Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Even when they win and you’re still disgusted!
Off puck drop today (late Thursday morning), then I have a lot for you – but I do have to make it quick.
As I’ve been saying on this site for the past few months now – and much like the Rangers on Wednesday night – and I’ve been working overtime too.
However, I’ve been working 16+ hour shifts on the regular these days – while it only took the Blueshirts 24-seconds of extra time to put down the Wild.
Furthermore?
Then, and even with the big two-points netted in the standings – and nothing really has changed – or at least when it comes to THE FAT CATS.
Case in point?
Another 0-fer in the power-play department – and this time 0-4 – and where such a figure also includes an abbreviated 5 x 3 attack.
Not only is the Rangers’ power-play now 2 of their last 41, but they are also 5 of their last 60.
And the penalty kill?
The man-down teams, which once were the best in the league at the turn of the year, are now 10th-overall – and as they did in California – they also allowed another short-handed goal on Wednesday night.
While I know that this is all stuff from the realm of “Negative Nelly” – and her cousin – “Debbie Downer” too, as I know that some of you guys and gals would rather focus on all of the positives after a win; but for me, I just can’t do the Helen Keller act – which means to be blind and deaf to everything.
And as noted above, then without one-sided officiating, referees who mastered the art of home cooking – then the Blueshirts would have been punished with another loss – which arguably, was the fate that they deserved.
We’ll cover all of the pregame news below, but needless to say – and a lot went on before the first puck was dropped at M$G on Wednesday night.
Between the signing-and-debut of Gabe Perreault, Will Cullye winning the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award and the news of Sam Rosen & John Davidson reuniting (but on TNT – and not on M$GN) – and it’s been a wild few days.
And you can say the Rangers’ 5-4 win over the Wild was “wild” (har-har-har) itself too.
However, this was also a rare case where the word “wild” didn’t imply exciting, entertaining and electric.
For two teams that are battling for playoff spots, then both New York and Minnesota looked like potential first-round sweep fodder for the real Cup contenders – as both squads seemed hellbent on losing.
Between all of the turnovers, porous defensive zone miscues and the inability to capitalize during big moments – and this game felt like “Bad News Bears On Ice.”
In another rarity, and where you should probably buy a lotto ticket in order to ride the luck – and the Rangers, who have had major issues with testing goalies during these past few weeks, actually led the SOG statistic by an outstanding 11-1 margin.
The Wild’s second shot on goal?
A power-play goal for Gustav Nyquist at the 9:00 mark of the first frame.
In a way, then you can compare Wednesday’s victory to the Rangers’ last win on home ice – the win against the Canucks – as the Blueshirts didn’t play well in either of them – yet still managed on the right side of the scoreboard come the end of both matches.
But unlike the win against Vancouver, where New York only managed twelve SOG in total – and the Rangers just absolutely dominated this statistic against Minnesota – and as they did by a whopping 39-24 difference.
And while we are long past the point about caring about “deserving to win,” as now, the only thing that matters is if they won or not – and not how they achieved victory; but just as it was following the win against the Canucks, then after this win against the Wild – and you were more disgusted and frustrated – and rather than being elated and excited.
After the Rangers raced out to a 11-1 SOG margin, and where Wild goalie, Filip Gustavsson, survived an initial onslaught; then come the 8:15 mark, and Alexis Lafreniere, who has been more BUST than BREAKOUT, took a stupid penalty – and as he did when he killed all Blueshirts’ momentum by interfering with Ryan Hartman.
Just 45-seconds later – and Nyquist beat the former impregnable Rangers’ PK to give the Wild a 1-0 lead.
The Blueshirts’ PK, once their greatest asset, has been weakened during the past few weeks – and where this power-play goal afforded was their worst yet.
After all, not only was Nyquist left all alone in front of CZAR IGOR – but so was Marcus Johansson, who assisted on the opening goal, too.
And as the game approached the half-way mark of the first period?
Then Gustavsson, with 12 saves, had a perfect 1.000 save percentage.
CZAR IGOR was batting .500 at the time – an amazing number for a Yankee or Met – but not so much for a Ranger.
In a game that soon featured never-ending lead changes, as neither team seemed interested in winning (but the officials sure seem invested in the Rangers getting the nod); then down to 7:15 remaining, and Braden Schneider, from a bad angle no less, was able to break-up Gustavsson’s shutout.
1-1 – and the end result of a rebound afforded to Urho Vaakanainen – but a shot from B-Schneids that should have been stopped too.
It took only 2:15 for the Wild to regain their lead – and as they did with only five-minutes remaining.
This time, the Wild, when employing a Phil Jackson triangle, saw Frederick Gaudreau find Johansson, then only to dish the puck to the eventual 2-1 scorer, Brock Faber.
This was also Gabe Perreault’s first goal in the NHL too – as Faber’s shot, which may have went in anyway, had caught a piece of the rookie’s stick before finding net.
As has been the case so often at Morgue $quare Garden these days – and you just feel perpetual washes of death over the crowd – as it became dead-silent again at the World’s Most Expensive Arena.
Despite the Rangers leaving the ice for the first intermission with an 18-8 SOG advantage; instead, and it was their opponents who led where it mattered, and as the Wild did with their 2-1 edge.
Come the second stanza, then just like Schneider’s bad-angle goal afforded by Gustavsson – and lightning struck twice.
At the 2:51 mark, K’Andre Miller, who continues his “one step forward, two steps back” act, scored from the same exact spot where Schneider did – and where the only difference between these two rearguard shots/goals was that one was left-handed, while the other was right-handed.
2-2.
As we hit the 5:00 time-stamp – and Minny had yet to record a SOG in the period.
And as Sam Rosen was confusing former Ranger Mats Zuccarello as “Zuccarella” and “Zuccarelli;” then it was blatantly obvious that Jonny Brodzinski was the best Rangers’ forward on the ice.
Again in these pages – that’s great for him – not so great for the FAT CAT BLUESHIRTS.
Down to 12:39 remaining and another defensive miscue wound up in the back of the opponent’s net – and where the beneficiary in this case was none other than the new fourth liner on the team – and the longest-tenured Ranger too – Christopher James Kreider.
Yes, you heard that right – Kreider – and not the useless Missing Mika – was demoted to the fourth line.
And once away from his BFF?
And Kreider scored – and as he did on this back-handed beaut.
Now up 3-2 and the Rangers not only had scored two goals in the period – but had limited the Wild to only one SOG at the time.
The Rangers had a chance to increase their lead immediately following the Kreider goal, as with 11:14 remaining, Brennan Othmann, still searching for his first NHL goal, went straight to the net – but only to be robed by the Wild goaltender.
A scrum ensued afterwards – and where the end result was a Rangers’ power-play – as Matt Boldy was boxed for roughing.
Despite how god-awful, disgraceful and insulting the Blueshirts’ power-play has been – and Bozo The Bench Boss, government name Peter Laviolette, still uses the same mix whenever a man-up.
In this instance, the not-so-fearsome-five were Trocheck, Fox, Panarin, Mika and J. Miller.
But we did have a goal during these two-minutes of Rangers’ power-play time – but alas – of the short-handed variety.
At the 9:50 mark, Johansson, who had previously assisted on two goals, capitalized on a Trocheck turnover and then was off to the races – and where at the finish line – he then beat CZAR IGOR for the 3-3 short-handed equalizer.
Quite pitiful if I say so myself!
Once the second man-up unit came on, then only Brodzinski seemed interested in scoring – as a one-timer from the slot was denied – and where he then followed up that try by hitting the post.
But at least, and unlike the others – he was shooting the puck.
After going 1-1 on their penalty kill, and with the shorty to their name too – and seemingly, former Blueshirt, the one that should have never been traded, Zuccarello himself, had scored.
However, and in the latest example of this league being an all-out mess – and Zucc’s goal, which would have put up the Wild 4-3 on the scoreboard, was quickly erased.
Apparently, since Carson Soucy pushed Hartman into CZAR IGOR seconds before Zucc’s go-ahead goal – then this was goaltender’s interference – but of course – without a power-play awarded after it either.
I’ve done this rant and provided conflicting examples of these calls before; but needless to say – and I still don’t know what goaltender’s interference is.
And I’m sure that the New York Islanders, who have been robbed of two wins in recent weeks, two wins that would have them in playoff contention today, because of these cloudy calls, would concur too.
For me, and as noted in the past, then the most egregious offense that I’ve ever seen was in a 2017 playoffs Game 7 between the Oilers and Ducks.
Ryan Getzlaf grabbed Cam Talbot’s pad – yet a Ducks goal was upheld.
Here, a player pushes an opponent into their own goalie – and no GOAL.
Keep this in mind for later too.
Following this first break granted from the officials in the Rangers’ favor; then after the disallowed Zuccarello goal – and it was all Wild to close the period – including an o-zone attack that ran for nearly 2:45 – and one that featured many Minnesota changes during it too.
But in another “tables-have-been-turned” moment – andit was actually the Rangers that left the second period with a 4-3 lead – and as was the case following a Panarin breakaway goal scored with only 64-seconds remaining in this second frame.
Now entering another do-or-die third period, but this time with a lead; and it only took the Rangers 22-seconds to cough it up – and as they did after K. Miller made a horrendous play, which then led to a Boldy-to-Rossi 4-4 goal.
Once again, and M$G returned to a funeral state.
As this game progressed and with Joe Micheletti questioning the desire and heart of every Ranger on the ice too – then up next – a series of calls that all benefited the Blueshirts – and where if you didn’t know any better – then you would be led to believe that the referees had placed some heavy coin on the home team.
To set the stage – and the score was still 4-4 before the following events transpired:
— With 10:59 remaining, Rossi was hooked by Cuylle – a penalty taken in order to prevent a 5-4 go-ahead Wild goal.
— With about 35-seconds left on the Wild power-play – and Schneider got a way with a blatant tripping call – and one that took place right in front of an official no less.
— Rather than a 5 x 3 power-play for the Wild; the Minnesota power-play was soon ended, as Hartman was called for interference against J. Miller.
— And don’t forget about the Zuccarello goal being disallowed either – nor the fact that Panarin may have gotten away with a slash prior to his breakaway goal too.
— As the Rangers were doing nothing on their power-play – and Trocheck just bowled over Gustavsson. No call – and despite the Zuccarello goal being overturned for contact against CZAR IGOR less punishing than this – and where unlike Hartman, who was pushed – Trocheck just skated right into the Minny netminder.
— Down to 24-seconds remaining on another terrible power-play – and the Rangers received an abbreviated 5 x 3 attack – as Johansson had tripped K. Miller. While a blatant penalty – Schneider had just done the same exact thing some 3:00 earlier.
— And of course – the Rangers finished all of this man-up time by going 0-3 on the power-play.
— Come 4:08 remaining in regulation during a game that both teams need to win? Then the Wild were assessed with their third consecutive penalty in less than five-minutes – and as Marcus Foligno was, after at what was at best, a soft tripping call against K. Miller.
Despite being screwed by the officials – and the Wild almost scored another short-handed goal – and as Boldy almost did.
This time, CZAR IGOR made this important stop.
We remained at 4-4 through sixty-minutes of play – and where it was clear as day that the Rangers had no business receiving a point – much less playing for two.
But since this is an “Any Given Sunday” league; then come the overtime – the Rangers won the opening faceoff – and no less than 24-seconds later – there was Trocheck, who like many Blueshirts, was out-right dreadful in regulation time, to beat Gustavsson for the 5-4 overtime game-winner.
While this is a problem for the Wild – and not for the Rangers – then what would have happened had they won the first draw of overtime?
But they were probably still ruing over how the officials did everything in their power to will the Blueshirts to a win prior to Trocheck’s game-winner anyway.
It should also be restated that usually, bad officiating/getting calls/no calls, usually balances out throughout the course of an 82-game season.
I wouldn’t say that the Rangers deserved this win – but they were also long overdue in receiving zebra assistance.
Following the black-and-white stripes abetted Rangers’ victory, then the standings, on Thursday morning, now read as such:
Here is our 82-game mantra, which is also known as my 33-word daily disclaimer, that I post on this site after every game played:
“WHATEVER THE RANGERS DO FROM NOW UNTIL THE TRADE DEADLINE DOESN’T MATTER. THEY CAN ONLY BE JUDGED BY WHATEVER THEY DO FOLLOWING THE DEADLINE AND BY WHAT THEY DO IN THE 2025 PLAYOFFS!”
In other words, seventy-five down, seven 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 “They don’t deserve it – but who freakin’ knows now?”
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Rangers doing what they were supposed to do in San Jose:
NYR/SJS 3/29 Review: Rangers Rebound Against League-Worst Sharks; Temporarily Regain Control Over The Second Wild Card Spot Too, Alexandar Georgiev Blows Up In Net Again; Blueshirts Put Up a Touchdown, Mopey Mika Ruins Jonathan Quick’s Shutout Bid; Putrid Power-Play Lingers, Rough Schedule Stretch Ahead, Another Bout of Sam Rosen Tomfoolery; M$GN & More
The Rangers, after going 1-1-1 while out West, returned home Sunday. Once back at their abodes, the team then had off on Monday too.
The biggest news from Monday was the story that you’re already aware of – Gabe Perreault, drafted 23rd-overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, was ready to make the jump from the collegiate ranks to the pros.
Here’s how the Rangers covered the story, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-gabe-perreault:
Since the Blueshirts under Chris Drury, and for whatever reason, don’t make salary-cap information to the public (and despite such details being publicly available), then here’s the terms of Perreault’s deal, courtesy of PuckPedia.com:
When #NYR ’23 #23 pick Perreault signs ELC, expected terms:
Yr 1 NHL 830K, Signing Bonus 95K, GP Bonus 25K
Yr 2 855K/95K, “A” PB 350K
Yr 3 855/95/500Cap Hit 942K, AAV $1.23M
Rep’d by Pat Brisson @CAAHockey https://t.co/7etS2rT6ga
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 31, 2025
There are three major takeaways from Perreault’s deal – aside from the on-ice stuff.
One, it’s notable that Perreault is already being represented by Pat Brisson – one of the biggest sharks among all NHL agents.
If you recall, then just a month ago, and the Rangers traded for Brisson’s son, Brendan, and as they did when they dealt Reilly Smith back to Las Vegas.
Two, Perreault didn’t receive the maximum salary as a rookie – but he did receive close enough to it with bonuses. This fact was somewhat peculiar, but only because the NHL salary cap takes a significant jump next season.
Three, and most importantly at that, then as you probably already know, then Perreault will be burning one-year of his rookie three-year entry level contract during the remainder of this 2024-25 campaign.
Obviously, such news doesn’t favor the Rangers, as it means that he won’t be cost-controlled for a full three-years – and as most rookies are.
That said, and this is now the way of the land, how the league operates, as every top rookie still college eligible (and their savvy agents too) are seeking such deals.
It should be noted that this can be a two-way street for the entry-level skater.
On one hand, if the player does take the league by storm – then boom – they get the big money one year early.
However, and on the other hand, should a player struggle a bit out the gate (and as we know – that’s how it always goes with the Rangers), then they’ll find themselves without that fat contract two years down the road.
In this particular case, perhaps Perreault had the Blueshirts bent over a barrel a bit – as the team is getting old, and most certainly – needs an influx of youth – albeit young players who can truly make a difference.
Obviously, Perreault is hoping to fit such a big-time Broadway billing.
From Drury’s end, then he, and like us, is familiar with a pair of Harvard boys – Jimmy Vesey and Adam Fox – two players that made their NHL debuts with the Rangers – but only after refusing to play for the teams that originally drafted them – then only to burn a second franchise too.
The now former two-time Ranger, Jimmy Vesey, was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2012. When it became clear that Vesey wouldn’t sign with the Predators, he was then dealt four-years later, to Buffalo, and as he was on June 20th, 2016. The Sabres, now holding his rights, and for as temporary as they lasted, hoped to sell Vesey on signing with them.
As we know, Vesey did not, and a major bidding war, featuring nearly half of the league, ensued during the summer of 2016 – and where come the end of it – the Rangers won it.
As Vesey was telling the Sabres “no way Jose” during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft; over in Calgary, and the Flames, with their 66th-overall pick, selected a player that would soon share the same alma mater as Vesey – some guy named Adam Fox.
When it became clear in 2018 that there was no way that the American-born Fox was going to begin his career at the Canadian rodeo out in Alberta, then the Flames, burnt by the rearguard himself, dealt him to the Hurricanes.
And just as it was for Vesey – and another Harvard man soon refused to sign with a second franchise that he found undesirable.
However, Carolina, and unlike Buffalo, saw the writing on the wall – as Fox, and just like Vesey, wanted to begin his career in the Big Apple.
In a no-brainer of a deal, then come April of 2019, and Rangers’ general manager, Jeff Gorton, dealt two second-round picks to Carolina in exchange for Fox – and where really – had Gorton waited a bit – then he would’ve been able to sign Fox outright.
However, he didn’t and history was made – as Fox finished the 2018-19 season as a Ranger – and just like how Perreault will do in 2024-25.
The point, the long-story-short version?
By not signing Perreault today, Drury then ran the risk of Perreault remaining at Boston College, then come his graduation, the player dictating his own terms by signing elsewhere.
Burning one-year of Perreault’s ELC, which come the end of the season, will be eight games as opposed to eighty-two, was just the cost of business.
Now to the on ice stuff.
When I first heard that Perreault had signed, then I was kind of disappointed – but perhaps not for the reasons that you are assuming (the ELC stuff).
Instead, my concerns were in regards to the Rangers’ history with high-end draft picks and prospects – and where by now – you know all of them – including, yes, you know it, Alexis Lafreneire too.
Once again, and like Pavel Brendl, Jamie Lundmark, Hugh Jessiman, Michael Sauer, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, Kaapo Kakko and the list goes on-and-on; and Perreault, also like Brennan Othmann today, is now tasked to put the weight of the world on his shoulders.
But unlike Othmann – Perreault will begin his pro career at the NHL level – rather than getting his feet wet in Hartford.
Needless to say, and not only are these unrealistic expectations – but a massive jump between competition levels too.
It’s one thing skating around with kids at your own age with a cage over your head – it’s another thing to eat a monster hit by a grown man with kids himself.
It’s going to be “pro-cess;” but again, for a team that keeps talking about the playoffs – then is this the right environment to bring the learning curve Perreault into?
Furthermore, with the locker room being cancerous, a divide between players & management, coupled-in with perhaps a lame-duck Bozo The Bench Boss too; then wouldn’t it have been wiser to allow Perreault to burn his ELC in Hartford – and not let him be exposed to all of the toxicity permeating throughout this organization today?
Hmm…
Wouldn’t it have just been better for Perreault’s development to wait it out – and not be exposed to these disgusting FAT CATS and the ghost currently wearing the #93 Ranger blue jersey today?
If there was any good news to come out of Perreault’s quick promotion, then it was the fact that even Peter Laviolette realized that placing his newest player with the BFF, Mika and Chris Kreider, would have been a death sentence.
Poor Will Cuylle, who is currently serving such punishment – and where hopefully this summer – he gets paroled.
Rather than becoming the 50th right-wing du jour for MZ93 and CK20; Lavy made the wise decision to have Perreault skate with the new Blueshirt heart pumping this team – J.T. Miller.
While I’m not sure that Alexis Lafreniere is the right flank for Perreault to learn from; but at the very least, Lafreniere can relate to what Perreault is going through.
And in a way – isn’t it funny that Brennan Othmann somehow becomes forgotten a bit – as he’s no longer the proverbial “shiny new toy?”
I truly understand why Drury, who could be a lame duck himself at this moment, had to make this move.
I just don’t think that exposing Perreault to one of the worst and most disappointing teams in franchise history is the right move either.
In the best and most optimistic scenario, Perreault gets a mini run of the land during these eight games to close the season.
And come Opening Day ’25?
A new head coach and general manager for him too – and where as noted before – don’t be surprised if we get Torts II either.
After all, James Dolan absolutely loves him – and never wanted to fire him in the first place – but I’m not going to go through the whole Henrik Lundqvist vs. Torts saga again! The hockey gods know that I’ve done that way too many times already!
On Tuesday morning, ahead of the Rangers’ first practice since returning home from California, and the club announced the signing of goaltender Callum Tung.
Here’s what they had to say about the deal, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-callum-tung :
Unlike Perreault, who I’m familiar with (and especially after this year’s WJC tournament), then I don’t know anything about Tung – outside that his name rhymes with Dung – not exactly the best thing for a goalie!
But like Perreault, then all of the best of luck to Tung moving forward.
It should be noted that this signing probably isn’t the best news for Louie Domingue, currently serving as Dylan Garand’s back-up in Hartford – and a goalie whose contract expires at the end of the season too.
After all of the signings, then the team finally reconvened at their training facility in Tarrytown, NY – and where as expected – Perreault, ironically wearing #94 (but not in homage to 1994, but rather, for his father Yanic, a fourteen-year NHL veteran himself), was chomping at the bit and ready to go.
As noted above, Perreault begins his NHL career in the Rangers’ top-six, skating on a line with Miller and Lafreniere.
Following the practice, and where it should be noted, that Matt Rempe, in a no-contact jersey, also participated; Perreault then conducted his first interview as an NHLer.
Here’s what he said:
As you’d expect, and Perreault said all of the right things – and things that you’d want him to say too.
It’s funny, after watching Perreault’s video/interview, then I felt like I heard all of this before.
In fact, I did – and just four-years ago when another collegiate rookie out of Massachusetts, Zac Jones, spurned his education for the Rangers.
How’s that working out today?
Laviolette, an idiot, wouldn’t commit to playing Perreault against the Wild during his post-practice interview from Tuesday.
However, this was the worst secret in the land – and by now – you already know that Perreault now has one NHL game under his belt – and where hopefully – many more will soon follow.
In other news, news from the land of the alumni, then also on Tuesday it was reported (during a Rick Tocchet interview) that former Ranger, Filip Chytil, is done for the season.
Who could’ve predicted that?
Thankfully, he was considered “untouchable” at last year’s trade deadline.
Fire Dury.
And when it comes to “The Concussed Czech?”
I no longer have any sympathy for him.
He’s just doing it to himself now.
He’s also set for life financially, so, and as stated many times before on this site – then I just don’t see why he continues to do this to himself – that is – unless he wants to forget his own name by the time he turns 30-years-old.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Sam Rosen and John Davidson will have their last call together in just a week’s time – Wednesday April 9th, when the Rangers play the Flyers.
However, it’s not the greedy and crummy powers-to-be at M$GN making this happen.
Rather, it’s TNT, the best to do it in the land, that’s giving us this “once in a lifetime” reunion.
I’ve been talking about JD & Rosen reuniting for some time now – and how the Rangers blew it four-times throughout this 2024-25 campaign – as they could have done this for any of the NYR v. CBJ games on the schedule this season.
Thank you TNT.
At least they get how important this is.
They also know not to feature a seven-foot analytical shithead on their broadcasts too.
In another Rosen moment, then prior to puck drop, and Zuccarello honored the HOF caller during warm-ups – as he did by wearing a custom-made “Rosen #40” Wild jersey:
I was literally looking at the #mnwild thinking “who the hell is Rosen?” and then realized that Mats Zuccarello is wearing a jersey for warmups as a tribute to #NYR Sam Rosen. pic.twitter.com/LIykXwB6Rx
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 2, 2025
In our final piece of pregame news (I promise), then Laviolette, on Thursday prior to puck drop, confirmed that Perreault would be playing.
Duh.
However, he didn’t make mention that he’d be demoting Kreider to the fourth line – and where sadly for us Kreider supporters – then I think these final seven-games remaining on the schedule will be his last septet as a Blueshirt.
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the seventy-fifth game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Othmann
SECOND LINE: Lafreniere/Miller/Perreault
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Zibanejad/Brodzinski
FOURTH LINE: Berard/Carrick/Kreider
FIRST PAIR: Miller/Borgen
SECOND PAIR: Soucy/Fox
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Quick
LTIR: Adam Edstrom
IR: Matt Rempe
DONE FOR THE SEASON: Arthur Kaliyev
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Calvin de Haan, Zac Jones, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Jusse Parssinen
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
|
| 24 | 4 | 20 | .833 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60:24 | 0 |
|
MIN
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 39 | 5 | 34 | .872 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:24 | 0 |
As expected, and Will Cuylle was named as this year’s Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner on Wednesday night.
After all, and unless you were going to champion for long-shot cases such as Sam Carrick, Jonathan Quick and/or Jonny Brodzinski (and where only Carrick has been a full-timer this season – only missing one game because the birth of a son) – then there was no one else left to choose from besides Cuylle.
I’ve been talking about this award ever since January on this site, so I won’t rehash everything again here (and this blog is already long enough – and I don’t know how I’m pumping out 8,000 words on three-hours sleep either!); but needless to say – this was the weakest field of contenders yet.
However, while it’s true that nobody really deserved the award this season – then I don’t want to take away from Cuylle’s accomplishment either.
He does play hard.
He did play well.
There’s been no sophomore jinx.
However, this is a more of a case of him shining among a litter box of FAT CAT turds than anything else.
Congratulations Cuylle.
Just the real-time post-period tweets for the GAME REVIEW today.
As always noted, then if you want the full play-by-play from this game, then check out my Tweeter feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
You can also find all scoring clips here: https://x.com/daveyupper
See you on the other side with that’s up next.
FIRST PERIOD
2-1, Minny, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— #NYR out-shooting them, 18-8 – but it’s the Wild shooting 25%
— Laf penalty was beyond moronic
— Building died after the 2-1 goal
— Where are the FAT CATS?
— Perreault has been noticeable – although you’re kind of looking to find…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 2, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
4-3, #NYR, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— “Wild” (har-har-har) game. Any team that gets momentum gives up a goal only seconds later.
— Rangers special teams are god awful.
— Zucc goal should have counted – and I say that as someone who saw Ryan Getzlaf lift Cam Talbot’s pad in…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 3, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
4-4 after 60. Overtime is required.
— Refs tried to give #NYR two points, they have one.
— One-sided game – Zucc no goal, two major no calls that should’ve been Wild PPs, three power-play gifts given to the Rangers – yet they are still tied.
— PP 0-4, PK has given up a…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 3, 2025
OVERTIME
Trocheck, 24-seconds in, 5-4, #NYR win, final. If you think this team sucks, then nothing changed after this. I hope the Rangers make sure to pick up the dinner tabs of the refs too. One of the biggest one-sided games, in favor of the Blueshirts, that I’ve seen in some time – but…
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 3, 2025
Up Next For the Rangers: Maybe a rare mandatory practice!
The Rangers, who will be idle on Thursday and Friday, travel to Newark on Saturday for a 12:30PM matinee meeting with their Battle of The Hudson arch-rival, the New Jersey Devils.
Sadly, and as is usually customary – then I won’t be able to attend the viewing party at my local watering hole for this game.
Instead, I’m working a 17-hour overtime shift at the real j-o-b – and where should Donald Trump ever get that no taxes on overtime pay idea into law – then can he make it retroactive too?
While I will have some downtime at work on Saturday – then I probably won’t post anything about the game until Sunday on this site.
(But I will hopefully live-tweet the game during my two-hour lunch break!)
Up Next For Me: Ugh, back to work – as I’ll need the money for my road-trips next season!
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
The short-handed goal is just an extension of the terrible PP, they can’t even keep a hold of the puck anymore!
When it comes to K. Miller I had liked him for a fair while, though he has gotten worse this season, no question. He ranks 5th in the NHL in takeaways, which is really frustrating because its clear he can make good defensive plays, and then he completely blows it by making a stupid mistake. I remember commenting earlier in the season that he’s usually good for 1 boneheaded play a game, offset by several good plays. These last few weeks, it feels like its been 50/50. It’d be better if he was bad all-around, instead of being so up and down, then it would make a far easier case for trading him. And as you noted, who do you replace him with? Would you trust Drury with his rotation of 7th D’s hanging in the press box?
Drury has pigeon-holed this team.
Still don’t know what the solution is if you get rid of Miller – but I remain steadfast – Lindgren should have never been dealt.