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