Tough OT Loss Tonight vs. Isles

After having the last 2 days off for the Xmas break, the Rangers played their second game of a 3 game home stand where they met up once again with the Islanders for the 3rd time in the last 10 days. This one unfortunately did not go the Rangers way as they lost in OT 3-2 but are still 4-0-1 in their last 5 games since the stinker on 12/16 vs. these same Isles. For the fifth straight game, there were lots of good, solid game play, hard hitting and they got true clutch scoring from Dubinsky who scored both including the tying goal with less than a minute to go and some more good goaltending by Lundqvist. There were however points in the game where it seemed like the Rangers were not going to get anything going all night other than the hitting along the boards. The biggest bright spots tonight were that Dubinsky was able to find the net this evening and Callahan had another good game as well. A hat tip goes to Avery who was all over the ice and playing in your face hockey tonight to get the Isles off their game. The defense was ok, but had a couple of hiccups this evening allowing the Isles a couple of opportunities to score and on one of which they did where they got a SHG. One ongoing disappointment I’ve seen is that of Higgins, who seems to fan on and miss more chances to score goals than anyone I’ve ever seen. Maybe he needs a benching to get his head straight as he has yet to score a goal at MSG this year and it’s becoming more puzzling as each home game goes by. As I have said before, this is the time to pick up points as they are playing teams that are behind them in the standings and they should not throw away these potential points, but hey a point is a point and they need all they can get right now. The biggest key is to stay the course and not get frustrated after this setback. Anyway, their next game is on Wednesday evening where they will face the reeling Flyers on the then head out on the road for a New Year’s Eve tilt down in Raleigh vs. the Hurricanes after which they come home for another 3 game home stand on January 2nd to begin the 2010 portion of the schedule which leads up to the Olympic break in mid February. Well folks, that’s it till Wednesday night. Your NYR blogger, Howie