Rangers lose 3rd in a row to Thrashers 4-2

When it rains it pours. The lack of effort at times is obvious. After coming off 2 games at home being outscored 10-2, the Rangers should have had something to play for. Mainly first place of course, but most of all, to get back to their game. That once again did not happen against the Thrashers. Both teams got off to a very poor start. Both offenses seemingly skated through the defenses at will, and there were 3 goals scored in the first six and a half minutes. The Thrashers opened up the scoring, after Eric Boulton skated right through the invisible Rangers defense to score on a rebound. The Rangers quickly tied it up two or so minutes later. Marcel Hossa scored, it was his first goal of the season. Took him 25 games, but he finally found the back of the net.

After the first, the teams stepped up their defense, but the Rangers were done scoring. Ex-Ranger Pascal Dupuis had the only goal of the period, once again on a rebound, with the Rangers defense no where to be found on the left side of Valiquette. Steve did make some big saves, as well as his counterpart, Johan Hedberg. The Thrashers were the ones that had the advantage after that. Earlier in the second period, Brandon Dubinsky gave the Rangers a 2 goal lead. But not so fast. He decided to play soccer and kick the puck into the net. Of course in the NHL the stick has to be the one to put the puck in the net. Seemingly after that, the Thrashers had the advantage and the Rangers played passive for a while here and there.

The 3rd period was a stalemate, until late in the third. The Rangers defense decided to pinch and they got burned. Brandon Dubinsky was the only Ranger back, and he should have taken center Bobby Holik off the puck, but decided not to. That only lead to a drop pass to Slava Kozlov, and he ripped it right over Valiquette's shoulder. That was the game winner. Marian Hossa netted an empty netter with 4 seconds to go to give the Thrashers their 4-2 victory.

All in all, it was a great game to attend. I was there live, and it had a playoff atmosphere to it. The crowd was lively, and deservedly so. Both these teams met in the first round of the playoffs last year. Thrasher fans know that the Rangers are seemingly their biggest rivalry. The Thrashers know that as well. They have taken the first 2 of the 4 game series this season. Right now though, the Rangers biggest rival seems to be themselves. They just aren't playing confident at this time, and with a Devils win tonight, they take a 2 point lead in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers next game, of course is against the NJ Devils. Time to show up boys, its hockey time.