Today the New York Rangers (27-24-6) visit the Philadelphia Flyers (30-18-5). New York, which trails Atlantic Division co-leaders Philadelphia and Pittsburgh by five points, is waiting for Jaromir Jagr to break out of his slump. A five-time 100-point scorer, Jagr has failed to register a point in five straight games and has only one assist in his last seven. Jagr didn't have a point in either of the Rangers' two wins in Philadelphia this season after recording three goals and one assist in his previous two visits there. During their seven game winning streak in Philadelphia, the Rangers have limited the Flyers to one goal or less three times, and have posted two wins in shootouts. The Flyers are expected to have forward Joffrey Lupul back in the lineup. He's been out since Jan. 5, due to a spinal cord contusion suffered in a collision with teammate Derian Hatcher in Toronto. Lupul, who has 16 goals and 35 assists in 39 games, was expected to be held out until Feb. 14, but got cleared to play following an MRI. For a full preview go to Yahoo! Sports.
...with teams having three and four games in-hand on the Rangers these two games over the weekend against Philadelphia and Washington before a five game lay-off is as big as they come. If they lose both, it will be very difficult for this team to make the playoffs.
...and with the season on the line, starting in goal for the New York Rangers is Steve Valiquette. Wow, that is a sentence I never thought I was going to type this year. And the funny thing is I'd rather Valiquette be in there right now. Look don't get me wrong, I don't think that Valiquette is going to get hot, replace Lundqvist and lead us into the playoffs, but I do think that if the Rangers win against Philly, you have to go back with him the next day. And if they beat Washington, then we have a goalie controversy, just kidding Fleisch14. If they do beat Washington we'll have a good vibe going into the week, hopefully the teams with games in-hand lose and we come back with Lundqvist against Buffalo at MSG the following Saturday. Sound like a plan. Good.
...with the way Nittymaki played against us last game, I'm assuming we're going to see Biron in goal, who I feel is the better goalie. Not that it matters whose in goal. With the way we shoot, I could post a shutout.
...this is the game where Jagr needs to break out. I know he's playing hard and teams are being physical with him, but you know what Jagr, you're the Captain and its time to start scoring some goals. Seven games without a goal is unacceptable for someone with your talent.
...with this being an afternoon game, not sure if I'll be able to post any game day updates, but I'll try.
2 comments:
Well said. I concur
Jagr needs to score not only because he's the captain but because that's what he's here for. He's lead the team in goals the last 2 years. He's here for his offense.
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