Stan Fischler

Yes, making the playoffs is a realistic possibility. Very real for the Blueshirts. That was evident last night at The Garden because Jonathan Quick proved that he IS the man to lead them out of their monumental morass. Jon's 32-save performance against the Beantowners was vintage Quick. There was no luck involved, just clutch work like the ones when he brought the Stanley Cup to Los Angeles ‘way back when. If you really want to know, losing Igor Shesterkin – even if only for three games – is addition by subtraction. Iggy needs a rest – injury or not –…

The Rangers need a win against the Capitals and here's why.

Since everybody and his Uncle Dudley has been ripping on the Rangers, why should Mark Messier be left out? Well, he hasn't been, and that's good to know. On last night's ABC Networks Washington-Rangers telecast, the legendary Hall of Famer had a few pointed things to say about his former New York team. Mark was the dumpster and the Blueshirts were the dumpees. Since the Blueshirts won the Presidents' Trophy last season and have since visited the NHL's version of Hades, Messier was asked in so many words, “Wha' happen, Baby?” “The core of the Rangers is fractured,” Moose explained.…

Here are ten Rangers points you need to know.

No, it won't be a miracle; more like a revival. That's what tonight's clash with the Dallas Stars amounts to for the Beloved Blueshirts – if they somehow can win. Capturing a second straight W would be a novelty the Blueshirts haven't tried for a while. Why not tonight? My buddy Sean McCaffrey, who publishes Blue Collar Blueshirts. has one answer: “This team is a paper tiger.” (He even said the same thing when they were winning big.) Fair enough. Others also believe that winning two straight for these characters will be roughly equivalent to climbing the Empire State Building…

GM, coach guided future Hall of Famers to 3 straight championships from 1962-64 By Stan Fischler Special to NHL.com

stan fischler Free from the NHL Brig and able to skate his head off for the Wolf Pack in Hartford, Matt Rempe is just dying to get back in Rangers livery.

It's a point for the Blueshirts; that's all that matters. And it will matter a heck of a lot more in the March homestretch. The Stars invaded The Garden last night as one of the NHL's elite teams and eked out a 5-4 decision on an OT power play over the Beloved Blueshirts. “If anything,” says The Old Scout, “the overall result was that the Rangers are not quitting on their coach.” Granted, Peter Laviolette's skaters forgot to beware of “The Dreaded Three Goal Lead” but recovered from that blunder. What's more, a Murderers Row Line became revitalized thanks to…

stan fischler The New Jersey Devils are at The Garden tonight but the Rangers defense may – once again – be out to lunch, dinner and a Midnight Supper.

1. Guaranteed, the next Blueshirt bonanza boy will be Gabe Perreault. The Hockey News Yearbook picks the son of ex-NHLer Yanic Perreault as the top Ranger prospect. 2. The Maven's top scout Jess Rubenstein tells me, “I can't ever recall any Ranger draft pick having a resume like Gabe's. This kid is going to save Drury and Laviolette's job. That is, if they're smart enough to turn him loose.” 3. With all their goalie injuries, Talyn Boyko has become the Hartford starter while Hugo Olas is now up from Bloomington of the ECHL. I'm told that the scouts are scouring…