Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. One more loss game to go.
Off puck drop, and in case you missed it, then I posted a blog early Monday morning about everything presently going on in Rangerstown, USA. You can find that manifesto here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fb25/
(It’s also well worth your time reading that link above – and especially after the 2025 Frank Boucher Trophy winner, Matt Rempe, absolutely dominated the Panthers during Monday night’s victory in Sunrise, FL.)
The Rangers, officially eliminated from the playoffs following Saturday’s 7-3 loss in Raleigh, NC, had nothing to play for when they entered the Panthers’ barn some 48-hours later in Sunrise, FL.
While both the unaccountable head coach and the players alike can throw around the word “pride” all that they want; such a word rings hollow – and especially when all of the overpaid FAT CATS, sans CZAR IGOR, decided to skip the past two optional practices.
And with the likes of Matt Rempe, Juuse Parssinen, Jonathan Quick, Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, Jonny Brodzinski and Will Cuylle all participating during Sunday’s optional skate – then it came as no surprise when it were these players that shone head-and-shoulders among the Blueshirts’ bevy of bloated millionaires that have sunk this season into the deepest of all blackest holes imaginable – and perhaps a hole that’s even deeper than the one that Sieve Vagistat has too!
There were a lot of cruel ironies that came to the surface on Monday night, but where it should first be mentioned that the reigning-and-defending two-time Eastern Conference champions, last year’s Stanley Cup winner and the club that severely derailed the Rangers’ franchise nearly one-year ago, were without many of their stars.
Missing from Paul Maurice’s Florida line-up on Monday was the team’s best defenseman, Aaron Ekblad; the team’s biggest prize of the trade deadline, Brad Marchand; the team’s best player and heart of the club, Matt Tkachuk; and required role-players such as Mackie Samsokevich, Niko Mikkola, Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.
If you are able to escape the reality of the Panthers’ situation, then yes, the cruel ironies, and the “coulda, woulda, shoulda” thoughts too, were blatantly apparent, including, but not limited to, the following:
— Matt Rempe, scratched by the idiotic head coach during last year’s ECF, was the best player of the game – and don’t listen to the birdbrain Blueshirts’ beat either – and a collection of fools who decided to shower such false praise upon the lap of J.T. Miller. (Miller, named the first star by these gaggle of nincompoops, did play well – but he was also nowhere as nearly as effective as Rempe was.)
— The Rangers, whose present demise first started last year after the ECF loss, had lost the first two-games of this three-game season-series set – and as they did on 10/24 (3-1) and on 12/30 (5-3). They finally found a way on 4/14 – but of course – it was also another case of “too little, too late.”
— Speaking of “too little, too late,” then for the first time this season, Game 81 – and the Rangers finally pulled off a multi-goal comeback win. However, and as you all know, and the Blueshirts no longer have any shot at the playoffs – and where furthermore – such comebacks were needed much earlier than as it took place here, now in this penultimate game of this 2024-25 campaign.
— By winning this meaningless game and the Rangers decreased their 2025 Draft Lottery chances. While it remains to be seen if general manager Chris Drury will even still be around when deciding if the franchise will keep their 2025 first-round pick or punt it to Pittsburgh (thus retaining control of their first-round pick in 2026); nonetheless, and perhaps the Blueshirts, long eliminated from the playoffs, also eliminated themselves on this night from having any shot at all at drafting Long Island stud, and Gabe Perreault’s Boston College teammate too, center James Hagens.
— Once again, and Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere were all ineffective. Not one of them registered a shot on goal, as these three don’t match-up well against big-sized NHL teams – you know – the type of clubs that you’ll always see when the hockey matters most – the playoffs. Outside of a Zibanejad assist – and this trio also came up empty in the points department too.
Following an excellent autopsy performed by both Brian Boyle and Henrik Lundqvist during tonight’s M$GN pregame show (quotes featured below) and this game immediately felt like any other contest from this rotten 2024-25 season – an eventual loss.
At just the 1:38 mark of the match and K’Andre Miller took a stupid penalty, and as he did when he cross-checked Sam Reinhart in the face.
No less than a minute later, at the 2:22 mark officially, and Bill Pidto’s favorite player, Reinhart himself, made both Miller and the Rangers pay with his 1-0 PPG.
The Blueshirts’ PK, once their greatest strength, had once again allowed another man-up goal against.
(But they would later redeem themselves – and for that matter – ditto Miller.)
As Sam Rosen, in his second-to-last game, and his partner, Joe Micheletti, were raving about the virtues of Paul Maurice, so much so, that I thought they were going to ask Maurice to unzip his pants so they could go to town on him – then it happened:
Matt Rempe wasn’t going to allow the Rangers to lose on this night.
As always, you can check out my Tweeter/X feed (https://x.com/NYCTheMiC ) for my real-time commentary; but even prior to his offensive explosion on the scoreboard, and I was saying how noticeable he was – which has been commonplace for some time now.
Returned with Brodzinski as his center, and now with Kreider as his fellow flank – and Rempe was dictating the pace for the Blueshirts not only on his first shift – but throughout the entire game too.
Such another showing makes you wonder why this moronic head coach punted the 2025 Frank Boucher Trophy winner to Hartford throughout the first half of this terrible season.
But at least for one night – and Lateralette realized that Rempe was his driving force – and as his season-high of 12:26 worth of ice time would suggest.
However, the head coach with the Moe Howard hair cut would not give Rempe a chance on the power-play – and one that once again had another 0-fer in the box score, this time 0-2.
Following an Asplund boarding penalty on Fox, and Laviolette went with the same old usual suspects on his first power-play unit – Panarin, Fox, Zibanejad, Miller and Trocheck.
Once the power-play was done going 0-1 – then Rempe and Co. came on the ice.
A Juuse Parssinen o-zone faceoff win (Brodzinski had played on the PP2 unit) saw Rempe immediately retrieve the rubber and then feed it to K’Andre Miller.
As Miller was winding up, Rempe, and as always, raced when crashing Sergei Bobrovsky’s net.
In more credence to my “PUT REMPE ON THE POWER-PLAY” suggestions, then following Bob’s save on Miller – and there was Rempe to cash in the loose change with his 1-1 rebound goal at the 8:43 mark.
Now just imagine if Rempe had chances to do this whenever the Rangers had an extra skater on the ice!
Since I rag on both Rosen & Micheletti a lot on this site (and where most of it is admittedly for comedic purposes), then it should also be noted that “Jumpin’ Joe” actually told an interesting story about Rempe after this goal.
Jonathan Quick, who started (and won) tonight, previously had Rempe as a tenant over the summer and into the season, and where in turn, the two forged a fast bond.
This is when Micheletti informed us that Quick, when the Rangers were in Los Angeles a few weeks back, had an off-night dinner with several of his former Stanley Cup winning teammates.
As the Kings dined – so did their honored guest – Rempe himself – as Quick had invited Rempe along for the ride – and as a well-intention way to soak up knowledge from the valuable learning trees rooted at the dinner table.
Rempe had told Micheletti afterwards that this was an invaluable experience for him – and how much of an impact that Quick has made on his blossoming career too.
This was also another example of why Quick was recently re-signed – and why the Rangers should try to keep him around after retirement.
He’s just a rare positive influence for a franchise that desperately craves it.
Now tied at 1-all, and the Quick-Rempe connection continued to play well.
As Quick was making the tough saves – and there was Rempe leading never-ending offensive attacks – which is something that you can’t say about the other three lines on a sixty-minute basis.
In fact, while Rempe only had the directions of north & south on his compass – and in comparison – and his FAT CAT teammates only had east & west on their dials.
While you must give credit to Florida’s depleted defensive corps; it should also be noted once more that the Panthers were without their best players.
That said – and the FAT CATS, including Trocheck on four occasions, weren’t really ever able to break through – or at least not while at even-strength anyway.
Florida’s gap control was almighty, as time-and-time again, then whenever the Rangers had an odd-man rush – and BOOM – there was their defense getting back and forcing the Blueshirts to back-pedal.
It almost turned comical at points – but thankfully – Rempe was there to erase such laughter.
Down to 4:49 remaining in this initial period and there was Rempe getting interfered with whilst trying to beat out an icing – but of course – no call from the referee that hates him the most in the league – Kelly Sutherland.
(And who can forget about how Sutherland, during two separate games, admonished Rempe when penalizing him last season?)
As Sam and Joe, and for whatever reason, just flat-out ignored the game in order to give us their State of the New York Yankees and Columbus Blue Jackets reports (then again – this game was meaningless for the Rangers), the period concluded with this 1-1 score in-tact.
Up next?
The first Blueshirts’ multi-goal comeback of the season – which of course – also means that the Rangers soon found themselves down by two or more goals soon enough.
As Booze Bag Sudsy Sam Rosen (I say this jokingly – and as a “booze bag beer-bellied blogger” myself!) was celebrating his 31st bottle of free wine received this season (and he’ll need all of them after these rotten 82-games) – and Big Billy Borgen was stopped by Big Game Bob at just the 39-second mark.
This SOG was somewhat notable – as it was the Rangers’ first SOG in nearly 13-minutes of game-time – and the first after Rempe’s goal.
That said, and as Micheletti even mentioned on-air – and it didn’t feel like so much time had elapsed – and especially when compared to these routine SOG droughts that we’ve all witnessed throughout this most disappointing season.
At just the 1:39 mark of this second stanza and the Rangers received their second power-play themselves, following a delay of game penalty (puck over the glass) assessed to Gustav Forsling.
Once again, and the Rangers came out of this man-up situation empty-handed.
It must also be said, and with two games remaining, perhaps Chris Kreider’s final two games in Rangers’ blue too – and that Laviolette didn’t award the longest-tenured Blueshirt, one of twelve-years of service, with any PP1 time tonight.
In other words, and after this match – and Kreider has only one more game in order to surpass Camille Henry for the franchise record of most PPGs. (Both are tied at 116.)
And with seemingly every other Ranger verbally going off on both Laviolette and Drury these days – and you have to wonder what Kreider was thinking about this decision too.
As is usually the case, then after failing on a power-play – and the other team soon scored – and as Carter Verhaeghe did at the 4:32 mark following a rebound afforded to Forsling.
2-1, Cats, after the o-zone faceoff win and goal.
Since Verhaeghe scored, then this is when Micheletti presented us with his five-minute “THIS IS YOUR LIFE: Carter Verhaeghe” tribute, and where in turn, we then found out that the Panther has a blood type of A-, his social security number is 090-867-5309, he enjoys long walks on the beach, his first dog’s name was Fido and that he’s six inches when soft.
Why any Ranger fan would want to hear any of this was beyond me.
At the seven-mark, Rempe, still determined to be undeniable, made one hell of a move at Bob’s net, but only to be stopped once there.
But at least he was trying to get to the net – which is more than I can say for the likes of the two-highest paid forwards on the team, Mika and Panarin.
A few minutes later, and now down to 9:45 remaining – and there was Rempe yet again – as on one shift, he hauled ass to beat out an icing, set-up both another forecheck and an attack, then almost scored another rebound goal – but this time – and Bob’s left pad was there.
As both the frustrated Zac Jones (regularly scratched) and Matthew Robertson (banished to Hartford) made the most use of their minutes; it was also noticeable that Adam Fox had another game to forget.
While Fox did register three SOG; he also spent most of this game chasing around the Cats as if they were chickens with their heads lopped off.
As you just continued to anticipate the next time when Rempe would jump over the boards, then on his next shift, and down to 6:55 remaining – and #73, from his own end, went end-to-end, via the north-south route, in order to set up another attack.
The Panthers, yes, not at 100% health, just didn’t have an answer for him.
But they did have an answer for the man who Rempe was scratched for last year – Filip Chytil.
Once Rempe changed – and blammo – there it was.
3-1, Panthers, following a Barkov-to-Reinhart goal – and one that K. Miller watched while doing his El Matador act.
At this point, and with only 6:06 to go in this second period, and we all felt it:
Game Over.
Not so fast – and for the first time this season at that.
After Quick had bailed out Fox again with another big save; then down to 4:05 remaining and the Rangers had cut the Panthers’ lead to one.
And Miller redeemed himself too.
A board battle won by Parssinen allowed Cuylle to spring loose, and in turn, then feed Miller a shot from the high slot.
At the time, this looked like a shot attempt – but in reality – it was a nifty pass – and one that was intended to be deflected too.
And that’s what Parsinnen, who after winning his war at the side wood, did – as he expertly tipped Miller’s shot-pass past a Bobrovsky who never had a chance.
3-2.
No less than two-minutes later, and with only 2:27 remaining in the period, and the sound you heard across the Big Apple was every jaw in Rangerstown, USA slamming the floor as they had done it – as a Mika-to-J.T. Miller odd-man rush produced the 3-3 equalizer.
While the comeback wasn’t complete just yet, and where let’s face it – you also expected them to blow it in the third period too; but at least the Rangers were alive.
And that’s where we remained after forty-minutes of play – 3-3.
After a long Florida attack to open the third-and-final frame; Panarin finally got the puck while in the Panthers’ zone – and since size scares him – he then immediately passed the puck 50′ backwards – which in turn – ended the first Rangers’ offensive chance of these final twenty-minutes.
And since we can’t ever have good things around here, and since Sutherland has a vendetta against Rempe too, then immediately afterwards, as in just 2:44 in – and Rempe was boxed for tripping Tomas Nosek.
This was another textbook “REMPUTATION” penalty assessed against the big man – and by the official who hates him the most too.
Keep in mind, Rempe was interfered with much worse earlier in the game, and despite Nosek skating into Rempe’s legs here – and it was the Ranger – and not the Panther – that was sent to the box.
Thankfully, the age-old adage of “PUCK DON’T LIE” proved true next.
In a scene ripped straight out of last season – and the Rangers made their opponents pay after this nefarious travesty of justice committed against them.
Just 56-seconds into the penalty kill and J.T. Miller found his BFF, Vinny T., for the S-H-G!
This was a beaut.
And this game was also now 4-3, visitors.
It was also three straight unanswered goals scored by a team that hasn’t won three-games in a row since Veteran’s Day.
Even better than the pretty goal scored?
How M$GN caught Rempe, while in the box, grinning ear-to-ear.
His teammates had come up for him – and as he has always done for them throughout his now 58-game career.
As Rosen was still hawking merchandise to the fans with only one game left in the season, and this is when the Rangers played it conservative a bit – but when needed – they also allowed themselves to be aggressive.
As the Panthers were unable to muster much of anything, and the Blueshirts’ hard work was rewarded with only 3:29 to go – and from who else – Matt Freakin’ Rempe!
On this 5-3 insurance goal, Rempe drove to the net, made a crossover move, saw his teammates crash the net along with him, took a few whacks at it – and in the end – there was JONNY BROADWAY to finish the job.
Joining Rempe with the assist on this much-needed goal?
Kreider – who for the first time this season, picked up two apples in one game.
These two assists now accounts for 29% of Kreider’s assists all season (7).
Perhaps Brodzinski and Rempe was the answer for Kreider – and not his BFF and whoever the 50th right-winger du jour is on that particular night.
Quick (27 saves, .900 save percentage), while not impregnable on this night, was good enough – as he did what he had to do in order to get the win during his final game played this season.
In a rare instance during this 2024-25 campaign – and the Rangers will be able to enjoy a flight back home – albeit somewhat – as they will also be reminded that this is their last flight of the season too.
It was a good win – but nothing changes.
Heads must roll – and it’s up to James Dolan to either do it before the Easter Holiday or on the Monday that follows.
This franchise can’t afford another failed “run it back” attempt; nor can they wait in-season next year when addressing all issues.
All off-season business must be hastily and rapidly handled this year in the Spring – and before the summer becomes official on June 21st.
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, eighty-one down, one 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 saying, “Enjoy the summer.”
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – Matt Rempe’s 2025 Frank Boucher Trophy win:
Matt Rempe Wins The 73rd Annual Frank Boucher Trophy; Rangers Don’t Win Much Else, Calvin de Haan Fifth-and-Latest Blueshirt To Blow Up On Management; Bozo The Bench Boss Continues Big Apple Clown Act; Comments on Potential Firing Too, Updated “IBS Arena” Review; What’s Been Fixed & What’s Still Broken, Fire Everyone; No Accountability At All, Two Losses Still Remaining, Report Card & More
Following all of yesterday’s fireworks, and specifically what Calvin de Haan said (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fb25/ ), then come Monday morning – and the Rangers didn’t have a customary A.M. skate.
At around 5PM, two-hours prior to puck drop, and Laviolette addressed the de Haan elephant in the room:
“Some of the players have expressed it because they want to play. I get that. You don’t want players sitting out being perfectly fine not playing.
“I’ve had conversations with him the whole time. I get it. We had a good chat yesterday. He’s frustrated he’s not playing,” said Laviolette when combating what de Haan had said about being lied to. “All players want to play.”
As noted last night on this site – then I really don’t have any sympathy for de Haan.
While I have no faith in Lateralette either – and also hope to see him get fired at the end of this week; but I’m inclined to believe him here – as I don’t think that he sold the “throw-in” component of a trade on a bill of false goods.
And let’s face it:
By this time next week – and neither de Haan, nor Laviolette either, will be in the Rangers’ 2025-26 plans.
In our last bit of pregame news, then on Monday, it was officially confirmed that Kenny Albert will be replacing Sam Rosen next season.
As regularly noted on this site, and even going back to the summer after Rosen first announced his retirement, then this was always thought to be the case.
Furthermore?
And Albert’s long-time partner, 1994 Stanley Cup champion Eddie Olczyk, had confirmed this news on TNT airwaves way back in November.
However, M$GN told every beat reporter that the rumors were true on Monday, which in turn, led all of them into thinking that they had broken a story.
Bless their hearts.
That said, and what we didn’t officially know until Monday, is the fact that Joe Micheletti will be returning next season.
Previously, and I opined that I thought that Jumpin’ Joe would ride off into the sunset with Sam – but since Micheletti didn’t want to steal any of Rosen’s thunder – then he’s been quiet about it.
In other words?
It’s Albert and Micheletti calling games on M$GN television next season – and unfortunately – not Albert and Dave “Tullamore, Tullamore, Tullamore Dew” Maloney.
It was also reported that Alex Faust will replace Albert on M$GN radio, while also replacing Albert whenever the best announcer in the game has national (TNT and NFL on FOX) commitments.
We all love Kenny – and no one in sports travels the country more than him either.
I am interested to see if Albert soon gives up the football gig.
A family man at 57-years-old, but with still plenty of prime years ahead of him, then I do wonder if he’ll slow down his travels.
And while the NFL money is big – Albert has enough cash for a lifetime.
Plus, he’s now relegated to the third or fourth NFL announce duo.
But he does love all of his jobs too!
However, and as I talk out both sides of my mouth here – traveling sucks!
Either way?
Congratulations to Kenny Albert – and where really – not only was he the only candidate for this job – but he’s also the only one that will make this Rosen successor transition go swimmingly.
I also think it will be nice if we have a Rosen-to-Albert handoff during the end of Thursday’s finale, a “passing of the torch” moment if you will.
(The two are long-time friends – and for as much as we love both Albert and Rosen – these two have even more love and respect for one another.)
One last thing on M$GN?
It was previously reported that Brian Boyle would join NESN (Boston) next season – but I haven’t heard anything since that initial report.
Let’s hope that he stays – and that he replaces Sieve Vagistat on a permanent basis too!
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the eighty-first game of this 2024-25 season – and where it was noticeable that not only Othmann and Perreault were back – but for whatever reason – Berard – and not the useless thief known as Mika Zibanejad – was made a healthy scratch:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Othmann
SECOND LINE: Perreault/Miller/Mika
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Parssinen/Lafreniere
FOURTH LINE: Kreider/Brodzinski/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Miller/Borgen
SECOND PAIR: Robertson/Fox
THIRD PAIR: Jones/Soucy
STARTING GOALIE: Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
LTIR: Adam Edstrom
DONE FOR THE SEASON: Arthur Kaliyev and Braden Schneider
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Brett Berard, Sam Carrick, Calvin de Haan, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Urho Vaakanainen.
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
|
| 30 | 3 | 27 | .900 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
FLA
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 25 | 5 | 20 | .800 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
For the first time in a while – and I was actually able to watch the entire M$GN pregame show tonight.
And I’m glad that I did.
Together, “The King of Commentary” and “The Best Seven-Footer on M$GN” – aka Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Boyle – knocked it out of the park.
Even better?
There was no Sieve Vagistat, nor his made-up ANALytics either, to be had.
Lundqvist and Boyle wasted no time when opening up the broadcast by eulogizing this season – and then performing the autopsy on it too.
Among the quotable quotes:
“There’s a lot of things to break down. About a month in they got off track and never got back. Confidence was a big factor. They never got any momentum. They never got back like we thought they would.” – Lundqvist
“This is the most disappointing season that I can remember [in #NYR history].” – Boyle
“A lot of good things happened at the right time this year. This year, they had no push back. The doors got blown off. They could never stop the bleeding. They had no emotion. It was a bad product.” – Boyle
“I felt like they were in the wrong position too many times. They gave up too many chances. The team was lacking. There was no consistency.” – Lundqvist
As the two continued on, Lundqvist soon entered a state of shock when he heard that the Rangers were second in the league in the most five or more goals allowed games this season.
When addressing the putrid power-play, Boyle wasted no time when blaming Adam Fox as the biggest culprit (I would’ve went with Mika).
Lundqvist responded with the obvious, “the power-play had no execution this season.”
I also found it ironic when Lundqvist said, “Igor hasn’t been consistent this season.”
While he wasn’t wrong, but I could only imagine the tears shed from the young section of this fan base had Mike Richter said the same thing about him during Lundqvist’s swan-song years.
As I was watching Lundqvist and Boyle express their disappointment and awe about how bad the Rangers were – then I must reiterate what I said last night – and really – all season as well:
I just don’t know why everyone is surprised that the Rangers were bad this year.
While I didn’t think they’d be this bad, but I did say that it was going to be all downhill for them after the ECF loss. They did nothing to improve themselves in the summer too – so really, and I must ask the disappointed – what did you truly expect this season outside of a first-round loss?
(And if you recall, then that’s what I predicted at the top of this season – a one-and-done showing – and where I still can’t believe that people really thought that they’d go back to the ECF this year – nor the idea of them ever winning the Stanley Cup too!)
Some final M$GN thoughts before just giving you the highlights and real-time thoughts in the GAME REVIEW segment:
I thought that Rosen would open up his first piece of face-time by saying, “OH JOE, IT’S THE FLORIDA CATS VS THE NEW YORK PUSSY CATS JOE! BACK TO WHERE THIS FRANCHISE FIRST WENT INTO THE LITTER BOX JOE!”
Instead, we were just told that the Rangers are bad and the Panthers are good.
We were also shown Robertson’s traditional rookie lap – and a long overdue solo skate for the defenseman.
It should be noted Part I: That after being jerked around 29-times with call-ups and demotions, and Robertson is now wearing #29 for the club.
It should be noted Part II: Nobody on M$GN mentioned that not one FAT CAT, sans CZAR IGOR, attended the past two optional practices. So much for that word “pride” that’s been repeated ten times thus far.
GAME REVIEW time – and since I’ve hit it all already – then just the goals and live thoughts.
FIRST PERIOD
PANTHERS GOAL!
Sam Reinhart smacks one from long range for a quick Power Play Goal!
FLA – 1
NYR – 0#TimetoHunt pic.twitter.com/3kLof7z7qC— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) April 14, 2025
Rempe ties the game 1-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/NAeDM4ztNc
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 14, 2025
1-1 after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Once again, fourth line is the best line – and now with Kreider!
— Special Teams Swing Games, #NYR PP 0-1, FLA PP 1-1
— Rangers survived several storms.
— Five more periods to go.— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 14, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
SWAGGY STRIKES AGAIN!
Certer Verhaeghe tips the puck in to retake the lead for Florida!
FLA – 2
NYR – 1#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/CPxZvJYHQW— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) April 15, 2025
do it to ’em pic.twitter.com/HMfd6A27oE
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 15, 2025
Pärssinen makes it 3-2 Panthers #NYR pic.twitter.com/9MiyG9N4Vx
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 15, 2025
JT Miller ties the game 3-3 #NYR pic.twitter.com/vfXByVmunV
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 15, 2025
3-3 after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— Imagine if #NYR weren’t 0-2 tonight and all-out trash on the PP this year?
— Fourth line remains best line.
— Will Mika and Panarin score again this season?
— Rangers teasing their first multi-goal comeback of the season.
— Bob must be sick…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 15, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
Trocheck with the shorty to take the lead 4-3 #NYR pic.twitter.com/vQusGc07L1
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 15, 2025
Brodzinski (Rempe) makes it 5-3 #NYR pic.twitter.com/SteedfFA59
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 15, 2025
5-3, #NYR final. Pre https://t.co/dPvIWdyrhG blog thoughts:
— Despite FLA missing a ton of talent, a win is a win – and where none of the irony is lost either.
— Lavy scratched Rempe when it mattered last year in favor of the untouchable “Concussed Czech.”
— First…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 15, 2025
Up Next For The Rangers: An off-day on Tuesday, followed by another most likely optional practice on Wednesday.
Time permitting, and I’ll try to get the 2024-25 Rangers’ Final Report Card done prior to Thursday’s finale, which is when the Blueshirts will host the Bolts.
Since the Rangers beat the Panthers on Monday, then the Lightning will have home-ice advantage in their probable first-round series against their Sunshine State rival.
The Bolts, locked into at least the second seed, can still win the Atlantic – but they’ll need to win-out, while also hoping for Toronto, who plays two non-playoff teams to close their season, the Sabres and Red Wings, to lose out.
Prediction: The Leafs handle business against the Sabres on Tuesday, thus winning their first division title in forever.
Should that happen, then the Rangers’ season finale will be as equally as meaningless for Tampa as it is for them.
What am I getting at?
Come Thursday, and expect an AHL roster to represent the Bolts – and for the Rangers to beat them – which in turn – would hurt their draft lotto chances.
The Rangers’ Way!
Up Next For Me: ZzZ ZzZ ZzZ
Up Next For You: Your favorite segment, which brings us to…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
73 going to the front of the net with his stick on the ice; what sorcery is this? Is it legal? No senseless cross ice passes?