I've Got #Lundsanity

It's what happens when your team has the best goalie in the NHL.

#LUNDsanityPhoto Credit

Sadly, there is only one cure... winning the Stanley Cup.

So, while we wait for the cure, order yourself a #Lundsanity t-shirt here!

Cupid Brings Us Trade Rumours On The Day Of Love

Yes, it's not diamonds, or a dozen roses.  Just trade rumours.  Apparently Cupid is a cheap bastard.

The NY Rangers will take Nash for Dubinsky, Kreider,
Thomas, 4 draft picks and a new set of golf clubs.
Make it happen Sather.  
Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

But all these rumours make me want to down a box of Russell Stover's candy out of sheer aggravation.  People need to use common sense before spitting out what teams could get what player.  There are things to be figured in: cap space, UFA, talent, what the one team is willing to give vs what they are going to get…

That being said, I’ve stated earlier that I didn’t believe that the Rangers needed to make a trade, but I wouldn’t be opposed to them making a trade.  Providing that the Rangers are smart about the trade.  I’d hate to see them let a guy like Kreider or Thomas go. But again, it comes down to what each team is willing to part with. How I feel about the trades have little to no significance to the organization.

So let the speculating and trade rumours fly. But I should at least get some chocolate out of all this.

It's The End Of The World As We Know It....

...and I feel fine...

Last night, there were 3 things that happened that now have me convinced that the Rapture just may be coming. Let's take a look:

I scored on the power play! Whoooooo!!!!!Photo Credit: BSU

First, and make sure you're sitting down folks, The Rangers scored in the 2nd period.  Not a big deal, right? WRONG. They didn't just score, they scored on the POWER PLAY.  See, aren't you glad you sat down? Twas a sweet tip in from Callahan that made it's way past Matthieu Garon.  It clearly sparked the Rangers' game and gave them a sense of hope. This also started the chain of events that led me to believe that the rapture is, in fact, coming.

"Hey Guys, I just scored my first goal in 368 days... No big deal..."PhotoCredit: NYI

Second was something that has nothing, or very little to do with the Rangers. Yes folks, Scott Gomez scored. On the ice, just in case that needed clarification.  Gomez had gone 368 LONG days without scoring a goal.  Last night in the 3rd period against the Islanders, Gomez lit the lamp against Nabokov. Normally, that's not something so odd or unusual to score against the Islanders, but maybe they felt bad for him and since they were eventually going to lose the game, they took pity on Gomez? Either way, he scored. The Rapture is coming.

When in doubt - hug it out!
Photo Credit: BSU

Then, apparently the #RichardsMunnEffect peters off after a few weeks. Richards broke his silence on the scoreboard netting his long-awaited 17th goal of the season in the OT to win the game. Apparently he got a GPS to find the net after admitting he was a little 'lost' to the media this week.  I hope it's a Garmin, my TomTom isn't very good - always sends me the long route. It was nice to see the whole bench clear to celebrate with him, thankfully, Anisimov left his rifle on the bench. We didn't need a repeat of what happened the last time the Rangers played the Lightning.

So, now grab all your non-perishables and hide in your basement. The Rapture is now headed here... I just hope we get to the playoffs first.

The Battle Of The Hudson Wasn't Really A Battle, Per Se...

The game last night against the Devils was a hard fought game.  The Rangers had some low points and some high points to the game. Am I happy that they lost? No. But these things happen folks...

You can blame it on the officiating, the fact that Richards isn't scoring, Eminger should have dressed in lieu of Bickel or even that McDonagh hasn't registered a point in the past 6 games.  But it's not any of those. The Rangers played a sloppy game. The power play, or lack there of, had 3 chances to capitalize. THREE. But yet again, the power play was ineffective.

There were good scoring chances where the Rangers just couldn't bury the puck. Prust had a good chance to get a shot on goal and shanked it.  As much as the Rangers fans poke fun at Brodeur's weight, you have to give credit to the guy. He's still a good goalie.  Hagelin, again, shows why he's in the lineup. His speed draws penalties.  But it may almost be a moot point if the Rangers can't get the PP working. He also managed to get 4 of the teams 15 shots on goal. Boyle also was good on the face offs - winning 16. Lundqvist, despite taking the loss, was quite good between the pipes, not stellar.  But he also did what he could, aside from scoring goals.

When in doubt, crash the net. Just don't touch the goalie.
Photo Credit: BSU

Then there was the goal, which turned out to be a no-goal.  You could see that Gaborik made an effort of stopping (notice the spray of ice from his skates), but it was ruled that he 'ran' the goalie. You can argue til the cows come home about the goalie interference call on Gaborik as he was pushed into Brodeur, and how the goal should stand... but in all reality, would that mean that the Rangers would have won?

Probably not. They were outplayed most of the game, so going to an overtime and potentially a shoot out, would not really be to their advantage.

So Rangers fans, calm down. It's one game. The NYR are still at the top of the Eastern conference. Take a deep breath and move on.

Now Can We Plan The Parade?

As the Super Bowl 46 hoopla draws to a close, another team is now in the spotlight. Again.

The New York Rangers.

Good Gravy... NEVER kiss the trophy. Ever. 
Photo Credit: NJ.Com

Now that the Giants are the proud owners of the Vince Lombardi trophy, it's only natural that NY Rangers fans expect the Rangers to be the next team planning a parade down the streets of Manhattan with the Stanley Cup in tow.

Mere minutes after the Giants were crowned #SB46 champions, fans were already chirping up the NY Rangers players with words of encouragement. I saw tweet after tweet declaring Lundqvist as the still-reigning King of NY, that the NY Rangers must win the Cup, and that it's time for the Rangers to shine, etc. Not to add any additional pressure to the players or anything.  Not that they haven't been playing their hearts out. Not that they're in first place or anything.

This has been a fantastic season for the Rangers. One of their best since their last Cup hoist in 1994. The Rangers have found themselves sitting at the top of the league since December and while there have been some bumps in the road, they've stayed true to their course. Rangers fans should be proud of their team, regardless if they hoist the cup or not.  Rangers fans should be happy regardless of who won the Super Bowl.


So, go to QVC order your NY Giants commemorative Super Bowl 46 gear and wait for the Rangers to win. We can start planning the parade when they make the playoffs.

Back Up Goalies: Princes of the Pipes

One often underestimates and/or undervalues the role of a backup goalie.  This is quite common amoung the top teams who have an outstanding number one goaltender.  The number two guy is often overlooked, or cast over.  Then, when the number one is given a day off, many question the skill set of the backup.  But there are a few teams where the back up is more than just a back up. Being a Rangers fan, the obvious first conclusion is the 1-2 combo of Lundqvist and Biron.  Biron is just as good as Lundqvist is, but since he doesn’t play 60+ games a season, his contribution is sometimes overlooked.

I’ve always felt that some goalies, like Biron, don’t deserve the title of ‘back up goalie’.  They deserve a title a little less… déclassé.  Like, Prince Biron. Or Number Tuu (get it? Tuu instead of two?). Or the generic, goalie #2.  Either way, here are some of the NHL’s finest Princes of the Pipes.

Martin Biron NYR

Looking at stats (pardon me while I shudder for a moment…) Biron’s numbers are quite comparable to Lundqvist’s.  Lundqvist has played 37 games, Biron has 13. Their GAA are 1.82 and 1.95 respectively. Save percentages? You ask…. .939 and .924, respectively.  But stats alone are quite boring, so here, take a look at these clutch saves….

Tuukka Rask BOS

Now, no one can top Tim Thomas’ snubbing of the White House. But Rask’s performance between the pipes comes a close second.  Thomas has 32 games under his belt, Rask has 19, with strikingly similar save percentages of .933 and .936, respectively.  While Thomas may not be able to negotiate with Peggy very well to get his credit card conundrum taken care of while sitting in the back of a creepy Boston cab, Rask proves that he can take care of business between the pipes…

Cory Schneider VAN

Moving to a Western Conference team… Vancouver’s Cory Schneider is a valuable asset to have as a back up to Roberto Luongo.  While their stats are not stellar (we’re talking LOLuongo here, remember?), Schneider has moves like, wait for it…. A top notch goalie. Heh, you probably thought I was going for moves like Jagr or something stupid. But I digress… Even with a 2.28 GAA, Schneider is still worthy of being a Prince of the Pipes. Evidence is in the video below.

Jonathan Bernier LAK

The tale of two Jonathan’s in Los Angeles.  There is no denying that Bernier would make a great number one goaltender.  He’s still young and has the skill.  At 23, he’s still got years left to impress us with saves like these:

A little shout out to @msconduct10. As I ‘researched’ the info for this piece, I came face first into what she lovingly calls ‘goalie porn’.  I now know why… Sweet Fancy Moses goalies are mind-boggling, amazing athletes. Flexible, mind-boggling, amazing athletes.

The Cutest Rangers Fan Ever, Strikes Again...

Prepare for cuteness.

Engage cuteness...

'Go Rangers!'

Thanks again to JoAnn C for raising little Sydney right!