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B R O A D W A Y***B L U E S H I R T S

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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    thanks, i saw the link in the given to fly section after i posted. more than a good excuse to miss a rangers game.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    boos rain on the knicks every night now.

    its up to our Blueshirts to keep the Garden busy.


    At least 1 point in the last 10 games.

    Would be really nice to pick up a 4 game winning streak , by regulation .

    And the news of Pock being sent back down is okay- so long as it doesnt mean we will see any more of Ozolinsh and we continue to see Darius in the lineup- even with his careless penalties of late.


    [size=+3] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]
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    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    nice win tonight, crisp 3-1. weekes 15 saves. five goals against in the four-game winning streak and scores like 3-2, 2-1, 3-1 are playoff type scores.

    plenty of good sections still available for tommorow's knicks-hawks tilt at msg..
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    NY PJ1NY PJ1 Posts: 9,533
    that game should never have been so close
    we totally dominated this young team just couldn't put the puck in

    good defensive effort,, but boy that team is really shorthanded

    however we'll take the 2 points and fly to dallas

    5 OUT OF 6 IN PHILLY WOW



    LET'S GO RANGER'S!!
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    moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    I didn't see the game as I was out seeing the amazing Damien Rice at the Beacon, but I was checking the score on my cell phone. I was psyched to see Immonen get on the score sheet with a goal and an assist!

    LETS GO RANGERS!!!!
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    i was up till near 4am watching my tape delay of this game.

    ( didnt get back from NJ till aprox 130am - the boss is SO worth it )

    glad to see a regulation win and a 4 game winning streak .
    seasn seroies 2-1 Rangers, with the road team winning every game.

    NYR away record is impressive. Its like 10-5-1 or something like that . Actusally a better team on the road- and your home venue is MSG ? wtf ? ? ? :confused:

    Petr Prucha , a healthy scratch ? :eek: :confused: :eek: :confused:

    One major concern is this freely and unanswered taking liberties with Jagr ( again ) .
    That fucker Hatcher clearly elbowed JJ to the head with his elbow.
    Right in view of everyone , as well as the entire NYR visitor bench . A " skateby " by Shanny doesnt really make it without consequence in my book- how about yours ?
    Especially with Colton Orr & Ryan Hollweg in the lineup ? , and not so much as a bump or a push ? :confused:
    WTF ?
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    brooks had an interesting point today. they had orr on the ice a few shifts after jagr gets hit and nothing happened. maybe they need an enforcer? as for prucha, he's really struggling, sometimes guys struggling just need a night off.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    NY PJ1NY PJ1 Posts: 9,533
    i agree something NEEDS to be done

    i dont think orr is afraid

    after taking a penalty on his first shift back i think he was nervous about taking another penalty in a 1- 1 game

    thats my thought

    but something needs to be done about this and quick


    with the game 3-1 with 2 minutes left orr and holly should be on the ice not our top line



    LET'S GO RANGER'S!!
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    i think in today's nhl that maybe you need an enforcer type that is capable of scoring eight to 10 goals because that means they can play more than a couple of shifts.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    definitely.


    also- nice to see Immonen get off his nut, and an assist.

    Multiple point games could be seen with this guy- he needs to play more , i hope he sticks around.
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    http://ordinaryleastsquare.typepad.com/blueshirtbulletin/


    my favorite part :


    " It makes even less sense to see Sandis Ozolinsh in a Ranger uniform. He did nothing to deserve the second chance he got earlier this season other than be under contract, and he did nothing with the second chance other than throw his offensive game down the same crapper his defensive game has always been down. In what would have been an excellent opportunity for Thomas Pock, now in Hartford, Ozolinsh got back into action because Aaron Ward came down with the flu. And just like that, Ozolinsh is woefully out of position on the Flyers' only goal, and so is Karel Rachunek, who did fine without him thank you -- it's simply uncanny how much difficulty the puck has getting out of the Ranger zone when that pair is on the ice.

    The Flyers can waive Petr Nedved goodbye, the Devils can waive Mogilny, Malakhov, and McGillis goodbye, the Pens can waive John Leclair goodbye -- why on earth can't the Rangers divest themselves of this black hole on defense? If on the other hand the Rangers see some positives in his game tonight just because they persevered against a team this thin on NHL talent, and bring him back in Dallas, the result will not be the same. "
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    Bathgate66 wrote:
    http://ordinaryleastsquare.typepad.com/blueshirtbulletin/


    my favorite part :


    " It makes even less sense to see Sandis Ozolinsh in a Ranger uniform. He did nothing to deserve the second chance he got earlier this season other than be under contract, and he did nothing with the second chance other than throw his offensive game down the same crapper his defensive game has always been down. In what would have been an excellent opportunity for Thomas Pock, now in Hartford, Ozolinsh got back into action because Aaron Ward came down with the flu. And just like that, Ozolinsh is woefully out of position on the Flyers' only goal, and so is Karel Rachunek, who did fine without him thank you -- it's simply uncanny how much difficulty the puck has getting out of the Ranger zone when that pair is on the ice.

    The Flyers can waive Petr Nedved goodbye, the Devils can waive Mogilny, Malakhov, and McGillis goodbye, the Pens can waive John Leclair goodbye -- why on earth can't the Rangers divest themselves of this black hole on defense? If on the other hand the Rangers see some positives in his game tonight just because they persevered against a team this thin on NHL talent, and bring him back in Dallas, the result will not be the same. "





    [size=+4] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    just saw that the stars recalled joel lundqvist today. that means henrik faces his twin brother tonight.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    nice game tonight against The Stars .
    I completely forgot all about Lindros, I'm personally more concerned with the likes of Barnaby.
    I guess it would be asking too much that the Boston Bruins can defeat the diaBLOWS for us, so that we may open up a better , more comfortable 4 point cushion in the divi .


    [size=+3] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    oh and i hope Aaron Ward returns,. thus returning Ozolinsh to heathy scratch status.
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    saw this nugget in the journal news blog:

    These are grim times for the Rangers defense. First came Aaron Ward with food poisoning on Tuesday. Now comes Fedor Tyutin with the flu. No word yet on whether Tyutin is definitely out tonight. But it does open the door for another Sandis Ozolinsh outing. In other words, maybe this game won’t be so defensive-minded after all.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    saw this nugget in the journal news blog:

    These are grim times for the Rangers defense. First came Aaron Ward with food poisoning on Tuesday. Now comes Fedor Tyutin with the flu. No word yet on whether Tyutin is definitely out tonight. But it does open the door for another Sandis Ozolinsh outing. In other words, maybe this game won’t be so defensive-minded after all.


    food poisoning ? :confused:

    i heard / read it was his f'd up foot that kept him out,...

    Tyutin has got to be one of if not the most unspoken of NYR .

    This guy has been superb- he really knows how to throw those hipchecks along the boards.
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    wow


    forgot all about the 830 pm startime :eek:


    gosh i hope i can stay awake till 1130 . :)
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    you still awake bathgate? really nice win tonight in dallas, their first in 10 years there. nice shorthanded goal by rachunek and two by him and cullen.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    Lundqvist put on a clinic tonight. 43 saves, a career high! Awesome. Plus the Devils lost!

    LETS GO RANGERS!!!
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    yeah !


    AWESOME !


    5 GAME Winning Streak ( sorry about Strakas streak coming to an end but hey the team prevailed )
    and hey the bruins helped build our cushion! excellent .
    surgery for me tom, be back asap and rooting for our Blueshirts.






    [size=+3] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
    platessmall.jpg
    ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
    http://www.UNOS.org
    Donate Organs and Save a Life
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    excellent day for surgery, rangers have a big weekend saturday in toronto and home vs. the devils. good luck with your surgery.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    11 power plays ? :eek:
    11 x 2 = 22 minutes
    wtf ?

    that means we played an entire period without Jagr, Nylander & Straka .
    :mad:
    The defense is hurting from the flu bug but they have got to do better then that- they relied entirely too much on Henrik.
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    NY PJ1NY PJ1 Posts: 9,533
    talk about stealing a victory !!!

    henrik was just awesome !! could have been 4-0 stars in the first w/ out him

    its nice to steal a few victories during a seaon especially on the road against good teams

    some of the penalties were really bad calls
    ive gotten used to these new rules ..but some calls last night were ridiculous

    awesome to see cullen get going


    BATH GOOD LUCK W/ THE SURGERY HOPE ALL IS WELL




    LET'S GO RANGER'S!!
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    moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    Yeah, good luck Bath, hope its nothing too serious or major, and wish you a speedy recover. Don't pop any stitches watching the games this weekend!

    I'm just curious, how does a guy that gets 1 assist for his team, in a losing game get a star of the game? Especially when two guys on the winning team each had two goals, one of them being his first two of the year? Makes no sense.

    Oh well, who cares!

    LETS GO RANGERS!!!
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    HEY FELLAS


    IM HIGH ON VICADINS :eek: @ 230 AM ...

    BUT EVERYTHINGS OK

    MY ROTATOR CUFF HAS BEEN REPAIRED, THE BONES FILED DOWN, AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY,... I'LL BE BACK TO NORMAL !

    THANKS !


    [size=+3] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
    platessmall.jpg
    ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
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    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,135
    so you're day-to-day recovering from an upper body injury...
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
  • Options
    NY PJ1NY PJ1 Posts: 9,533
    Bathgate66 wrote:
    HEY FELLAS


    IM HIGH ON VICADINS :eek: @ 230 AM ...

    BUT EVERYTHINGS OK

    MY ROTATOR CUFF HAS BEEN REPAIRED, THE BONES FILED DOWN, AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY,... I'LL BE BACK TO NORMAL !

    THANKS !


    [size=+3] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]


    IR FOR 1 WEEK?? GLAD IT WENT WELL save some vikes for me!!1
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    los diablows lose to the Deadwings in a Saturday Afternoon Matinee , now when we win we'llbuild upon our 4 point cushion and bump it up to 6 points, along with a 6 game winning streak. !





    [size=+3] - _/ Lets Go Rangers \_ - [/size]
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
    platessmall.jpg
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    Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=285333


    Shanahan key to Rangers' second line
    John McGourty | NHL.com Staff Writer Dec 15, 2006, 11:45 AM EST

    Brendan Shanahan leads the Rangers with 22 goals and is the catalyst on the team's second line.

    It was early Tuesday morning and New York Rangers coach Tom Renney was talking about his new second line of Jarkko Immonen centering right wing Matt Cullen and left wing Brendan Shanahan.

    Renney is trying to make his Rangers more than a one-unit team. The first line of Jaromir Jagr, Michael Nylander and Martin Straka and the first defensive unit of Marek Malik and Michal Rozsival all boast double-digit plus numbers, while the entire rest of the team is in the minus category.

    "I want it to work," Renney said. "Jarkko is getting a good opportunity to fit in there. Jarkko, in my mind, is an offensive center who is very responsible defensively. He should be able to manufacture offense. We're hoping through the course of a real good look at this time that we're able to see that. Until we've given him more than a two-game look, it's probably best to defer judgment."

    Renney's not the type to rush to judgment, but he had to be pleased when Cullen and Immonen both scored in a 3-1 Atlantic Division game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The victory gave the Rangers the division lead by two points over the New Jersey Devils. Thursday night, the Rangers beat Dallas, 5-2, to extend their lead to four points. Again, Cullen and Immonen contributed, Cullen netting two goals and Immonen two assists.

    "We're still a fledgling organization, if you will, and still trying to redefine ourselves as the New York Rangers and whose success will stand the test of time," Renney said. "As we evolve into this rebuilt contender, Brendan's participation with that whole growth process is essential.


    "He brings such good habits and a good attitude. He's been through so many things. To have a reference point like that in your dressing room, on the bench, on the bus, or wherever he may be, has been huge for us. Never mind the way the guy plays. He's a real competitor and a warrior. That does have terrific residual on the rest of us."

    Renney is convinced that the Atlantic Division is one of the NHL's toughest, despite the fact that only one division leader has fewer points. In fact, eight Eastern Conference teams are within seven points of the Rangers. He knows that with less than 40 percent of the season expired his Rangers are in for a dogfight the rest of the way.

    "It's a tough division because everyone is in the race," Renney said. "It's that simple. At the same time, it certainly serves as motivation. It's important to win the division and beyond that, you have to make sure you secure a playoff spot.

    "The fact that there is great competition within our division is really important. I don't look at the total points. I look at where we are in this division. Win those games, first and foremost. Our conference looks like it might be stronger, if you look at recent games. Our division is what it is, but it doesn't mean that there isn't a Stanley Cup contender in there."

    That's why it's important to develop at least one more strong scoring line and Shanahan is the key. The big left wing has been everything the team hoped he'd be when the Rangers lured the free agent from the Detroit Red Wings this summer. Shanahan, 37, is tied for the NHL goal-scoring lead with 22. The problem is getting his linemates to produce goals while shutting down the opposition. Renney has tried several combinations.

    Shanahan is obviously in the late stages of his career, but there's no sign of a drop-off in talent or commitment. He signed with the Rangers because he believes they can win the Stanley Cup. He won three in nine seasons with the Red Wings.

    "My expectations were high that it would be a good fit," Shanahan said. "I always judge my performance on how many wins the team is getting. We've struggled this year, but lately the team is playing better. When you're winning, you feel a lot better about your role.

    "The Rangers took a step in the right direction last year after struggling for several seasons. They made the playoffs. I definitely saw them make a commitment last year to do more and improve. I thought my experience could definitely help.

    "I had hoped to come in and be able to duplicate what I did last year. I was hoping to come back and maintain what I've been doing over my career. It's been a little bit better than I had hoped."

    He's right. After scoring 41 goals last season, Shanahan is on pace for 60 goals. Shanahan is one of only four players in NHL history to score 20 or more goal in 18 consecutive seasons. He has 620 goals and 647 assists in 1,381 NHL games.

    He'd likely have more goals and fewer (or no) Stanley Cups if he hadn't played six seasons for Scotty Bowman. Shanahan was the left wing in Bowman's famed "left-wing lock" defensive system. Shanahan was asked how hard it was to learn that system, then learn Mike Babcock's intensive forecheck system and then Renney's style.

    "With Scotty and then Dave Lewis in Detroit, I did the left-wing lock and it was a good system," Shanahan said. "I think as a player who did the left-wing lock for so many years, I got out of some offensive habits. I was like a third defenseman. I was always the "high guy." Even when our team had the puck in the offensive zone, I was outside in the neutral zone chasing around an opposing forward who had left the zone.

    "Mike Babcock helped me get back into a forechecking game and a driving game. He helped me get back to skating. I had spent so many years backing up. Mike got me back into going forward. His system wasn't hard to learn because I had done that for most of my career.


    Shanahan is very happy with how things have gone since his arrival in New York.

    "In Detroit, we had a system that worked and brought us a lot of team success. I was still able to find success in it. But I had gotten out of the habit of pushing the pace and leading the attack and getting in on the forecheck. With Scotty, we had success and you don't question what works. With Mike, it was going back to what I had done in New Jersey and St. Louis, having a nose for the net and chasing the puck."

    "He's probably got the best release I've ever seen," Cullen said. "When he gets the puck on his stick, he gets the shot away quickly. What's odd is that you expect the opponent to be aware of him at all times and give him no room to operate, but he's always finding ways to get open. He finds the holes and seams and that's what makes him a great goal scorer."

    Shanahan had a power-play goal, a regular-strength goal and a shorthanded goal in a 7-4 loss last week against the New York Islanders. A 37-year-old who's one of top active leading goal scorers is killing penalties?

    "If his defense was ever an issue, he must have improved a lot!" Cullen said. "What he's brought to our team is a lot of poise and confidence, particularly in our own end. He's playing for us at the end of games and killing penalties because he is one of our better defensive players. Having that kind of well-rounded player helps so much."

    Shanahan is a big fan of the Rangers' coaching style.

    "With Tom, Perry Pearn, Mike Pelino and Benoit Allaire, they come to the players a lot," Shanahan said. "They definitely coach the players but they also come to us for input. That leads to the players having a say in what systems we're using and then that forces players to be accountable."

    Shanahan will one day take his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame but those closest to him know he's also a first-ballot inductee into the Sarcasm Hall of Fame. A quick-witted needler, Shanahan proved Cullen is not in his league.

    Asked what he likes about playing with Cullen, Shanahan started quickly.

    "Matt Cullen has brought a lot to this team ..." Shanahan said, his voice trailing off, as if he couldn't think of anything, to the chagrin of Cullen, who was sitting next to him.

    OK, Cullen, what's good about playing with Shanahan?

    Cullen never got out of the gate.

    "Shanahan makes great passes," Shanahan said. "If Cullen had any hands at all, he'd have scored off that pass I gave him against Ottawa.

    "He says it was a pass, it was a flubbed shot. He's trying to blame me," Cullen retorted. "He aimed one way, the puck went another and off my glove and off the post."

    "Iron hands," Shanahan said, shaking his head.


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