AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Rangers coming around DATE: 10/30/2006 04:38:00 PM ----- BODY:

REVIVED RANGERS: Visiting Los Angeles on Monday night, the Rangers have every right to smile as the road trip gets a bit more intense. For starters, let’s have a chuckle over the manner in which some skeptics scoffed after several Rangers lauded their performance in the 4-2 loss last week at the Garden to Florida. Chaps such as Henrik Lundqvist and Brendan Shanahan saw good, despite the defeat. So did I although others keep insisting that a loss is a loss is a loss. As an old friend would have said to the critics: “That’s right; you’re wrong!” The Blueshirts’ performance in Gretzkyland on Saturday night was not only impressive because of the 7-3 score but meaningful on many counts. To wit: * CHEMISTRY: The hockey club looked like a TEAM from offense to defense to goaltending. * JAGR: As I told my buddy, John Giannone on the MSG pre-game show, “Time is a healer” and Captain Jaromir needs time to heal. I also noted that with each game, he should be better. His two goals and 12 assists underline my point. * RENNEY’S RECLAMATION: Slowly and tenderly, Coach Tom is easing Sandis Ozolinsh back into the lineup. While SO wasn’t exactly Norris Trophy-caliber against Phoenix, he was not a debit. In time, he should remove any need to talk about Brian Leetch’s return. * GOING FOR THE JUGULAR: Once Team Renney had established its superiority over the Coyotes in the second period, it could have eased off. Instead, the boys in blue kept going for blood and put the game beyond reach before exhaling late in the third. There’s still work to be done but the bottom line – as it will be most of the season – is spelled J-A-G-R. And if Saturday’s performance suggests that the captain is emerging from his less-than-overwhelming start, we’ll have a more definitive answer late on Monday night. At this point in time, the operative word is “encouraging.” SWEET SIOUX: Both Zach Parise and Travis Zajac represent the Devils offensive future. However, emergency conditions – sidelining of Scott Gomez – means that their future happens to be NOW. Or, to be more specific, it began in earnest on Saturday night when the two former University of North Dakota aces combined for the one and only goal in a Martin Brodeur shutout over Columbus. (Marty’s second straight blanking, by the way!) Zajac took the second period shot; the puck caromed off the boards and Parise – with astonishing speed and amazing recover-ability – stuffed the puck behind goalie. This is not to suggest that the duet will forever remain united but there was something about the sudden-ness of their jelling that indicates coach Claude Julien had better keep them united – even if Gomer is ready to return on Thursday night for the Islanders. And let’s not forget that, because of Brad Lukowich’s injury, once again the inexperienced defensive trio of Johnny Oduya-Jim Fahey-Alex Brooks managed not to allow a single goal; with some help from Brodeur, of course. Each of the three is playing for a varsity job; especially Oduya and Fahey. Richard Matvichuk should be back before Thanksgiving – assuming that his back is repaired – and David Hale is due even sooner. Scoring still is an issue. I’d prefer seeing Patrik Elias shoot more than pass. The new captain is passing up opportunities either because he’s too generous or too tight; or both. I expect him to bust out very soon. This has been a challenging first month for Julien. For comparisons sake, keep in mind that at this time last year, the Devs were 6-5-0 with 12 points after ll games. All things considered, the current 6-4-0-1 mark with 13 points ain’t too bad! READING RICKY: I haven’t quite figured out Rick DiPietro. Have you? Watching the nimble goaltender facing both Buffalo and Florida, in succession on Thursday and Saturday, I find that I’m looking at two different performers. Against the undefeated Sabres, DP was out-goaled by Ryan Miller when it counted. Yet, I won’t blame the 3-0 loss on Ricky. What I can say is that he didn’t “steal” the game. On the other hand, he played well enough to keep his pals in the Panthers game, surviving overtime in an interesting battle with veteran Ed Belfour. But when it’s Shootout time, DiPietro turns into the second coming of Patrick Roy (or name any other of your all-time favorite goalie) and showed that skill and composure, turning away nine out of 10 shooters, until Andy Hilbert iced the game for New York. Some critics say that DP still loses focus; others claim his defense is wanting. All this may be true. I’m still looking for Ricky to get his game up a notch and I don’t mean on Tuesday night at home against the Blackhawks. If I’m coach Ted Nolan that would be the ideal game for Mike Dunham. DP should be held out until Thursday night in New Jersey. For some reason – no doubt the sight of Marty Brodeur at the other end – Rick gets motivated beyond all reason facing New Jersey. CONCLUSION: Fat contract or not, DiPietro is a work in progress.

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