Greetings all...
Marc Staal was one of 19 players skating in the optional here at the Rock. His bruised left foot (from a shot in Game 4) is "not great", but much better, he said. The non-skating Rangers were: Jagr, Gomez, Drury, Straka and Lundqvist.
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Same lineups for both teams tonight. Veterans Kerry Fraser and Dan Marouelli are the referees, the fifth different pair in the series.
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Brandon Dubinsky, who is one of five Rangers with points in three of the four games, was the first skater on the ice at about 11:24. Gomez, Jagr, Girardi and Avery are the others with the points. In the skate, the Rangers mostly practiced breakaways and 2 on ohs----plenty of shots on Steve Valiquette. "I think he may be tired after that," said Nigel Dawes...
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Renney said there were no directives issued from the league about goaltender interference, and figured that tonight's game would be played in the same style as Game 4
More later...
Comments (7)
He needs to dress Orr because Mrs. Sutter will goon it up.
Mrs. Sutter can't goon it up because this game is do or die for them. Should the Rangers get up by 3 or 4 goals then Henrik better have eyes in the back of his head cause the Devils will be coming after him.
As long as the outcome is in doubt, the Devils will try to stay out of the box. Once they feel they are done, look for the fireworks to start. I'm glad Fraser and marouelli are in tonite. Would love to see Orr dressed to smack around Rupp but i think it will be the same line up, business as usual.
Rangers will finish this tonight.
I agree that having Fraser and Marouelli is a good thing, especially if the game gets away from NJ and it's a done deal for them. The Devils are frustrated so they may take some liberties, but unlike NJ the Rangers aren't afraid to defend Henriq. If fireworks do happen, NY will step up.
Love playoff rivalries.
The League sent the most experienced officials for tonight's game, there will be less BS calls and a straightforeward approach to the game tonight. The cals may favor one team slightly but not enought to make a dofference, the game will be won on the ice and the players will make the difference. Agai nthe Rangers will come out on top because of talent, no othere reason. The Devisl are simply lacking in the talent arena.
The League sent the most experienced officials for tonight's game, there will be less BS calls and a straightforeward approach to the game tonight. The cals may favor one team slightly but not enought to make a dofference, the game will be won on the ice and the players will make the difference. Agai nthe Rangers will come out on top because of talent, no othere reason. The Devisl are simply lacking in the talent arena.