Update, 4:21 p.m.:
As Random_Ranger points out in the comments section no Russia doesn't necessarily mean no overseas for the Rangers. There have been rumors that Sweden could be an option. Assume Rangers would still be a front runner due to necessity with MSG renovations.

Original Post:
Dmitry Chesnokov at Puck Daddy reports that a deal that would have brought the Rangers and Capitals to Russia to open the 2011-12 is now dead...

"KHL sources said the reason there will be no NHL teams in Russia this season was the League's revenue guarantee request. We were told the NHL asked for a guarantee of $2-$3 million for the trip to happen. The KHL saw it as unreasonable because of simple economics — the Russian league would not be able to break even due to Russian hockey economic streams."

According to Chesnokov, at one point the optimism was so high for a deal that a Rangers representative traveled to Russia to discuss the plans.

Puck Daddy's sources inside the KHL also confirmed that the Capitals and Rangers were the only two teams the KHL wanted to invite to Russia. The plan was to have the teams play exhibition games against KHL clubs, and then open the NHL season with two games against each other — one in Moscow and another one in St. Petersburg.

...wonder how this will affect the Rangers schedule with the MSG renovations to the bottom bowl not expected to be finished by the beginning of the season. Maybe they could start the season in Phoenix then hit every NHL team up the coast of California, then into Vancouver and finally across through Calgary & Edmonton. How's that for a road trip to start the season?

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Adam Proteau at The Hockey News takes a look at the top 10 most hated players in the NHL and look who falls at #3...

3. Sean Avery, Rangers
Avery has cut back on his dastardly ways this season - and he's having a tough time staying in the good books of Rangers coach John Tortorella - but he's always good to turtle after a borderline hit, or commit some other unsportsmanlike act. Players have extensive memories and even if Avery never ran afoul of another opponent, he'd be on this list as long as he plays.

...not sure how Avery can still be a hated player when, if he actually does play, he's only getting eight unproductive minutes a night. Hoping that Wolski's uninspired play of late will open the door again for Avery. And if it does open he needs to step up his game and prove he deserves to be out there.

...also love that Proteau gives specific reasons for the other nine to be hated and for Avery it's pretty much that he's Avery.

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Over at the Hockey's Future, Leslie Treff ranks the Rangers top 20 prospects with Chris Kreider placed at #1...

1. (1) Chris Kreider, LW, 8.5C
Acquired: 1st round, 19th overall, 2009

Chris Kreider recently added Most Valuable Player at the 2011 Beanpot to his many accolades over the last two years. The 19-year-old Boston College sophomore represented the United States for the second year in a row at the World Junior Championships, posting six points (four goals, two assists) in as many games in Buffalo this winter. Kreider's regular season statistics at Boston College (23 points--11 goals, 12 assists--in 31 games), were not dominating nor was he named either to the Hockey East Conference all-star teams or honorable mentions.

Last week, during the final game of the regular season, Kreider sustained a broken jaw, which required surgery and is expected to keep him out of the first round of the Hockey East playoffs. It is very possible that Kreider will sign a professional contract with the Rangers by the end of the summer. However, the fleet forward was extremely raw when he was drafted by the Rangers in the summer of 2009, and while he continues to develop, it might not yet be sufficient enough for him to see time in the NHL. If he does decide to leave college, Kreider will begin next season in the AHL.

The rest of the top 10 includes: 2. Ryan McDonagh 3. Christian Thomas 4. Evgeny Grachev 5. Mats Zuccarello 6. Dylan McIlrath 7. Carl Hagelin 8. Ryan Bourque 9. Ethan Werek 10. Chad Johnson.

...the two biggest surprises for me on this list is how high Grachev is and how low Hagelin is. Maybe it's because Grachev is already playing in the AHL, while it's hard to predict how well a player will assimilate to the NHL from the college ranks in the case of Hagelin.

...make sure you click the above link to check out the rest of the list which includes Pavel Valentenko and Tomas Kundratek among others.

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For anyone who missed my appearance on the Hockey This Week podcast live from The Beach House in Long Beach last night can check it out below (I'm on at the 7:30 mark)....



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Update, 12:36 p.m.:
Dave Lozo at NHL.com gives Lundqvist some Vezina props.

Original Post:
Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has this quote from Henrik Lundqvist on his focus coming down the stretch...

"Me personally, I just see it as the playoffs right now. It's fun. You can feel the intensity and the importance of every point. Everything I do right now is just about preparing for the next game—just save a lot of energy, rest a lot and get ready for the next one."

...this isn't a knock on the rest of the team, but no one wants to bring a Stanley Cup back to New York more than Lundqvist. There has been some criticism of him possibly being more focused on some of the off ice stuff he's involved with but this quote tells us exactly where his head is at.

...one knock I've had of Lundqvist is his inability to put the Rangers on his back and steal a series in the playoffs (see Halak last year). I know he's won two series and was unbelievable early vs. the Caps back in 2009, but he's also been outplayed by Miller in 2007, Fleury in 2008 and then Varlamov in the 2009 series (check the tape Varlamov was good after coming in for an ineffective Theodore - 6 goals allowed in 5 games with 2 shutouts).

...having said that Hank looks more focused than ever and I truly expect him to be the difference for the Rangers in the playoffs.

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TheNYRBlog reader Howard S., originally from Rego Park currently living in Dallas, sends in this pic of him and his buddy Dave during the Rangers 6-3 victory over the Islanders last week. Howard was quick to point out that the Rangers were 4-0-0 during his week in New York. If the Rangers make it to the playoffs we may need to collect some money to fly Howard back out here...


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Christopher Botta at Slap Shot has a great feature on the young Rangers defense that has impressed all season long...

"Only Steve Eminger, an occasional healthy scratch but a favorite of Coach John Tortorella because of his feisty play, has a negative plus/minus ratio at minus-2. The rest are a combined plus-59. They are a big reason why the Rangers have scored 36 more goals than they have allowed this season, fourth in the league behind Vancouver, Philadelphia and Boston."

...it truly is amazing that the Rangers are a +36 on the season and are fighting to get into the playoffs.

Botta adds that the the most pleasant surprises on defense has been the play of Michael Sauer (a team leading +18) and Ryan McDonagh (+17)...

Sauer had this to say about his pairing with McDonagh...

"We're learning together," Sauer said. "We lift each other up during the long haul of the season and during games like tonight."

Here's video of Brian Boyle discussing the Rangers young defense...




...the Rangers young defensemen have been playing like five year veterans and is one of the biggest reasons for the Rangers success this season. Like I said last night, I was so pumped to see the Sauer/McD pair on the ice in the final minute to help preserve the win.

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Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has this quote from Brandon Dubinsky on linemate Ryan Callahan...

"Cally's a hell of a hockey player and, he does so many great things that he's really underestimated with how high his skill level is. You don't even notice but the guy's about a point a game right now, and especially coming back from the injury, he's been on fire. He's got great vision and great talent..."

...please remind me why this guy isn't wearing the "C"?

...or why Dubinsky doesn't have an "A".

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Bergen Record - Rangers maintain their focus in 1-0 win over Panthers

Bergen Record - Rangers' Bryan McCabe puts hurt on former team

New York Post - Dubinsky late strike snaps tie

New York Post - Rangers' Lundqvist notches NHL-leading 10th shutout of season

New York Post - Rangers are 'homing' in on playoff berth

Daily News - Callahan, Dubinsky give Blueshirts 5th straight win in 1-0 shutout of Panthers

Journal News - Rangers just worried about winning

New York Times - One Play Is Enough for the Rangers

Newsday - Dubinsky goal gives Rangers win

Newsday - Staple: Rangers able to avoid a letdown

Newsday - Shorthanded no disadvantage for Rangers

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters on March 22 after the Blueshirts defeated Florida 1-0 at MSG for their fifth straight victory.


Rangers vs. Panthers highlights.

Meanwhile, Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has numerous post game player quotes...

Brian Boyle on the game...

“I thought we played pretty good, though. We created some chances. I thought we defended well. We didn’t have a letdown. This was a big game for us. You look at a time like that sometimes, it’s not a playoff team, they’ve had some turnover on their roster. But we knew they would come in and play hard, and we can’t afford, especially in our situation now, coming off some wins, to take any kind of letdown. We can’t take a breath. We’ve got to keep going. And I thought we did a pretty good job.”

Brandon Dubinsky on his game winner...

“It’s big. I guess somebody had to do it. So it’s a pretty good feeling to bury there. But just a great play by Artie and Cally there. We were buzzing around most of the night, and for us to continue to stick with it, we knew we were going to get one, and we were able to capitalize there.”

Henrik Lundqvist on the temperature of the team...

“We’re just playing hard, we’re sticking with what we’re talking about, and pucks seem to bounce our way. We just have to be honest to yourself when you play. Even though you’re winning you know you can always improve, and I think last  game we did a few mistakes, but we corrected tonight and played pretty solid.”

Ryan Callahan on his line taking offensive responsibility, to make the difference:

“I think all year we’ve felt that way. We feel like we’re a line that needs to produce and put up points for us to be successful. And we put that pressure on ourselves as a line to go out there and make a difference, and not only create energy and play well defensively, but at the same time we’ve got to put points on the board for us to win games. We’ve had our ups and downs a little bit this year but I thought we’ve been pretty consistent with that.”

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