About Last Night: Rangers 1, Flames 0

No Nash. No Lundqvist. No Problem.

Calgary is no slouch and a 1-0 victory against a good team is just what the doctor ordered. They not only keep pace with the Islanders (also victorious last night) but finally show that they don’t have to score 5 goals each night to win.

So here’s the good and the not so good from last night.

The Good:

Cam Talbot – 21 saves, shutout & 1^st star. The win last night improved Cam’s record to 7-1-2 in Lundqvist’s absence and gave the Rangers their league-leading 9^th shutout of the season. His rebound control was much better and credit the defense around him for a change.

Defense – The goals cooled off and the defense stepped up. Finally. A few early bad turnovers aside everybody on the ice did their job well. They moved pucks to the outside, controlled rebounds and didn’t give Calgary lanes to fire away. Still believe the team is in need of some defensive depth but you certainly do worse than Dan Boyle and John Moore/Matt Hunwick as a 3^rd pairing. Speaking of defense…

3^rd Period Shutdown – Going into the 3^rd period last night Calgary had scored 74 third period goals (2^nd in the NHL behind Tampa’s 77) and they kept it that way. Calgary’s monster 3^rd periods are a big reason why they’re close to a wild card spot so keeping them off the scoreboard is an accomplishment on its own; especially for a Rangers team that’s struggled to close games out late.



Kevin Hayes (In for Rick Nash) – Karri Ramo was ON last night. It took a pretty pass from Brassard, to the sub on the line for Nash, Kevin Hayes to beat him and thankfully that’s all that was needed. The dude is still red hot with 6 goals and 11 points in the last 13 games. It’s been good to see others be able to step up when the stars go down.

Discipline – Not a single power play for the Flames. Fantastic. All the good for this.

Good/Not So Good:

Karri Ramo/J.T. Miller – Miller shoot the puck anywhere else, but RAMO WITH A SAVE!!!!

BRUH!!!!!

The Not So Good:

Tanner Glass – Why is JT Miller fighting? The only skill you seem to bring to the table is toughness and it’s not even there. How do you have a -15 on a team with one of the highest goal differentials? How you got a 3-year deal is beyond me. Hope you’re in the press box when Fast is healthy. He had a shot on goal though, his first in about 10 days, so good for you. Lee Stempiak produces better games at half the salary.

Not a whole lot of not so good. When you don’t give up a goal you can’t really bitch. A few shots wide and maybe some better finishing sure but an all-around good win, the type of win that was badly needed.

Current Standing: 37-16-6 (80 Points, 2^nd in Metropolitan)

Next Game: ***TRAP GAME ALERT*** Thursday 2/27 vs. Arizona (20-34-7, 46 Points, 6^th in Pacific)

--Mike Kane
https://twitter.com/ThatMikeKane
crossposted from https://rangers5thline.wordpress.com/

Read More

Perfect Time for the Spotlight in New York to be on Hockey…For Good?

Let’s be honest Rangers fans, no one wants the Islanders to go well. I am no exception to this strain of the thought, but however they are and Rangers fans can’t ignore that anymore. However, with this resurgence in the rivalry it can only mean good things for hockey in the soon to be shared Big Apple.





Hear me out on this. Hockey has always played runner up in the city that never sleeps to a bunch of more popular teams. It’s no secret that hockey, even on the national level, isn’t as popular as its competitors in baseball, football, and basketball. This same microcosm is true in NY, always has been.


Now, why is this the perfect time for hockey to jump onto the mainstage of sports in NY? Look at what’s going on around in NY. THERE IS NOTHING GOOD TO WRITE ABOUT AS FAR AS NY SPORTS GOES. Nets and Knicks having lackluster seasons. NY Jets and Giants having laughably bad years. NYY and NYM not reaching the post season. Hmmmmm.


When someone says NY sports this year are horrible, you immediately reply with, "Have you checked out the hockey standings?”


I can already see this taking place. Cam Talbot just the other week was on the back cover of the NY Post. How often does that happen in NY? A back-up goaltender making the cover of one of the most widely read papers in the country. Kevin Klein continues to make headlines almost wherever you look in the media. The media is even so closely following Henrik Lundqvist’s injury that i’m getting updates on my phone when the guy rides a bike! Not to mention that two potential Hart trophy winners are playing down the road from each other in Nash and Johnny T.



On the Island, it’s the same team. With “old barn” closing down this year there was always going to be a little attention, but with the team playing so well it’s been even more than anyone would have thought.


I think last year the Rangers helped elevate hockey into the mainstream again in NY, because it’s no secret that when teams win, people care. However, this rivalry has been dead for some many years (the nineties, when both teams were so bad it was all we had to look forward to, don’t count), it’s so refreshing to have it back. Now, I don’t want the Isles to do too good, buttttttt for now I’ll take playoff style hockey in February over a dead rivalry any day.


All this being said, these two teams could meet in the playoffs, and a part of me does and part of me doesn’t. It’d raise hockey awareness in NY to levels rivaling the skyline in downtown Manhattan. A part of me says no because, the Isles are a good team, haha.


All I know is that these two teams playing like this, during this team of a NY Sports drought is nothing but good to raise the level of hockey in the Empire state and that whatever happens down the road, there’s gonna be some good hockey.

Game on.


--Dennis

https://twitter.com/DMalles98

Read More

About Last Night – Rangers 6, Islanders 5

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

Read More

What's Wrong With Youth Hockey?

For me, there’s nothing better in the world than going outside and playing hockey on a pond or an outdoor rink. However, through my own observations on the youth of the country, or as a whole are not following in this trend.

Now, at the risk of sounding like an old-timer at the age of 23, it’s no secret that the youth don’t get out as much. I try to skate on my outdoor rink 2 to 3 times a week. To be honest, I hardly see any young kids on the rink, ever. However, last week I saw a group of youths out on the ice right when I got there. The only issue was it wasn’t just them, it was their and their Dad’s hawking over everything they did.

Each kid had their travel team or club team’s jump suit on and were pretty good at what they did. 90% of the time the kids just worked on their one-timers and slap shots. Too me it almost seemed like an unofficial set up by the dads. At one point one of the fathers even said, “I don’t see much skating going on out there, go out and work on your stride.”

To me, going out on the pond is all about having fun. I only played a couple years of youth hockey, but I can already tell times have changed. At one point on of the kids yelled at the other kid to make crisper passes and pick it up. It, to me, seemed kind of wrong. I did however get to meet one of their little brothers. He couldn’t have been older than 6 and he wanted to play a pick- up game so bad. He asked his brothers and their friends and they all said no because they were working on their slappers. Now, what kid doesn’t wanna play pond pick up hockey? So I played 1 v 1 with the little guy, he beat me 10 to 6 according to him.

Now this is where I think we’re losing the game. Kids are being forced into the mold that their coaches and fathers want them to be. We’re losing the creativity of the game. Where do you think Wayne Gretzky learned his trade? On the ponds of Canada, that’s where. Kids are no longer allowed to be creative with how they play and are forced to be by the books.

When you're out on the pond or just playing outside, you can try things. When I was outside this day I was trying to perfect a move I saw Toews do on YouTube (in vain), but it was fun almost getting it. Being outside and away from youth hockey has allowed me to develop a style all my own. It may not be the best one, but it’s my style and I love it. I’ve been able to become a great skater, who has great hands within 5ft of the net. I may not have the best shot, or the best stick work, but I’ve always managed to stay creative. I’m 23 years old and every time I skate I wear a jersey of my favorite players still to this day.

I don’t think kids have this anymore, they’re not allowed to think out of the box. All defenders must sit on the blue line. All goalies must stay in the butterfly. Forwards need to handle the puck in a certain way.

Let me ask you though, would Bobby Orr have flown if he had been in a youth developmental program? Would Datsyk been able to undress Turco if his father had hawked his practices forcing him to work on his skating? Would the Staal brothers been as great as they are if their parents hadn’t let them skate together  on the pond?

Let them play.

--Dennis Malles, Rangers' 5th Line

Contact Dennis at https://twitter.com/DMalles98

Read More

Trade Deadline Moves

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.

Read More

Why The Rangers: Dennis Edition

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

Read More

“Why the Rangers”

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

Read More

About Last Night: Rangers 6, Avalanche 3

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

Read More

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

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

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview BONANZA - #6 Anaheim Ducks - #7 Pittsburgh Penguins - #8 Boston Bruins

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #9 New York Rangers

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #10 Montreal Canadiens

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #11 Dallas Stars

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #12 San Jose Sharks

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #13 Columbus Blue Jackets

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #14 Minnesota Wild

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #15 Philadelphia Flyers

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #16 Washington Capitals

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #17 Toronto Maple Leafs

Read More

Going 5-Hole: 2014-15 Power Rankings Preview - #18 Detroit Red Wings

Read More