Over at The Prospect Park, Jess Rubenstein (who I'm very happy is back after being on the DL with a back issue)  explains how Anaheim rookie defenseman Cam Fowler's success this season combined with Michael Del Zotto's struggles have led to Rangers fans trashing the Dylan McIlrath pick and tries to tell us why the Rangers 2010 first round pick was worth skipping Fowler for...

"That is the element that McIlrath brings to the Rangers, between that 86 inch wingspan and the already built for the NHL body; McIlrath is a defensive stopper. McIlrath means that his partner can pinch in and know that someone will cover for him.

McIlrath does deter people from trying to set up in the crease, McIlrath's 6'5 body says you are not touching Henrik Lundqvist and if McIlrath was a Ranger last season, they would still be scraping off the ice what was left of Carcillo."

Rubenstein also clues us in on some interesting stats regarding Fowler's defensive flaws...

"The whispers said Fowler was soft on defense and right off the bat a -23 does not help his cause...Oh but it gets better people as Fowler in 60 games has just 16 PIMs but here is what should tell you have soft Fowler is; 36 hits and 74 blocked shots. Are you kidding me really you wanted this guy? Why?...A defenseman with just 36 hits? Mats Zucarello has 48 hits in half the number of games played."

...i, as most Rangers fans, was very upset with the Rangers decision to skip over Fowler for McIlrath. But the more I hear and see this kid the more I feel the Rangers made the right decision.

...and now that Rubenstein has pointed out Fowler's defensive deficiencies I'm even more confidence.

...can't wait for the first game he knocks Crosby right on his @ss.

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TheNYRBlog reader Chris P. and his brother were sick of Rangers games being blacked out in the Syracuse area so they purchased tickets for their first ever visit to MSG on Sunday and were treated to possibly the best game of the season as the Rangers defeated the Flyers 7-0...


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TheNYRBlog reader Vincent A. sent me a link to Behind the Net which breaks down penalties drawn by individual player and Ryan Callahan leads the Rangers with 1.7 drawn penalties per game.

Sean Avery, who lead the team in drawn penalties the last two years, is second with 1.4 drawn per game.

...to me the most interesting observation based on these stats, other than more questions on Avery's lack of playing time, is how can Gaborik only be drawing 0.5 penalties per game? I thought star players are supposed to get the calls?

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@thenyrangers tweets this quote from John Tortorella on his goaltending plans for the last month of the season...

"This is Hank's show now..he's rested and he's in a good rhythm I think."

...i think this quote pretty much ensures that we're going to see Hank in there every game for the rest of the season. With how tight the playoff race is I can't imagine Torts is going to take a chance and go with Johnson.

Tortorella also touched on how Bryan McCabe has acclimated himself to the Rangers...

"He has fit right in here...you can tell just how he is with the guys...plus on ice he has right kind of arrogance"

To check out video of the Rangers practice yesterday at the Honda Center click here.

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Bergen Record - Rangers riding on familiar trail

New York Post - Rangers will ride Lundqvist down stretch

Daily News - Henrik holds the key to Rangers run

Newsday - McCabe adjusting to new team and role

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I'll be talking Rangers playoff push on WCWP internet radio which is the home for CW Post University on Long Island at 5:30 p.m. To listen click here and then on the microphone in the top right hand corner.

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Steve Zipay tweets from the Honda Center in Anaheim that the Rangers lines are the same as Sunday vs. the Flyers with Erik Christensen skating with the Gaborik-Prospal-Avery line.

...been real busy at work today so sorry about the lack of updates. Also the comments section is being upgraded so the comment counter on the main page will say "no comments" for a day or so but you can still see all the comments by clicking into each post. Apologize for the inconvenience.

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TheNYRBlog reader Chrs D. sends in this pic of him celebrating Ryan Callahan's four goal, one assist effort after Sunday's 7-0 white washing of the Flyers...


...got to love the collection of Rangers souvenir beer cups. Nice work Chris.

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TSN moves the Rangers up one spot to #9 in their most recent power rankings...

9. Rangers - There is obviously potential here, as the Blueshirts have blitzed the Flyers (7-0) and Capitals (6-0) recently and the return of Marian Gaborik should make them even more potent offensively.

ESPN (16), CBS Sports (16) and The Hockey News (19) also released their rankings.

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New York Post - Rangers have test out West

New York Times - A Pitcher-Catcher Dynamic Framed by Hockey

Newsday - Staple: Maturing Dubinsky a hard-working Ranger

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