Flashback to 1992. The Rangers were up 2 games to 1 in the second round of the playoffs vs the Pittsburgh Penguins. Up by a score of 3-1 in the second period, Mike Richter lets in an awful goal by Ron Francis from beyond the blue line. We know what happened after that. The goal that gave the Caps a 2-0 lead in game 5 last night gave me the same feeling. It can only go downhill from here.
The game itself was a disgrace. Without Sean Avery in the lineup (a move I actually did not have a problem with), the Rangers rolled over, gave up, and showed no grit and toughness whatsoever. The play that was a microcosm of the whole game was when Erskine was pushing around Callahan and laughing at him, while Cally gave a few token gloves-in-the-face, nothing more. At that spot you just drop them and go. I don't know what he was afraid of- you're not getting suspended for fighting in that situation. At least Torts showed some fire.
Cally is obviously not the problem however. Paging Gomez, Drury, Antropov, and Zherdev! Simeon Varlamov has made the saves he had to make, but he has not faced any sustained pressure at any point since starting game 2. Three goals in the last four games! Lundqvist has won three games for the Rangers, games that easily could have gone the other way. The Caps, on the other hand, have destroyed the Rangers in their two victories. I don't think there ever was this much a pessimistic feeling for a team that had a 3 games to 2 series lead going home for a game 6.
Henrik, please steal us one more tomorrow. I have more confidence against Boston than against the beast that is Alexander Ovechkin.
The other team in D.C. however, is a disgrace. Who the hell is in charge of the Washington Nationals? Let's put together an ensemble of hotheads Scott Olsen, Elijah Dukes and Julian Tavarez. Ryan Zimmerman must love his new ballpark or something, signing a five-year extension. I guess you gotta give the guy credit for being loyal. I'd be looking for free agency as soon as possible.
Johan Santana is locked in and is worth every penny. Four game losing streak? Let me start out by striking out the first six batters I face, to give the team a little boost.
I like Bobby Parnell. Throws hard and throws strikes. Parnell, Putz, and K-Rod, nothing but strikeouts. Total 180 from last year's bullpen, post-Wagner.
Nats, thanks for handing us game 2 of the series this afternoon. Eight runs given up, five of them unearned. Good bounce back game for Mike Pelfrey. He was not spectacular, but all the ground balls he gave up were a good sign. Even most of the base hits he gave up were singles that found holes. No problem with that. He'll just induce a double play.
Washington's baseball team needs a general manager fast, someone who will break up this bunch. Jim Bowden should have been fired a while ago, never mind this scandal that forced his resignation. Just how many starting outfielders are on this team? Did I mention Julian Tavarez already? The guy who admits he signed with them only because no one else wanted him?
The Mets are 0-5 in the last game of a series. The Rangers are home with a chance to advance in the playoffs. Let's lay Washington to rest tomorrow afternoon.
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