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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

About Last Night – Rangers 6, Islanders 5

2:41:00 PM Article, Going 5-Hole, Hockey, Mike Kane, New York Rangers, NHL, Rangers 5th Line, Recap No comments

Rangers 6, Islanders 5

Holy. Shit.

This was a wildly entertaining game and if you missed it, I’m sorry.

Normally 6-5 is a poor game with bad defense and goaltending but this was simply just a showcase of 2 very talented teams who didn’t give up. If this ends up being a playoff series, Jesus take the wheel.

THE GOOD:

Halak is Moral – The biggest reason the Islanders were previously 3-0 against the Rangers this season has been the outstanding play of Jaroslav Halak. In every previous matchup, Halak has played out of his mind. The biggest takeaway from this game is showing that Brooklyn can be beat. The Rangers show they can score goal, it was beating Halak, whose been lights out previously, that made it mean more.

No Overtime – Winning this game in regulation was key. The Metropolitan division now looks like this:

Look at all those……….games in hand.

Heart – 2-0, 3-1 and 5-3. 3 times the Rangers were down 2 goals and all 3 times they came back. Heart and unwillingness(2 Legit) to quit can carry a team a long way.

Ryan McDonagh – 2 goals and aside from a bad turnover almost leading to an Islanders shorthanded breakaway and allowing Ryan Strome in front of the net for one of his goals, he had a nice game. This is the Mac Truck we need every night.

Kevin Klein – GW Goal, another assist, fantastic penalty killing and he’s becoming a solid looking Top 4 defenseman. To think that Michael Del Zotto was the only thing given up for him; that plus a $2.9 million cap hit until he’s a UFA in 2018 and this might be the most overlooked move the team has made. It’s also time to think about putting him in McDonagh’s spot on the PP line. At least give it a try AV.

Martin St. Louis – The slump is (hopefully) over. Can’t think of a better time to break a 16 game goal scoring drought that with the game tying goal against a rival. “Sometimes when you don’t score you think you’ll never score again,” St. Louis said. “You get one and you can get going.” Well said. Keep it going.

Offense – Not much needs to be said, it just keeps going. 22 goals on the 4 game road trip. You can’t ask more than that.

Fans – Where were the Islanders fans the last 15 years? The atmosphere, and noise level in the coliseum last night gave this game a playoff feel and I loved every minute of it.

THE NOT SO GOOD:

Cam Talbot – This is a stretch but he gave up a couple easy ones. Could’ve had the Boychuk goal since there was no one in front but that was a helluva shot. His biggest save was on Casey Cizikas’ breakaway in the 1st period. That would’ve given the Isles a 3-0 early lead and probably would’ve put the game away. The Goalbuster wasn’t great but it was enough. That being said, he’s 5-1-1 in Lundqvist’s absence.

Power Play – The Islanders have the 30th ranked penalty kill in the league. That’s dead last for those keeping track. Call it a lack of penalties and Halak actually making his best saves of the night while the Rangers were on the PP but the possession and passing were spot on and made the NYI PK look like youth hockey level; but the puck didn’t get in the damn net.

I’m grasping at straws with the negatives. How much bad stuff can you find about a team currently on a 4 game winning streak all on the road and has only lost 7 times since December 8th? Not a whole lot right now.

Next Game: Thursday 2/19/15 vs. Vancouver.

Mike Kane

https://twitter.com/ThatMikeKane

https://www.facebook.com/Rangers5thLine

https://twitter.com/Rangers5thLine

Trade Deadline Moves

2:31:00 PM Article, Going 5-Hole, Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL, Rangers 5th Line No comments

Usually around February, your team is gonna realize they’re either buyers or sellers. At this point there’s no secret that the New York Rangers are buyers, as they often are. The way I see it, the Rangers need to make one of three moves in order to return to the postseason and contend for a Cup.

1. First and foremost, the team absolutely needs a faceoff specialist.

Let’s be honest, the Rangers' faceoff percentage is lackluster at best. Their best two guys in Brassard and Moore aren't really getting it done. It’s seems to be every play the Rangers are chasing their own tail unable to win a draw….in either zone. They don’t need a first line guy, nor a second line guy, but a nice third line faceoff specialist who’s good on defense too. All signs seem to be pointing to Antoine Vermette. The 32 year old Canadian is set to become a UFA at the end of the year and could fit right into the Rangers system. He’s had a middle of the road year netting 12 goals and 22 assists. However, he’s a minus minus 16 and isn’t the best defensive choice if we’re being honest. Second and in my opinion the better choice, is Mike Santorelli. The 29 year old Canadian has been a name thrown around all year for the Leafs. He’s a UFA at the end of the year and at a cap hit of 1.5, you won’t need to move much money to get him on the team. He’s netted 11 goals and 18 assists, but the more impressive stat is he’s a plus 7 on a team that’s…well, let’s be honest, not so sound defensively. The name of Martin Hanzal has been thrown around, but I don’t see it happening. 3.5 million is too big of a cap hit and the contract isn’t up at the end of the year. I’d love to have the 6’6, 27 year old defensemen on the team, but it’s not realistic, I’d go Santorelli.

2. The Rangers need a 4th line tough guy, just like last year.

Tanner Glass, well let me be kind here, stunk it up this year. I liked him at the beginning of the year, but that honeymoon stage is over. He’s done nothing, literally nothing. 39 games played with 1 assists (secondary) and is a minus 17. The Rangers have proven that they have the ability to find 4th line talent in guys like Carcillo and Dorsett, but Glass was a dud. Tough guys now have to be young. The big vet enforcer role is gone and are dying out with Colton Orr and George Parros hanging them up this year. I’d like to see the Rangers go after someone, anyone. A later round draft pick should get a guy like Danny Carcillo fetched. These guys are always up for grabs, so there’s not one really in particular we’d like to see the Rangers go after. I have heard Chris Neil’s name being thrown around, and I’d like that to never, ever happen. He’s a Tanner Glass 2.0. I won’t even entertain that option and neither should the Rangers.

3. Lastly, and least importantly, is the back up’s back up in net.

No one knows when Lundqvist will be back; hopefully within a month or so he can return, but there's no certainty with this rare injury. It’s tough to really judge at this point, let’s go with what we have and that’s Cam Talbot. Now Skapski is 20 years old and not anywhere near NHL ready. So, that being said Cam will need a rest a some point. The Rangers can once again burn a later round pick for a veteran back up. Nabakov would have been my first choice because you don’t mind that contract nor putting him on waivers when Hank’s back, but he’s since hung them up. Second choice would have to be Ilya Bryzgalov. The Ducks back up goalie comes cheap, really cheap. The only issue is that Fredrick Anderson is now hurt and they’re in the same spot as the Rangers. John Gibson now is the starter in net, but now Ilya is gonna see a bigger role as the back up. Longshots are Harding of Chicago, who’d I’d imagine would come with a higher price tag. Not going to rule out Viktor Fasth on the Oilers as well as an experienced guy to come in and help.

Why The Rangers: Dennis Edition

4:24:00 PM Article, Dennis Malles, Going 5-Hole, Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL, Rangers 5th Line No comments

When I was younger, I knew I was a little different from the rest of my class because they didn’t really care for hockey. While most talked about Derek Jeter and Sammy Sosa, I tried to find anyone who knew anything about Paul Kariya or Adam Graves.

As time went on, I found that hockey is a cult following and it’s fans are as ravenous if not more ravenous than other fans out there.

Some of my best childhood memories have taken place under the roof of the Garden. Seeing Mark Messier surpass Gordie Howe for second all time in points and watching the Rangers sweep the Atlanta Thrashers.

Times have changed, and so have the faces, but that NYR crest has always been the same. I became a true diehard that lives and dies with the team when I was a junior in college.

I just had been given the news that I would no longer be able to play sports ever again at a competitive level. I said goodbye to my college lacrosse team, and then a week later was dumped by a girl who had other ideas about her future.

Times were pretty dark, and I was a 100 miles from home living in a different state. After realizing I now had nothing to do with my time, the Rangers became the mainstay of my days. They were the thing I looked forward to the most everyday and I never missed a game.

The New York Rangers made me feel like I was a part of something again. They returned some sort of normalcy to my life and no matter who left my life and who stayed, they were always there at 7pm on MSG.

Mark Messier, Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch have since been replaced, but just like life, the team moves on. Henrik Lundqvist, Dom Moore, and Dan Mats Zuccarello fill in the voids as your favorite players and you pick up right where you left off.

So, this is my way of thanking the team that’s given me so much pain, misery, but far more joy over my whole life. Still searching for Lord Stanley, but the memories this team has given me can never have a price tag placed on it.

It isn’t just a team, it’s a part of me.

Dennis Malles – Founder and Co-Writer

https://twitter.com/DMalles98

https://twitter.com/Rangers5thLine

“Why the Rangers”

4:22:00 PM Article, Going 5-Hole, Hockey, Mike Kane, New York Rangers, NHL, Rangers 5th Line No comments

I’m not going to sit here and brag about the 1994 Rangers and how I remember and it’s great they’ve won a Cup in my lifetime and what not. I suppose technically yes but no.

I was 6 years old in 1994 and didn’t really have a clue about hockey let alone the Rangers. It doesn’t count in my opinion. I’m still waiting.

I believe it wasn’t until around the year 2000 or 2001, after Wayne Gretzky retired of course, that I became enthralled with the Blueshirts.

I’m not sure why but something about Eric Lindros, Theo Fleury, Petr Nedved, Bobby Holik, Sandy McCarthy, Dale Purinton tons of other crappy players and finishing 8-12 points out of a playoff spot every year really peaked my interest.

So why the Rangers? I could have chosen any good team to root for. The Yzerman/Shanahan Red Wings, the Patrick Roy Avalanche, hell even the Brodeur led trap-playing Devils. But I didn’t. I suffered and stuck it out with the team in my home city and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I think becoming a fan when they sucked was a good thing. It really makes me appreciate playoff appearances. Sticking with them through the lockout, a complete rebuild about Jaromir Jagr to finally cracking the playoffs and then the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.

The 15 years and running I’ve spent as a hardcore Rangers fan has been amazing and I’d never change that. No matter what’s going on in my life, Rangers hockey has always been there and will continue to be there for not just the next 15 years but many many more.

I’m excited to finally blog and podcast about the Rangers alongside Dennis. While Going 5-Hole was fun, it was too broad and honestly very forced on our part at times. I know I didn’t have the time nor the knowledge needed to know every little detail about the entire NHL. However Dennis & I know most details about the New York Rangers so that’s why we’ve brought you Rangers 5th Line.

Keep checking back regularly for everything New York Rangers.

Mike Kane

https://twitter.com/ThatMikeKane

https://www.facebook.com/Rangers5thLine

https://twitter.com/Rangers5thLine

About Last Night: Rangers 6, Avalanche 3

4:19:00 PM Article, Colorado Avalanche, Going 5-Hole, Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL, Rangers 5th Line, Recap No comments

Rangers 6, Avalanche 3. Yay wins!!!

Here’s a recap:

The Good:

Goals (No shit) – They’ve been getting lots of them. 5 against Toronto, 6 against Colorado, Nash still leads the league with 34 goals and the Rangers are in the Top 10 in goals scored. It’s nice to see the puck going into the net. Keep it up.

Mats Zuccarello – Looks like AV gets through to his players. He simply said when asked about Zucc shooting more, “Yes”. He seems to have listened. After just 5 goals all season prior to Tuesday, he has 3 in his last 2. With Zucc in a contract year again, goals equal money. So Keep…Shooting. Please and thank you.

Penalty Kill – It was stellar last night. Anytime you kill off a lengthy 5 on 3 it’s impressive. When you kill it off when the line includes Jarome Iginla, Ryan O’Reilly, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, well that’s just amazing. To add a goal right off the kill just as momentum was shifting toward Colorado, that’s how good offensive teams play good offense……don’t worry, I also hate myself for typing those words in that order into a really shitty Frank Caliendo joke.

Cam Talbot – His record is now 3-1-1 since Lundqvist went out with the sprained blood vessel. You can’t ask for much better than that. He’s making great saves when called upon and has looked better than some NHL starters……looking at you Mike Smith (Rangers vs. Arizona on Saturday night). This is the first time in Lundqvist’s NHL career he’s been out for an extended period of time but with Cam in net, the Rangers look to be just fine. Don’t ever take having a guy like Hank for granted. If his injury happened a few years ago how screwed would this team be? The answer is very.

All that being said, this is perfect audition for him. Goalbuster is under contract for next season but after that you WILL get teams that will want him as the starter. Not looking forward to playing against this guy in a couple years. #InCamWeTrust

The Not So Good:

Defensive Positioning – If there’s one thing everybody’s used to, it’s that no matter how good the defense plays, Lundqvist or Talbot will constantly be left out to dry. Whether it’s McDonagh or Girardi or John Moore or Hunwick, the opponent will get clear shots simply from d-men playing too far up, poorly turning the puck over or simply puck watching. It’s the biggest thing that needs to be cleaned up in my opinion about this team and it’s going to hold them back against the top teams in the playoffs if it continues.

Martin St. Louis – St. Louis will be 40 years old in June and he has certainly looked like it as of late. With just 1 assist since the All-Star Break he looking like he’s closer to a trip to the press box than back to the 1st or 2nd line. Maybe a week or two off with help him get his legs back.

Tanner Glass – Does he have nudes of AV or Glen Sather? I’m not sure how he stays in the lineup. He’s literally the worse.

Call anyone up. Literally anyone up from Hartford.

Overall a win is a win. 2 points on the road is always nice. Just clean it up a bit.

Next game is @Arizona on Saturday night at 8pm.

Mike Kane

https://twitter.com/ThatMikeKane

https://www.facebook.com/Rangers5thLine

https://twitter.com/Rangers5thLine

NHL Stock Up/Stock Down: The First 8th of the Season!

11:11:00 PM Article, Going 5-Hole, Hockey No comments

Oh hi there.

So yeah, hockey everybody. This is the blog that goes with the podcast that we’ve yet to do yet this season. Jobs people. Jobs. Anyway, we’re just about 1/8 into the 2014-15 season so everything I’m about to write about could be irrelevant shortly. Here’s a short list of what’s good and not so good so far.

Stock Up: Pretty Ricky