Rangers: Is There Such a Thing as a Good Loss?
Positive signs in a 3-2 defeat
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 11:30 AMIs there such a thing as a good loss? You bet there is.
OK, so the Rangers were trumped, 3-2, by the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. Big deal.
Wanna know what's good about that? It didn't cost New York a thing in the standings and the Lightning wound up with an invisible two points. In real life, that's equated with zilch.
I can name you almost a dozen positives. So, let us start counting:
1. STEVE VALIQUETTE — The analysts can theorize 'til the cows come home about Henny Lundqvist's sidekick, and who it might be. Forget it. Steve IS the Rangers back-up goalie because The Tall One is experienced, has the goods and showed on Tuesday night that he's poised to win more this season than he did last year, while supporting Henny and not causing heart palpatations among fans when he is inserted.
2. NIK ZHERDEV — Don't know where the bushwah about his laziness comes from, but he sure looked galvanized throughout in Florida. He's playing to his size (6-foot-2, 197 pounds), is hitting and was thoroughly "involved," as they say in the broadcast booth. Wait and see: By season's end, he'll be better for the Blueshirts than Jaromir (Remember Me) Jagr would have been — and was last year.
3. SCOTT GOMEZ — Gliding in mid-season form, Gomer may not wind up with the captaincy, but he's playing like a leader, creating magnificently and, once again, showed that he and Markus Naslund make beautiful music together. Someone — perhaps Chris Drury — should point him in the direction of a good barber. That five o'clock shadow of a beard HAS to go. If necessary, The Maven will personally shave it.
4. PIERRE PARENTEAU — This right winger's nickname should be "Peripatetic." (Look it up; he's all over the place.) His set-up for Fred Sjostrom's late third-period goal was merely one of several scintillating plays over three periods. If he doesn't make the varsity on opening night, rest assured he'll be on Seventh Avenue before the season ends.
5. DAN GIRARDI — Later in the season, Hall of Famer Harry Howell will be honored by the Blueshirts. I covered the club in the early 1950s when Harry broke in with the club. Girardi is a latter-day Howell. His confidence is growing and now there's a nifty offensive edge to his overall game. Daniel's power play goal thrust Tom's Renney-gades back into the game.
6. WADE REDDEN — It will require time, but there's no question that the Ottawa expatriate will be a significant asset on the backline. His passing is crisp and his awareness widespread. With just a few seconds remaining in the third, Redden came oh-so-close to setting up the tying goal. He'll be just fine. And I'm so happy that he's a neighbor of mine, living near Central Park. Maybe we can take a bike ride together sometime along the Hudson.
7. MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO — Stranger things have happened than this 2008 draft pick making the big club the first time around. And I'm not suggesting that he will. But this much I can say: he looks like the total package every time I see him. Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to see Zotz sent back to Juniors if it at all can be avoided, and it should.
8. HUGH JESSIMAN — Until seeing the 6-foot--6, 231-pound hulk in action on Tuesday night, I had been thoroughly skeptical about his major league chances. Now I'm not so sure that he won't eventually climb to The Show. He was well-positioned, played with savvy and almost scored a couple. He merits more scrutiny and ice time from here to the opener.
9. FRED SJOSTROM — The Maven loved this pick-up from the get-go. With a full season start in New York he'll emerge as a solid addition, maybe better than a fourth-liner. His third period, left alley laser was a dandy goal.
CONCLUSION: Every day in every way, the NEW Rangers appear faster and more energized than Jagr, Inc. The more the kids impress, the less Brendan Shanahan's chances of returning as a Ranger. That's the reality I'm seeing; win or lose!
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