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"Talking New York Rangers Hockey, since 2007"
New York, NY • United States • 23 Years Old • Male

Re-D-fining Offense

Posted 10:47 PM ET | Comments 8
Do you know which Ranger is tied with Brendan Shanahan for the team lead in goals. Superstar Jagr? Nope. Speedster Gomez? Nope.

Its actually Michael Rozsival.

Do you know who scored the only overtime goal for the Rangers this season. Mr. Clutch Drury? Nope. Legendary Brendan Shanahan? Nope.

Its actually Jason Strudwick.

Dont forget Daniel Girardi and Fedor Tyutin who both have 2 goals on the season. Or Marc Staal who picked up his first career goal a few nights ago in New Jersey.

Dont either forget that the Rangers have allowed the fewest goals against of any team in the league. Only 38 in 20 games. Less than 2 goals per.

What you should forget is those claims you made before the season. Remember? You said the Rangers were great but had a gaping hole at defense. Forget that. Start wondering if they have the best.

And it was that defense that won the 5th straight game for the Rangers tonight. That completes the 4 game road trip with a 4-0 record. That gives the Rangers 9 wins out of their last ten. That puts them at 1st place in the Atlantic with a 12-7-1 record.
Remember that team that was 2-5-1. Kinda scary, huh?

Of course, this game didnt begin well as the Penguins got off to a quick start. First Crosby made a gorgeous pass on a short-handed 2 on 1 to Maxim Talbot for an effortless tip in. And then he gets one of his own from the side of the net as he scored over the pad and past the glove of Lundqvist at a ridiculous angle.

At that point, I thought of a great title for tonight's blog. "Crosby Is'nt Human."

But suddenly he was. The Pens went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead and all of the momentum on their side. And came out flat. Crosby was a non-factor for the rest of the game. There was light.

Rozsival put the Rangers on the board early when Dubinsky set him up for a one-timer as he cut in from the point. Momentum began to shift. The Rangers were swarming. The Penguins were tired.

Penalty. On the Rangers. Momentum killer, right?

Wrong.

Staal steals the puck. Down the right wing to Avery. 3 on 2. Rozsival the trailer. Gets the puck. Quick snap shot.

GOAL!

And were all tied up. Who would have thought? Not me. If Rozsival scores once more the blog title will become "Coming Up Rozses."

Late in the 2nd. Rangers on a power play. They have been bad with the man advantage all night. Prucha down the middle and in on a rush. Pass left to Girardi. Wrist shot.

Perfect! Top shelf over the left shoulder of a sliding M.A. Fleury.

3-2 heading into the break. That is: 3-2 in favor of the Ranger's defense.

The Pens wouldn't give up. They worked for the entire 3rd period and were rewarded when Petr Sykora tied the game at 3. Time runs off the clock. Going to overtime.

Rangers should play conservative and get to a shootout. They have been great in those.

Don't think so.

Good pressure by the Rangers. Gomez steal the puck. Ahead to Mara who leads the rush. Cross-ice pass. Through the legs of Orpik. In front of Sykora. Right to the stick of Strudwick. The puck, the player and the unoccupied goal-mouth all arrive at the same time. Redirection.

Game over.

Final score: Rangers Defense: 4. Crosby and the Pens: 3. OT

Who would have thought in this crazy season that the Rangers offense would struggle and the defense would flourish.

But then again, who would have thought that the Rangers could go 10-2 after being written off as over-paid and over-rated after 8 games.

Who would have thought that those last place Rangers would have the sole possesion of 1st in the Atlantic only 12 games later.

Who would have thought that those Rangers would be on pace for 100 points at the quarter pole.

Its just hockey, I guess.

And I love it!
R2R
Filed Under:   Rags2Riches   Rangers   Rags2Riches   Defense   Offense  
November 17, 2007 11:04 PM ET | Delete
The Rangers are a great team and they will be dangerous in the playoffs. My only concern with them is Lundqvist being burned out. Having to play at the level he has been all year long can wear on any goalie after a while.The thing is, and the scary part is, I think the Rags have enough weapons to even get by something like that. A mediocre Lundqvist and they can still find ways to win. That's a sign of a good hockey club.They're going to be dangerous all year long and come the post season.
November 18, 2007 9:18 AM ET | Delete
Just Be glad that you are getting Defense right now, Because the lack of scoring would be a lot more amplified if that wernt the case. just hope they dont forget to play when your scorers start lighting the lamp. its funny how that happens sometime. All in All the Rangers are a very talented team, but dont book your stanley cup just yet. The Best team doesnt always win
November 18, 2007 10:04 AM ET | Delete
Thanks for the advice Sabres fans!!!
November 18, 2007 11:09 AM ET | Delete
I would like to see Vally get more playing time, assuming Henrik needs rest.. he proved himself worthy in Toronto, IMO.
November 18, 2007 11:46 AM ET | Delete
we'll see Vally play in one of these two games on the Florida road trip this week, guaranteed.
November 18, 2007 6:22 PM ET | Delete
yeah, gotta get vally in against florida.
November 18, 2007 9:10 PM ET | Delete
people talked about how lundqvist plays too much and people talked how the D is a gaping hole and people talked about how the rangers have either a superhuman offense or a relly overpaid offense.but im here to take a slightly different perspective.lundqvist must play at least 65 games this year, hes young and starting his prime ,he can handle it.and regarding the offense i think they are somewhat overpayed but that will pan out in a few years when jagr and shanny retire,but as for this year , the season is long and the rags forwards will all pick it up and they'll be led by their caaptain.NOW THE DEFENSE WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. they are good. but inexperienced and not proven they dont need any help ,they will be the leagues top d in a few years.but for now the only advice is to get a cheap veteran who has a stanley cup on his resume by the trade deadline.
November 19, 2007 1:16 AM ET | Delete
umm Sabre4life I'm pretty sure the best TEAM does in fact win...or do you think the sabres were better than the sens last year? or the DUCKS?!
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