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Rangers at the Olympics - Semis Recap, US-Canada Rematch Plus NYR Rumors

February 27, 2010, 9:56 PM ET [ Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Team USA - Ryan Callahan and Chris Drury
(the goals were so fast and furious for the US in their 6-1 win over Finland that Cally's and Drury's style of play was basically made unnecessary as the last 45+ minutes were for the most part a keep the puck out of your own zone and watch the clock whittle down. Sunday, however, will be a different story. Cally and Drury, especially Drury, were keys in the 5-3 win last Sunday and will not to have similar or better efforts for the US to beat Canada on home ice to win the Gold.

Three plays struck me in the 6-1 win over Finland that show the essence of the US team:
First, Phil Kessel's speed and pressure of Miikka Kirprusoff leading to the bad pass. In conjunction with that was Ryan Malone being in the perfect spot to pick off the wayward pass and score.

Second, Zach Parise's whirling dervish of pressure in the offensive zone. Head up, stick down and moving from side to side, which led to a turnover and goal.

Last, and most impressive, was Bobby Ryan's play on his own zone. In a 6-0 game, it's easy to forget your backchecking assignment. But Ryan was in the perfect defensive position, seeing the puck and the ice with his stick down and was able to poke away a pass that would have led to a perfect goal-scoring opportunity for the Finns.

It's these small plays that individually are good but add up to a greater whole and a main reason why the US sits possibly on the precipice of gold for the first time since 1980).


Slovakia - Marian Gaborik
(in Slovakia’s 3-2 loss to Canada Friday, Gaborik didn’t play in the third period and Bob McKenzie of TSN says that it could be a groin injury. Darren Dreger tweeted Saturday that it was not related to the right thigh laceration that sidelined Gaborik before the Olympics. This evening, Michael Russo tweets that Gaborik was the first skater on the ice for Slovakia, so it looks like he will try and play.

This is the worst case scenario for the Rangers. Gaborik was questionable coming into the tourney and seemed to be getting better daily. However, now he has an unrelated injury and one that is probably not healed coming into the bronze medal game. It's not surprising that he will try and play. However, the risk of aggravating the injury is high, and for those who would like the Rangers to make the playoffs, without Gabby, there is no way that happens).


Finland - Olli Jokinen
(was one of the few Finns not to have a minus in the 6-1 loss to the US. That's about as good as it gets for Olli, who played 11:19 and had three shots on net. Now, back to NY for the balance of the year and playoff push).

Rangers News:
- as reported by Darren Dreger, the Rangers claimed Alex Auld on re-entry waivers from the Stars. A great move by the Rangers as it gives them a true backup goalie and allows Chad Johnson to get more work in Hartford. At least they can turn to someone with confidence who has experience when they want to sit Hank.

- Ek reports that he is also chasing the Rangers, who he hears have two deals that may go down at midnight March 1. One with the LA Kings and one with Florida. Those two teams, especially Florida, have been mentioned for a while. One name that the Rangers are known to have interest in,a nd may have been available a while ago, but may not be now is Jack Johnson. Other names rumored to have been on the block are Alex Frolov, though his name comes on and off so much you would think he is really a light switch, and a player I would love for us to get, Dustin Brown. For Florida, take your pick as we all covered this in a prior blog. Horton/ Frolik/ Weiss/ McCabe are all possibilities. But in any trade rumor the question is who we deal? Callahan? Dubinsky? Sanguinetti? Does Sather take from the stockpile of young talent to make the playoffs this year?

- Another rumor posted by insidepitssburghsports at: http://insidepittsburghsports.com/story/latest-buzz-selanne-wont-be-shopped-at-the-trade-deadline/22526/ is that Tomas Kaberle is willing to waive his NTC to come to the Rangers. The Leafs are reportedly interested in Callahan. Would you be willing to deal Cally for a year and a half of Kaberle, who would be our best d-man at a reasonable $4.25 million for Callahan? As much as I would like Kaberle, to give up Cally would be too much. What about if Cally and Redden for Kaberle? Would the removal of salary be enough to allow you to give up Cally? That might be a move I made, as painful as it would be, especially since Cally might be my favorite Ranger due to cap room we would have this year and going forward.

For me to give a prediction for tomorrow night is too difficult as my heart would be leading my head. A loss by the US would be more painful to me that the loss in 2002 given how this team has gelled and surprised everyone. My heart says 4-2 USA with an empty netter by Drury but either way it should be a phenomenal game and a fitting end to the Olympics. Here's hoping we see NHL players in Sochi in 2014.
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