On That Note

A big thanks to new Rif's Rangers Rant contributer Bill, with some interesting thoughts from last nights near-meltdown in Atlanta. Bill and I may disagree on some aspects of this team, or their direction, but hey!- These are rants, and you will now get more than one perspective on this truly INTERESTING Rangers squad.

GAME NOTES

- I fear that the two points the Rangers escaped with last night may disguise the true disarray this team seems to be in right now. A loss to Atlanta last night may have applied some pressure on Glen Sather's PANIC button.

- With that said, what better team to show up on the schedule next than the red-hot New Jersey Devils? This is the kind of game that no matter the latest team struggles, this group will rise to the occasion for.  It's just the game that can get the Rangers back on track. The King will be back in the cage- and he owns the Debbies.

 Now as far as the Rangers in Atlanta...

- Welcome back Wade Redden. A productive yet quiet return for the struggling defenseman with 3 assists (one on every goal).  I feel like a quiet game for Wade at this point may be a good game for him.

- The new line combinations seemed to click at times... until Renney continued to mix and match during the game. How can you expect players to jell when they're being thrown out with different guys each shift?? 

- Sit Nigel Dawes for Petr Prucha. Dawes had a nice hit last night and that was about it. Petr just hustles so hard and it's clear he wants to produce on every shift he hits the ice.

- Despite good hustle on his GWG, Scott Gomez was unimpressive again last night. Too many turnovers, and he doesn't seem to be at full speed right now. However, his right hand bloodied an unusually fiesty Ilya Kovalchuk. Yet he only received another double-minor rather than a fighting major! He just cant get the 5!

-Gomez delivers the right hand and Colton Orr scores the goal that breaks the scoring slump. this team is clearly Bass Ackward.

- Steve Valiquette, though not MY favorite goalie (Bill seems to think highly of him) was undeniably solid last night. He had 3 glove saves that prevented the Rangers from falling behind the Thrashless Thrashers.

- Brandon Dubinsky looks like he's ready to bust out of this slump (1g in 20 games now). He was a man possessed with the puck last night, skating hard and winning battles all over the ice. Look for him to start tearing the mesh in the next few games. 

- 3 goals on the lowly Thrashers. With JOHAN HEDBERG in net. Ugh. The guy couldn't hold on to his own hand, let alone a rebound in a hockey game. And all 3 Ranger goals that were scored were a product of that. Well, that and ACTUALLY GOING TO THE NET. Wowzer!

STARS OF THE GAME

3rd Star)  #19 Scott Gomez -  GWG.  His hustle to the net on OT gave the Rangers an extra point. That's the only reason he gets this star.

2nd Star) #6 Wade Redden- Assists on all 3 Ranger goals and a +3. A nice return for the underachiever.

1st Star) #40 Steve Valiquette- 27 saves, more than one of which were very clutch. Was left out to dry on both goals (breakaway, back-door goal). Did more than his job as a backup goalie last night. 

-Rif