NYR/WSH (And Wes McCauley) R1G2 4/23 Review: BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS Ace a True Playoff Test; Overcome Worst Officiating of the Season Too, Zibanejad Finally Snaps Long Drought; Everyone Walking the Walk & Talking the Talk, BIG BAD ARTIE Lays Out Ranger Killer T.J. Oshie; Rempe Continues To Earn Playing Time Too, Clutch D-Men, “The Lafreniere Locomotive,” Laviolette, M$GN v. ESPN & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Two down, fourteen to go.

And when speaking about numbers, NHL referee (or at least that’s what he pretends to be), Wes McCauley, who wears #4 on his yellow-striped back – may be the worst “Ranger Killer” ever since the days of Bobby Orr wearing this single-digit on his black-and-gold back.

And such a remark includes Scott Stevens too!

Furthermore, and while staying on this topic?

According to some Ranger fans (and you know who they are), they’ll proclaim that Tony DeAngelo, the former #77 of the Blueshirts, is the biggest hockey villain of all-time to have ever worn these double-digits.

For those folk, may I remind you all about #77 T.J. Oshie – who following his cowardly attack on Ryan Lindgren last season – these days, the long-time Capital is now trying to maim Artemi Panarin.

The keyword in that sentence?

“Trying” – and as Oshie found out all about when “The Breadman” successfully sought his revenge:

Artemi Panarin lays out TJ Oshie 🤯

(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/Qr7gfhDUht

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 24, 2024

Granted, while this humongous, yet clean, Panarin hit on Oshie took place with 13:13 remaining in the third period and with the Rangers leading 4-2 at the time – what this “I’ve had enough of your shit” hit told us was that the Blueshirts weren’t going to sit there and take it.

And hardly at that.

And for the league’s best player this season, one full of skill and pizazz, to engage in such brawn and brutality?

This was just another example of Panarin continuing his dominating 2023-24 regular season – and where the #10 from last year’s playoffs is long gone – just like the flowing locks that once adorned his dome.

Equally as entertaining?

The long awaited arrival of Mika Zibanejad, who following the worst playoffs in his career (2023) and the worst regular season of his Rangers’ tenure too (2023-24) – the Swedish-Iranian deejay finally woke up and spun some tracks – and a way overdue goal too!

While of course, #93 has been excellent defensively, especially on the penalty kill – as we all know by now – for the $8.5M salary/cap-hit – he needs to be an offensive presence in these win-or-go-home games.

By the end of Game 2, Zibanejad, not much of a force in the first game (although he did pick up an assist), led the way offensively – and he sure as hell earned his first star of the match too, following his one goal, one assist and game-high six SOG performance.

As mentioned to the point of both ad-nauseam and redundancy on this site – and as I’ll remind you again here – for the Rangers to have any success in the playoffs, then they’ll need their 1-2 scoring punch, Zibanejad and Panarin, to KO all of their foes with goals.

Two games into this series?

Not only are both Panarin and Zibanejad all over the box score – but EVERYONE else (sans Kaapo Kakko – of course) is contributing.

In Game 1 (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/42124/ ), it was the fourth line receiving the bulk of the flowers.

In Game 2, Alexis Lafreniere, who picked up an assist on Panarin’s game-winning goal after his monstrous hit on Vinny Iorio in Game 1, did himself twice as good, as he picked up two helpers.

And go figure:

For a player that rarely receives power-play time – both of Lafreniere’s assists from Game 2 were of the man-advantage variety!

Matching Lafreniere’s two assists from Tuesday night was Erik Gustafsson, as the veteran continues to make his case to his head coach – and with Zac Jones nipping at his heels for the Swede’s cherished spot as the team’s sixth defenseman.

And while tonight was Zibanejad’s night, it was also a hell of a night for the team’s first-line center this season, NONNA TROCHECK’S BAMBINO, Vincenzo!

Like Mika, Vincent also picked up both a goal and an assist – and for a sweeter cherry on top – drew two penalties – and where following both of them – the Rangers scored their two power-play goals of the match.

Jack Roslovic, who must be hearing the Filip Chytil chatter growing ever louder day-by-day, was one of the fortunate recipients of these Trocheck penalties drawn, as he not only scored his first playoff goal as a Ranger tonight – but the first postseason goal of his career too (26 games).

And of course, how about that defense?

While CZAR IGOR’s stat line took a hit tonight, but where you wouldn’t really blame him for the three opposing goals afforded (or at least not solely blame him for these trio of tallies) – his six rearguards were impeccable.

Gustafsson, Trouba’s new partner, as mentioned, picked up two assists.

Trouba’s old partner and now former protege as a result of his completed mentorship, K’Andre Miller?

K’Andre The Giant scored a short-handed goal tonight, the team’s fourth goal of the game – and what eventually held-up as the game-winner to boot!

As the top-two of right-handed Ranger rearguards, Adam Fox and Braden Schneider, played valiantly while also both being there for every scrum imaginable; it was Fox’s partner, Ryan Lindgren, and “Schneider’s Dad,” Jacob Trouba, aka father of “Baby Troobs,” that held down the fort in crunch time.

With 2:48 remaining and until triple-zeroes flashed around M$G, the Capitals employed their 6 x 5 attack with their goaltender, Charlie Lindgren, anxiously awaiting a return to the ice – and for him – hopefully during a tied game.

Lindgren never had his dreams fulfilled – and you can credit #8 and #55 for that.

During these pivotal 168-seconds, the road team spent all of this time in the Rangers’ zone – and even got a break when following a Blueshirts’ icing, CZAR IGOR made a save – but rather than freezing the puck and getting fresh skaters out there – played it instead – which then led the Capitals into extending their never-ending assault at the net.

Trouba and Lindgren never left the ice.

The Capitals never scored either.

Following an early first period goal from Connor McMichael, the Rangers responded with a pair of their own from their top-two centers, Trocheck and Zibanejad.

In game that was marred by the worst officiating that you’ll ever see, the Blueshirts’ 2-1 lead entering the second period was erased at the 4:41 mark of the second stanza, following a goal from “OH JOE, RYAN, DYLAN, RYAN, I THINK IT’S DYLAN STROME JOE” – a power-play goal no less – and after a bullshit roughing call assessed to Rempe – where yet again, #73 was “height-shamed” on this infraction.

Deja Vu was on tap next.

After allowing Washington to score the first goal of the first period, only to respond with two goals of their own – that’s exactly what wound up happening in these middle forty-minutes.

Now tied at two-goals a piece, Roslovic scored his power-play goal at the 12:26 mark and Miller scored his shorty at the 16:52 mark.

Prior to the final 2:48 of regulation, at the 11:45 mark of this final frame, one of the most-hated players in Rangers’ history, Tom Wilson, brought the Caps within one, following his power-play goal.

With a score of 4-3, GOOD GUYS, and the Caps’ net empty – Trouba and Lindgren let this score hold up as the final – and also allowed every resident of Rangerstown, USA to finally breathe too!

While perhaps there will be some criticism of this one-goal win from some Blueshirt backers – not me.

After all, the Rangers largely played against two teams all night – the Capitals and the Zebras.

Plus, it’s not like the Rangers did what “little brother,” the nomadic Islanders, did 24-hours prior – by blowing a 3-0 lead to the Hurricanes in their Game 2!

In a game where you had to wonder if the 967896789678678696 gambling sponsors that litter these broadcasts found their way to Wes McCauley – and where as a result of these wretched officiated sixty-minutes, you were left asking two questions, “how come the officials don’t do post-game interviews – and why are they never held accountable either?” – these 2023-24 New York Rangers, “Lavy’s Lot,” passed another big test – and in a way – got their first taste of “playoff experience” too -as Sunday’s Game 1 was most certainly a cakewalk in comparison to this Game 2 triumph.

And after 120-minutes of playoff hockey – everyone is doing their part – and you just hope that this ride continues all the way through June.

I have a 5AM alarm clock in my future (I was fortunate to trade my usual night-shift hours for day-shift hours this week – and I hope that I can do this once again should the Rangers continue their journey this Spring), so in other words, let’s breeze through the pregame news and notes segment as fast as possible and then get into all of the particulars of this 4-3 win!

Following the Rangers’ Game 1 win from Sunday (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/42124/ ), come Monday, and now in Tarrytown, NY, the team held an optional practice.

While the regulars were in-attendance for video review, it were only the Black Aces and healthy scratches that partook during the on-ice portion of the team’s activities.

Once “Lavy’s Lot” were done for the day, the head coach then spoke for over ten-minutes during his league-mandated “LAVY’S LOUNGE” segment. Here it is for you below:

Really, not much was said that you wouldn’t have known already, stuff such as Rempe brings something unique to the team, Kreider is one heck of a veteran, Trouba has embraced his new assignment/demotion with flying colors and so on and so forth.

On Tuesday morning, hours prior to the first puck drop of Game 2, the team held their sponsored RISE AND SHINE skate.

Once concluded, Laviolette spoke to the birdbrain beat one more time:

Again, there wasn’t really that much news here, as everyone knows the goal – and it’s not like Laviolette is going to say anything controversial either.

However, he did predict a more grueling game tonight than had it been on Sunday – and he was soon proven correct.

Furthermore, with the team winning – there’s no reason for him to shake-up his line-up either – and that’s why we saw the exact same line-up from Game 1 in Game 2, which now brings us to our next segment.

Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the second playoff game of the postseason – and the 84th-overall game of 2023-24:

BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

As noted on Sunday night, I wasn’t going to put my perfect 9-0 record (8-0 regular season, 1-0 playoffs) on the line at the bar on Tuesday night – and you can thank my Wednesday 5:00AM alarm clock for that.

But I will be there for Games 3 and 4 – and where needless to say – my dad and I have a much better win/loss record than the Borelli boys out in East Meadow have these days!

Since I watched this game from my lovely two-TV man cave abode, come 6:30PM I flipped on the M$GN broadcast on my big television and the ESPN broadcast on my other screen.

While I largely left the audio on for the M$GN broadcast, and mainly because I just wanted to hear how many times Sam Rosen would tell us about the Brother Lindgren’s, how many times he’d confuse Dylan Strome for Ryan Strome and if he’d inform me if Sonny Milano was from Massepequa, NY or not – I should’ve just stuck with the ESPN broadcast.

While nowhere close to entering the TNT stratosphere as the best hockey broadcast in the game – ESPN is getting better – and without a shadow of a doubt – presented a much better product than the crap that M$GN put out on Tuesday.

And you can remove Senile Sam “Pardon Me Joe, That Wasn’t Trocheck, That Was Panarin” Rosen, Joe “Let’s Go Capitals” Micheletti and the beyond useless Sieve Vagistat from the equation too.

While these three remain excruciating, they weren’t the crux of the problem either.

In a game that felt like there were only two-minutes of even-strength hockey played, and where there were about a million no calls too – there were many times where M$GN would just cut away from both action and penalty calls being read out by Wes McCauley – and an official who was auditioning for a SAG-AFTRA card tonight.

How else can you explain McCauley’s insistence on receiving more face-time than an I-Phone user?

Apparently, and according to M$GN – bombarding us with never-ending gambling commercials was more important than what was actually going on at rink-level.

Equally as heinous?

After listening to that mind-numbing twat, Sieve Vagistat, go on-and-on for thirty minutes, and where once again, he cut-off “THE KING OF COMMENTARY,” Henrik Lundqvist at every corner – once again – those gambling ads.

While ESPN aired John Brancy’s amazing rendition of the national anthem, M$GN thought it was more pertinent to inform their viewers of no less than four different gambling outfits that they should be supporting.

Pretty callous if you ask me – but then again – on brand – as this organization, despite having some of their alumni in-attendance tonight – refuses to honor many of their true legends in franchise history.

But at least a hippie pot-smokin’ band (Phish), and a notorious serial drinking-and-driving musician (Billy Joel) too, have banners in the rafters of M$G – and you know – instead of former Blueshirt Cup champions such as Frank Boucher, Lester Patrick, the Cook Brothers, Bryan Hextall, Ching Johnson, et al.

And I suspect that banners for Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, Bet 365, Fanduel and Draft Kings have better odds of being adorned from the iconic ceiling rather than banners in acknowledgment of Ranger legends.

And to place such a bet, then please use promo code: “WEWANTYOUHOMELESS.”

Some may say I’m making a big deal out of this, but just think about this for one-second:

Can you imagine if this commercialized gambling world of today existed in 1994?

If it did, then we’d never have that unforgettable moment when 18,006 Garden patrons once drowned out John Amirante, in appreciation, during his Game 7 rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Instead, such crowd noise would be drowned out by J.B. Smoove, Jessie Pinkman, John Giannone, Bill Pidto and the rest of these bookie pitchmen.

Just sayin’!

Whenever the annoying twit Sieve Vagistat disgraced my TV screen, then in a response, I immediately hit the mute button.

That’s how bad he is – as I much rather listen to P.K. Slewban.

At least Slewban actually played in a playoff game during his career.

But despite my overwhelming fandom of Mark Messier – I still think that Henrik Lundqvist, much better on TNT than he is on his home network, is the best in the game.

And who wouldn’t want a M$GN tandem of #11 and #30 in-studio?

What, you’d prefer Vagistat and Emerson Etem instead?

M$GN, now on-board the REMPEMANIA craze, opened up their broadcast by talking about the biggest cult hero in franchise history.

Vagistat immediately cut-off Lundqvist to promote his self-serving made-up charts in a response – and this is when I first hit my mute button too.

In a key piece of video that both broadcasts aired, it was revealed that Rempe and Dylan McIlrath exchanged a few words with each other during pregame warm-ups at center ice – and perhaps while setting up a fight – and as we’ve seen before with Rempe and his previous fisticuff foes.

While I can’t read lips, I tried my best, and I think Rempe told the former first-overall pick of the Blueshirts, “I don’t soil my hands with first-round busts – and I tell Kakko this all the time too!”

And as noted many times before – following Rempe’s sold-out and standing room only World Tour around the league, he’s calmed down – which is both a sign of maturity and his ability to listen to the requests of his head coach.

When it comes to Lundqvist, he said a lot of the obvious stuff, but at the same time, there’s nothing wrong with the K.I.S.S. method either.

“THE KING OF COMMENTARY” stressed the importance of Panarin scoring in Game 1, while also bringing up how it was the team’s collective effort that also allowed CZAR IGOR to get off to a hot start.

In a prophetic omen that went haywire and while talking about the officials’ shenanigans from the first match, Lundqvist had a strong message for Wes McCauley, and I quote, “LET THEM PLAY. JUST LET THEM PLAY.”

McCauley didn’t heed the Hall of Famer’s advice.

In fact, he pissed and shitted all over it – and I’m not exaggerating when I say this – McCauley shouldn’t be allowed to officiate another game these playoffs until he completes a retraining assignment.

That’s how bad he was.

Come 7PM, Sam and Joe entered our homes, and where both men wondered how the Capitals could overcome and vanquish the Rangers.

As a reminder, this was the Rangers’ M$GN broadcast – and not the fair-and-balanced ESPN broadcast.

It’s really time for this duo to retire – and especially even more so after being exposed more-and-more to both Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney on M$G TV broadcasts this season.

And if they don’t want to retire, then let them host their own hockey show on M$G – and where they can fawn and praise about the other 31-teams in the league on such a program.

Such fan-boying for Blueshirt opponents is not needed on M$GN – and it most certainly isn’t required during a playoff game.

Seriously, I don’t need to hear these two beg the hockey gods for Alex Ovechkin to get going.

All that was missing from Sam and Joe’s regular schtick tonight?

A story about how they both sat in a sauna with Washington GM Brian MacLellan – and where as a result of this steamy chat session – they found out that the “Caps are a hardworking team.”

And really, the way these two just ignored crucial moments in this game was beyond embarrassing – and especially when compared to ESPN, who indeed, called every play as it was happening – and rather than going on some tangent about nothing game-related.

Wes McCauley GAME REVIEW time.

FIRST PERIOD

I hate, hate, hate, and did I say hate, crying about officials on this site – and I hate doing so even more so following a win.

But unless you want to ignore the elephant zebra in the room – then the horrid officiating must be talked about during any recap/recount of this game.

Put it this way: Sam and Joe, two people who rarely get on the officials, actually ragged on McCauley and his cretins all-game – one of the few things that these two M$GN announcers correctly called.

And when the game got chippy and became a never-ending dirty-hit and scrumfest?

While we usually see such a brand of hockey in the playoffs (and of course – I’m not opposed to it either); at the same time, this was spearheaded by McCauley’s crew too.

Had McCauley and his team had done their jobs in the first period, then all of the madness would have never taken place in the latter two frames.

But since McCauley allowed blatant high-sticks to the face, tripping calls, elbows to the mouth and other such clear-as-day infractions to be upheld as legal hockey, then the Capitals continued to push the envelope.

And really, can you blame them?

After all, the Caps are a diminished David when compared to the Goliath BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS, so in turn, they have to find every advantage imaginable. And if the officials are going to give them such advantages, then they have to take them.

As the game went along, the officiating just grew more inconsistent.

While there were a slew of penalties called, both good and bad, and from each side; what was legal in the first wasn’t legal in the other periods.

Once again, the officials became part of the game, and while you expect some leeway in the playoffs, you also don’t expect a first twenty-minutes where attempted murder would be ignored, then follow that up with a bevy of fart-and-cough penalties.

Since I’m up against the clock, I’m just going to hit the stuff that you need to know from this game.

However, if you want the complete play-by-play, then just check out my Tweeter/X account here: https://twitter.com/NYCTheMiC

The Capitals scored the first goal of the game at the 5:09 mark, an unassisted score for Connor “Mongo” McMichael.

This goal felt inevitable, as prior to this 1-0, bad guys goal, the Capitals had dominated the entire game up to this point.

Put it this way: CZAR IGOR had six saves prior to Lindgren recording his first.

As the people who paid the high prices at M$G belted out “REMPE” early (and often), the other Rangers’ rookie, Will Cuylle, was blatantly high-sticked in the face by Dylan McIlrath:

Cuylle Highsticked right in front of Wes McCauley!. No Call. #NYR pic.twitter.com/g4Nkuw4Txu

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 23, 2024

Had this penalty been correctly called, then McIlrath would have never been on the ice when McMichael scored, as instead, the Rangers would have been on a power-play at the time.

But after this Washington goal?

All Blueshirts, so much so, that for the remainder of this period, the Capitals only put one more SOG, for a total of seven in the period.

The rest of this period was all Rangers – and McCauley too.

Following another strong net-front and forechecking shift from Rempe and company with 13:39 to go, Rosen then made his first Ryan/Dylan Strome flub of the series.

Bless Sam’s heart – and we all knew this was coming. Heck, I predicted it during my series preview!

Down to 12:15 remaining and McCauley continued to make a mockery of both his profession and this sport:

Wes McCauley again decides not to make the call. Let’s see if he stays consistent. #NYR https://t.co/75RemD2cdd pic.twitter.com/NHSsVlMwIx

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 23, 2024

Despite Zibanejad being tripped while the Rangers were attacking, McCauley thought better of it.

Perhaps his right arm was sore after having it broken by some odds-maker wearing a FILA track suit.

The Rangers, having already been screwed out of a power-play, so bad where Washington scored as a result, got their revenge on this no call.

Just nine-seconds following the injustice to Mika, Trocheck’s line came on the ice, #16 won an o-zone faceoff and then deflected Gustafsson’s shot from the point past Lindgren:

Vinny Trocheck, the #NYR x-factor.

What a play by Erik Gustafsson. pic.twitter.com/GBryhCpCBP

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 23, 2024

1-1!

As the game continued, and as Goodrow continued to take faceoffs in the way that Nick Bonino had taught him (Sam and Joe were baffled by this new wrinkle – nor knew where it came from either), the third line soon came on.

Down to 10:33 remaining, and perhaps the Feckless Finn, one of the few to not have a point in this series (and only six assists in the regular season to boot – the same amount as the nine games-played Filip Chytil), was robbed of an apple here – as his perfect one-timed feed to Wennberg was robbed by Charlie L.

A minute later, and Trouba, while trying to protect CZAR IGOR’s net, was boxed for interference.

So according to McCauley, a light check was much worse than a high-stick to the mouth or a low-stick to the skates.

As the Rangers’ heralded penalty kill continued to amaze, following the first whistle of this PK and Trocheck was hit from behind by McMichael.

No call was made for contact that was much harder than the allegations against Trouba.

In other words, three no calls.

You can understand one or two of them, but three’s a habit – and incompetence too.

The Blueshirts, who would later score while shorthanded, had three cracks at it here.

On the first one, Goodrow had a breakaway – but similar to that Yankees’ playoff game where A-Rod was standing on second base and screaming “I GOT IT” at an opposing infielder during a routine pop-out – T.J. Oshie screamed, “PASS, I’M BEHIND YOU!”

Goodrow couldn’t detect that Oshie’s voice wasn’t one of his teammates – and made the blind pass – and the turnover too.

So much for sportsmanship – but you really can’t blame Oshie for this trick of deception.

After all, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Lindgren would then stop Mika twice, while his brother, the Rangers’ Ryan, came up with a huge shot block to end the penalty kill.

With 6:58 remaining, McCauley FINALLY put his right arm in the air, accurately calling a hook committed by Nicolas Aube-Kubel on Trocheck.

It was during this first Rangers’ power-play where they took the lead – and where come the end of the night – would register their first comeback win of the post-season – after finishing the regular season with 28 of them:

Mika gives the Rangers the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/J9WG0y10fO

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 23, 2024

2-1, GOOD GUYS!

Good for Mika too – and who admittedly received a deflection assist from Alexeyev – but hey – you can’t score if you can’t shoot – and they all count too!

And go figure:

Derick Brassard was one of the alumni in-attendance tonight.

While not officially retired yet (although you have to think that’s what’s next for soon-to-be 37-year-old, and with “BIG GAME BRASS” not suiting up for any of the league’s 32-teams during the 2023-24 season either), the former #16 of the Rangers first saw the current #16 of today, Vincent Trocheck, score a goal – and then saw the player that he was once traded for many moons ago, Mika Zibanejad, pot a puck home too!

Isn’t that amazing Suzyn?

And while speaking about the alumni – it was great to see Kevin Klein there too.

In a way, you can kind of compare Barclay Goodrow to him – as Klein, in his Ranger heyday, was very underrated and underappreciated by Blueshirt backers – and by primarily the ANALytical/loser/virginal community.

Down to 4:03 remaining and Oshie was finally boxed for blatantly holding Panarin.

Rosen would say this later on and in a rarity of clarity for him – he was right:

“Joe, it feels like the Capitals want to hit Panarin on every play, and whether it be clean or not.”

When even Rosen is spotting this, then it tells you how dirty (but it’s understandable) that the Caps were – and how bad the officiating was too.

Just 27-seconds into the Oshie penalty and we then went to foreplay, as Kreider was falsely accused of cross-checking TVR when trying to set himself up in front of the goaltender – and as he always does.

Apparently, McCauley was so impressed with TVR’s Olympic-worthy dive that not only did he give the Cap a score of ten – but he then gave the Caps’ PK a freebie – while also giving them an abbreviated power-play too.

During the foreplay, and while Panarin was breaking ankles out there with his routine razzle-dazzle act, #10 was tripped right in front of McCauley – but there was no shot in hell that this bozo was going to call two consecutive penalties committed on “The Breadman.”

A save on Miller concluded one of the worst officiated periods of all-time.

2-1, GOOD GUYS, after twenty-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

2-1, GOOD GUYS, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Caps came out hungry like they should have, but once they scored, it was all Rangers after that.
— Like Panarin in G1, huge goal for Mika – Rangers need both to show up in these huge games.
— Trocheck has been a beast.
— PK remains…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 23, 2024

SECOND PERIOD

I don’t know how this was the case, or how such stats are even recorded anymore (and there’s a reason why the league went back and reviewed such errors made earlier this season), but somehow, Lafreniere, becoming a locomotive these days, was only credited for one hit.

I counted at least three, maybe four or five if I wanted to be generous.

But for the former first-overall pick, his taste for the physicality, now combined with his scoring prowess, is a joy to watch.

As Sam and Joe were begging on their hands-and-knees for Alex Ovechkin to finally show up and score a goal in this series; down to 16:16 remaining and we had another “REMPUTATION” call, as this time, Matt Rempe was boxed for roughing the debuting Lucas Johansen.

In reality, this was a hit at the boards – but since REMPE BIG – then that means his bone-crushing body-blows are falsely alleged as penalties.

The inconsistency of these officials needs a league review – and similar to Zdeno Chara – officials have to understand how Rempe plays.

In other words, just because a clean hit is vicious, it doesn’t make it a penalty either.

And of course, following the gifted power-play from their peers, Dylan Strome scored a tap-in power-play goal to tie the game at 2-2.

With the game now getting chippy and with the Capitals looking to see what else they could get away with; now down to 15:26 remaining and Martin Fehervary intended to injure Lafreniere with a cowardly hit from behind and into the boards.

This was just called as interference.

This also led to our first major scrum – and where Panarin was the first to defend Lafreniere’s honor.

What a complete 180 we have witnessed from #10 (and I guess #13 too!) this season.

This particular Rangers’ power-play was the worst of the game, as they didn’t register a SOG. Also during these two-minutes we saw Tom Wilson flub a 2 x 1 odd-man rush, and once the penalty was killed, that MFer, M.F., now released from the box, was stoned by CZAR IGOR on his jack-in-the-box breakaway.

As T.J. Oshie kept whacking away and high-sticking Panarin, the Rangers were still without a SOG for the first 8:30 of this period.

And for the sake of posterity, here’s just one of Oshie’s never-ending infractions against Panarin that went uncalled:

Another High stick missed. That’s like 5. #NYR pic.twitter.com/bLVGI0vnZy

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 24, 2024

Garage house officiating if I say so myself.

As the game progressed, I thought it was great that Lavy didn’t punish Rempe after the phantom penalty/real goal scored, as the big man continued to get his regular shifts.

And prior to the Rangers regaining the lead, I said the following in real-time:

Roslovic touches the puck for what feels like the first time tonight, 2-2, halfway mark of the game/period #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 24, 2024

With 9:26 remaining, just 34-seconds after saying that, and Carlson was boxed for cross-checking Trocheck, as the team’s top center was crashing the net and about to score following a picture-perfect pass from Panarin.

The refs called this penalty at least.

Following a not-so-hot showing from Zibanejad, the PP2 came on to run out the remainder of this man-advantage – and thankfully they did:

JACK ROSLOVIC’S FIRST PLAYOFF GOAL 🔥

(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/aHXzNvOfql

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 24, 2024

3-2, GOOD GUYS, following a goal from JACK THE RIPPER!

Chytil who?

Boy, did Roslovic need this one.

And yep – here’s Lafreniere receiving another power-play point despite his limited time during these man-up situations.

But I guess he won’t be replacing Zibanejad on PP1 anytime soon – and especially not after tonight either.

Up next was some theatrics between Tom Wilson and someone who grew up admiring and modeling his game after him, Will Cuylle.

During a faceoff, and right in front of McCauley no less – after both players exchanged words, which drew the attention of the officials in the first place – Wilson elbowed Cuylle right in the mouth.

The officials, despite watching this, pulled the old Wayne Campbell, “Play On!”

Cuylle?

On the next faceoff, he split Wilson’s balls with his stick – and I guess to the credit of the officials – this wasn’t called either.

What was called was some name-calling, as following this meeting of blade and testicles, Wilson, and very audibly too, called Cuylle a “pussy.”

You were kind of hoping that Rempe, Cuylle, Trouba or anyone really, would just drop the gloves with Wilson (and Oshie too) – but with a one-goal lead and with these one-sided referees – potential power-plays, suspensions and misconducts weren’t worth the risk.

Come 4:20 remaining, we had a legit penalty, as Gustafsson air-mailed a puck over the glass – for a delay of game penalty.

Funny enough, following this “real” penalty, McCauley got his wish – he was trending on hockey twitter:

The Rangers, never to be put down by these asshole officials, then went on to score one of the prettiest short-handed goals that you’ll ever see – as finished by Miller – but as set-up by the BFF of Chris & Mika:

KEY SHORTY SNIPE pic.twitter.com/YiKfvu1zrB

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 24, 2024

4-2, GOOD GUYS – a man-down goal for Miller!

As the period approached its end, Ranger fans started sing-songing “CHARLIE” at Ryan’s brother.

I was hoping that they’d troll “WESLEY” instead.

4-2, GOOD GUYS, through forty-minutes of horrible officiating.

Here’s what I said at the time:

4-2, GOOD GUYS, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— The Rangers are winning by two despite playing against two different teams – the Caps & the Zebras.
— Wes McCauley and TJ Oshie are just as bad and disgusting as those college student protesters at Columbia.
— Special teams swing…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 24, 2024

THIRD PERIOD

The Rangers were cautious with their two-goal lead – and played it safe.

They were also willing to eat hits in order to extend zone time too – and as Lafreniere ate a big, yet clean, hit early.

These Blueshirt fans in-attendance, while ponying up the big bucks, also aren’t exclusively white-collar anymore either.

Such a fact was revealed when the crowd was going bonkers when celebrating a Rempe shot block – and as they did with 13:54 remaining.

Come 13:13 remaining, the previously described Panarin revenge, yet legal, hit on Oshie – and a hit that knocked Oshie out of the game for the next eight-minutes.

Sam and Joe ignored all of this is – and M$GN took another gambling timeout too.

ESPN was all over this like shit on a monkey.

This hit was also reviewed for alleged head contact – but such a ruling never came to be – although I thought that would become the case – but only because of McCauley.

Rather than the Rangers being penalized, instead McMichael was boxed for roughing (it could’ve been instigating too) when trying to defend the (dis)honor of Oshie.

Also noticeable during all of this?

Following Panarin wrecking Oshie’s world and McMichael’s henious attack too – there was Lafreniere, within a nanosecond, jumping all over the Capital.

This team fights for each other Joe!

The Rangers didn’t do much on this power-play, nor the one afforded to them right after it, as Dowd was boxed for roughing Vesey with 10:30 remaining.

But these two consecutive power-plays did burn four crucial minutes from the clock.

And I know what you will say here – or at least what non-Ranger fans will say:

“YOU ARE BITCHING ABOUT THE OFFICIALS ALL NIGHT BUT THE RANGERS HAD PLENTY OF POWER-PLAYS TOO!”

While it’s true, the Blueshirts did get receive their fair-share of man-up time; but what’s also true in the same vein was all of the calls that were ignored – and where one non-call led to a Capital goal, while the fugazi Rempe penalty led to another opposing score.

Truest above all else?

If the officials did their job early, then all of these roughing penalties would have never transpired in the third period.

Come 8:15 remaining and Wilson scored his deflection goal.

4-3, good guys – and nothing but sweat, sharts and chomped fingernails until the final horn.

With 7:14 to go and the Rangers almost sealed the deal, as Cuylle went 1 x 4 against the Caps, set up Roslovic (a save for Lindgren) and then was stopped by the Caps’ goalie on the rebound.

This would have been something else had this went down as the fifth Ranger strike of the game.

As we got to the end, the final 2:48 where Trouba and Lindgren went balls-to-the-wall to protect, and successfully so, the one-goal lead.

I do wonder if Fox was banged-up a bit, as despite a game-high 23:22, he wasn’t on for the final four or five minutes.

4-3, GOOD GUYS, your final.

2-0, GOOD GUYS, in the series.

Here’s a proud Laviolette following this hard-fought win against two teams:

Just some closing rapid-fire thoughts:

— This can’t just be it for Mika. It can’t just be a one-game Haley’s Comet act and then to never be heard from again. This has to be the new norm.

— While I still have a high concern level for Mika; conversely, my concern level about Panarin is now at zero. He has continued his strong play from his MVP season when it matters most – and you can see how hellbent and determined he is.

— I’m not sure what the Rangers plan to do the next two days practice-wise, as Game 3 is on Friday night. While we all know that the Rangers will go to the air on Thursday, I don’t know if they’ll be off on Wednesday, then practice and fly out to D.C. the day after.

— What I do know, or at least I think, is that Lavy has to keep rolling out this same line-up – as they are now 2-0 in these playoffs, and winners of four straight overall.

— Sorry Jonny Hockey and everyone else – REMPE MUST STAY AND PLAY – and especially with the dirty-and-desperate Capitals in a two-zero hole. Furthermore, I also wonder if Rempe’s presence brings out this new man-beast out of Panarin too?

— Come Game 3, I think you’ll see a slicker version of the Rangers – meaning more goals – and despite the four goals, eight in total, that they netted in each of these past two games. After all, M$G is a circus these days, and because of the Knicks, the Blueshirts are playing on crappy ice. That won’t be the case in Washington.

Up next: Bed time for me, as it’s now 1:45AM. Minga!

I should also have something posted between now and Friday, and even if it’s just sharing what Laviolette had said during the off-days.

And now, time for your favorite and final segment…

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