The 2011-2012 Eastern Conference Champion Rangers got the sh*t end of the stick again, as it seems as if teams are allowed to take liberties on Rangers players with immunity from the league. This time the refs got the call right by giving Orpik a 5 minute major for kneeing. All "intent to injure 5 minute majors" are automatic review from the NHL offices (man in charge is Brendan Shanahan). Instead of the NHL suspending the Penguins Dman Orpik for the penalty, the league thought it was more important to look at what the Rangers coach said after the game and fine him while letting the reason why the Rangers coach spoke against the Pittsburgh players and organization go unpunished. It seems that a Shanahan phone call to Orpik wasn't even made. That is utterly ridiculous, as the knee on knee hit on the Pittsburgh Pens TV feed even said he deserved the 5 minute penalty and it was dangerous.

    There is a reason why the Rangers players love their coach. He is a motivator and lets the players know where they stand at all times with him, and what their place on the team is. Coach John Tortotella speaking out in his teams defense, knowing it would cost him more money  but didn't care(he was fined earlier about the reffing in the Winter Classic).  The Rangers now need to leave it behind them and move on.  Hopefully Stepan is OK, as he was given a day off to "rest" and they need to end the season on a high note going into the playoffs. This team is what a real TEAM is all about. The players seems to like each other and all have the same focus as you can tell by the interviews that they all have the same talking points. After a bad game in Pittsburgh, the coach made it all about him with his quotes and the bad game played wasn't even a thought.  Everyone talks about Crosby and Malkin, but is seems as the key to that team is Letang. He really moves the offense and makes things happen up front for them.

The Rangers head into the last game of the season in the drivers seat for the Presidents Trophy as the NHL's team with the most points during the regular season. If the Rangers win, it would also set up a 1st round series against the same Washington Capitals. If the Rangers play their game as they have all season, they will do really well in each 7 game series as there regular season record was better than a 2 wins to 1 loss average. At the start of the season, the Rangers were picked by the Faceoff Properties NHL magazine to finish 6th in the Eastern conference. In the regular season this year, the Rangers have surpassed all expectations except their own. With the Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist looking as the Vezina Trophy favorite, Carl Hagelin making Calder Trophy consideration conversation, and Coach John Tortorella as a Jack Adams finalists-----these Rangers have a very good chance of going deep into this seasons playoffs. If the Rangers stay healthy and add  Chris Kreider, the Rangers team are true believers in themselves and the Garden Faithful are having visions of a special parade this summer in the Rangers honor.