The Rangers moved to within one win of clinching a playoff berth after a big win against the Canadiens last night. Henrik Lundqvist was on top of his game and Chris Drury, playing the Captain Clutch role, scored two goals en route to a 3-1 win. The Rangers need just to win one of the two against the Flyers as the Flyers beat Florida last night, 2-1. The Rangers and Flyers are tied at two games apiece in their series so far.
The play of the game was made by Sean Avery, harassing goalie Price of the Canadiens behind the net, and getting the puck out in front of the net where Nik Antropov did his Derek Jeter impersonating of sliding into third base, and poked the puck in with his stick. It was quite a goal from the big forward who played despite hurting his knee in the last game. It was also quite a play from Avery who never stops skating and chases every puck like it is his prized possession.
The other ferocious puck chaser, Ryan Callahan, picked up two assists and prior to the game was awarded the prestigious Steven McDonald Award, for actions above and beyond. Well deserved and he responded with another gritty game. So it's Thursday night at MSG and that should be the night. The Rangers don't want to have to clinch it in Philadelphia. It could get scary. Of course making the playoffs could be scary because the big bad Bruins will be awaiting them. But one scary moment at a time.
ICINGS:
Washington is worrying about everything these days: banks, car companies, and now MSG advertising.
Capitals Kremlin:
Subway Sponsors Rangers' Glass Boards -- One step closer to ads on jerseys, or "the Rangers presented by Geico!" ...
----HockeyRodent -- Boycott Jared:
What is that obnoxious thing on the glass behind Henrik Lundqvist? And why did that logo force the camera to repeatedly swing too wide right for me to see the action between the dots? ...
I am really enjoying Larry Brooks"
"The Rangers are one point behind seventh-place Montreal, which finishes with a game in Boston tomorrow night and one at home Saturday against the Penguins. The Canadiens are hurting, forced to play without defensemen Andrei Markov and Mathieu Schneider. Of course the Rangers are forced to play with Wade Redden, so that makes things kind of even. "
Wade has become a whipping boy in this town. I can't see what the possible end game will be for his Rangers career. He can't be run out of town, can he?