After an impressive win over the Flyers on Saturday in Philly, the Rangers were unable to carry that momentum over into Washington yesterday, dropping a heart breaker to the Capitals in overtime, 3-2. Stephen Valiquette, followed up his shutout over the Flyers with another solid effort 24 hours later, making 21 saves, but was helpless to stop Mike Green's slapshot that deflected off the stick shaft Rangers defenseman Marc Staal 23 seconds into overtime after Ryan Hollweg had gone off for tripping in the final minute of regulation, resulting in a 4 on 3 power play for the Caps. The Rangers earned a crucial point, but in all honesty needed 2 as they are now off for the next 5 days before heading to Buffalo next Saturday to take on the Sabres.
I was impressed with the Rangers play this weekend. I won't take that away from them. I didn't see the game on Saturday, but caught some highlights and they looked good. And they did play well yesterday. But it doesn't take away from the fact that the power play was again, inaffective, going 0-6 yesterday. Yes, they scored twice with the man advantage on Saturday, but combine that with the 0-4 effort against the Ducks on Thursday, and they were 2-16 in these past 3 games. Not good enough for a team that now has to sit back for the next few days and hope that they don't find themselves out of the playoff picture the next time they take the ice, come Saturday.
The Post and the News both have recaps of the game.
By the way, let's not overlook the fact that Renney started Valiquette in both games this past weekend. Lunqvist has not been good lately and he'd better use these next couple of days to straighten his head out. Valiquette is a good backup, but the Rangers are only going to go as far as the King will take them. And if he is not up to the task, no offense to Stephen, but the Rangers will not make the playoffs.
Here's some good news that may help. According to John Dellapina's blog, Lunqvist's contract could be finalized as early as this week. Let's hope that this is true. I think that this, along with the health of Henrik's father has been a distraction for him. Hopefully, getting the contract out of the way will at least take one thing off his mind for the stretch run.
On a final note, our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Zednik and his family, who, thankfully, is ok after the skate blade of teammate Olli Jokinen struck the side of his neck during the Panthers-Sabres game yesterday. Zednik had to be rushed to the hospital after blood started pouring out of his neck. He is in stable condition and resting comfortably after undergoing surgery at Buffalo General Hospital to close a laceration in his neck.
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I knew we were losing after the 6th PP came and went. Can't go 0-6 in a game like that, you just can't. The point helped and who knows what position we will find ourselves in come Saturday. We need to get on a serious roll to make it to the dance.
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