[GDT] Flames @ Rangers, 5:00 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[Puppet Guy]

Back to back, and gunning for four in a row. The Flames leave Jersey on a high and head to the big city to take on the Rangers.

some Rangers-heavy table setting (www.calgarysun.com)

The Rangers are sweating through a miserable stretch, with just three wins in the past month. They might have bottomed out in Wednesday’s 6-1 drubbing from the Boston Bruins, their fourth straight setback. “That was one of the worst games of my career and one of the worst games I’ve ever been a part of in my Rangers career,” captain Ryan McDonagh told reporters after the lopsided loss. Star netminder Henrik Lundqvist, yanked after allowing four goals on 16 shots, summed it up as “disappointing, frustrating and embarrassing.”

There was little doubt the Rangers would be sellers at the Feb. 26 trade deadline and team president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton essentially confirmed it Thursday in a letter to fans: “ As we approach the trade deadline later this month and into the summer, we will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character. This may mean we lose some familiar faces, guys we all care about and respect. While this is part of the game, it’s never easy. Our promise to you is that our plans will be guided by our singular commitment: Ensuring we are building the foundation for our next Stanley Cup contender.”

So … which Rangers should have a suitcase ready as deadline-day approaches? It’s been reported that right-winger Rick Nash has submitted his list of approved destinations under his no-trade clause, while speedster Michael Grabner — he currently leads the team with 21 goals — has also been a popular name in the rumour mill. On Thursday, the Rangers dangled defenceman Brendan Smith, signed last summer to a four-year deal worth US$17.4-million, on waivers.

The Flames don’t have a lot of fond memories at Madison Square Garden. In fact, they’ve lost five in a row in the Rangers’ home rink, including four in regulation. Their last triumph on Broadway was back on Dec. 7, 2008, when Miikka Kiprusoff was between the pipes and Mike Keenan was behind the bench. Kiprusoff pitched a 29-save shutout that night, while forwards Jarome Iginla, David Moss and Rene Bourque — now an alternate captain for Canada’s Olympic team — provided the offence.

Lineups (www.dailyfaceoff.com)

FLAMES

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Brouwer
Lomberg - Stajan - Hathaway

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone

Smith


RANGERS

Nash - Zibanejad - Zuccarello
Miller - Desharnais - Fast
Grabner - Hayes - Lettieri
McLeod -Holland - Carey

McDonagh - Pionk
Skjei - Kampfer
Holden - DeAngelo

Lundqvist


By reputation, New York City is the home of the mean streets. By all accounts, it looks like the pWo can take care of themselves:

Spoiler!

Go Flams

[Huntingwhale]

Rangers are ripe for the picking. Hopefully their teams is hurt and shamed by their GM's comments about being sellers. Still, the Flames cannot take them lightly.

Let's ruin their Friday.

[Otto-matic]

Go Flames!

Time to get some more breathing room.
*shudders* Go Oilers! Do something finally.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Rangers are ripe for the picking. Hopefully their teams is hurt and shamed by their GM's comments about being sellers. Still, the Flames cannot take them lightly.

Let's ruin their Friday.

You have to wonder about the moral in their dressing room. Look, Hockey Players have tremendous pride, but how hard are they going to fight if their management team has basically thrown them under the bus?

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

You have to wonder about the moral in their dressing room. Look, Hockey Players have tremendous pride, but how hard are they going to fight if their management team has basically thrown them under the bus?

I thought the same thing too. But in the end, the GM has to do what is best long term, even if it means hurt feelings. The top 3 in their division is pretty much set. They still have to jump 2 teams and they can pretty much only get wild card spots.

Teams that are close are going to have to be left out. I like how Sather is being realistic about the situation with the fans. As for the players, they have no one else to blame but themselves. Especially with how strong their team was the past couple seasons. I wouldn't say it was as much the GM throwing the players under the bus, as it was the players taking way too long to get control of the bus.

[YourMother]

What great timing for a game against the Rags. Having your management announce they have given up on you the night before and are starting a rebuild has to be demoralizing. It's a much better circumstance than when we played Buffalo right after they got blown out by Dallas, and the media dragged them through the mud. Expecting a great night!

[Otto-matic]

Will this be the end of the King in New York? Have to think he wants a shot at a cup now if the Rags are going to be rebuilding.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Will this be the end of the King in New York? Have to think he wants a shot at a cup now if the Rags are going to be rebuilding.

He is on record saying he will embrace any direction NY goes. He is fine with a rebuild.

[CaptainCrunch]

This is one of those games where its so important to jump on the Rangers early, stick a knife in them, stomp them with your skate blades til they bleed and see if they'll give up.

If you let a team like this get any kind of momentum it becomes a battle because they're loose and have nothing to lose.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

He is on record saying he will embrace any direction NY goes. He is fine with a rebuild.

Nash more or less said the same thing.

If I were the Organization it would be kind of concerning because it appears that these guys want to be paid to stay and live in New York more than they really care about the Rangers winning.

[Timbo]

Watch out Flames “it’s a trap”! Crafty New York team puts out a press release to ensure opposing teams become complacent.

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

He is on record saying he will embrace any direction NY goes. He is fine with a rebuild.

Just curious because I can't remember right now but has any player ever publicly said they don't want to be apart of a rebuild?

[alan21]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

He is on record saying he will embrace any direction NY goes. He is fine with a rebuild.

I would've thought his desire to win would outweigh his love for NYC.
But maybe he's just saying the right things to the media.

[Otto-matic]

Madison Square Garden also hasn't been too friendly to the Flames.

[habernac]

Peter Loubardias
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Verified account

@fan960lou
1m1 minute ago
More
Troy Brouwer suffered a facial fracture in the game last night. Does not require surgery. The team calling it week to week. Will be re evaluated in 10 days

[socalwingfan]

Brouwer out week-to-week with facial fracture

[bubbsy]

"Not expecting a win, hoping for one".

Really curious if the rangers come out flying after getting rocked last game, or completely flat after the GM just came out saying that they are basically giving up on the season.

[colbym72]

Lazar probably in with Bennett and Janko now?

[direwolf]

Huge trap game. Rangers have struggled this season, and have lost 4 in a row. Flames need to get on these guys early and put the hammer down.

[gamesaver]

I am not so sure if this is the best situation to play them. They may be demoralized, but they can show up tonight with something to prove.They are only 3 points shy of a wild card spot. Don't underestimate them please. Lets go Flames!