Notes From the Garden...

:: My lead off today was going to be "Chris Higgins couldn't score at a bar near Arizona State University" until about 90 seconds remained in the Rangers/Bruins game tonight.

Still, I guess even the fat mathlete can find the drunk sorority girl every now and then.

:: To the people who said the following regarding my Steve Rucchin jersey...
- "Isn't Prospal number 20?"
- "It must be his own last name."
... is this your first season watching the Rangers? Do you know know who the best - and only competent - second-line center on the Rangers since the lockout is? By the way, both Jason Krog and Freddy Sjostrom wore #20 between The Rucch and our favorite player named Vaclav.

I understand it's an obscure jersey, but when you go to a lot of games, it's nice to dig deep into the closet once in a while.

But to the guy in the Scott Gomez jersey... please... retire it.

:: Best jerseys of the night...
- Marco Sturm #19 German Olympic jersey
- Marc Savard # 33 Rangers jersey

:: Fun game tonight, and it was a relief from the 1-0 Bruin/Ranger games we're used to, but it definitely got a little hazy in the 3rd period. My head still hurts from when I involuntarily hit it after Blake Wheeler scored to tie it 2-2.

:: Paging Sean Avery: Eventually, you're going to have to score. You have still only scored in 2 games this year. I appreciate that in both games you scored 2 goals, but a 5th goal in forthcoming, no?

:: I know it's a little premature, but I'd like to keep Erik Christensen with Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik when Prospal returns. Christensen has found his niche - playing with superstars like Gaborik, Sidney Crosby, and Ilya Kovalchuk - and it's relieving to see him fitting in. When Prospal returns, have him center Ales Kotalik and Ryan Callahan. Have Avery play with Chris Drury and Artem Anisimov, and then have a 4th line that doesn't do anything. I'm never one to speculate on line combinations, but that sounds good, no?

Back from California...

Have no fear, folks, I have returned from sabbatical in San Diego and will be writing about our favorite .500 team, the New York Rangers, tonight when I return from work.

What have I missed?

My 13-10 team quickly hit the skids with 3 bad losses. Marian Gaborik, however, is playing MVP-caliber hockey. Can you be an MVP on a team that misses the playoffs? Someone should call Anze Kopitar and tell him the award might be his if this pace continues.

Erik Christensen is now the Rangers 37th third-line or fourth-line player. His claim to fame is once being traded in a package for Marian Hossa. No points in 9 games this year - he should fit right in.

I actually don't mind the Christensen move because he plays center and he should give a few other 3rd/4th liners a run for their money. Hey, maybe the change of scenery will do him good.

Steve Valiquette was put on waivers since I last wrote here. It's sad to see, but the team couldn't rely on him this year. Last year, he'd play against certain teams, have shutouts, and everyone loved him. This year, he lets up a lot of weak goals and the team gets embarrassed 8-3 in a game that was close with 39 minutes and 59 seconds played.

I blame his poor performance this year on the fact that the Rangers have not yet played Philadelphia.

Is Chad Johnson the answer? Most likely not, though it doesn't really matter. They can rest Henrik Lundqvist all they want, but he's still playing the Olympics, and it still will take a huge toll on him like it did in Italy in 2006.

Anyway, more tonight.