After winning five in a row the Rangers mailed it in tonight with the result being a 3-1 loss to the undefeated Sabres, who are now 3-0. The highlight of the game was Paul Mara going after Patrick Kaleta, who hit Mara late and high, again. Remember Kaleta is the guy who busted Mara's face last year with a late and cheap hit. The Rangers gave up a goal in that five minute kill, plus they gave up a shorthanded goal and that basically was it. The Rangers could muster only 9 shots on goal for the first two periods.
So the media might blame Mara for the loss, but I will not do that. It's early in the season and if you want to avenge old scores this was a night to do it. There are three more meetings between these teams and I am sure that we have not seen the end of this little feud. Even without the Mara incident the Rangers did not bring their A game. Their power play was lame, no goals and they gave up a shorthanded goal and their penalty kill gave up two goals.
So the special teams did the Rangers in. Even strength wasn't any better. The Rangers had only 9 shots the first two periods and wound up with 20. Most of the shots were blocked or redirected but I didn't see the Rangers try getting more aggressive or trying anything different. However, it's early in the season and after the long trip and playing the most games of any team the Rangers looked pooped. But there is no rest for the weary as there is Toronto Friday, Detroit Saturday and Dallas with Avery on Monday.
ICINGS: The crowd was no where near capacity with about 3-4 thousand empty seats. Plus I counted at least 8 empty luxury suites. It looks like the economic problems are spreading to the Garden.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mailing It In
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Are you worried about the Naslund-Gomez-Drury line? They are settling into a nice funk. Naslund needs to at least hit the target if he's our sniper.
I guess I'd have to say that I am. If I saw glimpses of them meshing, that would be encouraging but I haven't lately. Gomez is under the weather a bit with the flu, maybe after that passes give it another few games? If not, some tweaking I guess. Hmmm. Drury looks out of his element lately.
wes-Quite worried. He seems to be afraid to carry the puck and is quick to shoot it in rather than carry it in.
blow-me-down-They do seem to be having trouble meshing. Shades of last year. Drury has to be centering his own line.