Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Seven down, nine to go, for your now 7-0 in the postseason BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS!
Off puck drop after the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime Game 3 victory from Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C., I MUST share with you the following clip – and as both Sam Rosen and Dave Maloney, who called the game for M$GN radio, sounded exactly like any one of us when watching Panarin go in-between-the-legs for the walkoff game-winner:
🔊Sound On🔊
Sam Rosen and Dave Maloney get ROWDY in Raleigh when Artemi Panarin scores the overtime winner on the MSG Radio Network!
@NYRangers | #NYR pic.twitter.com/Waa0dfJwm9
— x – Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) May 10, 2024
Nearly as impressive as Panarin’s exhibition of offensive wizardry?
How Sam Rosen always sounds 98677868668966 times better, and on his game too, whenever being paired with the former captain of the Rangers, Mr. Maloney himself!
But I’ve done this rant before, so I’ll dead it here.
After all, we have much bigger things to discuss than the announcers tonight!
In a way, I’m kind of a loss for words right now – but obviously – don’t take such a remark as literal.
After all, and as you can see, this manifesto is another 10,000-word banger!
However, and what I mean by that opening sentence, is that as Ranger fans – we’re not used to good things – or at least not at a consistent level – nor on a regular basis either.
At the very least, and I’m knocking on wood and clutching my lucky rabbit’s foot (nothing screams “luck” like a severed limb from a defenseless animal!) as I write this sentence – you don’t feel like the rug will be lifted from underneath the Rangers this season – and as it’s been the case time-and-time again (and many more times in-between four Stanley Cup wins in 98-years) for this franchise.
I know that I’m writing from the heart – and not from my Blueshirts’ brain, while also ignoring my “elite and lofty” status as a “Rangers’ Historian” – but damn pal – how can you not believe in these 2023-24 Rangers – a team that not only set franchise record after franchise record all season – but one that’s now 7-0 in the postseason too!
And yep, for all of the people obsessed with the 1994 comparisons (and I get it) – the last time this franchise opened up the playoffs with a 7-0 record was back in 1994.
And should Lavy’s Lot make it 8-0 on Saturday night – then they will have done what the 1994 team never did – and just like how this ’23-’24 group broke many ’94 records in the regular season too!
In my last “hey idiot, you’re looking way too far ahead, as after all, you’re the person who keeps writing ‘ONE GAME AT A TIME'” immediate thought after the events of Game 3?
The following:
Should these Rangers FINISH THEIR STORY and hoist the silver this June, then so much changes.
Hell, EVERYTHING CHANGES!
Aside from the obvious, what I’m getting at here is that every player on this team, and you can also throw in both the head coach and general manager too, will become ICONS.
Don’t believe me?
Then just ask Stephane Matteau – who thirty-years removed from a goal scored in an Eastern Conference Final game – and not a Stanley Cup Final contest – is still making appearances and paydays because of that historic franchise moment.
And to look even further ahead, should our dream come true – then whatever happens next season, the season after that, and really, anywhere from the next five-to-ten years or so won’t matter.
No criticism will be necessary for this core should they win the Cup.
We just want that one damn Cup, the fifth that’s eluded us for so long, and with it will follow nothing but complete melancholy and peace.
But of course, we’re not half-way there yet – so yeah – ONE GAME AT A TIME!
As I continue this discombobulated diatribe from a state of sheer ecstasy, while also writing about this game in a non-chronological fashion; what impressed me the most about this 3-2 overtime Game 3 victory was just that – the victory.
While we’ll get into the play-by-play, the goals and everything else in-between below; I can’t stress enough how HUGE it was for the Rangers to put their skates on the necks of the Canes – and rather than allowing Carolina a glimmer of hope – the Blueshirts pretty much put the penultimate nail into the Raleigh coffin.
And who knows about this either:
As talked about in my series preview (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/5124/ ), Canes’ bench boss, Rod Brind’Amour, is currently without a contract for next season.
Furthermore, while his team has reached the playoffs in all six of his seasons behind their bench – Brind’Amour’s Brood usually gets humiliated during their playoff exits.
Aside from 2022, when the Rangers needed seven-games to oust the Canes; Carolina, in every other series loss, never made it to a sixth game – as they were swept a few times, while also dropping several five-game sets too.
Such history bodes well for the Blueshirts.
Unless the biggest catastrophe in all of sports takes place – a team losing a series after going up 3-0 – then for Carolina, who have pestered the Rangers ever since Brind’Amour took over – it could be tons of change for them this summer.
Even better for Ranger fans/Canes haters?
Despite the grandest prize of this year’s trade deadline, Jake Guentzel, who is more than delivering for his new team, and where in a rare move, Carolina, and seemingly for the first time, mortgaged their future when trading for a rental – will lose this player in the off-season too.
Everything is coming up Rangers – present day – and perhaps in the future too.
But wait, there’s more!
Should the Rangers make it a sweep on Saturday night, then just like how they were entering both the first- and second-rounds of these 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs – then they will also enter the third-round, the Eastern Conference Final, with plenty of rest.
And as we’ve seen all season, and whether it be in the playoffs, the All-Star break, bye-weeks or the result of some wacky scheduling – the Rangers are always at their best after receiving multiple nights of bed rest in their own homes.
One more time – everything is coming up Rangers – and I can’t believe it either!
This playoff game, and just like any other, wasn’t devoid of any pregame drama either.
On the Carolina side, goaltender Frederik Andersen was replaced by Pyotr Anatolevich Kochetkov – and where as a result – one of my series predictions proved true – as I said that I felt that Andersen wouldn’t play in every game of this series – and whether it be due to fatigue and/or injury.
In this case, it was the former, as Brind’Amour said that Andersen was spent after losing in Game 2’s double-overtime.
I should also be fair and mention that Andersen hasn’t been a weak link for the Canes in this series – but he’s also no CZAR IGOR either.
(One weak link for the Canes? Teuvo Teravainen – and where you have to check the box score to see if he even played or not.)
What’s been killing the Canes all series is the most obvious – their futile and brutal power-play, now 0-15 in the series after tonight – and where for the real kick to jewels – a Carolina power-play that allowed the Rangers to score a short-handed goal in Game 3 (Kreider).
And as you all know by now – Kochetkov fared no better than Andersen – but at least he didn’t make Carolina fans sit through two overtimes before their eventual loss either!
Instead, it only took Panarin a minute-and-forty-three-seconds into the bonus time to send everyone home.
Another Carolina change was a returning recreational cocaine-user, Evgeny Kuznetsov, who replaced the man who replaced him in Game 2, Maxime Comtois.
But of course, the biggest line-up/roster move took place on the other side, the Rangers’ side, as after being removed from LTIR earlier in the day – Filip Chytil made his grand return – and at the expense of Matt Rempe.
And what a teaser – as I’ll save all of the Rempe v. Chytil stuff for our pregame news and notes segment, as up next, the events from Game 3.
Tony DeAngelo, who I recently talked about in-depth on this site (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/5624/ ), must be absolutely beside himself right now.
And even if he wasn’t a former Ranger, nor embroiled in controversy either, then he’d still be a player that I’d want on my team – as he’s kind of like a poor man’s Tom Wilson or Brad Marchand type – a nasty little agitator who is always looking to spark up his team.
However, and outside of one game ever since his 2021 New York dismissal (against Alexandar Georgiev no less) – then the Rangers have always doused that spark.
Today, DeAngelo, the seventh d-man on the Canes’ depth chart, and only playing in this series because of an injury sustained by Brett Pesce, isn’t doing anything with this new-found opportunity.
In a way, he’s become the anti Wally Pipp!
While DeAngelo wasn’t the (sole) reason why the Canes lost this match – he didn’t help them either.
And aside from finishing as a minus-one, and getting lucky when Trocheck wasn’t able to capitalize on a short-handed breakaway attempt following a gift-wrapped turnover from DeAngelo – then #77 almost set-up a SEE YA insurance goal for the Blueshirts, following an undisciplined penalty taken at the 9:12 mark of the third period – and where the Rangers were leading 2-1 at the time.
And as it was previously, and as it were in both Carolina and Philadelphia – DeAngelo received jeers from his “home crowd” – as well-traveled (and transplanted) Ranger fans let him hear it all game.
How embarrassing!
And let’s not forget that DeAngelo, now replacing Brett Burns as the quarterback of Carolina’s first power-play unit, “led” this man-advantage attack into another dreadful 0-5 showing.
SAD!
But as said, this Carolina loss isn’t all on DeAngelo’s shoulders.
In fact, the biggest reason for the Canes’ loss?
This guy:
CZAR IGOR, looking to become the second goalie in franchise history to win both the Stanley Cup and Vezina Trophy (1940, Dave Kerr – but a season not often talked about because of the 54-year drought that followed it), was once again absolutely LIGHTS OUT in Game 3.
Aside from Guentzel, the only thing beating CZAR IGOR these days are deflection/tip goals.
That’s it.
After posting 54-saves in a double overtime Game 2 (where again – such a lengthy event knocked out Andersen from Game 3); for an encore, CZAR IGOR recorded 45 saves.
CZAR IGOR’s star shone brightest during a first period that everyone and their mother expected – a desperate and dirty Carolina team trying to do everything in their power to dig out of their 0-2 hole – and in their failed attempts to make this a series.
Such a salvage never came to be – and you can thank SUPER SHESTY for that.
The Canes best chance to win this game took place in the first period, as despite having a cold goalie in their net, the Rangers never challenged PAK that much.
Instead, the Canes out-shot the Rangers to a tune of 17-7.
And while the home team out-shot their visitors 20-11 in the second period, and 9-6 in the final frame of regulation – it were these first twenty-minutes where CZAR IGOR absolutely carried the team – and where his skaters later rewarded the backstop for his heroic efforts.
During another playoff game where the referees got more face-time than some of the players (check the PENALTIES segment below), only a tip/deflection goal scored by Jake Guentzel at the 10:14 mark flawed what was otherwise a perfect 1.000 save percentage.
Furthermore, CZAR IGOR wasn’t stopping floaters either. Instead, he was stopping shots from everywhere and anywhere.
By limiting the Canes to only a one-goal, a 1-0 hometown lead by the time that the first period concluded, then CZAR IGOR allowed his team to mount their comeback – and their 32nd overall comeback of this 2023-24 campaign.
For as horrendous as the Canes’ power-play has been – conversely, the Rangers’ penalty kill has been Fort Knox.
And even better for the Blueshirts?
This Fort Knox penalty kill is finding gold themselves – via goals – and as we saw when the BFF connection, Zibanejad and Kreider, converted a two-vs-one short-handed try for the equalizer at the 8:30 mark of the middle stanza.
In hockey, there’s not much else that’s more demoralizing than by allowing a shorty – and that’s how Carolina looked – demoralized – following the 1-1 score.
In a “win the period, win the game” third frame, who else other than “THE GAG LINE 2.0” to score the go-ahead goal?
And that’s what happened on another pure GAG LINE 2.0 strike, as following a faceoff win by Trocheck (and where he also added a hit to open up space), his two wingers connected on a one-timer, as Panarin found Lafreniere for the 2-1, GOOD GUYS, goal at the 6:25 mark.
Now up by a goal and looking to showcase their stranglehold – you thought that this would be it – as CZAR IGOR wasn’t allowing anything to go past him.
And it almost played to such a script.
As the clock wound down, PAK took his seat on the bench for the extra skater. About a minute into Carolina’s 6 x 5 empty net attack and the Canes made a mad scramble towards CZAR IGOR’s net.
Sebastion Aho, whose stick had broke (but the play was legal – hence why Laviolette never used his review), sent a puck towards Andrei Svechnikov – and where the Cane tied the game with only 96-seconds remaining.
Such a late goal allowed would destroy the hopes and good-vibes of most good teams.
Most – but not all.
The Rangers, while disappointed, were never unfazed.
Once returned from the locker room for the start of overtime and on their first shift – yet again – THE GAG LINE 2.0 – and another PURE line goal too!
Lafreniere, who has finally come to age this season (and living up to his first-overall draft status too), got the puck to his center, and perhaps still the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at the moment, NONNA TROCHECK’s BAMBINO VINCENZO!
In a play that needs to be seen to believed (the clip is located in the GAME REVIEW segment), Trocheck tried to put the puck on net – but Panarin, who went in-between-his-legs, got there first – and where his arrival led to the deflection game-winner.
And unlike another one of his overtime game-winners, the Game 7 goal from 2022 (first-round against the Penguins) – everyone saw this puck go into the net – and including PAK:
3-2, GOOD GUYS, and where with such a game-winner, Panarin, who has made franchise history all-season, entered the record books again:
What could’ve been 48-hours of “Carolina will even the series,” “we now have a series,” and other such pro-Canes rhetoric; instead, and barring the worst thing imaginable – the Rangers will soon await the winner of the Boston/Florida series to determine what Eastern Conference team will play for the holy chalice in hockey this June.
And while the top stars are all delivering, perhaps lost a bit in all of that is everything else, including the strong play from arguably the team’s best pair right now, Schneider & Miller, the fourth-liners, the head coach, and even guys like Jonathan Quick (he’s giving the team pep-talks during intermissions) and Blake Wheeler – where #17, in a suit, was seen going nuts banging on the glass like us – fans – following the latest product from the bakery.
And yep – the Rangers, full of depth, now have more options too – which brings us to the return of “The Concussed Czech,” Filip Chytil.
The Rangers, and as you’d imagine, didn’t practice on Wednesday.
Despite feeling jet-lagged after playing a double-overtime game on Tuesday, come Wednesday, they were in the air and on their way to the south.
However, that didn’t mean that Laviolette was exempt from speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon either – and as he did here:
My biggest impression from Wednesday’s edition of “LAVY’S LOUNGE” was that it felt like the media felt like the Rangers, and like yours truly, was a team of destiny.
Most of their line of questioning surrounded the topic of winning it all – or at least that’s what it came off like to me.
And of course, Matt Rempe, the biggest draw and merch-mover in the league today, was one of the players that Lavy was asked about.
For whatever reason, and this applies to both reporters and fans alike, they don’t understand the value of Rempe, nor can fathom the principle of “maximizing your minutes” either.
Rather than bringing up all of the good that Rempe provides; instead, it’s about his low TOI.
Lost in all of that, and as repeated here many times over?
The fact that Lavy SHOULD BE PLAYING HIS BEST PLAYERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE – AND ESPECIALLY IN PIVOTAL SITUATIONS!
Also forgotten about?
How Game 2 had about 907867867896789678969 minutes of special teams time – which only took away ice time for Rempe.
I don’t want to go down the “REMPE REDUNDANCY ROUTE” tonight – because after all – you can check the archives of this site for all of my thoughts on #73.
However, it must be noted that Laviolette continued to defend Rempe, questioned the officials in a tongue-in-cheek way, and at no time – ever gave an inkling that Rempe wouldn’t be playing in Game 3.
As the afternoon of May 9th progressed – there was nothing to suggest a LAVY LINE UP CHANGE.
After all, and as stated on this site to the point of ad-nauseam – why fix what’s not broken?
And it’s not like Rempe has been a detriment at all either.
Come 6:30PM EST, everything changed, as Chytil was officially (and perhaps “finally”) activated from LTIR – and doing line rushes during pregame warmups.
Rempe was also on the ice for warm-ups.
When I saw Chytil out there, the first thing that came to my mind was this:
Since the “c-word,” as in “concussions,” is pretty much banned from the league, and where in addition, all health/injury statuses are talked about in a vague manner (a broken fingernail is considered as an “upper-body injury,” that is, unless your hands are hanging below your waist) – then we still don’t know with a certainty degree of 100% of what Chytil is going through – or should I say – went through.
I’ve extensively covered Chytil’s injury all-season, and by now, you all know the deal too – so no need to repeat all of if here tonight.
I don’t flip-flop, so I still remain adamant in my opinion following this win:
I would’ve never scratched Rempe, nor anyone else for that matter.
After all, 6-0 in these playoffs – and where effort has never been a topic of concern.
But I am also reminded of something that Elliotte Friedman recently said on his “32 Thoughts” podcast.
About a week or so ago, Friedman was talking about the 2006 Hurricanes.
I can’t remember the name of the player (but it’s not relevant to the point of this story anyway), but Friedman was talking about how some player was ready to return from a lengthy injury.
Up 3-2 in their Stanley Cup Final series against the Oilers, Laviolette made a switch to his injured player at the expense of a healthy player serving him well all playoffs.
The Canes lost Game 6 – but they did win Game 7 – and where the player in question picked up a point in the biggest win in Carolina history.
As Lavy explained some eighteen-years ago, he was willing to risk Game 6, knowing that this injured player would guarantee him the Cup in Game 7.
While of course, there is a whole lot of 20/20 hindsight in such a remark – winners write history too!
By going with Chytil here, I think that Lavy was trying to see what he had when up 2-0.
Granted, if he was looking for history to repeat itself, then I would’ve waited until the Rangers were up 3-0 in the series before doing anything drastic – and especially with the team undefeated in the playoffs.
I don’t hide my biases from you – and I want you to know where I’m coming from too.
It’s only fair.
This is my way of saying to you, and if you don’t know it already, that I am a huge proponent of Rempe in this line-up – and not so high on Chytil either.
Seven-years into his NHL career and nobody knows what Chytil is from a positional standpoint.
He can’t win a faceoff, yet he plays center. Hell, he was the worst center in all of the league last season at the dots.
But ah, there’s Laviolette, perhaps no longer “Lateralette” no more, who also flipped Lafreniere from left-wing to right-wing – and who flipped Chytil from center to left-wing in Game 3.
I know that I’m all over the place right now, but please bear with me – after all – much like the Rangers – I worked overtime tonight too!
Again, while I wouldn’t have touched a thing, my biggest displeasure in this move was the fact that it meant that Will Cuylle, the best player on the third line, was bumped down to the fourth line.
Furthermore, while Chytil has had short bursts of success (followed by long droughts – including a 20+ game drought without a goal last season) with Kakko – he has never played with Wennberg before – thus meaning no chemistry.
And had the Rangers lost tonight?
Then it would’ve been very easy to blame Chytil – as he was the lone variable that changed.
While I’m saying all of this after the fact, all of my pregame tweets back me up:
Lavy knows his team better than me, but I still wouldn’t fix what’s not broken. And if the Rangers don’t prevail, then it sets up the Concussed Czech to be the scapegoat.
LGR, FTC! #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 9, 2024
If Chytil gets hurt again, then it’s not the end of the world since Rempe only plays 5 min a game…. #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 9, 2024
Rather Cuylle on third line too #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 9, 2024
All in all, and in my final remark before getting into tonight’s GAME REVIEW, I thought that Chytil was just there – and even as some fans (and reporters) tried to make out that #72 was the second-coming of #99.
(But I understand this too – as after a six-month layoff – what player comes out guns blazing?)
And while nowhere as explosive or as energetic at Rempe; at the same time, it’s not like Chytil hurt the team either.
But he didn’t improve a third line now sans their best player either.
In total, and now on the wing, Chytil registered one shot in goal in his 12:02 TOI – and where one more time – some fans thought he was a game-changer.
They are only fooling themselves.
If we are going to explore line-up changes at this juncture, then I’m inclined to agree with what a reader, Nick L., suggested to me:
Scratch Wennberg.
But of course, in such an event, where Chytil and his disastrous faceoff percentage would be flanked by Cuylle & Kakko, and where Rempe would be returned to the fourth-line too – the Rangers could miss the former Krakhead at the circles.
And as you continue to explore this idea – then you could always have Trocheck and Goodrow take these draws – and then have Chytil hop over the boards afterwards.
A way too long story told short?
It’s good to have options – and where Chytil, now 1-0 this postseason, has also officially qualified his name for a Stanley Cup etching – and assuming that the Rangers can win nine more games during the next month or so.
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the seventh playoff game of the postseason – and the 89th-overall game of 2023-24:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Kreider/Zibanejad/Roslovic
THIRD LINE: Chytil/Wennberg/Kakko
FOURTH LINE: Cuylle/Goodrow/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Lindgren/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Miller/Schneider
THIRD PAIR: Gustafsson/Trouba
STARTER: CZAR IGOR
BACK-UP: Quick
Healthy Scratch: Rempe
“Black Aces”: Brodzinski, Domingue, Edstrom, Jones and Ruhwedel
LTIR: Wheeler
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
|
CAR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 25 | 3 | 22 | .880 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60:54 | 0 |
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 47 | 2 | 45 | .957 | 32 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 61:19 | 0 |
FIRST PERIOD
As noted above, this period boiled down to two things – Carolina’s desperation and CZAR IGOR’s refusal to accommodate their requests!
While Chytil would later shy away from such contact, even going as far as doing the “El Matador”/aimlessly waving his stick rather than aggressively attacking the puck act; it was noticeable that during his first shift, he gave a hit and then took a hit.
For him, it must’ve felt good to get that out of the way – but it did feel like he was cautious afterwards.
And just 2:00 in, and with a new line-up – the Rangers took a too many men on the ice penalty – their first of this sort this post-season.
You can blame that on the new line-up – or so I say – as Cuylle had jumped on too early.
This Rangers’ PK, five-of-five tonight and fifteen-of-fifteen in the series, was once again impeccable.
(Or is it Michael ImPECAble?)
On this occasion, the two top centers, #16 and #93, led the way.
And don’t forget about the best PKer of them all, CZAR IGOR, either – as he made three quality saves during these two-minutes.
Following off-setting penalties taken by Wennberg and the penalty machine himself, Svechnikov; come the 6:00 mark and what you’d thought would happen was playing out – as the Canes were out-shooting the Blueshirts at a 6:1 ratio.
With 10:22 remaining, Lindgren went hard to the net and face-washed PAK in the process. DeAngelo took exception to this – and where say what you want about him – at least he cares.
While he doesn’t get results, you can’t question his effort and drive to win.
Following our first scrum between #55 and #77, then come 9:46 remaining, and this is where Jake “I don’t need no stinkin’ Sidney Crosby” Guentzel scored his deflection goal.
1-0, bad guys – and where Guentzel is going to get PAID this off-season – and where I’m not so sure if a return to Pittsburgh (who doesn’t have the cap space unless they move around a few things) is still on the table.
About a minute following this goal and CZAR IGOR prevented a second, following a Canes’ 2 x 1 odd-man rush.
Up next was wild sequence with 8:35 remaining.
Following a mad dash at the Canes’ net, and Vesey was soon headlocked by Dmitry Orlov. The overpaid and little-to-no-value Jesperi Kotkaniemi then rushed at Vesey when looking to fight.
Both JK and JV dropped their gloves – but the refs wouldn’t allow them to fight – although the pride of the Crimson Tide did get two shots in.
While that was going on, Goodrow, and as if he was Theo Fleury, started trolling the Canes’ bench:
Goodrow and the Canes bench exchange some words 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/oASeyBNGS5
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2024
As TNT, much superior than ESPN (and praise the hockey gods that we had Kenny Albert on-air tonight), went to commercial, as the officials needed some time to sort out the penalties, the best hockey broadcast on the planet showed us what we missed during the ad break:
Tony DeAngelo drops the gloves.
(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/9bYqNW5qfQ
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 9, 2024
As you can see here, DeAngelo was looking to fight both Goodrow and Cuylle.
So much for that narrative from the liberal fans – you know – the self-serving people suggesting that TDA is a racist because he tried to fight Miller in Game 2.
The reality?
DeAngelo, while a weasel on the ice, will shit-talk any opponent – and no matter their race, color, creed – and maybe gender too!
But it should also be noted that DeAngelo only becomes a “tough guy” whenever the officials are around – or at least during these playoffs.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that Carolina, at this point in the game, felt like tough guys themselves – the end result of Rempe not being around.
(And had the Rangers lost tonight, then you’d hear much more about this.)
At the end of all this, and where we had ten-minutes in real-time of no action – Orlov, Kotkaniemi, Vesey and Goodrow all took off-setting penalties.
No harm, no foul.
This third line, where for the life of me, I don’t understand why some Ranger fans pretend that they are world-beaters – turned the puck over all game – and where I wondered if they were scared of contact.
In one instance, and with 6:55 remaining, Wennberg exhibited such a trait – which then forced CZAR IGOR into making a spectacular save on a Necas wrap-around attempt.
A few seconds later and Guentzel high-sticked Miller – where one more time, but maybe not the last time – I think the 79/4 pairing is the best on the team right now – and with all respect paid to both 23/55 – and where I also believe that Fox is playing while injured – and just like any other great playoff player.
As it would be all game, this Rangers’ power-play, 0-4 on the night, wasn’t that effective.
But when your penalty kill doesn’t allow any goals, and then scores too – then you’re not that concerned about an off-night for your power-play.
In other words, while the 0-fer stunk – this was more of a one-off than a trend, aka something to worry about, for me.
Down to 3:25 remaining and CZAR IGOR had already amassed fifteen saves.
He’d make two more as the first period ended.
1-0, bad guys, after twenty.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, bad guys, thru 20. 1P thoughts:
—- CZAR IGOR is carrying them and the Rangers must start challenging a cold goalie.
— SOG 17-8, them.
— Hope Chytil scores because you know that the narrative will be if he doesn’t – and a narrative being proven true right now.
—- Survived…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 9, 2024
SECOND PERIOD
The Canes continued where they left off, and where just 53-seconds in and CZAR IGOR made two more jaw-dropping saves on both Staal and Noesan.
Just to stress this point – this game could have very easily been 4-0 for the Canes at this time of the match.
Thank the hockey gods for CZAR IGOR.
Following these two saves, come the 1:07 mark and Martinook hooked Wennberg.
You already know how the Rangers’ power-play fared – and where not only did they fail – but Panarin took a hooking penalty himself half-way into it.
Following all of the special teams’ play, and with Panarin now released – “The Breadman” had a jack-in-the-box breakaway (set-up by Trocheck) – but took one glide too many – and then put himself out of position when attempting a backhander.
Not that it matters – but I was surprised that he favored the backhander rather than his patented wicked wrist shot – and especially when facing an inexperienced goalie.
As the Canes continued to dominate, it looked like they’d finally increase their lead, because with 12:21 to go, Fox was nailed for tripping Guentzel.
Little did we know, such a penalty would lead to a goal – but for the Rangers.
Take a look at the NATURAL BORN PENALTY KILLERS picking up a shorty:
A SHORTHANDED GOAL FOR CHRIS KREIDER!
LET’S GO RANGERS CHANTS AT PNC 👀
(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/UxksSqLmvn
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 10, 2024
1-1!
This was Kreider’s fourth goal of the postseason – and none of them have been of the “A-Rod” variety either.
This goal also extended all of his franchise-best scoring records too.
And what a display of patience from his BFF, Zibanejad too – who is not only stomping on milk cartons these days – but shitting all over them to boot!
Man, my disclaimer is proving to be prophetic these days – no?
Right after this shorty, and Trocheck almost picked up a second – but was robbed by PAK.
As these referees continued the parade to the penalty box, it was now Roslovic’s turn for a timeout, as he was boxed for hooking Martinook with 9:03 remaining.
Mika and Kreider almost scored again.
What a POWER KILL!
Following another o-zone turnover from Kakko with 4:00 remaining and CZAR IGOR was now up to 31 saves.
Two minutes later and CZAR IGOR, after stopping Seth Jarvis point-blank, now had 36 denials.
1-1 through forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-1 after 40. 2p thoughts:
—- CZAR IGOR is about to have back to back games of 50+ saves.
—- Special teams swing games.
— 79/4 = best pair
—- How about a GAG LINE 2.0 goal to end it?
—- win the period, win the game! #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 10, 2024
THIRD PERIOD
It was shit or get off the pot time for these two teams – and where Carolina almost shit on the Rangers – as with 15:42 remaining, and Fox pushed into the back of CZAR IGOR’s net – the goalie said NYET NYET to a 2-1 Canes’ lead.
Such a save allowed Lafreniere to put the Rangers up 2-1 instead – and as was the case with just 13:35 remaining:
ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE GIVES THE RANGERS THE LEAD!
(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/LzUZEHrsjs
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 10, 2024
2-1, GOOD GUYS – and man oh man – do I love the GAG LINE 2.0 – so much so, that I must share this reminder with you:
As the Rangers looked to win this game in regulation; come 11:40 remaining and CZAR IGOR had logged his 40th save.
A minute-and-change later, and Trouba had goaded DeAngelo into taking a slashing penalty – as the captain had hit DeAngelo first – but the refs only caught TDA’s retaliation – akin to a REMPUTATION penalty.
The Rangers, now with a chance to score an insurance 3-1 PPG, kind of held back a bit – and where it felt like burning two-minutes off of the clock was the #1 priority.
And the Rangers almost got that insurance goal, as following the power-play – Chytil, who whipped out the Harlem Globetrotter playbook, went straight to PAK’s net – and just missed.
And had that puck went in – oh boy – what a story!
However, and now in reality, and Schneider went to the box with 8:22 to go after cross-checking Guentzel.
End result?
The Blueshirts’ third consecutive 5-5 PK showing.
As the game reached the final stages of regulation, then all you were doing was watching the clock – while also changing your underwear.
Brind’Amour pulled PAK with 2:28 to go.
The Rangers had two chances to go for the empty-netter – but didn’t want to risk the icing.
This decision backfired, as Svechnikov scored Carolina’s biggest goal of these playoffs yet, and with just 96-ticks remaining.
While this sucked – the Rangers didn’t throw in the towel either.
In fact, Kreider had a breakaway with 32-seconds remaining, but as he approached the blue paint, PAK poke-checked the puck away.
2-2 at the end of 60-minutes.
Overtime, and once again, was required.
OVERTIME
In one of the sexiest and greasiest goals that you’ll ever see, enter Panarin’s game-winner:
🚨 ARTEMI PANARIN BETWEEN-THE-LEGS GAME WINNER 🚨
(via @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/UV3IhCaZOB
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 10, 2024
That Panarin tip was dirtier than Ron Jeremy’s!
3-2, GOOD GUYS!
3-2, GOOD GUYS, your final!
3-0, GOOD GUYS, the series!
7-0, GOOD GUYS, these playoffs!
I couldn’t be any prouder to be a Ranger fan than I am today.
And despite other recent deep runs, and whether it be 2012, 2014, 2015 or 2022 – this 2024 team just feels leaps-and-bounds better than previous incarnations – and I don’t mean that as any sort of disrespect to anyone else.
It’s just a testament to Lavy’s Lot.
Here’s a happy, but still strictly focused, Laviolette, after the win:
Up next: A chance to sweep on Saturday night – and where yes – yours truly, and my merry crew, will be putting our 11-0 undefeated streak at the bar on the line!
And while I’ll be at my home bar, I also want to remind you of a GINORMOUS party taking place on the same day in Rangerstown, USA – and as hosted by our great pals over at “The Blueshirt Underground Show”:
Closing Thoughts:
If the Rangers don’t sweep on Saturday – then don’t fret.
The Canes will be desperate.
And while I’m rooting for a sweep – a Game 5 series clinch in front of a rowdy-and-raucous M$G isn’t the worst thing in the world either.
But please – five games is my limit!
I’m not sure what the Rangers have planned for Friday – but at the very least – I’d imagine a light practice at worst – and a video review session at best.
It will also be interesting to see who Rod Brind’Amour, who may be bound for Toronto starting next week, decides to use in net.
But as long as the Rangers have CZAR IGOR – then it won’t matter.
I’ll be back late Saturday night/early Sunday morning with a GAME 4 review – and hopefully talking about a ECF bid too!
But for now, it’s bed-time for me (I’ve been up 22-hours), which means for you, the following:
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
Another great review.
Give Shesterkin all three stars for this one.
This postseason has been pretty awesome 😍
Hopefully it will be historic too!
I watched Lundqvist’s explanation on TNT of how PAK misread the play and lost position on Lafreniere’s goal – but can’t find the excerpt now. It shows in bold capital letters captures exactly why Lundqvist has become the best commentator. Valiquette would not even have a clue about what Lundqvist was talking about.
Need to be careful not get ahead of myself, but I have been following this team since Eddie Giacomin’s rookie year and damn this is fun to watch.
Totally agree – hard to go brain over heart right now – but at the same time, you want to enjoy it and not expect to be heartbroken either.
Here’s the Lundqvist tape.
Thanks for sharing this – I thought this was what you were referring to.
Another awesome game and blog. Don’t understand why Kakko is still in and why not put Jones in. As we see does not matter how many shots on goal. Igor is so dialed in that is definitely the key. Well I am so pumped about going to the game on Saturday, would be so sweet to sweep.
They aren’t going to scratch Trouba, so maybe Jones for Gus?
Sorry you saw a loss though, always sucks to spend all that money and get that, even if the big picture outweighs your personal experience.
Praising Tony DeAngelo is a not so subtle trick, Sean. It looks like you’re encouraging CAR to always have him in the lineup to cause chaos, even though you know -we all know – that the chaos he creates is far more damaging to his own team than to their opponents. Glad he’s doing everything he can to help NYR win. If there was an Asshole of the Year award, Tony DeAngelo would win it so many times that the trophy would have to be renamed the Asshole DeAngelo trophy. Always happy to see him playing against NYR. It almost always guarantees a NYR victory. It would be great to see your wish come true and have him become an NHL coach after he stops playing. How about DeAngelo succeeding Torts as the Flyers coach? One big asshole followed by an even bigger asshole could keep PHI losing for years to come.
While I don’t hate TDA like you, I do want him in every game, as you know he’ll always do something stupid and get rattled.
Prediction: Ryan Strome future GM, TDA as his HC!