450 thoughts on “Rangers at Senators…It’s Go Time!”

  4. Still a little time before the puck drops, so I’ll post this.

    Should the following situation play out, it’ll be interesting to see how Torts handles it. Columbus like a lot of other teams at this point have nothing to play for, as far as standings. However, if Toronto is limited to a Parity Point or less in today’s game against the Penguins, then the Lightnings can potentially win the final wild card spot Sunday with a win against the Sabres… AND a Toronto loss (or an OTL if they lost outright vs Pitt) against Columbus on that same final day. You probably recall 2010–11, when with Torts as Rangers coach, the Rangers needed the Lightning (with everything wrapped up like Columbus) to beat Carolina on the final day for the Rangers to get in the playoffs. Word was, Torts made a special appeal to his former team to ‘play the right way’ for that (meaningless to Tampa Bay) game (and promised free dog sitting services for life). Does he owe it to the TB organization or the game itself to reciprocate?

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  11. I remember that game very well. Tampa played their tails off in a meaningless game against Carolina. By the time Carp got off the train returning from MSG ( NY beat the Devils ), it was already 3-0 by the end of first. 6-2 was the final. Remember, Carp?

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  12. nevermind

    except the isles are in the mix and ahead of tampa due to row assuming both win out in regulation.

    if ottawa cliches 2nd today they will totally mail it in tomorrow in brooklyn.

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  13. Remember it well. I left msg around 3:30 as rangers played Devils at 1:00. Got home took wife out for sushi. Shut off phone and wouldn’t check score until I went on rangers report and you guys were all celebrating. I then watched Tampa Carolina game on dvr at 11:00 at night.

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  41. Yeah, this is Nick Stevens, from Plaza Cable.

    Well, I waited all morning again. You said you were gonna be
    there from nine to one.

    I was there. Where were you? You think I got nothing better to
    do than stand outside all morning, waiting for you to show up?!

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  64. The Glass fight illustrates the problem with Buch -just zero ability to or expectations he can stand up for himself. Kid has to bulk up and find out where Dubbie went for fight club training.

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  67. Buch still looks like he’s playing inline roller hockey and that he’s surprised when someone hits him or tries to hit him..again looks like the only training he has done is to binge watch Netflix

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  73. Wait wait, hold it, hold it. Look who’s over there. Don’t look, don’t
    look! It’s Fred Savage.

    He’d be perfect for my movie. I gotta go over there, I gotta give him a
    copy of my treatment.

    Why are you breathing so hard?

    Well, I’m just a little nervous. OK, I gotta relax. Phew. Wish me
    luck, huh?

    Hey. Oh, did I frighten you? I’m not crazy. I mean, I may look
    weird, but I’m just like you, I’m just a regular guy just trying to make it in
    this business. You know I really like your work, the, uh…

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  77. Liked the first period (now that I’ve caught up…thanks DVR)…good on glass, love the chippy nature of the game. Beck looks ok. Someone needs to give skjeL some how to win the wall battles lessons before the playoffs…could be a disaster waiting to happen.

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  108. classic rope a dope by blueshirts…we’re trying our best to be DiverDan these last few games…
    NYR version’s of Rope-A-Dope…

    Grab-A-Dope
    Hank-A-Dope
    Garden-of-Dream-A-Dope…

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  117. Norm in honor of your trip the Rangers have activated the WindMill defense ..everyone turning around waiting for the next one…down 2 zip BigGameBrass with one Glass best player on the ice for us

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  126. Norm
    I’m stunned with this game being so meaningless that the rangers don’t just pull the goalie right after the opening puck drop and just st go 6 skaters the whole way…wow, you are so correct just like with every other thing you think you know so much about!!!
    –
    Keep trolling norm, keep trolling

    Liked by 3 people

  148. Wicky, I respect that you believe I’m always right, but I want you to know that really I put my brain on one lobe at a time like any other troll.

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  149. Why wait? This is a meaningless game for the Rangers with 7 starters sitting, against a good team, playing at home, with something to play for

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  152. AAA just called me back it appears our road to Washington goes through Canada…does that make sense to anyone? says to drive up to Montreal then go west to Ottawa the down thru Buffalo and on to Washington…I’m Toby I’m brimming with positivity

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  172. Norm
    You can spin it how ever you want in that frontal cortex of yours, but the fact you try so hard to make yourself always “right” when you aren’t is just a total douchebag move.
    –
    Fans come on here to openly and honestly comment on the game progression and events as they happen. All you do is troll for a spot to pop on and criticize other posters and attempt to validate your “own version of 100% correct” evaluation (which it isn’t) of this team.
    –
    I feel sorry for you that you can’t accept being wrong at times like the rest of us.

    Liked by 1 person

  180. Carp
    Yeah, I know. I just think Girardi (kinda like zucc) means more to the roster off the score sheet than on. That being said, I’d be a little shocked if they didn’t buy out Girardi…cap considerations and all. I’d still buy out staal first though 😉

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  192. Are people here really blaming Hank for this game? He looks pretty good to me. Lots of in close uncontested chances that he has played well. Also think Brass’ shot ticked off Skjei’s stick….

    Liked by 1 person

  198. Ev
    It’s just sad that posters come on here from start to finish of a game and comment on the ups and downs of the game as it goes along, then to have someone who isn’t willing to do the same because something they say might be wrong or would rather just critique other posters, come on like some sort of know it all D bag and criticize real fans.
    –
    This place is tame as hell compared to other fan bases (especially some of the Canadian ones) and twitter. To see trolls get their panties in a bunch over honest fan comments here is just sad.

    Liked by 2 people

  200. Lately the Rangers are the gift that keeps on giving. San Jose clinched. Teams on losing streaks get wins. Presidents trophy for wash. And home ice advantage for Ottawa. Maybe they’ll try tomorrow when Pitt has nothing to play for either. Who here thinks they will….?

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  203. Will be interesting to see who starts the last game. Sneak preview of playoffs team or final auditions, final rest day. I was assuming last week they’d ramp up, but resting experienced vets was the thing.

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  212. 2 straight shutouts of the Rangers for Anderson. 2 straight shutouts for the New York Rangers.
    C’mon. Even the normal players look like they’re brain farting all over the place. Veteran giveaways. Absolutely no try in anyone’s game other than Lundqvist. I’m surprised Glass even bothered to fight earlier.

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  214. Carp
    I don’t disagree one bit with any of what you said…just saying what I’d do ;). Fortunately for everyone here, I have no ranger decision making power what so ever

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  220. that’s a set play …drag the puck out of the O zone while on the PP during possession..Scott Arniel has them practice that ..it allows us to re-set and most importantly to take time off the clock during a PP in an effort to get back to even strength

    Liked by 1 person

  234. Yeah. 4 jaw dropping saves by Hank this period, especially that last one on Brass. In a game that is apparently meaningless to everyone on the team but him…

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  235. likely that the 3 guys wearing the letters today won’t be here next year

    girardi – buyout (although that is still very costly vs cap)
    klein – traded with 1 year left on his deal
    grabner – expansion loss

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  246. Well HL kept saying he wanted the work so…. definitely disappointed in NYR depth. Can understand some of the top guys backing off to preserve health but the press box crew should be playing their asses off and not seeing it.

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  259. Everocker – Funny about that match up – the first match up in Montreal saw Price pulled after 3 early goals, Rangers go up 5-0, then blow the lead on 5 straight Habs goals and lose in SO. A big factor in Hanks fragile psyche there IMO.

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  278. Carp
    Un-bunch not directed at you (I think you realize that). As far as “not getting (I’m speculating you’re referring to some poster comments) it”…they’re fans, don’t take it too seriously 😉

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  285. olga

    order would be

    edm
    tor/tb whoever gets in if not isles
    mtl
    chi
    sj

    definitely not a team in our division with washington the least of those evils

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  290. Chart boys love Buch…he is gonna be a good one but needs to get stronger …think we are gonna see Glass unless they are down in series and need offense

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  296. Kern – agree of those two Vesey the one to put in as he’s been more consistent and willing to go to dirty areas. But nobody should be surprised if he has some mindless screw ups too.

    Hoping Hayes can turn it back on again, of all the forwards worry about him the most in that regard

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  302. Carp
    I don’t disagree, any team…ANY team can make a playoff run once in. This team has warts, all the teams do, but it can be a bit overboard (fwiw on both sides of the positive-negative spectrum). It’s frustrating for a lot of us here (I can only imagine how bad it must be for you…especially with twitter), but I think that’s just the “fan” in some people, make it worse case scenario that way if it does happen, there is less disappointment for them.
    –
    Just my opinion of course

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  303. So here’s my question, glass gave a full game effort, is his effort just more “noticeable” because he is a physical player? Did others not give a full effort? If they didn’t why is glass giving the effort and others aren’t? Is it just glass’ mental “attitude”?

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  305. I definitely agree with you, Wick. At least when it comes to me personally. I can’t and won’t speak for anyone else. It’s definitely easier to deal with heartbreak in that manner. With my depression I think it’s obvious I’m not a glass half full kind of guy. Lol

    Liked by 1 person

  310. It’s really hard to be positive when you see an opposing player just whacking away at your goalie, and the closest Ranger player (13) has absolutely no interest in doing anything about it. That stinks.

    Liked by 3 people

  312. Baseball sucks more and more because, like with hockey, few learn how to play the game. Puny hitters (professionals!) with warning track power consistently swing for the fences, big Dmen think they’re Wayne Gretzky, and their coaches allow it – even promote it – from the time the kid is six years old.

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  313. Maybe someone can answer this for me. How come we’re pretty much the only team resting a ton of guys, or even if it was a few guys, out of all the teams (that I’ve looked at) that have already clinched their exact playoff position?

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  317. Just finished watching the DVR replay, sure is tough being a Ranger fan. I do, I really do want to believe they can turn it on for the playoffs. Unfortunately I just don’t see it. Meaningless game Yada Yada Yada! Sorry Carp you’re probably shaking your head reading this but they are one and done! Glass in or out makes no difference. They are just not good enough. And screw the Hawks.

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  318. I LOVE baseball, but even I am having trouble watching the game they play now.

    I think I will stay away from the game threads during the playoffs … since, you know, it’s not part of my job anymore. LOL.

    I think this series is a complete tossup, whether Glass plays or not 🙂 It’s entirely up to the Rangers. If they play the way they’re supposed to play, they’re the better team. If they play defensively as they have lately, and on PK, it’ll be over quickly.

    I would guess it goes 7. Of course, Lundqvist has to be as good as Price.

    Liked by 2 people

  325. wicky229 – Do you think your criticism of Skjei might swing a little heavy to the negative side of the spectrum?
    ..and if you do it to tweak others a little bit, do you you consider that others might be doing likewise in some cases?

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  328. I will say this about mtl, they were the opponent in the only game this season that I actually thought the rangers were physically “run out of the building”. Glass was called up the next day fwiw. But like I always say, one regular season game does not a playoff series make.
    –
    I think intangibles are going to hurt the rangers more than any other thing in the playoffs. If they can get those, they’ll go a lot further than many think.

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  330. Carp, they didn’t officially clinch their actual spot till the last game against Washington. I know it was pretty much as foregone conclusion, but still.
    Why didn’t they sit people earlier then? Also Washington had pretty much had the President’s trophy well in game for at least a week and a half or more. They’re not sitting anyone. Montreal isn’t. Columbus isn’t…..though they suck right now regardless.

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  336. Nevermind
    Fair question. I point out the weaknesses of skjeL because he has them and some here treat him like he is a Norris contender. I think brady skjeL is going to be a very solid NHL D man in a couple of seasons when he learns the D zone. He loses a lot more wall battles than he should(so does staal)imho. All that said, he’d be one of my 6 starting D next season on the rangers (only way he wouldn’t is if he was involved in a big time hockey trade).
    I do the same thing with step for the same reason, so I guess I’m a step ahead (see what I did there) on the tweaking others spectrum.
    –
    And yes, I’m sure there is a certain poster here that likes to say things to tweak others (myself included).

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  340. You know, those intangible things like a timely save at a key time, a key face off win in the d zone, a pin the opponent in their zone forecheck for 70 seconds, a couple of hits that swing the in game “momentum”, etc.

    Liked by 1 person

  346. Ev, I don’t know. If you do it earlier you risk a tailspin that could make the foregone conclusion not foregone (is that a phrase?). I think the way they did it is exactly right. And unlike some of youse, I think the coach knows what he’s doing.

    Agree, Wick, about them being knocked around by MTL, which had just beefed up and was showing off its new muscles and its rat. Plus the Rangers played like absolute crap that day, refusing to get the puck behind Montreal’s awful defensemen.

    I have no problem playing Glass over Buchnevich in this series. But they have to ignore the rat.

    Liked by 2 people

  348. I would prefer to see Buchnevich’s skill set over Glass’s, but I’m with Alex–he’s done little to deserve the spot. Still, Buch is in actual danger of scoring once in a while, and the Canadiens’ defense…

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  349. If the choice was either Buchnevich or Glass I would pick a 7th defensemen. Neither of those guys are worth putting on the ice.
    —–
    Why did they claim Puempel and why haven’t they released him yet?
    —–
    Brendan Smith – great deadline pickup (rolls eyes)….There was nobody in Hartford they could bring up to give the puck away?
    —–
    This game was unwatchable. I’m glad I didn’t pay anything to watch it. Still, I’ll watch tomorrow’s game even though I know it’ll be more of the same. I guess that says something about me, doesn’t it?

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  351. As a true blue Ranger fan and one who hates the penguins passionately I will say this, the NYR will lose tomorrow’s game. You all know I’m right.

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  352. Eli, what possible difference does the outcome make? All I care about is whether, if they’re dressed, the regulars look like they’re ready to get started. If they’re still rested, meh.

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  369. I hate the isles and they WILL make the playoffs.

    sad that i like toronto and tampa and neither will make it

    toronto choking like they choked a 4-1 lead to boston in game 7

    since expansion the leafs fans have it the worst.

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  370. Once the Fishsticks get in, now all we will hear about is how courageous they are, without Tavares, and with the resurgence of the “great” Halak

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  373. I sent a text to 2 isles fans 5 minutes ago proclaiming them as playoff bound. If leafs can pull this out they’ll be mad at that jinx text.

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  376. Well it’s tied now. Leaves just need to win this game somehow. Or at least take a point and hope for the best against a (very hungry to get their game together before it’s too late especially with Tortorella) Blue Jackets.

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  387. Wow. Turned on the last 8 minutes of the Toronto game. Nice to see what real hockey, played with passion, looks like again instead of these last few Rangers games…

    Liked by 4 people

  394. What I take from this is leafs could be beaten by us. Hopefully they get a pt tom and stay in Atlantic. Moot point prob lose to Habs anyway. Thank god no isles.

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  402. From the headmaster: now, boys and girls, let’s remember, we root for our team and not against our opponents. Please join me now in singing the team song: “Rangers, Rangers, über alles…” Wait, not that one?

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  406. Hey yoooo. Dis team sucks Her Hajestys royal balls. They’re not going nowhere this year. Time to watch the Yankees. These rangers wasted my interest in hockey. Bunch of losers.

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  407. Good morning, boneheads!
    Hard to watch these games. Wonder who else they will sit tonight.
    I like what I see in Hank’s game. He will be ready and motivated.
    It doesn’t look like Buchnevich will start on Wednesday. Glass. Or Pirri/Puempel.
    Neither Toronto or Ottawa are going to ECF, imo.

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  408. Forgot to mention one more thing. I’m sure a lot of history will be thrown around in regards to NY-Montreal match, including how poorly NY ( and Hank) play in Montreal. Except that NY won the last 2 playoff series. One in 2014, another one in 1996. Remember Vincent Damphousse?

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  411. Norm, many moons back the President of either Harvard or Yale found out that the offense was directing their attack against the weakest link of the opposing defense, and called for the banning of football at the University, as he considered this to be anathema to the school’s standards of fairness and integrity. Needless to say, the powerful Alumni had him removed. 🙂 True.

    Liked by 1 person

  412. The NYR are a funny (not in a good way) team. Perhaps with the exception of the earliest games in the season, they seem disinterested or worse until they are down by a couple goals. Then, like a switch being thrown, they storm back. That is what I am expecting in game #1 – we go down 2-0 by early 2nd and then boom! 3-2 by early 3rd, perhaps an ENG to win it 4-2 and Sam and Joe prattle about ‘character and leadership, so many past playoff games.’

    The problem is, doing that against playoff caliber competition game after game is at best a 50/50 proposition. To win the series they will at some point need to play a full 60 minute game.

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  422. Man some of you guys suck the fun right out of this time of year. Even in a game where they sit half the team people are hyper critical and pissed off? Astounding.
    Maybe you’d like one of these teams that allegedly have so much more talent and potential than us that have been scrambling for two weeks to try to grab 8th place? idk anymore.
    But to use a phrase from another Ranger every one of you hates “I’m not going to let this blog ruin my playoff hockey” : D

    Anyhow, Lundqvist looks like he’s just about got it together for the post season which is the best you could hope for right now. Getting real curious which dman sits. I like the element that Smith brings, I think it’s important to have it against Montreal and through the playoffs but he’s certainly tough to watch in his zone at times.
    As for the Buchnevich thing, we know how this coach operates. While I can probably make an argument for the depth of the offense with Buchnevich in the lineup, I guess there’s no point if he’s not playing top 9. Thus, Glass might as well play. Especially with the likes of Ott and Dwight King now in the mix for the Habs.

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  423. Doesn’t really matter who they play btw. If their top guys do not perform the way they’re getting paid to play then the opponent won’t matter. Transitional season or not, I think there are going to be changes if this team fails to perform and gets eliminated first round- regardless of how high the organization may be on certain players.

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  425. Refs allow us to be beaten up in front of opponents’ net, both before and after whistles, and it will be even more allowed in playoffs. We, on the other hand, are soft and generally polite to the big bodies who screen and intimidate Hank.

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  438. Fran Healy, after interviewing Hank on yacht: “Would you mind if I used your restroom?”

    Hank: “I’d prefer if you waited until we tied up and you could use the pizza parlor.”

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  441. Gather around, children dear, for this morning’s lesson in how to be a proper Rangers fan.

    First, emphasize each player’s faults. Make it as personal as you can, inferring character flaws where possible. Suggest, for example, that any any odd physical attributes are the likely result of drug overuse. If a Ranger is on the downside of his career, be particularly merciless and compare him unfavorably to the player he was in his prime, not that he was that great to begin with. Needless to say, management was moronic to sign him to that bloated contract, the one you see him pissing away in night clubs all over the city.

    Regarding the coach, doubt, nay, decry his every move. The guy rarely has any idea what he’s doing, particularly in regard to the forward lines and defensive pairings he selects, rotations you could put together better in your sleep. That he has never won the Stanley Cup is an obvious sign of his mediocrity–scratch that–mediocrity is putting it kindly. The gum-chewing, obviously, is a dead giveaway. He takes a perfectly tough piece of gum and makes it as soft as his players.

    To that point, you cannot–I repeat-cannot–go wrong pounding the point home as manfully as you can that the Rangers are as soft as buddah and that they hold each other in such mutual contempt as to run away when a comrade is attacked by the enemy . Make it clear you would never share a foxhole with any of them, and that if you were put in charge, there would be a veritable orgy of recrimination on the ice such that by game’s end, Rangers fans and players alike would stride out from the rink arm-in-arm, bloodied but unbowed, singing rugby songs. (While the enemy licked its wounds, sniveling in the corner begging forgiveness from rat-fink Islanders fans.) No player under 6’4″ and 250 lbs. need apply in your regime.

    If, as sometimes can occur, the opposing team scores a goal, remember that A) it’s Game Over B) the other team, ironically, sucks C) If it was Crosby he really sucks D) McIlrath would have prevented it, and E) Lundqvist uses too much hair product.

    Stay tuned for further lessons, but this basic intro should get you up and running. Until then, Let’s Go, Soft Rangers!

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  444. Do you have a combat mission license, Coos? Call me when you’re taking off, and Kev and I will join you. We’ll be in the smoke-filled adjoining jet, giggling.

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