Make no mistake, last night's victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning was important. The Lightning are not one of the league's better teams. Nor was this a "measuring stick" game. However, there were some very important "events" in this game:
1. The Goals: The Rangers managed to score three (3) goals! That, in and of itself, is an important accomplishment for this team! Even more importantly, however, is how the team scored its goals. The first goal came courtesy of a Nigel Dawes deflection. The second goal was the result of a shot (gasp!) from the point by Jagr which found its way to the net courtesy of the traffic generated in front of Tampa's goalie as a result of Shanny crashing the net. The third goal was scored by Shanny setting up shop directly in front of the net with his stick on the ice. Simple, fundamental hockey.
2. Jaromir Jagr: In my last post, I referred to Jagr as the captain (lower case "c"). Last night, Jagr played like a Captain. He drove to the net. He kept his feet moving. He shot the puck. He scored a power play goal off of a slap shot from the point (really!) Most importantly, he literally got his teeth knocked out and managed to finish the game with a two point first star performance. Like I said, he played like a Captain.
3. Nigel Dawes: In my season preview, I wrote about the need for someone other than the big guns to step up for the Rangers. It's only been a few games but Dawes looks like he could be that player this season. Admittedly, I've been slow to warm up to this kid. However, Dawes is absolutely earning respect and praise with the way he's been playing. The kid can skate, pass, shoot and even hit! If Dawes continues to perform, Renney will have some very difficult decisions to make when Avery, Straka and Callahan are ready to get back into the line up.
It was only one game. It may be the beginning.
It's funny you should bring up Nigel Dawes. I just picked him up as a free agent for my my fantasy team & he already chipped in with a goal. I think he could help, but I can see Renney being a reject & sending him back down when the other guys come back.
Posted by: MOSS | October 31, 2007 at 09:22 AM
can't wait for the game tonite. let's keep the train rollin'! check this out:
Ask Al & The Maven about tonight's game - http://blogs.msg.com/gameon/2007/11/hockey-night-li.html
Posted by: nyrdave | November 01, 2007 at 11:25 AM
This Lundqvist kid is really dominating. When he's on his game he is truly unbeatable. The one aspect of his game that I would like to see him improve on is the psychological part. He seems to take goals against personally, as you could see in his emotions that he gets upset about giving up even 1 goal. Obviously this has its benefits too, as he will try not to give up even a single goal on any given night. However, he does seem to get startled after giving up a goal, & it seems to affect his play the rest of the way. Just like a closer in baseball, you need a very short memory & you can't take every negative so personally. If & when he conquers this part of his game, he will be even greater.
Posted by: MOSS | November 02, 2007 at 06:57 AM
Now it's two games....still may be the beginning. Exciting, except for that first period last night.
Posted by: The Dark Ranger | November 02, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Jason Spezza for 7 years @ 49 Million
Dany Heatley for 6 years @ 45 Million
Scott Gomez for 7 years @ $51.5 Million
Huh?????
Posted by: thedirtyboy | November 02, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Are you actually gonna make this comment when your financially challenged Icelanders gave a injury/concussion prone goalie a 15 year deal? Which, by the way, came only a couple of years after offering Alexei "where are you now" Yashin a 9 year deal. Please spare me the "I actually think its a great deal for the Isles, horrible deal for DP" nonsense, b/c I think we all know where DP will be in the next 2 or 3 years. Thats right, playing golf with Brett Lindros....
Posted by: MOSS | November 05, 2007 at 08:49 AM
That was a horrible attempt at deflecting the question. But I guess therein lies the fact that you basically agree with me.
Posted by: thedirtyboy | November 06, 2007 at 07:03 AM
Regardless of whether or not I agree, you make these comments while ignoring the Isles contract mistakes. Pointing them out while your team does the same is pointless.
Posted by: MOSS | November 06, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Hey it's quiet in here- where'd everyone go????
Rabbi, should I only check for new posts after Ranger wins?
Has something not gone as expected?
Posted by: thedirtyboy | November 07, 2007 at 07:24 AM
Relax there. Billy Guerin quotes in todays paper says it all. Read them.
Posted by: MOSS | November 07, 2007 at 02:18 PM
Relax dirty. Yeah the Rangers paid a lot for Gomez and Drury. But that's the nature of UNRESTRICTED free agency: Spezza was not going to be unrestricted. He, thereofre, has less leverage. Also, both Sezza and Heatly signed mid season, thus avoiding the risk of injury while playing out the season heading towards free agency. You have to give a little to get a little.
Posted by: The Hockey Rabbi | November 07, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Dear dirtyboy: Take a bath.
Posted by: Gary | November 18, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Oh, I've heard about these hockey stuff from my brothers back in Sarasota. Captain Jaromir Jagr, huh. I like the ring to it. To be honest, I'm not really a hockey enthusiast but I'm pretty amazed at their endurance. I mean, it's a full contact sport just like football. The difference is they get to hold a stick to control the puck, and they play on ice which makes it a lot more dangerous. You've mentioned something about losing teeth. I wonder if each team has its own implant dentist for the players' dental needs?
Posted by: Katia Craig | February 22, 2011 at 12:26 AM