Rangers Toy Drive Today 4-7 P.M.

The New York Rangers do an excellent job with their community outreach for those less fortunate whether it be the Garden of Dreams, the annual coat drive or the Rangers annual Toy drive which is today.  The collection drive will be held at Madison Square Garden in the Theater Lobby from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m..   Bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the event, fans will be able to get an autograph with current Rangers players who will be in attendance along with Rangers legend Adam Graves.

From information collected from those who have done this before the current players are divided into two per hour session and one toy is required for each hour you want to get an autograph, so bring three toys if you want to participate in all three hours.

Well worth a few dollars to help out those less fortunate this holiday season and spend a few moments with the players from the team you love.

Do Findings Inside Boogaard's Change Debate On Fighting In Hockey?

There is a constant debate amongst some surrounding the game of hockey about the need for and viability of fighting within the sport.  The detractors argue that most who predominantly fight would not otherwise be in the league, while the supporters talk about how it has always been a part of the sport and that fighting can have a purpose within a game.  That debate might be changing more and more with the results of testing on Derek Boogaard’s brain.  Boogaard, who died this past May, was a player who made his living in hockey as a fighter, enforcer and tough player.

Today in Part III of “Punched Out” John Branch at the New York Times reports that the way Boogaard made his living in hockey could have significantly contributed to the condition his brain was in when he died.

Boogaard had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as C.T.E., a close relative of Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head. It can be diagnosed only posthumously, but scientists say it shows itself in symptoms like memory loss, impulsiveness, mood swings, even addiction.  

There is no way to know if Boogaard's addiction issues and change in mood that ultimately played a factor in his untimely passing were a result of this disease directly, but it does add more dimensions to the discussion.  Obviously Boogaard is not the first brain of a professional athlete to show this disorder manifesting itself, but he was by far the youngest and that is the most startling development of the study on his brain.

The scientists on the far end of the conference call told the Boogaard family that they were shocked to see so much damage in someone so young. It appeared to be spreading through his brain.  Had Derek Boogaard lived, they said, his condition likely would have worsened into middle-age dementia.

Does that change the equilibrium on the role of fighting in the NHL?  While one result should not be the defining opinion it is tough to argue with the comments from Dr. Robert Cantu of Boston University.

"However, based on the small sample of enforcers we have studied, it is possible that frequently engaging in fist fights as a hockey player may put one at increased risk for this degenerative brain disease," said Dr. Robert Cantu, co-director of the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE).

Regardless of these results fighting still has a place in the sport of hockey, but maybe the role of fighter/enforcer needs to be done away with for the well-being of people who are willing to do whatever it takes to help their team, even if their brains suffer for it.  The Boogaard family donated Derek's brain to science for the rest of us to better learn how what he did impacts the chemistry of the human brain, so let us take the information and learn from it.

Leafs' Phaneuf Crushes Rangers' Sauer With Huge Hit (w/ video)

During the third period of Monday night's game between the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, Leafs' captian Dion Phaneuf leveled Rangers' defenseman Michael Sauer with a huge hit along the boards.  Sauer was pinching down from the point to keep the play alive and try to get the Rangers the tying goal when Phaneuf stepped up and destroyed him.  Sauer did not return to the game and no update is likely on him until tomorrow as the Rangers are off today.  Tough to see Sauer get nailed like that, but a perfectly clean hit by Phaneuf that must be kept in the game.

Here's the video:

Rangers Winning Streak Snapped In 4-2 Loss To Leafs

The New York Rangers had a number of streaks end in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The loss snapped New York's five game winning streak overall, and seven game home winning streak.

New York played sloppy, lifeless hockey for the first half of the game resulting in a 3-0 deficit just 6:49 into the second period.

Artem Anisimov and Marian Gaborik tallied within 1:32 of each other to give the Rangers hope. Anisimov capitalized on a loose puck in the slot to score his fourth of the season, third straight hame. Gaborik converted on a 5-on-3 on a great feed from Stepan.

The Rangers had chances, but never got the tying goal behind Guatavsson before Steckel sealed the outcome with his empty netter.

Arguably the worst game Ryan McDonagh has played this season aa he struggled all night.
Artem Anisimov continues to improve and was the Rangers best player again.

Video: Winter Classic Promo Commercial

Interesting player choices for both teams as the Rangers used Brandon Prust, Brian Boyle, Marian Gaborik, Artem Anisimov, Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh while the Flyers featured James Van Riemsdyk, Wayne Simmonds, Scott Hartnell, Sean Couturier, Max Talbot and Claude Giroux.

Christian Thomas' Chances of Making Canadian World Junior Team

New York Rangers Christian Thomas had lofty expectations heading into this season as he was coming off a tremendous 99 point (54G, 45A) campaign a year ago.  Thomas struggled out of the gate scoring only three points in his first eight games of the season.  He was picking up his game, scoring in five straight games (2G, 5A) before getting suspended 10 games because of a high sticking incident. 

Team Canada saw enough in Thomas to give him another invite to the World Junior Camp.  While many have written him off as a legit threat to make the team, Brock Otten of OHL Prospects believes that Thomas has a good chance to make the squad:

Christian Thomas
Thomas has a lot of things going for him. He's obviously one of the best pure goal scorers at the camp and could easily slot on one of the team's top lines. But he's also a tenacious forechecker and energy guy who could just as easily slot in on one of the team's checking lines to provide speed and energy. Again, his versatility makes him a very attractive option. He hasn't had a terrific year, with his slow start and suspension, but he's picking it up as of late (with 6 goals and 4 assists in his last 5 games).

Since returning from suspension Thomas has been on fire with 14 points (6G, 8A) in only seven games including three goals and six assists in the last two games.  Playing well leading into camp certainly improves Thomas' chances of making the club as his form will be at a peak level.  His sniping ability also helps him tremendously, but it will depend on what the team is looking for when shaking out the roster.  Hopefully for Thomas he will get the shot, but if he doesn't, then hopefully a response like he had last season will be in store for the Oshawa Generals.

Rangers Just Find A Way To Pull Off Fifth Straight Win

The New York Ranges are finding different ways to win and different players to step each game as they extended their winning streak to five in a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay tonight.  The hero this time was Derek Stepan who scored the game-winner with 3:19 left in the game and added an assist after being unsure if he would even play this morning.  Another game where it was not pretty, but the Rangers are battling through constantly and when the final buzzer sounds the result has them netting two points in the standings.

For the second straight game the Rangers gave up an early goal to the opposition and building a hole they would have to dig out of.  Tonight it was Steve Downie giving the Lightning the 1-0 lead just 1:24 into the game. Downie was left all alone for a slap shot that with the help of a Derek Stepan screen beat Henrik Lundqvist upstairs.

Marian Gaborik had a breakaway mid-way through the first period, but he lost control of the puck and made Garon’s job easy to cancel the golden opportunity.

After the Lightning did everything but score the Rangers came the other way and after a Callahan shot, Brad Richards picked up the rebound and found Ruslan Fedotenko in front for the tying goal 6:38 into the second.

The Rangers would be tested again as they gave up another late period goal when Tom Pyatt scored with just 2:18 left in the second period.  This is one that Henrik Lundqvist would love to have back as he was beaten five-hole from the left circle.

New York answered the bell in the third period scoring three times to turn the 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 win.  Artem Anisimov got it started 6:16 into the third when he made Ryan Callahan’s forechecking pressure and a Derek Stepan pass pay off with the tying goal.  Stepan’s winner was a result of Anisimov’s work leaving Stepan with an empty net to shoot at.  Richards empty netter with to finish it off.

• The resiliency of the club continues to shine through on a nightly basis as they are finding ways to win and sticking with the system no matter what goes on during any moment of the game.
• Rangers need to stop giving up goes early and late in periods as eventually it will bite them.
• Anisimov was excellent all night, effective in all three zones
• Gaborik continues to skate like a man possessed and when he is skating there are few more dangerous in the game
• Michael Sauer needs more credit for just how well he is playing.  Always understated in what he does, but so effective every night.
• Hagelin-Boyle-Mitchell continues to show well even without getting on the board tonight.

Stepan Will Play Tonight, Staal Increases Intensity of Skating

According to Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants, Derek Stepan told the media he will play tonight against the Lightning.  Stepan participated in the morning morning skate today after sitting out yesterday following taking a puck to the ankle on Thursday.  After apparently skating gingerly early in practice, Stepan was able to get up to speed.  Stepan will not wear anything extra in his equipment to protect the ankle.

Also according to Gross, Marc Staal and Mike Rupp skated significantly more intensely today in comparison with Thursday in Carolina.  The fact that both are increasing the intensity is another positive sign that they are without setbacks to this point.

Stepan Sits Out Practice After Negative X-Rays, Unclear For Saturday

Derek Stepan went down to block a shot during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night and came up hobbling to the bench after taking it on the ankle.  Stepan missed practice today, and according Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants had x-rays on the left ankle that came out negative.

"It's a little sore this morning, we're trying to help it," said Stepan. "I'll probably try to skate tomorrow. No, I will skate tomorrow. It was right on the bone but we took pictures (X-rays) and everything came back good. It was a weird spot, it was hard to get feeling in my feet. There was the puck in the zone and there was a lot of action but I couldn't put any weight on it. The swelling wasn't too bad, there was a little bit today but not too bad."

Not having Stepan available for Tampa Bay Tomorrow would obviously force some lineup changes, which is something you never want with the way the Rangers are going right now.  Hopefully Stepan will be better tomorrow and able to go as he has had signifcant chemistry with Marian Gaborik and been a key figure in the Rangers early season success.

Rangers Down Hurricanes For Fourth Straight Win

The New York Rangers continued rolling along, winning their fourth straight, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 Thursday night.  With the current four game streak, New York is now 11-2 in their last 13 games to hold an overall record of 14-5-3.  The Rangers are currently three points out of first in the division, conference and league with four games in hand on the Penguins.

Tonight had the makings of a trap game following three big wins over some of the elite teams in the league.  The Rangers looked like they might fall into that trap giving up a goal just 35 seconds into the game, but the resiliency of the team showed right away as Ryan Callahan tied the game 1:07 later with a power play goal.

New York’s resiliency was tested again at the end of the first when Jeff Skinner scored with just 8.7 seconds left in the first, but there was no fold in the Rangers game.  New York fired back in the second period scoring three times in a 4:53 span to take control of the game.  Ryan McDonagh scored the first one on a shot from the left side that deflected off Carolina’s Derek Joslin to tie the game 2-2.  Marian Gaborik gave New York the lead when he took an Artem Anisimov pass for a one-timer from the slot for his 12th goal of the season.  Gaborik reversed roles on the Rangers next goal when he found Sean Avery in the faceoff circle for a beautiful shot that beat Cam Ward upstairs to make it 4-2 New York.

The Rangers did give up another late period goal when Derek Joslin had his shot deflect off Ruslan Fedotenko’s stick and between Martin Biron’s legs with just 2:13 left in the second.  Carolina could not tie the game and Michael Sauer gave the Rangers back the two goal cushion with his first of the season 5:42 into the third.

• Having 14 different players record a point shows that everyone on this team is doing their part right now
• Biron was shaky at times, but also made some huge saves to secure the win
• Hagelin continues to impress with each game showcasing speed, grit along the boards and solid play on both ends
• Avery played an excellent game tonight and is earning more and more trust from Tortorella.
• The power play is getting their act together and threatening with regularity even when they don't score.  Don't look now, but tonight marked the fourth straight game with a PPG.
• Watching Mitchell take a puck to the face and Stepan get hurt diving for a shot shows how everyone is willing to win