Rangers - 2 Wild - 1
Ok first things first, how fucking awesome is this picture? Almost as good as the outcome of the game. The Rangers controlled the game from the second the puck was dropped and even though the score makes it look like it was a close game, it really wasnt. Id say this was one of the few pure 60 minute efforts the Rangers have put forth this season and even though they only scored two goals, its nice to see that they can still win a game this way when they need to. I guess you can say the fact that the Rangers have scored only 3 goals in their last 2 games is a bit alarming but its not like they've been short on scoring chances.
I thought there were a few interesting things about tonights game. For one, watching the Wild was like watching the Rangers under Renney. They kept it "close" for most of the game but they didn't really threaten to take control of the game at all. They played a bend but don't bust the fuck apart system but gave up a few more quality chances than they should have. I for one was pleased to see the Rangers playing an attacking system and just out performing a team whose coach is the master of the trap. Jaques Lamaire is a dude who I'd love to sit down with one day and talk about hockey with but I think his impending retirement is pretty much fitting right now, the trap is dead!
Heres some interesting, yet useless piece of information (An Homage to Trenton Thunder, which would be more accurate minus the interesting.)
If the Rangers trade Rozsival, Do not resign Morris and buy out Redden in a years time and decide to go with a Defensive unit of...
Staal-Girardi
Del Zotto-Mara
Sanguinetti-Sauer
Thats a unit of 3 Amiercans and 3 Canadians - you rarely see an all north american top 6. Also every single player in that group except for Sauer played their amateur hockey in the OHL (Sauer played in the WHL.)
Too bad Sauer tore his ACL last season. If he hadn't there would have been a good chance that one of Rozsival or Redden wouldn't be here right now (probably Rozsival.)
Props to Wade Redden - Hes looked better the last few games. The entire D looked great tonight.
3 up 3 down
Up: 1. Nik Zherdev - A goal and an assist and was all over the place tonight. Awesome showing from the dude tonight. The goal he scored was such a tough shot from a seemingly impossible angle and he made it look so easy. I've practiced shooting from that angle with no goalie in the net or defenders trying to stop me - Its not easy.
2. Nik Antropov - Didn't show up on the score sheet but he had another awesome game. He must have created 6 quality scoring chances by himself. Hes using his size MUCH better than I remember him doing in Toronto. Let it be known that he has moved to the #1 slot of UFA's to resign.
3. Mike Sauer - Welcome to the NHL! This wasn't one of those "well, he didn't do anything bad tonight so thats good!" types of performances. Sauer showed tremendous poise with the puck while being pressured, made numerous good passes out of his own end and was great positionally. Didn't look out of place at all. He'll get more comfortable with each game - He'll only get 4-6 max with the Rangers but its nice to know that we have someone who is ready to contribute at this level. Take your time getting healthy Rozsival, infact take the rest of the year if you need to!
Three down
1. Markus Naslunds decision to lean forward to get the puck - The last time he did that he got jolted too. A few weeks later one of his teammates almost killed the guy who hit him. I'd be worried about this happening again if Ryan Hollweg was still on the team.
2. Owen Nolans face - Major props to him for taking on Orr, but he got destroyed.
3. The announcer of tonights game - Who the fuck is Korpicowski?
Next up: Atlanta at Atlanta on Thursday. The last remaning game against a team under .500. Two points are a must because the next game is against the Pens at the Igloo which means that we're playing the Pens and the refs. Fucking Crosby.
