You've heard of the Irresistible Force Meeting the Immovable Object. Well, last night, it happened at Prudential Center when the Rangers literally invaded the Devils.
You've heard of the Irresistible Force Meeting the Immovable Object.
Well, last night, it happened at Prudential Center when the New York Rangers literally invaded the New Jersey Devils.
The only problem for New Jersey is that the Blueshirts were both Irresistible and immovable.
And while they were at it, coach Peter Laviolette's sextet simply beat the crap out of Lindy Ruff's home team, 5-1.
The Maven's Private Best Game Machine went through the roof, dubbing it "New York's Best Game Of The Season." How could it not be? And I'll tell you why because I give you the facts, folks, only the facts
"We were at our best," said captain Jacob Trouba, "with speed and physicality."
Actually, "physicality" is a demure way of describing Matt (The Giraffe) Rempe's first-period meat-grinding whack job on right-wing Nathan Bastian. By the time the poor Devil hit the ice, he must have thought he had joined Alice in Wonderland.
Rempe's reward was a five-minute major and a match penalty which the Blueshirts PK machine handled with ease thanks to Igor Shesterkin's A-1 performance.
"We attacked everything that was a loose puck," explained Laviolette. "It was a total group effort," (Now I'll explain what Lavvy meant one by one hero.
* Vincent Trocheck reached the 20-goal mark while playing the best hockey of his young life.
* Big Al Lafreniere put in a pair of goals giving him 15 for the season. (Remember; it was The
Maven stuck up for Big Al when fans were dumping all over the slow-improving lad. Yay, Big Al!)
* Chris Kreider illuminated his 29th red light. (Although I got only a "C" in arithmetic at P.S. 54 in Williamsburg. I can assure you that one more goal by Lamplighter Kreider will be his 30th. Not too bad for a Ranger who speaks three languages.)
But, to be fair, folks, let's all stand up and deliver a standing ovation for the one -- The Only --Iggie Shesterkin. The Rangers were outshot 40-18, and Shesty was at his acrobatic best. (Were the Circus still around, Prince Igor could have a summer job with the flying trapeze.)
To show one of many -- and there are MANY -- differences between the two teams. New York has two top goalkeepers while the Devils -- Nico Daws had only 13 saves last night -- continue to search for a Number One between the pipes.
Are you counting the many times The Maven has told you that this is the Blueshirts Stanley Cup year? How about the fact that beating NJ was the Rangers ninth straight win. If they beat Philly tomorrow would make it ten straight W's and would tie a team record.
Overshadowed by this total victory was Lavvy's PK artists. "They did an unbelievable job," added the coach.
I'll top that crack: Pistol Pete's stick handlers had an unbelievable game -- and to be redundant, if you don't mind -- their best of the season!
How could any team on any one night top be irresistible AND immovable?
Or, as The Maven likes to sing: "Nice work if you can do it, and you can do it if you try."
The Roarin' Rangers; that is!