I'm here late because I'm recovering from the news that my 17-year-old daughter had her first fender-bender back home in Westchester on the way to school with a pal.
No injuries, no significant damage. Lucky.
And a lecture about caution is coming, I assure you.
Speaking of caution, the Islanders will provide details about the DiPietro situation at 5 p.m.
The initial diagnosis after his collision with Steve Begin, remember, was "general body soreness"---and I really hope that neither the front office or DP felt the need for him to return to the ice too soon.
Whether it was the pileup with Sean Avery and several Islanders in the crease or the third-period, 27-foot slapper from Jagr that struck DP in the mask on Sunday, something happened to put DP on the shelf for tonight, at least.
If it's my franchise goaltender and I've possibly underestimated a problem already, I absolutely sit him until he's completely ready and has passed all the tests. Which I assume he will, possibly by Friday.
OK, back to the Rangers:
*** Isbister scratched again; same lines. Straka looked like he had some jump in the skate, as did Shanahan. They will both need to contribute tonight and moving forward.
*** Kovalev, Souray and Koivu rested for the Habs, but they will play in what the team considers a must-win, according to the Montreal media, which surrounded Avery and Shanahan in the visitors dressing room.
Avery was on his best behavior, giving credit to the entire team for the turnaround and saying he could "bear down" more offensively. Renney said he likes Avery at center, although I prefer him on the wing.
*** Also, Renney said he believed that Ryan Callahan and Petr Prucha need to have more ice time, especially to counter Montreal's speed. Good idea.
*** If the Rangers win, it will be the first time in the team has won more than 20 road games since 1994, when the eventual champs won 24. That stat courtesy of Kenny Albert, who along with the other broadcasters, was watching from the stands.
*** Another unusual stat. Habs are carrying four goalies: Halak, Huet, Michael Leighton and Aebischer. Leighton and Huet---who might play this weekend, we hear---worked out with coach Roland Melanson prior to the skate, then Huet rotated with the other two.
*** Canadiens and Bruns alumni are playing here for charity March 30 at 7:30 p.m. The lineups are incredible: Lafleur, Bourque, Robinson, Middleton, Richer, but Canadiens seem deeper and faster. Anyway, what's really impressive are the tickets: Top price: $29.50. Lowest: $9.50. That's called: Getting it right.
More from the rink soon...
Comments (17)
Thanks for the update, Steve.
ps - glad to hear "the kids are alright".
Does Poor little peepee have a boobie??
AAWW poor little girl...he has a headache?
Suck it up you little bitch and be a man. You don't see Shanny suffering from any post A$$ poping like that girlie boy DePeePee.
I can't wait to see the Isle's next year with that scrub line - up.
No Yashin, Midget BLake, Smith (NYR), Balls...Nothing!!!
Lets see those girls talk smack then.
Steve,
A week ago I thought your predictions were too optimistic, but man am I eating cake right now. If the boys win tonight, I think I owe you a dinner. Love the blog!
LET'S GO RANGERS!
(Stay out of the box!)
No cool to call a man a lil bitch, when all he's doing is vernted about something a parent really cares about don't, dont be an ass
Rob- I think the post was referring to DiPietro's head issue and not about Steve's daughter.
I want Guy Carboneau as our coach. Hopefully Habs make the playoffs because they play much better than Rangers, Islanders, etc.
Hey, the Rangers look like their normal selves again.
"Anonymous" got lost from the Islanders blog as usual
I'm not an Isles fan, Rangers true to heart. This is how they have looked all season basically. The only diff. is they got goals in on Lundqvist. The last few games have been terrible too, do you actually watch the games?
They played a good dame last night. A few of those goals were not Henrik's fault. The streak and tear they have been on this was coming. Let's not start jumping ship. It's one game. Plenty of time to make up for it and keep things rolling the right way.
As for DP, take it easy. The guy is hurt and a big blow to his team. The sad thing is the Isles screwed up, and should have made sure he was completely healthy before he returned. Hopefully they don't ruin the guys career.
As for the Rangers, if GOD FORBID Lundqvist was to get hear anytime soon. WE ARE DONE AS WELL! Valquette is a joke and Henrik should have gone back in for the 3rd like Stan said in between periods.
Glad to hear your daughter is not hurt. I bet she is shaken up pretty good though. Always a rough experience. Best Wishes.
-Rick
If Henke stayed in last night the game coulda been 4-4 in the 3rd. They could have had a shot at least, when they were finally playing good in the 3rd. Valiquette let in a one timer in the slot which crushed the comeback..
Agree Valiquette does not belong at the NHL level. Last night was a serious bummer, but we all saw it coming. I just hope they don't get psyched out because they lost another 2 goal lead. They need to get back out there, put Hendry in net and win their way into the postseason.
Rangers were do for a loss last night was it, and at least with the way it happened they managed to give Lundqvist a partial day off...guy must be exhausted.
Steve, glad the daughter is allright. Can't beat up the boys too much about last night. It was bound to happen. Just makes Sat. at Philly a MUST 2 points.
Steve, side note. What's with Logan? Guy's always looking to take a shot at the Rangers. Does he do it to get readers to his blog? Over the past week he's mentioned the "hit from behind by Hollweg", "the no goal that was clearly a goal" and the "Avery landed on Dipietro's head" without mentioning the Islander defenseman who shoved Avery or the Jagr slapper off his mask. I know you work with the guy but he needs some pointers on professionalism. Please give him some.
Keep up the good work and thanks for all the info.
Brian,
Logan's biggest problem is that his Islander-fan readers don't comment on what he says. Have you seen the comments they write? It's all ranting about the "Rags." Fortunately this blog tends to have less ranting and more intelligent fans who care about their own team.
As for the Rangers, I agree we can give the boys a pass for last night. A lot of great wins under pressure, and Hank has been great. If there was ever a game to lose it would have been last night, not just because the out-of-town scoreboard worked in our favor, but because playing in Montreal was definitely the toughest game we were going to have. Hopefully the team can catch a breath this week and get back to work in Philly.
An interesting article from Today's NY Post has Renny considering shaking up his lines again.
He's thinking about moving Avery back to LW on a line with Cullen and Callahan since that unit played very well.
The problem Renny is facing is what to do after that.
He wants to add a physical winger to the Jagr line so that would bump Straka, but who does he put there, Isbister? Hollweg? Ortmeyer?
Just a thought but how about these line combinations:
Hollweg - Nylander - Jagr
Avery - Cullen - Callahan
Prucha - Straka - Shanny
Ortmeyer - Betts - Orr
Putting Hollweg on the Jagr line (especially against the Flyers) might give Jagr and Nylander some protection against guys like Ben Eager