How The Rangers Ruined a Hockey Game

For those of you who slept through last week, here is a news alert. The Rangers do not like Tom Wilson, the Capitals, the NHL, or really much of anyone. This led to one of the craziest games I have ever seen on Wednesday, the game after Wilson knocked Pavel Buchnevich's head into the ice and then also beat up Artemi Panerin.

First, I will make one thing clear... did Wilson cross the the line against the Rangers when he beat up half their team? YES. But Artemi Panarin shouldn't have jumped on Wilson's back. Little did anyone know was that the Rangers would proceed to take things in their own hands.

The Capitals-Rangers rematch was featured on NBCSN Wednesday Night Hockey, and this game meant more than most to some people. T.J Oshie father passed away that Monday and he took that game off to mourn him. The Rangers were pissed that Tom Wilson only got a fine and no suspension for his actions on Monday, though in fairness Panerin was injured going into the game and almost didn't play, and there are only three games left anyway and the Rangers were eliminated Monday, so saying he is "out for the season" may not mean much. That made James Dolan, the owner of the Rangers, release a statement saying that George Parros, the head of the Department Of Player Safety, should be fired. Its a good thing that Parros isn't a former Knick so Dolan can't ban him from the Garden for life like he did to Charles Oakley.

So as soon as the puck dropped on Wednesday, three FIGHTS started to happen. Capitals defensemen Zdeno Chara was looking for a partner but lets just say that no one wanted to get destroyed. Much safer to fight Carl Hagelin, even if he is a former Ranger If you think Wilson can hurt people, Chara can kill just by glaring at you. It has been said that he should win the Lady Byng trophy every year because he is a good sport not to kill people on the ice. Anyway, just 50 SECONDS later Rangers Forward Brendan Smith went right after Wilson and dropped the gloves. While Wilson got the usual 5 minute penalty Smith got 12 MINUTES in penalties on that one play. Then a couple of minutes later new Capital Michael Raffl and Anthony Bitetto fought and Lars Eller and Ryan Strome fought. For those keeping count that is 6 fights in less than 5 minutes of game time.

Then in the second period Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich decided to high stick Anthony Mantha in the face. That led to a game misconduct and a one game suspension. Then Kevin Rooney decided to mock Tom Wilson leading to a 10 minute misconduct.

The Capitals would end up winning the game 4-2 thanks to Oshie's Hat Trick. This game is just embarrassing to me. I should remember Oshie's Hat Trick in his first game since his Dad died more than the Rangers game plan being fight TOM WILSON and everyone else on the Caps every chance they had. Both teams combined for 141 minutes in penalties. The Rangers were assessed 16 total penalties totaling 85 minutes.

The fact that the Rangers went away from their game plan just to get revenge is embarrassing. Hockey isn't the game that it was in the 80's. So the fact that they tried to play like it was is just stupid. Also the Rangers are a small fast team in the east which is a taller physical conference. They need the refs to be their " Guardian Angel" and protect them in order to survive, so they can't be cranky when they get beat up and the refs don't give them special treatment..

Thats this weeks article see you next time.