Blue Notes

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in a Q & A with reporters in Dallas yesterday, said a decision should be made by mid-July. I'm hearing Yankee Stadium, Soldier Field and Fenway remain the front-runners. Here's the transcript.

Q. What is the likelihood we'll see another outdoor game next season? Is Yankee Stadium a possibility as a venue?

BETTMAN: "Funny you should ask. We are in the midst of doing our homework and trying to make some plans to do another outdoor game. We think the game in Buffalo, the Winter Classic on January 1st last, was a great event for our game and for our fans. It made us the center of sports focus on a day which had traditionally been devoted to college football. So we very much want to do it again. We want to keep it special. We don't want to overdo it.

We have no shortage of interested cities and teams. And we're exploring them. One of the possibilities is Yankee Stadium. But there are a variety of issues with respect to all of the possibilities. We have to see which can be resolved satisfactorily.

There is some construction going on, on and about the Yankee Stadium area, the old stadium area, which may impact us. There are some winterization issues, because it is an older stadium. As I sit here today, I don't know whether or not they can be resolved. We don't have a deal yet to go anywhere, but we're in discussions with a variety of places, some that have been named, I'm not breaking any news here, Chicago, Boston, Colorado, Denver, Pennsylvania.

Actually got a letter from the Governor suggesting, based on this incredible -- I think Governor Rendell said in his letter to me as great a sportsfan as he is, he's never seen the intensity of a rivalry as he's seeing now between the Flyers and the Penguins, and we should consider playing in HappyValley before a 107,000 people.

We're looking at a lot of things. I anticipate, hopefully by the time we announce the schedule in early July when we release it, historically on the day after the baseball All-Star Game, that we'll know what we're doing.

But as I sit here today, other than we're planning to try to do something, we're not done yet."

......by edging Czechs on Mattias Weinhandl's goal at 3:15 of OT, so Henrik Lundqvist & Co. move into the IIHF semifinals...Canada leads Norway 1-0 in the first minute on a Dany Heatley goal...Oh, and from their Palm Sprngs meetings, Rangers have confirmed that Ivan Baranka accepted an offer from Spartak Moscow, but that New York will retain the 23-year-old d-man's rights.

Marcus Nilson ties it with under four to play in regulation with a high glove-side wrister just seconds after goaltender Milan Hlinka tumbled backwards from a brush with a Swede skater...

.....on a pretty high backhander as Lundqvist slid out to his right; 2-1, Czech Republic with about 7 minutes to play

At the IIHF World Championships...

Elias (knee) and Rozsival playing.

Just caught the live feed at hockeywebcasts.com

Rangers defenseman Ivan Baranka, a restricted free agent, will be playing in Russia next season, according to eurohockey.net.
The 6-3 Slovakian defenseman, who was 5-21-26 and a plus-9 in 61 games in Hartford last season, will skate for Spartak Moskva, the site reports.
I am awaiting confirmation with the Rangers.

Hope you all enjoyed/survived Mother's Day with your families, and also remembered moms no longer around, but not forgotten.

I had scheduled a few days off this week, so please don't expect the usual torrent of updates.

Will give you this though: In the worlds, Brandon Dubinsky today had a hat trick, including a goal from the right circle midway through the third period, as the U.S. hammered Norway 9-1. Pat Kane was tremendous as well. The U.S. will play Finland or Canada next in the quarterfinals.

The craziest story has been the controversial Finn goal against the U.S. that went through the mesh at the side of the cage and was allowed to stand after video replay. The IIHF then fessed up to the error after the game, and in a bizarre move, fired the goal judge.

Team Canada looks very potent and should take it all. Lundqvist's Swedes beat the Czechs yesterday..

With the injuries to top defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn, it appears as if the Flyers are fried. Even if they win one of two in Philly, the Pens will likely end the ECF in five at the Igloo. I thought it would take six.

Detroit is certainly dazzling everyone. Should be a terrific finals.

On this front, Cablevision---which owns the Garden, Rangers, Knicks, Radio City, News12 and provides cable television, broadband and phone service to millions in the New York/New Jersey metro area---has agreed to buy Newsday. The deal is supposed to close in August.

In the past month, the mood of the people I've talked to around the newspaper is first, goodbye and good luck to the current Tribune ownership, which had sliced and diced and tightened the purse strings and didn't exactly encourage the business of first-hand, on-site reporting, which is the lifeblood of journalism.

You can only hope Cablevision appreciates Newsday for its legacy of editorial integrity and independence in news, sports, business and entertainment coverage, invests in this valuable asset and allows it to blossom again---not only on Long Island and in the New York metro area, but for readers everywhere via newsday.com.

In the interim, we're still here (outside of some summer vacation weeks), reporting, commenting and exchanging views on the Rangers and the NHL as before.

Here's the names of seven restricted free agents who might not be signed by their current teams. Should the Rangers be interested? I'd be monitoring.

Antoine Vermette, Senators; Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Predators; Marek Svatos, Avalanche; Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, Sharks; Steve Bernier, Sabres.

Thoughts? Other candidates?

No major news on the Rangers front so far today.

Pens-Flyers tonight. Loss of Kimmo Timonen (blood clot) will hurt Philly D. Pens power play could be the difference in the series. Martin Biron will have to steal a couple games for Flyers to advance.

Meanwhile, Rangers assistant coach Perry Pearn told the Palm Beach Post that he's interested in the Florida bench job---he has ties with GM Jaques Martin. The possibility was first reported down there weeks ago. Paul Maurice and Pat Quinn also are candidates.And Joel Quennevillle got the ax today in Colorado Pearn has a year left on his contract, but the story says that Glen Sather would let him go if he lands a head coaching job.

If Pearn leaves, who should replace him? Ken Gernander from Hartford, who has worked with the young turks? Brendan Shanahan? Mark Messier (probably not, he prefers the front office scene). Thoughts? Candidates?

....for the World Championships. The 29-year-old d-man will be making his first international appearance for the Czech Republic.

Also, thanks to laurie and Mitch Beck for seconding my sense of the five fellows from the Pack who have a shot at the club in September: Lauri Korpikoski, Artem Anisimov, Dane Byers, Greg Moore, Corey Potter.

More paperwork and errands on the agenda before a trip south tomorrow to collect my daughter and her belongings from Villanova...

*Headline inspired by "Between Clark and Hilldale", Love, Forever Changes,

Tying up some personal loose ends today, checking in on the World Championships, (Henrik Lundqvist expected to play tomorrow for Sweden, which he called an underdog with only seven pros; no kidding, the Red Wings are still skating), but let's open it up to continue the post-season discussions...

1. What should Glen Sather do with his free agents before July 1 and why....
Jagr, Shanahan, Avery, Straka, Rozsival, Mara, Malik, et al....and keep the cap in mind.

2. Tom Renney said yesterday that five Wolf Pack players have a chance to make the team in September: Your thoughts on to whom he was referring? Lauri Korpikoski, obviously, is one.


3. The draft is June 20, and the Rangers pick 20th. Who to target? This may require some thought and research, but what the heck were you planning to do today anyway? Read more about Roger Clemens or Barbara Walters?

Seems to me that if RW Jared Staal is still there, I'd be interested. There could be some good-sized D available as well: 6-foot-7 Tyler Myers (Kelowna); 6-4 Colten Teubert (Regina) and some offensive blueliners: Michael Del Zotto (Oshawa) 43-11-34-45; and Yann Sauve.

Let it roll....

The fog around Jaromir Jagr's future lifted ever so slightly today, but with the mercurial superstar, you never know.

“First I am going to talk to the Rangers,” Jagr said. “That’s No. 1 option for me. I don’t like to change. I feel very comfortable here, with all the people around this organization who are nice to me. They give me a chance to show everybody I still can play hockey. Everybody doubted me when I was playing in Washington for whatever reason. The Rangers gave me a chance and believed in me... All I have to do is concentrate on hockey.”

Jagr also said, very seriously, that if he stayed healthy, he would play for several more years.

"Look at Chelios playing till 44. Everything is about health, if you stay healthy ypu have a chance to work hard and do what you want. But I don't think I would sign longer than two years, just because of my dad; he asked me to come home in two years."

His father's team is building a new arena, and "he wants me to be there," Jagr said. "My family's always been important, I've got to look at what happened 25 30 years back; because of them I'm here." He then said he was kidding, but no one really believed him.

As for the other world-class forward who is a free agent, 39-year-old Brendan Shanahan, he sounded as if he wasn't ready to hang up the skates.

"I definitely feel today, that at this point, I definitely know that I can still be a productive player in the NHL and certainly somebody who contributes to a team's wins in a variety of ways," Shanahan said. "If I didn't feel confident, I would make my decsion to stop playing today. If I decided to play, this (New York) would be my first choice."

Three Rangers will play in the World Championships: Henrik Lundqvist for Sweden, Brandon Dubinsky for the U.S. and Fedor Tyutin for Russia.

More later...

NHL just made the announcement of the first round order...

I was out on a leave of absence
From any resemblance to reality
I felt like a rocket launched to the great blue yonder
From the boys down at Kennedy

I was driving by his majesty's court hotel
Where the sign said 'Praise his name'
I was tired and alone I couldn't see too well
But I don't think that he was to blame

Thank God the tiki bar is open
Thank God the tiki torch still shines
Thank God the tiki bar is open
Come on in and open your mind....
----John Hiatt

There are plenty of warm days and sultry evenings ahead for the pool, the beaches, the squash court (where did my game go?), for family and friends, and for thinking about the draft and next season.

The illusion is that of a sudden finality; not so; we're not departing. The inn isn't closed----it just won't be cookin' 24/7. But we'll be here posting in the coming months with Rangers and NHL news and observations, so be sure you swing by this ol' tiki bar as often as you'd like.

Before we drive off to the rink for the final time for a few months, here's my story in today's editions, which takes a quick stab at the salary cap situation:

After physicals and farewells today, the off-season turns into a numbers game for the Rangers.
"It should be an interesting few months," said Chris Drury, who will leave with his family to California for the summer before returning in September as possibly the Rangers' elder statesman at 32.
Sunday's disappointing finale in Pittsburgh served to highlight the holes (defense, size, power play) that the franchise will attempt to fill in the summer through free-agent signings and in training camp from within. It also illuminated the increasing presence of young players---11 of the 20 who dressed were under 25.
The NHL's salary cap is expected to rise to between $55 million and $56 million next season, up from $50.2 million, and the Rangers should have plenty of space to maneuver---especially if the front office sheds most of their over-30 free agents, or signs one or two to reasonable short-term deals.
By not re-signing captain Jaromir Jagr and unrestricted free agents Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka (who are likely to retire), and defensemen Paul Mara and Marek Malik, the Rangers would lose an estimated $19 million in cap space. That would leave room for a younger replacement for Jagr---although the Penguins' Marian Hossa is the only true free agent sniper available and will command $8 million on the open market.
The cap hits of Scott Gomez ($7.3 million), Drury ($7 million) and Henrik Lundqvist ($6.9 million) lock in $21.2 million. On defense, the Rangers have committed just $5.5 million in cap space to five defensemen, with the most to Christian Backman ($2.3 million). The remainder: Fedor Tyutin ($988,000), Dan Girardi ($750,000), Marc Staal ($827,000) and Thomas Pock ($685,000). Pock spent most of the season in the AHL

Among the forwards, Brandon Dubinsky ($633,000) and Ryan Callahan ($575,000) will be restricted free agents in 2009-10 and could be extended. Petr Prucha ($1.6 million) and Dane Byers ($608,000) are under contract. Other forwards under contract are Blair Betts, Colton Orr, Ryan Hollweg (a total cap hit of $1.66 million).
Add backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette, who could be resigned for about $700,000, and that's another $5.8 million, for an estimated total of $32.4 million in cap hits for 16 players. More could be cleared, of course, if some of those players begin next season with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack.
Of the team's top restricted free agents, the Rangers presumably will sign Nigel Dawes, and possibly Fred Sjostrom and Greg Moore. The future of defenseman Ivan Baranka and forward Pierre Parenteau is uncertain. Prospects Lauri Korpikoski, who scored the Rangers first goal Sunday on his second career NHL shot, and center Artem Anisimov, will get long looks in camp.
One of the biggest decisions, of course, is whether Jagr wants to return---and at what price. The 36-year-old right wing, whose $8.36 million salary resulted in a cap hit of just $4.94 million because his former team, the Washington Capitals, was still on the hook for some of the money, is an unrestricted free agent who said he wants to play for several more years, possibly in the NHL or his native Czech Republic.
After Sunday's game, he indicated that he would discuss the situation with his family and play where it makes him happy, but that it would not be a quick decision. Jagr, who scored 71 points and stepped up his game in the last six weeks, has said privately that he understands that the Rangers, whose focus and offense has shifted away from him, may not be the right fit after three and half seasons.
Then there is the question of Sean Avery, the controversial and unpredictable left wing/irritant who earned $1.9 million and endured an injury-filled season, and broke off contract talks this winter when he said the two sides were far apart on financial issues. Both sides must determine how much can Avery---who likes the bright lights and wants to stay in New York---contribute, and again, at what price?
On defense, Michal Rozsival's cap number was $2.1 million this season, and that could double for the Rangers or whichever team signs the unrestricted 29-year-old defenseman. The Sharks' Brian Campbell, an unrestricted free agent who will command $6-million-plus per season, could quarterback the power play, but the Rangers also could hand that job to Staal and perhaps wait a year for prospect Bobby Sanguinetti and opt for toughness in a player such as Pittsburgh's UFA Brooks Orpik.

See ya later....

The Final Score boys debate the topic of the day. What do you think?

In the wake of the 3-2 overtime loss in Pittsburgh that ended the Rangers season, Jaromir Jagr said the game would not be his last after 17 years in the NHL.

"I don't think I'm going to retire from hockey, I'm going to play somewhere, I don't know where," said the 36-year-old superstar, and said he would take some time to discuss his future with his family and friends. "I don't want to make any decisions 30 minutes after we lost the hockey game."

Jagr, an unrestricted free agent, could possibly return to the Rangers, sign with a team that plays a more up-temp offense, which he favors, (Carolina, Detroit) or play in Russia or back home in the Czech Republic.

"The year before, I knew what was going to happen. This year, it's going to happen wherever I want it to happen. Whatever's gonna make me happy, that's what I'm going to do. But it's going to take time, I have to talk to my dad, my friends, they look at it differently than I do, I'm sure they're gonna give me good advice on what I should do."

More on this later...

Staple here, Zip in Pittsburgh, game a few minutes away... As Zip has noted, Lauri Korpikoski makes his playoff debut and Jason Strudwick stays on D in place of Christian Backman. Rangers have to stay out of the penalty box early, because the Pens will have a rabid crowd and a desire to put this one away early.

Trotting out the new live blog today... Keep the comments coming, but keep 'em clean.

2:01

NBC broadcast about to begin after watching Orel Hershiser play poker... Interesting. Game is a few minutes away.

2:18

Sorry, gang, some technical difficulties at HQ over here... Luckily, this was apparently a 2:30 start and no one told us. Off we go!

2:21

Good start there with a neutral zone turnover and two quick shots.

2:24

Exactly what the Rangers didn't want: Malkin's line matched with the Strudwick-Mara D pair. Good control in the Rangers zone, and an alert play by Lundqvist to stop the bank-shot try by Ryan Malone off Strudwick.

2:27

Both teams settling down a little. If Drury were a little bigger, he would've been whistled for obstructing Georges Laraque for sure. Pens are getting set up in the Rangers' zone well, though.

2:30

Jagr forced to play some D there and a fairly weak hooking call on No. 68... Rangers' PK has to be huge here.

2:34

Good anticipation by Lundqvist both on Malkin's one-timer and Malone's wrap try. Malone could've done more with that.

2:36
Nice shot by Korpikoski on his second shift. Kid knows you've got to throw pucks on net here, especially since the Rangers hadn't had a shot in several minutes.

2:42

Rangers' forwards are making sure to collapse down when Malkin or Crosby has the puck below the goal line. Each of them set up a goal that way in Game 1. And Ruutu took a dumb one there, taking his hand off the stick to grab Jagr. Borderline, but Ruutu doesn't get the benefit of the doubt.

2:45

Staal on the PP unit with Girardi, as Renney had in Game 4. Still don't love Girardi, and his confidence to shoot is iffy after making two gaffes to set up breakaways last game.

2:46

Ugly PP, and the Pens have the momentum with some chances at the close of their PK... See what happens out of this TV timeout.

2:50

Maybe some more frustration from the kid stars? Malkin takes a bone-headed penalty. Even if the Rangers' PP stinks, they're keeping the big guns of Pitt off the ice.

2:52

One of the biggest problems: Rangers don't have the D to manuever the PP from the top. They're not deft stick-handlers, so this is the result. And Dawes flipped one wide after the PP ended, wide open net. Rangers have now kept the Pens scoreless for four straight periods.

3:07

Couple minutes away from the second... Malkin and Crosby have made some plays, and the Pens are due for a PP opportunity, which would seem to be the way they're going to get on the board. If the Rangers can continue to frustrate the kid stars, Lundqvist especially, the Rangers can afford to be patient 5-on-5. Rangers PP needs an overhaul though.

3:13

Marian Hossa is a very good player, but seriously: If he'd buried half his chances this series, it'd be over already. Great play from Dupuis and Crosby, no finish from Hossa. And a great chance generated by Malkin there, and Drury is bloodied by Malone, with no call. Odd.

3:17

Amazing that they're chipping blood off the ice and not even a conference between the four officials. Pens taking advantage of Drury being out on faceoffs, Malkin misses a golden one there.

3:18

Here's the PP try for Pitt, with Jagr in for an offensive-zone trip of Malone. Bad play by the captain.

3:20

Great kill by the Rangers, and now they'll get the PP after a terrific effort by Strudwick draws a pretty weak slash call on Laraque. Good play with the extra attacker, maybe some momentum for the third PP.

3:25

Rangers probably wanted the penalty shot there with Malkin outworking Rozsival for the puck going on. Malkin doesn't like breakaways, remember? Another Pens PP, their third, and the Rangers PK (minus Drury, still getting stitched up) needs another huge kill.

3:27

Drury's back, the puck gets out of the zone right off the faceoff.

3:29

There it is. Too much scramble by the PK, with Hossa's great diving play (and Shanahan's ill-advised decision to try and rush out of the zone before the puck) keeping the puck in and Hossa burying a gimme from Malkin and Crosby... And Rozsival goes off again for a terrible decision to clearly pitch-fork Kennedy. Time out here?

3:33

Crucial kill if the Rangers have any chance of rallying. Only 1-0, but Pens have life after being shut down for over 100 minutes. Jagr needs a big shift here to get some offense going.

3:36

Lundqvist is doing his part, as is the goal post, which Crosby hits in tight. Rangers are being overwhelmed here.

3:38

Time to turn out the lights. Malkin just bulled Mara out of the way and rips a backhand behind Lundqvist. The kid stars of Pitt are no longer frustrated, and there is no stopping them today.

3:40

Another PP drawn by Jagr, but Tyutin and Girardi still at the points... Renney needs offense and puck movement, not caution anymore.

3:48

Penguins back on the PP courtesy of Rozsival, who is not making a good case for being re-signed. Rangers look gassed, mentally and physically, and Jagr is distracted by Ruutu and diving like he accused Crosby of doing.

3:51

Twenty minutes left in the Rangers' season... They are not the kind of team that can turn it around in such a short space of time here. Pressing will only lead to turnovers, and patience will only lead to soft wrist shots from the point that sail wide. Rangers fought hard, but it was the Penguins' power play, as predicted, that turned things around.

4:10

There's some fresh legs, and some life for the Rangers. Great rush by the kid, great shot, and a terribly passive play by Ryan Whitney to let Korpikoski get to the puck and fire it. Just what the Rangers needed. 2-1 Pitt.

4:14

Wow... Just, wow. Dawes makes his patented shootout move, between Fleury's legs, and the Rangers with two goals in less than 90 seconds by rookies ties the game. Didn't see this coming, eh?

4:19

Been a relentless six minutes before that stoppage... What a save by Lundqvist on Hossa on the doorstep. Mellon Arena seems awfully quiet now. Live blog is experiencing some technical difficulties -- maybe because it's so darn popular -- but I'm working on it!

4:25

Looks like the refs have put the whistles away, so this one will be won by effort. Right now, Rangers are winning that battle.

4:33

Another rare stoppage after a great drive to the net by Dawes and Callahan. Korpikoski with a brilliant rush earlier than ended with Tyutin missing the net as the trailer. Pens have gotten some play in the Rangers zone, but not with the speed they had in the second. Under three minutes left and the pace is fast, but determined, and the Rangers' young guys are driving the bus here, amazingly.

4:38

And the luck is not on the Rangers side today... Drury, cut by Malone earlier with no call, gets whistled for a 4-minute high stick when he cuts a Penguin I couldn't see on the bench. Even without a goal here in the final minute, Pens will start OT with a 2:41 PP... What a comeback, but the Rangers have to just fire pucks out to stave off the initial OT push by the Pens on the PP.

4:48

Sorry, gang, the new, exciting live blog is killing my computer... For OT, we'll stick with this. If the Rangers win, tomorrow night will be problem-free. For a lot of reasons, I'd say.

Predictions on the OT winner? Malkin or Crosby or Hossa for Pitt? Jagr, Gomez, Korpikoski for the Rangers? Who'd have thought I'd be typing Korpikoski? Desperation does some strange things.

4:57

Why would Marc Staal pass that shot up? Egad.

4:59

Huge, huge kill... But the Pens have the jump. Kennedy racing all over the zone, and the Rangers' D is tired. Big save by Lundqvist on Ruutu.

5:04

And that's all, folks... Crosby was out on that shift a while, but had the extra burst to get it into the zone past a tired Rangers' forward line, and the puck ricocheted right to Hossa, who buried it. Pens win the series, 4-1, even with a valiant comeback. The offseason begins now.

Here's the reasoning for the lineup changes:

Korpikoski, 21, the 19th overall pick in 2004, "had a very good season this year, certainly in the latter half of it as a center-ice man," said coach Tom Renney. (Korpikoski was 23-27-50 and a plus-20 in Hartford.)

"With Blair (Betts) out, it will give us a little more versatility, not to mention the fourth line...These young guys are capable of playing. I felt the same way last year with Nigel (Dawes) and I feel the same way about Lauri, We need that kind of help at center ice, he's the best guy under the circumstances. It's an opportunity to grow another player, and this will be a great environment for him, a real challenge, but it's no different for anybody else."

Ryan Hollweg, who will played left wing, "can play center," said Renney, "but for me it comes back to versatility." Colton Orr, who will sit, played 3:04 in Game 4.

Strudwick, who played 10:15 in Game 4, "just helps us a little more in our end defensively. The experience there of playing in a tough situation helps us...Christian (Backman) will get there there's no question in my mind. He adds to the offensive side of the equation, but we thought under the circumstances, it would be good to come back with Struddy." It's the second straight scratch for Backman, who arrived at the trade deadline from St. Louis.

Relinquishing the 3-0 lead in Game 1 here, "is in the backs of our minds, at least", Renney acknowledged. "We could've taken one here. We didn't do that. So now's the time.
"That's how you look at it. This series could be tied right now. It's not. We're behind the 8-ball. If we play the way we have to, and can, we can win in anybody's rink."

After treatment for the lacerated spleen sustained in Game 3, Sean Avery was released from St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan

So was Jaromir Jagr nervous the nght before Game 5?

Hardly, according a story MSG's John Gianonne just recounted in the press room.

On the phone in the lobby of the team hotel Saturday night about 11:30, Giannone gets a tap on the shoulder.

No. 68 in shorts and a sweatshirt, asks to borrow $2 for a newspaper. "Ten million a year, and you don't have $2?" Responds Jagr: "Not with me."

He goes with Jagr to the store, and Jagr asks if the Sunday paper is last week's.

Giannone tells him that no, they predict today's news: "Penguins win, Jagr retires", Giannone jokes.

Lauri Korpikoski, the Finnish center, will make his NHL debut---Tom Renney had first indicated he was going in for Game 4---in place of Colton Orr; Jason Strudwick is in on defense again for Christian Backman

More to come

...where on an overcast day, there are already six fans on blankets in front of the giant video screen---which is airing Pens highlights---on the lawn by Mellon Arena's main gate.
That's dedication. Wonder if they skipped church?

Anyway, as we've mentioned before, the Rangers will have to unfurl their best game of the series to topple the Pens, who are 26-10-5 in the Igloo this season and 4-0 in the playoffs.

Anything can happen, however, especially if Henrik Lundqvist rises to the occasion, if they can unnerve Crosby and Malkin, stay out of the penalty box, and keep pressure on Fleury. Tall orders? Yes.

Otherwise, it's off for vacation.

Note: On this day in 2000, the Pens and Flyers---a possible East Final matchup this season---played five overtimes at Mellon before Keith Primeau scored to end the third-longest game in NHL history at 2-1 Philly.

Time for last-minute predictions. Mine: The team that makes the fewest mistakes emerges...(Do I really need to note the sarcasm here?)

Will be back with a report from the rink sometime before 1....

That's the word from the Rangers as of a few moments ago. This means the internal bleeding from Avery's lacerated spleen has stopped. He's still several days away from leaving hospital, but this is a vast improvement from when he went into St. Vincent's late on Tuesday night.

Whenever the Kentucky Derby rolls around, I crank up "Dead Flowers" and mix a margarita----sort of a personal old-world tradition, like "My Old Kentucky Home" and the mint juleps they serve at the track. Don't ask about the origins of this one. A gentleman never tells.

If, perchance, you're wagering, I like Pyro (speed) and Z Fortune (six good starts) to hit the board. Your friendly correspondent should be in Pittsburgh in front of some TV when the starting gates open, hunkering down for Game 5 at the Igloo Sunday afternoon.

On the Rangers front, the team had a classroom meeting and was sent home; Marek Malik and Jaromir Jagr went on the ice; Jagr, Tom Renney and Brendan Shanahan reminded reporters and TV crews that one win was just that; one, not two, the earth had not tilted, and that the Rangers need to play Sunday as they did on Thursday.

No surprise there. Henrik Lundqvist and penalty kills will again be major factors.

As we were speaking, staffers were removing all the equipment from the stalls of Greg Moore, Lauri Korpikoski and Pierre Parenteau in the main locker room and relocating it to the one that the taxi squad has been using.

Hint: The boys with playoff experience will be dressing in 5.

What else? Rangers GM Glen Sather contacted the league to discuss the ruling on Dan Girardi's push from behind---which resulted in Evgeni Malkin's penalty shot in the second period.

“They’re getting back to us," said Renney. "It was a penalty of some kind. I don’t know. It has to be a trip, hook, cross-check, whatever. It doesn’t say that in the rulebook at all." Shanahan also was mystified and didn't get a clear response from the zebras.
He did say that the bench was psyched---visible on replays---after Lundqvist's save and said he wasn't shocked by the performance of battered Chris Drury, a gamer.

On Sunday, the first five or ten minutes will be significant, Shanahan said, because the Penguins will come out hard and the Rangers will have to match the intensity, not only early, but for 60 minutes.

****

I was looking for another thoroughbred song on the IPod, and found Dave Burland's "The Angels Took My Racehorse Away", and kept the thing rolling through the tunes that begin with "The". Not complaining. No way. Some eclectic and forgotten stuff for a May Friday. For those interested, here they are below.

If you don't care, skip it, and get back to work, you slackers.

Just FYI, the April numbers are in.
Blue Notes set a new record for page views and led all Newsday's sports blogs. Thanks to all who contribute inside and out.
So, let's keep up the pace. Please post your proposed lineups, Game 5 scenarios, and what the heck, your Derby picks.
Is the party over, or will there be a Game 6 Monday----and why?
Will check in later.

****

The "The" List

The Axe---Tinsley Ellis
The Bag of Cats---Sharon Shannon
The Ballad of John and Oko---Beatles
The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil---Jefferson Airplane
The Beautiful Side of Somewhere---Wallflowers (Live)
The Best of Everything---Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The Bourgeois Blues---Ry Cooder
The Boy in the Bubble---Patti Smith
The Cutter---Echo and the Bunnymen
The Envoy---Warren Zevon
The Eyes of Sarah Jane---Jayhawks
The Fizzy and the Still---Mark Knopfler
The Heart of the Matter---Don Henley
The Last Time---Stones
The Lost Complaint---Damnwells
The New Soft Shoe---Gram Parsons
The Other Side of the Rain---Graham Parker
The Pearl---EmmyLou Harris
The Poor Ditching Boy---Richard Thompson (Live)
The Pretender--Jackson Browne
The Pedestrian---Foxboro Hot Tubs (way to end it!)

.....where the Sunday matinee at the Igloo won't be a cakewalk.

But the door is ajar.

If Lundqvist stays hot, this might be interesting after all.

Here's some quotes and stats that didn't make the paper (I think, although I didn't read Marc and Arthur's stories)

Renney: "We are going back to Pittsburgh down 1-3 and we have made this predicament regardeless of whether or not we should have a better fate...We live to play another day and we intend to win."

Jagr: "We got one mroe game and that was our goal. It's up to us how we are going to handle the next game."

***

Shanahan had a game high seven shots and with his assist on the empty-netter, moved into a tie for ninth in career playoff assists with 72.

Chris Drury, hampered by sore ribs and side, won 15 of 24 faceoffs and played 20:40.

Martin Straka missed a few shots wide, but played with passion down low and with his assist, has 10 points in the playoffs (3-7-10)

Jagr's three points gave him his fifth multi-point game in nine games.

The Rangers will skate at noon tomorrow; we'll report from there...

Hey Rangers fans, Mike Casey back again for Game 4.

Take a deep breath. It's not over yet. The Rangers finally unlocked the secret to beating the Penguins in Game 3, they just couldn't sustain it.

To read the complete blog, click the link below...

Given his reputation, couldn't imagine that Chris Drury (ribs/side) wouldn't play, and he will....Renney hedged on Lauri Korpikoski, although he seemed certain this morning that the Finnish youngster would make his NHL debut. The Rangers will need as many centers as possible in case Drury worsens, so...

***
Asked about how teams react to a 3-0 series lead, Renney said: "I'm not sure teams let down and I don;t think these guys will, but occasionally I think the team that's up looks to see how serious the other team is, initlally; for us, we need a real good start."

***
Here's a quick Sean Avery hospital update from Renney, who was suppoed to stop by the ICU at St. Vincent's: "I didn't go; I made a judgment call based on what I was getting for feedback, and he was still groggy and sleeping and stuff, so I'm hoping I get to see him tomorrow, ut I understand he's doing better late this afternoon and coming along nicely, so it appears everything is under control."

***
For the Pens, Gary Roberts is in for Maxime Talbot (foot)

****
We've got a gang of four here again: Mark Herrmann will be offering his commentary, Mike Casey will live-blog and Arthur Staple will be hunting down other stories. So swing by and please check in tomorrow.

Changes are afoot for Game 4 tonight:

Chris Drury (ribs/side) skated and coach Tom Renney said the center felt pretty good and would test himself again in warmups.

Lauri Korpikoski, who played center in Europe and for 20-25 games in Hartford, will make his Rangers debut in place of Blair Betts, who was hit by a puck in the second period of Game 3 and will have surgery on the fractured orbital bone near his left eye on Saturday or Sunday. He will likely be sidelined at least two weeks.

Korpikoski, the 19th overall pick in 2004, said he "had chills" watching Game 3 from the stands.

On defense, it appears Jason Strudwick will play tonight in place of Christian Backman with Paul Mara.

So, Greg Moore and Pierre Parenteau likely won't play. A combination of Orr, Prucha or Hollweg could be the wings for Korpikoski, depending on Drury's status. Personally, I'd like to see Prucha in somewhere.

Straka-Dubinsky-Jagr are set. The rest, I'm speculating here; If Drury's definitely in, could be Shanny-Gomez-Callahan, Dawes-Drury-Prucha/Sjostrom and Hollweg-Korpikoski-Orr/Prucha/Sjostrom. If Drury's out, Korpikoski moves up. And I'm pretty sure lines will be juggled during the game.

Let's just wait and see.

Meanwhile, Sean Avery remained in ICU at St. Vincent's today. Renney said he hoped to stop by the hospital on his way to the game.

More from the Garden before the win-or-go-home game...

For every piece to fall in place
Forever gone without a trace
Your horizon takes its shape
No turning back, don't turn that page

Long road to ruin there in your eyes
Under the cold streetlights
No tomorrow, no dead end in sight
Under the cold streetlights

---Foo Fighters