April Fools!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

If you fell for this, you should obviously know better.

Yes, this means I'm not coming back. Sorry.

Let's Go Rangers!!!!!!!!!

I'm Baaaaaaaaaack....Again

You guys really didn't think I was going to sit on the sidelines for another potential Rangers Stanley Cup run did you?

Yes, I am officially the Brett Farve of New York Rangers bloggers as for the second time in my illustrious blogging career I've decided to put my family and career back on hold, crack open a bottle of Jack and announce yet another comeback in an attempt to offer my unique take on our beloved Blueshirts.

And what better place for a return than where it all began: Blogger. Yep, I've decided to kick it old skool by bringing my talents back to the "blogspot blog" as some of you referred to it as. That's right, Chris Mullen isn't the only person "coming home" this week.



So the big question is why? Whelp, after I left the Rangers blogging game, I felt a huge void was left that hasn't been filled. While blogs such as Blueshirt Banter and Blue Seat Blogs do a tremendous job of bringing you analysis from a numbers perspective, I don't feel there's a true voice of the Rangers fan in the blogosphere.

Rangers Nation deserves a blog that expresses the true and raw emotion of Blueshirt fans on a daily basis. Someone you can all relate to who truly communicates the roller coaster ride that is the New York Rangers. Someone with humility, who is not afraid to admit their analysis was dead wrong and never demeans those Rangers fans with differing opinions no matter how incredulous.

Humor and snark are a huge part of being a Rangers fan and rarely do I find those traits conveyed on the current line-up of Blueshirt Blogs. No Mashinter man crushes. No Poopsalot nicknames. No Sean Avery All Star campaigns. It's all very stale if you ask me.

Former TheNYRBlog writer Adam Herman likes to remind me that the Rangers were 5-4-1 when I decided to hang up my keyboard and have since gone 43-17-4, so there's an inherent risk of me being dubbed a jinx by jumping back into the fray at this point in the season.

But I'm willing to take that chance. While all the above reasons went into my decision to re-open the doors at the New York Rangers Blog, the real reason I did it was because I really missed all of you.

I'm hoping to have my first real post published at around 1pm.

Let's Go Rangers!!!!

TheNYRBlog Has Moved

After three years of running The New York Rangers Blog here at Blogger I have moved over to Bloguin.

The new url is: http://www.nyrangersblog.com/.

The url will be the only thing different at the new address. The New York Rangers Blog will continue to be the one spot stop for all your Rangers news and I encourage everyone to bookmark the new url.

If things are half as great over at Bloguin as they were at Blogger then we're all in for a great time.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at nyrfan94@yahoo.com.

No Suspensions, Maybe Fines for Brawl (Updated)

Update, 9:20 p.m.:
This is how Oilers player Theo Peckham saw the events unfold before he went after Avery per Jesse Spector at the Blueshirts Blog...

“I watched my teammate (Ladislav Smid) ask a guy to fight, and Avery turned around and said, ‘No, no, next shift,’ and then Avery turned around and suckerpunched him,” Peckham said. “Then he skated by our bench laughing. I definitely made a little mistake and went a little wonky there, but we’re a family and sometimes you have to make a stand.”

...if true that confirms the sucker punch. Love that Avery laughed at the bench though.

Original Post:
EJ Hradek at ESPN tweets...

To be clear. I'n hearing there will be no suspensions from today's EDM-NYR game. There likely will be fines.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckEJ Hradek
EJHradek_ESPN

...i don't care what anyone says that was a sucker punch by Avery. Smid asked Avery to fight, Avery turned it down and when Smid went to skate away Avery punched him in the chops. There are codes in hockey and Avery just broke one.

...having said that I still love Avery and what he did worked as the Rangers just poured it on afterward. I hope he does the same thing to Crosby tomorrow.

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Video: Game Highlights & Torts

Updated, 9:02 p.m.:
Since the game highlights didn't include the brawl here it is...



Original Post:

Rangers vs. Oilers highlights

Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks to reporters about the Blueshirts' 8-2 rout of the Edmonton Oilers here.

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Rangers 8, Oilers 2

The New York Rangers (9-7-1) defeated the Edmonton Oilers (4-9-3) by the score of 8-2, today. For box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...i can recap today's game in two words: Marian Gaborik.

...welcome to the season Alex Frolov.

...first time we saw the real Boogaard. He was throwing bombs against another big tough enforcer.

...EC looks like he wants to stay on a line with Gabby with three assists and a +5.

...nice to see the refs not take a goal away from the Rangers for once (see Anisimov goal).

...anyone still want to tell me Boyle's not all star?

...cheap shot from Avery, but loved the old school scrum afterward.

...this is going to be a looooong season for Tom Renney.

...Biron looked like he was going to have a tough day after the second goal but kudos to him for toughning up and holding the Oilers scoreless the rest of the way.

...loved the snarl from Staal today. Would love to see him play like that more often.

...more good afternoon periods today than the last three years combined.

...in what should be a much more competitive game the Rangers head to Pittsburgh to face Cindy and the Pens tomorrow.

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Rangers vs. Oilers (Game 17) - Updated

Update, 11:22 a.m.:
Jesse Spector tweets that Derek Boogaard is back in the lineup with Todd White a healthy scratch. Torts had said yesterday he wasn't going to change the lineup, but I guess he had a change of heart.

Original Post:
The New York Rangers (8-7-1) host the Edmonton Oilers (4-8-3) today at MSG starting at 12:30 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: 970AM The Apple, XM204

Probable Lines:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Frolov-Christensen-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Avery-Stepan-Boogaard

Staal-Girardi
Del Zotto-Eminger
Gilroy-Sauer

Goaltenders:
Martin Biron - 2-2-0, 2.26 gaa, .912 sv%, 0 so.

Nikolai Khabibulin - 4-8-1, 3.64 gaa, .890 sv %, 1 so

Opponent Notes:
- Edmonton is 4-24-5 away from home since winning five straight road games last December.

- Nikolai Khabibulin is 1-4-0 with a 4.15 goals against average over his last five games and is 2-5-0 with a 2.42 GAA lifetime at Madison Square Garden.

- The Oilers defeated Tom Renney's Rangers 3-2 in their last visit to New York on Nov. 10, 2008.

- 2010 #1 pick Taylor Hall has just one point (an assist) in the last four games and is a minus 7. Hall has 3g, 4a so far this season.

- D Ryan Whitney has 13 points (all assists) on the season, which ties him for the team lead.

- Former Ranger Jason Strudwick has zero points and is a minus 4 in 10 games this season.

2010-11 Season Series:
Nov. 14, Rangers vs. Oilers at MSG

Opponent Blog:
Low on Oil

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McIlrath Suffers Knee Injury

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park reports that Rangers 2010 first round pick Dylan McIlrath suffered a knee injury in the 3rd period of his Moose Jaw Warriors game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes last night.

Rubenstein adds that initial reports were not encouraging and he will undergo further testing today.

...let's hope those initial reports are wrong. If this is a serious knee injury that requires surgery it will set his development back at least a year.

...McIlrath wasn't ready to contribute to the Rangers for at least two years so the injury isn't a killer for the Blueshirts, but you have to feel for the kid.

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Sunday Headlines

Bergen Record - Renney returns, Lundqvist is out

New York Post - Ill Lundqvist out again

Daily News - Dubinsky line centers Blueshirts offense

Newsday - Ex-Rangers coach Renney returns to MSG

Newsday - Lundqvist will miss Rangers-Oilers game

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Expanded Role for Eminger Leads to Improved Play

Jesse Spector at the Blueshirt Blog has this quote from Steve Eminger on his increased minutes leading to improved play...

“What’s different is, when you play those minutes, rather than 12-13, is you’ve got to focus yourself on the bench playing less minutes,” Eminger said. “There’s times where you’re sitting there for five or six minutes and your legs are kind of seizing up on you. You’ve got to stay focused on what you’re gonna do when you get out there so you’re sharp. When you’re playing 20 minutes, you don’t really have time to think. Things are just rolling, and you get into a groove that way.”

...when I'm wrong I admit it. Eminger has been a steady presence on the blueline this season and right now it seems the rangers made the right call keeping him with the big club while sending McD and Valentenko to Hartford for more seasoning.

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Heritage Week Towel

TheNYRBlog reader Desmond sent me this pic of the towel the Rangers were handing out during the third jersey unveiling ceremony last night...

...another pretty awesome third jersey for the Rangers would have been if they used the Heritage Week logo from the towel as a crest on the chest instead of the "New York". Similar to the Wild's jersey, which personally I think are one of the best in the league.

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Biron Back In Tomorrow

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants reports Martin Biron will get his second straight start as Henrik Lundqvist is still feeling the effects of head congestion/sinus issues...

“Henrik will not be playing, Biron’s going,” Tortorella said. “He’s still sick so we’ll go with Biron. If Henrik was healthy enough he would play but on the backside of it we feel very good about Marty’s game and he gave us a really good chance to get to that overtime, he made some key saves in the third period. He’s played well. This is what’s good when you have a veteran guy like him to help you out in these type of situations. He’s a good teammate. That’s one thing when we signed him, we knew he was a good teammate and guys pull for him. A backup needs to play games. We’re going to play him but he also needs to win but he’s found his way here so he’ll get another start.”

...i bet this decision was made a lot easier knowing Tom Renney and the struggling Oilers are in town tomorrow.

Gross also reports that Tortorella said he would most likely keep the lines together from Thursday, meaning Derek Boogaard will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game.

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Reminder: I'm Moving on Monday

Just a quick reminder that the blog will be moving over to Bloguin on Monday.

The new url is http://www.nyrangersblog.com

I've been cross posting everything over at the new location for the last few days so you can get a good feel of what it will look like. Which is pretty much the same.

The only difference is the comments sections. Which Bloguin is actually upgrading later this month. For now instead of needing to input a word verification code you'll have to input your e-mail address to comment.

Also, Bloguin gives their readers the option to register their own user name to stop imposters from commenting under their alias. The only problem is if a reader from another blog registered the name "Jack" none of my non-registered readers can use "Jack" when commenting meaning you'd have to choose "Jack1" or something else.

Again, that will change when they upgrade later this month.

As always, I'd love to hear any and all comments on the new digs and I will do all I can to address any issues.

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Heritage Week Continues with Public Skating Sessions with Alumni

Newyorkrangers.com reports that Heritage Week continues with fans being invited to free public skating sessions at Rangers partner rinks throughout the tri-state featuring alumni, fan giveaways and raffles including a Heritage jersey at each location.

Locations and times:

•Floyd Hall Arena -- 1:15 to 3:15 p.m., featuring Ron Duguay

•Danbury Arena -- 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., featuring Vic Hadfield

•Brewster Arena -- 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., featuring Vic Hadfield

•World Ice Arena -- 12:00 to 2:00 p.m, featuring Eddie Giacomin

•Staten Island Skating Pavilion -- 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., featuring Nick Fotiu

•Stergiopoulos Ice Rink -- 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., featuring Eddie Giacomin

For more on last night's jersey unveiling click here and here.

For Lundqvist's thoughts on the jersey watch video here.

Finally reader Beth sent me this picture from last night's ceremony...

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Saturday Headlines

Bergen Record - Gross: Tom Renney has plenty of praise for Glen Sather

New York Post - Lundqvist in mix for mantle of top goalie

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Watch Third Jersey Unveiling Ceremony (Updated)

Update, 10:59 p.m.:
Newyorkrangers.com has great pics of the new jersey as well as an interactive 85th Anniversary page...

Original Post:

The Rangers are making tonight's third jersey unveiling ceremony available through UStream, which you can watch right here starting at 6:30 p.m...



...awesome job by the Rangers using this social media platform to allow fans to watch the ceremony.

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Three Rangers on All Star Ballot

Update, 3:40 p.m.:
Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has the rest of the ballot.

Original Post:

Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal, Marian Gaborik are the #NYR players on the 100-candiate NHL All-Star ballot.less than a minute ago via HootSuiteJesse Spector
NYDNRangers

...is it me or should Dubinsky, Boyle and Callahan be on that list ahead of all three of those players?

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An Old Friend Returning to MSG

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants reports on Tom Renney's return on Sunday when his Oilers invade MSG...

Renney on his return...

“It’ll certainly be different than any other visit I’ve had there,” said Renney, who coached the Canucks for a season-plus before joining the Rangers organization in 2000. “There’s a certain amount of excitement attached to that. But it’s about the two points. That doesn’t allow too much time to get too sentimental.

“I’m there on business,” Renney added. “I have a high regard for the people I work for in Edmonton and I want to do a good job for them. I am going to allow myself the opportunity to bump into people and see the mechanism of you people (the media) and how you choose to chronicle my visit there. I’ll get the opportunity to thank the organization and I hope you convey that. They (the Rangers’ organization) are phenomenal people. As much as it’s a love-hate thing (being fired), I never thought it was so bad I couldn’t walk in with my head up.”

...as much as I killed Renney towards the end of his tenure with the Rangers, I cannot deny what he did for the Rangers organization. Coming out of the lockout they were a laughing stock and he along with Jagr and Lundqvist helped bring this team back to respectability.

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All Star Game: Play Ground Style

I've been negligent in posting about the new All Star format for this season, so here's a piece from Adam Kimelman at NHL.com on the newest concept to revive the game...

"A new format for this year's festivities will see the conference vs. conference approach replaced by a player draft, conducted by the All-Star players themselves, to determine the rosters for each team.

The 2011 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft will be Friday, Jan. 28, to kick off All-Star Weekend, which will be hosted for the first time by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Captains for each side will select from a pool of players chosen by a combination of fan balloting and the NHL Hockey Operations Department. The change in format is a joint effort by the League and the NHL Players' Association."

...not a big fan of gimmicks (although I am a fan of the shootout, so who knows) but the player draft should pretty intense.

...i also like that the teams will be named Wales and Campbell. Sort of doesn't make sense with players not playing for their conference anymore but still a big fan.

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Rangers Tougher Than Flyers

In this week's Fox's "Tough Guy" Tracker they score victories for Derek Boogaard and Brandon Prust for their bouts against the Flyers last week...

7. New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers While the Flyers may have beaten the Rangers up on the scoreboard Thursday night at The Wac, New York's tough guys, Derek Boogaard and Brandon Prust, skated away winners, besting Philly ruffians Jody Shelley and Daniel Carcillo in individual tussles.

...while it's nice that they won their fights, I would have rather the Rangers won the game.

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Lundqvist Almost Had to Play Last Night

Rick Carpiniello at Ranger Rants reports that Martin Biron was actually shaken up during warmups last night and the sick Henrik Lundqvist almost need to suit up...

"Lundqvist was in about half his uniform the whole game, just in case Biron got hurt. And during warmups, Artem Anisimov fired one off Biron’s sternum, and it stung and Biron went and told Lundqvist he might have to put on the full uniform."

...not sure the severity of Lundqvist's illness but how awesome would it have been to watch him make a save and then turn into the net and lose his lunch?

Carp also drops this stat on us: Biron = 2 wins. All of Lundqvist’s backups last year = 3 wins.

...i said it all offseason, Biron could end up being the most important signing of the summer.

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Rangers Trade Byers

I briefly touched on this last night, but yesterday the Rangers dealt away Dane Byers to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here's part of the Rangers official announcement...

"New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Chad Kolarik from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Dane Byers. Kolarik, 24, has registered four goals and six assists for 10 points, along with 18 penalty minutes in 13 games with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. He ranks third on Springfield in scoring with 10 points, is tied for second in assists and ranks fourth in goals. He also leads the team and ranks 14th in the AHL with 46 shots on goal, and is tied for the team lead and ninth in the league with three power play goals."

...was really hoping Byers would get a shot with the big club as the fourth line center this year, but Boyle obviously beat him out and we all know how well that's working out for the Rangers. But still, I liked his toughness and I hope for the best for Byers.

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Third Jersey Unveiling Ceremony Tonight

Just a reminder that the Rangers will be unveiling their third jersey tonight at The Rink at Rockefeller Center starting at 6:30pm as part of their Heritage Week.

The ceremony will be followed by an open skate with numerous Rangers alumni.

...unfortunately I won't be able to attend tonight, but if anyone goes please send me pictures so I can post them on the blog. E-mail them to nyrfan94@yahoo.com.

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Friday Headlines

Bergen Record - Rangers cut down the Sabres in OT, 3-2

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Ruslan Fedotenko waved off again

New York Post - Anisimov's OT goal propels Rangers

New York Post - Backup Biron gets it done on short notice

New York Post - Ref incorrectly waves off Fedotenko goal

Daily News - Anisimov's OT goal lifts Rangers at home

Journal News - Gritty Rangers still dependent on stars

New York Times - With Pieces in Place, Rangers Still Need Overtime

Newsday - Rangers beat Sabres on Anisimov's OT goal

Newsday - Rangers to unveil 85th anniversary jersey

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Video: Rangers vs. Sabres Game Highlights

Game highlights here.

...for some reason I haven't been posting game highlights this season. I'll be doing a better job of it moving forward.

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Rangers Talk Win vs. Sabres

Here are quotes released by the Rangers after the game...

John Tortorella on Marty Biron…

“We don’t get it into overtime without some of his saves. That is good news for us, not just tonight but for the future.”

Marian Gaborik on tonight’s game…

“It wasn’t a pretty game to watch but it was a tight game. We got two points and that’s the most important thing. Marty (Biron) was great in net and I think everybody chipped in and everybody helped the team to win.”

Ruslan Fedotenko on tonight’s game…

“He (Biron) came out really good. I thought the whole team played really well. I thought we did much better in the second period and I thought in the third period we found a way to win.”

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has more quotes including this from Fedotenko on his disallowed goal...

“It was not covered yet,” Fedotenko said of tonight’s play. “I was just trying to put my stick on it. I wish they reviewed it to see if the whistle blew.”

Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report transcribes Tortorella's post game press conference.

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Rangers 3, Sabres 2, OT

The New York Rangers (8-7-1) defeated the Buffalo Sabres (5-9-3) by the score of 3-2 in overtime, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

Attendance: 17,848 (98.1% full)

...wow that was an exciting overtime. Loved the back and forth. Oh yeah and Anisimov's goal helped.

...Anisimov had quietly been struggling on the top line and it was nice to see him break out tonight.

...three out of four solid starts from Biron to start the season. Can't ask for more out of your backup goalie.

...nice return from Gaborik. His skill level is just so much better than anyone else on the ice.

...saw lots of comments the last two days wondering why Fedotenko was still on the team. Assuming I won't see those tomorrow.

...third straight game with the refs stealing a goal from the Rangers. Who's coffee did Torts spit in?

...poor Frolov. The guy has the game winner on his stick and a Buffalo defenseman is able to deflect it out of mid air into Enroth.

...i liked Gilroy's game tonight. He was tough on the puck and joined the offense when needed. Very noticeable. Should be good for his trade value.

...what? No hat trick against the Sabres again from Stepan. Heck he's begging for a secondary assist at this point.

...big fan of the lines tonight. Lots of balance.

...loved Torts' reaction to the game winner. He was fired up. As was I.

...couple of days off then Tom Renney and the Oilers are in town Sunday afternoon.

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Rangers vs. Sabres (Game 16) - Updated (Lundqvist Out)

Update, 6:26 p.m.:
Jesse Spector tweets that Martin Biron will get the start as Henrik Lundqvist showed up at the rink ill.

...h/t to reader DT.

Earlier Spector tweeted that that Rangers traded Dane Byers to Columbus.

...i'll have more on this later.

Original Post:
The New York Rangers (7-7-1) host the Buffalo Sabres (5-9-2) tonight at MSG starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM204

Probable Lines:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Frolov-Christensen-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Avery-Stepan-White

Staal-Girardi
Del Zotto-Eminger
Gilroy-Sauer

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 6-5-1, 2.68 gaa, .918 sv%, 2 so.

Jhonas Enroth - 2-1-0, 3.63 gaa, .870 sv %, 0 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Sabres are 2-0 on their current three game road trip.

- Jhonas Enroth, filling in for the injuried Ryan Miller, has won his last two starts, making 51 total saves through overtime plus six more in the shootouts.

- Derek Roy leads the Sabres with eight goals and nine assists, including two of each over the last two games. The center has three goals and one assist in his last four meetings with the Rangers.

- Tyler Myers had a goal and two assists in the Sabres 5-4, SO win vs. the Devils last night. They were his first points since Oct. 26.

- Jason Pominville scored his first goal of the season last night.

2010-11 Season Series:
Oct. 9, Rangers 6, Sabres 3 at Buffalo
Nov. 11, Rangers vs. Sabres at MSG
March 1, Rangers vs. Sabres at MSG
March 30, Rangers vs. Sabres at Buffalo

Opponent Blog:
Top Shelf

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Black-and-Blueshirts

Kevin Clark at the Wall Street Journal takes a look at the Rangers shot blocking prowess...

"This season, the Rangers have developed into a gang of kamikaze defenders who excel in blocking shots. They have done it 277 times, 26 more than anyone else in the National Hockey League. There are less painful ways of winning hockey games, but few are more effective than this."

Dan Girardi on his shot blocking technique...

"You have to get in the lane where he'll shoot it or else he'll just shoot around you,'' he said. "I make sure I know where the net is, try to be in the right spot and be already down when he's taking the shot. It is a matter of timing and positioning."

...double edge sword with all the blocked shots. Sure it's great to stop a scoring attempt, but look at the injuries the Rangers have suffered this season. These guys will be lucky if they make it to the end of the season with the way they're blocking shots.

...h/t to Puck Daddy.

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McDonagh's Going to Be a Shutdown Defenseman

Rory Boylen at The Hockey News has a great piece on Rangers prospect Ryan McDonagh....

Gordie Clark on what is expected from McDonagh...

“He’s just a smaller version of Marc Staal,” Clark said. “We did not have him as a point-producing guy. In the NHL, this guy is going to be a shutdown defenseman with his skating ability.”

...not a bad comparison. Hopefully, McDonagh plays a little tougher than Staal.

Clark also says that during his time at the combine, McDonagh’s been the single most impressive guy ever.

...wow!!!

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