Don't freak out people...this is not MY statement, nor are these MY feelings 2 days after going to the Garden, excited for my first game of the year, only to watch the Rangers blow a third period 3 goal lead, and fall to the Ottawa Senators, 5-4 in a shootout.
No, these were the feelings of a Rangers fan on a hockey board that I frequent quite often throughout the season. One that has some pretty intelligent hockey fans on one hand, but also has some pretty over-reactionary ones as well. Guess which category he falls into?
Now...don't get me wrong, I am PISSED about that debacle on the ice Saturday afternoon. Pissed because of the fact that I trekked into the City on a Saturday afternoon, in the middle of one of the WORST snow storms I have ever seen (IN FREAKING OCTOBER!!). Pissed because after my buddy Nick and I parked in Secaucus, in an attempt to take the train into Penn Station, we found out they were shut down because of this freaking weather, and thus had to DRIVE into New York, where we paid $35 for parking (after already paying $7 at Secaucus). Pissed because once we got to the Garden, we ended up paying another $29 for two hot dogs and two beers (the latter, which gave me a headache...freaking Bud Light). And finally, pissed because as beautiful as the renovations were, after Wojtek "I assisted on 2 goals, but I still suck" Wolski missed on the final shootout attempt of the afternoon, Nick and I headed for the exit of the newly renovated Madison Square Garden, only to find that the escalators STILL don't work after a game.
All to watch that pathetic, disgusting display.
PISSED.
Highlights of the day? Well my wife (who had just gotten home from Phoenix) made an AMAZING beef stew, and had put brownies in the oven shortly after. Unfortunately, the power in our apartment complex went out, and those did not get cooked until the next morning. But she DID dig out a spot for me, and even guarded it with a shovel until I finally made it home from the Garden, two hours later. Wife of the year award, right there. ;-)
Oh...yeah, the point of this blog?
I am NOT happy with this team, nine games into the season. They look lost out there at times, lethargic at others. And after falling behind 1-0 Saturday afternoon, they looked so sluggish, and so passive…especially in their own zone (yes, Tim Erixon..I AM talking to YOU), that I just shook my head in between the first and second periods talking to a friend I had met up with and said to him, "What is wrong with this team?”.
But then they suddenly woke up, tying the game 6:24 into the 2nd period on a power play goal by Ryan Callahan, and then taking the lead 1:20 later on another power play goal from Brad "not a # 1 center" Richards. Then 4:53 into the third period, Marian Gaborik scored and Richards added another a little over 3 minutes later, putting the Rangers up 4-1, and making me, and about 18,199 other people say, "Ok, this team has FINALLY woken up".
And then just as quickly as they woke up, they fell right back to sleep again. I have no explanation for it other then they literally appeared to "stop playing", with a lifeless and absurd effort in the third period. Dan Girardi, who has played like an All-Star this year, looked so passive at one point when he could have very easily poke checked a puck away from an Ottawa player, didn't even challenge him. Wolski, who had 2 points on Saturday was sloppy in his own zone as well. By the time Milan Michalek put home his own rebound with 2:50 remaining in regulation, I was so stunned I just sat there with my mouth on the floor, not even sure what to say, but pretty much knowing the game wasn't going to end well. And it didn't.
But I am not ready to give up on this team, nine games in. And I am certainly not going to call them a bad team, or say that Brad Richards is not a number one center, because it's just not true in either case. The chemistry between him and Gaborik is taking some time to develop, but it is there. Gaborik assisted on both Richards' goals Saturday, and Richards had assisted on ALL of Gabs’ until this past game. The bigger concerns for me right now are Artem Anisimov, Derek Stepan and Brandon Dubinsky, all of whom have yet to score this season. I am not as concerned about Dubinsky, as I feel his game will come around. Stepan though, he may be encountering the dreaded sophomore jinx, and Anisimov has been invisible at times. All 3 need to pick it up, and soon. Also, this team is so desperately in need of a healthy Marc Staal, it’s not funny.
But I am sorry to say this Rangers fans, I don't think Sean Avery is the answer. Yes, he has been put on re-entry waivers, and assuming no one claims him, will probably be called up for the game against the Ducks on Thursday, but do you really think he's going to see significant playing time? Sure he had a great training camp, and should have made the team, but was waived anyway because Tortorella does not like him, and it is obvious. Also, as I have said time and time again, he has not been "Sean Avery" for quite some time now, and unless he turns back into that player, what role is he gonna play on this team? In my opinion, this is most likely Sather giving into the pressure of the fans who for the past two games have chanted, "We want Avery!" and even hung a banner Opening Night to express it. Well, you’re getting your wish Avery fan base, but what now? Are you gonna put him on a line with Richards and Gaborik? Good luck with that working out.
I am not ready to give up on this team. We're nine games in and there is a ton of hockey to be played. They are not a bad team, but are playing like one right now. Brad Richard IS a number one center, but needs a little more time to get comfortable here. Sean Avery is not the answer, but at this point may be worth at least getting a shot, but only if he gets playing time, and ONLY if he "re-discovers" Sean Avery.
Doesn’t get any easier tonight, with the Sharks coming to town. Marty Biron is getting the start over Henrik Lundqvist, who has been phenomenal, but could use a game to get his head straight after that crap on Saturday. Puck drops at 7 pm, and I’ll be tweeting throughout the game @TheGr8Tony. Enjoy the game folks, and as always..LET’S GO RANGERS!!
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