A look at the Ranger schedule

July 16, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Yesterday, the NHL released its schedule for the upcoming 2009-10 season. Hard to believe that we’re two months away from preseason.

Hell. The regular season begins a little earlier  too due to the 2010 Winter Olympic Break in Vancouver. Anytime you factor in Olympics, it becomes even more challenging for everyone. How will our team’s key participants hold up? That could go a long way to determining the Devils’ and Rangers’ fate because they’ll each be well represented.

So, what should we expect from a new look Ranger club? Until the roster is set in stone, I’ll withhold judgment. Even if John Tortorella says youth will be served to his favorite beat writer Larry Brooks, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re done revamping. I just will keep my fingers crossed that he’s telling the truth about Brandon Dubinsky, who remains unsigned and didn’t file for arbitration. From all indications, Tort likes Dubi. But would he sacrifice him if it meant reuniting with old acquaintance Brad Richards? The Blueshirts are still looking for a No.1 center. As much as I want to see Dubinsky get the chance to play with Marian Gaborik, that might not be the organizational philosophy. We’ll see.

With the official schedule finally released, it didn’t take long to notice a few things:

-The first three games against the defending champion Pens (kinda figures), Sens and Devils come in a four-day stretch. By comparison, the Islanders and Sabres each play one game with the second five days later. So, there won’t be any favors done early in a busy month that also features another tough three in four against the Ducks, Leafs and Kings with at least the trio all visiting MSG the following week. In between, they visit the Caps. In fact, four Pacific teams visit Broadway which means we could be selling some tickets pretty early. The lone exception is the Stars who don’t visit until Jan.6, 2010.

-In the first month, the Blueshirts play 14 games with half coming at home including five over a six-game span with the Devils making their first visit on Oct.22. The Rangers visit Scott Gomez’ new team Montreal Oct.24. Following their first taste of John Tavares on the Island, the Rangers conclude October on All Hallow’s Eve when Gaborik makes his return to St. Paul. Will it be sweet or sour treats for the ex-Wild star?

-In November, the Rangers play 13 games with six at home including a visit from the Bruins the first day. Will that include Phil Kessel?

-Following a critical Western Canada swing with stops at Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary with at least a day in between, the Blueshirts return to MSG for four of the next five against Atlanta, Washington, Florida and Columbus with a visit to Ottawa sandwiched between.

-They’ll finish the month with three of four on the road including their first Florida swing beginning on Turkey Eve at Florida before concluding in Tampa the day after Thanksgiving. They then end with a home-and-home versus Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Pens who figure to get rudely greeted on Nov.30. It’s a Monday which probably means the dreaded Versus with extra commercials.

-The Blueshirts get the first four days of December off before visiting Western New York for a get together with the Sabres. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll have to turn around and face the Red Wings at MSG the following night. Following my birthday, they then will visit the Windy City for another stiff challenge against the Blackhawks on Dec.9. Half the 14 December games are at MSG meaning they’ll be done with nearly half the home schedule the first three months. The longest homestand is three which they’ll do quite a bit including visits from Buffalo, Atlanta and Tavares’ first taste of the Garden on Dec.16. That’s a Wednesday night. So, circle your calendars.

-The month should get harder with stops in Philly and Raleigh before returning home for three against the Panthers, Isles and Flyers. The best aspect is that the Rangers and Islanders meet three times including a home-and-home Dec.16-17 along with a game the day after Christmas. There should be plenty of holiday cheer or jeer. They also play the Flyers, Sabres and Candy Canes twice including New Year’s Eve at RBC Center. So, plenty of big Conference games against quality competition. Factor in games versus Detroit and Chicago and December is quite a month. It won’t get much easier.

-With the Olympics after Valentine’s Day, the Rangers and the rest of the league will be quite busy in January. In fact, they’ll play 16 games over 29 days including nine more at home. Including four more home dates in an abbreviated February, the Blueshirts will have already played 32 with only eight left the final two months. They start January with a three-game homestand versus Carolina as part of a home-and-home with Boston and Dallas also visiting.

-Highlighting the month are visits from the Devils on Jan.12 and the Canadiens with Gomez making his MSG return Jan.17 on a Sunday night. The Blueshirts don’t have many road games but do have two-game stretches at Philly and Montreal and finish the month with back-to-back in Rangers West Phoenix and Colorado. I’m kinda looking forward to seeing how good Matt Duchene is. By then, we’ll be sick of Tavares.

-As previously noted, four of the club’s six are at home for February before the break. After a visit to Hollywood, the Rangers return to host the Caps, Devils and Preds. The final two are at Pittsburgh with the Lightning in town on Valentine’s Day for an early 1 PM start Sunday probably on NBC.

-Not surprisingly, March is fairly busy with 14 games. Eight will come on the road including stops at Washington, Boston, Toronto, the Devils twice and the Islanders on Mar.30. The Rangers will be done with both the Devs and Isles. The Pens visit MSG Mar.4 concluding the season series. There’s also another three-game homestand against the Flyers, Habs and Blues.

-Probably the toughest stretch will be the final nine games featuring a six-game road trip which starts local with a Mar.25 visit to Newark. They also face Toronto, the Islanders with a Florida swing before finishing with what figures to be a pivotal game in Buffalo on Apr.6.  It doesn’t get any easier with two of the last three against the Flyers including you guessed it. Another home-and-home on Apr.9 at MSG and Apr.11 at Wachovia Center Sunday at 3 to conclude the season. The Rangers’ final home game comes versus Colton Orr and Toronto on Apr.7.

-Seven of the Blueshirts’ last nine are on the road. From March on, they play 12 of the final 20 away from MSG. That’s what happens when you share an arena with the Knicks.

Break Down By Day

Sunday-10

Monday-10

Tuesday-9

Wednesday-13

Thursday-13

Friday-7

Saturday-20

So, there you have it. The Ranger sched. Why do I feel like I already took part when the games haven’t even been played? Never mind.