Jan Levine: Game 76: NYR 3 MIN 2, Homecoming Sweet for Several Rangers, @WPG Tonight Several Rangers enjoy their return to Minnesota

Last night worked out quite nicely, a win tonight could put tremendous pressure on Pitt to practically run the table to ensure getting 1st overall.

Last night worked out quite nicely, a win tonight could put tremendous pressure on Pitt to practically run the table to ensure getting 1st overall.
- B2B76

A win is a must again tonight. Rangers need to take care of buisness and beat these non playoff teams. That 1 seed is within reach. Just got to finish this out strong.

yep, looking like Hank's 7th straight start tonight

A win is a must again tonight. Rangers need to take care of buisness and beat these non playoff teams. That 1 seed is within reach. Just got to finish this out strong.
- TPC

Jets playing for their lives yo

Jets playing for their lives yo
- jimbro83

Yep and Winnipeg is a very tough place to play in for the opponent. But the Rangers still need to take care of business.

yep, looking like Hank's 7th straight start tonight
- jimbro83

Good...I want to see Hank find that groove he had for the majority of the season.

Good...I want to see Hank find that groove he had for the majority of the season.
- TPC

As long as is less-than-kingly play recently is fatigue related, you want him playing to get his groove back, indeed.

As long as is less-than-kingly play recently is fatigue related, you want him playing to get his groove back, indeed.
- bodiva88

I don't think it is. He has had ample rest all season. Unless it is mental fatigue, it is not fatigue related IMO. This might be the fewest games he has played in a season yet. With Hank it is always about having good practices and finding that attention to detail. So maybe it is the lack of practice time that is doing him in a bit. But he can get back to where he needs to be. Just hope he finds that focus.

If we can get our pk back to the way it was in time for the playoffs then we'll be in great shape, that's really the only problem I think. Hank looks like he's coming back to mid-season form so I'm not that worried about him.

was just reading Buccigross's column over at ESPN and he mentioned Kreider:

Bucci,

Big-time fan of the vlogs and blognums, your morning tweets and stats, and of course the overtime challenge. But my question to you: Which player currently in the Frozen Four do you think has the best NHL potential and why?

Thanks, buccimane
Henry Williams (@HW06)

Chris Kreider is the most complete player I have seen in terms of NHL-ready skill. He has good size (6-foot-3, 225 pounds), is a very good skater and shoots quickly and powerfully, like a man. Plus, he turns only 21 on April 30. Of course, other things make a hockey player like the Boston College junior. How fast will he figure out the NHL game? How confrontational will he be and how much sandpaper will he have? Will he dedicate himself to the game with fervor and passion like a Steven Stamkos does? Only time will tell on those factors. Also, defensemen are hard to forecast. They have either reached their peak, can't adjust to the faster/bigger players of the NHL or they keep getting better.

It's also hard to judge a player in college because they don't play with players who match their talent, thus either not making the player as good as he can be or the player gets a little bored. Put Chris Kreider with Brad Richards and he might score 25-30 next season.

If we can get our pk back to the way it was in time for the playoffs then we'll be in great shape, that's really the only problem I think. Hank looks like he's coming back to mid-season form so I'm not that worried about him.
- hockeypunk36

I haven't been worried about Hank one bit, even when people were jumping off cliffs after the Buffalo loss.

yep, looking like Hank's 7th straight start tonight
- jimbro83

Good news, last back2backs of the yr, Hank has had plenty of rest this season, time to get into the playoff groove of every other night...hopefully for the next 2 + months.

Good news, last back2backs of the yr, Hank has had plenty of rest this season, time to get into the playoff groove of every other night...hopefully for the next 2 + months.
- B2B76

giving yourself a shout out are we?

was just reading Buccigross's column over at ESPN and he mentioned Kreider:

Bucci,

Big-time fan of the vlogs and blognums, your morning tweets and stats, and of course the overtime challenge. But my question to you: Which player currently in the Frozen Four do you think has the best NHL potential and why?

Thanks, buccimane
Henry Williams (@HW06)

Chris Kreider is the most complete player I have seen in terms of NHL-ready skill. He has good size (6-foot-3, 225 pounds), is a very good skater and shoots quickly and powerfully, like a man. Plus, he turns only 21 on April 30. Of course, other things make a hockey player like the Boston College junior. How fast will he figure out the NHL game? How confrontational will he be and how much sandpaper will he have? Will he dedicate himself to the game with fervor and passion like a Steven Stamkos does? Only time will tell on those factors. Also, defensemen are hard to forecast. They have either reached their peak, can't adjust to the faster/bigger players of the NHL or they keep getting better.

It's also hard to judge a player in college because they don't play with players who match their talent, thus either not making the player as good as he can be or the player gets a little bored. Put Chris Kreider with Brad Richards and he might score 25-30 next season.
- RAG$4LIFE

Nice, I think JB is a tool most of the time but he hits the nail on the head w that.

giving yourself a shout out are we?
- TPC

B2B for Pres in 2012.

Jets playing for their lives yo
- jimbro83

I'm pretty scared of that team when they play at home. They have a lot of weapons and clearly utilize them a lot better when they're in the Peg.

Nice, I think JB is a tool most of the time but he hits the nail on the head w that.
- B2B76

Yeah I usually can't stand Bucci but any praise for Kreider I'll take it. Really can't wait to see what this kid does when he makes the pro's. 6'3, 200 lbs, and has skills. I'm salivating at the thought of it. I just hope he uses that size and turns into a gritty yet skilled player (like a bigger Callahan).

Hypothetically let's say Kreider doesn't play for the Rangers this season. He's still eligible to play at Traverse City in September right?

Today is Jeff Beukeboom's birthday btw. Beeeeeeuuuuuuukkkkee!

Nice, I think JB is a tool most of the time but he hits the nail on the head w that.
- B2B76

I think he sold Kreider short.

Kreider doesn't have "good size" he has GREAT size at 6'3" and 225.

Krieder isn't a "very good skater", he is an unbelievable skater for his size.

"It's also hard to judge a player in college because they don't play with players who match their talent"......

Kreider matched his talent very well with the best Junior players in the world and the best professionals in the world (whose teams were no longer in the playoffs) the last two years in the world championships.

He's won a world juniors championship.

Two Beanpots.

An NCAA championship with a good chance at another.

Kids a winner.

Today is Jeff Beukeboom's birthday btw. Beeeeeeuuuuuuukkkkee!
- RAG$4LIFE

Yeah I usually can't stand Bucci but any praise for Kreider I'll take it. Really can't wait to see what this kid does when he makes the pro's. 6'3, 200 lbs, and has skills. I'm salivating at the thought of it. I just hope he uses that size and turns into a gritty yet skilled player (like a bigger Callahan).

Hypothetically let's say Kreider doesn't play for the Rangers this season. He's still eligible to play at Traverse City in September right?
- RAG$4LIFE

Not sure, jimbo?

Not sure, jimbo?
- B2B76

I am not sure, I would think so.

I believe he'll play this year sometime though so it's a moot point

I am not sure, I would think so.

I believe he'll play this year sometime though so it's a moot point
- jimbro83

My brother who's been an annoying negative Nancy all yr long with our team, just asked me out of the blue if he thinks we can improve our scoring by signing Parise in the offseason. I told him to STFU about next yr when we're on the verge of being the #1 seed in the East THIS SEASON.

#wewantthecup2012

My brother who's been an annoying negative Nancy all yr long with our team, just asked me out of the blue if he thinks we can improve our scoring by signing Parise in the offseason. I told him to STFU about next yr when we're on the verge of being the #1 seed in the East THIS SEASON.

#wewantthecup2012
- B2B76

Well its been a few years since we have been in this position. I guess some fans just expect the worst haha.

#GiveMeKreiderAndTheCup2012