Rangers look to take quack out of Ducks

October 11, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

It’s football Sunday. So, naturally that means one of those weird late Garden 5 PM starts. At least they had the good sense to schedule it following the Giants-Raider game with the Jets not playing Miami until tomorrow night. Speaking of odd, why on God’s earth are the G-men playing in Oakland at 10 AM Pacific? I realize CBS has the battle of unbeatens in the second part of a doubleheader between the Pats and Broncos but c ‘mon! Makes no sense.

Anyway, as A-Rod and the Yankees try to sweep Minnesota an hour later, the Rangers host the Ducks this afternoon in one of those games we got rid of. Just not a fan of Sunday hockey. It doesn’t really work during football season but I guess they had no choice considering how busy MSG gets. Speaking of which, would it kill Dolan to allow the Sabre feed to be shown when our other Battle teams play? How greedy can he be? At least he’s not as retarded as Versus. But it’s a close contest.

Today, the Blueshirts aim for four in a row. Since a 3-2 loss to the defending champs, they’ve responded well pulling out three straight against the Sens (improved), Devils (Michael Myers) and Caps (Ovechkin!). I just wanted to say that last one because I always loved the commercial with Sidney Crosby. A rare time where Sid The Kid didn’t bother me.

So, how will a rested Ranger club do against a team that showed some mettle, coming back to beat the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout last night thanks to ageless wonder Teemu Selanne (2 G, shootout winner)? Being that it’s the Quackers third game in four days, you’d think the Rangers might have an edge. It’s Anaheim’s final game of a four-game trip which has seen them turn it around. Following an 0-1-1 start, they routed the Bruins and beat the Flyers last night. So, they’ll come in with confidence.

Figure the big line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan to be better than Saturday. It will likely be up to Marc Staal and Dan Girardi to slow them down. They’re coming off a strong effort silencing Ovechkin. We’ll see if they’re up to the challenge.

Does Randy Carlyle go with Jonas Hiller again or will Giggy make an appearance? Meanwhile, Steve Valiquette gets his first start giving King Henrik a break. In an Olympic year, it’s vital for Vally to perform well because John Tortorella must give his workhorse days off. As evidenced four years ago, they don’t want to tax him.  So, we’ll see if Valiquette passes his first test against a good team.

Sean Avery also returns to make his season debut in front of his favorite fans. Well, really the only fans who like him. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings. Tort had Avery centering the fourth line yesterday but I’m not sure I’d sit Brian Boyle, who’s improved every game and become a PK asset. If I had to choose based on the third line’s emergence, I’d give Aaron Voros the night off and keep Donald Brashear in. Especially with one of the better heavies George Parros on the opposite side.

Michal Rozsival will also play. How he responds to his benching could impact what the organization does. He didn’t talk to the coach but seemed to get why he took a seat. As brutal as he’s been, it’s important for Rozy to bounce back. When right, he can be a decent player. But it says here that this attacking style isn’t a good fit for the Czech blueliner whose confidence has taken a hit.

Finally, per Larry Brooks, the Rangers made a team decision not to do player intros reinforcing the T-E-A-M concept. If that’s what they say, fine. I can buy it because Tortorella doesn’t care for that stuff. Regardless, you have to still believe Brash, Rozy and Wade Redden wouldn’t have been well received.

We’ll see if the team can stay on track and take the quack out of the Ducks.