NYR/BUF 4/8 Review: On Brand Blueshirts Close M$G Finale With All Of Their Bad Traits on Display – But “The Ethical Loss” Was Good For The Tank! CZAR IGOR Wins 74th Annual Frank Boucher Trophy; Final Voting Results Tallied, Upper Deck v. Parkhurst in the Rangers’ Centennial Card Wars; Ugh – A Signed Chris Drury Piece of Cardboard, “The Hockey News” Names Bill Cook As The Greatest Player in Franchise History, Defending Dancin’ Larry and Why; Hypocritical Birdbrain “We Love NDA Panarin – He Has a Cool Flip-Phone” Beat, Three Road Games Remain, M$GN & More

SeanNew York RangersNo Comment on NYR/BUF 4/8 Review: On Brand Blueshirts Close M$G Finale With All Of Their Bad Traits on Display – But “The Ethical Loss” Was Good For The Tank! CZAR IGOR Wins 74th Annual Frank Boucher Trophy; Final Voting Results Tallied, Upper Deck v. Parkhurst in the Rangers’ Centennial Card Wars; Ugh – A Signed Chris Drury Piece of Cardboard, “The Hockey News” Names Bill Cook As The Greatest Player in Franchise History, Defending Dancin’ Larry and Why; Hypocritical Birdbrain “We Love NDA Panarin – He Has a Cool Flip-Phone” Beat, Three Road Games Remain, M$GN & More
The centennial Rangers, who had already set many franchise futility records during this crappy campaign, completed their last game at M$G on Wednesday night in a 5-3 loss to their 2018 WINTER CLASSIC RIVALS, the Buffalo Sabres. Sully’s Squad, now with all forty-one home games under their belts, finished with a 14-20-7 record at M$G this season – another franchise low. And just to think – what if they didn’t have that late run during meaningless games down the stretch – and anti-tank victories that only decreased their draft lottery odds? Furthermore? Then with the way that they played all season – then they were extremely lucky to even hit double-digits in the home wins category too.

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. See ya in October M$G.

Sadly?

Then I don’t expect to see much improvement come Opening Night of the 2026-27 season – the 101st campaign in franchise history.

And just as I thought that this would be a quick ho-hum review – and we have plenty of news, all of it off of the ice, to discuss.

But hey, at least we have a new Frank Boucher Trophy winner to talk about!

We got a lot to get into, so grab your favorite beverage and dig in.

For the second consecutive season without postseason hockey – and where I’m sure many will soon follow too – then the Rangers lost an “ethical” tank game on Wednesday – that is – if you should subscribe to such a theory.

A lot of what transpired in the Rangers’ 5-3 home finale loss to the Sabres was pretty much a perfect capsule of what we saw at M$G all season – that is – sans for the fact that the Blueshirts actually scored a few goals in front of their Garden Faithful!

BABY STEPS!

In a game where Tye Kartye (0) and Conor Sheary (0) were the only Rangers to post a plus/minus rating that wasn’t negative (even Alexis Lafreniere, with two goals, finished as -2, while his center, Minus Mika, finished as a game-low -3) – and it actually looked like the Blueshirts could extend their winning streak to three consecutive matches, thus sending a rare sold-out house home happy.

It especially felt that way after two periods, where at the time, the Rangers, previously down 2-0, were now up 3-2 – and in another rarity – were also a flawless 5/5 on special teams too (2/2 on the power-play, 3/3 on the penalty kill).

Leading up to the 3-2 score after forty-minutes of action; and Ryan McLeod, off of the rush, scored the game’s first goal at the 4:40 mark of the first frame.

A Zach Benson deflection goal, after a shot from Rasmus Dahlin, improved the playoff-bound Sabres (I can’t believe that I just used those three-words either – “playoff-bound Sabres” – and that’s the first time I’ve ever used those words in succession during the past fourteen years too), at the 8:58 mark of this same first period.

As the Rangers were trying to prevent a three-goal deficit, then they got a break with just 1:26 remaining prior to the first intermission, as McLeod blatantly tripped BLUESHIRT BUCK, Adam Sykora.

Just 57-seconds into the Blueshirts’ first power-play of the game – and there was Lafreniere, once again, successfully emulating Chris Kreider – as he deflected an Adam Fox point blast for the 2-1 power-play goal.

The late goal was the catalyst of what was to come – as not only did the Rangers cut the Sabres’ lead in half – but they’d also soon score a total of three goals unanswered.

The second of the three unanswered goals took place just 2:57 into the second stanza, as rookie rearguard, Drew Fortescue, sprung Lafreniere for a breakaway attempt – and the eventual 2-2 tying goal too.

As the period progressed, then come the 14:14 mark and Peyton Krebs hooked Kartye.

Thirty-seconds later and there was Fox with a wicked shot for the 3-2 Rangers’ power-play goal – and his ninth goal scored in a season that was plagued with injuries for him.

Entering the second intermission, then the Rangers, who just knocked off two teams fighting for their playoff lives over the weekend, Washington and Detroit, out-shot the Sabres 12-11 in the first period and then saw Buffalo take a one shot on goal lead in the second period by a 8-7 margin.

In other words – then both teams were tied with 19 SOG a piece come the third period – and it was also at this time where we soon found out that the Sabres are a real playoff contender – while the Capitals and Red Wings were pretenders.

The Sabres, who again, previously gave up three unanswered goals at this point, answered the call – as they would eventually score three unanswered goals themselves.

In fact, Buffalo’s three goals – Alex Tuch at the 5:51 mark (a deflection), Jason Zucker (7:14 mark after some deftly moves displayed) and Benson once more (18:45 mark – an empty netter) – were thrice the amount when compared to the saves that their goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, had to make in this period.

In another disastrous, but fitting finish, and the Blueshirts, so prone to going on SOG droughts of ten-minutes or more, “opened” this third-and-final frame with a SOG drought of 18:30 – and where their only SOG was the end result of a 6 x 5 empty net attack (Miller).

In total, and to go along with their three goals – and the Sabres also out-shot the Rangers 8-1 during these final twenty-minutes of regulation.

What once was 3-2, home team, some twenty-minutes earlier, ended as 5-3, away team.

But of course, then for fellow members of TEAM TANK like myself – then the loss didn’t bother you.

Heck, a win could’ve been a catastrophe for like-minded thinkers akin to myself – as a win over Buffalo on Wednesday night would’ve given the Rangers the fifth-best odds at landing the first-overall pick come the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

Furthermore, then with the way that the new NHL Draft Lottery system works, then had the Blueshirts held on – then they could’ve even fallen to a seventh-overall pick.

With three games remaining on the docket, all on the road (Dallas, Florida and Tampa), then as of this writing – then the Rangers can jump to second-overall – and should the hockey gods smile upon the Big Apple – then perhaps during these next seven days, when the 2025-26 regular season is concluded – and they’ll also have a shot at the first-overall pick.

And wouldn’t you rather Gavin McKenna than a Lias Andersson type (drafted 7th-overall in 2017)?

In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Rangers’ best win of the season – and as it was on Sunday night in their 8-1 triumph over Washington:

NYR/WSH 4/5 Review: Blueshirts Beat-Up and Bash Caps In Easily Their Best Win of the Season (And Hello California Seals Too!); CUYLLE HAND LUKE Scores First NHL Hat Trick, Points & Fights Galore; Fourth Line Connects For One More, Super Spoiler Special Teams; Forget About “The Tank,” Tale of Two Franchises – Sully’s Squad Resurrects on Easter; Isles Have Eggs on Their Face After Firing Patrick Roy, Standings & More

In a squeaker and CZAR IGOR won this year’s Frank Boucher Trophy! Thanks for the late push guys and gals! (Full Disclosure for new peepers of this page: I did advocate for CZAR IGOR to win!)

Just over a week ago, on March 31st, I opened up the voting for this year’s Frank Boucher Trophy winner.

For the complete information on this trophy, its entire history, the voting process and everything else associated with this honor, then check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/33126/

Similar to most of our feelings about the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner – and the soon-to-be announced Team MVP award as well – then it felt like it was a no-brainer that Mika Zibanejad would win the Frank Boucher Trophy too.

After all, then there wasn’t any other player on the roster this season that stayed healthy throughout its duration, nor played at an acceptable consistent level either.

Then CZAR IGOR threw hands with Jacob Markstrom.

As I said following the Russian’s first fight win, then had the McDonald Award been presented at the same time of this Frank Boucher Trophy – then perhaps CZAR IGOR would’ve beat out Mika for the most prestigious award that any Ranger can receive.

After all, then that’s exactly what transpired here!

(And never underestimate the power of “recency bias” either!)

As noted last season and throughout this season too – and where I have no shame in admitting this either – and this site’s viewership has decreased.

I completely get it.

Hockey is at best, the fifth most popular sport in America today (NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA sports make more money/draw more viewers – and where you can even say the same about the UFC when compared to the NHL too).

Compounding matters is that the Rangers have been god awful for two-years now.

Since hockey, and especially in New York, is a niche sport that only draws casual fans when one of the three local teams in the area are playing well – then, and obviously as a result – and sites, blogs, podcasts, etc, like this one see their viewership dip/decline.

In another direct correlation to this point – and M$G, sold-out throughout the entire 2023-24 season, has featured dwindling attendances for some time now – sans a recent game against Montreal – but that was because more than half of the arena was filled by fans of the Canadiens.

That all said?

Then this Frank Boucher Trophy voting process, which once featured nearly 1,000 votes, hasn’t garnered the same amount of interest when compared to years past.

But we did get a shade more amount of votes than we did last year – but again – not by much.

Last year we received 304 votes for the 2025 winner, Matt Rempe.

This year and I received 353 votes for our 2026 winner, CZAR IGOR.

When comparing the votes from these past two (and bad) years, then last year, we had more candidates to choose from – but obviously – nowhere close to what we saw in 2024 (Presidents’ Trophy winning season).

This year and it was pretty much a two-horse race – and where as always – a few joke candidates/votes were thrown in too.

Here’s how the voting broke down (percentages rounded-up when applicable):

IGOR SHESTERKIN — 154 (44%)

MIKA ZIBANEJAD — 137 (39%)

THE FANS — 23 (6%)

NOBODY – 21 (6%)

TYE KARTYE — 9 (3%)

GABE PERREAULT — 6 (2%)

ADAM SYKORA — 2 (.5%)

CONOR SHEARY — 1 (.25%)

The Frank Boucher Trophy was first awarded in 1952 by the official fan club of the New York Rangers.

Previous winners:

1951–52 Don Raleigh

1952–53 Wally Hergesheimer

1953–54 Johnny Bower

1954–55 Edgar Laprade

1955–56 Gump Worsley

1956–57 Andy Bathgate

1957–58 Andy Bathgate

1958–59 Andy Bathgate

1959–60 Dean Prentice

1960–61 Gump Worsley

1961–62 Andy Bathgate

1962–63 Gump Worsley

1963–64 Rod Gilbert

1964–65 Harry Howell

1965–66 Harry Howell

1966–67 Harry Howell

1967–68 Rod Gilbert

1968–69 Eddie Giacomin

1969–70 Walt Tkaczuk

1970–71 Dave Balon

1971–72 Jean Ratelle

1972–73 Jean Ratelle

1973–74 Brad Park

1974–75 Rod Gilbert

1975–76 Rod Gilbert

1976–77 Rod Gilbert

1977–78 Pat Hickey

1978–79 Phil Esposito

1979–80 Phil Esposito

1980–81 Ed Johnstone

1981–82 Nick Fotiu

1982–83 Mark Pavelich

1983–84 Barry Beck and Nick Fotiu

1984–85 Anders Hedberg and Mike Rogers

1985–86 John Vanbiesbrouck

1986–87 Walt Poddubny

1987–88 Walt Poddubny

1988–89 Guy Lafleur

1989–90 Brian Mullen

1990–91 Mike Richter

1991–92 Mark Messier

1992–93 Mike Gartner

1993–94 Adam Graves

1994–95 Mark Messier

1995–96 Mark Messier

1996–97 Mark Messier

1997–98 Wayne Gretzky

1998–99 Mike Richter

1999–00 Mike Richter

2000–01 Brian Leetch

2001–02 Mike Richter

2002–03 Mike Dunham

2003–04 Eric Lindros

2005–06 Jaromir Jagr

2006–07 Henrik Lundqvist

2007–08 Sean Avery

2008–09 Blair Betts

2009–10 Henrik Lundqvist

2010-11 Henrik Lundqvist

2011-12 Henrik Lundqvist

2012-13 Henrik Lundqvist

2012-13 Henrik Lundqvist

2013-14 Henrik Lundqvist

2014-15 Mats Zuccarello

2015-16 Mats Zuccarello

2016-17 Mats Zuccarello

2017-18 Mats Zuccarello & Henrik Lundqvist

2018-19 Mika Zibanejad

2019-20 Artemi Panarin (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/4220/ )

2020-21 Adam Fox (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/5421/ )

2021-22 Igor Shesterkin & Chris Kreider (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fb22/ )

2022-23 Igor Shesterkin (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fbt23/ )

2023-24 Artemi Panarin (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fb24/ )

2024-25 Matt Rempe (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/fb25/ )

2025-26 Igor Shesterkin

CZAR IGOR is no stranger to the Frank Boucher Trophy, last winning it in 2023 and first winning it in 2022 (with Chris Kreider).

The bulk of the feedback that I got from voters who included their commentary with their vote was that it was akin to the McDonald Award – had Sam Carrick been around – then they would’ve never voted for Zibanejad.

Many voters felt like I did – their original vote was going to go to Zibanejad – but then CZAR IGOR created the loudest reaction at M$G in years – and as he did both during and after his fight with Markstrom.

For a Frank Boucher Trophy that is solely rewarded to the biggest fan-favorite of the season – then how you can ignore the player, who despite two different spells with injury this year, received such a roaring (and standing) ovation?

Granted, CZAR IGOR’s numbers aren’t where/what we are used to (but keep in mind – he did set a high bar – and just to give you the other side of it – then you must judge him harder due to his status as the highest-paid goalie in the league); but for a season full of misery – then his stats aren’t that bad either.

Following the closing of the polls, which took place after Sunday’s 8-1 win against Washington, then CZAR IGOR had a record of 25-17-5 in 49 games played, a GAA of 2.50, a save percentage of .912, 1 shutout and of course, one five-minute major penalty received too!

There have been fourteen players to have won the Frank Boucher Trophy more than once, including Worsley, Bathgate, Gilbert, Howell, Ratelle, Esposito, Fotiu, Poddubny, Richter, Messier, Lundqvist, Zuccarello, Shesterkin and Panarin.

Lundqvist, with eight wins, has won this trophy more than anyone else. Gilbert has won the trophy five times, while Bathgate, Messier, Richter and Zuccarello have each won the hardware four times.

CZAR IGOR now joins the three-timer club with this 2026 win.

There’s no reason to recap everything that CZAR IGOR has meant for the Rangers this season (you all know it) – and where perhaps his biggest mark on this team is felt whenever he’s out with injury.

But of course, the Frank Boucher Trophy, and just like any other individual accolade, isn’t the hardware that any Ranger today desires.

They, and like us, all want the Stanley Cup – and they’ll need CZAR IGOR to carry them there.

Congrats to #31, my favorite goalie and yours, CZAR IGOR!

You already know my spiel – I’ve been following CZAR IGOR’s career since 2017 (his KHL days) – and where I knew it in my bones when this picture was taken too (January of 2020) – his first NHL game was going to become the start of something big.

Just a few more things before continuing into our usual segments.

Previously, then I told you that I was thinking about doing an “UNBOXING” video with the new Rangers’ centennial sets that were released by Upper Deck.

I tried.

I really did.

But since I’m not exactly tech-savvy (I still use this same dinosaur desktop computer from 2002 – Windows 98 all day!), then it was tough to film.

I gave it a go on my cell phone – but everything came out dark – and the production was god awful.

While I’m my own person and really don’t care what others do; but it would’ve been embarrassing to release a crappy video (and where you could only see 75% of what I was doing) when there are much better videos out there on YouTube, including the one that Brian Attard, of BlueTruth (he’s on every platform/social media medium), put out there.

And since I wasn’t going to bother any of my friends and family to film a dorky video – then I decided to dead the idea right there.

However, then I did post a few shots of what I pulled on Tweeter/X this past Monday – and where a mini review will follow this series of postings too:

I feel like I got more money for my buck with my 2003-04 Parkhurst New York Rangers set – and where this too – Upper Deck failed big-time when figuring out who the most iconic Blueshirts were.

In case you’re new here – as I have said this many times before for my regular readers – then I’m not really a card guy.

I used to be as a kid – then I grew up – and as a result – I soon traded glossy pieces of cardboard for glossy magazine pages, ones of the adult variety!

(There was also the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue too – and one that didn’t include mentally ill men pretending to be women – and as sadly as is the case today.)

Now, and as an adult (or so I allege!), then I really only collect what I like – and I really don’t re-sell anything that I have either – that is – unless someone wants to make a mind-blowing offer for all of this stuff!

Ranger trading cards for me is just more memorabilia for a museum of Blueshirts’ items that takes up nearly a two-bedroom abode.

Being a noted and renowned “Rangers Historian” (that’s what Stan Fischler has anointed me as – and I’ll never shy away from such an honor!), then during the height of COVID, I purchased another one of these Parkhurst 2003-04 sets off of eBay (I previously had an incomplete set in my collection) – and where I think I paid something like $25 for it.

The Parkhurst set is vastly superior when compared to the new 2025-26 Upper Deck Rangers’ centennial set.

While Upper Deck’s set is easily flashier, prettier and full of inserts (including autographs); but they really dropped the ball when it came to releasing cards of every legend.

The Parkhurst set had everyone at the time – including Frank Boucher, Bun Cook, Dave Kerr, Ching Johnson, the Colville (Mac & Neil) & Patrick brothers (Lynn & Muzz), Lester Patrick, John Ross Roach, Alex Shibicky, Phil Watson and everyone else from the rosters that won 75% of championships/Stanley Cups in franchise history.

The Upper Deck set?

While they did have players such as Edgar Laprade (1950s), Bryan Hextall (1940 Cup champion), Bill Cook (why only Bill – and not brother Bun and center Boucher too was beyond me); but that was really it.

I purchased two sets from Upper Deck.

I’m now a proud owner of six different Sieve Vagistat cards, four Lias Andersson pieces of cardboard and as you can see from the picture posted above – a signed/autographed card of UGH – Chris Drury.

But I didn’t even get the uber-rare PIZZA MAN INSERT – and despite now having five new cards of the worst captain in franchise history – and the second worst GM that the Rangers have ever had too!

And while I was/am a huge fan of Tony DeAngelo – but I didn’t really need three different cards of him either.

Upper Deck has two sets out there – a regular one that you can find at retail stores for $50 and a hobby tin that can be purchased online, where all of the inserts and autographs are included, for $150.

For $150, then I was expecting to get every Rangers’ legend – and as I did with the Parkhurst set.

Autograph wise, the most valuable pieces of cardboard?

Then while Ryan McDonagh is one of my favorite players of all-time – and that Pete Stemkowski helped me with my first book too – then are their autographs really worth $150?

And I got two autographs of the same player – but since I collect for my own reasons and not for resale – then I’m not complaining about drawing two different Captain Mac cards – a future Hall of Famer in my book.

(I also know that you sent me a long email about trading cards reader Glenn B. – and I shall respond soon enough – as I’ve been pressed for time and I didn’t want to rush a response.)

I also received a 1/94 Brian Mullen card – and as regulars of this site know by now – then I have a connection to him too – as growing up on Long Island – and his uncle (who gave us free pucks to play with – pieces of rubber that we then beat the shit out of on our dead-end street) was my next door neighbor.

Again, I’m not a card guy – I can’t stress that enough.

While I might have something like 10,000 Ranger cards in my collection – but it’s not like I ever look back on them after opening them and putting them in plastic either!

(The only thing I open up every now and again? A few of my binders from the late 1990s when I was a teenager and got cards signed. I have something like fifty Petr Nedved and Jeff Beukeboom autographs – two Rangers that I always adored.)

I understand that sports cards, the hobby, the business, is booming these days – and I can tell that’s the case by me in Nassau County too – as I have seen a lot of sports card stores, all the rage when I was a kid in the 1990s, only to shut down in the early 2000s, pop back up all over the place again.

Living in a regular Long Island town – and there are now two stores within walking distance for me – so they must be making money.

(That said? And not one of them had these Ranger centennial sets on sale – as it’s the other sports cards that have the most value in the business.)

The Parkhurst set was for a real Ranger fan.

This Upper Deck set, while easy on the eyes, is for the casuals and re-sellers.

Also of note:

I was originally going to flush my new Vagistat cards down the toilet – but I didn’t want to run into a plumbing issue.

I’ll save them for the next time I use a porto-potty!

And with these two long segments out of the way – back to our regular programming – but there is also one last off-ice story to give an opinion on.

I’ve stayed steadfast on this opinion from day one – I don’t think Mike Sullivan is the right guy for the Rangers. I believe, now, and nearly a year later, that I was correct about this. After all, then don’t only look how the Rangers have finished this season – but the Dan Muse led Pittsburgh Penguins too.

Following arguably their most impressive back-to-back wins of the season over the Easter weekend (albeit, with not many candidates to choose from either!), then come Monday and the Rangers had the day off.

The next day, Tuesday and the team reconvened for practice in Tarrytown – and where not much came out of it – nor any news on who would be starting against Buffalo either.

On Wednesday, GAME DAY, the team held an optional practice.

The only thing of note during Sullivan’s pregame remarks was that CZAR IGOR would get the nod in net – thus allowing his starter to close out the home season finale – and not a one Dylan Garand – who probably needed the ice time more than the former Vezina Trophy winner – and the current Frank Boucher Trophy victor too!

But of course – and the Rangers’ news just didn’t end here on Wednesday.

Full disclosure: Dancin’ Larry is a friend of mine – so much so – that I’m even posting this picture of us knowing that some people will try to use it as a “GOTCHA” moment. AND THE HORROR – HE IS TOUCHING ME – HOW WILL I EVER GO ON?

Around the same time as Sullivan’s early Wednesday remarks regarding CZAR IGOR’s start, then a story originally published by Yahoo (that’s still a thing – but then again – I do use a Windows 98 computer to go along with my AOL email address) went viral in Rangerstown, USA.

I’m not going to fully recap what I found to be a story that will soon be proven incorrect, but since it’s news, then I’ll share the link to it – and you can find it here: Yahoo Sports.

This story, in regards to accusations made against Dancin’ Larry, was then picked up by Ms. Giggles of the New York Post.

The story was also picked up by other outlets – and where in not one of them – none of them asked Larry Goodman for his side.

(It should also be noted that many reporters failed to mention that Larry isn’t one of the defendants in this litigation either.)

Me?

I reached out to Larry and just offered him my support – as I’m sure he can’t talk about anything right now.

Plus, I didn’t want to bother him/press into his business – as he’s got bigger fish to fry.

And really?

Then I don’t need him to explain himself to me either – I already know he’s innocent.

One more time:

It should be noted that Larry isn’t named in this pending litigation as presented by a fired M$G employee.

After reading the original report, one full of liberal pronouns (they/their/Mx.), and especially knowing Larry myself – then I just felt like the whole thing was bullshit.

But to be fair, then should some sort of evidence emerge proving the contrary, then I’ll eat my crow, apologize and call myself out in this space.

That said?

He’s been a public figure for thirty-years – and I’ve never heard of this nonsense in regards to him before.

In fact, quite the opposite – and where Ranger fans like him so much that they even invite him to their own personal events (weddings, birthdays, graduations, etc).

To me, then this whole thing breaks down as the following:

A mentally ill former M$G employee, one that uses the made up pronouns, saw what the Rangers, M$G, James Dolan and NDA Panarin recently paid out to one of the player’s alleged sex victims.

This same former employee, and to their credit, is also aware of how the Rangers and Madison Square Garden companies have always paid millions in hush/go away money to people who accuse them (and where most of the time – these allegations do become truths) of vile activity. (See Thomas, Isiah.)

This legal savvy person then gets fired for being mad about bathrooms and in turn, makes up a story/a dangerous accusation about a famous Rangers fan – you know – one that’s on the scoreboard every game – and someone who has many people recording him elsewhere too.

(In other words, if “Mx. Pronouns” wasn’t making this up, then the video of these alleged offenses would be out there.)

I can also tell you that I’ve been around Larry about fifty times in my life – even when consuming alcohol together too – and I’ve never seen him doing anything like what he’s being accused of here.

In fact, I have seen countless of hundreds of people approach him for pictures – and where all of these people have left Mr. Goodman’s company with a smile on their face.

One of these people?

My ten-year old niece!

At the end of the day, then when a franchise sets a precedent for signing NDA’s and paying off people left-and-right, then you can only expect more of them to pop-up – including ones without merit like this one – and which only takes away/discredits the real victims.

All Dolan can do now is “dance, dance, dance!” – and “pay, pay, pay!”

There is also a reason why this great fan continues to be featured without issue at every game too – he’s innocent.

After all, then if the Rangers/M$G/Dolan thought he was a risk/legal liability – then they would take away his season tickets/ban him from the barn.

And for the people that have argued with me about him for years – then in every story regarding these allegations – and it’s confirmed that Goodman pays for his own tickets – as he is not an employee of the organization.

I’ve said this about Larry a few times on this site, and in closing, I’ll say it again here:

There are a lot of people who don’t like him and where I think jealousy is part of it – and where most of these people believe that he gets free tickets from the Rangers in order to do his silly and harmless dance.

If you’d like to see his act removed out of some sort of personal preference – then I get it – and I don’t care if that’s your belief either.

We’re all entitled to our own opinions.

But to accuse him of something so serious without any sort of evidence?

That’s just messed up – and where for a guy with a job, a family, etc – then even should he be proven innocent/this former employee being proven as a fraud – then his name will always appear in this scandal – as Google searches are forever.

After all, then extreme allegations – and not the final verdict – are always first-and-best remembered.

I know that this report has hurt Larry and I hope that he gets his day not only to defend himself – but a public admission from his accuser that this was all made-up for money too.

(And he now has a slander lawsuit that he can file against his accuser – and some of the members of the Blueshirts’ beat too.)

And yep, then while the two situations are completely different (Panarin did pay-off a former employee and M$GN did change their policy about staffers traveling with the team – conversely and Larry remains at every home game – and to reiterate – he’s not named in this legal filing/lawsuit either) – but this is now the second time in two-years where a story regarding sexual harassment has broken out at the end of a Blueshirts’ season.

And should M$G pay out his accuser?

Then you can expect another sexual-related lawsuit next season too – and where these allegations won’t stop until M$G fights off people looking for big shut-up money.

(We will have more on Larry during our GAME REVIEW segment.)

And are you ready for the worst segue-way ever?

Then also getting screwed on Wednesday was Dancin’ Larry himself – and just like every other Rangers’ season ticket holder this year.

After all, then check out this pregame text that I received from the Blueshirts:

A $50 ticket, 25% off of all merchandise, a free mini helmet and $1 hot dogs – and all for the home finale.

Season ticket holders sure had a ton of resale value with their ducats this season!

One last and quick thing before getting into our GAME REVIEW.

On Tuesday night, then I was flipping through the latest issue of The Hockey News – and where I was presently surprised to see that they named Bill Cook as the greatest Ranger in franchise history:

As noted in my Tweeter/X commentary – then you never see a true old school Ranger finish first in these lists – much less in the top-five.

While I would’ve placed Boucher first-overall – then I’m not complaining about Cook either.

And just like any other list of this sort – it’s all just content to spark debate.

But I do think that THN got it pretty much right – because if you’re just complaining about a spot here and there – and where no one will ever agree on anything either – then you did a good job.

In other words, then there wasn’t anything egregious – and where unlike Upper Deck’s centennial set – and the name Sieve Vagistat was never mentioned!

Here was Silly Sully’s line-up for the seventy-ninth game of this wretched-and-rotten 2025-26 season – and the M$G season finale:

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
Igor Shesterkin#31
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
26 4 22 .846 18 4 0 0 0 58:27 0
BUF
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen#1
SA
GA
SV
SV%
ESSV
PPSV
SHSV
SOSA
SOS
TOI
PIM
20 3 17 .850 16 0 1 0 0 60:00 0
Another piece of my never-ending Rangers’ collection – a Henrik Lundqvist Hall of Fame puck.

After talking about this subject for a few weeks now, then “The King of Commentary,” Henrik Lundqvist, returned to M$GN airwaves on Wednesday night following his long sabbatical.

Better than that – and Sieve Vagistat was nowhere to be found either!

Praise the hockey gods!

For whatever reason, and this Rangers/Sabres game wasn’t just exclusive to M$GN (which holds the rights to both the Blueshirts and the Swordsmen) – as it also aired on TNT.

Lundqvist, an employee of both M$GN and TNT, stayed with his home network (plus, he lives in New York – and not in Georgia where TNT’s studio is located), while regular M$GN play-by-play man, the best in the business, Kenny Albert, worked for his national employer tonight.

In turn, then it was the best pinch-hitter in the game today, Alex Faust, who had the call with the youngest captain in franchise history, Dave Maloney.

There wasn’t much more that Lundqvist could really say about these Rangers anymore – as after all – then we all know what it is.

But it was nice to see him present some kid (I’m guessing 17-years-old), Steven Persia, with a $60K check (on behalf of the Garden of Dreams) for his upcoming college education at N.Y.U.

The only other thing left to note is that the Rangers wore their centennial jerseys for the last time this season.

While arguably their most fashionable and eye-popping sweaters yet; then I think they finished the season something like 3-10 in them – and where how can we forget about all of those early shutout losses sustained at the start of this season either?

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!

Lundqvist, on his successor, mentioned on M$GN that he was jealous that he didn’t get to fight during his Hall of Fame career like CZAR IGOR did against the Devils. Personally? Then I wouldn’t have minded a tilt between Lundqvist and Braden Holtby! Photo Credit: NYR

FIRST PERIOD

A pair of American gold medal winners, J.T. Miller and Tage Thompson, took the final first period draw at M$G this season – and where Captain Culture won it.

Say what you want about Miller this season – and we’ve said it all – but if there was one thing that he’s been consistently good at during this crappy campaign, then it’s his success at the dots (61.1% tonight – and against top competition to boot).

CZAR IGOR was challenged early, recording his first save of the match at just the thirty-second mark.

Not even half-a-minute later and Mika Zibanejad rung a puck off of the crossbar – the first of many Ranger scoring chances this period – but where none of them went in until they got their late power-play.

Will Cuylle was an example of this, as at just the 2:20 mark, UPL left his net temporarily vacated – but the man who just scored a hat trick couldn’t finish here.

Come the 3:35 mark, CZAR IGOR came up with a pair of saves on Thompson – but just 65-seconds later and McLeod beat him off of the rush:

1-0, Buffalo.

The Rangers, again, who had chances to score multiple goals in the period, almost saw Noah Laba tie the game at the 6:20 mark – but after a turnover from a Sabres’ d-man – and UPL came up with the biggest save of the game.

During this T.V. timeout and just to be funny – then NO – there was no centennial tribute for the former two-time Ranger employee – and now the two-time head coach in Western, NY today – Lindy Ruff.

For that matter, then nothing for Sam Carrick either – but of course – then he’s presently out recuperating from a suspected broken arm.

As it felt like the Garden crowd was being overran by Sabres’ fans (while not as intense and loud as it was against Montreal – but it did feel like there was a lot of Buffalo support among the 18,006 sold tickets), then down to 11:02 remaining – Braden Schneider coughed up a puck right in front of Igor’s net, the Sabres were quick to create traffic and set screens – and blammo – there was the Dahlin-to-Benson connection, with the latter out-muscling Fortescue while in the Rangers’ goalie’s crease, for the 2-0 deflection goal:

It was just a shame that Carrick wasn’t there to enjoy this.

Down to 9:30 remaining and it looked like the Blueshirts were cooked for the night – but CZAR IGOR kept them in there – and as he did when he stopped Kesselring with 9:30 remaining.

About a minute later, Zibanejad, while wide-open and with nothing but net to shoot at, tripped over that same wire that Lias Andersson once famously tripped over while attempting a backhanded shot after a perfect set-up by Lafreniere.

To be fair, then if Mika was a southpaw like his winger – then he most likely would’ve buried this puck.

As we got under 7:00 remaining, Krebs almost had a breakaway while CZAR IGOR denied Thompson once more.

The Rangers then had two more chances after this – but Lafreniere just missed Perreault for a tap-in try with five-minutes remaining – while UPL then stopped the best Rangers’ rookie today on a tic-tac-toe attempt some 40-seconds later.

During this T.V. timeout and M$GN showed us some clips again of the 1994 team – and because Alexei Kovalev was in the building.

During this 798679867768698679867986798679867986th tribute to the 1994 team – then it hit me:

My dad was 44-years-old in 1994.

I will turn 44-years-old this June.

(FUN FACT: Me and Ryan McDonagh share a June 13th birthday – albeit – I got seven-years on him – but he has seven more digits in his bank account than I do!)

Despite my dad being 32-years older than me – and we’ve only seen one Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory in our lifetimes.

SAD!

Even sadder?

My grandpa, now deceased for 23-years, saw all four Ranger Stanley Cup victories.

Again, me and dear-old dad?

Only one!

To close the period, the first Rangers’ power-play of the game – and then their first goal scored too:

2-1, visitors, after twenty-minutes of action.

Here’s what I said at the time:

I don’t know what to make of Lafreniere’s post NDA Panarin success – but I really don’t think it makes a difference on how I view him. He was just as bad as everyone else when it mattered. In other words, then I need to see him have a strong and complete season next year – or else he’ll forever be known as “Alex LafrenDAIGLE.” Photo Credit: NYR

SECOND PERIOD

Fox put the Sabres on the power-play just 23-seconds in – but once killing off the penalty?

The Fortescue to Lafreniere feed – and the 2-1 goal too:

Come the 5:00 mark, Zibanejad forced a turnover in the Sabres’ zone – but UPL, again, was able to come up with the timely stop.

The Rangers, who had all of the momentum following the penalty kill and Lafreniere goal, continued their attack.

Laba almost scored a rebound goal. Robertson was denied. Gavrikov took displeasure with Krebs – but where no gloves were dropped. And down to 8:31 remaining and UPL was able to fend off a Schneider shot too.

It wasn’t until there was 5:46 remaining when the Blueshirts would prepare to take over the scoreboard.

With Krebs in the box – and this is when Fox put the Rangers ahead, 3-2, with his power-play goal:

Now up by a goal – and the Rangers tried to give it right back.

Down to 3:29 remaining and Trocheck went off for slashing Bowen Byram.

After Gavrikov was denied on a short-handed try, then and with 2:25 left in the period, and the mad Russian cross-checked Jason Zucker.

The end result?

A 56-second 5 x 3 Buffalo power-play.

Ruff, knowing the stakes, elected to use his timeout here.

No matter for the Rangers – as they eventually killed off the two penalties – and for good measure – Trocheck and Cuylle almost hooked up on a potential 2 x 1 short-handed score – but there was UPL for the save on the backhanded try on #50 in powder blue.

As noted up top, then to close the period, the Rangers were not only leading by a goal – but were also a perfect 5/5 on special teams too.

3-2, Sully’s Squad, through forty-minutes.

The worst was yet to come – that is – if you’re not a card carrying member of CAMP TANK.

Here’s what I said at the time:

As I’ve been saying for the past two-weeks, then I thought that Dylan Garand deserved one last start on home ice – but Sully is paid to make these decisions – and not yours truly! You may have heard! Photo Credit: Getty Images

THIRD PERIOD

To open our final period of play at M$G this year – and Thompson beat Miller at the dot.

The Rangers had chances to score early – but they could never put the puck on net – and as their soon-to-be 18:30 SOG drought would suggest.

Sheary couldn’t hit the net. Laba had Sykora open but didn’t put enough sauce on his pass. A Sheary to Mika try went just wide.

And after surviving five-minutes of the Rangers’ attack – and the Sabres tied the game on their first SOG of the period – and as Tuch did at the 5:51 mark after deflecting a minuscule piece of a Krebs shot:

3-3.

Just 83-seconds later – and Zucker scored one of the prettiest and skilled goals of the season:

4-3, Sabres – and your game-winning goal too.

Josh Norris almost made it three Sabres’ goals within 1:30 – but CZAR IGOR was able to fight off this attempt.

It was also at this time where I was hoping that this score would hold – and again – because a second-overall pick is a vast difference from a seventh-overall pick.

Come ten-minutes remaining and the 0/3 Sabres’ power-play got a fourth chance after Big Billy Borgen held Feed My (Beck) Malenstyn.

The Rangers’ penalty kill went 4/4 – as just 43-seconds into this one – and Norris hooked Kartye.

Despite just a 43-second power-play after the 1:17 of foreplay – and again – no SOG from the Rangers.

Mika had an open net to shoot at but passed over the idea of shooting – and again – with no Rangers’ SOG at this stage of the game.

Miller then had a great look – but he just completely missed/whiffed/fanned.

With the Rangers not shooting – and with no whistles or TV timeouts because of all the goals scored, icings and penalties – and the rest of this period flew by.

And since there were no stoppages – then there was never a chance to get this guy on the scoreboard – and as is tradition:

Dancin’ Larry has encountered thousands of Ranger fans over the past thirty-plus years (including my own family) – and not once, until today, was there ever any sort of negative allegation against him. Stay true Larry – and don’t listen to the jealous haters.

To give you a Dancin’ Larry update, and where I hate to do so too, as it just gives credence to the moron making up shit about him – then he never got one last dance at M$G this season.

But that wasn’t because he was “punished” or considered as “off-limits” by the Rangers.

Instead, it was all about the game itself – and with no stoppages during the final ten-minutes – and there was never a chance to showcase him one last time during this crappy centennial campaign.

That said?

Then, and towards the end of the game – and the Rangers & M$G ran a special scoreboard graphic for him – in honor of his thirty-years as a paying season ticket holder.

This just told me that both the Rangers and James Dolan don’t buy this bullshit lawsuit at all – because if they did – then they would have never drawn attention to him.

And good for Larry too.

People mentally weaker and more insecure than him would’ve hid on Wednesday night.

My pal?

He didn’t let this crap bother him – as he was at his usual watering hole prior to the game (the best Rangers’ bar around, The Mollie Wee), while later in his usual section 224 seat at the game.

What was really bothersome – and 100% hypocritical too – was how the Rangers’ beat reacted – specifically Ms. Giggles Mollie Walker and Peter “Scoops” Baugh.

If you recall, then when it was reported that NDA Panarin was confirmed as signing an NDA after an alleged sexual assault – then not one peep out of these two.

Heck, not one member of the beat dared to run with this story – and that includes the other Larry too – Dancin’ Larry Brooks (RIP).

It wasn’t until months afterwards when any one of them brought it up (I believe Wince Mercogliano was the first – and where he even talked about how M$G and the Rangers changed their staffers traveling policy with the team after the multiple incidents) – and where after Panarin told them “no comment” at the start of this season – and it was never brought up again.

On Wednesday?

When Larry, again, accused of the horror of OMG – interlacing fingers during a high-five and giving people a hearty pat on the back – then such a scandal led to multiple stories and social media postings from both Walker and Baugh.

Fuckin’ hypocrites – and where you can see that they were trying to serve their masters – a millennial generation that’s completely jealous of the man with the dance moves.

I know that I’m setting myself up for jokes here – but I’ve been around Larry a bunch of times over the years.

Despite Larry also interlacing my fingers during high-fives, giving me a pat on the back – and OMG I’M LOSING SLEEP OVER THIS – GIVING ME A BRO HUG TOO – and I’m now happy to report that after millions of dollars spent in therapy – and I’m now a recovered human being!

Just to show you how phony and bullshit the Blueshirts’ beat is?

ALL OF THEM WERE IN THE HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY.

Not one of these yellow-backed cowards dared to walk down to Larry and ask him for his thoughts.

They just joined the “CANCEL CULTURE” mob instead – and as all of these hypocritical young liberals do.

Just wait until Mollie is accused of drooling over a player – and where I have heard these rumors before (one of her fellow collegiate alums) – but would never print them here – as I have no way to confirm any of it.

That’s what alleged reporters are supposed to do too – get the other side of the story.

So much for two-sourced material as well.

And let’s not forget how Mollie got Ron Duguay fired from his own podcast either – and all over politics.

R.I.A.D.B.S.C.

To wrap-up, CZAR IGOR left his net with 1:38 remaining.

Miller was denied by UPL with 90-seconds remaining – while 6 x 5 – and on the first-and-only Rangers’ SOG of the period.

Twenty-seconds later – and Benson scored the Sabres’ 5-3 empty netter.

With just 60-seconds left to play on home ice – and I guess that Sully bet on the Rangers being doubled-up – as he pulled Igor again..

The Sabres iced the puck twice, McLeod won the two draws that ensued and that was it – a 5-3 M$G finale loss for the Blueshirts.

The only thing left for the Rangers to do was their annual jerseys off of their backs celebration – and where I wondered if any fan was going to throw the jersey back into the face of a player!

Of course, then such an event didn’t transpire.

Of note: Then perhaps Quick’s jersey was the most valuable of the lot.

While he didn’t play (he was on the bench as a back-up), then this could’ve been his last time at M$G in his playing (and HOF) career.

I pray to the hockey gods that we don’t see these retina-wreckers on Saturday in Dallas!

Up Next For The Rangers: The last road-trip of the season begins on Saturday evening against the Stars.

With the game in Dallas, then note the unorthodox 5PM puck drop.

As previously noted in this space, then I won’t be around with a GAME REVIEW following the contest – that is – unless something spectacular happens.

And should that be the case?

Then I’ll post something on Sunday.

After all, then this Rangers/Stars game is also our last Blueshirts’ Watch Party at my local watering hole – and I’m not going to miss out on the libations!

I’m also going to be shot to shit – as I’m working overtime at the real j-o-b on Saturday prior to puck drop – a nice 6AM-3PM shift!

Up Next For Me: ZzzZzzZzz – I got work in a few mere hours!

And sorry for going so long tonight (Stan Fischler is going to kill me) – but there was a lot to get into – and with no blog on Saturday – then I wanted to get in as much as possible for your one click!

Up Next For All of Us: Our favorite segment, say it with me, 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/

The hardcover version of my first book, available now at Amazon.com

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:

Now on sale!

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

Related Posts

NYR/TBL 4/15 Review: GARAND THEFT AUTO Strikes Again; Rangers Mercifully Conclude Their Crappy Centennial Campaign, Bad Win For The Tankers (And Will Drury Trade The Pick?) – But A Great Win For The BABY BUCK BLUESHIRTS, Mika Named The MVP of This Mess, “WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES” – 2026-27 Edition, Get Dave Maloney A Cough Drop; Propaganda M$GN In Full Effect, What Lies Ahead & Much More

April 16, 2026

NYR/FLA 4/13 Review: The End of An Era. Future Hall of Famer Jonathan Quick Plays in Last NHL Game; Rangers Improve Draft Odds in Another Loss, Chris “ZOOM ZOOM” Drury Gets Frugal with Fortescue; Screws The Rookie Out of $80K, Smell Ya Later Islanders; Filthadelphia Returns to the Playoffs, JQ32’s Final Post Game Interview, M$GN; Maloney Powers Through Laryngitis, One More Game Remains & More

April 14, 2026

NYR/WSH 4/5 Review: Blueshirts Beat-Up and Bash Caps In Easily Their Best Win of the Season (And Hello California Seals Too!); CUYLLE HAND LUKE Scores First NHL Hat Trick, Points & Fights Galore; Fourth Line Connects For One More, Super Spoiler Special Teams; Forget About “The Tank,” Tale of Two Franchises – Sully’s Squad Resurrects on Easter; Isles Have Eggs on Their Face After Firing Patrick Roy, Standings & More

April 6, 2026

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

April 4, 2026

NYR/MTL 4/2 Review: Canadiens Beat Blueshirts; Hab Fans Rename M$G to “Montreal $quare Garden” Too, J.T. Miller Wins / “Buys” Rod Gilbert Award; Dangerous FAT CAT Only Precedent Set, Caufield Dazzles; Maloney Calls Out Both Captain Culture & Silly Sully, What Nobody Is Talking About After The Loss, Six Games Remain – And Who Should Start Them, Bring Back Edstrom, M$GN & More

April 3, 2026

NYR/NJD 3/31 Review: CZAR IGOR Goes Mike Tyson on Jacob Markstrom; Wins First NHL Fight with Rapid Russian Rights, Rangers Finally Beat the Devils; Lessen Odds at First-Overall Pick, Frank Boucher Trophy Voting Now Open; Mika Zibanejad Wins Weakest Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award Yet, Happy 94th Birthday Stan Fischler, Twitter/X Nightmare, Spit-Ballin’ on Sykora; Fortescue Makes Key Defensive Play Too, Sheary’s Pending New 7-Year Extension, M$GN & A Ton More on “SUGAR SHESTY!”

April 1, 2026

About Sean

View all posts by Sean →

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *