God did you see how good Dubinsky has been with Jagr? and who said to put the 2 together... me. That's right everyone in the world is Gomez and Jagr this. Oh no I thought but Dubinsky up there and let the youngster thrive in that environment. (citation for this is "The Jagr problem" from last month, my first official post) He has what the line needed a combination of speed and size to bring the line together. When Straka comes back I hope he takes Hossa's spot on the line to make it even better. Not to say Hossa hasn't played exceptionally well, which he has... I mean really he is out there everynight playing like he wants to stay in the lineup. The question is where does everyone fit soon though, barring more injuries which with the depth of this team looks like it won't be much of a problem.
It looks like the offense still hasn't taken off yet this year but the defense is still holding the team down. I was thinking last night that the Rangers this year were drawing a lot of comparisions to the Rangers of the post 98 - pre-lockout rangers where the veteran high priced free agents came in every year to bring nothing in return. However there is one difference so far this year its King Henrik and the defense. Not to say that in those years after Messier left the goaltending of Richter wasn't good, it was just riddled with injuries. Followed by brief stints of goaltenders which played the best they could but the defense wasn't there to help. Oh well this isn't those times though because the team defense is there. As soon as this offense takes off, which at this point who really cares if it does as long as the defense is still there to keep them in the game, the Rangers will be successful and win. Also if they keep this up they could take first place tonight and if they keep playing this style may never look back this season.
On a side note what do you think Gomez is thinking? I mean he leaves the defensive minded Devils to come to a more offense oriented team like the Rangers only to see the devils change their defensive philosphy and see the Rangers become the stingiest team in hockey without the ability to score. Even though the Rangers allow players to be more creative in the offensive zone than the Devils he must feel right at home with this defensive style since he has played his whole career in it.
One last note. Keep the lines the way they are!!! Renney don't fuck this up by moving shit around again. I know people are coming back but these lines are clicking if you couldn't notice from the domination and the shots in the offensive zone. Dubinsky and Jagr look more than comfortable with each other on that line, Drury is looking good and starting to get involved more with Shanny and Dawes and Gomez has looked good in 2 games with Prucha and Avery. I don't need to say anything about the 4th line since they have been playing together for a year already and they continue to play strong defense and get those random chances you expect from a 4th line. So keep up the good work boys.
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