That would come under the grouping of “Ripley’s Believe it or NOT!”

Well - stranger things CAN happen.  The Rangers got a 2-0 victory at MSG last night in New Jersey’s last road game, before their home opener tomorrow night at the “Rock”.

However, there is still a lingering mystery among the hockey bloggers and writers, and fans alike?

What happened to the offense?

Both Ranger goals came from the stick of Nigel Dawes; a man that was supposed to be a major supporting character on an “All-star” list of world-beaters that were supposed to walk through the Eastern Conference like they were standing still….

Remember, there was a clause that would have the season ended, and just give the Rangers the Cup, because, well, uh, they are the RANGERS!

(** Note - can you believe that there is a site devoted to airline barf bags???  www.sicksack.com

Anyway - it is early in the season, (roughly about 11% in), but we are constantly saying in March - that the games in October, determine the fate of certain teams.  In the case of the Ranger$ (yes - that $ is supposed to be there), these losses and 126 minutes on ineptitude, can be a ticket for disaster for them.

Look at the stats for the Rangers, after 9 games:

Jagr - 1 goal in 28 shots

Drury - 1 goal in 32 shots

Shanahan - 1 goal in 54 league high shots

Gomez - 2 goals (tied for the team lead with 3 others)

And this is the ‘cream of the crop’ team in the East?  Quick - get me that bag!

Now - you are hearing rumors about a Jagr move?  Hmmm???  Hockey Buzz is stating that there us talk going around.  No teams mentioned, but nevertheless.  Joe McDonald hates when I talk about them, and will especially now when it concerns his ‘holier than thou’ Blueshirts.  ‘

But you know what Joe?  Tough toe-nails.  You know things have to be a big concern for Mr. Dolan and crew, that talk is buzzing about them.  There are times that Jagr has great moves, and others when I can slide around him (and I have not been on skates for years, and have bad knees!).

Shanahan has 54 shots, but so many are of the ho-him variety, that he can have a 6 foot five hole and miss by a foot.

For the collective $17 million they are paying this year for Gomez and Drury, it is a total WASTE! 

For Ranger fans, they must be saying thank GOD for Lundqvist.  The Swiss cheese is glued up and doing well, against my better judgement.  The Rangers are also in a 6 game home stand, and game one is over.  They have some tough opponents, and really need to run the table, in order to make up for the wonderful start.

Will this team, bounce back?  They have to.  They are a strong team, and should compete and do well.  But as a fan of the Orange and Blue, you have to LOVE the way they started.  And since the Isles have a week between games, and another 5 before the next one, we have time to look and analyze.  This was fun!

Well - as far as my Isles are concerned, thank God we get back to hockey again.  The Flyers, ahead of us in the standings have lost two straight.  If we play the game we are capable of playing, we can be 6-3 and move to a first place tie with Philly in the Atlantic.  Wow - e had a nice month of October.  Just play month to month, game to game, and keep the pressure going!  Time to ’spank’ the Canes into a Tropical storm!

Go Isles!  Have a great weekend folks!

Gary

Posted under Islanders 07-08, Ramblings