Blue Notes
Steve Zipay takes you inside the locker room, home and on the road, with the New York Rangers.
Stanley Cup Finals schedule
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Note the two-day break between Game 1 and Game 2, and only a travel day between Game 5 and Game 6 and Game 6 and Game 7.
Game 1, May 30, 8 p.m., at Eastern Conference champion, NBC Game 2, June 2, 8 p.m., at East, NBC Game 3, June 4, 8 p.m., at West, NBC Sports Network Game 4, June 6, 8 p.m., at West, NBC Sports Network Game 5, June 9, 8 p.m., at East, NBC Game 6, June 11, 8 p.m., at West,...
Tortorella's latest tactic: Beseeching the heavens
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You've heard of the so-called hockey gods controlling the fate of games, and series.
Rangers coach John Tortorella hinted yesterday that he was turning to a higher power.
Asked what he could do to get more offense out of his top six forwards, Tortorella, playing the role of the parishoner rather than preacher, said.
“Pray...I don’t know what else to tell you. We’re going to keep...
Turn the page: Hellish NYR effort needed for Game 5
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Some musings before Tuesday’s practice at MSG:
One goal, from Ruslan Fedotenko, for Pete’s sake, in a game when you needed three.
This is why, back in February, I told you the management rationale behind chasing Rick Nash, and why the Rangers went hard after him. For times like these, when May is winding down and June is for the final two Cup contenders.
As the playoff saying goes,...
Post-Game Xtra: Thoughts, Quotes, Stats,
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More material/thoughts/stats that didn’t get in the paper because of space.
1. True this: "I think the intensity is only going to rise from here,” said Zach Parise. “There's a lot at stake and I think we're ready for that."
2. The Rangers appear to have no answers for the Devils starts. Have a feeling Brandon Dubinsky will dress for Game 5. Rangers need his passion and...
Devils fans try to rock Rock
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As the Devils prepare to host the biggest hockey game in the history of Newark Monday, the number and volume of Rangers fans at Prudential Center continues to be a closely watched - and highly sensitive - topic.
Players repeatedly have cited strong crowd support during these playoffs - in which they are 4-2 at home - and long-time observers said the percentage of Rangers fans in the building...
Game 4 preview: Five Things to Watch
Photo credit: AP
With tires splashing down Mulberry Street, and "Exile on Main Street" in the SUV, have arrived in Newark, and the press room at the Rock is filling up.
Quick trip to the gym coming up to work off the stress, and perhaps a stray pound, but first, some assorted storylines for tonight: Game at 8 p.m., remember.
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Henrik Lundqvist (2-1, 1.01 GAA, .964 save percentage) vs....
Josefson in, Sykora out for Devils
While his players went through an optional skate at the Rock Monday morning, coach Peter DeBoer met with hockey scribes and confirmed that Jacob Josefson will return to action in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final for the first time since breaking his wrist April 3.
To make room for Josefson, veteran Petr Sykora will be scratched for the first time this season.
Josefson said watching...
Live from MSG: Dubinsky out for Game 4, Bickel, Eminger in
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Say hey everyone....What we know for sure is that even though Brandon Dubinsky (ankle) practied with the team here at MSG, he is not dressing for tonight's Game in Newark.
"This team doesn't do percentages...It's either yes or no and tonight's a no," said Dubinsky, who stayed on ice after practice with Brandon Prust, who will serve his one-game suspension tonight, for some drills...
Torts cites Devils hits, illegal picks; DeBoer: "Comical"
Here's Torts's take on DeBoer's accusation of Brandon Prust's "headhunting" on Anton Volchenkov in Game 3:
"Prust has played probably 300-plus games without any hearing. He's probably one of the most honest players... I look at Zubrus' elbow to Stralman; I look at Parise launching himself at Del Zotto. Maybe if our players stay down on the ice, we'll get something...
So...
Sunday papers: Game 3 Coverage & my Sunday Insider
At the Garden waiting for practice and availability and word on Brandon Prust's disciplinary hearing:
Here's my Sunday insider with a few nuggets: http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/steve-zipay/kreider-among-those-trying-new-helmet-1.3728522...
Newsday's coverage: http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers?qr=1...
