All it takes is one little mistake…….just one little one to change the outcome of a game. If not for one hell of a little play in front of the Ranger goalkeeper where Roy put home the puck, The Rangers could have secured two points last night instead of one. In fact, as they headed to the shoot-out I felt rather positive that the Rangers would indeed get two. I’m guessing Renny figured that Drury could beat Miller although I personally would have sent a different shooter, perhaps Sjoo….someone Miller hasn’t seen much of. None of that changes what one would call a “good road game”. For a good part of the first two periods the Rangers had out worked the home club and dominated the shots on goal. Miller could see each shot and so, stopped them. Vally while not as tested did the same. A positive note about last night’s contest…..there was movement both with and without the puck in the offensive zone. I’m hoping tonight that’s combined with a better effort to get to the net. Still, this was a very entertaining contest with a play-off like feel to it. As the Rodent pointed out in his post game rant, the Rangers did play pretty well against a team that seems built for a post season run. Tonight the Sens present quite a problem for the Blueshirts. You see, while the Sens have been on the road….and getting their collective asses kicked, the local fans were treated to the World Juniors where Canada won Gold. The pressure will be on the Sens to win at home like never before. If the Rangers can score early they could turn the home crowd ugly and use it to an advantage. Unfortunately, the Rangers have not been a team that starts well this season. I suggest that tonight it becomes imperative that the team gets out of the chute early. Look for Prucha to get things going……I got one of them feelings again —-}- Bird…

It’s kinda strange after a poor performance such as we saw from Lundqvist against Montreal to feel good about his all-star selection. Yet I do feel good about it. I can’t really think of another Ranger who should be representing the Rangers in Montreal and without Henke it’s easy to suggest that the Ranger record would be a lot worse than it is right now. Many fans were excited about Lundqvist before his NHL debut as we watched his progression in the Swedish league. It didn’t take long for him to grab the number one spot and very quickly become one of the top keepers in the NHL. There are times when he is flat out unbeatable…..especially down low. His play on breakaways and during shootouts might just be second to none. Yet, it’s clear that there is room for improvement in “The King’s” game. Who among you don’t cringe a bit when Henrik leaves the crease to play the puck? This is an area I’m all too familiar with. I can recall my own teammates pleading with me to stay in the crease and not touch the puck during my first championship run. Lundqvist nor I would ever be mistaken for Marty Brodeur when it comes to handling the puck. I do wonder if Benoit Allaire has tried to improve Henke’s stick-work or if he’s told him to just stay put. I have noticed that Henke does tend to allow the defenseman to retrieve pucks way more often than other NHL ‘tenders so perhaps it’s the latter. I have mentioned in the past that Henke plays very deep and because of that, he’s a bit more vulnerable to traffic and deflections. It’s tough to argue this point as Henke’s record and stats speak for themselves. One doesn’t collect eighteen NHL shutouts by fluke. His being a three time Vezina Trophy finalist make me look kinda dumb when I suggest that there are areas of his game that can be improved. Yet, I truly feel like we’ve yet to see his best. Yep, the 26 year old will continue to get better. We’ll talk more about the upcoming All-Star game in Montreal (televised on Versus) over the next few days. Tonight at 7:PM the Rangers take on the Sabres followed by a trip tomorrow night to Ottawa sans Ruutu who was suspended two game for biting. Need I make a comment about this? Biting? Are you kidding me? Get the webs best pregame over at Rangerland. I hope to be around for a game recap tonight….see ya then. —-}- Bird…

Fans cheer during the first period of the NHL Winter Classic hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 in Chicago The way this game is being played is much closer to the game I remember playing. Slower, more “North American” for lack of a better phrase. Don’t get me wrong, I have no issue with the European game. I do however have roots in the slower, more physical game. Oh how I do love this game! It’s like they’re playing with the “heavy” puck. For a goalkeeper, it’s easier to anticipate while playing the puck…..easier to square up to shots. However, it’s harder when a deflection happens and it’s harder when a highly skilled player makes a move much quicker than the regular pace of the game. Still, I love it. Celebrate the game today……this IS the sport we all love. —-}-…

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 29: Bill Guerin #13 of the New York Islanders trips up Petr Prucha #25 of the New York Rangers on December 29, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in new York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) OK, I realize that here at Hockeybird we’ve been quite lax in our offerings lately. After Eleven years it gets tough to say the same shit in a different way each and every day. So I do expect this to be met with skepticism. But you can ask Tony. He of Section 407, he who wrote for Hockeybird way….way back in our infancy. Ask him. Ya see, I called him today to thank him for something I could never explain to you….and I mentioned to him a feeling I had about tonight’s game. “Feeling?, What the hell are you talking about?”says Tony. “Petr is playing and I noticed how much the Rangers missed Rozy vs. the Dev’s.” I said. “That’s it?…..that’s all ya got?” asked Tony. “Yep, that’s it. But I got this feeling.” I said. “Rozy will make a difference and Prucha, he’s a gamer. We’re gonna win.” Tony owes me now. May I ask all of you this one thing? WHY IS IT WE CAN SEE THAT PRUCHA DESERVES TO PLAY…..WHY CAN’T RENNY?????? Sorry…..beer talking. Rangers win….thank you Petr Prucha. It wasn’t just the goal nor the shot he took before sending home his own rebound. It wasn’t just the penalty he forced the Isles into taking. It wasn’t just the hits he through. It was all of it….exactly what this team needs…he provides. The owner of Petrprucha.com aka the Hockeyrodent should be worth a read for his take on Petr’s game and why Renny is an idiot for not playing the kid. Kudos to the MSG faithful who let Renny have it with their “PRUCHA” chants. The kid was awarded first star as well. Need I say more? Beer Me ! —-}- Bird…

I wish you all the best during this holiday season. —-}- Bird…

The Rodent and I sat down this afternoon to record yet another radio show. Get it here. Yes, it’s been a while. We took a chance trying to squeeze it in before my girls got home from school. You may hear in segment three that we didn’t make it. You may also hear about Sundin, Prucha and which defense-man will be exiled. There are Sean Avery comments for those who need them. Comment on the broadcast on the Rodents board or this one here. I love West Coast trips……late night beers. —-}- Bird…

Got your attention? OK, it’s been a few days now and you knew I was going to address this at some point. Because I have read a few threads around the web where fans are requesting a return to NY for he who nails chicks first (or so he says) I have no choice but to warn against such a move. The circus isn’t scheduled to arrive at MSG until the spring….let’s not change that. I defended Sean after the incident vs. Marty in the playoffs. It was an ON-ICE incident. It was both funny and effective. His off-ice stuff I just can’t defend. Sean was suspended by the NHL for six games. Some would have you believe that it was the sloppy seconds comment made in Calgary that the NHL reacted to. I say that’s not a complete docket on this issue. One needs to add in a few other incidents that involved Avery the clown. Think about it. As an isolated incident, the comment while crude does not in itself warrant a six game bamination. No, that wouldn’t make sense to me at all. However, if you add in two other reported incidents the six games begin to seem light. Don’t know what I’m talking about? OK, there was a yelling match in Boston between Avery and a fan where comments about a female fan by Sean were heard by many and reported to the NHL. Then there was his visit to MSG where the classless one hurled similar comments to MSG talking head, John Giannone. Sean was overheard yelling comments about the guys wife……WTF? I can’t say for sure that the NHL knew about the MSG incident, but if you and I could read about it on a few reporters blogs then my guess is that the NHL did know about it. If these are the only three I’d be surprised. There’s a pattern here. I can’t say for sure what’s in Avery’s head or why he’s fond of making such rude remarks to and about women but it’s clear to me that allowing him to continue would not be in the best interest of the NHL. It seems though that the only time the NHL makes the big time media here in the states is when something we’re not proud of takes place. I’m getting sick of it. Now, if these comments of Sean were uttered on the ice, from one player to another….I’d have no real issue with it. Like the Paul Newman character in Slap Shot, Reggie Dunlop, who taunted an opposing goaltender with comments about his wife, Sean would not be a topic discussed by non-hockey fans. He’d not be the embarrassment he is now to his team and the league at large. But Sean didn’t restrict his classless mouth to the ice. He did it in public, in front of reporters…..for all the world to see/hear. A dick-less move at best. The NHL had no choice but to act. As to his return to MSG……really? You want this guy as a Ranger again? Why? You really believe that the Rangers would gel as a team with Avery in the locker room? Just look at how far the Stars have fallen. Right now, injuries aside….they stink. Sure, Turco need to stop the puck. Avery isn’t the entire reason for the bad season the Stars and their fans are suffering right now, but he’s surely no help. Many of his, um…teamates have gone public with their displeasure of his act. It’s clearly not an act that has any positive attributes. It’s the last frikking thing I want to see here at MSG. Unless you can show me how Sean could fix our giveaway problem or the lack of a decent power play then save your pining for Avery…please. Unfortunately, this story won’t end anytime soon. When the suspension ends we’ll find out how the Stars will handle his return. I can’t imagine he’ll be warmly welcomed by Richards or Modono. Marty Turco won’t be hugging him. C’mon, if Bret Hull accuses someone of verbal diarrhea, you have crossed way over the line. My guess is that team owner Hicks will find a way to end Avery’s contract with Dallas. Sean may have just Plaxico-ed himself right out of the NHL. I sure want nothing to do with the guy. Sure, I’m on board with many things some may not be comfortable with to win hockey games. You could argue that Sean helped the Rangers win while he was here. Personally, I’d rather miss the playoffs than have this ass-clown spewing his crap around here. Somewhere in Manhattan sits Glen Sather, breathing a sigh of relief that he didn’t retain Avery’s services for the next three years. It’s enough that NY basketball and football fans have to deal with idiot players. Let’s not have the Rangers join in the jerk-fest in the NY sports scene. Bye, Bye Sean……goodluck in fashion world. And for the record, what makes you think that you were the first one to boink Elisha Cuthbert? Well Sean? I guess you didn’t think of that, dick-head. Comment on this or any other Hockeybird post over on the boards. —-}- Bird…

You know the man. You work for him/her. He/She makes the work schedule without regard for NHL games. When I found out I’d miss tonight’s contest I was a bit pissed at the man. Turns out that the man saved me from a nasty 6-3 loss. Thank you. And, sorry for the bad attitude earlier……won’t happen again. I did jump in the car and fire up the XM radio to hear the Canadian radio team proclaim a 5-2 lead for Montreal and the home crowd was singing. The sixth goal was scored after a Gomez penalty was killed. I’m sure I don’t need to see the rest. I won’t. Without even seeing this game it’s obvious that the Rangers are not good enough as a team right now. The lack of scoring, the lack of a physical defensemen, the giveaways, the powerless power play…..it’s all an issue against the top level teams in the NHL. I apologize to those of you whom I’ve been hard on for blasting this team while they were winning. You’re right, I was wrong. The holes are big enough to complain about. Visit the Rodent for a recap…..I’m going there now. —-}- Bird…

I know, it was Nikki’s sjoot-out goal that was the winner but it was Sjostrum that clinched it. Deja-vu? Yeah, kinda. Petr Prucha played for the first time in over ten games. Instead of going down to Hartford he instead tied the game by putting home the rebound of a Gomez shot. The reaction at MSG by the fans was only outdone by the reaction of the players themselves, suggesting to me that the guys want Petr to succeed as much as I do. Look, it’s no secret that I along with the Rodent are fans of the little guy. We have both called out Renny for benching the kid. I’m not so sure that crowing is in order here….but I am a bird. Scott Gomez had the primary on both goals as Nikki deflected a Gomez shot for the first NYR tally. The Rodent points out that a change in tactic by the Pens had allowed for the Rangers to break-out of their zone in an easier fashion. While I didn’t think the Rangers played poorly, the Pens did have a 2-0 lead halfway through the game and it did seem that the Rangers played a better second half. It was the hitting in this game that was most interesting. The Orr-Crosby stuff was fun as were the hits by Prucha and Staal. It did seem the the two Pens stars spent a lot more time on the seat of their pants than on skates last night. That’s a trend I love see continue. I’m in a bit of a rush this morning…..so I hope to post after tonight’s game against Les Habs. Two more points for the good-guys is always good news. What to make of it? Just count the points and move on. Unless we begin to see some better first period play, more consistency all around, the negative nanny’s will still rule the boards. —-}- Bird…

Those who constantly post negative comments about their favorite team on various message boards must be quite pleased today. Over the last few Ranger games a few points stand out. Not lost on these posters were the various things done wrong by Ranger players in games the team had won. They knew it was a matter of time before a few losses would come and that they would be prov-en right. You guys must feel great today. Seriously, isn’t it a proud feeling to know that you correctly predicted that this Ranger team would lose games for these specific reasons…..ones that you pointed out well before they became reasons for a loss. The poor play of Rosey and Redden, the lack of hitting and physical play, a less than stellar power play, and the need to rely on the keeper too often were all pointed out before these recent losses. So why do I not feel so good? I saw these things too yet I feel no joy. Over the last eleven or so years I have posted on this very site on average over a post a day. That’s a ton of column inches. Sometime prior to the lockout I decided that the constant negative spews could not only be found elsewhere….I no longer enjoyed it. I decided to take a more positive look at our favorite team. Lucky for me, the fire-sale and lockout returned the Rangers to the playoffs and for the first time in over a decade I was once again a happy little Rangers fan. Look, I’m not dumb nor blind. I see the same things you guys do. Because of my playing days i just might see a thing or two you don’t. Regardless, I just don’t have the energy or the mindset to hurl nasty-grams out to the various Ranger management team after each loss. In years past, they didn’t listen anyway. What I do post about these days are more a look at the team from a further away perspective. In my eyes, things are much better than I expected. That shades my view to a much more positive outlook than some. I’m not claiming right or wrong here, just different. It’s true, I’m much older now and have lost some of that angry NY fan thing I once had. Hell, I haven’t been back to NY in almost five years. I’m getting soft, eh? Here’s what you’re looking for I guess. The things Renny needs to do to right this ship: 1. Fix the damn power play. I’d swear I was seeing movement with and without the puck as well as players in front of the net in advance of point shots earlier in the season. So what’s changed? Fix it…..fix it now dammit. 2. Henke, we need you to be the top ‘tender in the league. Allaire, whatever ails this kid, fix it. Any Cup team relies on the keeper. We’ll need to be able to do the same. Few teams win with poor goal-tending and some like us need great goal-tending. Fix it. 3. Fix Gomez. OK, Renny isn’t a doctor. But it’s clear that without Scott we’re missing that additional speed, that rush up ice that Gomez does so well. His presence make the 1st line draw the best from an opponent opening up ice for Moose and Nikki. Fix it. 4. Give a ways. Fix it. I don’t know how a coach fixes this but I do know that not only are the Rangers giving way too many breakaways, they are giving up short handed goals. Fix it. 5. What happened to the aggressive fore-check….and the hitting? Pick that back up and watch the wins increase. Speaking of crease…..any chance that Renny can get the D to make a few less mistake in their own end? Watching the puck and not your man is never good. Mr. Renny, fix it. 6. Play Peter Prucha. Fix it. Wait…..that’s just something I want. At this point I don’t see how this fixes anything as Renny has shown a lack of confidence in the kid. I still don’t know why. When given a chance (longer than one or two games) the kid has delivered. What’s not to like? It must be a relationship thing….Oh, OK…FIX IT. There. Was that bitchy enough for ya? No Beer For Me! —-}- Bird…