Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Five more losses games to go.
Off puck drop tonight, and in case you missed it, then I covered the Rangers’ loss to the Devils from this past Saturday, and everything else that transpired from Sunday as well, right here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/4525/
I bring up Saturday’s loss and blog for one reason – as I wanted to run back the numbers game.
Here’s our latest “Captain’s Log” – and where of course – the Blueshirts are without a captain themselves these days too:
— 11-1 – as that was the SOG total, in favor of the Rangers, prior to Tampa’s second shot on goal of the game – which of course – went for a goal.
— 25% – which is how the Rangers’ penalty kill fared against the Bolts, as the Blueshirts allowed three power-play goals during four separate man-down situations.
— 80.4%, which is the Rangers’ penalty kill success rate after this game.
— 12, as the Rangers, formerly top of the league in the penalty killing department, are now 12th-overall today.
— 1, as in the one Ranger power-play goal scored tonight – and the only goal that the Blueshirts scored for that matter too.
— Ten, as Zibanejad, the lone goal scorer, broke his ten-game goal-scoring drought tonight. (Throw a parade!)
— 2 of their last 28, 3 of their last 46, and 5 of their last 66, which is how the Rangers have fared on their most recent power-play attempts.
— 3, as in how many power-play goals that the Rangers have scored in their last 17 games played.
— 27, as in 27th-overall in the league’s power-play rankings, based on the Rangers’ 17.4% (lack of) success rate.
— .250% – which was CZAR IGOR’s save percentage after Tampa’s first four shots on goal.
— .818%, which was CZAR IGOR’s save percentage following his 4 goals allowed, 18 saves showing in net.
— .974%, which was Andrei Vasilevskiy’s save percentage following his 1 goal allowed and 38 saves showing in net – and where if you were arguing about it before, then there’s no question about it now (and especially after an ECF head-to-head win in 2022 too) – it’s the Big Cat in Tampa that’s not only the best goalie of his own generation – but the best Russian tender in the league today too.
— 3 x 3 – as Tampa’s top three forwards, Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, all finished with three-points a piece.
— 0, which was how many points the Rangers picked up at even-strength during these sixty-minutes.
— Another 0, as in how many even-strength goals the Rangers have scored in their past two games played.
— 1, which was how many stupid penalties that Alexis Lafreniere took tonight.
— Minus 2, which was Artemi Panarin’s rating, the game’s low, as “The Breadman” once again failed to bake during another “must win” match.
— 1:45, which accounts for the time-span that it took for Tampa to score three goals, en route to their early 3-0 lead – and then eventual 5-1 win.
— 4, as in how many text messages that I received from the Rangers during the past two days, in their feeble attempts when asking me to buy discounted tickets for this game.
— 17,130, tonight’s official attendance – as these games aren’t selling out anymore. (For those who don’t know, then 18,006 is considered as a sell-out.)
— 5, which is the Rangers’ tragic number. For those who don’t know what that means, then any combination of Montreal points gained (and where Detroit is now in the mix too) and Ranger points pissed away, then the inevitable will become official – no playoffs this year.
— A big fat zero – which was the reality of the Rangers’ reaching the postseason – and as was clearly evident for some time now, including when going all the way back to December.
These are the real numbers – and not from the realm of made-up analytical junk – and once again, another example of the Rangers’ uncovering new levels of rock bottom to sink to – their signature this season!
Unlike whatever that was against New Jersey, and really, what most Ranger games have been this season – no effort, care or interest displayed at all – and this 5-1 loss wasn’t that same old tune.
Instead, and as the numbers posted above would suggest – and this was just one of those games where a team gets “GOALIE’D” – as the Rangers could do no right on this night, while Andrei Vasilevskiy could do no wrong.
And had this been last season, or any other season where the Blueshirts had long secured their playoff fate – then you wouldn’t have minded this loss – as instead – you would have just chalked it up as “one of those type of games.”
But as you are all way too aware – and the Rangers are not that type of a team during this 2024-25 campaign.
In fact, quite the opposite.
After all, the Blueshirts are already long beyond the points of “moral victories” and “forget about it and move on.”
Instead, every game, and as it’s been for a while, is pretty much played under “MUST WIN” conditions.
And unfortunately for these here 2024-25 Rangers – and all of these “MUST WIN” games have been largely “Find A New Way To Lose” losses.
There were many reasons why the Rangers lost tonight, and outside of Vasilevisky’s super-powers in net, then it was largely the same old shit, including, but not limited to, the following:
— Another major net loss disparity on special teams.
— Nothing at even-strength.
— Nada from the FAT CATS, sans one fluky power-play goal.
— Horrendous coaching and line-up decisions out of Bozo The Bench Boss.
— One brain-fart, a fatal gas blast that lasted 1:45, that dashed any hopes of winning – but hey – at least you couldn’t blame K’Andre Miller for this one – as he didn’t play tonight due to an undisclosed illness.
In a new wrinkle this season – then this 5-1 loss didn’t start off as bad.
As noted above, the Rangers raced out to a 11-1 SOG advantage.
Then the game turned.
Down to 9:08 remaining and the Blueshirts received the first power-play of the match as Oliver Bjorkstrand had tripped Adam Fox.
The useless man-up advantage, which of course, always features the same five or six players (depending on how Lavy feels about Kreider that day – and a CK20 that’s been trying to become the sole leader of the franchise’s power-play goal record during the past two-months), couldn’t beat Vasilevisky.
On Tampa’s first penalty kill of the game, the Bolts had one breakaway denied, while Brandon Hagel hit the post on another try. After that, and with just 12-seconds remaining on the Rangers’ man-advantage – and Kreider hooked Anthony Cirelli – which not only meant that the Blueshirts’ power-play was now 0-1 – but that Tampa was about to embark on a power-play of their own.
Up next you ask?
A frightening 1:45 of Ranger hockey – and here’s how it went down:
— At the 13:09 time-marker, Brayden Point found Nikita Kucherov for a no-doubt-about-it tap-in goal – and a PPG that was only scored 27-seconds into Tampa’s man-advantage.
— At the 13:45 mark, the Rangers coughed up the puck, Yanni Gourde sneaked past Carson Soucy – and BLAMMO – 2-0 Bolts.
— To prolong the pain, then just nine-seconds later (the 13:54 mark for you math majors) and Sam Carrick cross-checked Cirelli.
— Come the 14:54 mark and Point kicked the Tampa field goal with his 3-0 power-play goal – which also meant that the Rangers were now 0-2 on the PK and 0-1 on the PP.
What’s that phrase of mine again?
Oh yeah, this one:
“Special Teams Swing Games.”
Not to be outdone, despite this game being done, and Alexis Lafreniere, who was previously warned by the officials not to mouth off at them again, decided to do so once more.
With just 2:33 remaining, and the first-overall pick, more bust than breakout, was boxed for a ten-minute misconduct – but where fortunately for the poor rubes who actually thought tonight would be the first time this season where the Rangers made a multi-goal comeback – no man-power was lost.
The Rangers, who just looked as deflated as a popped breast implant, were able to pump themselves up a bit when entering the second period still down by three goals.
However, and despite an 18-5 second period SOG disparity in their favor – and all the Rangers could do come the end of forty-minutes of play was to decrease Tampa’s lead to two – and as they did, via a 3-1 score.
A puck-luck Zibanejad power-play goal, as a Panarin Hail Mary shot from long distance had somehow caught his left skate, which as a result, deflected past Vasilevskiy, was scored at the 3:16 mark.
And that would conclude the Rangers’ scoring on this night – as there would be no “Stone Cold Stunner” of a comeback victory after this 3-1 goal scored at 3:16.
As Tampa was conservative and comfortable with their lead, they also kind of allowed the Rangers to “rope-a-dope” themselves too – as despite the Blueshirts’ high volume of shots – and most of them were clean looks for Vasilevskiy.
And during the rare instances when #88 in Tampa white did have some traffic in front him?
Then he made those saves too – including a pair against Lafreniere.
Down to 1:48 remaining in the second stanza, and the Rangers had a chance to cut the Lightning lead to one, as Matt Rempe, part of a fourth line that was the best trio that Lavy had under his employ tonight, drew a frustrated J.J. Moser for slashing.
But since Lavy is hellbent on always using the same players on his power-play, then Rempe, and his linemates too, which were Brennan Othmann and Jonny Brodzinski on this night, weren’t rewarded – aka – the usual.
They didn’t sniff the ice once during this final 1:48 – nor during the first twelve-seconds of the third-and-final frame either.
After officially going 0-3 on the power-play during the onset of the third period – and Tampa just clamped down.
The Rangers, through two periods, had 31 SOG, between a 13 SOG first period and their 18 SOG second period.
They managed eight SOG during this MUST WIN period – which was also the same amount of SOG that Tampa finished with.
After dominating the puck early, but not doing much with it either; then come do-or-die time – and the Rangers took back-to-back late penalties.
With 8:54 remaining, Will Cuylle held Kucherov.
However, and somehow, and the Rangers’ PK reverted back to their old selves – as not only did they create short-handed chances (but Vasilevskiy denied all comers too) – but they didn’t allow Tampa to put a SOG on CZAR IGOR either.
But it wouldn’t take long for Tampa to go on the power-play one more time – and their fourth attempt during this match too.
Down to 6:00 remaining and J.T. Miller high-sticked his former teammate, and one that he once was traded with to the Lightning too, former Rangers’ captain, and the current alternate in Tampa today, Ryan McDonagh.
As it seemed like the Rangers were about to escape these crucial two-minutes unscathed – and blammo – with 20-seconds left on Tampa’s power-play – and with 4:20 left on the clock too – and the Rangers were officially smoked – as Point had scored the 4-1, game over, goal.
Not only had the Rangers essentially burnt four-minutes off of the clock late with their two bad penalties – but Tampa had made them pay too.
As many fans hit the exits, while others stayed around to boo these FAT CATS off of the ice, then the only other thing left to see, providing that you are gambler, was if the -5.5 over would hit.
And when head coach Lateralette (and boy – who was right when predicting this two-years ago?), in another last ditch effort when hoping for a miracle, pulled CZAR IGOR with 3:40 remaining – then it seemed like such an event would become likely.
Hagel made it official with 2:42 to go – following his 35th goal of this season, this one an empty-netter – and as assisted by who else – Captain Mac himself – and a McDonagh who will always be remembered as not only a great Ranger – but as part of one of the worst trades that former Blueshirts’ GM, Jeff Gorton, ever made.
(But when McDonagh goes into the Hall of Fame one day? Then he’ll go in as a Bolt – and not as a Blueshirt.)
Then again, this 2018 swap was also one of the best trades that Tampa Bay has ever made too – and as is evident by the two rings that currently adorn the fingers of #27.
5-1, Bolts over the Rangers, your final – and where you could see the grim reality of their fate written all over their faces during their usual post-game crybaby interviews.
To make matters worse, and if you’re like Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing” – then not only do the Rangers need to win-out, while also needing Montreal to lose-out – but Detroit, because of one less game played, has also leap-frogged over the Blueshirts in the standings.
Here is our 82-game mantra, which is also known as my 33-word daily disclaimer, that I post on this site after every game played:
“WHATEVER THE RANGERS DO FROM NOW UNTIL THE TRADE DEADLINE DOESN’T MATTER. THEY CAN ONLY BE JUDGED BY WHATEVER THEY DO FOLLOWING THE DEADLINE AND BY WHAT THEY DO IN THE 2025 PLAYOFFS!”
In other words, seventy-seven down, five to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matter, begin.
But at this rate – will the Rangers even be there for the real hockey?
Magic Eight Ball is saying, “Lay off the meth.”
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – a listless loss against the Devils:
NYR/NJD 4/5 Game Review: Blueshirts Show No Signs of Urgency, Desperation or Interest in Winning; Get Shut Out in Newark Again, The Gutless Puke Known as Missing Mika Zibanejad; The Fire Drury & Laviolette Vibes Continue To Burn Strong, Rangers’ Rock Bottom Numbers Sink To New Lows, Reader Feedback, The Great Eight Completes Classy Chase of The Great One, Standings & More
On Monday morning, GAME DAY, the Rangers held an optional practice – and one that all of the young players participated in – and one that all of the FAT CATS, sans Trocheck, declined.
As guys like Othmann, Rempe, Brodzinski, Jones and Perreault were all out there trying to better themselves; then it was reported by Johnny Lazarus that the BFF’s, Mika and Kreider, were hanging out back and playing volleyball against J.T. Miller and Adam Fox.
I understand that these guys are real human beings, have outside interests and need distractions – but with your season on the line – and your four regulars on the power-play couldn’t be bothered?
Soon enough, and they’ll have all the time in the world to play volleyball together – although, Kreider and Mika may no longer be spiking volleyballs as Rangers anymore – as instead – they’ll most likely be spiked from the organization this summer.
I certainly blame these four players for not having their head in this MUST WIN game – but I can’t say that I’m surprised about it either.
This is all on the head coach of this country club – Bozo The Bench Boss.
Rather than demanding his regulars to get in some extra power-play practice time; instead, he was content with this foursome spending some time with Wilson – and where like the famous character from “Cast Away” – then I need to see Zibanejad cast away too – if not deported!
Following another non-mandatory practice, and Laviolette spoke to the media before the game, where he said that “we need to pick up some wins.”
He’s just figuring that out now?
Where has he been all-season?
Perhaps he was too busy with his college barber:
As far as any other pregame news, then it was reported that K’Andre Miller, who missed Sunday’s practice with an ailment, was still sick:
What a shame https://t.co/5PKEM9vu9i
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 7, 2025
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the seventy-seventh game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Miller/Mika
THIRD LINE: Kreider/Carrick/Perreault
FOURTH LINE: Othmann/Brodzinski/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Soucy/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Borgen/Jones
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Quick
LTIR: Adam Edstrom
SICK: K’Andre Miller
DONE FOR THE SEASON: Arthur Kaliyev
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Brett Berard, Calvin de Haan, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Jusse Parssinen
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
|
TBL
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 39 | 1 | 38 | .974 | 27 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 22 | 4 | 18 | .818 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58:59 | 0 |
Since I was at work for this particular crappy contest, then I missed some of the pregame show.
However, from what I caught, then I was glad to see Henrik Lundqvist there – and not the seven-foot shithead, Sieve Vagistat.
Between his work on both M$GN and TNT – and Lundqvist, born in the same 1982 year as me, and a fellow EYE TEST MAN too – truly is “THE KING OF COMMENTARY.”
He’s just a freakin’ natural at this – and while I know that I’ve said this once or a thousand times before – then I wanted to say something complimentary tonight since this blog is mostly negative.
When I tuned in, then I heard Lundqvist say the obvious – “Tonight could be it for the Rangers. This could be the last six-games for this group, as the summer will change things. Lives will change.”
While Lundqvist didn’t use any names; but I think that it was kind of implied that he meant that the organization will do their best when trying to saying toodles to two of the volleyball players from Monday, Kreider and Zibanejad.
Come 7PM, we then went to Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti, and where we greeted with this:
“OH JOE, GUENTZEL ON THE RIGHT, KUCHEROV ON THE LEFT, AND I’M STUCK RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU JOE!”
Okay – Rosen didn’t say the “stuck right here in the middle with you” part – but he did say everything else!
(He’d also later confuse Winnipeg for Toronto too – bless Sam’s heart!)
As both Sam and Joe admitted how much the Rangers sucked and didn’t give any effort at all against the Devils; then out of nowhere, and we were informed that the Rangers would be handing out their Mr. Ranger Award, now in its fourth year, prior to puck drop.
Rosen said how the number seven is huge in Rangers’ history.
But of course, this statement only solely applied to the legacy of Rod Gilbert – as Frank Boucher, a three-time Cup champion with this team, which means that he’s won 75% of all championships in franchise history, remains perpetually ignored by the morons who run this organization.
29-years with one organization, and a Hall of Famer to boot, and all the Rangers can do is omit Boucher from their rafters and history.
Speaking of Boucher and omissions?
Then I almost forgot to open the voting for this year’s Frank Boucher Trophy winner.
That’s how bad this Rangers’ season has been!
For those unaware of the trophy, then you can find the full 411 here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fb24/
To vote, then either reply in the comments section with your candidate or just email me at BULLSMC@aol.com
I’ll tabulate all voting – then announce the winner – and prior to Game 82 of the season.
(And if you’re new here, then you can also find out everything and anything Frank Boucher related here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/retire-frank-bouchers-7/ )
While on the topic of the number seven?
Then another famous #7 for you?
Fiery Phil Watson – and wouldn’t you know it – he’s the featured subject of my next upcoming book – and one that I’ll have more time to work on with no playoffs in sight this Spring.
Prior to baritone John Brancy belting out another amazing rendition of the National Anthem; and Adam Graves, who should have a statue dedicated to him outside of M$G, and Judy Gilbert, widow of Rod, presented this year’s Mr. Ranger Award.
And as you know by now – Jonathan Quick won it.
Similar to this year’s McDonald Award – and there wasn’t much competition for this one either.
Outside of Jonny Brodzinski, then I can’t think of any other Ranger that deserved this prestigious award more than Quick.
And yeah, just to say it:
How ironic that in 2025, now eleven-years removed from one of the darkest days of in all of our fandom, that Quick, formerly one of the biggest Blueshirt villains of the modern era, now has the right to call himself “Mr. Ranger?”
As they say, “Time’s a flat circle!”
That said, and as noted – and Quick was more than deserving of this award.
Not only has he emerged as a valuable locker room presence, but he’s also taken several of the young Rangers under his wing – which also includes his one-time rent-free tenant, Matt Rempe.
Elsewhere, and Quick (and his wife too), now returned to his native Connecticut, have done a ton of local charity work – which is what this award is really about.
When it comes to Brodzinski, who also would’ve been worthy of this award, then it’s easier for Quick to do more charity work – as Quick has made over $100M playing hockey – while the former captain of the ‘Pack, who also takes all of these Baby Blueshirts under his wing too, is only making $787K this season.
And I don’t mean to be insulting here at all – so let me make that clear!
I’m just saying what it is.
Here’s how the Rangers are saying it is too, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/jonathan-quick-named-winner-of-fourth-annual-rod-gilbert-mr-ranger-award:
New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick has been named the recipient of the fourth annual Rod Gilbert “Mr. Ranger” Award, given to the Rangers player “who best honors Rod’s legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice, and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
Quick, 39, has posted a 10-6-2 record in 22 appearances for the Blueshirts this season, along with three shutouts. He has achieved multiple milestones this season, including becoming the first U.S.-born goaltender to earn 400 wins and the 15th goaltender in NHL history to do so, as well as becoming the 17th goaltender in NHL history to appear in 800 career games, and the second U.S.-born netminder to do so. His 403 career wins are tied with Grant Fuhr for the 13th most in NHL history. He is the sixth different goaltender in the past 50 years to register three shutouts in a single season at age 39 or older.
The three-time Stanley Cup Champion has been an invaluable presence for the Rangers since joining the Blueshirts prior to the 2023-24 season. Quick has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates through his mentorship – for both young players and veterans alike – and the numerous off-ice initiatives in which he has taken part. In December, alongside a few teammates, the Milford, Connecticut native participated in hosting a Rangers holiday dinner with the Garden of Dreams Foundation. At the event, which hosted over 200 families affiliated with the NYC Department of Homeless Services, Quick and his teammates served meals to families and were involved in activities with the youth in attendance as part of bringing life-changing opportunities to young people in need. Prior to the beginning of this season, Quick – alongside several of his Rangers teammates – participated in the Shoulder Check Showcase, an event in Stamford, CT, that raises awareness about the importance of mental health in athletes. In addition, following the Rangers’ recent road game in Los Angeles, Quick – who played with the Kings for parts of 16 seasons – donated signed memorabilia on behalf of the Rangers organization to two Blueshirts fans who live in Los Angeles and lost their homes during the Southern California wildfires in January.
Below are the past winners of the award:
2024-25 – Jonathan Quick
2023-24 – Adam Fox
2022-23 – Jacob Trouba
2021-22 – Chris Kreider
Congratulations to Quick.
Speaking of Ranger goaltenders, then one last pregame note before getting into the super-abridged GAME REVIEW segment.
As previously predicted in this space, then following the Rangers’ signing of Callum Tung from last week, and this meant that Louie Domingue wasn’t long for this organization.
With Dylan Garand as the #1 in Hartford and with Tung now backing him up, and Domingue, now 33-years-old, became the odd-man out.
Domingue, who previously played in one game this season for the Rangers as a recall (a 6-2 win over Chicago on 1/5/25), is now off to Russia.
H.C. SKA, of the KHL, announced that they have signed Domingue for the remainder of their season.
Not only is SKA CZAR IGOR’s former team, but it was also the club that former Blueshirt, Tony DeAngelo, played for at the start of this season before finding his way back into the NHL with the Islanders.
Domingue will always be known for “spicy pork and broccoli;” but in the interim, he’ll now be known for “kasha and borscht!”
I’m on no sleep, I already recapped the game well enough above and there’s no use in reliving this nonsense once more.
For tonight’s GAME REVIEW, then only what I said in real-time after each period – and the goals scored too.
But as always, then if you want the complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter feed here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
See you on the other side of this for what’s next.
FIRST PERIOD
Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point team up to break the ice for Tampa on the power play!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/2EHym2DJN8
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 7, 2025
What a play by Gourde 🔥
The Bolts take a quick 2-0 lead 👀 pic.twitter.com/55BTb9wpov
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 7, 2025
Brayden Point’s 40th goal of the season extends Tampa’s first period lead to 3!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/I2MZynHevq
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 7, 2025
3-0, not #NYR, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— The Rangers are just not watchable anymore.
— Another disgrace.
— Only the fourth line seems to care.
— Rangers had a 11-1 SOG lead, now 11-9.
— Special Teams Swing Games, TBL 3-3, NYR 0-3.
— PP is 1 of last 29, 2 of last 44.…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 7, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
Mika gets a PP Goal. #NYR pic.twitter.com/ewxQP9LhmN
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) April 8, 2025
3-1, TBL, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— You’d like that #NYR period if it wasn’t for the fact that they were already down 3-0.
— Too little too late for the only team in the NHL with no multi-goal comebacks this season.
— AV is showing us why he’s the best goalie of his…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 8, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
Jake Guentzel finds Brayden Point for Point’s 41st goal of the year, 4-1 Lightning!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/GV141Kgdz2
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 8, 2025
5-1, Bolts, final. #NYR https://t.co/pbL0K5O0BJ pre-blog thoughts:
— If this season wasn’t one of the worst in franchise history, then you’d chalk this up to just being “GOALIE’D.”
— If you didn’t think this season was over in December like I did, then it’s over now -…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 8, 2025
Up Next For the Rangers: The Flyers on Wednesday night at M$G – and where as reported earlier – TNT – and not M$GN – are reuniting John Davidson and Sam Rosen.
That’s worth your time alone.
Heck, if you’re sick of the Rangers, then close your eyes and just listen to these two tell war-stories.
For what it’s worth, then I thought that Joe Micheletti was gracious and classy when promoting this event during Monday’s M$GN broadcast.
However, it was never mentioned why this one-time event is taking place on TNT – and not on M$GN.
But what we’re probably thinking is the answer, the 2021 event now known as “Et Tu Drury.”
At this rate, and already long resigned to no playoffs this season – then I’m only looking forward to this game in order to hear the best duo to ever do it call one more game together.
And who knows?
Maybe TNT will throw us a surprise guest too – Phil Esposito!
It was also brought up that Henrik Lundqvist, a regular on TNT (and he does a better job there when compared to whenever he’s forced to carry that slug Vagistat around), will also be in-studio.
For a sports junkie like me, then this Rosen/JD reunion is like whenever Mike Francesa and Chris Russo get back together – but where unlike “Mike and The Mad Dog” – and Rosen & JD have a true friendship and bond that’s life-lasting – and one that’s never been fractured once either.
Up Next For Me: ZzZzzZzzZ time.
Up Next For You: Your favorite segment, which brings us to…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
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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/
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LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
Big Picture: games not selling out plus no 1st round games at MSG means Dolan is going to change things.. May be for the wrong reasons, but that’s only details. Laviolette looks like he’s as checked out on this as any of the players. Drury got the GM job by being best pals with Dolan; is that still the case, does it save him? Can point to getting to the ECF 2 of the last 4 seasons, coupled with 2 disasters.
Really hard to assess the utter disgust in I now have for 93 and 20. Kreider’s contract in very tradable. Mika’s isn’t. But at this point, 93 can spend his nights thru 2030 in Hartford beginning next season, cap be damned.
Or to the ECHL affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen. Lots of nice places he can DJ at down in the Jacksonville/ St.Augustine area. He has to be gone.
I was going to pick a 4th liner like Rempe in this awful season but I think its Cuylle’s award this year. I just hope he hasn’t been poisoned by being around this group and has a long and productive career here. Also, and this is not a knock on Quick whose been better than anyone could’ve hoped for in a back up net minder, but isn’t it pretty sad when you have to pick a backup goalie as your Mr. Ranger. That’s all you need to know about 2024-25.
I’m still not sure how you get rid of Zika Mika. His contract is so long, and his NMC is total and tight.
From an outside perspective, he’s equal third on the team in points. As a GM (that might be an idiot), when you get rid of that, who takes his place? On paper, he’s a producing member on a low producing team.
I’d bet good money any GM will write this off as just a bad season for him, particularly when the rest of the team isn’t shining above him, and keep him at least another season. I can’t see any new GM coming in getting rid of him just on that alone. And should the unfortunate happen and Drury stays, then he won’t get rid of him because he’s got nothing to replace him with. He’d look foolish for giving him the contract in the first place.
Kreider though, he’s gone I think. Unlike Mika, others have far outproduced him this season and with his injuries someone might think it’s better to just move on from him.