The Fifth Liners

"The trade deadline saw a lot of big deals going through such as Ryan Miller, Luongo and Callahan for St Louis, of all the big trades, which do you think will be the most beneficial in the long run and why?" Good question Alex, the 2014 season has seen some unexpected trades; Tim Thomas to Dallas, Roberto Luongo to anywhere. But which team made the best trade? Of course this is subjective, and really only time will tell, but I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better move than that of Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers. The QC native amassed 61 points in Tampa Bay, 29 goals, 32 assists. That's a fair amount more than any of the current Rangers roster. It shouldn't take too long for St. Louis to find his feet in the Rangers' lines, he's been reunited with long time Lightning buddy Brad Richards. To bring St. Louis to the Garden, the Rangers traded away team captain Ryan Callahan and some draft picks. Reportedly, Callahan and the Rangers were ...

In a slightly surprising move, Minnesota Wild centre Zach Parise has been named as captain of the US Olympic Hockey for the upcoming Sochi 2014 games! Dustin Brown and Ryan Suter have been named as Alternates for the team. Have to say I was expecting someone with more leadership experience to lead side for the games and part of me feels that Brown might have been a more steady candidate seeing as in 2012 he led the LA Kings to the first ever Stanley Cup. Parise to be fair has previously been captain of the New Jersey Devils before his move to St Paul but he only has the 2011-12 season under his belt and his selection over more experienced candidates David Backes and Ryan Callahan does beg a few questions? Though Parise was an alternate at NJ before his promotion and currently serves as one at Minnesota so I suppose that aids his case slightly, but many will frown up this selection. Parise is a great talent, there is no question of that but I have say I do not feel he is ready...

Tonight's Eastern Conference match up saw Alain Vigneault's New York Rangers make the trip to Montreal to take on the Canadiens at the Bell Center. Cam Talbot took net duties for the Rangers but it was the Habs' Carey Price who saw most of the action in the first period, fending off 15 shots while Talbot was only needed seven times. Both goalies were called into action early in the second period. With the Habs down a man due to Diaz's delay of game penalty, the Rangers upped the ante and Zuccarello forced Price to make a great stretch save. Gionta then made a shorthanded run but was denied by an instinctive glove save by Talbot. Price was beaten though when at the end of a Rangers 5 on 3 powerplay; Ryan Callahan was able to power a slap shot to give the visitors the lead. The New York Rangers have taken a while to adapt to Alain Vigneault's new leadership style. Couple this with starting the seaon on an extended road trip due to the MSG's refurbishment and i...

The New York Rangers scored an impressive win last night at Madison Square Garden as they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1! They were lucky not to fall behind after 20 seconds though when Henrik Lundqvist stopped Sidney Crosby's breakaway chance! He was also faced with challenging efforts from Tanner Glass and Marcus Niskanen, but the Swede's efforts kept things at a tie game! But in a late 1st period flurry, the Rangers took control as Ryan McDonagh scored on 18 minutes to give them the lead and this was then followed up just over a minute later when Derek Stepan put the Rangers 2-0 up! Into the second period and New York went further in front when Brian Boyle slammed past Marc-Andre Fleury to make things 3-0 after 13.10 played. Kris Letang gave Pittsburgh a solitary reply when he scored on a powerplay, but Pittsburgh would get no further than that! But Rangers captain Ryan Callahan restored their three goal advantage shortly after when he deflected in Carl Hagelin'...

The Boston Bruins sealed a Eastern Conference Final appearence with an impressive 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 at TD Garden last night! After the Rangers win in the previous game and their near meltdown in the previous series against Toronto, there were no doubt a nerves jangling in the Boston camp as a potential comeback was feared! When Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi scored on a power play mid way through the 1st period, Bruins fans must have feared the worst was coming! But luckily Boston responded early in the 2nd period through Torey Krug scored a great slap shot on their own power play and Gregory Campbell helped ease worries six minutes from the end as he beat Lundqvist to but the Bruins in front 2-1! The 3rd period was an action packed affair with Tuukka Rask making several vital stops, including a breakaway effort by Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan ! But in the final minute Campbell calmly slid the puck into an empty net to seal a great victory and send ...

The Boston Bruins welcomed the New York Rangers back to the TD Gardens arena for game two of the series tonight. First Period The Bruins were looking to capitalise on their first game victory but were pinned back for the first five minutes. Adam McQuaid made a desperate diving poke check to deny the Rangers. Boston immediately jumped on this and sent the puck up to Torey Krug who displayed some silky skills to pass the puck between his skates and slot past Henrik Lundqvist .  A few minutes later Ryan Callahan intercepted a stray pass and then won the foot race to go one on one with Tukka Rask . The Rangers' captain made no mistake in finding the net. Rich Peverley gave the Rangers a powerplay when his high stick caught Rick Nash in the face but Boston was not able to take advantage.  Shortly after, captain Zdeno Chara was given a minor for slashing. Bizarrely even though the offence was behind Rask's net, it was the official in the neutral zo...

The New York Rangers set up a semi final appearence with a dominant 5-0 victory over the Washington Capital in game 7 at the Verizon center! This series had been neck and neck all the way through and going into the game it was anyone's guess which way the tide would turn? Aron Asham got the party started for the Rangers in the 1st period and the second period followed suit as Taylor Pyatt and Michael Del Zotto scored early on to put New York ahead by three clear goals! The third period was a similar affair as the Rangers impressive offensive put the Caps defense to the sword with further goals by Ryan Callahan and Mats Zuccarello. Henrik Lundqvist was once again the hero with 35 saves to firmly shut out Ovechkin and co as the Rangers spoiled the homecoming party for Washington! This series has been one of the most unpredictable of the lot and has continued the spirit of exciting play we have been priviledged to watch. It is a shame that the Capitals will not be going forward ...

New York Rangers will definitely be appearing in the Eastern Conference playoffs after a 4-3 Overtime win against Carolina Hurricanes confirmed them as the 7th overall seed! Early goals from Derek Stepan and Derek Brassard made it appear that it would be an easy night for the Broadway Blues, but Carolina rallied in the second period and goals from Jiri Tlusty and Tuomo Ruutu tied the game! Early in the 3rd period Tlusty scored again to put the Hurricanes 3-2 in front and things were beginning to look worrying for the Rangers! Brad Richards however, scored on a powerplay near the end of the period to push things to overtime. It was left here for Captain Ryan Callahan to shoot high into the next and give great reward to the Rangers hard work! This year we have a rare distinction of having both teams from the Big Apple appearing in the Eastern Conference! A potential match up between these two would be one of great interest as we know what both can do offensively. The Stanley Cup race...

Last night the New Jersey Devils made the short trip to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Rangers , 2 goals from Ryan Callahan and a third from Derek Stepan were enough to defeat the Devils who could only muster 2 goals. The loss means that the Devils have no chance of a playoff place. Full story  here.