Rangers Fall Short in 2010

I cannot recall watching a regular season game that was like the 7th game of the Stanley Cup Finals........until today's Rangers-Flyers regular season finale. Although they lost in a shootout and pulled our puds to the last shootout attempt their spirited effort over the last 10 games was surely un-Rangerlike.

Give Tortorella credit for getting them ready for the homestretch, they would faded a lot quicker with Renney at the helm. But I disagree with having Joikenen in the top three for the shootout. He really looked like he had no clue against an average goalie like Boucher. It's not like Tortorella had no other choice! I know Gaborik is not that successful in shootouts but I woiuld taken my chances with the leading goal and point getter on the team than send out the Scott Norwoodesque Olli Joikenen. In his post-game comments Tortorella quipped that he had "no regrets" by not putting Gaborik in there.

Granted, P.A. Parenteau took 2 bad penalties but he still got a key shootout goal to redeem himself and I do not blame Anisimov for trying to make a play shorthanded. You don't have the luxury of time to decide what you will do in that situation and judging how this rookie has played during the regular season and playoffs the Rangers have a future star two-way player in Arten Anisimov (+2 in 82 games).

I also question why Matt Gilroy was a healthy scratch the last ten games. He played 69 games and was even in plus minus. Certainly they could have used his offensive skills instead of playing Anders Eriksson exclusively down the stretch. Heading into overtime today the Rangers had a dismal 4-10 record. They were very cautious and did not aggressively go to the net for fear of giving up an odd-man rush. Gilroy would have added that good point shot in overtime and not sacrificed the forwards getting caught in deep. In the shootout both the Flyers and Rangers were 3-3 but the entire hockey universe would give Lundquist the edge but the Flyers have too many skilled players who can put the puck in the net.

But it was again another game where Lundquist stood on his head facing 46 shots with about 25 of them being excellent scoring chances. There is no argument as to why is he was voted the team MVP by the hockey writers who cover the Rangers. It will be fun to discuss the future of the team and what they really need to get to Mount Stanley again in upcoming blogs.

For now we are disappointed Ranger fans but as true hockey fans we will watch the playoffs. We all know that Washington and Pittsburgh will be heavily favored in the East and San Jose and Chicago in the West but my sleeper picks are Buffalo in the East and Los Angeles in the West. No true Ranger fan wants to see the Blackhawks or any other original six team win. The Hawks are one year away from 50 consecutive years without a Stanley and Cup and the closest team near the Rangers 54 year record drought. We also do not want to see Brodeur carrying the cup again. Although if he does so this time they will need sharpshooters at the top of the "Rock" or as I like to call it "Prison" during the parade in Newark. I guess it is better than the parking lot in the Meadowlands!