NYR/CAR R2G5 5/13 Review: “Same Old Rangers” Find A New Way To Frustrate – And The Reality That Could Have Been, A Decade of Decadence, Fans Racing to the Highest Bridges and Buildings Following Carolina Forcing a Game Six; An Attempt To Calm All (Warranted) Fears, Take the Handcuffs Off of Rempe; Let Him Fight DeAngelo, The Absolute Worst Post-Game Interviews of the Season; Blueshirts Instill No Faith Into Their Fans – But Don’t Give Up, “Brains vs Heart,” ESPN Blows & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. No one goes 16-0 in the playoffs.

But how does 16-1 sound?

Following the events of Game 5, we’re now half-way there, as it’s eight down, eight to go, for the 8-1 in the postseason 2023-24 New York Rangers!

In front of a raucous and sold-out Madison $quare Garden, where all 18,006 fans in-attendance never seemed nervous and were enthusiastically cheering for their favorite hockey team all game (and afterwards – as nobody was leaving the building), the Rangers reciprocated the love, enroute to their 13-0 Game 5 smashing of the Carolina Hurricanes – and a Raleigh squad that are now wondering “what if” – after their refusal to mortgage their future at this year’s trade deadline, when after denying the Pittsburgh Penguins of some meaningless picks and prospects – Kyle Dubas, GM of the black-and-yellow, then made a deal with Rangers’ GM Chris Drury instead – for right-winger Jake Guentzel – and what a trade it has been thus far!

Behind hat tricks from both Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, joining in on the party were a pair of key trade deadline acquisitions – the returning two-time Ranger, Frank Vatrano, and the aforementioned Guentzel – and where both men notched two goals a piece.

(And when speaking of Guentzel – is anyone truly missing Brennan Othmann right now?)

Following these ten goals, kicking the field goal, the extra three points, were Alexis Lafreniere, Adam Fox (who has been sensational all series) and wouldn’t you know it, CZAR IGOR too – as an intended home run pass for Matt Rempe accidentally deflected off of Tony DeAngelo – and then into the back of Canes’ goaltender Frederik Andersen’s net – and for the first goal in #31’s Hall of Fame bound career!

And when speaking about both DeAngelo and Rempe?

For the first time this series, and further than that, for the first time in these 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs too, Peter “We Ain’t The Same Old Rangers Anymore” Laviolette, gave his nod of approval to the gargantuan Rempe, and as if he were a top don mob mafioso, which then led his rank-and-file soldier, #73 on the ice, but #1 in your hearts, into absolutely cleaning the clock of the former Ranger who once wore #77 with this franchise!

With the total of thirteen goals, the Rangers, who have been breaking franchise record after franchise record throughout this 2023-24 campaign, set a new one – for most goals scored in a game – and that stat includes nearly one-hundred years’ worth of both regular season and playoff games.

And how about Adam Henrique, another piece of what perhaps will one day be remembered as the greatest trade deadline in franchise history – as the former Quacker not only finished a a perfect twenty-of-twenty at the circles tonight – but also picked up a franchise-high six assists too!

But don’t fret yet to you people who still remain as loyal fans of the Feckless Finn, former Ranger Kaapo Kakko – as I’m sure that he’s having his fun enjoying all of the rides at Disney – as the present Duck currently has all of the time in the world right now to do so, following his March 8th, 2024 trade to Anaheim.

While the win was sheer ecstasy all into itself, such good vibes flowed throughout the streets of Rangerstown, USA afterwards – and as was evident in all of the post-game interviews.

“We wanted this more than them,” said former Cane, and now current Blueshirt, Vincent Trocheck.

“We were up 3-0 entering tonight – and there was no way in hell that we were going to allow Carolina to extend this series. We choked the life right out of them, and after being through several crushing losses before, I knew that we had to flip the script,” said Chris Kreider, who chipped in five assists in this series closeout Game 5.

“CZAR IGOR has carried us so many times before, so it was my message to the boys before the game that we had to give him an easy night,” said team captain Jacob Trouba, who not only blocked ten shots himself (another franchise high), but was also part of a Rangers’ effort that limited the Canes to only ten shots on goal – the easiest NHL contest of the Russian goaltender’s career.

Rangers’ owner James Dolan, who made a rare public appearance after this monumental shellacking, was so caught up in the mass hysteria, that he actually took the house microphone as his players were doing their traditional “Sticks Up Salute” at center ice, and gleefully decreed, “I love you fans! I love you so much that I’m going to discount tickets for the next two rounds by fifty-percent – and I hope to see many of our diehards and family of fours in the crowd too!”

Even better, Dolan then said, “the cost for a can of beer, $25 tonight, will be $2.50 moving forward!”

And as if Henrik Lundqvist, “THE KING,” has been reading this site all along, then #30 gave me the sweetest cherry on top during the M$GN post-game show.

As the worst goalie in franchise history, Sieve Vagistat, was going on-and-on about analytics and how the Rangers weren’t strong enough on their made-up/expected east-west passes, Lundqvist couldn’t take it any longer – and as was evident when he promptly cut-off his former loser back-up – and then had him escorted from the studio.

Following the broadcast, M$GN issued this statement:

“Due to Sieve Vagistat being utterly useless, and we apologize to our fans that it took us nearly a decade to realize this, then we have decided to agree with M$GN and Rangers’ ambassador, Henrik Lundqvist, and as a result, we have relieved Vagistat of his duties. Joining featured analyst Lundqvist for M$GN pregame and post-game coverage throughout the remainder of these playoffs will be a new three-man panel of Ron Duguay, Dave Maloney and Mark Messier.”

All in all, the date of May 13th, 2024 will forever be etched into franchise history – and will never be forgotten about either.

But of course, there are still two more rounds to go, and with a likely Eastern Conference Final, between the Blueshirts and the formidable Florida Panthers, on tap next.

And for all of the fans who continue to compare this team to the 1994 squad, then you now have two more feathers in your cap, as the 1994 team also began their playoffs as 8-1 – and then went on to win a seven-game Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks.

Presently, the Canucks lead their Western semi-final 2-1 – and who knows – perhaps for a team of destiny – then they’ll have a rematch some thirty-years in the making!

What a night – and where miraculously my dinosaur computer is working as if it were brand new – and where I don’t have to be up early for overtime work tomorrow either!

But sadly, all of this elation, everything that you just read above, was pure fiction – and some wishful thinking too.

Ugh.

Let’s now get into reality, following the Rangers’ 4-1 loss in Game 5- and where if you don’t know it by now, then you know it now – a loss so bad that the Blueshirts might as well sell tickets to every bridge and tallest building in NYC – as fans are racing to jump off all of them.

(For those who desire such ducats, then please budget yourself for the $100 “convenience fee” that’s also tacked onto the face-value cost.)

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. No one goes 16-0 in the playoffs.

But how does 16-2 sound?

And after tonight, where perhaps some goal posts are being moved a bit, I think that some fans will just settle for 8-2, if not 8-3 – as no Blueshirt fan wants to find themselves on the wrong side of history – as these 2023-24 New York Rangers presently run the risk of becoming one of the few rare teams in all of sports’ history to blow a 3-0 series lead.

There are many adjectives and phrases to describe Monday night’s Game 5, including, but not limited to, words such as: “trash,” “shit-show,” “horrific,” “piss-poor,” “disgusting,” “inexcusable,” “pathetic” and perhaps the worst three-word phrase of them all, “SAME OLD RANGERS!”

A two-word statement that most certainly applies?

Déjà vu – or perhaps in this case – Déjà poo is more appropriate.

Due to this terrible dino piece of shit computer of mine, coupled-in with my never-ending around-the-clock work schedule, then I don’t have the time to recap all one-hundred years of Rangers’ history for you tonight – but you can buy my books, linked in the PLUGS segment below, for all of it.

For tonight, let’s just limit the Rangers’ misery to the past ten years:

— A 2014 Stanley Cup Final loss to the L.A. Kings, where the Rangers blew two-goal lead after two-goal lead throughout – and for the kicker – lost three decisions in overtime too.

— A 2015 Eastern Conference Final loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Rangers, the Presidents’ Trophy winners that season, lost a seven-game set – including the final two games on home ice (Games 5 & 7) by identical 2-0 scores.

— A 2016 five-game first-round massacre suffered by the hands of Sidney Crosby’s Penguins.

— A 2017 flat-out embarrassment second-round six-game series loss to the Ottawa Senators – and a loss so bad – that the Islanders, the Rangers’ fiercest rival, decided to trade for Jean-Gabriel Pageau soon thereafter – the player that killed the Blueshirts the most throughout these six-games.

— Two years (2018 & 2019) of no playoffs, following the February 2018 release of “The Letter.”

— A 2020 sweep in the bubble, as the Hurricanes cruised to a 3-0 series sweep/win – and where for the rotten cherry at the bottom – the Rangers were the worst team of the 24-teams left remaining during the pandemic.

— A 2021 season which holds up as the most controversial and craziest season in franchise history – which then led to a firing of a complete regime (Jeff Gorton, John Davidson and David Quinn) – and where of course – only that cockroach, Senile Sather, survived.

— A 2022 Eastern Conference Final six-game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning – and where the Rangers opened the series up 2-0.

— A 2023 first-round all-out failure, as the Rangers, who were once again up 2-0 in the series, allowed a no-name goaltender (presently in the AHL today), Akira Schmid, to beat them in seven-games.

And as noted – this only covers the past ten-years – as there was a ton of misery preceding this time.

While I totally understand the severe ramifications of tonight’s Game 5 loss; at the same time, I don’t want to be absentee-minded about the ninety games that preceded this one, the 91st-overall match played during this 2023-24 campaign.

But I know that it’s tough to be positive right now – and especially since we’ve lived through this time-and-time again – and then even more time-and-time again too!

And while I know that this is my heart, and not my brain, speaking – I just want to believe.

There’s not much that I can really say to sugarcoat this sack-of-shit loss, so I guess I should be real and vent first – and then take a positive approach when looking to the events ahead.

After all, when you break it all down, and when you look at the past ten-years included above too – then how can anyone NOT be concerned right now?

And for a team that routinely finds new ways to lose year-in and year-out – would it surprise anyone if the Blueshirts became one of the few rare teams in sports’ history to choke away a 3-0 series lead?

It would be on brand – and especially for this core – and a core for the second straight game – couldn’t seal the deal.

Say what you want about Panarin’s historic season and Zibanejad’s 180 from a terrible regular season to the playoffs too – but as noted all-season on this site during my daily disclaimer – the only thing that will be remembered from this campaign is by whatever they do in the playoffs.

And while YES, both of these men have had some heroic moments in games previous to this one – they are now 0-2 in potential elimination games against these Canes – and without a goal to their names too.

And if should the unthinkable happen – a Game 7 loss – then for all of the good that they have accomplished – then none of it will matter.

Despite the Rangers once leading this game by a score of 1-0 (and if you can believe it); at the same time, then there was never a point in this game where you thought it was close to being a done deal.

And this isn’t an example of hindsight being 20/20 either – as I made mention of the following all-game on my Tweeter account, https://twitter.com/NYCTheMiC too:

The 18,006 fans inside of M$G never seemed confident. Not for one second.

In fact, the complete opposite, as the energy exhibited inside of the building was felt on your screen too – NERVOUSNESS.

Right from puck drop, and while there were chants of “IGOR, IGOR, IGOR!” and “REMPE, REMPE, REMPE!” too; following such shout-outs and the Garden immediately returned to a shaky state.

At points, it got so quiet (even with the Rangers leading), so much so, that you could hear fingernails being bitten and people chain-smoking in the bathrooms and stairwells.

And the Rangers never did anything to change the mood and vibes either.

While both ESPN and the officials remained horrid tonight, and sadly, that’s the norm these days; it should be reminded that despite a bevy of previous no calls – and the Blueshirts received the first two-powerplays of the game – and with their first taking place with just 1:55 remaining in the first frame and their second opportunity taking place just 3:47 into the second period.

For a power-play that began this series as red-hot, since that time, the Rangers are now without a man-up goal during their last nine tries – and where these two power-plays were just as horrific as the one displayed during Game 4.

And when it comes to being a man-up, the Rangers had a final power-play in the third period that was also atrocious – and then when pulling CZAR IGOR with over three-minutes remaining – the team surrendered an empty-netter just ten-seconds later.

Formerly their “Bread and Butter” – and the Rangers’ power-play is now as lifeless as Terry Schiavo – and where it doesn’t make sense – because for as bad as the power-play has been – the penalty kill has been absolutely aces.

After all, the lone Rangers’ goal of the game was a short-handed strike for Jacob Trouba – and the Blueshirts’ second shorty of the series.

Aside from the captain’s, 1-0, GOOD GUYS, goal, which was scored at the 6:23 mark of the second stanza, the penalty kill also went a perfect three-of-three – and where CZAR IGOR had to make only one save during these six-minutes.

Following a shaky first period and questionable second period – it were the Rangers with the 1-0 lead as what many hoped to be the final twenty-minutes of the Hurricanes’ season was about to commence.

The Blueshirts, never aggressive at all in this game, much less looking for blood and the kill-shot either, approached the third period with an ultra-conservative approach – so conservative that even Mike Pence thought they were right-wing extremists.

And as you already know – such a mindset and game-plan back-fired – and back-fired big time it did for our beloved Blueshirts.

Just 3:33 into the third period and Jordan Staal embarrassed both Braden Schneider and CZAR IGOR with the slowest and ugliest backhander that you’ll ever see.

1-1.

Just 3:06 in game-time later, and Pablo Kuznetsovbar scored, following a juicy rebound afforded to Brady Skjei – and where of the two former Ranger d-men now residing in Raleigh – it’s been Skjei that’s been much more offensively proficient than his counterpart, Tony DeAngelo.

2-1, bad guys.

The Rangers tried to mount a comeback – but it was like watching Dom Deluise try to mount a fifty-foot horse.

For the first time in a long time – and you were questioning the Rangers’ effort – while also bringing back that infamous slogan, “SAME OLD RANGERS” – and for the first time in a year’s time for that matter too.

Come the 9:56 mark of the frame and Jordan Martinook, previously waived by these Canes before, scored the 3-1, bad guys goal, as this bottom six m’ook cleanly beat CZAR IGOR where?

Yep – you guessed it – high blocker side.

Following the Rangers’ third-and-final failed power-play of the game, one so bad that for the first time this season, the fans at M$G were booing the home team (or at least the ones still remaining -as many rushed to the exits to catch their trains departing earlier than originally intended), CZAR IGOR then went to the bench with 3:44 remaining – a last desperation attempt to get another goal or two by Andersen.

It only took Necas ten-seconds to sail a puck, sent from deep in his own end, into the Rangers’ vacated net.

4-1, bad guys.

4-1, bad guys, your final.

But 3-2, good guys, the series – and a fact that several Blueshirts brought up during their post-game interviews – and where no joke – I think that these interviews were worse than the game itself.

As noted throughout the playoffs on this site – for whatever reason – and the Rangers are censoring these post-game interviews from their fans – as they are NOT sharing them on their YouTube and social media channels anymore.

That said, these interviews are being conducted, and where the Twitter account, @SNYRangers, shares all of them.

Here are some of the snippets that just made me absolutely irate – and also delayed this blog by one hour – as I kicked this piece of crap computer out of frustration after reading them – and where such a kick required a lengthy reboot:

“I think that they just wanted it more in the third. It’s a seven-game series. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.” – Vincent Trocheck

Really?

This was the Rangers’ second chance to end this, and despite how amazing #16 has been all season – how in the blue hell do you let the Canes want it more than you?

Where’s your pride?

I can understand and excuse away the Game 4 loss – after all – that was a road loss against a desperate team.

But to lose on home ice in this fashion?

That’s some all-out bullshit – and inexcusable too.

“I don’t think we were planning to win every game in a row throughout these playoffs.” – Jacob Trouba

I know that I’m one of the few that DOESN’T bury Trouba on a daily basis – but after that comment – I want to bust out my shovel and dig a grave for his captaincy.

What’s the plan then Captain?

If the plan isn’t to win, then are you telling us it’s to lose?

Heading into every game, and then the plan should be to win – and especially as the captain and a player that once talked about the lack of rest as an excuse for previous playoff losses (2022 and 2023).

As noted many times over on this site – the Rangers throughout this season have always came out hot after lengthy breaks/rest periods.

And when watching Adam Fox play these days – then no one needs a timeout more than him.

Rather than getting the job done, instead. Fox will only worsen whatever injury that’s currently bothering him.

Furthermore, the Rangers also increase both the risk of injury and embarrassment – and even if they prevail – then they will most likely host a well-rested Florida team in the ECF – as the Panthers’ opponents in the other semi-final, the Bruins, look kaput.

No one is saying that the Rangers had to go 16-0 – but coming out as flat as a plate of warm-piss is blasphemous.

“If you had told me that we’d be 3-2 against the second-best team in the league with an opportunity to close out, then it’s a pretty good spot to be in. So, just go down there and be better, be more detailed, work for each other and find a way to win a game.” – Chris Kreider

Yeah that’s great had this series been split after four-games – but not when you were once up 3-0 – and where with each loss – Carolina is only gaining new life and confidence.

And when you look at the three Rangers wins – there was a whole lot of puck luck involved, two overtime victories included – and where for the kicker – you could also argue that Carolina was the better team despite their previous 0-3 hole.

And Panarin and Zibanejad were showing up a week ago too.

Furthermore, why is Kreider focusing on Carolina’s regular season status as second-best overall?

Who was first-overall?

I hate to say it – but this was all loser-speak to me.

As far as what Laviolette said?

I’ll save it for the end, but before getting there, let’s take a look at what the head coach said prior to the game.

Up next, our pregame news and notes section, and I promise that I’ll make it quick.

The biggest “controversy” going into this game was who the 12th forward would be – Filip Chytil, Jonny Brodzinski or Matt Rempe.

Come Monday morning at the Rangers’ AM skate – and it looked like JONNY HOCKEY would receive the call again – as while Chytil was there – he didn’t look ready to return.

Also there, and as mentioned on Sunday on this site – Blake Wheeler – who is now practicing without restrictions.

As far as Rempe goes, and he was skating with Wheeler – and with fellow big man Adam Edstrom too – and as part of a makeshift fifth/practice line.

Following the light practice and that’s when we had our pregame edition of “LAVY’S LOUNGE.”

Here it is below:

Laviolette, and as he’s stated since day one of these playoffs, wouldn’t tell anyone what his line-up would be – and where again – everyone presumed that Chytil was still hurt – and Brodzinski in/Rempe out too.

However, come the 6:30PM warm-ups – and it was Rempe back to the fourth line – while Brodzinski took a seat up in the press box with the Concussed Czech.

And let me reiterate this point for the 9867896896789678967896th time too:

While I prefer Rempe in the line-up – at the end of the day it doesn’t matter.

As noted all-season and into the playoffs on this site – for the Rangers to succeed, then it’s up to the BIG BUCK BLUESHIRTS, The Fat Cats, to deliver.

Yes, it’s great whenever Rempe, Brodzinski and Chytil can do something good – but for the Blueshirts to go all the way – then they will need Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider and CZAR IGOR too, to show up in every game – and especially when the third line, sans Cuylle, can’t do anything from an offensive standpoint.

Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the ninth playoff game of the postseason – and the 91st-overall game of 2023-24:

PENALTIES:

TEAM STATS:

GOALIES:

I don’t want to relive every second of the horror which was Game 5, so in other words, this will be a quick GAME REVIEW – and one pretty much covering the material that we haven’t hit yet.

Let’s blow through this.

FIRST PERIOD

As noted above – nothing but nervous energy following Zibanejad’s opening faceoff win – and an energy that only turned into disdain and frustration as the game progressed.

The GAG LINE 2.0 had a hell of an opening shift tonight – but they’d never score – and that’s one big reason why the Rangers lost Game 5.

After all, we’re right back to what we saw in the regular season – if other teams can shut down Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere – then don’t expect Kreider/Mika/Right Winger Du Jour to score either.

It’s just amazing how this core can’t handle the pressure of big games – and even if they do go on to win this series – then they would have already blown a chance to heal up and prepare to their fullest for Florida.

The officiating, absolutely horrid not only in this series, but throughout these 2024 playoffs too, ignored two penalties early on, as the pair of regular fourth liners, Goodrow and Vesey, had each drawn tripping penalties.

But to reiterate what I’ve said previously on this site – I’m fine with letting the guys play – but if that’s the case – then you can’t call penalties late into a tied game – and as we saw in Game 4.

As Rempe continued to forecheck like a madman, but where it was also notable that he’s been neutered too, a reaction to all of the bullshit and phantom “REMPUTATION” penalties assessed against him; the maddening third-line came on.

As Trouba laid a huge open ice hit on the general manager’s nephew, Carolina’s Jack Drury; Wennberg had all day, twice at that, to shoot the puck at an open net. He refused to do so the first time and then went wide the second time.

I’m telling you, reader/friend of the site, Nick L, is right – when Chytil is able to return, then I’d go with him and Rempe – and let Wennberg sit one out.

After all, while everyone knew that Wennberg can’t do anything offensively – it’s not like he’s been showcasing his alleged strengths either – as he’s been on the ice for several goals allowed while also continuing to struggle at the dots.

And while two completely different players, Wennberg is reminding me of Julien Gauthier – as he can’t score to save his life either.

“Holy Gene Carr Batman!”

Of the alleged first line, I thought that Jack Roslovic had the better showing when compared to the BFF’s – as you had to check the box score to see if Mika and Kreider were even dressed.

At least you noticed Roslovic, as while not scoring, he was putting pucks towards Andersen.

Following CZAR IGOR’s seventh save of the game, and where none of them were easy, DeAngelo was at it again:

Tony DeAngelo shoves Matt Rempe long after the play ends and chirping ensues

(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/wN65otaB47

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 13, 2024

While I understand Laviolette’s decision to handcuff Rempe a bit – it’s not working.

Since everyone is living in fear of the officials these days, then Rempe’s effectiveness is being watered-down – as not only is he not allowed to fight – but seemingly – he’s also not allowed to defend himself either.

And let me stress – I get it – and especially after that cock-sucker, referee Kelly Sutherland, actually had the audacity to lecture Rempe – for eating a post-whistle cross-check in Game 2!

The league needs to instruct their officials to let Rempe play.

And Laviolette needs to put the key to Rempe’s handcuffs too.

As you can see here, DeAngelo, who has quite the reputation himself, doesn’t have a reputation as bad as a “REMPUTATION.”

Put it this way:

Had Rempe cross-checked DeAngelo long after a whistle – then what kind of suspension do you think that #73 would have received?

At this rate, DeAngelo is like a poor man’s version of a 1980s Ric Flair – as he now waits until both the referees, and his teammates, his horsemen if you will, too, to get there first – and then, and only then – will he run his mouth – while also trying to goad someone into a fight too.

It would be nice if Laviolette would allow Rempe to close DeAngelo’s mouth – via a monstrous right-hand.

But since the Canes know that they can eff around with Rempe and never find out – then they are now taking advantage of this fact.

Down to 3:00 remaining and CZAR IGOR prevented Guentzel of scoring a breakaway goal.

And let me reiterate this point too – CZAR IGOR was the only reason why this was a game – that is – until it wasn’t.

While he could’ve been better in the third period – this loss is 100% more about the team in front of him – and not on the goaltender.

Gee, that does sound familiar…

And fifty-seconds later, and CZAR IGOR came up with one more nil-nil save, this time on a Kotkaniemi two-vs-one odd-man rush try.

However, the Canes remained on their attack, but fortunately, the man with powder in his nostrils, Kuznetsov, took an o-zone bone-headed slashing penalty, when he hacked away at Gustafsson.

As noted above – this Rangers’ power-play, and to be nice, SUCKED.

At least CZAR IGOR didn’t suck, the only reason why we were still tied and scoreless after twenty-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

Scoreless after 20, 1P thoughts:

—- CZAR IGOR SHOW.

—- Wennberg should be considered for a scratch – not Rempe, Chytil or Brodz.

—- Very stressful and you can hear it in the Garden.

— find a way.#nyr

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 13, 2024

SECOND PERIOD

Following the five-seconds of Rangers’ power-play time remaining being killed off here – and ESPN was openly rooting for Jordan Staal, previously scoreless in this series, to score a goal.

The two assholes calling this bout, Sean McDonough and Ray Ferraro, would later do the same for Marty Necas.

Both men eventually scored – and NO – these two “unbiased” announcers never talked about a struggling Ranger (Kakko comes to mind) scoring in this game either.

But prior to Staal’s equalizer and Necas’ go-home goal, Canes’ d-man, Dmitry Orlov, attacked Fox in the head area, for a roughing call at the 3:47 mark.

During a pass-happy power-play, where I believe that the Rangers set a franchise-record of 100 consecutive passes before even looking at the net; Zibanejad, following a questionable cross check sustained from Caveman Brent Burns, turned over the puck and that was that.

As a result, an 0-2 power-play – and before the Canes ever employed their own man-up attack.

It should also be mentioned that during the waning seconds of this power-play, and the Canes had five men on the ice for ten-seconds – yet a too many men on the ice penalty was never called.

Even ESPN, rooting for Carolina all night, brought this up.

And as it always goes, following one team’s failed power-play, the other team received one of their own, as Roslovic was boxed at the 5:56 mark.

In other words, what should’ve been a short 5 x 3 Rangers’ power-play was now a 5 x 4 penalty kill.

But as they say – “the puck doesn’t lie” – and as Trouba proved next:

JACOB TROUBA SHORTY?! 😱

His 1st goal in 41 GAMES gives the Rangers the lead! pic.twitter.com/7CrdqVx4Ha

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 14, 2024

1-0, GOOD GUYS, as finally, and for the first time in 43 games-played – Trouba scored a goal – and a short-handed breakaway goal no less!

(It should be mentioned that Goodrow was flanking Trouba at the time, just adding to Andersen’s degree of difficulty.)

But sadly, this was really the lone Rangers’ highlight of the game – that is – unless you consider all of CZAR IGOR’s saves logged from the first forty-minutes – saves which then allowed the Blueshirts to get the lead – and then maintain it heading into final twenty-minutes.

As the crowd was chanting “REMPE” following some strong forechecking from #73; Kotkaniemi pulled a page from the Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ playbook – and DDT’d Fox as the Canes were crashing the net.

Since these officials, perhaps sponsored by Draft Kings and Fan Duel, are the textbook definition of the word “retarded” – a furious Fox, and not the overpaid Kotkaniemi, was boxed for holding instead.

You see, the Harvard educated Fox should have known better – you can’t hold a player that’s trying to slam your face and head into the ice.

End result?

A 2-2 PK, 18-19 in the series (2 shorties too) – and one that didn’t allow a SOG here either.

As this game started to hit a lull, as both teams were evenly matched at this point – and a Rempe hit on Necas with 5:35 remaining created a turnover.

This was the only hit that Rempe “officially” recorded – and where I counted two more than this one – as the official statisticians continue to make errors – errors so bad – that the league had to go back and rectify them earlier during the regular season.

Holy Morse Code Dashes Batman!

Following CZAR IGOR’s 18th save, this time on Drury with 2:55 remaining; up next featured another example of Rempe being neutered by his head coach:

matt rempe bitchism masterclass pic.twitter.com/9lTTQrUPlm

— bry!! (@chicletsbian) May 14, 2024

As you can see here, Rempe was hit by Burns but was instructed not to retaliate – which to be fair – made sense at the time since the Rangers were leading by a goal.

And for Rempe, he was playing at this point of the game – and he didn’t want to give his coach any ammunition to bench him either.

And in a game where many Rangers finished minus-one or worse – and Rempe was one of the few to finish without a minus next to his name.

Both teams had a chance to score in the final-minute, but neither were able to.

Then, and with just 9.8-seconds to go, and Cuylle was boxed for tripping Sebastion Asshole.

The Canes, down by one at the end of this period, would open the final frame with a 1:50 power-play.

1-0, GOOD GUYS, after forty-minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-0, GOOD GUYS, thru 40. 2p thoughts::

– I said on Sunday no one takes a loss harder and rebounds better than CZAR IGOR. We are seeing it now.

— YUGE GOAL for CAPPY

— officiating has been brutal – the new norm.

— ESPN sucks – another norm.

— FINISH! #nyr

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 14, 2024

THIRD PERIOD

I talked about this period above.

Staal, backhanded, on a shot that Schneider should have prevented and one that CZAR IGOR should have stopped too, at the 3:33 mark.

1-1 – and as Ferraro and McDonough shrilled with glee.

A cokehead rebound at the 6:39 mark.

2-1, bad guys – and where you knew it then – the Rangers, kings of the comeback, didn’t have one in them tonight.

Martinook, at the 9:56 mark.

3-1, bad guys, and an insurance goal that was never required.

A failed Rangers’ power-play beginning at the 10:27 mark – and where boos rained down upon the Blueshirts come the 12:27 mark.

Necas, empty-netter, at the 16:29 mark.

4-1, bad guys, 4-1, bad guys your final for a Rangers’ team that looked absolutely listless.

Here’s Laviolette after the loss:

Similar to my previous writings on this site about John Tortorella, Alain Vigneault, David Quinn and Gerard Gallant – I don’t blame Laviolette for this loss.

At some point, everyone has to agree and exclusively look at the core players.

That said, I do think that Lavy needs to allow Rempe to do his thing – and whether it was the players or the instructions given to them – sitting back to start third period, and then until it was 2-1, was a horrendous decision.

Watch the entire post-game interview linked above, and you’ll see that Laviolette said that his team had a whole lot of issues tonight, this wasn’t a reflection of who they were and how the whole game felt off in general.

And it’s now up to Laviolette to do what his predecessors after Mike Keenan could never do – rise to adversity – and then win the whole damn thing.

As I wrap-up tonight – I’m aware of what’s out there – 99.9% of all Ranger fans expect a Game 6 loss – and where after that – half of them expect the Blueshirts to make history – as a team to blow a 3-0 series lead in a best-of-seven series.

And I get it.

After all, I’m an official Rangers’ historian – and a title bestowed upon me by the greatest of all time – “The Hockey Maven,” Stan Fischler.

And I also don’t take my “Young Maven” title, as granted to me by Fischler, lightly either!

History doesn’t favor the Blueshirts – but at the same time, and despite this current predicament – they haven’t been “THE SAME OLD RANGERS” this year – although that’s exactly what it feels like right now.

HOLY SPEAKING OUT BOTH SIDES OF YOUR FAT MOUTH BATMAN!

Going into this series, I predicted Rangers in 6.

While I, and like you, would’ve preferred an early finish – and it should have never reached this point either – it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Blueshirts won the first three games of this series – and against the second-best team of the NHL – the ball, I mean the puck, still remains in their court, I mean ice!

If anything really bothered me about this loss besides the series being extended, then it’s the fact that for the first time in these playoffs, and the Rangers just didn’t give us a full effort – while also looking like a team with no answers to be had too.

And Mika and Panarin MUST show up in Game 6.

I know that it’s hard to stay positive right now, and I won’t argue with you if you feel 100% negative right now either – but the story isn’t over – and it won’t be over on Thursday night regardless of the final result – and with a potential Game 7 winner-takes-all M$G match on Saturday looming.

In other words, I’m not going to write the epitaph or obituary yet – as I’m still holding onto hope that come this summer – I’ll be writing a book about the fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

But should that Cup not come this June?

Then prepare for hell – and unadulterated scorn.

The Rangers go back to the drawing board in Tarrytown, NY on Tuesday – and where from the NO SHIT SHERLOCK FILES – they must practice their power-play.

After that, it’s a Wednesday flight to Raleigh, N.C. – and a Game 6 that you might as well wear a diaper for – as you’re going to shit your pants either way.

And you may be shitting your pants right now too – and I know that I have some loose stool myself as I prepare for bed-time, which for you, now 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/

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