NYR/MTL 4/7 Review: “The Breadman” and “THE BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS” Continue Their Epic & Historic Seasons; The BFF’s Show Up Too, The Deserving Vincent Trocheck Wins The Prestigious Steven McDonald Award; Thank You NYPD, Lots of Franchise Records Set to Be Broken; JAGRWATCH Down To Eight Points, Insane Roslovic Overreactions Actually Overshadow Rempe’s Return; Vesey Gets Top-Six Time, Presidents’ Trophy Dream Becoming Reality, Laviolette, M$GN & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. For your BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS, it’s now 78 games down and 4 to go!

On a night where I admit that I was distracted a bit when watching this game, because of some little event known as “Wrestlemania” going on at the same time (and while I thought that I was an “innovator” years ago for having two televisions in my man-cave –  but by now, and with iPads, laptops, phones etc – two screens is no longer impressive – as instead – three screens in homes feel like the new norm), the first half of Sunday’s Original Six tilt felt a little bit “ho-hum.”

While never boring, the Rangers had a tough time when trying to get Montreal backstop, Cayden Primeau, to break.

Compounding matters was that with just 29.5 seconds remaining in the first frame, the visitors, the playoff-eliminated Canadiens, struck first, following a fluky rebound goal scored by Cole Caufield.

Trailing 1-0 when entering the second stanza, the Rangers, and as it was the case during the previous twenty-minutes, spent the first ten-minutes of this middle period by making Primeau look like some sort of “Transformer” – a man-made goalie machine – and one created by using the DNA materials of Patrick Roy, Jacques Plante, Gump Worsley, Georges Vezina, Carey Price – and UGH – maybe Sam Montembeault (http://bluecollarblueshirts.com/1624/ ) too!

For whatever reason, some Blueshirt backers still believe that this team is done after surrendering the first goal of the game.

By now, and if you’ve been reading this site all-season, or even if you were just following my Tweeter account (https://twitter.com/NYCTheMiC ) on Sunday night – then you know this to be true – not me.

After all, in a season where it feels like most wins come via the comeback – once again – that was the case in this particular 5-2 victory.

The Rangers, who previously failed on a first period power-play, received their second man-advantage at the 12:21 mark. Ten-seconds later, and Mika Zibanejad, when looking to pass the puck to Kreider, found the skate of a Montrealer defender (Joel Armia) – and where as a result – the puck squeaked by Primeau.

1-1 – and a score that remained as both teams took to the ice for the third period.

Come the 3:05 mark of these final twenty-minutes of regulation, and the Rangers were right back on the power-play, following an Armia hooking call on Alex Wennberg.

As it was on the team’s previous power-play – the Rangers wasted no time in taking advantage of this opportunity.

Panarin, who assisted on Zibanejad’s goal, picked up his second assist of the game on this power-play, as following his shot from the slot, a shot that was intended to hit the stick of Kreider, the intention became reality – as CK20, and as he always does, deftly deflected the puck past the opposing netminder for his 38th goal of the season.

And go figure:

For a player that never scored 30 goals in a season prior to his tenth-year, Kreider scored 52 goals in 2021-22, 36 in 2022-23 and is now two shy of picking up the big 4-0 in this campaign.

Not shabby for a player that some refer to as a “power-play merchant!”

But on a night where both of the BFF’s showed up multiple times in the box score – it was the player that’s been carrying this team since October of ’23, and during what will soon be remembered as the best season in franchise history, Artemi Panarin, that once again continued his mountain-top apex campaign.

Following a pass that can only be described with the word “gorgeous,” and as it was when Lafreniere fed his favorite winger – Panarin scored his team-leading 46th goal of the season at the 6:09 mark.

Now at 3-1, all that was left to do was close out.

But for “Lavy’s Lot,” who always have a flair for the dramatics, they soon saw Alex Newhook score a breakaway goal at the 12:13 mark.

While we didn’t know it at the time – this would be the final lamp that Montreal lit.

At the 16:56 mark, Jimmy Vesey, now returned to the top-six, and for as temporary as it may be – made a beautiful defensive play – and an even more beautiful pass to Zibanejad for the 4-2, GOOD GUYS goal.

No less than two-minutes later, and an unselfish Panarin, who could’ve continued his chase for goal number fifty, instead settled for assist number sixty-nine (nice), following Lafreniere’s 5-2 SEE YA empty netter.

5-2, GOOD GUYS, 5-2, GOOD GUYS your final, where as a result, your standings, as of this writing (the Stars are playing the Avalanche as I type these words), look like this:

For those wondering, the BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS, three wins away from clinching the Presidents’ Trophy in the event that everyone chasing them also wins out, would draw the Detroit Red Wings in the first-round had the season ended tonight.

But as mentioned many times over during the past few weeks – the Rangers’ first-round playoff opponent won’t be determined until the events following each team’s 82nd contest of the season – and as the Red Wings, Islanders, Penguins, Capitals and Flyers figure it out.

(And for more on this, check out my last few blogs on this site – and manifestos which are all linked below.)

What a ride thus far – but a ride that MUST continue through the middle weeks of June.

At this time, let’s get into all of the pregame news and notes, followed by tonight’s GAME REVIEW.

However, let’s go out of order tonight, as I believe the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award takes precedence amongst all.

While you can read “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” for the complete history of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award; on Sunday, April 7th, Vincent Trocheck won the 36th incarnation of this esteemed award.

Here was the short-and-sweet presentation – and where I’ll have more words about this ceremony during the GAME REVIEW segment too:

Conor McDonald announces Vincent Trocheck as this year’s recipient of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.#NYR | @NYRangers | #NoQuitInNY pic.twitter.com/yiW7plSeyw

— x – Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) April 7, 2024

Officially, here’s what the Rangers said, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/vincent-trocheck-named-winner-of-2023-24-steven-mcdonald-extra-effort-award:

The New York Rangers announced today that forward Vincent Trocheck has been named the winner of the 2023-24 Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, presented by Northwell.

The Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is presented annually to the Ranger who, as chosen by the fans, “goes above and beyond the call of duty.” The award, which has been given annually since the 1987-88 season, bears the name of devoted Blueshirt fan and New York City Police Detective Steven McDonald, who was shot and injured in the line of duty on July 12, 1986 and passed away on January 10, 2017.

Trocheck, 30, has recorded 25 goals and 50 assists for 75 points in 77 games for the Rangers this season, establishing career highs in assists and tying his career high in points. Among Blueshirts, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native ranks second in points, third in assists and hits (167), and fourth in goals. In addition, Trocheck has a team-leading 58.5 faceoff win percentage that ranks fourth in the NHL.

The second-year Ranger has hit multiple milestones this season, including his 300^thcareer assist (Jan. 23 at SJS), 500^th career point (Mar. 2 at TOR), and 700^th game (Mar. 9 vs. STL). Trocheck also represented New York at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.

Below are the last five winners of the award:

• 2023-24 – Vincent Trocheck
• 2022-23 – Ryan Lindgren
• 2021-22 – Chris Kreider
• 2020-21 – Adam Fox
• 2019-20 – Mika Zibanejad

Here’s Trocheck speaking about this honor during an intermission interview with M$GN’s Michelle Gingras:

Vincent Trocheck on the honor of receiving the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award and being embraced by New York.#NoQuitInNY | @NYRangers | @michellegingras pic.twitter.com/2UHemtmgQz

— x – Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) April 8, 2024

As I’ve been saying for a while now on this site, and for many months now too when championing Trocheck for this award – I thought that #16 was the best candidate to stand with the McDonald family on Sunday night.

From his career season, his role on the GAG LINE 2.0, his work on the power-play, his duties on the penalty kill and just his overall attitude – and with all due respect paid to everyone else – I couldn’t think of anyone better for this award this year other than NONNA TROCHECK’s BAMBINO.

And let’s not forget – Trocheck wasn’t even slotted in the role that he currently has at the start of the season – as instead, Filip Chytil got the nod.

But as said many times before – Chytil’s concussions (and I don’t mean this in a disrespectful manner – I’m just saying what it is) was a blessing for both Trocheck and the Rangers.

Nothing against the Czech – but I just can’t envision him making the same impact for this team as Trocheck has made this season – where not only did Trocheck begin the season on the team’s third line (or the bottom-six), but come mid-November – not only was he now the team’s second-line center – but he immediately became the team’s first-line center too – and despite however the ignorant beat reporters list “Lavy’s Line-Up.”

And for all of that talk from last season, and where there was some validity behind it too – that Trocheck didn’t have any chemistry with the team’s best player, Panarin – and as the previous #16 on the club, Ryan Strome, once had?

All such thoughts and notions are kaput today.

Congrats to Mr. Trocheck, in what’s not only been both a career-season and All-Star season for #16 – but a season that he’ll never forget either – and especially if we can get that long overdue parade in June too!

Following Friday night’s foray in Detroit, come Saturday, and now returned in New York, the team had the day off – and where I am to assume that like me – they were watching Night One of “Wrestlemania” too!

But of course, come Sunday – nobody was watching Night Two of “Wrestlemania” – or at least not live!

And if I was one of these eccentric billionaires like an Elon Musk, then I would pay Sam Rosen to personally call WWE’s biggest event of the year for me – and if you saw my Twitter page on Saturday night (https://twitter.com/NYCTheMiC ) – then you know exactly what I mean!

“OH JOE, HULK HOGAN, SHANNON HOGAN, NO RELATIONS JOE! ANDRE THE GIANT, MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, NO RELATIONS EITHER!”

And I think you get where I am going with this!

On Sunday morning, and during the team-sponsored “RISE AND SHINE” skate, Laviolette rolled out a new line-up – and one where Jack Roslovic got the night off – while Jimmy Vesey was inserted onto the BFF line.

For whatever reason, and despite you know, the Rangers being first-overall in the league and coupled with playing one of the worst teams in the NHL on this Solar Eclipse Eve night – many fans and reporters were going bonkers over this news.

How bonkers you ask?

Despite the fact that media (and league) darling Matt Rempe was also back on the fourth line – all that anyone could talk about was Roslovic being scratched.

And nothing against JACK THE RIPPER either, but as mentioned numerous times before in this space – there’s a reason why John Davidson, not exactly on best terms with the Blueshirts, flipped Roslovic to the Rangers for next-to-nothing in return.

My take on this BREAKING and EARTHQUAKE shattering story?

I did not care.

After all, I stand by my season-long daily disclaimer, a 25-word recitation that goes like this:

“WHATEVER THE RANGERS DO IN THE REGULAR SEASON DOESN’T MATTER. THEY CAN ONLY BE JUDGED BY WHATEVER THEY DO IN THE 2024 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS!”

Furthermore, and as probably repeated everyday since the events of the March 8th NHL Trade Deadline too – Laviolette has said that he would be rotating his line-up and experimenting with new things – two things that he has the luxury of doing due to his team’s placement in the standings.

And heck – while everyone was worrying about Roslovic, I was hoping that the head coach would flip-flop the cold-as-ice Mika Zibanejad and the hottest touch in the land, Barclay Goodrow!

Following the practice, the head coach conducted another edition of “LAVY’S LOUNGE” – and since Roslovic, and not Rempe’s fighting, dominated most of the talk (for the full explanation on this, then check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/4524/ ), then the Rangers actually uploaded this interview to their social media channels, including on their official YouTube account too:

Laviolette, and as you’d expect, said that his line-up changes were all a part of his previously mentioned rotation plans.

And after yours truly calling out the media for most of the season for not pestering the bench boss about the lack of performance from Mika Zibanejad, the Blueshirts’ beat reporters actually and gently tip-toed around this subject, but Lavy, and as he always does, just praised his players, but did add, “I don’t want to read anymore into it.”

Perhaps he’s aware of the disclaimer too – and where every player must show up when it matters most – starting on April 20th, the first game of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the seventy-eighth game of this 2023-24 season:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

As mentioned a few times already – I was also watching “Wrestlemania” during tonight’s broadcast – but for those worried about my fandom of men in tights – I did have the Rangers’ game on my bigger television – and with the audio louder too!

That said, once I saw that slimy scumbag, the seven-foot shithead, Sieve Vagistat, left to his own devices during the M$GN pregame show – I muted the broadcast until 7PM – and when both Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti entered our homes.

I would continue to mute the analytical asshole for the remainder of this broadcast – so whatever this jerkoff said tonight – I have no knowledge of it – nor care to know what the moron had to say either!

As noted above, I was shocked to see Micheletti, who was in Minnesota on Friday watching his 77-year-old brother get buried after a battle with cancer, back in New York tonight.

While we all grieve differently, for Jumpin’ Joe, work was his escape/process.

In other words, Micheletti gets a pass from me tonight.

Rosen does not, as once again, and without Dave Maloney to reel him in either – the senile and affable Hall of Fame play-by-play man had trouble differentiating goals and saves – and especially whenever a puck hit the post.

Bless Sam’s heart.

After Rosen told us that “Wrestlemania” and “Rempemania” were not related, and how the “Bloodline” and “GAG LINE 2.0” weren’t related either (okay – I’m making this up), we then had the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award ceremony.

I know that I’ve said some version of the following about a million times on this site, so here’s the 1,000,001th time:

I still don’t understand how any Ranger fan can speak negatively about the NYPD.

And for those wondering, such detrimental remarks come from the extreme left – you know – the same twats who would call the cops if anything bad had happened to them.

And yep, sorry, but not sorry – but this is just what it is – as whenever I see a Ranger fan besmirching our brave police – and then when examining their social media profile – all I see are pro-liberal postings.

This Ranger fan?

I support both boys in blue – the Blueshirts and the NYPD!

And I don’t envy anyone that works for the NYPD today, including my friends, as it’s a thankless job – and as we were reminded once again in the horrific and senseless murder of Jonathan Diller two-weeks ago – a deadly one too.

Conor McDonald, son of Steve, once a boy and now a man who has grown up in front of us over the years, presented Trocheck with the 2024 McDonald Award.

Conor, always well-spoken, did another tremendous job on Sunday night – and where as you would imagine – he also spoke about the Diller homicide too.

Similar to the Micheletti family, my condolences to the Diller family too – who unlike the Micheletti’s – lost a family member before the prime years of his life had even begun.

This whole story just sickens me – and I know that no one wants to hear my politics either, but I can’t help myself – but this Diller story is why I can’t stand all of the liberal-pushed bail reform, and their backward politics too, either.

A career criminal, who should’ve been rotting away in jail, callously and viciously ends a life – and ruins plenty of other lives in the process.

I’m sorry for bringing any reader down, so I’ll stop here.

But for these super liberal cretins, young fans, who worship at the altar of Henrik Lundqvist?

Why not take a page out of the book of your hero – and a complete class act too, #30 himself:

Well that was a tangent!

Moving on, and after Rosen reminded us that Ronald McDonald and Steven McDonald shared no relations, it was time for puck drop, which now means, GAME REVIEW time!

FIRST PERIOD

The Rangers, at one point, were out-shooting the Habs to a tune of 17-9, but it were the final three shots of the period, which pushed this ratio to 17-12, that led to a goal.

Following Mika’s opening faceoff win, both Lindgren and Lafreniere were denied by Primeau.

In what’s been notable recently ever since his return, and as was evident tonight too, was Lindgren’s offensive awareness.

How so?

#55 put five shots on goal, and where only Zibanejad (7) and Panarin (5) matched or surpassed this impressive total.

When Matt Rempe took his first shift at the 3:00 mark, then you would’ve thought that you saw Cody Rhodes pinning Roman Reigns – as the crowd reaction was explosive.

I do want to say this – and just to get it out of the way:

Rempe played a team-low 7:49 tonight – and where both Sam and Joe (and they were only working with the material that Laviolette had given them) were suggesting that the big man was a liability in one-goal/tight games.

For the life of me – I can’t think of one play that suggests such evidence.

Ever since Rempe’s debut, all I’ve seen from him, aside from his fights, is a guy who is hellbent on forechecking and crashing the net.

I can’t recall one instance of him ever turning over a puck that then wound up in the Rangers’ net.

Rempe’s ice-time fluctuated based on the score, as he played regularly during the first period, was benched for long stretches in the second and third periods, and only once the Rangers regained a two-goal lead, then, and only then, was he taking regular shifts again.

I get that he’s a rookie – but he hasn’t failed this team yet – nor has he ever had an egregious moment either.

And with the Rangers’ placement in the standings – I’d like to see him receive all experience imaginable – including clutch ice-time.

Long-story short?

Anytime Rempe jumped over the boards this period, in turn, the Garden Faithful proudly belted out his name – as #73 has already become a rare skater to receive such treatment usually reserved for a Rangers’ goalie.

Down to 15:25 remaining, and somehow, Kreider, from the boards penalty box side, successfully made a pass to the other side of the rink to Vesey. This set-up a shot for Trouba, but Primeau was able to make the denial.

Less than a minute later, and Panarin, while hounded by a Montreal rearguard, perhaps took one stride too many when going for a backhander – and other save for Primeau to boot.

In a funny moment for people like me, who were watching this game and ‘Mania at the same time – M$G pumped out “CULT OF PERSONALITY” through their speakers.

This told me that these people are either reading this site (as I’ve been quoting the lyrics from this song all season) or they were just marks for C.M. Punk – who at the time – was sitting at the broadcaster’s booth – but in Philadelphia!

Down to 13:01 remaining and Primeau stopped his first of many Ranger one-timers, this time on a Wennberg-to-Cuylle attempt.

Come 12:00 remaining – and there was Rempe disproving the “ALL HE DOES IS FIGHT” crowd again, following another lengthy forecheck and possession in the opponent’s zone.

A few seconds after that, and with 11:12 remaining?

Lindgren, when trying to slam home a rebound, was savagely crosschecked from behind by Michael Pezzetta, where with a name like that – he must be Asian – or at least that’s what Rosen told us. (And yes – I’m making this up – Rosen didn’t say this – I’m just trying to make you laugh!)

While Mika would later score on the team’s second power-play, he was the weak link on this one.

And really – even with Zibanejad’s fluky PPG that was later scored – for the life of me – I still don’t understand why Laviolette will shake up all of his lines, pairings and minutes – but will never give Lafreniere a twirl with the first-team man-up unit.

But, and as said many times this season – I’m just QUESTIONING a future HOF coach here – and I’m not CRITICIZING him.

But since we have the worst crop of beat reporters in franchise history – we’ll never get the answer.

Come the end of the power-play, and with the second unit on, Lafreniere made a jaw-dropping pass to Kakko – but the Finn couldn’t convert on this work of art.

As the Rangers were dominating both zone time and the puck; Montreal changed their fortunes as the period progressed.

CZAR IGOR stopped Armia with 8:33 remaining and then stopped Cole “Holden” Caufield less than a minute-later. Following the NYET NYET on Caufield, Slafkovsky, another first-overall pick, went wide on a rebound try.

As Zibanejad continued to pass himself out of scoring opportunities, Rosen remarked how important Mika has been for the Rangers this season – one of the biggest lies and acts of lip service that I’ve heard all-year.

As the period approached its waning stages, Primeau came up with a huge save on a Schneider 4 x 2 odd-man rush shot.

As Rosen was going on-and-on about the ages of every Montreal Canadien in their over one-hundred years of history – ugh – and blammo – Caufield, after rebounds afforded to both Savard and Matheson, banged a puck off of the back of CZAR IGOR’s right leg for the 1-0, bad guys goal – and with just 29.5 seconds remaining.

Micheletti then expressed his concern for Montreal’s lack of scoring this season – and how this was a positive event for the poutine-chowing crew.

I don’t think that Ranger fans sympathized with this fact.

This score remained as the first period became the first intermission – but I was never undetermined.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-0, bad guys, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— One of these feckless beat reporters have to ask Lavy why he’ll change lines and experiment elsewhere, but will always keep Mika on PP1.
— Outshoot the Habs 17-10, Montreal scores on shot #12 with 29.5 ticks left.
— They’ll find a way…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 7, 2024

SECOND PERIOD

Let’s fast-forward a bit – as it’s getting late – and ugh – I do have a double-shift ahead of me on Monday.

Primeau continued to stop every shot imaginable – including robbing a picture-perfect Fox-to-Panarin one-timer – his best save of the game – and one that took place with 11:39 remaining.

By the time we hit the halfway mark of the game/period, Zibanejad couldn’t handle a one-timed feed from Miller, while also passing a puck over to Vesey – a turnover – rather than shooting/going for a puck on pads play.

Now past the 10:00 mark, Kreider went wide, Vesey went high and Zibanejad induced a loud <DING> following his shot off of the iron.

And yep – Rosen said “WHAT A SAVE BY PRIMEAU JOE!” – and no – I’m not making this up.

Bless Sam’s heart.

As George Hainsworth, I mean Primeau, continued to come up with saves on Panarin, and as he did once again with 8:46 remaining; come 7:49 remaining and this is when Slafkovsky was boxed for blatantly tripping Kakko.

Ten-seconds later?

Zibanejad was blessed by the hockey gods:

Mika tallies on the power play! pic.twitter.com/odO9hOUY5L

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 8, 2024

1-1!

As you can see from this clip, Zibanejad was trying to feed Kreider, as CK20 was foaming at the mouth while anticipating the puck in the paint.

During this pass, the puck hit Joel Armia – and Primeau, who had a shutout at the time – never had a prayer.

This scoring play all started with Trocheck, who won the o-zone draw.

And since Panarin got the puck after Fox retrieved it – this earned him point #112 – and eleven points back from Jagr’s franchise single-season record of 123.

Two things happened after this goal:

One, Panarin was double-shifted again this season – which is why I was surprised that #10 wasn’t double-shifted in the loss to Pittsburgh – and where many fans, in a reaction to my comments, told me that “LAVY WILL NEVER DOUBLE-SHIFT PANARIN AGAIN IN THE REGULAR SEASON!”

As said then, and as I’m saying now – Panarin wants to play – and with a shot at Jagr’s record – he’ll want to play as much as possible.

Furthermore, the Rangers’ regular season ends on 4/15 – which means that #10 will have five days of full rest prior to the first puck drop of the playoffs.

Two, Mika was soon left all alone in front of Primeau – and his vacated net too – but couldn’t score.

During a Rangers’ 4 x 2 odd-man rush with 5:25 remaining, and Kakko, who has been heating up lately, lazily shot a puck right into a Montrealer. But since he’s been playing well lately, I’ll leave this topic alone for tonight!

As we hit 3:00 remaining, the GAG LINE 2.0 were all up in Montreal’s grill like a deep asshole wedgie – but the Canadiens survived this massive attack.

After this, Zibanejad came on again, and twice, and on the same shift, he forced a pass rather than shooting at an open net.

I just don’t get it.

I forget who said this to me on Twitter – but they were right – look at Panarin and Mika this season.

Panarin has embraced a shoot-first mentality, and as a result, he’s having the best season of his career.

Zibanejad, formerly of the shoot-first mentality, is now passing (and pissing away) during goal scoring opportunities – and as a result – he’s having his most depressing season as a Ranger.

With 28.3 seconds remaining, the Rangers closed this period as they did during the previous twenty-minutes – with an unfortunate event.

This time, it was when Cuylle was boxed for tripping Carrie Matheson.

(Yes, that’s a “Homeland” reference!)

Newhook hit a post prior to the horn going off, and as a result, we remained tied at one-all after forty-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-1, after 40, 2P Thoughts:
— It took a fluke/deflection goal for the Rangers to tie this.
— Even tho Mika scored – he still looks hesitant with the puck, not trigger-happy at all when shooting.
— I’ll go Rempe for the game winner! #NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 8, 2024

THIRD PERIOD

Early into the remainder of Montreal’s power-play, and CZAR IGOR saw a puck explode into his mask, following a shot from Slafkovsky.

This shot was so hard that #31 had to exchange buckets.

Following the timeout in order to exchange masks; Mika, while short-handed and on a breakaway, couldn’t convert.

But the Hab’s penalty was killed.

And after that?

The Rangers’ were now on the power-play, which then led to this:

Trocheck gets no stats. But watch what he does. He lifts the stick to allow Kreider the tip. #NYR pic.twitter.com/g4WiHAJ5CV

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 8, 2024

2-1, GOOD GUYS – another assist for Panarin – and another goal for Kreider too!

And “The Breadman” wasn’t done baking yet:

Panarin and Lafreniere, the NHL’s newest dynamic duo. pic.twitter.com/OZitxGMEmn

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 8, 2024

3-1, GOOD GUYS – and as a result of Panarin’s 46th sexy strike of the 2023-24 campaign – his 114th point of the season too.

Like Cody Rhodes on Sunday night – FINISH THE STORY!

As noted earlier, now up by two-goals with 13:51 remaining, Rempe was soon returned to the game.

Rempe didn’t disappoint.

On his first shift back, and with 9:40 to go, #73 set-up an attack that lasted a minute in Montreal’s zone, due to both his forechecking abilities and big hit on Montreal’s Harris. This attack also led to a SOG for Zac Jones – and because I haven’t really talked about him much (if at all!) – I thought that he played well tonight – as #6 continues his ascension.

But again – why Rempe gets benched late is beyond me – as all he does is deliver.

And this is no way meant to be a knock at the GAG LINE 2.0, nor Fox and Lindgren either, but after allowing a Matheson pass to Newhook, the Canadiens returned the game to a one-goal margin with 7:47 remaining – and where I only bring up the five-skaters on the ice for one reason – as Rempe wasn’t one of them.

With 6:45 remaining, Primeau had 38 saves while CZAR IGOR had 25 stops.

In other words – had the Rangers lost tonight – then yeah -the other goaltender was better.

But fortunately, such a hypothetical is just that – a hypothetical – and not a Rangers’ reality!

With 3:04 remaining, Zibanejad picked up his second goal of the game – and you can thank Vesey for this one too:

A two-goal night for Mika Zibanejad! pic.twitter.com/459pVNzvgQ

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 8, 2024

4-2, GOOD GUYS.

Again, let’s see Mika do this against the big dogs of the league – and not just exclusively against the cellar-dwellers.

But it’s a (late) start – and one more time for the people in the back – if Mika can have a hot playoffs, then no one will give one shit about his regular season.

Also worth observing?

Vesey, with this assist, and in his near 16:00 TOI in total, and where he also split time with both the BFF and the bottom-six tonight, had another strong showing.

My point?

This wasn’t a good night for the press-box Roslovic – who may have never had a chance – as Vesey has the experience, and trust, of this team, line and most importantly, of the head coach too.

In what had me howling, Rosen, and I quote, said “I don’t believe in the announcer’s jinx Joe!”

No shit:

With 75-seconds left to be ticked, this is when Panarin picked up his fourth point, point #115 on the season, following Lafreniere’s empty net strike – and #13’s career-high 27th goal of the season.

5-2, GOOD GUYS.

And for a team that continues to make history and crush individual milestones too – Lafreniere has a good shot of becoming a 30-goal scorer this season.

Thank the hockey gods!

5-2, GOOD GUYS, your final – where as a result of this 53rd win of the season (and with four games remaining), these 2023-24 Blueshirts tied the franchise record set in 2014-15 for most wins.

And I can’t see them going 0-4 to close the season either.

Aside from going for a franchise-best win #54, these Rangers, now with 110-points, are only three back (113) of the points accumulated by that same 2014-15 squad – where as you may know – also won the Presidents’ Trophy that season.

For those wondering, Laviolette is also on his way of exceeding the regular season success from Gallant’s first season too (52 wins, 110-points.)

But one last time as we get to the end here – it’s still Cup or Bust for these Blueshirts.

Here’s a happy Lavy after the win:

The Rangers have four-games remaining while chasing all history, both individual and team, a quartet of matches that look like this:

— 4/9 at the Rangers second home at Belmont.

— 4/11 at home against Philly.

— 4/13 in the last Rangers/Islanders game of the regular season – and if anyone has a pair of tickets for this game, then reach out, as I’d like to take my dear-old dad to this game.

— 4/15, the season and home finale, in a match against the dead-and-buried Senators.

Barring anything breaking on Monday, then see ya Tuesday after the game at the horse stables.

But for now?

It’s bedtime for me, which for you, means…

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/

Here are my last few blogs, in case you missed them:

NYR/DET 4/5 Review: BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS One Game Closer To Securing Presidents’ Trophy; “Lavy’s Lot” Find Another New Way To Win, GOODY GOT IT; Rempe’s Rise Rev Up “GAG LINE 4.0,” Rangers Outlaw “Fighting” From All Materials, Quick Continues Career Renaissance; Named 2024 Masterton Candidate, Zibanejad’s Lost Season; Wings Able To Cool off Panarin & Co., Updated Standings, Condolences to Joe Micheletti; Maloney Saves Rosen & More

NYR/NJD 4/3 Review: BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS Continue Winning Ways in Most Explosive Victory Yet (And During an Appropriately Named “TNT” Broadcast!), Peter Laviolette & Co. Respect “The Code” and “OLD TIME HOCKEY;” Travis Green Pays Homage to Paul Newman’s “Slap Shot,” The Legend of REMPEMANIA Grows; “Maulin’ Miller” & “Two-Piece Trouba,” Panarin’s JAGR WATCH Inches Closer-and-Closer, A Game To King Kong Your Chest About, Lafreniere Has Risen; Kakko Turning The Corner, M.I.A. Zibanejad, No “Devils’ Deja Vu;” Akira Schmid Who & More

NYR/PIT 4/1 Review: BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS Experience Travel-Weary Loss to Putrid Penguins; Rangers Remain as First-Overall Anyway, “The Matt Rempe Conspiracy Theory;” Big Man Sent to the Press Box Again – And The Media Blackout Too, Panarin Continues JAGR WATCH, Questionable Officiating; Questions for Laviolette Too, Frank Boucher Trophy Voting Open, The Legacy of Ching Johnson, Trying to Derail The Negative Trouba Train, Please Retire Sam & Joe; M$GN & More

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