Hockey

Courtesy of the NYR: NEW YORK RANGERS vs. BOSTON BRUINS 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Eastern Conference Semifinals – Game 4 Thursday, May 23 (7:00 p.m.) – Madison Square Garden BOS leads 3-0 TONIGHT’S GAME: The Rangers will face-off against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. — TV: CNBC; Radio: ESPN 98.7), in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. The Blueshirts trail in the series, 3-0, following a 2-1 loss in Game 3 on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The loss ended New York’s nine-game winning streak at home, dating back to Mar. 24 vs. Washington. The Rangers enter the contest with a 212-232-8 record all-time in 452 playoff contests (119-89-2 at home; 93-143-6 on the road). New York has posted a 40-32 record all-time in Game 4s. ALL-TIME RANGERS PLAYOFF RECORDS: Overall — 212-232-8 Home — 119-89-2 Away — 93-143-6 Goals for — 1,239 Goals against — 1,234 ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORDS —RANGERS vs. BRUINS The Rangers and Bruins are meeting in the playoffs for the 10th time overall, and the first time in 40 years. Their last postseason encounter was in the 1973 Quarterfinals, a series won by New York 4-1. Overall, the Blueshirts have a 3-6 playoff series record vs. the Bruins, posting an 18-25-2 mark in 45 postseason contests. RANGERS vs. BRUINS: All-Time (Regular Season): 249-283-97-2 overall (143-119-55-0 at home; 106-164-42-2 on the road) 2012-13: New York was 2-1-0 overall (1-0-0 at home; 1-1-0 on the road). Two of the three contests were decided by one goal, including one game that required overtime and another decided in the shootout. The Blueshirts’ penalty kill was 15-16 (93.8%). Rick Nash led all skaters with three assists, while Henrik Lundqvist was 2-1-0 with a 2.93 GAA and .913 Sv%. The Rangers have won 11 of their last 15 regular season games against the Bruins, including seven of their last nine meetings, and are 22-7-2 against Boston since 2005-06 The Rangers are 12-3-0 in their last 15 regular season games against the Bruins at MSG, dating back to a 3-2 win on Nov. 20, 2005 The Blueshirts are 5-1-0 in their last six regular season games at TD Garden, having out-scored the Bruins, 15-10, over the span Henrik Lundqvist has started in 27 consecutive regular season games against Boston, dating back to Jan. 13, 2007 The Blueshirts have three players with previous playoff experience against the Bruins – Arron Asham (9 GP, 1-2-3), Roman Hamrlik (25 GP, 1-8-9), and Darroll Powe (11 GP, 0-1-1) New York lists no former Bruins on their roster Boston lists three former Rangers on their roster: Jaromir Jagr (2003-04 – 2007-08); Wade Redden (2008-09 – 2009-10); Marc Savard (1997-98 – 1998-99) SPECIAL TEAMS: Power Play: The Rangers did not tally a goal in two power play opportunities (4:00) in Game 3, and are now 2-38 (5.3%) in the playoffs. New York is 0-2 in five-on-three situations (3:17; last – 5/12 vs. WSH), and 0-2 while skating four-on-three (0:23; last – 5/8 vs. WSH). Shorthanded goals allowed (0). Penalty Killing: The Blueshirts did not yield a power play opportunity against in Game 3, marking the second time that has happened in these playoffs. The Rangers are now 17-21 (81.0%) in the playoffs. Shorthanded goals for (0). Four-on-Four: The Blueshirts did not tally/yield a goal in one four-on-four situation (2:00) in Game 3, and are now -1 in five four-on-four situations (10:25) in the playoffs. Four-on-four goals for (0). Four-on-four goals allowed (1): J. Boychuk (5/19 at BOS). QUICK HITS: The Rangers are 4-6 all-time in Game 4 when trailing 3-0 in the series Prior to Game 1, the last time the Rangers and Bruins played an OT game in the playoffs was Mar. 27, 1958 (L, 3-4) Four of the remaining eight teams in the playoffs are Original Six teams, marking the second time this has happened since the NHL adopted the current playoff format in 1994 (2010) All Original Six teams qualified

Ron MacLean pointed out Crosby cheating in the faceoff circle, Don Cherry discussed the first period of the Pens/Sens game, defensemen getting their stick in the way of a shot and the 4th-liners in the playoffs. Cherry then went on to talk about Milan Lucic and Joe Thornton and MacLean talked a little about the refs in the playoffs. Cherry then talked about the dismissal of Vigneault in Vancouver and feels Gillis threw some of the coaching staff under the bus.

Alfie when asked if they can come back. "Probably not. They have too much depth." #Sens — Erin Nicks (@erinnicks) May 23, 2013 The last question asked on this interview is the one the twitter world has been talking about the last hour. Make sure to follow the recent timeline of Erin Nicks' twitter for discussion and clarification.

The Ottawa Senators had a rough night in their own barn, dropping a 7-3 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who now lead the teams' second-round series 3 games to 1, and Yahoo Sports' Sean Leahy reports that Senators coach Paul MacLean held a short press conference. Short doesn't begin to describe it, but its description would probably read longer than what MacLean had to say: And I quote: "Um, it's, uh, I think everything's right here" (shows game summary to press), "It's 7-3, see you in Pittsburgh. We're going to Pittsburgh, and we're coming to play. Have a good night."

These were Alfie's comments after a game 4 beating. You can just see in his eyes, and hear in his voice how disheartened he is while answering. The media and fans are making a big deal out of his comments. They're saying he's admitted defeat and has given up. I don't see it that way at all. He was being realistic.He didn't say he wasn't going to play hard. He didn't say it was over. He didn't even say they had no chance. What he did say was that we probably wouldn't come back from a 3 games to 1 deficit against a powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins team. And you know what? He's right.The odds are certainly not in our favor. It's nearly impossible to come back from 3-1, even if you're the superior team, let alone a pesky overachieving bunch like us. But here's the thing, the media and fans are always going on about how they hate cliche, boring, robotic answers. They want the truth. But when Alfredsson did just that, everyone bitches and reams him out. He's simply stating, when asked I might add, what everyone is thinking. No need to kill him for it. It's a nice moment of honesty, in an otherwise usual world of lies.If there's anyone who's ever put on an Ottawa Senators jersey that we can count on to never, ever give up, it's Daniel Alfredsson.

Some unkind, impolite words shouldn't be the catalyst for Andrew Shaw to go from mere agitator to teeth-clenched, unrestrained, blinding rage.

The split second the puck touches Marian Hossa's stick, a chorus of boos rains down from Red Wings fans. It happens each time the Blackhawks winger takes the ice at Joe Louis Arena.

The Blackhawks' power play has undergone yet another reconstruction and this latest incarnation will focus on net-front traffic.

Very soon it’s throw everything storage, close up shop, hop into the car with Luci, Gaston, and maybe Teesha the cat, and drive 2300 miles to Montreal, where I’ll be working at Classic Auctions, which many of you know is the biggest and best historical hockey auction house on the planet. This gig could last just a month, or many years. It’s been in the works for months, but it was difficult for both sides because of the distance. But in the end, they decided to give me a chance, and I’m honoured and excited. Classic Auctions has been around for 19 years, and is legendary for the rare, high-end items it deals with in their auctions. They sold Paul Henderson’s ’72 Summit Series game eight jersey for 1.2 million, and their lots have always blown my mind – stuff from the Rocket, Bobby Orr, Lord Stanley, Howie Morenz, the 1972 Summit Series, Georges Vezina, Jean Beliveau, and on and on and on. It’s always amazed me, the things that end up at this Montreal-based company. I still didn’t know if I had this job when I sent my letter to my company saying I was retiring, and Luci and I had already planned to drive across Canada, even if the job didn’t come about. But it did come about. A new adventure. Holy smokes. If you want to check out some of their auctions, past and present, and see some of the most amazing hockey memorabilia, just click here – Classic Auctions and have a look around.

Last season the Kings won most of their games on the road. This season, the Kings are winning all of their games at home. My friend Dave sold his tickets because he "didn't have a good feeling" about tonight. I do. If I'm the Kings, its a very simple game plan. - Score against Joe Thornton who's line has been stingier than my wife with my paycheck as they've allowed only ONE goal th...