up the other and there it was – a save on Tobias “WHO?” Bjornfot – followed by the career AHLer, Cole Reinhardt, rebound goal:
3-game goal streak for Reinhardt 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ASaSORZ2yZ
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 13, 2026
1-0, Cats.
After that, the blocked shot on Schneider/turnover, followed by the Mackie Samsokevich top-shelf breakaway goal with 8:29 remaining:
6 goals in the last 9 games for Samoskevich. pic.twitter.com/Erlm6Xd2yQ
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 13, 2026
2-0, Cats – and where my immediate response to this at the time was:
The Panthers already have an odd-man rush rebound goal and a breakaway score – is it Tarasov’s last game or Quick’s?
Elsewhere, and fans in the building noticed what I was saying – there was no energy to speak of in the half-empty Sunrise barn:
I’m here. The place is half empty and there’s no energy. Hard to believe these were the conference finalists the year before last 😢😢 pic.twitter.com/TxXqi3VyfQ
— RangersFanSince64! (@RangersSince64) April 13, 2026
With not much going on, then it wasn’t until there was 4:41 remaining when Robertson cut into the Florida two-goal lead – a nice wrister from the top of the circle after Laba’s o-zone faceoff win:
Matthew Robertson gets the Rangers on the board pic.twitter.com/VrhsmJUq0a
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 13, 2026
2-1 – and where Maloney would have been better off with a type-to-talk program for the rest of this match too!
Under a minute remaining and Florida tried to regain their former two-goal edge but Fortescue was able to prevent a potential 3-1 score.
Now in the other end with 40-seconds remaining and Perreault almost found Zibanejad for the equalizer – but no dice.
2-1, home team, after twenty-minutes of play.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-1, them, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— SOG 7 each, PP both 0/1 too.
— Despite three total goals, and this game has as much energy and passion as Maloney’s laryngitis voice.
— Nice o-zone draw win for Laba, better finish for Robo.
— Kind of sad that Quick’s HOF career ends in…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 13, 2026
SECOND PERIOD
After Miller won another draw (75% at the circles tonight – and where I believe he’s now top-five in the league at the dots too), and Quick, at the 1:50 mark, made a clean glove save on Cole “WHO?” Schwindt.
Just eleven-seconds later and the Rangers returned to the power-play, as Cuylle was tripped by Mr. Skoog.
The Blueshirts had chances on their second man-up attack – but a second goal never came here.
Mika (no points, two SOG) was denied by Tarasov. Lafreneire was blocked. Fox reset the attack. A centering pass to Trocheck just missed. Fox was denied. Miller found Trocheck down low but didn’t have enough on the rubber and that was it for the now 0/2 Sully Squad’s power-play.
Once returned to full-strength and both teams exchanged 2 x 1 odd-man rushes but where Tarasov was able to survive the Rangers’ attack from Chemlar and Sykora – and as he did at the 5:40 mark.
In another big stop from the Floridian Russian and Tarasov denied another strong attempt from Brodzinki – the only Ranger who seemed interested in going straight to the net on every shift.
At the halfway mark of the period/game, and we remained at 2-1 – and with the Rangers’ featuring a 11-10 SOG advantage too.
Come 5:12 left to play in this here second stanza and Reinhardt and Tye Kartye exchanged roughing penalties, which in turn, then gave us two-minutes of uninspiring foreplay.
Now back to five-vs-five play, then Lafreniere sprung Fox after forcing a Panthers’ turnover which then set up this 23-to-94 deflection goal – and Perreault’s 11th goal of the season:
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 14, 2026
I don’t know what to make of Perreault just yet since he’s mainly playing in meaningless games – but man oh man, do I pray to the hockey gods that this short sample size is the start of something big.
Let’s just hope that Perreault’s sophomore season, the 2026-27 campaign, will be an ultimate breakout year.
More prayers to the hockey gods?
Let’s also hope that McKenna, now in the Big Apple, wins the Calder Trophy too – and as the Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer most likely will come this year’s award season.
The Panthers almost went to the locker room up 3-2 but a puck just missed Quick’s vacated net by a foot.
2-2 after forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-2, through 40, 2P Thoughts:
— SOG 13 each, neither team can score on the PP either.
— Not much energy
— Feels like FLA is tanking more than #NYR – blew a two goal lead.
— Only four more periods to go…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 14, 2026
THIRD PERIOD
As noted up top, then following another Miller faceoff win – and the Rangers just dominated this period – that is – sans where it mattered most – the scoreboard.
And of course – it was also brought up by Albert that Florida had given up the most third period goals this season (107) – but where goal #108 never came either.
Tarasov fought off a potential second goal for Perreault at just the 1:00 mark.
After that, Florida flubbed a 3 x 2 chance, and where afterwards, Miller wiped out Ludvig “WHO?” Jansson with an elbow in the corner, thus allowing Sheary to clear the puck out of Quick’s zone.
With turnovers galore, and from both sides, and the Rangers had out-shot the Panthers, 4-1, at the five-minute mark.
During a frantic rush at Florida’s net, then Tarasov, in his best work yet, stopped Fox and Gavrikov, then watched Gavrikov get blocked and then for good measure – stopped the Rangers’ Russian once more – and as he did with 10:45 remaining.
Thirty-seconds later and Trocheck and Cuylle had a 2 x 1 odd-man rush – but Trocheck could never get the pass off.
Come 8:10 remaining and Tarasov denied Miller, point-blank, for the second time in the game.
This was Tarasov’s 11th save of the period – while Quick only had one at the time.
With just 6:11 remaining in this still tied 2-2 game – and with the Rangers out-shooting the Panthers 12-1 in the period too – and you felt that Quick would finally be avenged – as Skroog, during a rare Florida appearance in the Rangers’ zone, gloved a puck while behind the Blueshirts’ net.
The Rangers’ best chance to score during their third power-play was when Miller, from a foot out, was denied once more by Tarasov.
The result of this save, with 1:11 left on the Blueshirts’ power-play, was for Sullivan to use his timeout.
This timeout just told us that Sully wanted to use his best power-play unit in order to get the game-winning goal at this stage of the game.
Following the breather for the PP1 quintet – and Mika couldn’t stop a puck from squirting past the blue line.
That was it.
After a dreadful 0/5 power-play showing in Dallas – and the Rangers were now 0/3 here.
Quick saw his second shot with just 2:08 remaining.
He then saw his third shot with 1:50 remaining – and this is also when Reinhardt called game after his wrist shot from the left dot:
FINAL: Panthers 3, Rangers 2
Reinhardt wins it with his 2nd of the game. pic.twitter.com/TIPW2dKkU7
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 14, 2026
The Rangers pulled their goalie after this – but it was all for naught.
3-2, Cats, your final.
Bad news for Quick, but great news for THE TANK!
Obviously, then we’re long past the point of dissecting wins and losses.
Let’s skip to the only thing that matters – Quick’s final post-game interview.
On his reaction to seeing all of his teammates wearing his #32 sweater, Quick, again, a life-long fan of the Blueshirts, remarked, “I thought we had Stephane Matteau taking warm-ups out there!”
When trying to remove the stakes of this game from his mind, Quick said, “It’s in the back of your head throughout it, but you’re just trying to enjoy it. This team played great. I wish I had a couple more saves for them. It’s unfortunate how it finished up, but they deserved to win. I didn’t have as many (saves) as I’d like to tonight, but it was still special.”
Always the ultimate teammate – and Quick was also full of shit here.
Again, the Rangers went 0/3 on the power-play and could never finish despite a glorious amount of scoring chances.
And did I mention yet that the Blueshirts were at full health (sans Matt Rempe), while Florida fielded a roster that screamed ECHL?
When asked to talk about his thoughts about everything that transpired on Monday, Quick poignantly responded with, “There were some memories throughout the day. Obviously with the morning skate, saying what I said, I had some texts coming in throughout the day. It takes you down the memory lane a little bit with some of the things some former teammates are saying to me, but obviously, all good things. It was special. I’m very fortunate to play as long as I did and with the people I did. Just great people, great teammates, great families. I’m very fortunate for the relationships I was able to make throughout my career.”
I hope that one day – and the selfless Quick can enjoy everything that he did.
As far as anything else, then Trocheck, a fellow American and Quick’s teammate of the past three-years, gave a lengthy response when asked about everything that went down:
“A guy like him, he’s as good a teammate as you can find. I’ve been thinking about it for a little bit now after finding out that was going to be his last year. Things that I could say. There’s an infinite amount of positive things you can say about him.
“When you have a career as long as his, you come across hundreds of different teammates. Before being lucky enough to play with him a few years ago, you talk to guys that he played with, and every single one of them says the same thing. ‘He’s the best teammate, an unbelievable guy.’ He’s always trying to set things up to bring the guys together.
“He is the definition of a glue guy. He was — is — a Hall of Famer. Three cups. He was the starter in L.A. for seventeen years, and he comes here, and he’s the backup to Shesty, and it doesn’t change a thing. He’s still the greatest guy. He’s so excited to be at the rink, and the guys are excited to come to the rink and be with him. So you can’t say enough good things about him.”
For the full post-game reactions in live-and-living color, then check out:
Up Next For The Rangers: The final nail in the coffin – Game 82, in Tampa Bay – and as it will be played on Wednesday night.
I must add this: Dylan Garand better get the nod in net.
Seriously, then what purpose will it serve if CZAR IGOR starts?
And what happens if he gets injured?
You simply can’t run the risk of him tearing an ACL or something like that in a meaningless game – and the last of this rotten centennial season.
After that on this site?
Then all of our usual post-season stuff – The Final Report Card, 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions, What Lies Ahead, The Locker Room Exit Interviews and all of that other jazz.
And of course – then 5/5/26, the date of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, will most determine this franchise’s fate.
I’ll be back with a Tampa/NYR GAME REVIEW – and hopefully come the weekend – get everything else done.
And much like all of you – and I need a long timeout from this terrible team.
Up Next For Me: JURY DUTY!
And I’m elated that the Gilgo Beach Killer case is now resolved – as I couldn’t stand to be part of a never-ending trial – even with a settlement and/or public admission at the end of it!
Up Next For All Of Us: A day off and funeral garb for Wednesday.
And while I hate to say it – then thank you Philly for eliminating the Islanders – as I couldn’t deal with all of the orange-and-blue rah-rah shit for the next few weeks!
I almost forgot the following!
Let’s close with our favorite segment, 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
