For a team with a 10-4-1 (21 points) record, the Rangers are as schizophrenic as a skating chameleon. While they are within exhaling reach of first place, their critics believe that's not hockey reality. "They look clueless out there," an ex-player and coach snaps. "Mika looks like he's back from the dead." says another sage. "The team is a mirage right now. All their many weak spots are disguised by their goaltenders," a former goaltender insists. So, how come they're three-cushions above the .500 mark as they open their four-game Western swing against Seattle tomorrow night? For one thing, their 15-game schedule so far has been pockmarked with flub teams such as the San Jose Sharks who they barely beat on Thursday night at The Garden. Stan Fischler talks about Matt Rempe. One critic who calls The Blueshirts, "A Paper Tiger," and mocks the idea that coach Peter Laviolette regards Mka Zibanejad as his No. 1 center. Others point out that Captain Jacob Trouba's status should be reduced to Chief Petty Officer and that sometimes-defenseman K'Andre Miller should get himself a new gyroscope so he stops colliding with teammates like Fiery Fil Chytil. Not to overlook the Chytil enigma but the fact remains that every time the checkered Czech goes down with a hit naysayers such as reader David Perlmutter bray that the center never should have been allowed to play after his last season demise. What immediately matters is how the Rangers fare out West. The first stop should be a relative breeze since the Kraken re-define mediocre. Next up is Vancouver, a strong team but beatable as the Islanders demonstrated, 5-2 on Thursday night in British Columbia. The Canucks are followed by the half-baked Flames in Calgary and finally Stanley Cup Finalist Edmonton; so far unimpressive at 9-7-1. "Over the years," says The Old Scout, "the Rangers have done well on these Western trips which look so scary. I can see three possible wins out of the four games – if they find their groove." Yeah, but with a schizoid team like the Blueshirts you can't tell whether they're coming or going half the time.
