Valley, Valley Special

I can't figure this team out. If I could I would be the coach and we wouldn't have to worry about 'Clueless' anymore. Steve Valiquette posted his second shutout in a row both over the Philadelphia Flyers who tried the old rough stuff against the Rangers that worked in the 70's, but not this year and this time. There were eight fighting majors and the Rangers didn't duck from any of them. It was the Rangers seventh consecutive win over the Flyers at Wachovia.

Nigel Dawes and Scotty Gomez each had a goal and an assist. This is also a repeat for Dawes as he also got the first goal in the last Ranger win at Philadelphia. The story was Valiquette and the tough forechecking and hitting for the Rangers. The Rangers were officially outhit by the Flyers (21-15) but to me it seemed like there were more hits than that for both teams. The Rangers out shot the Flyers (33-31) and those two extra shots were the difference.

Valiquette was absolutely outstanding in getting his fourth win of the year, second shutout and lowering his respectable GAA from 2.37. The guy was amazing and wasn't fazed at all by playing against the tough Flyers on their home ice. Last time he shut out the Flyers I suggested that they play him against the Devils, but they put in Lundqvist who was brilliant against New Jersey. This time I truly believe he should be in the nets against the Caps and Ovechkin. After the Caps game the Rangers have five days off before playing Buffalo at the Garden next Saturday afternoon. The Dark Ranger must have been in seventh heaven today at Wachovia.

While the Rangers are now in seventh place in the Eastern Conference don't be surprised that by Saturday they will be in either ninth or tenth as all their opponents have games in hand. However, this mystic and erratic team must play every game like it is an Atlantic Division game. The Rangers have the best record within the Atlantic Division; it is outside and especially against the West that they are bummers.

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