Let The Games Begin

Be thankful for the complete hockey coverage available on USA, CNBC, and MSNBC. Can you imagine if they put any of these games on NBC (aside from the gold medal game)? We'd be lucky if we get to take in a full period of action. Have you seen NBC's coverage? I think I've seen more ads for that Dragon animated flick than actual competition.

I'm also thankful for streaming online coverage. Productivity at work will go down come 3pm.

On a side note, MSG got what they wanted in creating a buzz with the fake marriage proposal on Sunday. Pretty sad that it had to come down to that.

Rainout

The Mets and Phillies were rained out today, so that gives them another day to decide what to do with Oliver Perez. The decision is easy. Send him to the minors. See Bobby Jones 2000. See Steve Trachsel 2001. You even don't have to go back that far to look at the defending champs (ugh)- see Brett Myers last season. Give Ken Takahashi a start in his place next turn in the rotation. If that does not work out, you might have some options in the minors, whether it's Nelson Figueroa or Jon Niese, the latter off to a slow start and might not be so deserving, but he has options.

In Ranger news, there is word Markus Naslund will retire. A classy move, considering he was guaranteed $3 million for next season. It's good for the Rangers. They need all the cap space they can get to resign some key RFAs.

A rainout gives us the Ducks and Red Wings, with the Ducks winning in triple overtime. Nice to see some overtime playoff hockey. Apologies to those who wanted to watch Equestrian on NBC. It has been rescheduled for May 16 before the Preakness. Can't wait. Not.

Rangers 4, Bruins 3

The Rangers finally win an NBC game this season. The monkey is off their back. Now, let's get another one next week. Can NBC stop picking the Rangers for their game of the week already? Isn't there a Penguins game next Sunday or something?

The one had its ugly moments. Emrick said it best; the ice was tilted. However, Manny Fernandez was everything Tuuka Rask was not the last time the Rangers played Boston.

How soon before we see Derek Morris and Wade Redden swap ice time? Redden played about 24 minutes, while Morris was around 14. Redden had another bad day.

How many 1-0/2-1 Ranger Bruin games have we seen the past couple of seasons? This one was a refreshing change. Frankly I don't care about the odd man rushes the Rangers give up. Henrik will save most of them. Keep the pressure on. Ranger hockey is fun to watch again.

Did Chris Drury get pissed off at that elbow to the head or what? He wasted no time going after that guy. Too bad the fight did not develop into much. That's what happens when you get the lightweights involved.

Pittsburgh won yet again. Huge game against Carolina tomorrow on Versus. I hope Emrick and Eddie O follow the Rangers, otherwise we'll have to get the mute button ready for Beninati.