Well, well, well. Now the season officially opens (at least in my eyes). The “new” Garden is being unveiled, along with our new savior Brad Richards, and our new captain, Callahan. We finally get to watch a game that doesn’t end at 1:00 AM or start at 1:00 PM. Ahhh. good ol’ 7:00 PM starts…..who thought we’d miss them. Let the puck drop, and let’s get this going.
Gabby has four goals so far. Richards with helpers on all of them. Let’s hope that trend continues. Sauer is coming back tonight, albeit with a wonky shoulder. We’ll see how many shifts he’ll last. The biggest, and worst news, Staal is still out with lingering concussion symptoms., Not a good sign. Look for a defenseman to be signed or traded for in the upcoming weeks, as insurance in case Staal stalls (get it…stalls) Well, anyway, another season underway for both the Blueshirts, and bleedingblue. Bring it on!

ESPN
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/7152259/new-york-rangers-defenseman-michael-sauer-set-return-ice

NY Daily News
NY Rangers home opener Thursday vs. Toronto Maple Leafs is the end of a long, strange road trip

NY Post
Rangers face Maple Leafs in first game at new MSG

Well, July 1st, one of the NHLs biggest days for transactions has started up the 4th of July fireworks a little early. The Blueshirts got a little “R”ichards & “R”upp, with a sprinkle of Fedotenko. Richards has agreed to (hasn’t physically signed yet) a 9 yr. deal with average annual salary of about 6.5 mill. Rupp signed for 3 yrs. at 4.5 mill. Fedotenko was given a 400,000 raise from last year.
One other thing….
Jagr will haunt us….remember you heard it here!

Linky Links

Richards Broadway Bound

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370694

http://nydn.us/l6d78L

Rupp

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370628

The year in fights. Almost all Ranger fights have been cataloged in the “Drop the Gloves” section. That’s the fourth tab from the left you lazy bastard. Enjoy! Watch some of these to get fired up for Game 5, which starts in about a half an hour. LGR!!!!!

Hey, what am I gonna write here. Of course I am the eternal optimist, even when the Blueshirts are down 3 games to 1. So, cliche, cliche, cliche. One game at a time. Blah, blah, blah.
Seriously, the series really could’ve been 3-1 in the Rangers favor at this point. They have played very well, save for that atrocious third period meltdown in game 4, which incidentally, was the first game all season where they have lost a game when leading going into the third stanza. Figures. Once the announcers proclaim “The rangers haven’t lost a game when leading going into the third period”, it’s over. meltdown commence. Oh yeah, same game right before Semin decided to wake up, the announcers happened to mention something to that effect. Superstitious? Absolutely! I am the most superstitious human being when it comes to hockey, and hockey only. So, as we lead up to today’s playoff match-up, which could end the Ranger’s season, or prolong it for yet another game. (Remember….one game at a time!) Let’s go Rangers! Stay alive! Knock on wood….

Today’s Articles:
NEW YORK
Daily News – Rangers now need monumental comeback in NHL playoffs after Capitals pulled one in Game 4 2OT win

Marian Gaborik’s miscue hurt Rangers in Game 4 vs. Capitals, but he knows comebacks from Wild days

Well, a total of 5 points – Carolina losses/Rangers wins – is where we at right now. If the Rangers can squeeze 2 points out of tonight’s game against the Bruins. That magic number becomes 3!!! Hank will be starting in his 24th straight game. If any Ranger fans want to stay up-to-the-minute informed, I highly suggest you follow @stevezipay on the ol’ twitter (If you aren’t already). He gives insight and important info right up to, and including, during the games. Keep up the great work Mr. Zipay!!

Well, as this regular season winds to an end, the Blueshirts hope to land in either  the 6, 7, or 8 spot. So, we would face-off against either the Flyers, Caps or Bruins. All three have been beaten by the Rangers, so no fear on this end. Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Flyers-Rangers match-up in round One. What about you….?

Check out this “save” by Jonathan Quick of the LA Kings…

NY Post -Rangers win without Gaborik

NY Daily News – Erik Christensen scores in shootout to lift Rangers over Predators, 2-1, as Henrik Lundqvist shines

Game 2s Continue to Smile on Rangers

The Rangers ended their 3 games in 4 night swing with a nice solid SO victory. Like Torts said yesterday following the game, that this is indeed one of those games where, last year, the Rangers would have found a way to blow the game and not gain any points whatsoever. Another thing, 5th shorty scored. I think we have more shorthanded goals this year then all of last year. Once again, this points to a team that is evolving before our eyes. A lot more positives this year than negatives…..let’s hope it stays that way!

Oh, I stumbled across this little gem in the Twitterverse….(follow @hockeyfights)

Keeping an eye on NHL milestones

Informative yet funny!

TC