Blue Line Station - A New York Rangers Blog

If only there were a shot-blocking competition... (Alan Maglaque-US PRESSWIRE)

It seems that NHL’s website has chosen Dan Girardi (as well as Sean Couturier) of all people to blog his experiences during this All-Star weekend in Ottawa, and he’s already submitted his first post. In it he talks about what it was like to be chosen in the draft, what his plans are for the next few days, and going through an existential crisis of not knowing his role in the Skills Competition. And yes, there’s a Landon Girardi mention.
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The Rangers' representatives at 2012 All-Star Weekend from L to R - Henrik Lundqvist, Dan Girardi, Marian Gaborik, Carl Hagelin, John Tortorella

The 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend in Ottawa, Ontario officially kicked off on Thursday night with the second annual 2012 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft.

And for the first time in 15 years, the Rangers were represented by three players at the All-Star Game – Goalie Henrik Lundqvist, the alternate captain for fellow countryman and hometown favorite Daniel Alfredsson’s team, first-time all-star defenseman Dan Girardi, and winger Marian Gaborik. Rookie Carl Hagelin is also involved in the Skills Competition and John Tortorella will coach Team Alfredsson as well. Those are enough reasons for a live diary of Thursday night’s draft.

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Matt Moulson of the Islanders is one of the featured players in the video series. (John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE)

We here at Blue Line Station love the game of hockey and all of its amazing facets. When it gets the correct national exposure, it’s our hope the sport can continue grow into a game the casual fan wants to watch. Part in partial to that, the NHL and NBC Sports Network have formed a collaboration on a 10-segment, educational video series called “Science of NHL Hockey,” where aspects of skating, shooting the puck, goaltending and much more will be analyzed by scientists. It ties into the NHL All-Star competition, as NBC will air the segment of shooting the puck right before the hardest shot competition Saturday night. If the hockey geek in you hasn’t laughed awkwardly with joy after reading that sentence, you might want to check your pulse.

More information on the video series including a link to the first segment after the jump.  Continue reading this post »

I Really Hope Torts Was Looking At Larry Brooks (5-hole.com)

The Rangers have played great hockey so far this season. While at times it hasn’t been pretty, the Rangers find themselves tied for first in the east. It was a good win against the Jets on Tuesday night and the Rangers need to keep the momentum going.

There are still some things that could use some work though, because I think the Rangers can play better. The game against Winnipeg was a very complete game but there were still some mistakes that could have ended up in the back of the net. Good scoring chances will occur but lucky for the Rangers they have the best goalie (in my opinion) in the game.

Read more to see how I think the Rangers can improve their game after the All-Star break. I made up three things the team should do during the break, and a list of players they should try to acquire. Continue reading this post »

Hagelin will join Dan Girardi in Ottawa as All-Star Game newbies. (Bruce Bennet/Getty Images)

Josh Rimer has reported that Carl Hagelin will be filling in as an injury replacement as part of the All-Star Game’s rookie invites. On top of those selected to take part in the All-Star game, the NHL invites a select number of rookies to enjoy the weekend festivities and take part in the Skills Competition. Hagelin will now join that group and thus travel to Ottawa with Lundqvist, Gaborik, and Girardi.

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Well somebody looks happy to have finally scored. (Frank Franklin II/Getty Images)

This was not a measuring stick game for the Rangers by any means. The already mediocre Jets were without Byfuglien and Burmistrov tonight so this was a game that the Rangers not only should have won but should have won without much drama. but give them credit for getting the job done. Coming off a huge game against the Bruins and with the All-Star break in sight, there was definitely room for a Rangers let down. It was a rather simple game but it is what it is. The Rangers are a great team and the Jets are an average team, and that was reflected on the ice. Let’s look at some post-game notes one last time before the All-Star Break.

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  @ 

 (22-21-6, 50 points)  _  (30-12-4, 64 points)

“This is all we have ahead of us right now, the game against Winnipeg, so we are going to be laying it on the line (Tuesday) night, just like we did in Boston and like we try to do every night. But there is nothing else on our minds right now. It’s all about the Winnipeg game.”

-Brian Boyle via Blueshirts United

Opponent Blog: Hockey At The Forks

Tonight at Madison Square Garden (7:00PM MSG), the New York Rangers look to head into the All-Star break on a high note as they face off against the Winnipeg Jets. After their thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the defending champion Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon, the Blueshirts will look to earn their second straight victory before they receive a much-needed break in the schedule.

Winnipeg enters play fighting for their playoff lives in the Eastern Conference. With 50 points the Jets sit in tenth place in the East, just three points behind the Washington Capitals for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference. Monday night the Jets dropped a close 2-1 decision in Raleigh to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Jets are 3-7-1 in the month of January.

Pre-game notes, lineup, and the keys to victory after the jump.  Continue reading this post »