Posted by By Jon Gabrielle, NY Rangers correspondent
A week ago, the N.Y. Rangers sky was falling.
Today, sitting in 10th place in the conference, it may still be descending upon them, but there is a hint of blue in them silver clouds.
Three consecutive wins can have that effect. Even if the wins came against the Islanders, Flyers and Hurricanes, the bottom-dwellers of the Eastern Conference.
Blurred vision aside, a win’s a win a s they say in a world rife with cliches, so the Rangers plod along toward the Holiday break moving in the right direction and feeling better about themselves.
Head Coach John Tortorella said, “we’re just trying to gain some confidence…and as you find a way to win some hockey games you start to feel better about yourself.”
After Thursday’s five goal outburst versus the Islanders, the Blueshirts reverted to their recent trend and inability to score consistently. Wins against Philadelphia and Carolina both were accomplished with only two tallies, sauf the empty netter against the Canes. Once again the team leaned inordinately on their Swedish backstopper, Henrik Lundqvist.
King Henry w/no back-up in sight.
Tortorella has been consistent in his appraisal of the teams fortunes. “It’s no secret, we’re leaning heavily on Hank.”
With Chad Johnson still up as the backup netminder and Valiqutte getting some necessary work in the AHL, there appears to be no respite for King Henry on the horizon.
In an Olympic year and Lundqvist expected to play all of the Sweden’s games in Vancouver, his workload, both physically and mentally will be taxed like never before.
The Rangers look to build some momentum as the schedule maker has at least cooperated. After tonight’s game with the Panthers at home, they will again play the teams they beat during their mild winning streak. facing the Islanders and Flyers at home while having a home and home with Carolina.
With six of the next seven games at home, the Rangers may be at a crossroads determing the direction this team is headed in the second half. Sometime after the New Year we should all know the answer.
“We just need to stay within ourselves and play a simple game. And I think we’re on the right road,” the coach thought out loud.
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