The Isles are still amidst a complete powerplay outage. However, luckily, they had nary a chance as they let the NYR practice theirs instead. A tired and out-of-sorts team came to MSG, and got called for a lot of infractions, and somehow didn't get called for a few others, as they struggled against a Ranger team determined to stem the tide.
Ranger coach, Tom Renney, told his team that they needed to press themselves directly in front of Rick DiPietro, which they had not been doing, getting pressed usually to the outside of the area instead by the Isles game defense. But last night, that Isles defense could not remove them, and the Rangers forwards succeeded in creating chances as DiPietro flopped around and had to move to and fro.
On a good note, Mike Comrie broke through his own outage with a nifty play with Martinek at the end of the 2nd period.
Hey Buddy . . . Sit Down
Rick, to tell the truth, didn't quite look in sorts himself. Now he played a strong game, to be sure. Ricky and this team still, despite not having a great game, kept themselves in it with solid goaltending. But, maybe I've just been seeing DP too long in that goal crease. But to me, he looked a bit tired. Too many times off his feet and flopping around, like that goldfish in the Faith No More video. Ricky, it's time to sit out a game and let Dubie shake off some rust. Nevermind that Saturday is a hot for fans to come to the Coliseum.
The body needs rest, even if the mind and perhaps ego does not think so. Too much, and the body begins to break down, or WORSE, bad decisions made, like last season as Rick went out to play a puck and got clobbered in the head. Or like versus Ottawa, where he did that exact same play once again to much fans horror.
A rested body, a rested mind, despite the constant desire to fight, is key. It's why soldiers get R&R, even when they don't want it or are so keyed up, they don't know what to do with it. Rick needs the same. We are a quarter-ways into the season, and time for lil' Ricky to hit the rest stop.
STITCHGATE!
No, Martha Stewart didn't show up at the game in MSG last night. Instead, a story that has found it's way to many a news outlet this morning . . .
We all know these games can get the blood boiling. But I, along with many others, were disturbed by the antics of Ryan Hollweg from last night's game.
Radek Martinek accused Hollweg of trying to rip out his stitches. And he's not the only one here. Both Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe saw it during the game, and coach Ted Nolan brought it up after the game.
Hollweg's contention is that he was merely giving Radek a wholesome facewash.
Per the Associated Press: Martinek said Hollweg threatened him and then reached for his face.
"He said he is going to take my stitches out."
I'm sure there are many passioned opinions on this one from both sides.
Heat on Hilbert
The Ted Nolan complimenting "Rudy" or in this case Andy, who we know plays extremely hard, has ended. Tough love, for Hilbert as he again flubs an empty net.
Here's a guy who is fantastic at being in the mix and getting in position, yet seems to lack the skillset to finish the job.
Fan patience has long since ended, long before Nolan's effusive words. And now Nolan's has ended as well. Time to buck up, kid, and close the deal. Are you a third liner or not? A lot of kids at Bridgeport would like to show they can take advantage of opportunity.
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