Ranger Randomness – The Reality Check Edition

Hey, everyone needs a healthy dose of reality every now and again. It doesn’t hurt ……. too badly at least. I’m on Twitter, read a lot of articles on all different kinds of websites. There are a lot of people that can use some reality so this edition of Ranger Randomness is dedicated to doing just that. Hide the women and children unless they are the ones in need of some realism.

The severity of the Reality Check being handed out will be defined by the use of capital letters, bold text, etc. Caps with bold text and liberal use of exclamation points means that person is/was in dire need of some reality.

On with the show.

To: The Ranger fans who took umbrage with Glen Sather’s comments in which he proclaimed the Penguins as the team to beat.

He is dead on, 100% correct in saying it; both because it is true and the Rangers players need to KNOW that is true. For anyone who seriously thinks a healthy Penguins team isn’t better than the Rangers, REALITY CHECK!!!! I’m not saying the Rangers can’t beat the Penguins in a playoff series but the Penguins have more talent and that can’t be denied.

For those fans who understand the Penguins are better than the Rangers yet still think Slats shouldn’t have said it publicly, Reality Check!! (Notice that wasn’t quite as harsh as the other?) The Rangers got to where they are not because they are the most talented team; they are where they are because they outwork the opposition and execute their system better. If the players suddenly began to believe they were more talented than their opponents or that they didn’t need to work hard, they would be in big trouble. Sather gave them a dose of reality by saying what he did and hopefully the players remember that as they begin their postseason run.

To: Peter DeBoer

If DeBoer legitimately believes he was justified in starting his goon line of Eric Boulton, Ryan Carter and Cam Janssen in their most recent contest with the Blue Shirts then he is the one with hypocrisy issues or memory problems; not Torts. In a post-game interview DeBoer said Torts either had short-term memory failure or was a hypocrite and cited a game played all the way back in December at the Rock when Torts started a line of Ruslan Fedotenko centering Mike Rupp and Prust. A scrap between Rupp and Janssen took place three seconds in.

REALITY CHECK!!!!!!!!!! The Devils goon line in 161 combined games played has recorded all of seven (yes, 7) points, 271 PIM and is a cumulative -35. The Rangers line, in 191 contests has combined for 38 points, 243 PIM and is a -14. The plus/minus isn’t so good from the Ranger trio but still better than that of the Devils goons. In the other categories the Rangers line is simply much better; 31 more points and 28 fewer PIM’s despite having appeared in more contests.

The fact is the Rangers line was assembled as a checking line. Prust is a quality PK guy. Feds has also been used on the PK and isn’t even a noted fighter. Rupp is a big body that can help keep a forecheck going. He also played an average of roughly 10 minutes per game in each of his last two full seasons. Neither Janssen nor Boulton has ever averaged that much ice time per game. Rangers players = solid or better NHL’ers. Devils players = 2/3 garbage + Carter.

Compounding the flaw in DeBoer’s rationalization is the fact the game that began with a Rupp v. Janssen tilt was four months ago. The teams have played four games between that December game and the most recent game. If DeBoer really thought Torts December lineup deserved the type of retribution he put on the ice then why didn’t he do it sooner?

No, this wasn’t about paying the Rangers back for some imagined act of aggression four months earlier. This was all about thinking his Devils could intimidate the Rangers. His Devils had beaten the Rangers in their last meeting and was the more physical team. That may have prompted DeBoer to pursue that same tact this time too. Instead it backfired; the Rangers got the better of the fights and the play early on. If either club gained any advantage from the early fisticuffs it was the Rangers. But for DeBoer to disguise his obvious intentions by criticizing Torts is preposterous and deserving of a second REALITY CHECK!!!!!!!!

To: Chris Kreider

Reality Check! Once your college season is over you need to sign with New York. You have nothing left to prove in college. You have everything a team could want in a scoring, top-six forward. The Rangers need you. You can make a nice chunk of change next year instead of playing with and against a bunch of boys in the NCAA. It’s time to prove yourself against men.

To: Bob Gainey

Reality Check!!!! Maybe you already knew this but not only is Ryan McDonagh very good now he will be even better in the years to come. Against Buffalo he was rushing the puck reminiscent of Brain Leetch. It would surprise me little if he develops into a 40+ point guy in the very near future.

To: Derek Stepan

Hey, I know you are young and all but we really need you to pick up your scoring pace a little. We all think you’re going to be a big-game player for us but it’s crunch time now. Reality Check: Three points over the last nine games won’t cut it. You can do it!

To: Ruslan Fedotenko

If you want to continue your NHL career next year, elsewhere of course, you need to play better down the stretch. You have a bunch of big-game experience and have produced in those spots. This team could use that type of performance in the playoffs from a secondary source like you. With MZA out indefinitely you’ll get your chance to play. Reality check: You’re a UFA after the season and there isn’t going to be room here. You need to put up now to entice another organization in the NHL to help prolong your career.

To: Anyone reading this that hasn’t already signed up on Fan Junkies

What’s wrong with you? It only takes a few minutes to do. Reality Check!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s a great website. I happen to know a few of the people working on it and they’re awesome folks. It’s been all over Facebook and Twitter. Ranger Nation is the official sponsor of the Rangers group page. They do live game chats. Think Facebook but only your sports fan friends are there. So if you’re tired of hearing about your uncle’s bowel problems or seeing pictures of some acquaintance’s three-year old kid and you want to talk to fellow sports addicted fans go sign up now!!! www.fanjunkies.net