Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. WOW!
After all, then never in my wildest dreams did I expect the Rangers to treat the Capitals as if they were the USA against Iran!
THEY FLATTENED THEM – AND THEN BLEW UP THEIR SEASON FOR THEM TOO!
While the Rangers didn’t resurrect their lost season on Sunday night; then, and like an ancient Jewish carpenter – and they sure as hell rose.
In what could be argued as their second-best regular season win in franchise history (their 12-1 win against the California Seals, from November 21st, 1971, can’t be topped – and especially since Jean Ratelle scored four goals on his first four shots on that night) and the Blueshirts just brutalized the Capitals by an 8-1 final.
This was a Rangers’ rout in every which way imaginable – and as the 8-1 score would suggest.
And if there was any major difference from this win and the victory from fifty-five years ago against the now defunct west coast franchise?
Then the Seals were always awful – and the worst expansion franchise (sans the Islanders – ha!) in NHL history.
Tonight?
Then not only did the Rangers score eight goals and win three separate fights during the sixty-minute affair – but they did so against a Capitals team, that with a win, could’ve waltzed right into playoff positioning.
Instead, and just as it was a day ago against Detroit – and the Rangers may have spoiled another team’s hopes of reaching the postseason.
Behind a CUYLLE HAND LUKE hat-trick, multi-point games galore up-and-down the roster and three fight wins for Cuylle, Tye Kartye and Noah Laba respectively – and the Rangers just had their way – and any way they wanted too – with their Metrosexual division foe.
This was just a white-wash in every which way – and poor goaltender Charlie Lindgren too – as since his peer of the barrel, Logan Thompson, played last night in a Caps’ victory over the Buffalo Sabres – and as a result – then head coach Spencer Carberry never considered giving Ryan’s big brother the hook.
While Lindgren looked like a deer in headlights all-game, so much so, that he looked like he was trying to defend pucks from making contact with him rather than trying to stop them; but it wasn’t all his fault either.
For a Blueshirts’ team, that day-in and day-out, rely on their goaltender to carry them to wins – then CZAR IGOR wasn’t really needed on Easter Sunday – a true “Rangers’ Rarity!”
The Capitals finished with seven SOG in each period, for a grand total of 21, while the Rangers registered seven SOG in the first period, fifteen SOG in the second period, then ten more in a “play-it-out” third period, for an overall sum of 32 SOG.
The Blueshirts’ brilliancy didn’t end there.
Not only did Sully’s Squad win 65% of all draws (J.T. Miller, 13/17, 76.5%, was the best center at the dots) – but the Rangers’ special teams, so prone to sinking them this season, shined.
The Blueshirts’ penalty kill finished as a flawless 3/3 and where maybe one of CZAR IGOR’s five short-handed saves was a challenge.
The Rangers’ power-play, up-and-down all-season, went 2/4 – but even this black-and-white stat doesn’t tell the whole story either.
Previous to their fourth man-up attempt and the Rangers’ power-play was 2/3.
Their fourth power-play?
Then, and with a 7-1 lead at the time, boosted by two Cuylle goals, was just two-minutes of four different numbered Rangers trying to feed #50 for his third goal – a hat trick.
And while Cuylle didn’t get it here – he sure did later on!
Obviously, then we’ve talked about the subject of tanking/trying to land Gavin McKenna for months in this space now.
While I won’t say that I’ve given up on the topic; but at the same time – then I can’t suppress positive thoughts and feelings after strong efforts.
(And what – do you really want me to be mad after a hell of a weekend?)
After all, then I can’t control the fate of any lottery (I still haven’t won a Powerball yet!) – much less the NHL Draft Lottery!
All I can hope for now is that the hockey gods reward the Rangers for not tanking.
Hey, karma is a thing, and as Dave Maloney would ask, “RIIIIIIIIIIGHT?”
This eventual one-sided mauling, so bad that it was hockey’s version of the gimp scene from “Pulp Fiction,” wasn’t evident at the jump.
As noted, then both teams, who also played the day before, finished the first period with seven SOG each – and with each squad with a goal on their ledger too.
Just 23-seconds in – and of course – Conor Sheary, during a mad scramble at Lindgren’s net, scored the opening 1-0 goal.
For Sheary, this was his fifth goal in his last eleven games played – and where it feels like he’s doing everything in his power to not only remain a Ranger next season – but to receive a mega contract extension this summer too – while also trying to prevent McKenna from taking a roster spot from him!
The Capitals, who only had one scoring chance to “capitalize” on during this game (har-har-har), did so at the 13:45 mark, as following Vladislav Gavrikov being blocked in the Washington zone, then Tom Wilson retrieved the rubber, sent it up ice to an awaiting Connor “Mongo” McMichael – and boom – a tied score of 1-1 after the breakaway goal.
As both teams returned to the ice for the start of the second stanza – then no one in their right mind would have predicted what was going to happen next – as the Blueshirts then spent the next twenty-minutes by playing their best hockey of the season – enroute to five unanswered goals.
A Captain Culture tap-in power-play goal, scored at the 3:07 mark, gave the Rangers a respectable 2-1 lead at the time – and where despite Washington’s inability to create much offense – then even at this moment – and you were just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
One more time – this game meant a whole lot more for the Caps than it did for the Blueshirts – as Ovechkin & Co. were playing for their playoff lives.
But as you know – then the Rangers, and I don’t use this word lightly either, just “MURDERED” such aspirations.
At the 5:53 mark, Cuylle crashed the net as Braden Schneider flung a puck towards Lindgren. Once there and #50 picked up his first goal of the game – and on a shot that Ryan’s older brother never had a chance on.
3-1.
At the 8:33 mark, Cuylle scored a true goal scorer’s goal for the 4-1 goal.
The rout was on.
Come the 13:22 mark and we had a PURE FOURTH LINE GOAL – and man was it ever perfect and pretty-as-a-picture, as Jaroslav Chmelar displayed his hockey IQ and patience, waited for his linemates to catch up, and once they did, he then found his center, Noah Laba.
Laba?
Within a nano-second, and he made one of the best backhanded passes that you’ll ever see, and as a result – a bing-bang-boom, wam-bam-thank-you-ma’am goal, his third of the season, for Adam Sykora.
5-1 – and where the energy, elation and electricity from this rookie trio just poured off of your screen and into your home.
THE FAT CATS also returned to the party.
After Fox and Zibanejad assisted on Miller’s 2-1 goal, the game-winning red light for that matter too, then these three hooked-up for another man-up goal – and as they did with just 1:33 remaining in this epic frame.
This time, it was a Fox blast, while Trocheck had Lindgren screened, for the 6-1 goal.
And if that wasn’t enough for you; then elsewhere during these same twenty memorable minutes and Cuylle squashed Jakob Chychrun in a fight, while Kartye did the same to Brandon Duhaime.
And when regular Rangers’ agitator, one of my “RANGER KILLERS” from my most recent book, Tom Wilson, tried to get involved?
Then BIG BILLY BORGEN just laughed him off, while Miller told him to shut his yap!
Up 6-1 after forty-minutes then all that was left to do was close out – and where you were also hoping for Cuylle not only to finish with a regular hat trick – but with a Gordie Howe hat trick too.
Cuylle never got the assist, so he had to “settle” for a regular hat trick.
I’m sure his Blueshirts’ heart is all broken up about this – I kid, I kid!
(But based on my research? Then had Cuylle picked up a helper, then he would’ve became the first Ranger in franchise history to score both a regular hat trick and a Howe hatty.)
It took all of 2:27 for Trocheck to kick the Blueshirts’ extra point – the 7-1 goal – and where if you had any ounce of compassion coursing through your veins – then you just had to feel bad for Lindgren.
And with Patrick Roy now out on Long Island – then perhaps one of the greatest goalies in league history can not only replace Carberry behind the Caps’ bench – but Lindgren in Washington’s net too!
As both teams were just looking to get out of this game without injury; then and with just 32-seconds remaining (a true irony – considering what happened in the game before at the same time-marker – and if you don’t know what I mean, then check out my NYR/DET GAME REVIEW which is linked below) – and there it was – INSULT TO INJURY – courtesy of Cuylle’s 8-1, first hat trick of his career, goal.
This is not a time to talk about what this win meant for my fellow members of TEAM TANK.
This is a time to talk about the best win of the season.
Was this a one-off?
Perhaps.
Then again – and just this weekend – and the Blueshirts did successfully play the spoiler for two different teams.
Granted, there is no pressure for the Rangers right now, and where let’s face it – then nothing that happens now will impact games played in October of 2026, much less at this same time next year – but at least you’re seeing a glimpse of what’s potentially possible.
At the very least – then there are multiple rookies gaining valuable game experience.
And the Blueshirts didn’t need an alleged sexual assaulter in their line-up to do so either.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off, Saturday, when the Rangers prevailed over Detroit:
NYR/DET 4/4 Review: The Circle of Life! Gabe Perreault Scores His First (and Natural) Hat Trick in Jonathan Quick’s Potential Swan Song at M$G; Chmelar & Sykora Pick Up Points Too, Blueshirts Came To Play; Ruin Red Wings Day, The Worst ESPN Broadcast Of All-Time; Fire Sean McDonough, “Phil Esposito vs. The Birdbrain Beat” & More
Since the Rangers played yesterday, then there wasn’t much news made prior to Easter Sunday’s puck drop – that is – from the Big Apple team’s side of things!
The Rangers held an optional practice, where all of the extras, and the Czech-Slovak connection, Chmelar and Sykora, too, all participated.
The main theme from throughout this past week remained the same – goaltenders – and to be specific – their final starts of the season.
When it comes to Dylan Garand, who again, in my opinion, should play on Wednesday night when the Rangers play their final game at M$G this season, Sully said the following:
“Would we like for Dylan to get another start? Potentially, yes. We’ll see how it goes moving forward. We have a game plan for him.”
I always enjoy when a coach asks his own question – then answers it!
“We have a game plan. Chris Drury and I have had a conversation around this, so we’re very much on the same page on what we think is best and why,” Sully continued. “That was a lengthy discussion. It’s not a decision that we make lightly. I’ve talked to Shesty, Quickie and Dylan around a tentative game plan on what we think this whole thing might look like.”
While those words were being said at 12:30PM EST; then, and a near stone’s throw away in Elmont – and the hammer had dropped for the Nassaumen:
#Isles News: New York Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche announced today that Patrick Roy has been relieved of his coaching responsibilities. Peter DeBoer has been named Head Coach of the New York Islanders.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 5, 2026
I couldn’t believe this move either.
As an outsider-looking-in, then I thought that Roy did a great job and helped bring the Isles to a somewhat level of respectability throughout his now brief tenure.
And go figure: Tony DeAngelo gets hurt and the end result is a current four-game losing streak – and only three wins during the Isles’ past ten games too!
Injuries have really plagued the Isles this year – but even so – and Matthew Schaefer is easily going to win the Calder Trophy – and perhaps receive a Norris Trophy finalist nomination too.
There are conflicting reports out there about retread hire Pete DeBoer; but what’s 100% confirmed is that this isn’t a John Tortorella/Vegas deal – as the new Isles’ bench boss received term beyond this season with this contract.
(To be clear: In every report about this DeBoer hire and it’s being said that the Isles wanted to get the best coach available prior to the conclusion of the regular season.)
The prevalent report out there about DeBoer’s new contract is that it will run through the 2029-30 season – and where it should also be mentioned that Roy’s deal runs for the next two seasons too.
It’s finally nice to see another New York hockey team have multiple coaches on their books!
HOLY PIZZA MAN CHRIS DRURY BATMAN!
Elsewhere, and the feeling at the Belmont stables was that the Isles have not only choked a playoff spot away – but look like horse shit too.
As already noted up top, then by the time all of the Eastern Conference action wrapped-up on Sunday, then the Isles, who could barely shoot the puck during their past two losses on back-to-back nights (Flyers on Friday, Hurricanes on Saturday), were removed from the playoff cut-line – and for the first time in months.
I don’t want to go on too much longer about a hated rival, but I did want to close this segment by telling you what Emily Kaplan said during tonight’s ESPN broadcast.
According to Kaplan, then the Isles felt like Roy was leaving Ilya Sorokin hung out to dry for most of the season.
If that’s the cause for a firing, then what’s Jimmy Dolan doing right now?
FIRE DRURY!
FIRE SULLY!
And yep – and as first noted ever since the Avalanche parted ways with Roy many years ago – then I wouldn’t him behind the Blueshirts’ bench either!
Perhaps the happiest Islander of them all right now?
Former Ranger Anthony Duclair – who had a very public dispute with the Hall of Famer at this time last year.
Back to the Blueshirts.
Here was Silly Sully’s line-up for the seventy-eighth game of this wretched-and-rotten 2025-26 season:
FIRST LINE: Perreault/Mika/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Kartye/Miller/Sheary
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Trocheck/Brodzinski
FOURTH LINE: Sykora/Laba/Chmelar
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Fortescue/Schneider
THIRD PAIR: Robertson/Borgen
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACKUP GOALIE: Quick
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Iorio, Raddysh, Vaakainanen, Garand and Edstrom
IR: Matt Rempe
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 21 | 1 | 20 | .952 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
WSH
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 32 | 8 | 24 | .750 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
Due to women’s basketball and ESPN didn’t have a pregame show on Sunday.
Not that I would’ve watched it anyway – as Mark Messier wasn’t there – but P.K. Slewban was.
Returned from home after a day out with family; then at 6:30PM I took in the end of the Flyers/Bruins game – and where as a result of Philadelphia’s 2-1 overtime victory – Sayonora Islanders!
Take this in too:
Devils stink, Red Wings choking again, Jets can be beat and maybe Canes and Habs clinch by the time Philly gets them – terrible news for Isles who have to play Leafs, Sens, Habs and Canes. pic.twitter.com/zHxQ4s5C2z
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 5, 2026
GAME REVIEW time!
You know my usual spiel – which includes how if you want my complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter/X feed over at: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
Let the rolling commence – and where brace for it – with eight goals & three fights – then there are a ton of media clips to include!
FIRST PERIOD
If you recall, then back on October 12th, 2025 and Lindgren shut-out the Rangers by a 1-0 final.
Such a performance wouldn’t be replicated – and where the Blueshirts marred a second Lindgren shutout bid just 23-seconds in:
Sheary doesn’t want McKenna taking his job #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 5, 2026
1-0, GOOD GUYS.
At the time, and perhaps like my fellow camp members of TEAM TANK, then all I could do was curse out Sheary for ruining the Rangers’ chances at McKenna.
And yeah – I expect that seven-year extension for the golden nephew-in-law too!
I won’t go into the whole “Sheary Spiel” again (I have nothing against him, but he shouldn’t be here – he should be with a playoff team in a depth role); but for his sake – then I hope his recent hot play gets him a new contract for the 2026-27 season – but just not with the Rangers!
And let’s not forget that he also joined the Rangers after a successful PTO deal too – so it’s not like he was ever envisioned to be here for the long haul.
At the 1:31 mark, Cuylle held Aliaksei Protas.
CZAR IGOR made one save during the next two-minutes and that was that – a 1/1 PK.
Lindgren made a rare save at the 4:30 mark – a denial on Lafreniere.
It was also noticeable at this time that M$G, and as we all predicted (Easter and Passover), was very empty – and despite the 17,335 attendance figure that was reported.
(Again, paid seats vs. turnstile counts are two different numbers – and where you’re only getting the paid figure here.)
Here’s one of my real-time Tweeter/X comments:
“7:46 mark and we get our first TV timeout – this game feels like deja vu from yesterday, as Washington, just like Detroit, look absolutely stifled and confused by these New York Giants, exclusive to meaningless games at the end of the season, juggernaut Rangers.”
What a visionary!
Not only was this game deja vu – but it was deja vu on steroids!
And yep – the Blueshirts were definitely juggernauts on Bunny Day!
At ten-minute mark, the Rangers remained with their 1-0 lead and held a 4-3 SOG advantage too.
After CZAR IGOR stopped Dubois from point-blank range, Lindgren then flashed the glove against Lafreniere with 8:27 remaining.
Down to 6:15 remaining – the lone Cap goal – McMichael’s breakaway:
🚨#ALLCAPS GOAL: MCMICHAEL BURIES ON A BREAKAWAY🚨 pic.twitter.com/oMGaTaPGom
— Capitals Replays (@CapitalsReplays) April 5, 2026
1-1 – but where at least I didn’t have to hear McDonough scream about a shutout again for the next forty-plus minutes!
The Caps almost got a lead right after this goal – as an Ovi-to-Protas attempt hit the post so hard that it was actually one of the most audible <DINGS> that I’ve ever heard on television.
But this failed opportunity would be the end for Washington.
As the goalies made a few more saves, then, and down to 58-seconds remaining – and the Caps took their first of two consecutive delay of game penalties (puck over the glass).
Ryan Strome’s younger brother, Dylan, took this penalty.
The Rangers didn’t score during these final seconds, so in turn, they opened up the second period on a 1:02 man-advantage.
1-up through twenty-minutes of play.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-1 after 1. 1P Thoughts:
— #NYR start 2P on a 1:02 P.
— SOG tied at 6-6 too.
— Sheary is anti-tank – 5 goals in last 11 games – you know he’s being extended.
— Only one real Rangers’ mistake – and the breakaway went into Igor’s net.
— Not much to like about this year -…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 5, 2026
SECOND PERIOD
The Rangers didn’t score on the remainder of the Strome penalty, but once concluded, and at just the 69-second mark (nice), and former Islander Anthony Beauvillier air-mailed a puck over the glass.
Down to two-seconds remaining on their second power-play – and Miller made the man-up teams go 1/2:
J.T. Miller restores the Rangers’ lead on the power play 🚨
Capitals vs. Rangers is live on Sportsnet 📺 pic.twitter.com/A28qwbuwhM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2026
2-1, GOOD GUYS.
It didn’t take much longer after this goal for the Rangers to improve their lead to 3-1, GOOD GUYS, and as Cuylle did after the Schneider pass:
Will Cuylle also gets on the board! 💪 pic.twitter.com/DqXWuV03cM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2026
Right after his goal?
Then, and at the 6:28 mark, Cuylle went off for holding Duhaime.
Once removed from the box?
Then Cuylle stormed right out and then blasted a puck behind Lindgren – and as he did with 11:27 remaining:
OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX ➡️ A GOAL 🚨
Will Cuylle has his second of the night 👏 pic.twitter.com/cd5BFXR3Nw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2026
4-1, GOOD GUYS!
This wasn’t a true jack-in-the-box goal – but the desired result was accomplished regardless!
It was also at this moment where I couldn’t believe that Lindgren remained in the Caps’ net.
Again, I understand that Thompson was busy yesterday against the Sabres – but you’re playing for the right to make the post-season.
Glenn Hall, RIP, is laughing at the Caps right now from beyond the grave.
A goalie change had to be made here – but of course – that’s a problem for D.C. – and not for me!
As I review my live/Tweeter notes, then I almost forget about this play:
Down to 10:17 remaining and Zibanejad almost scored – but his breakaway attempt first hit Lindgren’s pad – then took a Caps’ bounce, by a millimeter at that, off of the post and away from the goal line.
That may have also been the best fortunate break that the Caps got all game!
CZAR IGOR, rarely challenged, brushed up his skills with 7:32 remaining, as he denied, never-a-factor-tonight, “The Great Eight.”
Come 6:38 remaining?
That amazing fourth line goal:
What a pretty play – and perfectly executed too #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 6, 2026
5-1, GOOD GUYS!
Right after this, Lindgren then gave up a juicy rebound to Perreault – but no one was able to cash-in.
It also looked like Lindgren wanted to cry – or just have a Snickers’ bar.
As this never-ending pummeling of the Capitals continued, then, and with 2:48 remaining – and Cuylle smushed Ryan Leonard with a big, yet clean, open-ice hit.
Chychrun, I guess to his credit, tried to defend the rookie’s honor.
So much for that:
Two goals and now a fight for Will Cuylle. #NYR pic.twitter.com/7BjKJ5BxDW
— Remy Mastey (@MasteyRemy) April 6, 2026
We then got another fight with 2:05 to go – Kartye v. Duhaime – and the Rangers won this second tilt too – what a far cry from 2021!
Here’s the second KO of the evening:
Now #NYR Tye Kartye and Brandon Duhaime go at it.
Frustration kicking in for the #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/u2rJgW90qx
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 6, 2026
I said this after the CZAR IGOR fight against Markstom – but not only are the Rangers fighting more – but they’ve shed the “CLUB” label too.
They’re a team now – and even if it’s way too little and way past late.
Since Duhaime started all of this, then the Rangers got a power-play out of it.
For the finishing touch of this here best period of the season – and this is when Fox just absolutely embarrassed the older brother of his best friend:
Adam Fox extends his point streak to five games 🔥
Catch all the action on Sportsnet 📺 pic.twitter.com/RYO0ZF2849
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2026
6-1, GOOD GUYS!
Lindgren, who must’ve had diarrhea in his pants, almost gave up another goal, but under a minute remaining and the Rangers’ fourth line had a 2 x 1 try broken up by a Caps’ d-man.
Regardless?
The Rangers, Touchdown, Washington, one measly goal, after forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
6-1, #NYR, after 40 – and after arguably their best period of hockey this season too. Thoughts:
— Hopefully they get good karma for not tanking.
— Cuylle, 1 assist away from the Gordie Howe.
— Everyone is kicking ass – five unanswered goals – two fights won.
— What’s up…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 6, 2026
THIRD PERIOD
During the intermission break, and when thinking that the Caps should go out and hire Roy right this instant; then I was also thinking about NDA Panarin.
Listen, nothing changes about NDA Panarin – he’s the greatest free agent signing in franchise history.
That said, then a lot of the negative stuff about his on-ice play – the puck hoggin’, the never-ending passes to nowhere, the turnovers, no back-checking, etc, have allowed everyone else to step up with him now removed from the equation.
And again for the 7867886796767986th time – he wasn’t much of a post-season player either.
As Ranger fans were celebrating this game while also talking about next season; then here was one of my responses/defenses in regards to Jonny Brodzinski:
I would def keep Brodzinski as a 13F/injury replacement. Great locker room guy, leader and mentor too – and he accepts any role presented to him with a smile on his face. #nyr https://t.co/CZCVfMZh07
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 6, 2026
When opening this period then it should be mentioned that the Rangers had six goals on twenty-two shots – a season-high shooting percentage of 28% (rounded-up).
They’d ultimately finish at 25% – a season-high – which goes along with the season-high eight goals scored figure too.
Here’s Trocheck’s 7-1, GOOD GUYS, goal:
Vincent Trocheck scores the Rangers’ 7th goal 🚀 pic.twitter.com/xOZ6wTFHK8
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 6, 2026
At the 3:03 mark, CZAR IGOR woke up and made a breakaway save on Ethen Frank – but Schneider slashed the Cap in the process.
Cuylle almost scored a short-handed goal here.
With the Capitals doing jack-shit, then I thought that CZAR IGOR had a chance to score his first NHL career goal.
After all, with Lindgren shaking like a leaf out there – then I thought all that #31 in blue had to do was sail the puck 200 feet the other way!
That’s how bad Lindgren was!
At the 7:29 mark, then this is when Wilson hit Borgen, late at that.
No penalty – but where it was hysterical when ESPN cameras caught Borgen just laughing in the face of TW43.
My, oh my, have the mighty have fallen!
Another thought I had at this time, and especially after watching the fourth line have another spectacular shift?
This one:
I didn’t watch much of Hartford this year (so I’m just looking at black-and-white stats – and not viewing their games in living color) – but how are the Wolf Pack so bad, while conversely – and the Rangers have made leaps-and-bounds with all of these call-ups – and against good NHL teams too?
Down to 9:37 remaining and McMichael tripped Fox.
Much like my Hartford commentary?
Then this is why watching the games – and not looking at stats – THE EYE TEST – is the only thing that matters.
My point?
The Rangers didn’t score a power-play goal here, thus dropping their man-up success rate to 50%.
However, this wasn’t a failure.
This was all about trying to get Cuylle his hat trick – as no joke – and the Rangers fed #50 four times while never looking at Lindgren.
All that Cuylle could do, and much like everyone else, was to laugh.
And he’d soon get the last laugh too!
The only thing left to mention aside of Cuylle completing his hat trick was Laba winning his first NHL fight (by a 10-9 technical decision) over Hendrix Lapierre:
We’ve got a Noah Laba fight now!
He dropped the gloves with Hendrix Lapierre.
That was a surprise. pic.twitter.com/hmEZnbtPBr
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 6, 2026
Oh yeah – and CZAR IGOR denied Ovechkin for the last time, #8’s third try overall, after a frustrated slapper from the NHL goal scoring kingpin – and as he did with 3:43 remaining.
Just as you thought that the final score would remain as 7-1, GOOD GUYS – and Lindgren pooped his pants when Cuylle put in the 8-1, GOOD GUYS, his hat trick, goal:
Will Cuylle completes the hat trick in an 8-1 BLOWOUT of the Washington Capitals 👀🎩 pic.twitter.com/LhalC9HCfB
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 6, 2026
8-1, GOOD GUYS, your final – and where for the first time this season, this weekend – and writing about this wretched team has become fun again.
Despite my pro TANK status, then these past two games were a reminder of why I first opened this site a baker’s dozen years ago.
But once more time – let positive karma reign supreme come Cinco De Mayo – the date of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery!
Bask in the Blueshirts’ post-game glow – as we sure as hell need it this season!
Here’s Cullye and company:
Here’s another word-salad Sully soliloquy:
Up Next For The Rangers: Two well-deserved off-days, followed by the home finale on Wednesday night against a playoff bound Buffalo Sabres’ team – and a Lindy Ruff squad that needs a win in order to improve their playoff positioning.
Up Next For Me: Some R&R following a weekend of R-hockey!
(And maybe I’ll get around to tallying the Frank Boucher Trophy voting – and where I have something like 350 ballots to count.)
(It’s not too late to vote should that be your desire either!)
After all, then I didn’t think that I’d be around to write about either of these wins over Detroit and Washington this weekend – but how could I favor sleep when the team is making (rare) positive history?
Up Next For All of Us: Forget tanking, enjoy what you’re seeing, and with some time off between games, then wouldn’t this be a perfect time to catch up on the rest of your reading?
What a segue-way to your favorite segment and mine, you know…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
