Happy Thursday, BSBers! Hope all is well with y’all. Rangers are playing some decent hockey right now. Can’t expect much better without Gaborik, Drury and Prospal. But, I’m liking the grit. Let’s get some Thoughts and Musings down on HTML:

-Living in Pennsylvania, it’s very difficult to watch the games, especially when you don’t have satellite or the CenterIce package. You can try and find streams online, but they’re generally crappy. Then, an invention called the iPad came along. And with it, came an app. It’s 20 bucks, and it’s the NHL GameCenter App. You can highlights, condensed games, and more, all on the app. Not bad for 20 bucks. I get the gist of the game and what happened. Plus, I’m doing a better job on keeping up with the rest of the league than I have done before. It’s a godsend. The Rangers are back in my life.

-Now that I can see the games, here’s what’s been impressing me:

-Brian Boyle. Finally using his size. Hitting, scoring, skating well. He was a first round pick in the famed 03 draft. He’s got ability. He just hasn’t put it all together. Could he score 20 goals this year? Not out of the realm of possibility.

-Brandon Dubinsky. Really growing as a scorer and a playmaker. Going hard to the net. He’s always been feisty, but that’s now translating into goals and points.

-The Cally-AA-Dubi line. We need a nickname for it. CAD kind of sucks. One of you clever people will have to figure it out. But that’s a good first line in the NHL. Gritty, talented. Making plays. Can’t ask for much more.

-Hank. Not that you needed evidence. But some of the saves he made against Chicago were just spectacular.

-Blocking shots. Dave and Jurgenno have mentioned it on the site, but this team can really block shots. You love to see teams sacrificing themselves. And, in playoff hockey, that’s key. Blocking shots can win games, and they’re doing it at a great rate.

-Michal Rosival. Yes. I said it. He’s been solid, stable back there.

-Dan Girardi. Earning his keep, I’d say. Physical, smart, and playing better than his better payed partner Marc Staal.

-Erik Christensen. He’s still an enigma. But his talent comes through, it’s special. That shot that beat Turco up high to win the game, that was a hell of a shot. Those are the shots that the Ovechkins and Sedins make.

-Brandon Prust. I love gritty players. He’s the epitome of grit.

-Here’s what I haven’t liked so far

-Marc Staal. Just hasn’t been himself. Maybe it’s the A on his sweater. I don’t know. But he’s not shutting down opponents like he’s done in the past.

-The 3rd defensive pair. I like Matt Gilroy. I like Mike Sauer. I’m not crazy about Eminger. But together, they just don’t mesh. Time to bring up McDonagh?  Probably not. I’d look for a trade. Wouldn’t mind Boris Vlabik. 6-7. Get him on the cheap.

-Alex Frolov. He’s getting chances. But he’s not converting. And he needs to do. He’s the best pure scorer with Gaborik out. He needs to play like it.

-Music interlude: Been listening to a lot of B.o.B lately. Love it. Great album. Good for doing work. I’m not a huge rap guy, but I appreciate good rap. And B.o.B is good rap.

-I think the best part of this team, so far at least, is that they’re winning with what they have. They’re not pouting that their best player is out. They’re putting their hard hats on and going to work. You have to appreciate it. Lesser players are stepping up. Everyone is chipping in. This is what we want to see in a hockey team. Hard work. Sacrifice. Strong forecheck. That’s what they’ve been doing.

Share: 

More About: