Game 7: win or go home.

Capitals 5 Rangers 3
guh.
The Rangers were without head coach John Torterella, (suspended one game for throwing a water bottle at a Washington fan) and Blair Betts (knocked senseless by Donald Brashear's elbow to the jaw). Henrik Lundqvist was pulled after 2 periods for the 2nd straight game (although he made MANY fantastic saves).
The boys have been stymied for the most part by an aggressive Capitals' attack, and especially by rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov.
Any good news? Brashear has been suspended for 5 games for that vicious (and unpenalized!) hit on Betts. Oh by the way, Betts will miss game 7.
The series is tied 3-3. All of the New York wins have been squeakers, and all of the losses have been near blowouts.
It all comes down to a game 7 in Washington tonight...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Stop screwin' around.

Capitals 4 Rangers 0
guh.
I don't think the Blueshirts want to go back to Washington for a game 7, so it might be a good idea to give poor Henrik some help; score some goals and get this thing over on home ice!
Game 5 at MSG on Sunday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Long Live the KING!

Rangers 2 Capitals 1
YAY!
The boys bounced back from the game 3 loss with a goal in the 1st, a goal in the 2nd, and then let King Henrik do the rest. Alex Ovechkin put a shot past the King of the Caps only score, but it could have been very different. Washington got a ton of shots (again). Sean Avery took some stupid penalties (again).
Ranger goals were scored by Paul Mara and Chris Drury:

Captain Chris, this tune is for you: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
From the Ranger web site :
“I don’t think there are enough words in the dictionary to describe what Hank means to this team and how he has been playing,” said defenseman Paul Mara, who scored the first goal of the game. “He’s amazing. He’s our heartbeat. He gives everyone playing in front of him confidence. We love him. He’s awesome. He’s The King!”

Rangers can take the series with a win in Game 5 tonight in Washington...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

uh-oh.

Capitals 4 Rangers 0
guh.
Suddenly, the tables were turned. I wasn't expecting a sweep, but shut out at home? guh.
Game 4 at MSG on Wednesday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Henrik is the Shutout King!

Rangers 1 Capitals 0
YAY!
The boys went into Washington, DC and came away with a 2-0 lead in the series, YAY!
Saturday's game had big hits:

Big Saves:

And one big goal:

Ryan Callahan, this song's for you: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Game 3 tonight at The World's Most Famous Arena...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Game One WIN!!

Rangers 4 Capitals 3
YAY!
With Captain Chris Drury out with a groin injury, it was up to the unofficial leaders to come through for the Blueshirts.
Scott Gomez had a goal and 2 helpers; Nik Antropov and Markus Naslund each had a power-play goal, and Sean Avery did his part:

The winning goal was scored by Brandon Dubinsky, who took a pass along the boards, made a sneaky drag move to fake Caps defenseman Jeff Schultz out of his jock, and took a wrist shot from the slot that beat Jose Theodoreto the glove side.

Brandon, you're making Ranger fans very happy: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
But as usual, none of this joy would be possible without the brilliant efforts of Henrik Lundqvist. The King stopped 32 of 35 shots, including 13 by Alex Ovechkin. (13!) Ovechkin wasn't completely silenced, he had 2 assists on the power play. Speaking of power plays, the Rangers took way too many penalties (7) against a team that scores the way Washington can. (3rd in the league in total goals) So thanks, Hank:

Game 2 Saturday in Washington...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Regular Season Ends With a YAY!

Rangers 4 Flyers 3
YAY!
The Rangers end the regular season with a 3 game winning streak, including back-to-back wins over the Flyers. Well done, boys! 2 goals by Brandon Dubinsky and a 3rd period comeback rally to tie (Sean Avery) and take the lead (Blair Betts) helped make this a happy day for New York, and thwart Philadelphia's chance for home ice advantage in their first round series against Pittsburgh.
Brandon, this song is for you: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The Blueshirts actually came from behind to tie 3 times in the game, that's being very strong mentally, a trait they'll need against the Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals:

Game 1 Wednesday in Washington...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

SUCCESS!!

Rangers 2 Flyers 1
YAY!
The Blueshirts are... Playoff Bound!!
Ryan Callahan tipped in a Derek Morris shot from the point for the eventual game-winner, but the 1st Ranger goal was a source of controversy. Less than a minute into the 1st period, Flyer goalie Martin Biron had made a save and was attempting to freeze the puck for a face-off; however, the ref lost sight of the puck, and watched while Markus Naslund and Callahan poked at Biron, eventually forcing him (and the puck!) into the net. Um... GOAL?!
Obviously, the Flyers were very unhappy with the goal (credited to Naslund). I found this quote at www.courierpostonline.com: ["That's ridiculous, to be honest with you," Flyers coach John Stevens said. The goalie has to be allowed to make the save. You can't push the goalie in the net. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all."]
New York named Henrik Lundqvist its MVP on Thursday, and after stopping 37 shots last night against the Flyers, we know why he is the King. ESPN kept showing Henrik going side to side across the crease to snare a shot with his catching glove that seemed headed for the open net.

WOW!
The Rangers do not have a song for great saves, so this will have to do: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The only mystery left to solve is if the boys will face Boston or Washington in the first round of the playoffs. Final game of the regular season on Sunday in Philly...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

And then there were three...

Rangers 3 Canadians 1
YAY!
The boys picked a very good time to break their 2-game losing streak, and captain Chris Drury led the way with 2 goals. Nik Antropov dived for a loose puck in the crease and scored the eventual game-winner, and King Henrik stopped 24 of 25 shots for the win.
Sing, you dogs!: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
A home and home against Philadelphia is all that's left in the regular season for New York. The Rangers can clinch a playoff berth with a win against the Flyers at MSG on Thursday...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

No goals = No win.

Bruins 1 Rangers 0
guh.
The boys could not get anything past Tim Thomas, and Henrik Lundqvist let in one goal. Somewhere along the way, Sean Avery was his usual self...



And there you have it: Boston clinches the best record in the East, and the Rangers are clinging (barely) to the last playoff spot, with 3 games to play.
Montreal comes to MSG on Tuesday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

the 3rd period of doom.

Hurricanes 4 Rangers 2
guh.
Tied after 2 periods, it was Carolina who did all of the scoring in the 3rd. (2 goals 28 seconds apart). The Blueshirts outshot the 'Canes 38-23. Want more bad news? New York is now in 8th place, and only 2 points ahead of Florida for the final playoff spot. guh.
I'm hopeful, but quite realistic about the boys' chances for a road win against the Bruins tomorrow afternoon in the Hub of the Universe...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

April Gigs! Updated! (again)

Hello again. The Northwest Houston Live Music Meetup are going to try again this Sunday (the 19th) to come hear me play at Tobin's *has fingers crossed for nice weather*
Update #2: due to the Friday/Saturday monsoon, the bikers are skipping day one of their MS-150 Houston to Austin ride, so there's no need for me to be in LaGrange on Saturday, the 18th.
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My 'stimulus program' involves caffeine...
April:
1 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45 (2701 West Dallas, between Waugh & Montrose)
Grappino map
2 Thurs. Hungry's Cafe & Bistro NEXTDOOR Lounge 5-10 (14714 Memorial Dr.)
Hungry’s map
3 Fri. Special Assignment (Sweetwater Country Club)
4 Sat. Grappino 6:30-10:30
1 Sun. Tobin’s Pub Crawfish Boil 3-6:30 11902 Jones Rd. Tobin’s map
7 Tue. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45 (12420 Memorial Dr., just west of Gessner)
Vine map
8 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
9 Thurs. Hungry’s NextDoor 5-10
10 Fri. Robustos Cigar Lounge 9:00-1:30 Robustos map
11 Sat. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly known as Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
Backyard map
12 Sun. Happy Easter!
13 Mon. First Tee Pub 5-9 Corner of Whittington and Dairy Ashford First Tee map
14 Tue. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
15 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
16 Thurs. Hungry’s NextDoor 5-10
17 Fri. worms for scotty.
18 Sat. CANCELED!! (was MS-150 Conoco/Phillips tent LaGrange Fairgrounds)
19 Sun. Tobin's Pub Crawfish Boil 3-6:30
21 Tue. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
22 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
23 Thurs. Hungry’s NextDoor 5-10
24 Fri. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
25 Sat. Special Assignment
26 Sun. Tobin's Pub Crawfish Boil 3-6:30
27 Mon. First Tee Pub 5-9
28 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
29 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
30 Thurs. Hungry's Bistro 'NextDoor' Lounge 5-10