Wild To Have Boogaard Memorial Night Nov 27, Your Move New York Rangers

According to Hockey Wilderness, on November 27 the Minnesota Wild will be holding a tribute to honor the loss of Derek Boogaard.  The Wild are doing this the right way giving out posters to the fans, donating to Defending the Blue Line and adding a memorial to the concourse along with selling Boogaard memorial mechandise in addition to video tribute to his life and career.

This only increases the questions Rangers on why they have not done the same for a player, who while only with the organization for one injury shortened season, that was a member of their family when he passed so suddenly in May.  It is a shocking surprise considered how the Rangers organization and fan community reacted over the summer.

When Derek Boogaard suddenly passed away this summer the New York Rangers made all the right moves.  They invited his brother Aaron Boogaard to the podium during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to announce New York's first pick.  In addition, thanks to our friend Kevin DeLury of NYRangers Blog the Rangers fan community got in on the act.  First Kevin organizaed a contest to design a shirt in his honor, then the shirts were sold raise money for Defending the Blue Line. 

The Rangers however have not made the right moves in how you honor a lost teammate since the 2011-12 season started.  There was no tribute to Boogaard in any way comparable to what Vancouver did in honoring the loss of Rick Rypien and certainly nothing to the level of Minnesota appears to be planning.  All they did was a video tribute during a TV timeout during the home opener.  Time for the Rangers to do the right thing and hold a memorial night of their own for Boogaard.

What A Difference A Week Makes In Rangers World

Amazing the difference a week makes.  Going into last Monday’s game against the San Jose the New York Rangers stood at 3-3-3 without having played a single complete game in bunch.  Questions about the offense, defense and even energy level of the team were running rampant while panic was festering in the fan base.  Fast forward a week and four wins later and the mood in Rangers’ land is flying high to the other extreme. 

The Rangers have found consistency not only in their results, but more importantly in their play.  The team, other than against San Jose, is still lacking that consistent effort throughout the game, but individuals and lines are playing their style with significantly more regularity.  The consistency and production has allowed coach John Tortorella to put away the line mixing, other than for Wolski’s injury, for a week and chemistry is building within the lines.  Brad Richards is at home with Dubinsky and Callahan using their physicality to bring more energy to his own game.  Gaborik has shown quick chemistry with Anisimov and Stepan as his wingers.  The Boyle line is finally getting back to playing their forechecking game and the fourth line has brought energy when they have gotten their chances.  Christensen has found some consistency of effort and purpose this week and Andre Deveaux has been excellent in playing his role thus far.

Defensively Girardi and McDonagh continue to be standouts and stalwarts.  Michael Sauer’s consistency is a huge benefit to the team and has aided Del Zotto tremendously at even strength.  Del Zotto is getting better with each game, adding to his confidence and improving his play in his own end.  Eminger and Woywitka have played solid as well and not giving coach John Tortorella any excuse to use newly signed defenseman Anton Stralman.

After a few subpar games for himself, Henrik Lundqvist is back on track and Martin Biron continues to show how valuable an addition he has been since last year.

The mood at 7-3-3 is sky high and with their play in the past week they have earned it.  Now the work continues to maintain or improve the level at which they are playing long-term, but for now enjoy it Rangers fans.