Deju vu all over again

Boston 1, Rangers 0. Sound familiar?

Two games in Boston this regular season and identical results. Which can be considered good or bad if these teams meet in the playoffs, which, if the Rangers do get in, seems like the likely matchup. All four games against the Bruins this season were one-goal affairs, with the teams splitting the games. Despite what Butch Goring said on the post-game show, I think the Rangers can play with this team. If the Rangers do meet the Bruins in the first round, I'd expect a seven-game series.

The difference today in the most simplistic terms was Tim Thomas outplayed Henrik Lundqvist, even though the only goal was a knuckler that dipped at the last second on Lundqvist. Doesn't matter. When Thomas is not giving up anything, and using his mask, a la Lundqvist, to do it, you can't afford to give up that one goal.

However, just as the Rangers get Michal Rozsival back from a left knee injury, it appears they've lost Nik Antropov to one. The Rangers will probably have more on his injury either tomorrow or Monday.

As for Sean Avery, it's impossible to condone what he does at times. That was pure Slap Shot. I know he's trying to get his team back in the game and get under Thomas' skin but that was one play I really didn't like. That said, if the referees are calling it after the fact off the big board, that's a problem.

As for the power play, I think it's obvious now that coaching wasn't - and hasn't - been the problem. It's about having a take-charge leader on the PP. I'm not asking for Brian Leetch but the Rangers aren't going to score many goals with a crew that seems, to a man, either unable or just disinterested in being the on-ice leader.

Finally, I listened to the first two periods on radio as I drove to LaGuardia to retrieve my car. Don't get a chance to do that often. I think Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney provide one of the smartest radio hockey broadcasts I've heard. And I'm not just saying that because both are my friends. They analyze the game not only well, but with a pace that allows both you and them to keep up with the play.

Three to go, hosting the Canadiens Tuesday, the Flyers Thursday and at Philadelphia Sunday. I think the Rangers need a minimum of five points.

Comments

[Matty]

I just do not understand this view point Andrew ... Henrik cannot go out there and score so now he is to be blamed for the team's inability to step up and score a goal?

The PP once again failed, Redden once again helped along it's utter failure, but it's Henrik that needs to be called out for letting in 1 goal in a 1-0 contest? Come on...

[Matty]

BTW Tim Thomas did stop everything that was thrown his way but once again the Rangers made it too easy for him, just as they did for Cam Ward ... this team continues to try to make plays as if they still have players like Jagr ... they do not have the top end talent that the Caps do or the Penguins, or even these Bruins ... they do not have that guy that will just do something amazing ... Zherdev could be that guy but it seems to me that he's not interested in working hard to make it happen on a consistent basis and as the games get harder he disappears more and more ...

Henrik is the least of this team's problems ... he always has been ... the culprits are the overpaid vets who are just not earning their money ... the culprit is Glen Sather who has saddled Torts with this crew ...

In a way I am happy this is happening ... now do not get me wrong... I want us to make the playoffs and go on a Cinderella run but I do not feel that it will happen ... we might make the playoffs but we will not get through to the 2nd round because far too many players on this team who play a lot of important minutes in a lot of key situations are just not getting the job done ... they haven't done it all season and I do not see them doing it now or in the playoffs if they get in ...

Glen better take a long hard look at this team in the summer and then allow Torts to get rid of the dead weight so that next year we can actually take a step forward instead of the step back we have taken this season

[LI Joe]

still think 4 pts might do it - if they are 2 w's. but don't think we'll get it.

Buffalo plays today too and monday before we play again on tues (right now they have 2 in hand on us). like i said below if we go 3-1 Buffalo can run the table to beat us out and fla can't.

i would add buffalo to the mix. they have game in hand on both fla and us and tiebreak on both based on wins (fla) or head to head (rangers). so 4 pts back with game in hand (currently 2 games in hand on us) is still possible for them. although their schedule is very tough too.

NJ, Det, at Tor, at Car, Bost

but fla losing really helped us. we have a better chance of 2-2 doing it and 3-1 would do it except if Buffalo runs the table. 2-2 would mean fla needs 7 of 8 pts or buff would need 4 of 5 wins

[idov]

I watched the Boston feed and they said nothing about Antropov. Thought it was an injury. Avery did his thing. No problem with that as long as he took someone with him.

[Mark]

If Antropov is out, are they really going to put the Virus back in the lineup?

[Godwin]

this is where that deal for morris will annoy me...

we could still have prucha and/or dawes incase of an injury... now we have nobody. I consider voros a nobody.

[TK]

This team is deeply flawed and going nowhere. We've all known it since December and without a real goal scoring threat we don't have all that much to look forward to, unfortunately.

Far too often have we relied on Lundqvist giving up 2 or less goals because our offense is completely anemic and we have no margin for error whatsoever.

[LI Joe]

i'm a lot more annoyed about the 2nd rd (antropov trade) pick than i am about prucha, dawes or kalinin

with the cap coming dowm in the next yr or 2 - i want no free agents coming here (unless for 1 yr bargain price). as players contracts end, use the $ for our own and guys like cally and staal. i'd even consider letting z go if the compensation is good enough (like a couple of number 1's)

[Chris]

It's time for Korp to move back to the third line, especially with our next three opponents; granted, if Antropov is out, there won't be a question of him moving up to the third line. Our size kills us in games like these. It's hard to match any line with big guys like Wheeler, Lucic, Krejci, and Ryder, especially D-men like Redden who take the wrong angle towards the puck along the boards and allows forwards to center the slot-man...

Henrik played a great game given the players in front of him. I think Zherdev is a scapegoat for a lot of people. Much more blame can be placed on Drury and Naslund, especially Naslund, because neither have any idea what they're doing in the defensive zone in 5-on-5, nor on the rush. Despite his stats, I think Naslund has been the biggest disappointment this season, and would much rather see Korp through these next three games, especially if Antropov is out of the lineup.

[bob]

Sjostrom in the last several games deflected 3 goals in his own net, yet nobody criticizes him. Whats up with this facination with this scrub? He stinks.

Prucha >> Betts/Sjostrom/Drury/Gomez/Orr

[Mark]

I wonder if Glenn, didn't mind giving up the 2nd round pick because they got one tragically back from the death of Cherapanov.

[LI Joe]

mark - i'd rather have 2 2nd rd picks than 1. the yr we drafted dubi we had 4 and only he looks like an nhl player. we really need to build through the drafty and can't throw away picks. this team was going nowhere with or without antropov. the guys in the morris trade i'm ok with losing either due to size issues or salary issues or both.

[Mark]

LI JOE- I agree with you completely, we need as many draft picks as possible. Just trying to figure out what Glenn was thinking. I mean I think it comes down to if Torts wants Zherdev or Antropov back, and I know Zherdev has the most talent on the team, but I just feel he is not giving the effory that Torts feels he should be getting. Now a lot of guys aren't giving the effort, but I am not sure if Zherdev likes playing for Torts.

[LI Joe]

mark - not sure even sather knows what he is thinking. he spends $ and draft picks like a drunken sailor who just got paid.

with the cap i'm not sure we can keep either z or antropov on offense or mara or morris on d. maybe 1 of the 4. I'd keep any of 4 over redden. but will they just put him in ahl for 5 yrs. doubtfull.

[bob]

What good are many draftpicks when the organization is unwilling to trust young prospects and instead opt for garbage like Drury, Redden, etc.

[LI Joe]

well sather won't here forever. a guy drafted now will be here around 3 yrs when drury's contract ends. and when the cba ends they will likely be able to buy out reddens moronic contract. that will be either 2 more yrs or possibly 3 if players extend 1 yr.

so be patient my young jedi

[graves9]

uhh why does my posts keep disapearing Andrew? Anyway like I said San Jose might be interested in Drury. The made a strong push for him in the summer of '07. If they get knocked out early they could show interest in trading for him.

[Pete]

no way a team makes an offer sheet for zherdev that would cost them a first round. he is way too inconsistent/unmotivated. id cut bait w/him, antropov (who is equally streaky) and morris is fine but nothing special

[graves9]

Devs lead Sabres 3-0.

[Keith]

I say lose Morris, Mara, Z, and re-sign Cally and Staal. Let Sanguinetti, Potter, Sauer and Fahey fight for two spots. If possible, and I know it's unlikely dump or trade these guys: Gomez, Redden, Rozy, lose Vally and think about losing Orr and picking up some toughness with some skill like Chris Neil or Ott. I like Colt but he is not a very good player-these days fighters are still necessary but they have to be able to play. I would also like to add that Parenteau should be given a shot-that guy is tearing it up in Hartford and he has been for a while.

[Keith]

Oh-I forgot Naslund-he is done-lose him too and give the A to someone else.

[Keith]

Freakin Buffalo is coming back. Oh and if it were up to me I keep Antropov. His size and skill are special-he just needs to be motivated

[Keith]

LI JOe-is there somewhere I can go on the net to find out the contracts with years remaining on the current players on the roster?

[Mark]

We say it again the Rangers control their own destiny again.

[Mark]

keith- http://www.outsidethegarden.com/salaries.asp