2008/09 NHL Thread

The Eastern Conference's two hottest teams continue their winning ways. The Devils topped the Bruins, 1-0, at The Rock.

In South Beach, Florida beat the Rangers, 2-1, in the shootout.

 

Rangers reserve goaltender Steve Valiquette told Larry Brooks that he thinks the league should shrink the pads.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02142009/sports/rangers/nhl_considers_plans_to_increase_scoring_155134.htm

 

Apparently, there was some thought given to postponing last night's Sabres game. Coverage from the BuffNews:
Sabres players, Ruff shaken by tragedy
NHL, Sabres considered postponement
Focus is on community for Sabres

When I mentioned Drew Bledsoe on the crash thread the other night, my football-centric mind completely forgot Lindy and several players live right there, too.

 

The Sharks flew into Buffalo several hours prior to the crash.

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/02/sharks_who_visit_devils_sunday.html

 

Wow ... Whalercanes blown out again at home.

So, that's two losses in three days at home by an aggregate score of 10-1.

 

OK, Leafs give up two goals in the first ten minutes of the game against the Penguins and end up beating Pittsburgh 6-2

 

Sean Avery made his Hartford Wolfpack debut tonight.

In 16 minute of ice time during a 3-1 loss to the Manitoba Moose (irony there), Avery took three shots on goal but did not record a point. He was involved in several skirmishes.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spavery0215,0,5843937.story

JR's right. He'll be a Ranger before the end of the month. Not that Avery cures all of the Midtown Middlers' ills.

 

Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire are ripping the ever loving hell out of the Rangers.

 

As they should. They look horrendous today. I skipped church thinking this would be a really good game. I'm extremely disappointed.

And the Flyers score for the third time in like a minute and a half.

 

The Rangers are fucking gutless. And they've looked like this for most of the second half of the season.

Perhaps after today's nationally televised humiliation, Czar For Life Glen Sather will blow the thing up. Chris Drury, Nigel Dawes, the terribly underutilized Petr Prucha, Michael Rozsival and two first round picks to Atlanta for Ilya Kovalchuk and Garnet Exelby. Dmitri Kalinin to Ottawa for Chris Neil.

The best part of today's disgrace was Brandon Dubinsky's scrap and the dude in the stands sporting a Charlestown Chiefs sweater.

 

Rightfully, they should have.

This is vintage Rangers hockey. With the exception of 1994, the Rangers historically find some kind of way to self-destruct. Putting Sean Avery in that lineup now is akin to throwing a dirty bomb into a raging house fire.

One of the Eastern Conference's bubble teams - Pittsburgh, Carolina, Florida, Buffalo - will make the playoffs at the expense of the Rangers. Possibly even at the expense of the Canadiens.

 

Both possibilities would be freaking sweet.