Fool me once. Shame on you. Fool me twice. Shame on me. Like a great Who song, we “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

In the Rangers’ case, they fooled not only themselves but many as well into believing a team with Chris Drury and Scott Gomez added to a veteran core which included Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka would be good enough to contend for a Stanley Cup.

One Spring ago, they were very close to upsetting a more talented Buffalo roster but Drury and 7.7 seconds altered possible history. Having upgraded at center, the Rangers were not only hoping to take that next step but catch lightning in a bottle. Instead, what transpired was another poor start with Jagr unable to find chemistry with either new center. Neither’s style was conducive to the Czech’s East/West game a la Swedish pivot Michael Nylander, who worked well with No.68 and Straka to form a No.1 line the past two seasons before moving on to Washington.

The Rangers also didn’t plan on it taking a month for Gomez to get going and Drury, who grew up idolizing the club to not start playing until mid-January. Perhaps the latter put tremendous pressure on himself. Whatever the reason, he didn’t play to capability until the second half when suddenly the 31 year-old Trumbull, Connecticut native became the team’s most consistent performer tying Jagr for the club lead in goals (25) while pacing them in power play goals (12) and game-winners (7).

With his team’s best offensive player struggling to form chemistry with the top two pivots, Ranger coach Tom Renney tried the 36 year-old captain with promising rookie Brandon Dubinsky. Due to the former 2004 second round pick’s size, speed and strength, he worked much better with Jagr. The Rangers’ version of the Odd Couple which paired up players 15 years apart paid off because each used their size effectively on the forecheck giving opponents fits. It didn’t matter if Renney put the complementary Straka on the unit or deterrent Sean Avery cause both possessed speed and were diligent forecheckers.

One of the reasons the team underachieved in the first half were injuries to Avery and rookie energizer Ryan Callahan. It’s little secret that the Blueshirts were a different team with the 28 year-old Toronto native in the lineup. He not only distracted opponents but produced 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 57 games, making it entirely possible that he could’ve wound up with 25 goals and 50 points if he’d not missed significant time. That certainly might’ve made a difference in the standings.

As for Callahan, the 23 year-old Rochester native wasn’t himself. Probably returning too early, he never resembled the aggressive attacking physical player he was last Spring, forcing the organization to send him back to Hartford where he regained confidence and scoring touch. When he returned, the former 2004 fourth rounder looked more himself earning Renney’s trust and becoming an effective penalty killer even scoring a crushing shorthanded Game One winner against the Devils in Round One.

In the second half, the Rangers also benefited from the surprising play of Nigel Dawes. Following a couple of brief stints, the former 2003 fifth round selection was sent down to Hartford. After tearing it up, he was recalled in January and became a mainstay in the lineup. More confident, the 23 year-old Manitoban began to harness his own talent scoring and setting up key goals. In his first full season, he finished with 14 goals, 15 assists for 29 points along with a club best plus-11 rating in 61 contests.

Another criteria for the club’s up and down first half was Henrik Lundqvist’s unsteady play in net. No doubt the respectable 26 year-old Swede was impacted by his father’s aneurysm last December. He also might’ve been affected by the uncertainty surrounding a new contract. Once both issues clarified, so did his play which resembled more of what a few spoiled Ranger fans had grown accustomed to. After establishing career bests in games played (72), goals against average (2.23) and shutouts (10), the Rangers’ 2000 seventh round steal was once more nominated for the Vezina.

With the team’s playoff status uncertain, Team President and GM Glen Sather didn’t make a big splash at the trade deadline instead unloading former top prospect goalie Al Montoya to ex-assistant GM Don Maloney’s Coyotes for spare part Fredrik Sjostrom. He also didn’t address the team’s glaring need for a power play quarterback opting to acquire defenseman Christian Backman from the Blues.

Though the team played their best hockey after the deals, it was only due to the elite players raising their level. While Sjostrom performed adequately bolstering the fourth line, the same couldn’t be said for Backman, who too often was an adventure in his end. Most disappointing was that after showing some offensive promise down the stretch, the 28 year-old Swede’s game vanished in the playoffs where somehow he didn’t register a point in eight games before Renney scratched him in favor of physical veteran Jason Strudwick.

It also didn’t help that Marek Malik never regained the affable coach’s trust. Even if the lanky defender wasn’t much of a physical detriment, wouldn’t he have been a better choice? He could’ve logged more time than Strudwick relieving pressure from the way overplayed and flawed Michal Rozsival, whose game fell apart against a bigger and faster aggressive Pens team.

Far too much pressure was placed on second-year defenseman Dan Girardi, who wore down. Partner Fedor Tyutin took a step back after a solid 2007 postseason, committing far too many mistakes and losing physical battles. When your best defenseman turns out to be promising rookie Marc Staal, it speaks to what was wrong with the 2007-08 Rangers. One day, the 21 year-old former 2005 first round pick could evolve into a Norris candidate. It speaks to the kid’s maturity and hockey instincts from a family of winners with possibly younger brother Jordan becoming the second sibling to win a Cup.

What must change is the lack of a true power play QB who could effectively run it and take pressure off the forwards. Due to Rozsival’s inability to shoot the puck, opposing penalty killers felt no sense of urgency opting to attack the other Rangers leaving the points open. Girardi was the only willing shooter netting five which was one fewer than the pass happy Rozsival.

Word of friendly advice to the coach. Sending out Tyutin to man a point is not a logical answer. Neither was “solution” Paul Mara, who hadn’t been utilized that way since his days in the Desert. The veteran was a solid soldier who developed into a reliable third pair defenseman but nothing more which is why it makes sense to let him go.

Another thing which became clear was that while the D did an adequate job in their end, they often struggled to get pucks out turning their zone into a Chinese fire drill. This also became evident while killing Pittsburgh power plays. The most defining example was when Jagr had just tied Game Three and Ryan Hollweg took an inexcusable boarding penalty. Close to killing it, a tired Ranger PK unit couldn’t get the puck out. They had ample opportunities but somehow the Pens kept it in which meant no chance to change resulting in a crushing Evgeni Malkin left point blast proving to be too much for them to overcome.

In their Game Five series elimination, the Rangers again failed to clear the puck with a diving Marian Hossa barely keeping it alive. The same end result with the Pens’ superior skill setting up the eventual OT hero with a tap-in.

Renney is a well received coach but one has to question the overall penalty killing strategy. Why did it take Lundqvist to tell his teammates to go after the Pens prior to Game Four, which coincidentally worked out much better? Most of the series, they had way too much space and setup time. Against that caliber talent of Hossa, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, you can’t give them room to operate. Secondary scorers Ryan Malone and Petr Sykora are pretty good too as are defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney.

The Rangers didn’t have the kind of mean defensemen who could clear the front of the net and make life difficult for the Pens’ stars. That also must get addressed. Do they overpay for Rozsival, who’s provided good mileage but isn’t equipped for that kind of yeoman work? Or is it finally time for Sather to take a good hard look and make the necessary changes to take this club to the next level?

The dilemma is that the Rangers have many decisions to make with their own potential free agents which include an uncertain Jagr with a possible return to Europe looming. If their best playoff performer decides not to comeback, who replaces him? Do they take a run after Hossa, who it should be noted has never been a reliable go-to player such as Jagr. Don’t believe us? See his body of work with predecessors Ottawa and Atlanta.

Perhaps the Rangers would be better off trying to get Jagr re-upped for a couple of years. He says he’s not done and believes he’s still got another four productive years left. The question is what does he want? Nobody can tell for certain. Czech buddy Straka’s status largely depends on what he does. The 35 year-old has been a good Ranger but this season missed 17 games and often passed up primary scoring chances.Do they bring him back or elevate a Dawes or Callahan?

One key veteran who probably won’t return is Brendan Shanahan. The classy 39 year-old had a poor second half and only scored one goal in the playoffs. The skating just wasn’t there and often slowed down Gomez, which is why Renney waited too long before elevating Callahan. The future Hall of Famer also was given too much responsibility particularly on a struggling power play where his shot got blocked a lot. It’s never easy to part with such a proud character player. At this juncture, Shanny was uncertain if he wanted to play a 21st NHL season.

What do they do with Avery, who is recovering from a lacerated spleen suffered in the first period of Game Three? Remarkably, the valuable agitator didn’t miss a shift before being rushed to St. Vincent’s Medical Hospital. His condition has since improved. It should take a while to recover but likely won’t impact a busy July where teams will be lining up for his services. It’s expected that he’ll command at least four million a year. The real question is does a player who enjoys the limelight want to stay? All could depend on Sather. He’s a hard negotiator and could use underhanded tactics which might push Avery away.

One player they should bring back is steady backup Stephen Valiquette. The 30 year-old vet performed admirably achieving career bests in games (13), starts (10), wins (5), GAA (2.19) and notching the first two shutouts of his career with both coming in Philadelphia. Re-signing the personable No.2 goalie who takes to his role well is a must.

Depending largely on what happens with Jagr and Avery will determine how much cap space the Rangers have to work with. Adding size and toughness up front and on the blueline are vital. They should go hard after current Pens Malone and Brooks Orpik. As for upgrading on the point, Brian Campbell wouldn’t be a bad option but at what cost? In his brief stint with San Jose, the ex-Sabre proved to be weak in his end. A cheaper alternative would be chasing Mark Streit from Montreal, who was quite productive playing up front while also manning the point. Or does the club re-sign Andrew Hutchinson (64 points in 67 GP with Hartford) and see if he can provide the missing point shot?

There also could be a few Hartford players who might be ready. Lauri Korpikoski’s debut in which he scored his first ever NHL goal Sunday was a look into the future. Figure the Finn to play at least on the fourth line next Fall. Another player the Rangers must look at is former 2003 first round pick Hugh Jessiman. The 24 year-old made strides with the Wolf Pack and should be re-signed. The former Dartmouth product has some of the size (6-6, 231) and toughness the current roster lacks.

On the blueline, both Ivan Baranka and Michael Sauer should get looks. Former 2006 first round pick Bobby Sanguinetti likely needs a season in Hartford. He would have to have a very strong camp to stay up similar to Staal. Other players in the system who could make noise are defenseman Corey Potter, winger Dane Byers along with centers Greg Moore and Artem Anisimov.

There sure is a lot of unfinished business for an organization which thought big. It’s about time they did what it took to take that giant leap forward.

The clock is ticking.

FINAL UPDATE: Brenden Morrow came through with the power play winner at 9:03 of the fourth overtime. The Dallas captain redirected a perfect Stephane Robidas pass at the front of the net past Evgeni Nabokov to eliminate the Sharks and destroy San Jose’s hopes for the magical 33 year 0-3 theory. The actual time of the goal was 69:03 of sudden death since it was in the fourth OT. If we were counting regulation, that would make it 129:03.

It was the eighth longest OT game in NHL playoff history.

Some notes from it:

-Morrow played exactly 51:00 and was credited with 19 hits. By far the most of any player. In fact, Dallas outhit San Jose 88-54. The Dallas captain also laid out Milan Michalek with a clean shoulder knocking him out of the game at the end of regulation. The encouraging news was he was able to walk with a cast on.

-There were a total of 117 shots on goal. Marty Turco made 61 saves further cementing his reputation during this postseason. That means he repelled 61 of 62 shots his way. Many quality stops. Evgeni Nabokov saw 55 come his way and stopped 53 to suffer a very hard luck defeat despite one of the greatest saves in sudden death history when he reached out and snagged Brad Richards shot getting it just before it crossed the goal line.

-57 shots were blocked and another 47 missed the net entirely. That’s 104 which didn’t even make it to the net.

-There were only two penalties called in the last five periods with none in the third, the first and second overtime. Just the way a game should be officiated unlike the penalty barrage which has become common in today’s new NHL. Unfortunately for Brian Campbell, he got nabbed and his team wasn’t able to bail him out. The former Sabre logged 56:23 of ice-time getting a ridiculous 68 shifts. The most in the game.

-Sergei Zubov logged 53:50 taking 61 shifts.

UPDATE II:  It still isn’t over. It’s past 2 AM here in NYC and we’re 10 minutes or so away from the fourth overtime. The Sharks have done everything but can’t beat Turco, who’s had a couple of very close calls. The man has 58 or 59 saves. What a game. Nabby has been pretty damn good too.

Whoever loses is going to really hurt.

Here are my fourth OT picks:

San Jose- Mike Grier cause it’s time to go with an obscure former Sabre. 

Dallas- Jere Lehtinen cause he’s a darn good player and I can easily seeing him winning it. 

UPDATE:  Amazingly, it’s going to a sixth period. Will someone end this or is this going to be like that crazy Stars-Canucks game last Spring?

I may as well pick two new players:

San Jose- Patrick Marleau just cause he’s playing with Thornton.

Dallas- Sergei Zubov cause he rocks and could sneak one of those point shots through a screen.

It’s on still and about to go to a second overtime by which time I’ll probably be on a fourth brew.

Great freaking goaltending by Turco and Nabokov. You want to talk about laying it all on the line. This is great stuff! I can’t wait to see what happens.

The series in the balance and Nabby makes one of the most amazing saves ever robbing Richards of a certain winner. Unreal! And then Turco comes back with highway stack jobs on Marleau. Twice!

And Ribeiro came close to winning it twice and hit the pipe. This is just a classic game and what makes our sport so special. So, fire up a brew or not and kick back and relax.

OT picks:

San Jose- Roenick has been flying and has been involved a lot. I wouldn’t be too shocked if the grizzled American vet gets it to keep a shot history going with the whole 33 thing.

Dallas- Lundqvist had some good chances and has skated well. Usually, the pick is a star but I like what I saw from King Henrik’s twin brother. Why not.

Copyright Getty Images 

He skated off the ice which once was home in the Steel City. One time as a teenager, Jaromir Jagr teamed up with Mario Lemieux to win back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. No.66 and No.68 couldn’t be stopped during those special days bringing the franchise their only two championships. Back then, the talented Czech with the long flowing hair not only owned the puck and the game but the place as well.

Back in 1992, it was Jagr who scored on a penalty shot beating John Vanbiesbrouck. The defining moment came ironically enough at Madison Square Garden breaking Ranger fan hearts. The Pens would win the series in six and repeat. Four years later, it was the same No.68 who worked magic with No.66 taking apart the Rangers in another second round this time prevailing in five before bowing out to the Panthers.

It was also Jagr who ended Wayne Gretzky’s career with an amazing overtime goal in which he fought off three Rangers before ripping home the winner at MSG.

When he and the comebacking Super Mario came up short against the Devils in the 2001 Conference Final, it was the last game he’d play in a Penguin uniform. Mario, who owned the franchise at the time couldn’t afford to keep Jagr. So, he was dealt to the Washington Capitals for unheralded prospects who never panned out. Unless you count frequent scratch Kris Beech, who is like on his third tour of duty as a Pen.

Jagr didn’t want the Caps instead desiring to play on the biggest stage in New York City for the New York Rangers. Not surprisingly, an unmotivated and unhappy right wing who already was hated by Washington fans for ripping their hearts out in prior series never performed to the lofty expectations. That Ted Leonsis gave him a ridiculous contract extension (then NHL record 7 years, 77 million) before he even set foot in a Cap uniform was a huge mistake.

Jagr was brutal in his first season in D.C. with a veteran team missing the postseason. Though he bounced back in year two (2002-03) to lead the Caps back to the playoffs, they were once again ousted by the Tampa Bay Lightning with Jagr silenced in the series. Even more humiliating was that they took the first two games on the road only to drop the next four including a crushing triple overtime defeat on home ice.

With Leonsis losing money in 2003-04, they unloaded Jagr finally sending him to Broadway in exchange for original Cap Anson Carter. Sadly, that was all they could get in return due to not much of a market for Jagr’s contract. He was making $11 million-per-year and not playing up to potential. With the impending lockout approaching, it was understandable why there weren’t many suitors. In fact, the Caps agreed to pay four million on average while the superstar also agreed to defer a million bucks on average with interest until the contract expired.

Ranger GM Glen Sather didn’t care. Neither did Garden CEO Jim Dolan. They finally had the player they coveted. Even if the 2003-04 Rangers stunk missing the playoffs for a franchise worst seventh consecutive season, they had a guy who could bring fans back.

Following the lockout, Jagr guaranteed that the struggling Original Six franchise would qualify for the playoffs. Not surprisingly, the Rangers had been picked by many to finish at or near the bottom of the 30 team league. Why would a full year away change anything?

Little did anyone know just how motivated Jagr was. With Mark Messier finally retired, the former 1990 fifth overall pick played his best hockey in several years making even Ranger fans believers again. Playing mostly with Czech buddy and complementary former Pen linemate Martin Straka along with playmaking Swedish pivot Michael Nylander, Jagr flourished breaking several franchise marks including Adam Graves’ 1993-94 regular season record 52 goals with 54. The 123 points (54-69-123) also were a regular season record for most by a Ranger as were the 24 power play goals he scored. It was the most points he tallied since 2000-01 when he topped the league with 121 for a fifth Art Ross.

Jagr finished second behind only San Jose’s Joe Thornton for the league scoring lead. Thornton bested him with 125 and edged Jagr out for the Hart Trophy even though the rejuvenated Ranger’s peers voted him as Player of The Year (Lester B. Pearson). Many observers felt he deserved to win his second Hart for taking a team nobody had close to the playoffs back to their first Spring of meaningful hockey since 1996-97.

With the team fizzling down the stretch due to a hip flexor to rookie goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Jagr and the Rangers were swept out of the opening round by the archrival Devils. Adding further insult, he injured himself trying to punch Scott Gomez late in Game One. Having relied on him all season, the thin Blueshirts dropped the next couple of games before a gutsy Jagr dressed for Game Four only to be KO’d by a clean check into the boards. Even with him being helped off the ice, a supportive Garden crowd gave him a rousing ovation.

The team added veteran Brendan Shanahan along with center Matt Cullen from Cup winner Carolina to provide Jagr offensive support for 2006-07. Though his offensive totals dropped to 96 points, he still hit the 30-goal mark for an NHL record 15th consecutive season dating back to his second pro season with the 1991-92 Pens.

Despite not even being in playoff position as late as February, Jagr and an unconscious Lundqvist played their best hockey the final six weeks to finish with 94 points and qualify for a second straight postseason as a dangerous sixth seed. With Jagr elevating his level and a team which experienced a brutal defeat one year prior, the Rangers turned the tables sweeping out the Atlanta Thrashers to easily advance to a Conference Semifinal match-up against the President’s Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres.

After dropping two tough games in Buffalo, the Rangers rallied to tie the series. It was late in Game Five when a seeing eye Straka shot inside the blueline eluded Sabre goalie Ryan Miller giving them a 1-0 lead. With the clock winding down, it looked like they would steal the pivotal game and go back to The Garden with a chance to wrap up the series. Instead, Chris Drury found just enough space to find a rebound and tie it with 7.7 seconds remaining. The exact amount Devil Valerie Zelepukin had when he forced sudden death in the 1994 Conference Final Game Seven before Stephane Matteau rescued the Blueshirts with a wraparound past Martin Brodeur in double overtime.

Unfortunately, this time the hockey Gods worked against the hockey club. Maxim Afinogenov’s power play winner early in sudden death lifted the Sabres to a 2-1 win and 3-2 series lead. In a highscoring affair, Buffalo held on for a one-goal win to clinch the exciting series in six games. Supportive Ranger fans still cheered their team serenading them with traditional, “Let’s Go Rangers” chants.

In his third full season on Broadway, the Rangers’ 24th team captain was expected to lead an upgraded team which included key free agent additions Drury and Gomez deep into the postseason possibly bringing a fifth Cup back to the Canyon of Heroes. Instead, he and the team got off to another slow start. With Jagr unable to mesh with either center, he began receiving heavy criticism. Was the team better off without him? Oddly enough, coach Tom Renney discovered that playing him with promising rookie Brandon Dubinsky worked better helping balance out the team’s scoring.

Still, Jagr went long stretches without scoring. But when his team needed it most, he got hot down the stretch to finish with 25 goals and 71 points, tying with Drury for the club lead in goals and edging Gomez for the lead in scoring. Could he turn it up a notch and lead a low scoring team deep into the Spring? That question was answered quickly as a dominant No.68 emerged destroying the Devils for eight points (2-6-8) including a goal and two helpers to eliminate New Jersey, avenging a first round defeat two postseasons ago.

Jagr was now facing his ex-team where he had his greatest success. With the Pens boasting dynamic young duo Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, they had a new exciting version of Mario and Jagr except with different numbers (71 and 87) creating puck wizardry. If that wasn’t enough, they also had Marian Hossa.

Still, Jagr and the Rangers came out and got the first three goals of the series but the Pens answered with four straight. Though a Jagr setup tied Game One at four, a debatable call resulted in Malkin’s decider to give the Pens first blood. A great defensive effort and a nifty Malkin setup for Ryan Malone was all Pittsburgh needed to put the Blueshirts in an 0-2 hole.

Despite a great effort from Jagr in Game Three at MSG in which he assisted on a goal and tied the game at three, the Pens got the last two against an unsteady Lundqvist putting them down 0-3 in a series many expected to go six or seven.

Facing the prospect of a sweep on home ice, Jagr and Lundqvist wouldn’t allow it with No.68 turning back the clock for a magical goal in which Brooks Orpik laid him out. He got up to loud cheers and fans chanting his name. With Lundqvist stoning Malone shorthanded and denying Malkin on a penalty shot along with Jagr dominating every shift setting up a Dubinsky power play goal and netting the empty netter with 18 seconds left, the Rangers shutout the Pens 3-0 making fans believe they actually could become the first NHL team in 33 years to bounceback from an 0-3 deficit.

The 1975 New York Islanders had comeback to beat the Penguins. Could another New York team victimize Pittsburgh. Despite a valiant third period effort rallying from two goals down while Jagr was checked tightly without a shot on goal, it wasn’t to be as Hossa notched the series clincher at 7:10 of sudden death.

When it was over, the big question being asked was that the final time the brilliant Jagr would skate in the NHL. Surrounded by reporters, No.68 fielded questions indicating that he would play again but wasn’t sure where. The seriousness in his tone and kind of somber expression made it seem that it just might’ve been Jagr’s final NHL game. If it really was, maybe it was symbolic as he spent many nights being cheered by the same fans who mercifully booed him every shift.

Interestingly enough, Jagr is one point shy of career point No.1,600. In 1,273 career regular season games, he has totaled 646 goals and 953 assists for 1,599 points. Even more special was that the 36 year-old in the twilight of his career was leading the playoffs with 15 points (5-10-15) in just 10 games despite not adding to that total earlier today. Counting this year’s output, Jagr has registered 77 goals and 104 assists for 181 points in 169 postseason games.

Now, the much misunderstood Czech who has been one of the game’s greatest players gets to decide his future. Will he go back home or possibly re-up with Avangard OMSK in Russia as has been rumored? If Jagr does return to play for the Rangers, he’ll do so knowing that the Rangers’ first two games against the Tampa Bay Lightning will be in his home country. That could be appealing. Is that enough along with the prospect of taking another run at a third Cup?

The forecast remains cloudy.

Maybe it was meant this way for Marian Hossa. Redemption is a very strong and symbolic word often used to describe sports. For the Rangers, that was used to describe their five-game first round victory over bitter Hudson rival New Jersey.

I definitely feel the same applies to Hossa and exceptional underrated linemate Pascal Dupuis, who were swept out by a superior Ranger team when they wore Thrasher sweaters one Spring ago. Clearly, the key Pens duo made a difference coming over from Atlanta at the deadline. Yeah. The talent level was much better and allowed them to fit in. That can happen when you play with such skilled centers as Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Perhaps that took some pressure off Hossa, who had disappeared in prior playoff years with those disappointing Ottawa teams and even getting grossly outplayed by younger scrub brother Marcel Hossa. This time around, he was really good playing alongside Crosby and Dupuis. His great hustle to keep a puck alive at the blueline on the power play resulted in the first of two goals on the day when he buried a Ryan Malone feed at the right doorstep to supply the Pens the lead.

For whatever reason, the Rangers really let down. Before that goal, they had played on fairly even terms with the faster and more skilled Penguins. Hockey’s a funny sport. When a team scores, they really get a lot of momentum. I think that really showed in this one and summed up the series. Someone on NBC said it earlier today. Pittsburgh doesn’t need many chances to score. They proved it in that resilient three-goal Game One comeback which really made a difference.

The Pens kept coming. Especially at the shaky Michal Rozsival, who went to the box way too much killing his team’s momentum. The Blueshirts couldn’t afford to lose their discipline if they wanted to get this back to MSG tomorrow. Seven penalties were too much and allowed the Pens to control the puck and flow of the game.

Truthfully, if not for some amazing goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist in that second period, it wouldn’t have even been a contest. The Malkin backhand goal which made it 2-0 Pens was just a great play by a very physically gifted player. It also was a bit fluky as the puck came to him and he stayed with it despite good coverage from Paul Mara zipping it top shelf. That guy is the best player in the game. He’s also a bit cheap. The slewfoot of Mara near the conclusion of Game Four was uncalled for and should’ve warranted at least a fine. No way would our wussy league suspend him.

I also didn’t like Malkin punching his fist almost at Mara after he scored it. Act like you’ve been there before and not like a punk.

At 2-0 down having gotten zero shots the last 14-plus minutes of the second and registering no hits, it looked like the Ranger tank was on empty. Still, I told my angry younger brother Justin that it wasn’t over yet. They just needed to come out better in the third and get an early one.

Sure enough, in his first ever NHL game, rookie Lauri Korpikoski came through. Following relentless pressure from the Pens, the former 2004 first round pick forced a turnover and came in with linemate Fredrik Sjostrom two-on-one. Smartly using Pitt defender Ryan Whitney as a screen, the young Finn whistled a perfect wrister past Marc-Andre Fleury into the top of the net.

Now putting this in proper perspective, Korp had played three or four shifts the first 40 minutes. But oddly enough on his first ever shift, he got a good shot on Fleury forcing him to make a tough save. Should Tom Renney have played the kid more? It’s a tough situation cause he’s coming into a very pressure packed elimination game. Still, Renney’s move of inserting Korpikoski for Colton Orr worked and gave the Blueshirts a much needed lift.

What happened next was so stunning, I had to do a doubletake to realize it. I just didn’t expect them to tie it so soon. The goals were like 1:22 apart. Great play by Scott Gomez drawing two defenders and making a perfect pass to a cutting Nigel Dawes, who snuck a backhand deke thru Fleury’s five-hole to tie the game at two.

At that point, Justin and myself were ecstatic going nuts in the TV room. :D Hey. With it looking so grim and the team not showing much last period with a season on the line, what would ya expect?!?!?!?!?!

Ultimately, they didn’t come out winners today but that’s not how I view it. Bottom line is they showed a lot of mettle in that third coming back against a very good team. A better one.

At the end of the day, sure. There were some missed opportunities including chances by Chris Drury (what a warrior) and Dawes where Fleury held it together with three and change left. It’s ironic that Drury, who was just unreal for a guy with bad ribs was in the sin bin for four minutes high sticking Malone when he got it much worse earlier on and nothing was called. Mike Milbury was right on it and a couple of other missed infractions on the home team which got three more man-advantages.

Not like it would’ve mattered with our popgun PP offense. God. They got only one shot on four chances. Path—et—ic!

I’m glad that the Rangers killed off that penalty cause that would’ve been a sucky way to lose. Especially with Dru in the box after he was wronged. It wouldn’t have felt right.

They did an outstanding job killing the double minor but never were able to generate an attack in sudden death which doomed them. I guess the series hung in the balance on Marc Staal’s shorthanded rush. But as has been a team issue all season, the promising 21 year-old rookie didn’t shoot opting to try for a cutting Martin Straka. The pass never made it getting picked off.

What if he had shot there? I guess we’ll never know. You don’t play would’ve, should’ve, could’ve in these series. The better team found a way to win. That the puck went off Dan Girardi’s skate to Hossa, who admitted to Lundqvist that he missed the shot intending to go high but instead the puck went five-hole was a good bounce for the Pens and an unfortunate one for the Rangers.

At the end of the day, they have nothing to be ashamed of. Many teams would’ve packed it in after such a poor second period. That they didn’t and came so close to making me look like a genius showed a lot of resolve.

I’m extremely proud of how they competed. Now it’s onto the summer and what happens in July. I have some thoughts on that but just don’t feel up to writing them at the moment. Maybe another day.

Congrats to the Pens on winning the series. They’re now 4-0 against the Rangers in playoff series and a ridiculous 16-4. What is it about that damn team? I’m sick of losing to them. Plus Crosby is still a bitch and Michel Therrien can go walk the plank with his underhanded bs complaints. Was very proud of Renney for being so diplomatic about such garbage. Ditto Brendan Shanahan even if he’s washed up.

I can’t believe it’s come to this. But go Flyers! For the love of God and the NHL, please destroy that team! Put Jarkko Ruutu through the glass! Wow. I’m as bad as Brian. Rooting for the Flyers doesn’t feel right but I’ve had enough of the Pens and NBC yucking it up with cheesy Pen promo after Pen promo. That “It’s Our Team” garbage entering the third was a direct slap in the fact and spoke volumes.

Let the Flyers prevail.

So Tom Renney pulled a fast one on me on Thursday, when he said Lauri Korpikosi would be in the lineup at center on the fourth line with Ryan Hollweg and Fred Sjostrom. Then he went on to scratch Korpi for Colton Orr, which made sense to me. Today though, Orr is definitely out and Korpikoski is definitely in.

Other than that, the lineup for the Rangers remains the same. Jason Strudwick stays in for Christian Backman, and the line combinations that we saw in Thursday night’s win remain intact. Of course, is again a must win, so expect more desperation hockey from the Rangers, which seems to be the best way for them to play.

Not much more to report today other than Sean Avery being moved out of intensive care, being told that he would spend another few days in the hospital, and then releasing himself shortly after. According to Sam Weinman, the joke around the locker room is that the nurses got fed up with him and had him removed for their sanity. No matter what happened, speedy recovery to Avery, and here’s to hoping we see him in Ranger-blue next season.

Enjoy today’s game, we’ll be back with recaps later on.

By show of hands, who had the Flyers going to the Conference Final four wins away from their first Stanley Cup Final in 11 years? I doubt there were many takers. Though our newest Flyer supporter would beg to differ since he did accurately predict Philly to eliminate the Canadiens. That it took one less game speaks to just how well they played.

If Martin Biron is playing great, then R.J. Umberger is on a roll. He absolutely owned the Habs scoring eight goals in the series to hike his goal total to nine. It was almost as dominant as Johan Franzen’s nine in a sweep of Colorado. Sad fact. The Avs totaled nine goals.

Back to R.J. How in the world didn’t the Canucks or Ranger get this guy signed? You’re telling me they couldn’t have used a solid all around two-way center who is an outstanding skater with a deadly shot? Did we mention he’s a relentless forechecker? Umberger has emerged from a fourth liner to a second line player who’s now getting big minutes and flourishing. Kudos to overestimated Philly coach John Stevens for the wise move. Early in the series, you could see that the kid’s speed was giving the Canadiens fits.

If you’re going to go deep into the postseason, your best players must be your best players. Night in and night out, Daniel Briere has earned his hefty paycheck by scoring big goals. His power play winner the other night as it turned out was Montreal’s last gasp. Sure, they led 3-1 and had it going their way until a less confident looking Carey Price let in a couple of more soft ones to suddenly put his team in a 4-3 hole entering the third. Speaking of which, might Guy Carbonneau’s questionable decision to bench his 20 year-old rookie have hurt the No.1 goalie even more? Or was there something else bugging him? What was wrong with his glove hand? It sure wasn’t the glove cause they tried a new one and it was the same brutal result. Another story for another day. 

Props also go out to the Montreal fans for how they cheered their guys at the end of the game. That final minute was really cool. You probably wouldn’t see that in a lot of other arenas. They weren’t supposed to be in this position and were picked by many including by myself to finish near the bottom of the East. Maybe that was the problem because the expectations suddenly went from making the playoffs to winning the Northeast and people including again yours truly thinking they could actually go to the Cup.

Or perhaps Canada really is hexed after all.

The Flyers have played rambunctious hockey and deserve to be where they are. They have been a fun team to watch. That’s not very easy to say for a rival fan but it’s the truth. They have attacked and been rewarded. It helps that they got tireless forwards like Umberger, Briere, Mike Richards and the fast emerging Jeff Carter.

What the Philadelphia organization learned in the worst season in franchise history was that if they retooled by pawning off Peter Forsberg, they could compete. Was it a bit poetic that Scottie Upshall would wind up with the series clincher? He was part of what came back. Just wait till Ryan Parent develops and we’ll really be laughing at that trade. Well, the rest of the Atlantic won’t.

Neither are they about former Preds Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell fitting in as key cogs on a team which looks poised and deep enough to actually do this. Yes. I’m saying they can win the whole thing. That might be bad news for them.

How do you think Kevin Lowe feels about giving away Joffrey Lupul and Jason Smith for the overrated Joni Pitkanen right about now? That Braydon Coburn pickup for Alexei Zhitnik was also a theft. The Vaclav Prospal trade also ain’t looking bad either.

Has there been one bad deal new GM Paul Holmgren made? My god. Simon Gagne’s career is likely over and it suddenly doesn’t matter because that’s how deep they really are. Mike Knuble can still play also. Funny how my Dad nailed that one indicating that he thought the ex-Ranger could become a 25-30 goalscorer.

The Flyers are even getting mileage out of old school defenseman Derian Hatcher.

You have to give them a lot of credit. They almost didn’t make the playoffs but got hot at the right time. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

Congrats to them on their run thus far. They’ve earned it.

Dear Versus Network,

Apparently, your hockey researchers didn’t get a high school diploma. Once again, you’ve sunk to a Titanic level failing miserably at providing relative statistical research.

The gross error of actually having the audacity to put up that it was the Philadelphia Flyers first Conference Final appearance since 1997 was the final nail in the coffin for how truly pathetic your network is. Have your researchers ever heard of Google? Word of advice. Next time, look it up!

Furthermore, any knowledgable hockey fan knew that the Flyers had been to the Conference Final in 2000 and in 2004. By providing such egregious errors, you did an extreme disservice to your production talent and the NHL as a whole.

It is humiliating to have such an irresponsible network which obviously doesn’t care what anyone thinks. Due to such an inexcusable mistake, you insulted everyone’s intelligence and proved yet again that you are not worthy of airing these games.

Many observers celebrated the day ESPN stopped covering hockey. The question is are those people satisfied with such awful coverage and inaccurate facts.

As an individual who was a former NHL researcher in Bristol, we would never get such facts wrong because we always had each other’s backs.

There’s something very wrong with Versus that they’d allow Dave Strader to announce that as fact because the goofs in the production truck weren’t doing their job. The Flyers weren’t in the Stanley Cup Final! Apparently, winning eight games now gets you there.

It is a complete disgrace how our game is covered by you. NHL Radio does a much better job.

Signed,

One appalled hockey fan

Don’t call it a comeback!  At least rapper L.L. Cool J wouldn’t.

Who says you can’t comeback from the dead? History tells us that this is THE YEAR for another remarkable 0-3 comeback to win a series. 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs. 1975 New York Islanders. 2008???

That’s the growing question because there are two Conference Semifinal series which could be going that route. I honestly thought the Stars had it at 2-0 up with a period left from setting up an old style WCF against Detroit. When Dallas captain Brenden Morrow scored from a bad angle on Evgeni Nabokov with 55.3 left in the second, I ASSumed  that would take the wind out of the Sharks, who never seem to win on home ice against those Stars.

So to my shock when I flipped back, there was Jeremy Roenick being interviewed following a third which saw his team rally to tie it on goals by former MIA duo Milan Michalek and Brian Campbell. Joe Pavelski completed the stunning turnaround when he cashed in on a blatant Dallas turnover and beat Marty Turco top shelf 65 seconds into sudden death.

Just shocking. This was another one of those quick OTs which was already over by the time I flipped back on Versus. Btw…this network really sucks. They didn’t even bother showing replays and their postgame show was what? Five minutes. I understand production talent stay but come on. Could they at least try to have a 10 or 15 minute segment before dumping out?

It’s almost as bad as the New York papers. That Game Four hero Jaromir Jagr actually got a back page on yesterday’s Daily News was one of the most cool things ever. Way to step up! Boo to the New York Post who’d rather fantasize about meaningless April baseball. What would you expect from a tabloid who employs killjoy tandem Kevin Kernan and Phil Mushnick. That the latter is from my neck of the woods is an embarrassment.

Anyway, kudos to the Sharks for picking themselves up off the mat laying it all out there even if they did get quite a bit of luck and help from two video replays which went their way. Both happened to be no goals against Morrow, who should’ve had a hat trick and a five-game series victory for his team.

He really got jobbed on the first one. Even Neil Smith was beside himself at how they could actually conclude that was a “kicking motion.”

Unbelievable. Still, the Stars should’ve finished it. This could comeback to haunt them. Now, they better wrap the series up in Game Six at friendly American Airlines Center back in Big D. Would you chance going back to a crazy Shark Tank (HP Pavilion- just another lousy corporate bs name) for a suddenly deciding Game Seven situation?

If that happens, they’re toast. Just the way I guaranteed a Ranger victory the other day, I’m doing the same here. If it goes seven, the Stars will not win. Book it!

You know. With all the comeback talk and playoff history, etc. (2004 Boston Red Sox) the Sharks’ second straight win can only be used as even more positive reinforcement for the Rangers, who still trail the Penguins 3-1 with the vital Game Five back at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon at 2 ET on NBC.

The only difference is the Sharks know that they’ll have the fans if it gets to Game Seven. So, how am I viewing this as a Ranger fan? This is what I tell my team, who fought so valiantly to stay alive in winning Game Four 3-0 thanks to marquee performances from Jaromir Jagr and Henrik Lundqvist.

“We took the first step winning on home ice. One win in Pittsburgh tomorrow and we’re going back home the next day where the Garden will be rocking. No way are we losing that!”

This team has played well on the road. They certainly were right with the Pens in the first two games. They know full well they can win there.

The strategy is the same. Play 60 minutes leaving it all out there while channeling the emotions. Discipline will be key. That means like the other night, staying out of the box and taking the play to the Pens. When they attack, they’ve been good. That’s the best defense against an explosive offense. You got to play to win. The Rangers did that on Thursday. Do it once more and we got the Game Six I also promised.

I realllly BELIEVE! Judging from some of the player quotes along with Tom Renney, so do they. They know they can do this. That gives me hope. The inspired dominance of Jagr and a revitalized Lundqvist also give me plenty of ammunition.

Now there’s also another team who needs to start believing later tonight instead of deceiving their fans and a sudden new Flyer fan. I never thought I’d see the day Brian Sanborn would actually be waving orange and black pom poms!

Well, he always did take a liking to the green and white of the Eagles.

The Flyers do have former Sabres Daniel Briere and <gulp> emerging Conn Smythe candidate Martin Biron. Wow. Words I never thought I’d utter about a Flyer netminder.

Truthfully, Brian (grosek18- there’s a long comical story behind that name) nailed most of the points already at why the Habs find themselves in a 3-1 hole with a must win Game Five at Bell Centre tonight.

Biron has stolen three games. The Flyers really shouldn’t be playing right now because Lord Biron if I may call him that stoned the Caps in Game Seven. There never would’ve been a Joffrey Lupul sudden death power play winner on a cruddy call. That’s life. Biron saved his team’s bacon. R.J. Umberger’s also been playing like a beast.

Truthfully, I don’t remember Biron ever being this good. I have to think if the Canadiens continue to dominate play and shots, they’re eventually going to get to him.

Why on earth Guy Carbonneau didn’t start rookie Carey Price in Game Four is beyond me. He got you that No.1 seed and home ice. You don’t bench him for a guy who’s hardly played. It was one of the worst coaching decisions ever. Especially in that situation.

Bri, Carbonneau deserves to get trashed for it. It was irrational. We’re talking about their next franchise goalie. It was a mind boggling decision to say the very least. If they still had Cristobal Huet, fine. Jaroslav Halak? Was he kidding? And no. You don’t fire a Jack Adams candidate unless your name is the Buffalo Sabres and it’s Ted Nolan. God. Only Buffalo.

So, what do the Canadiens need to do to stop this Flyer hot streak? Get to Biron. The sooner, the better. They’re going to have overwhelming support with arguably the loudest fans in the game. A couple of early goals and that place will be bedlem.

The best players also have to be the best players. That means Price, who is back in net tonight must be good. A few good saves early could set the tone and let his teammates know he’s going to be there.

Alex Kovalev, Tomas Plekanec, Andrei and Sergei Kostistyn and Chris Higgins better come to play. They haven’t had great series. I’ve seen an awful lot of heart from their team captain Saku Koivu, who can’t be 100 percent. It’s time for those other big name forwards and also defenseman Andrei Markov to step up. Power play specialist Mark Streit has also been quiet. He needs to pick it up.

When I look at the list of guys I put out here, it tells me that Montreal is very equipped to comeback from this deficit. They have one of the fastest skating teams in the game with tons of skill to go with it. 

One offensive explosion can change the entire mindset of that dressing room.

What’s the formula? Win on home ice tonight. Get one in Philly and then back home for a winner or golf Game Seven in that building. What also shouldn’t get lost is that the Habs were one of the best road teams this season tying with Detroit for the second most wins (25) on the road.

Want to know who was first? The Sharks with 27. Pretty ironic considering what they’ll be aiming for tomorrow night.

Say it with me loud with feeling:

Don’t Stop Believing!!!!! ;-)

As we get closer and closer to the must-have Game 5 for the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre against the Philadelphia Flyers, much of the chatter about Montreal’s woes has been focused on goalie Carey Price and Habs coach Guy Carbonneau, and some bloggers and fans out there suggesting that Guy should be relieved of his duties. Do not expect this to happen Guy haters: No team lets their Jack Adams award or winner go right after that specific season, do they? (Oh wait, Buffalo did that with Ted Nolan in 1997, sorry).

Sure, swapping goalies for Game 4 and inserting little used Jaroslav Halak was a risky move by Guy. Will this surprising move rattle Price? We shall find out, as Price will get the nod in an attempt to send this series back to Philadelphia on Sunday Night.

From my vantage point, the fans of Montreal have put WAY too much pressure and expectation on Price’s shoulders. How many rookie goaltenders do you know have led their team to a Stanley Cup? Perhaps the ‘lucky run’ made by Carolina in 2006, and witnessing goalie Cam Ward lead Carolina to a Stanley Cup set an unrealistic precedence for Price and other starting rookie goaltenders in the playoffs that will follow.  Time will tell on that one.

Carbonneau? When I read someone suggest he should be fired, I could not stop laughing. So Guy turned around a franchise that was spinning its wheels into a 104 point powerhouse in one season, and for that, he should be removed as coach? Please!

Bottom Line: The Canadiens are out shooting the Flyers 142-96 in 4 games so far. And, the Habs are getting players in front of the net and are generating quality scoring chances. The issue here is NOT Price Habs fans, get off your soapbox and recognize the brilliant efforts of Flyers goaltender Martin Biron and Flyers forward R.J.Umberger and realize the truth: The Flyers are just the better team, at least for now.

You want to point the ‘blame’ Montreal fans? Maybe you should point the blame at yourselves, and realize that just because your Original Six franchise has a banner year, it does not automatically mean that you are entitled to a Stanley Cup Championship. The Habs have made great strides this year, and should be a formidable foe for the foreseeable future in the Eastern Conference.

Habs fans need to realize the immense success of this team in 2007-2008 is about just that, TEAM. From Alexei Kovalev to Andrei Kostitsyn, the Habs need to look around that locker room and realize what got them this far: Hard work, solid defense, and dependable goaltending.

And bringing all of these facets together at once will be the ONLY way the Habs can come back and win this series. So put that book of excuses away Habs fans, at least for now.

King Henrik not only stopped Evgeni Malkin’s weak penalty shot attempt but made some history as well becoming just the fourth goalie to ever see two penalty shots in one postseason.

FROM THE STAT WIZARDS AT ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU
Henrik Lundqvist is the fourth goaltender in NHL history to face two penalty shots in one postseason. Lundqvist stopped Evgeni Malkin last night and John Madden in the Rangers’ first-round series against the Devils. Only three other goaltenders faced two penalty shots in one playoff year: Dominik Hasek (2001), John Vanbiesbrouck (1992) and Grant Fuhr (1985).

Only four goaltenders besides Lundqvist recorded a playoff shutout in a game in which they faced a penalty shot: Tiny Thompson (1937 Bruins), Earl Robertson (1937 Red Wings), Chico Resch (1979 Islanders) and Felix Potvin (1999 Flyers).