Happy Holidays from RR2

Whether it’s Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, some other holiday I don’t know about, or just a regular day if you don’t celebrate anything, enjoy it.

And as Carp would say, if you drink today, don’t you even think of driving.

325 thoughts on “Happy Holidays from RR2”

  5. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Hoping this is the year Sam Rosen’s infamous proclamation comes to a miraculous conclusion with a Stanley Cup Victory celebration!

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  15. Happy holiday from Norway to all boneheads and Carp! We need to get all the boys back from IR, and give Danny G some rest one in a while. Still not 5th in metro.

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  16. Merry Christmas to all! I hope everybody is doing well.

    Its blowing 75 mph her in Denver here today. i lost my Direct TV and they won’t be here till Wednesday. I am watching football on my computer today.

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  26. Carp
    Lol…yeah. Probably the busiest day of the year at our house. Organizing stuff, going to different local charities and such stoping stuff off. It’s kind of like regifting day with really good intentions 😉

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  29. January 27, 2007 Dan Girardi made his NHL and Rangers debut. January 7, 2011 Ryan Mcdonagh made his NHL and Rangers debut. Perhaps this is the perfect time to call up Ryan Graves and gives the blueline a boost?

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  49. The 2012 team was a skill player away from being a cup winner imho. The 2014 team was a goalie away from being a cup winner. Since then, they are being by more and more players away from a cup winner. Right now when the roster is fully healthy, they are 3 players away from a winner (minimum).

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  50. I kind of agree about 2012, Wicky. I fully agree with 2014, not sure I agree with your assessment of this team. Just curious, what three positions do you feel need to be upgraded?

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  52. 2 goal lead in game one. Three separate 2 goal leads in game two. A lead in the 3rd period of game 5. One goalie did not give up a goal from the period on. The other gave up two many to count.

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  54. Bdl
    Need a big centre that can win draws routinely and plays physical. Need a physical bottom 6 fwd that can play. I give .5 a player to 2 positions…not completely sold on the D and the 8.5 million dollar man.

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  55. The caveat I have about adding any physical player is the coach, who seems to be determined to make sure none of his players display any onions on the ice. So adding any guy that plays that way before becoming a ranger probably won’t continue to do so once they’re here as long as double bubble and his victim mentality remains.

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  57. Wicky
    A good 4th line center seems to be what you are looking for. I agree, but it can’t just be a guy. He has to be good at it. As far as the D goes, it’s going to cost you to upgrade.

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  59. The Kings badly outshot the Rangers in the 2014 series–that Lundqvist, who beat the Pens nearly by himself, couldn’t also steal the final hardly makes him the one player away from the Cup. He had the best goalie numbers in the playoffs (other than Rask, who played only 12 games) and the Rangers wouldn’t have been anywhere near the final without him. The Kings were the better team–Kopitar, Carter, Williams, Gaborik, Doughty vs. McDonagh, St. Louis and Stepan? Amazing there were any overtimes at all.

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  61. Bdl
    Agree the upgrade will cost…I might just be willing to pay.
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    Norm
    Hank just didn’t make the saves when they needed to be made. It’s that simple in my opinion. Hank is not paid to be a good goalie, hank is paid to be a difference maker and he wasn’t then and hasn’t been the best ranger goalie 3 out of the past 5 seasons, which is what he is paid to be.

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  65. That was the deepest team the Rangers have had in a long time, Norm. You left out Nash, Brassard, Pouliot, Hagelin, and you favorite player Kreider. It is amazing that the goalie without tge best STATS won the cup. Why? Because of the big save at the big time. Quick made them, Hank did not.

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  68. Utter nonsense to say Lundqvist in 2014 didn’t make the saves when they needed to be made, whatever that even means, or they would not have gone on the [surprising] run to the final. Every save needs to be made, which is why save percentages and to a lesser extent goals-against are used to measure a goaltender’s worth. Lundqvist was the best Rangers player that year by a country mile, and to forget the saves he made when they needed to be made, to remember only the ones that were not, is pretty revisionist if you axe me.

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  69. That the Rangers were deeper than they had been did not make them anywhere as deep as the Kings. Quick had less to deal with, by far, and the story of that final was hardly some battle of goalies. A look at the numbers in the playoffs that year, with an eye to what actually happened rather than some preferred goalie-bashing narrative, is a reminder that the Kings had some real studs on their team, the Rangers not so much. It’s one of the charms of this blog (part of it) that it’s the only place in the hockey world where Lundqvist was the player-away in 2014 and where the Rangers were anything but overachievers that year.

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  72. Agreed Norm. Los Angeles was dominant and lets not forget that Chicago and LA have been the best teams for several years (in some cases interspersed with off year in between). It was not any Rangers fault that LA won that cup. They owned the third periods and the overtimes. The better team won it’s that simple.

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  74. Cccp
    Ok, how long ago was that? Like many here say, game has changed…don’t need a top 3 goalie to win the cup, better than avg goalie will do it. Not to mention the cap hit is not necessary.

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  79. Thomas shared duties with rask (but I’ll give you top 5…maybe).
    –
    It’s not lame, sorry all the lundqvist groupies can’t face facts. He hasn’t even been the best goalie on the team some years, so please stop.

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  80. Well, given enough Rangers fans will turn on every Rangers player. Look, I am the first to admit the Lundqvist has been less than regal in 2016 (I blame the year – can we please start the new year early). But they tend to forget that a lot of the success the franchise has had since the last lockout has been built on his back.

    Yes, I know that Henrik made sure he was taken care of contract-wise and could have helped out and taken a hometown discount like Uncle Daddy did in jersey. That still does not erase what he did no more than are Messier’s exploits erased because he left NY for Vancouver and then didn’t have much gas left in the tank when he returned.

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  90. I’m no Lundqvist apologist, but I’ll say this, he has given this team a chance to win & go deep in the playoffs every year since 06/07. All this while NEVER having a true bone crushing, crease clearing D-man, or 2.
    Sure, in 2014 I put some blame on Hank, a lot. But, IMO Quick was lights out on our attempted o-zone attack. And the damn zebra’s did nothing to help our cause. lol.
    How I feel now In 2016. Knowing Hanks roots & past history, I believe that fate will never have him lead us to the promised land.
    Wow just wow, paging Mr. Shesterkin. cheese & cracknuts.

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  107. Catching up on my reading, “all the Lundqvist groupies can’t face facts”. Will be gratifying to watch my fellow groupies vote him into the Hall.

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  129. Yo, Gravy! Check your trade alert in bonehead league, son!

    I’m like that poor man going from door to door looking for a goalie but ain’t nobody answering the door!

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  139. JT Miller? our old leading scorer? I think he made a mistake once and AV felt he needed more tough love and got put on the 3rd line forever.

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  151. Stepan HAS to be convincing even his most stringent naysayers that he’s an excellent 1.5b center. But only when the Rangers are slumping. If they’re playing more gooder , he’s just an adequate 2a/b.

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  153. The Rangers would be nowhere without the much-maligned first line lately, Step especially. Other lines don’t even exist at this point.

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  198. Bobby Ryan is such a basic biotch. When he mouthed “you gotta be #$&ing kidding me!” he looked like an actor in an after-school special.

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  215. That block by Fast tells you everything you need to know about why AV keeps him out there. Holden also with a great saving play. Really disciplined out there, no fly-bys looking for empty-netter.

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  232. Only shot of long term success is crossing over. We won’t survive any metro matchup except flyers which won’t happen. Only knock on Columbus is their not playoff tested. Still prob beat us.

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  233. They FINALLY had some pushback! That’s what they’ve been lacking- balls. Good to see they manned up tonight and were phyisical / strong on the puck.

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  241. Just finished game on dvr…nice comeback. Best game opie has had in a while, nice job of representing the letter on his sweater.
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    I voted opie, raaaaanta, and know when to Holden….in no particular order.
    –
    Now to go back and read the game comments to see who reversed course from the first to third periods

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  242. Wow, not as many comments as I thought there’d be. Nice to see some past posters drop by.
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    Norm
    Agree re miller pass instead of shot, wtf.
    Slight over reaction re lundqvist though. I’m pretty sure the guy is a first ballot hof’er (he is to me). The first few seasons after the lockout he was the single most important reason for the rangers resurgence hands down. Still doesn’t mean he wasn’t at fault in the finals.
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    Neil hit was not dirty, you guys need to quit whining so much.

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  246. Alex
    Revisionist history as well all know, but timely saves can turn the tide…timely saves that we didn’t get and they did. That series could have gone either way…their goalie made the saves ours didn’t. Simple enough.

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  248. Wicky

    We watched entirely different games in those finals. Los Angeles owned us for large stretches of games especially 3rd periods and overtimes. Well deserved cup for them – their 2nd in 3 years, and they beat a very good Chicago team to get to the finals.

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  249. Quick made big saves, Lundqvist didn’t, simple enough. Yup, just that simple–everyone else out there was just window dressing in this mano a mano battle of goaltenders. Would that anything were ever so simple. The Kings’ defense was more talented, simple as that. They had the size, simple as that. Rangers couldn’t get the clutch goal, simple as that. LA got the OT bounces, simple as that. AV couldn’t keep up with Sutter, simple as that… This little debate began, remember, with the baseless claim that the Rangers were a goalie away from winning the Cup in 2014. I agree that the claim is simple enough.

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  250. Good morning, boneheads!
    Pretty enjoyable win. Not good for your coronaries, but nice to see them engaged into physical battle and push back. Some lucky goals, far from superb goaltending on the other end, and 2 points at the end.
    I would love to see WICKY writing a review of that game. Any chance? 😀

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  252. Wick should have at it. I actually didn’t see the game (house is still bombarded w family for the holidays) but I think that’s a big turn around game for the character of this team. And good on Step for going all “lil messier” in this one. It seemed to wake em up.
    Any injury updates? Are we still buying this “back spasms” and core strength crap with Buchnevich after 3 months?

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  253. For the record, I agree with Wicky. That was a clean hit by Neil. And he could’ve pounded Zucc if he wanted too. But he is not Dan Carcillo. Would love to have Neil in this team, especially a few years back.

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  258. Was clean.
    Another thing that brought them together was that Vesey, not a fighter, didn’t skate away when was challenged. Just look at Miller’s response after the fight.

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  259. I am all for sticking together as a team, but doesn’t it worry you or bother you just a bit that it was Zucc and Vesey? You pick the wrong guy to do that with and it’s good night nurse.

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  260. Time for the college boys to grow a pair, been a long time coming
    .
    Didnt see any game action but sporting the Sens a 3 goal lead and then coming back to get a reg is impressive.
    .
    Sounds like that certain Dmen like say Done Girardi are not in ‘top form’ yet. Dont worry, second half he will get his second wind…

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  263. This could have been 7-2 again without Raanta in the second. Special teams good and Holden. The rest not so much. They played hard for a change after the first, but, still way too many defensive breakdowns. The third was pretty good until they started taking Pulliot’s near the end. Let’s hope Nash is back soon and they can work their way out of this funk.

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  266. Next 3 games are against Arizona, Colorado, and Buffalo. I wouldn’t rush Nash back in. I think the reason he pulled another side of his groin is because he was compensating for not fully recovered original groin injury.

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  267. After going down 2 zip while I was making dinner, NYR managed to redeem themselves and actually look a little bit assertive. I do wish the bong master would throw his weight around now and then too. Rough start for Auntie but locked it down after, something I haven’t seen from HL too often of late. To those now saying we can’t compete with others in our division come the playoffs, remember its a long ways to go and lots can happen. First month those teams were saying same thing about NYR. We get healthy, some of the kids get a little more time under their belt and I think we’ll be fine. Just give G red bulls instead of gatorade.

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  268. Re the kings…glad to see some of you admit the goalies aren’t as important as they’re made out to be and it’s more about physicality especially in the playoffs…about time you guys see the light.
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    Re the review…I’d love to do one, but I just don’t have the time right now. Extremely busy at work.
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    The game itself…clean hit by Neil, 3rd sens goal was 100% on beat wide, it amuses me greatly this zucc affliction many have, I agree with bdl re one of these days zucc (or vesey etc) is going get in the wrong someone’s face and get seriously hurt. In the scrum in question Klein was in right after zucc but no one really separated in that scrum. Neil could have pummelled zucc, but didn’t.

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  269. It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to know that IF the Rangers are healthy come playoff time, they are going to be a tough out. Remember being healthy means the likes if Marek Hrivek are in Hartford, and Jesper Fastvis on the 4th line.

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  270. Agree, don’t rush Nash back again. Also raaanta made a good recovery after a shaky beginning.
    –
    Off to work for more end of the year Chinese fireplace activity. Have a great day everyone!

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  271. Teams often mirror temperament of the coach. AV has tried to be more assertive this year. Good to see Opie being vocal and Zucc mixing it up. Maybe they can bring more of an edge to their game and be a little less pretty. That would serve them well come Spring. It’s a long season and every year is different.

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  282. Best case scenario is 4th place finish in metro. Have Columbus run away with metro. More importantly have 2-3 matchup pens vs capitals. One goes home. We get the worse division record between Columbus and Montreal with flyers getting top record . That’s our recipe perhaps assuming we could solve price or a jacket team not playoff tested. Anything else were out in 1st rd.

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  285. Can we get a new post? Doodie? Can I make a new post? I don’t want to upset HAV in chief.

    Funny… Doodie says he needs help keeping this place going and when I offered the help he declined lol

    Doodie hates Europansy?

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  292. Is Torts the same with his interviews or has he mellowed? Is Columbus really THAT good?

    Vesey did fine in the fight even though there wasn’t any real damage done by either combatant.

    Admit it. How many of you after 3:10 said, “Here we go again.” I know I did with a couple of expletives thrown in.

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  294. One thing a 10+ winning streak does is guarantee playoff qualification. Well done, Jackets, a year or two later than I thought it would take.

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  308. No problem, Carp. Question for you. How much have you watched this year’s team? Every game? About once a week? Only if it fits in your schedule? Not all all?

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  312. The Rangers posted video of Ziba skating the other day. Is he really going to be out 8 more weeks? I thought I had read a while ago that mid-to-late January was his return date.

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  316. Good gameday mornung, boneheads. If you drive today, don’t you even think of drinking.
    Other than that, – till a must win evening…

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  318. Great morning to all you Boneheads out there in Rangerland! Getting ready to head out the door to drive my cab! Catch you later during or after the game, after work I have band practice so not sure what time I’ll be home! Go Rangers! Raanta in net?

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  320. Hopefully they don’t play down to their opposition like they usually do. The couple of thumpings they took should teach them some humility. If they don’t show up and put in the effort they will lose these games.

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