Rangers: Putting Panic to Sleep
Can they keep it up tonight against the Bolts on MSG2?
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 10:00 AMAmazing how simple it is to silence the Nervous Nellies in Rangerville. Really, all that's necessary is the re-emergence of Scott Gomez. Period. No further questions, please.
As the Blueshirts jet to Tampa Bay for their Wednesday night clash with the Lightning, it once again is apparent – wasn't it always? – that the Rangers gyroscope revolves around Gomer. Once he's flying, so soar his mates as they did in the 4-1 whooping of Phoenix on Monday night at The Garden.
Of course, had you read the papers the afternoon of that encounter, you might have thought that the New Yorkers were holding up the bottom of their conference rather than battling for the top.
Media types who can't figure out that EVERY club – even the Champ Red Wings – suffers a slump, were wringing their hands over a couple of New York losses as if it was the end of March and The Garden sextet was nine points out of a playoff berth.
Obviously, the club was hurting minus Gomez, but it stayed afloat rather well until the dipsy-doodler from Anchorage re-appeared – and even scored an open-netter – against Wayne Gretzky's overmatched Coyotes.
No, it isn't only Gomer. Nik Zherdev must maintain a reasonable scoring pace and did so with three assists against Phoenix, while Dan Girardi continues to amaze with goals to enhance his work on defense.
Oddly enough, the turning point in the Phoenix battle occurred in the first frame with New York down 0-1. And if you weren't actually seeing it with your own eyes, you'd do a double-take if someone mentioned that Blair Betts produced the tying counter on one of the sweetest dekes of his young life.
Oh yeah, Henny Lundqvist is over his one-game (Vancouver) funk, having allowed just one goal, but also displayed the form that has him among the Vezina Trophy leaders heading into the Thanksgiving holiday.
And the Rangers – their fans included – have plenty to be thankful for, first place notwithstanding.
The adjustment to a non-Jagr-Avery-Shanahan-Straka Era has gone as smoothly as could be expected. Gomez and Chris Drury have assumed the leadership role, while Girardi and Marc Staal provide a young defensive nucleus that should remain in place for a decade.
Granted that Mike Rozsival and Wade Redden still inspire some heebie-jeebies among the crowd, but, over the long haul, they should get better rather than worse.
Finally, let it be said once and for all with finality: Renney knows what he's doing and his staff is among the most solid in the league. That explains why they are where they are and not exploring subterranean depths, like the Lightning.
Enjoy Thanksgiving!
MORE:
