Well Its A Win

The Rangers averted a 'lost weekend' today by holding off the Chicago Blackhawks in a 2-1 win at the Garden. Goals by Straka (27) and Hossa (7) gave the Rangers an early lead and even though they outshot Chicago, 29-22, the Rangers were hanging on for dear life at the end. The win put the Rangers at 63 points, three behind eighth place Toronto. Both teams have 23 games to play and face off one more time at MSG on Sunday April 1st. Hopefully the Rangers will still be in the running for the platoffs.

There are two teams ahead of the Rangers in 9th and 10th place. The Islanders and Montreal are a point ahead of the Rangers but Montreal has played one game more than the Islanders and Rangers. The Rangers now have to gear up for a home and home against the Devils this Tuesday at NJ and Thursday at the Garden. To say these are critical would be rediculous, all the remaining games are critical. Are the Rangers equipped for this run? Renney thinks so. I don't.

The Rangers came out like gangbusters and scored two goals in a ten minute span and at 11:40 of the first period the Rangers held a 2-0 lead and seemed ready to roll to a huge win. No such luck. After some great saves by Lalime, the Blackhawks got their composure and were on the attack the rest of the game. Lundqvist made seventeen saves in the second and third periods and the Rangers came through with a must win. The one goal scored by the Blackhawks was a lucky shot from the side of the goal by Havlat.

Brendan Shanahan visited the team before the game and wished them well. Too bad he wasn't in the lineup. They were fired up for a while and then couldn't penetrate a goalie that was playing in only his third game this year. Just think we get Brodeur in back to back games. At least we got the two points, clean and in regulation no less.

ICINGS: Plenty of kids among the large crowd. Many were first timers and seemed to enjoy themselves. Tomorrow the family, including two of the Grandkids will have a skate around in MSG. Should be lots of fun and we may also meet some of the oldtimers there. The Pundit will not be on skates. I would need four skates and a pillow to navigate the Garden ice.

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