AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Rangers Questions DATE: 12/04/2006 04:56:00 PM ----- BODY:

You pick it – what’s the Rangers’ big concern as they prepare for Thursday night’s game at the Garden against the Penguins after the 7-4 loss to the Islanders on Sunday. A. Is it Henrik Lundqvist who pulled himself after a horrific four goal first period? B. Or is it the uncooperative defense which deserted the goalie? C. Or might it be the total team breakdown all the way to the fourth liners? Answer: all of the above. A. For sure it starts with the goaltenders – including Kevin Weekes, who was average at best after replacing Lundqvist. The primary concern is Henny’s confidence, which, for the moment at least, appears fragile. B. The veteran defense must tighten up and play to its abilities. C. It’s time for the third and fourth liners to provide more tangible support for the top units.But let’s get real, it was only one game and the Rangers are in the thick of the mix. My advice is simple; relax and another win streak is just around the corner. But if you want another take, here’s what my sidekick P.J. Lally has to say: It must be frustrating to score a hat-trick and still lose by three goals. Though when asked about how much of a “bummer” it was to lose after such a performance, Brendan Shanahan shrugged it off and said that it was the loss that really affected him. But you could clearly hear the frustration in his tone. The Rangers find themselves without a win in four straight games– a skid that currently places them behind both the Devils and the Islanders in the Atlantic Division. But don’t sound the alarm yet. The Blueshirts have shown that they’re capable of competing with the likes of both Anaheim and Buffalo, the two top teams in the league. What the team lacks is consistency. It’s hard to tell which Ranger team will show up. Will it be the Rangers who outscored Carolina and Tampa Bay by a combined 8-1 in a two game stretch two weeks ago? Or will it be the Ranger team which looked sluggish and slow on Sunday? After being out-hit and out-hustled giving up four goals in the first period last night, the Rangers came out for the second with confidence. They scored three quick goals and actually brought the game within their grasp at 4-3, though it turned out to be too little too late. When any defense allows Viktor Kozlov to net four goals in 60 minutes, there’s not much hope of any kind of comeback. What can be done? I like Tom Renney moving Adam Hall up to the second line with Matt Cullen and Shanahan. Petr Prucha hardly deserved the spot. Cullen’s speed is a huge asset that gives him a lot of scoring chances, but he just can’t seem to finish. If Cully could finish a play, he could provide depth to the lineup – and take pressure off Jagr, Shanahan and Straka.

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THE PERILS OF PAULINE & THE DEVILS Watching the Devils is like catching a glimpse of the age-old silent movie, “The Perils of Pauline.” More often than not they appear to be strapped to the railroad tracks with a locomotive rounding the curve and no hope in sight. And then, miraculously, somehow they’re saved. I have seen several chapters of the “Devils’ Perils,” but the most unreal of all took place on Saturday night in Philadelphia. Who could believe it? The Devils, who often make it seem as if scoring a single goal is a major achievement, were down 3-2 when Paul Martin was hit with a penalty and only three minutes and change left in the game. Since the Devils never score a shorthanded goal, the game, for all intents and purposes, was over. I give my buddy Chico Resch credit because he said that New Jersey’s penalty killers just might go on the attack .Sure enough, Johnny Madden moved the puck over the Philly blue line, spotted Brad Lukowich coming down the middle and watched Jay Pandolfo head for the goal to screen Philly’s netminder. Lukowich, who hardly ever scores, delivered a delicious high wrist shot over Antero Niittymaki’s shoulder while Pandolfo provided the screen. And, so, a 3-2 defeat suddenly became a 3-3 tie which led to a Devils dominated OT but no score. Next came the shootout magic with Zach Parise and Brian Gionta executing fantastic fakes – and goals – while Marty Brodeur stopped Simon Gagne and Petr Nedved. The problems is that in “The Perils of Pauline,” the lass always survives. You have to wonder whether the same will hold for New Jersey’s sextet.

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ISLES IN FIRST Why are the Isles in first place? Two reasons: 1. Viktor Kozlov 2. Ted Nolan. End of story.

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Aaron B. DATE:12/05/2006 09:40:00 AM Why is it that Victor Kozlov couldn't a hit a goal the size of a broad side of a barn last year nor handle the puck well at all (it was like he was afraid of it) with the Devils, and then all of a sudden turn into a genuine scorer with the Islanders? It makes no sense to me. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ryan DATE:12/06/2006 10:20:00 AM Hi Stan,

Love your work!

I pray the Rangers put Kasper in Thursday night! This line-up needs some sandpaper badly! Ozolinsh & Rachunek are too soft!

I still can't see why Renney plays Orr, Hollweg fights more and can play! It also has not stopped teams from taking runs at Jagr! ----- --------