Henrik Lundqvist posted his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Ottawa Senators, making 33 saves. The Rangers were were led by their Kiddie Korps with goals by Brandon Dubinsky (6) and Lauri Korpikoski (2). Petr Prucha and Nikolai Zherdev also played strong games and picked up an assist each. Korpikoski with a goal and an assist was the number one star though a case could be made for Lundqvist.
Lundqvist bounced back from his Montreal debacle to shut down Ottawa, which surprisingly has scored the fewest goals by any team in the NHL. I say surprisingly because with snipers like Alfredson, Heatley and Speeza it is kind of amazing that Ottawa has scored fewer than 100 goals so far. It was Lundqvist's 19th career shutout and his 21st win of the year.
As a team the Rangers played the coach clueless defensive system to perfection. The defensemen were practically flawless. I wonder if the callup of Bobby Sanguinetti lit a fire under some of them? I would love to see the kid play a couple of games. He could replace Kalinin for a while. I know my friend Richie, from Westchester, in Section 336, would be ecstatic. He has been waiting for the Sicilian Stallion from New Jersey to make his debt for three years now.
Now it's on to the Island. You think we could score more than two goals against the team that has given up the most goals in the NHL? Don't bet on it.
ICINGS:
Reactions to the Shanny signing in Devils land have not been overwhelmingly positive.
2 Man Advantage blog:
Shanahan’s a Devil again! --
I think I speak for most Devils fans when I say…huh?Interchangeable Parts:
I’m conflicted at best, personally. I can only assume he’ll get a one-year deal, so it won’t be a terrible move if it doesn’t work out. It’ll definitely add some depth for a good playoff run, and boosts the power play immediately.
That said, where does he fit? The top two lines are pretty much set in stone for the time being - they’ve both been too good. The third and fourth are both solid lines, and while some shakeups were expected for tonight, I’m not sure who gets dropped to fit Shanny in. Mike Rupp? Jay Pandolfo? David Clarkson? Methinks Lou may be working on another move…
A Super Saturday In The Life Of IPB --
Only 3 hours into Super Saturday and it’s all ruined. All ruined! According to Tom Gulitti, the Devils have officially signed Brendan Shanahan to a one-year contract. Schnookie: “Well, it could be worse. We could have Scott Clemmensen as our starting g– oh sh*t!” Boomer: “I don’t know what Lou’s thinking. Next he’ll be signing Randy McKay again.” Schnookie: “Hey, Claude Lemiuex’s in the middle of a come-back!” Pookie: [Vomits copiously.] ...sundstrom / Devils forum at NJDevs.com:
I'm still scratching my head on this one. the team does not need more leadership - they really have plenty of it. i'm also not sure that shanny gives that "different voice" or energy boost that might put a spark into these guys.
for the most part, they are a solid hard working team. the latest two weeks has seen a decline in effort from the max they were getting in november but that's only natural in a long season, as much as it pains me to say it. they are not as skilled and talented as Detroit and SJ (or even Boston for that matter) where they can just get by on skill alone. Parise, who is the best forward save Elias, is not even the most skilled. But he is the hardest working forward in hockey and has good enough skill to translate those into very good play.
the kaberle thread highlights what, if anything, the devils really need which is a 20+ minute 1st pairing defenseman with good offensive instincts that can move the puck...
It's time for Rangers coach Tom Renney to go! While GM Glen Sather is smoking cigars in the skybox, he may want to take a gander at his floundering ice follies. The Rangers have quit on themselves and their coach and because you can't fire a team, it's Renney who must be replaced. They don't play 60 minutes of hockey on any given night and not one player has been held accountable. Renney is a good coach, but his words have fallen on deaf ears. Replace him now or suffer the fate of the other two New York-area hockey teams.
Tim Franina
Plantation Fla.
Things are starting to become serious for the Rangers. They are hearing the footsteps of teams like Florida, Buffalo, etc and the notion that the Rangers will not make the playoffs will become very troubling for two men: GM Glen Sather and coach Tom Renney. The reason being owner James Dolan only cares about one point regarding the Rangers: making the playoffs. If the team continues to struggle, and I believe they will, they could be out of a playoff spot very soon. Patrick Rissmiller, Aaron Voros, Wade Redden, Dan Fritsche and Dmitiri Kalinin make a combined $12 million in actual salary. Couple that with disappointments Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, who combined for approximately $14M, and that's a whopping $26M in payroll down the drain and probably at tbest the eighth and final spot in the playoffs.
Chet Merola
Manhattan
Finally, former Rangers player Chris Kotsopoulos, 'Kotsy,' calls out Ottawa's Chris Neil as a chicken. Another sound editorial decision.Kotsy's Korner:
It was also interesting to see how Chris Neil of Ottawa tried and really did take advantage of a few Rangers players (Prucha & Staal). But, when facing probably one of the most honest tough-guys in Colton Orr, he declined. I'm not here to say Neil chickened out (he is a legitimate tough-guy himself)... but you make the call...
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