By BOBBY BISCUIT
Today the Rangers take back to the ice in an attempt to stop the league’s leading rusher, Clinton Portis attempt to take both ends of a home and home against the Florida Panthers. Simultaneously, the 10-1 New York Football Giants will be in the Nation’s capital battling their division rival Washington Redskins. That’s right, my love for Blue extends beyond Broadway to my favorite football team, the beloved Big Blue Wrecking Crew.
What does this all mean? Several things actually. One, a double TV situation at Casa de Biscuit. Two, should both pull off a victory today I will be doing a special dance this afternoon. And three, the Broadway Blueshirts and reigning Super Bowl Champs will be a collective 4-0 when simultaneously squaring off against their foes. On October 5, the G-Men thumped the Seahwaks 44-6 while the Rangers won game 2 of a 4 game series sweep versus the Lightning in Prague. Parlay both if today if you can!
As for this afternoon’s tilt perhaps we will see a tighter game from the Rangers who were a tad sloppy in Florida. They got out to a 2-0 lead and then entered into their own little parade to the penalty box repeatedly shooting themselves in the leg…(pun intended) DAMMIT PLAX…..everything was going so great and you needed self security at the club. Have you ever heard of a bodyguard?! But I digress. The Rangers ultimately took this contest in the shootout improving to 6-1 in the NHL’s new final stanza. Perhaps today will mark the day we will see our first 60 minute effort from the Blueshirts.
TOTAL: is 5 and as Tom Renney would say, I am “Staying the Course.” The Panthers pulled a switcheroo and deployed their backup goaltender on Friday evening, something I do not expect this afternoon.
FEATURED YOUNGSTERS: I overlooked a pair of young Panthers producing who both played well on Friday. Nathan Horton was held out of the game and Olesz played solid potting the first shootout goal on the Ranger royal backstop, but these 2 deserve to be acknowledged. David Booth is a 24 year old forward who already has 12 goals this season, including the equalizer against the NYR on Friday. The other solid youngster was rebuffed on his shootout attempt versus the King, however 20 yeard old Michael Frolik, FROM: Jaromir Jagr’s home town is a highly repected young player. In his hometown he is reffered to as “Baby Jagr.” Frolik was selected 10th overall in the 2006 draft. He only has 2 points this season as he is getting his feet wet, but regardless of his stats he was impressive throughout Friday’s contest, watch for him today.
GO RANGERS AND G-MEN!!!!
BB
By BOBBY BISCUIT
The Rangers played strong on Wednesday and quite frankly the game would have been reconciled in regulation had the Lightning not set up a great play in the final minute of the 3rd period. Nevertheless the Rangers hung on, dominated most of the overtime session and took the contest in the shootout. This was a very physical bout in which the Rangers held their own. The Lightning never missed a chance to paste one of the Ranger rearguard against the back wall on their forecheck and finished their checks all over the rink, once prompting Colton Orr to drop the mitts and jump Evegeny Artukyin. The Rangers gladly killed the penalty for their mate and composed themselves from there, but this was important to see them stand up against this type of assualt.
In any event they will look to build on this effort tonight in Florida against the Panthers. They hold the lowest point total in the Eastern Conference (tied with Atlanta) and have lost 3 of their last 4. Who knows if the Rangers will show up at the drop tonight but hoefully they will and can start a new run here and close out the month strong.
TOTAL: is 5 and I am holding true to the formula. This is made easier by the fact that the Panthers have themselves a solid golatender in Tomas Vokoun.
FEATURED YOUNGSTER: Nathan Horton is a good young all around player. However, he just inked a big contract so I am going to feature a skill forward whose boyhood idol was none other than Jaromir Jagr. He wears number 85 and is 23 years old, look out for Rotislav Olesz this evening. He is having a dissapointing season thus far but the skill set remains so he can have a big game any night.
GO RANGERS
BB
Tonight is Game 10 in the Progressive Betting of the Rangers and a win will put The Dean up 30%. They won Game 9, so we stand at +27%. The Ducks will be up 21% with a win tonight.
The wagering begins today and goes until Monday night. Pretty cool. This is THE BEST holiday, hands down, that is celebrated in this country. No pretense of gift buying, or people praising some mythical virgin birth. Just be thankful, enjoy the people you are with, and have a good time. A true holiday. Enjoy it!
3 Team 6-Point Teaser Risking .5% to Win .9% 15 Team Money Line Parlay Risking .5% to Win 581.71% 15 Team Point Spread Parlay Risking .5% to Win 682.87%
Detroit Lions +17, New England Patriots +5, Oakland Raiders +3
Tennessee Titans -700, Dallas Cowboys -700, Philadelphia Eagles -145, New York Jets -330, Buffalo Bills -270, New Orleans Saints +155, Carolina Panthers +145, Washington Redskins +160, Miami Dolphins -400, Baltimore Ravens -300, Indianapolis Colts -220, San Diego Chargers -220, Pittsburgh Steelers Ev, Oakland Raiders -165, Minnesota Vikings -165
Dallas Cowboys -11½, Philadelphia Eagles -3, New York Jets -7½, Buffalo Bills -6½, New Orleans Saints +3½, Carolina Panthers +3, Washington Redskins +3½, Miami Dolphins -9, Baltimore Ravens -7, Indianapolis Colts -4½, San Diego Chargers -4½, Pittsburgh Steelers +1, Oakland Raiders -3, Minnesota Vikings -3, Houston Texans -3
By BOBBY BISCUIT
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Rangers fans and Dean Browski enthusiasts out there.
Since tonight marks the fourth and final meeting between the Rangers and Lightning this season I am going to be brief in that analysis and instead bring forth a list of things i am thankful of as a Rangers fan this season.
The Rangers go for the season series sweep versus the Lightning this evening. They played well against Phoenix on Monday to end their 2 game losing streak Wednesday despite some serious defensive lapses early in the game. Now the Rangers have a chance to finish the month of November strong with tonights opponent followed by a home and home versus the Florida Panthers. The Lightning and Panthers represent the 2 worst teams in the Southeast division.
TOTAL: is 5 tonight. We have seen a push the last 2 games and a 1/2 goal shaved off this number consistently over the last week or so which can only mean one thing….THEY ARE ONTO US! Have no fear and take the under anyways.
We are not featuring a youngster tonight since we all know Steven Stamkos the number 1 overall pick from this years draft will be in uniform for the Lightning. However, there is a somewhat young player at the age of 25 i want everyone to take a look for tonight. There is no way you will be able to miss this 6′ 5″ 254 lb. winger wearing number 76. Evgeny Artyukhin is a big player whose uses his size and is slowl developing for the Lightning even if his stats do not demonstrate this yet.
In any event it’s Thanksgiving time and the Rangers are off to a great start even with some troubles of late, so here is what I am thankful for at this point in the season.
Henrik Lundqvist there was some concern over a knee issue coming into the offseason. Not so much anymore. The King has been the MVP of this team by far and at this point is a solidified top 3 goalie in the league. Furthermore, he is a Vezina and Hart candidate at this juncture.
Nikolai Zherdev okay I will try to be brief here because this has worked out great. 20 points in 20 games is results. Nevertheless, this super skilled forward is a plus 9 as well, an area many skilled forwards are not successful in. He has also been compatibale in any line he has been put on, plays bigger physically then expected and does things with the puck that nobody in the league can do. My only problem is how come he does not see more first unit power play time as well as 4 on 4 ice time. Seriously, we gave up Christian Backman and Fedor Tytuin for this guy. Tytuin was a nice player, but this trade was robbery.
Prague this trip was a great success. 2 wins, 4 points and momentum that carried this team to such a hot start as the season opened. Furthermore, it probably helped the boys gel in “the room” as well. When the Rangers got back from Prague they seemed in full stride while their opponents were just getting their seasons underway. Don’t take this start for granted, these points will loom large later in the season and have certainly offset minor struggles this month.
Dan Girardi seriously he was undrafted. Girardi is not a spectacular player. What he is however, is very good at everything and reliable. He has a great stick and seemingly pokes the poke from the opposition and out of danger often. His shot always finds the net, he plays smart and physicial and from the “mic’ed up” clips on MSG is very vocal as well.
Ryan Callahan I am 100% not even looking up his stats right now. Hes got some points sure. But he brings something the Rangers forwards and team do not bring to the rink every night. A physical presence. Callahan has been making the crowd roaring hits on the opposing defensemen thus far this season. He has also been productive playing on several lines which more recently has been consistently on the first unit. Hes a grinder that can score a rare component on this squad.
Callahan is the last player I am going to mention here. We all know what guys like Gomez bring to the table and I look forward to expressing my displeasures with individuals wearing single digit numbers lower then 4 at another time. But this is more about pleasant surprises. Of course Henrik Lunqvist is no a surprise, he’s just been so otherworldy that he needed to be mentioned number 1.
Happy Thanksgiving to Dean, The Rangers and their fans everywhere!
Now bring on 2 points tonight and the tryptophan tomorrow.
GO RANGERS
BB
By BOBBY BISCUIT
Bobby is busy so he will need to be brief with the Biscuit today.
The Rangers have lost 2 straight and need to pick up a W tonight. Henrik Lundqvist will return to the nets and Scott Gomez rejoins the Ranger lineup as well.
TOTAL is 5 and I’m going under with the Return of the King
FEATURED YOUNGSTERS there is a long list with this young and talented coyotes teams. Here are there names and numbers and watch for them tonight, they are all forwards.
89 Mikkel Boedker
11 Martin Hanzal
88 Peter Mueller
41 Viktor Tikhonov
91 Kyle Turris
GO RANGERS
BB
On the gambling front, The Dean needs a Rangers win and a Ducks win to get off the schneid. I believe in the Progressive Betting model, therefore I believe tonight will be wins for those that are due to win. That would be me if you are wondering.
Below are the wagers being placed today.
4 Team Money Line Parlay Risking .5% to Win 13.36%
New York Jets +200, Philadelphia Eagles +110, Carolina Panthers Ev, Indianapolis Colts +120
15 Team Point Spread Parlay Risking .5% to Win 679%
Pittsburgh Steelers -11½, Cleveland Browns -3, Buffalo Bills -3, New York Jets +5, Miami Dolphins -1, San Francisco 49ers +10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -7½, Philadelphia Eagles +1, St Louis Rams +7½, Jacksonville Jaguars -2½, Carolina Panthers +1, Oakland Raiders +9, Washington Redskins -3½, New York Giants -3, Indianapolis Colts +2½
15 Team Money Line Parlay Risking .5% to Win 10,000%
Pittsburgh Steelers -700, Cleveland Browns -155, Buffalo Bills -170, New York Jets +205, New England Patriots Ev, San Francisco 49ers +380, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -350, Philadelphia Eagles -105, Chicago Bears -350, Jacksonville Jaguars -135, Carolina Panthers Ev, Oakland Raiders +320, Washington Redskins -190, New York Giants -160, Indianapolis Colts +115
10 Team 7-point Teaser Risking .5% to Win 7.5%
Cincinnati Bengals +17½, New England Patriots +9, San Francisco 49ers +17½, Detroit Lions +15½, Philadelphia Eagles +8½, Jacksonville Jaguars +4½, Carolina Panthers +8, Washington Redskins +3½, New York Giants +4, Green Bay Packers +9½
Bobby likes the Under 5 in tonight’s game, and of course he likes the Rangers to win. You can read Bobby’s preview of the Senators from his pregame of the game on 11/17 by Clicking Here!
Progressively Wagering the Rangers and after a loss the other night we look for the Rangers to win and get us to out anticipated 21% increase after 7 games. For those that aren’t sure how we get there, 3% is our designated increase per game, and 7 x 3 = 21. We have set our Per Game Return set at 3%.
Go Rangers!
By BOBBY BISCUIT
The Rangers picked up their third win in a row on Monday, the second consecutive in a shootout victory. Henrik Lundqvist was AMAZING yet again. He has some obnoxious streak of allowing no more then 2 goals in all but 1 or 2 of his starts. All this amounts to……he is the best goalie in the league right now… period. That said with the Rangers current record I believe they should consider sitting him again sometime in the near future to avoid a Martin Brodeur situation. No, not a torn bicep, a case of the, wow I’ve played an extra 10-12 completely unecessary games every year of my career and with that long of a career….it really adds up and takes some mileage off the car. But I digress….
Speaking of sitting, Teflon Tom Renney had Nikolai Zherdev and Aaron Voros stapled to the bench for a majority of the 3rd period on Monday to send a message to each of them. Zherdev later returned to score the only goal in the shootout and when announced as the 2nd star of the game, stayed in the locker room as he did not feel he earned that merit in a game he was benched by his coach.
Look for a rebound from both of those players as the visiting Canucks come to the Garden tonight to face their former captain Markus Naslund. Vancouver is off to what I believe is a suprising start this year. I didn’t expect much from them, but they deploy an extreme defensive style built from the net out surrounding their captain and elite goaltender Roberto Luongo and it has worked to the tune of 22 points and the division lead in the Northwest.
RIDICULOUS STAT: The Canucks have allowed 4 regulation goals in 7 games.
EQUATION FOR IDIOTS: Luongo + above stat + Lundqvist + above Lundqvist stat / garden ice from last game = UNDER total is 5 but it shouldn’t matter….whoever scores first may win, the only variable will be special teams and discipline.
FEATURED YOUNGSTER: The Sedin TWINS Daniel and Henrik are a good young PAIR (settle down Dean) but they have established themselves in the league so I would like to feature a young talented American player named Ryan Kesler. He is more of a five tool player then the usual super skilled speedster featured in this section of the preview. He plays both ends well and even drops the mitts when needed. That does not mean his game lacks any offensive sizzle as he does have 12 points already this season.
GO RANGERS
BB
By BOBBY BISCUIT
The Rangers host the Senators tonight coming off a late resurgent come back versus the Boston Bruins in the closing moments of the 3rd period. They will do so without the services of Scott Gomez for a third straight game. This meeting will be the first of newly signed Rangers defenseman Wade Redden against his former team. Since Redden’s departure the Senators have been reeling and currently possess one of the worst records in the league. They are however not to be taken lightly as there first line and power play remains one of the most talented in the league featuring Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfreddsson. The total for tonight is an even 5 and I will take the over. The reason for this is I believe the Rangers can build on their exciting victory from Saturday and that as bad as the Sens are thus far, they should still be enough of threat to push a puck or two past the great Henrik Lundqvist.
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FEATURED YOUNGSTERS: The Senators do not have anyone I personally would highlight as a dazzling young budding star, however Jesse Winchester is a formidable young winger to look out for. Let’s however take this time to highlight the Rangers 3rd line which I am going to refer to as the kid line. They had a goal and 5 assists between them against the Devils and notched the first goal of the comeback on Saturday against the Bruins.
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This line feature Dan Fristche, Lauri Korpikosi and Nigel Dawes. Fristche and Korpikoski are former first round picks and Dawes was drafted in the second round. These 3 have begun developing some chemistry and it would be great for the Rangers if they could keep that going as the 3rd line has been subject to nightly scratches and swaps all season.
GO RANGERS
BB
This weekend saw two games that have gamblers everywhere yelling ‘fix’ and cursing Vegas for having a say in the outcome of games.
The two games in question were Saturday’s Pac-10 game between USC and Stanford. I am writing from a southbound train and I don’t have the score specifics, but suffice it to say that USC had a big enough lead that they were going to cover the sizable spread. Stanford however was deep in USC territory with a few seconds to go and decided to bring out their FG team. I don’t know what compelled Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh to do this, but it pissed off USC head coach Pete Carrol and he called a timeout. This prompted Harbaugh to put the offense back out, and they scored a TD and thus Stanford covered the line.
The ‘fix’ doesnt fit the USC game. That was just posturing by coaches. What is Harbaugh doing kicking a FG with 6 secs to go and down by so many points? That pissed off Carrol, as it would most coaches. The TO by USC was to say FU to Stanford. Harbaugh then said, no FU, and went for it. It just so happened that the game was around the spread.
Now, the Chargers / Steelers game yesterday is a different story. It reeks the more they, the refs, try to explain themselves. If you are unaware of what happened, in short, the Steelers were up by 1 with seconds to go and SD had the ball deep in their own side of the field. The Chargers try the customary multiple lateral play and in the process the ball is fumbled and scooped up by Steeler Troy Palamalu who scores with no time left. Final score 17-10 steelers and a back door cover of the 5 point spread. Then all hell broke loose. The refs ultimatley excuse the teams from the field declaring the game over. This was after a review and multiple conferences by the refs. The score was even posted on NFL.com as 17-10. Then, inexplicably, the refs take the TD away saying it was advanced on an illegal forward pass. The head ref, Scott Green, said after the game that they erred and the Steeler TD should have counted. Additionally, the Steelers were called for 13 penalties and the Chargers were called for 2. One of those Steeler penalties negated a TD that would have put the Steelers up by 4, 5, or 6 points depending on what they did with the PAT. Since the TD was called back they kicked a FG and took an 11-10 lead. That score is the official final score.
All I can say is, its called gambling for a reason. The NFL’s response to this should be interesting especially in light of the recent NBA referee scandal. Personally I do not believe this was a fix, rather it was just horrendous officiating. I am well aware of all the clues that point to a fix, but to me they are too obvious. Though perhaps being obvious is the best cover for the fix.
And this was on the tail of my article about how gambling can sure seem unfair at times.
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