What you saw last night at MSG was a preview of how the Rangers will try and play in the playoffs. Stifling defense and forechecking. Solid and at times stellar goaltending when called upon by Henrik Lundqvist. Timely goals and a complete team effort. All were in place and prominent against New Jersey, resulting in a 2-0 win. The 20 in the lineup or on the bench plus those in the press box are who you probably will see the rest of the way (save for Scott and maybe Kreider, happy TPC?, along with Zucc or Newbury), so get used to it and put yesterday’s events with Rick Nash in the recesses of your mind as it’s not ancient history and will do little good to rehash down the road (though I am sure will will over and over and over again).

Much of the focus, and rightly so, in the win will be on Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan (each with a goal and assist), Brad Richards, their linemate, and Hank, for the shutout and his continued phenomenal play that should make him the Vezina leader and in contention for the Hart. But as Carp pointed out and to those who saw and/or followed the game, the performance of the Dubi-Boyle-Prust line along with Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh plus MDZ was a major factor in the win. That line and defensive plairing – the Block Ness Monsters – basically rendered the Parise/Ilya pairing moot, though Ilya has one blast that Hank made a stellar save on. On MDZ, this is what Carp wrote; the end of it sums it up so well. “There was a play in the second period where the Rangers were pinned behind their net for a bit, and finally Patrik Elias came out with the puck. But as he tried to make the turn toward the front at the right post, Michael Del Zotto simply and solidly planted his shoulder in Elias’ chest, separating him from the puck. And it showed A) how far Del Zotto has come as a defensive player and B) how the Rangers no longer fish for the puck or look for the poke check. I think that has as much to do with their defensive success as their system.” (the success of MDZ along with next step by McD are major, major reasons why the Rangers lead the conference. Both with demand and deserve raises, and despite other in organization, should definitely be re-signed for several years. How Sather does that given the current cap, even with the room next year and possibly adds a major piece, Parise or the player whose name I really don’t want to write any more (TPWNIRDWTWAM), will be a major challenge but I think it gets done to the satisfaction of all parties).

On TPWNIRDWTWAM, as I said in my blog yesterday, I am sure that regardless of what happens this year, his name will be invoked. Alex pointed out that it’s unfair if it occurs as he may not have been the reason one way or another for the finish, but it’s human nature to compare the result vis-à-vis, who is and not with the team. As I said when I was on with Ek and the podcast that I am already sick of talking and writing about it daily to the point of which I compared it to Carmelo and the Knicks last year and wanted to title the blog, Nash and the Rangers held hostage day xx. So you imagine how ecstatic I will be to talk it about again this summer. What I found striking and actually rewarding was how everyone from the current roster to McIlrath to Thomas and others expressed their happiness about still being a Ranger. It’s not that long ago that the team was viewed as a bunch of mercenaries, so it’s a credit to Torts and his assistant, Sather, Clark etc. for what they have built here in NY and how the name on the front finally has taken priority over the one on the back.

On the comments from yesterday. Thanks as usual to all of you as you help made the blog and I learn from you daily. That said; remember that just because someone disagrees with your view it does not make them any less of a fan than you. Each of us is entitled to our opinion and the ability to express that as long as done respectfully, so please treat your fellow readers, especially Rangers’ fans, with the same respect that you would like afforded to you.

The 2011-12 Rangers, a team in the truest sense of the word.

Let’s Go Rangers.

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