Rangers vs. Lightning (Game 2)

The New York Rangers (1-0-0) play the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-1-0) for the second night in a row to end their European vacation, today in Prague. The game can been watched on MSG or Versus at 12 p.m. For a preview go to NHL.com.

Possible Lines:
Naslund-Gomez-Drury
Dawes-Dubinsky-Zherdev
Prucha-Korpikoski-Callahan
Voros-Betts-Orr

Redden-Rozsival
Staal-Mara
Kalinin-Girardi

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 1-0-0, 1.00 gaa, .952 sv%, 0 so this year.

Olaf Kolzig - 25-21-6, 2.91 gaa, .892 sv%, 1 so in 54 games with Washington last year.

Notes:
- Scott Gomez lead the Rangers with 6 SOG yesterday. Vincent Lacavalier lead Tampa also with 6.

- #1 overall pick Steven Stamkos was held off the score sheet and was a -1 in his NHL debut.

- Despite Gomez going 11 for 13 on face-offs the Rangers lost the face-off battle 30 to 32.

- Giradi and Kalinin were the only two Rangers with a minus yesterday (-1).

- Michal Rozsival lead all Rangers with 24:49 of ice time.

- Brandon Dubinsky was named 1st Star.

- For pictures from the Rangers Viewing Party at the Bohemian Beer Garden click here

....haven't seen anything about a line-up change for today's game. I know Renney likes to stay with what works, so in all probability we'll see the same guys out there again today.

Rangers 2 Lightning 1

The New York Rangers (1-0-0) defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-1-0) by the score of 2-1, today in Prague. For a recap go to Yahoo! Sports.

...speed, speed and more speed. Sather and Renney wanted a younger, faster line-up and they have it. While the Rangers extended their preseason trend of having trouble finding the back of the net into the regular season, they completely dominated this game. Sans a few giveaways (thank god we have Lundqvist).

...not sure I can remember a game last year when every player seemed to be giving 100% like they did today. Could it be the absence of Jagr who was known for taking prolonged periods of time off? Maybe.

...after coming off two sub-par seasons, it was very encouraging to see Naslund get one today. Heck he could have had a couple. Oh and by the way, Dubinsky, he's still good.

...i don't think there's another player in the league as good with the puck as Gomez. He pretty much skated through the entire Lightning team all game long. And he was 11 for 13 on face-offs.

...zherdev played with a lot of passion today. Couple of takeaways and skated hard throughout. Had a few giveawys as well but Ranger fans are going to have to get used to that.

...despite going 1-7 on the power play I thought we looked a heck of a lot better than last year. And I almost fell off my couch while witnessing Rozsival actually taking shots from the point.

...every Ranger fan has to be pumped for the rest of the season after today's performance.

...would like to see Fritsche get in the line-up tomorrow. Maybe sit Voros or Orr. Didn't seem very physical out there today.

Prucha to Play in Season Opener

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that Petr Prucha will indeed be in the starting line-up for today's season opener against Tampa. There were a number of beat reporters (see here and here ) and fans (here) who were miffed at the possible snub, especially with Prucha being from the Czech Republic and having more than 20 family and friends invited to the game. Here's what Tom Renney had to say on the decision to insert Prucha into the line-up...

"I didn't change my mind, I made up my mind," said Renney. "I think Petr's had a good camp, he's been a little bit snakebitten offensively, but he's had chances as much as anybody on our team, and we need to score to win. The fact that he would be energized is not going to hurt us at all. But that's not unusual for Petr, we could be playing in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and he would play the game the same way. It was just one of those things, I contemplated it all day yesterday and last night."

...to tell you the truth I wouldn't have had a problem if Renney sat Prucha today. I'm not worried about hurting a player's feelings, I'm worried about wins. If Renney felt that Sjostrom was the better fit, then Prucha should have dealt with it like a professional. Not like a baby.

...having said that I'm glad Renney did put Prucha in the line-up. Despite not scoring in the preseason he did have a solid camp. Much better than Sjostrom who was originally getting the nod.

...and to go back to my original point when does playing in someone's hometown guarantee playing time? Does that mean the next time the Rangers play in Colton Orr's hometown he gets to play on the first line with Gomez and Drury? C'mon.

FYI - the Rangers are the away team tonight and will be wearing their white jerseys.

Season Opener Headlines

The Journal News - Post-Jagr Rangers sporting a new look

Newsday - Rangers name Drury team captain

Newsday - Rangers are King Henrik's court now

New York Post - PRUCHA SNUB MAY MAR RANGERS OPENER

Bergen Record - For the record: Rangers missing out at home

Rangers vs. Lightning (Season Opener)

The New York Rangers begin their quest for the franchise's fifth Stanley Cup when they open the 2008-2009 season against the re-tooled Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague starting at 12:00 p.m. For a preview go to Newyorkrangers.com.

Possible Lines:
Naslund-Gomez-Drury
Dawes-Dubinsky-Zherdev
Prucha-Korpikoski-Callahan
Voros-Betts-Orr

Redden-Rozsival
Staal-Mara
Kalinin-Girardi

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 37-24-10, 2.23 gaa, .910 sv%, 10 so last year.

Mike Smith - 15-19-0, 2.59 gaa, .901 sv%, 3 so in 34 games with Tampa last year.

Notes:
The Rangers and Lighning split the season series last year 2-2.

Among the new faces in Tampa are Adam Hall, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi, Gary Roberts, 1st overall pick Steve Stamkos, Radim Vrbata, Matthew Carle, Andrej Meszaros and Olaf Kolzig. As well as new Head Coach Barry Melrose.

Tampa ended last year with the fewest wins (31) of any team in the NHL.

The Rangers won their season opener at home against Florida 5-2 last year.

...i'm so fired up for the game i decided to do my game preview tonight.

...last year i tried a couple of different game preview formats, but I'm going to go with this one probably all year.

Drury Named Captain

Larry Brooks at The New York Post announced that Chris Drury has been named the 25th Captain in New York Rangers history...

The New York Rangers will open the season in Prague tomorrow against the Lightning with Chris Drury wearing the captain's "C" and current linemates Scott Gomez and Markus Naslund wearing the associate captains' "A," The Post has learned.

Drury is only the second American-born Captain in Rangers franchise history with Brian Leetch being the first.

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report has further analysis and quotes from Drury here.

For those of you who don't believe anything Brooks writes, Newyorkrangers.com is confirming this here.

...congratulations to Drury, Gomez and Naslund.

...while I think Renney had Drury pegged as Captain all along his performance on Wednesday definitely sealed the deal.

Congrats to Korpikoski

With all the news about Corey Potter and Brian Fahey being re-assigned and Petr Prucha having a Malik-like meltdown, I forgot to send a big congratulations to Lauri Korpikoski for making the big club.

While its always nice to bring in high profile free agents like Naslund, Redden and Zherdev, I think fans get the most excited when a rookie makes the team out of camp. The past few years we've had a lot of success bringing up rookies such as Girardi, Callahan, Dubinsky, Staal and Dawes. And I have no doubt that Korpikoski will continue that trend.

What gets me even more pumped is the line Korpikoski will be centering. Teaming him with Callahan and Sjostrom gives the Rangers a pure energy line that can also put the puck in the net. That's right Ranger fans a third line that can put the puck in the net.

I've made it know that I was very happy with the Rangers decision to not re-sign their older slower players such as Jagr, Straka and Shanahan and go with a younger faster line-up. With the opening day roster now finalized, I'm even more confident that Glen Sather has taken this team in the right direction.

Here's hoping that the Victoria Cup isn't the only cup the Rangers are raising this year.

Eklund: Something Up in Rangerland

With the Rangers deciding to re-assign Corey Potter and Brian Fahey, Eklund at HockeyBuzz wonders if the Rangers are up to something...

"The Rangers today decided to tell two of the young d-men that they are going to Hartford when the team returns to the Mainland....

Why tell them this now when the team is still in Europe?

Are the Rangers really going to carry on six defenseman when they return?

Something is up and I am on it..."

...ummm Eklund the Rangers needed to trim their roster to 24 and these were the only two, other than Korpikoski (who wasn't going anywhere), who didn't need to clear through waivers.

Prucha Upset with Benching

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes says that Petr Prucha 'reportedly blew off a television interview request with some anger, saying that he wouldn't be in the lineup on Saturday.'

...i wonder if Prucha then stormed out into the Prague night ala Malik in Edmonton last year (see here).

...i'm assuming that stunt isn't going to endear Prucha to a Ranger organization that was probably already looking to move him.

Rangers to Add Defensive Depth, Malhotra?

Michael Arace at Puck-rakers says that a number of scouts attended the Blue Jackets-Sabres preseason game last night including from the Rangers. Arace thinks teams 'in need of depth on defense might be looking at Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Marc Methot, who are in the Jackets’ lineup, and Aaron Rome, who is not.'

Another player that the Blue Jackets were showcasing was none other than former Ranger first round pick Manny Malhotra, who they played on the first line with Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius.

...with the Rangers already having 15 forwards on the roster I'm assuming they weren't there to add another fourth line center to a team already full of them.

Too Bad Rangers Have Naslund & Zherdev

In his Eastern Conference analysis for The Hockey News, Ryan Dixon thinks the Rangers going from a team that relies on Jaromir Jagr to a Drury-Gomez co-production could work. However he has this to say regarding our new wingers...

"Too bad Markus Naslund and Nikolai Zherdev are their top wingers."

...ouch. I think a lot of teams would love to a have a former NHL MVP on the wing as well as possible future star. Or maybe its just me.

Rangers Captain to be Named at Team Dinner Tonight

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Reports says 'the word on the captain selection is it will be done at a team dinner tonight.'

Potter & Fahey Headed to Hartford

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that the Rangers have decided to go with six defensemen to begin the season as they have sent both Corey Potter and Brian Fahey to Hartford. Neither of them had to clear waivers which was probably the reason why the Rangers decided to send down both defensemen instead of one defenseman and one forward such as Rissmiller or Sjostrom who might have been claimed by another team.

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report doesn't feel having 15 forwards and 6 defensemen is an ideal ratio and says 'it raises further questions about what exactly the team was thinking with some of its free agent signings.'

Dubi at The Blueshirt Bulletin thinks its actaully a good idea.

Both Zipay and Weinman anticipate that Rissmiller, Frische and Prucha will sit tomorrow.

...surprised to see both Potter and Fahey sent down. Would have rather they put Rissmiller through waivers. If someone claimed him would it really matter?

...i'm also shocked to see Frische is a candidate to sit tomorrow over Sjostrom especially after his goal against Metallurg on Wednesday.

Friday's Headlines

Newsday - Searching for right mix to fill Jagr's shoes

Daily News - Rangers push for more as season rolls around

New York Times - Drury May Fill Rangers’ Leadership Void

Newyorkrangers.com - Rangers get a warm welcome in Prague

Blogs: Escape from Embarrassment, Swiss Diaries, Piles & Debbies, & Postcards from Prague

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park thinks the Rangers 4-3 win over Metallurg wasn't a great comeback but an escape from major embarrassment.

ScottyHockey, who is over in Europe following the Rangers, continues his 'Swiss Diary' by giving us a report from Wednesday's victory against Metallurg.

In typical Rangerland.net fashion, Melvin and Jen C. give hysterical season previews for both the Islanders and Devils.

M Hurley at My Blueshirt Heaven reports on the postcard she received from the Rangers in Prague and the Rangers PR machine.

Barnaby to Debut on Sportscenter Oct. 8

Neil Best at Watchdog reports...

"...ESPN will announce today that Matthew Barnaby will succeed Barry Melrose as its NHL studio analyst, a development The Buffalo News reported last month.

Barnaby will debut on SportsCenter Oct. 8 and usually appear on the show Wednesdays and Thursdays during the regular season."

...good luck Matt. Looking for some colorful commentary from you.

Hutchinson Waived by Tampa Bay

Damian Cristodero at Lightning Strikes reports that former Hartford Wolfpack Defenseman and "AHL Defenseman of the Year" Andrew Hutchinson has been waived by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Cristodero has this on Hutchinson's performance this preseason...

"As for Hutchinson, he is the preseason's biggest disappointment. Signed to a two-year, one-way, $1-million contract that pays the same whether he is in the NHL or the minors, Hutchinson was supposed to provide veteran leadership and play point on the power play. But he has struggled and played especially poorly Tuesday against HC Slovan."

...looks like I was wrong on Hutchinson. See here.

Renney: Provide Opportunies

With the Rangers decision not to re-sign Jaromir Jagr, a number of role players have been given an opportunity to step up their game and help make up the 25 goals that are now playing for Avangard Omsk.

The three players I'm hoping seize this opportunity are Nigel Dawes, Ryan Callahan and Petr Prucha.

Here's Tom Renney's comments to Steve Zipay at Blue Notes on the absense of Jagr...

"Jaromir was such a huge presence, obviously from a physical standpoint, but even from his personality, he was an engaging guy and well liked by his teammates...There's something left in his wake, no question of that. But it's time to provide opportunities for someone else and others. Often times, and in cases like Jaromir's, it takes a couple of players to fill the void, not just one."

No Cuts Yet

Sam Weinman at the Rangers Report notes that the Rangers 'skated as a unit of 26 this morning in Prague' which means that they haven't made the final three cuts. Weinman anticipates Renney making roster cuts and naming the Rangers 40th Captain tomorrow.

New York is Lunqvist's Kingdom

Brian Compton at NHL.com has a great feature on Henrik Lundqvist. Here's Lundqvist's thoughts on New York...

"You can live a pretty low-key life here, but I love the city," Lundqvist said. "There's so much stuff to do. You have the craziness and the intensity around the games on the big stage in New York, but then you take a cab a couple of blocks away and they don't even know there's been a game. I love that part of the city. I can live a pretty normal life. Obviously I can tell the difference between now and two years ago. People start to recognize, but it's still pretty comfortable."

...this guy is living the dream. Low draft pick making it on Broadway. They should make a movie out of this.

Lundqvist/Valliquette Ranked 8th in THN Goalie Confidence Index

Ryan Kennedy at The Hockey News has devised the Goalie Confidence Index or GCI: an objective formula concocted to measure how effectively a team can rely on its netminders. Here's where Henrik Lundqvist and Stephen Valiquette...

NY RANGERS

Rank: 8

Score: 155.1

A stellar defensive team to begin with, the Rangers rarely worry when ‘King’ Henrik Lundqvist is between the pipes. His 10 shutouts in 72 games helped him to seventh place in that category, only to be outdone by his own backup; Stephen Valiquette was fifth, notching two goose eggs in 13 appearances. Valiquette’s frugal 2.19 GAA didn’t hurt matters, either.

...#8 seems fair to me looking at the teams ahead of them.

Thursday's Headlines

New York Post - RANGER RALLY COLLARS 'CUP'

New York Times - Down by 3, Rangers Rally to Edge a Russian Team

Bergen Record - New Ranger captain almost a no-brainer

Video: Al & Joe Recap Dramatic Ranger Win vs. Metallurg

Renney: Drury Not the Only One Who Can Lead

After today's game Tom Renney had a conference call with Ranger beat writers who pressed him on whether Chris Drury's performance against Metallurg clinched the captancy. Here's what Renney had to say as reported by Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report...

“Leadership doesn’t fall into the category of one game,” Renney said of Drury, who came up with two huge goals today against Metallurg. “All of us understand his ability to lead, but as I mentioned before, he’s not the only one who can lead this team.”

Renney has said he will make a decision on his Captain before Saturday's season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For further quotes from Renney on today's game and possible cuts go the Andrew Gross' Ranger Rants.

...as I said in my post game analysis, I'd be shocked and disappointed if Drury didn't get it after today's performance.

Rangers 4 Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3

The New York Rangers defeated Metallurg Magnitogorsk by a score of 4-3, today in Switzerland to win the inaugural Victoria Cup. The Rangers ended the preseason with a 3-5 record.

For a game recap visit the Blueshirt Bulletin.

For photos go to Slap Shot.

...amazing comeback for the Rangers to save face. This would have been a disaster worse than the economic crisis if they would have lost.

...i contribute the slow start to the Rangers probably not expecting much from Magnitogorsk. But when push came to shove it was nice to see the team step up.

...while I've been an advocate for Gomez getting the "C". Today's inspired performance from Chris Drury, including a Bobby Orr type goal (see picture above), clinched him getting the "C" for me.

...i was surprised to see Rissmiller get the last line-up spot ahead of Sjostrom. Not a good sign for Sjo.

...after giving up a few weak goals it was nice to see Lundqvist bounce back with a strong effort.

...this comeback win gives me a warm fuzzy feeling going into the season opener against Tampa.

Live Blogging Rangers vs. Magnitogorsk

Newyorkrangers.com will again have live blogging from today's game for anyone who can't get to a television. Click here.

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report will have live in-game updates as well.

...***UPDATE*** Rangers down 2-0 after first period. Lundqvist looks shaky. Maybe his knees are bothering him. We need to stay out of the box!!!

...***2nd PERIOD UPDATE*** Chris Drury scored a late second period goal to cut the Magnitogorsk lead to 3-1. Drury was apparently pretty pumped after the goal. Rangers start the third period on the power play.

...***FINAL UPDATE*** Three goal third period capped by Callahan's breakaway goal with less than 20 seconds left seals the win for the Rangers. Wow!!!

Puck Daddy Hosting Live Chat at 1 p.m.

Pucky Daddy is hosting another one of his many Rumor Live Chats right now. To participate click here.

Who's Sitting

Dubi at the Blueshirt Bulletin reports from practice today...

"Staying later, after everyone else went off the ice, are defensemen Corey Potter and Brian Fahey, forwards Colton Orr and Aaron Voros, and third goalie Miika Wiikman. These then are five of the six players who will not dress tonight."

Dubi indicates that the sixth player will probably be Rissmiller.

He also says that contrary to erroneous reports Lundqvist was on the ice practicing. Not on the operating table.

Newyorkrangers.com has a preview of today's game here.

...looks like Renney's going with the speed line-up tonight.

...not sure I agree with that. Would like to see some muscle in the line-up just in case.

Jagr Scores Two vs. Torpedo

Jeff Klein at Slap Shot reports that Jaromir Jagr scored twice yesterday in Avangard's win against Torpedo. Jagr is now up to a K.H.L.-leading 10 goals along with 5 assists in 13 games this season.

...not sure if you guys want me to keep updating on Jagr or not. Let me know.

Wednesday's Headlines

New York Post - RANGERS FACE COMBINATION QUESTIONS

New York Times - Rangers Make Quick Work of Swiss Team and Brace for a Russian One

Bergen Record - Rangers clock Swiss