New York Rangers Daily: Sam Rosen’s ‘second home;’ 3-time Stanley Cup winner to retire
Sam Rosen wants to carry the New York Rangers — kicking and screaming it would appear — into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Retiring at the end of the season after 40 years behind the mic calling Rangers games, the legendary broadcaster who called their only championship in the past 85 years selfishly wants one more crack at working postseason games.
“I’m trying to drag this team into the playoffs with me,” Rosen said prior to a pregame ceremony Saturday honoring his four-decade tenure on Broadway. “I walk around the locker room at practice giving them encouragement, ‘Come on, guys, you can do it.’ They’re not listening to me, but hopefully that’ll change in the next couple of weeks.”
Well, there must’ve been some Sam Magic in the air at Madison Square Garden on Saturday because the Rangers emerged from a game-long coma to score four times on six shots (!) in the third period to stun the Vancouver Canucks 5-3.
Those very same Blueshirts that Sam loves so dearly didn’t exactly feed off the positive vibes from the pregame ceremony for the Hall of Fame broadcaster. But the rousing rally did put a sweet finishing touch on Rosen’s big day in the spotlight.
Rosen called Madison Square Garden his “second home” and then delivered this message straight from the heart.
“I’m the little kid from Brooklyn and here I am being honored by you and by Madison Square Garden and by the New York Rangers,” Rosen told the Garden Faithful. “I have truly lived the dream.”
He’d love a few more memorable moments. The Rangers haven’t provided nearly enough of them in Sam’s final season, so far. If the Rangers do reach the postseason, Rosen would be behind the mic on MSG Networks for the first round of the playoffs, and after that he’d work some other games on the radio side when Kenny Albert might have a national TV conflict.
Rosen even mentioned how much he’d love to call some Stanley Cup Final games this season. He’s only had the chance to do that twice for the Rangers, most recently in 2014 when they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Kings and 1994, when, well, you know …
“The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup champions! And this one will last a lifetime!”
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New York Rangers news
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NHL news and rumors
In that Rangers win over the Canucks, Vancouver lost two key forwards with unspecified injuries. Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander each was unable to finish the game.
Three-time Stanley Cup winner Pat Maroon of the Chicago Blackhawks said Saturday that he will retire at the end of this season.
Nearly 11 years after the Rangers selected Brandon Halverson ahead of Igor Shesterkin in the 2014 NHL Draft, the goalie made his first NHL start with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Halverson made 19 saves in a 6-4 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Our John Kreiser has complete details.
Seth Jarvis left the Carolina Hurricanes’ 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings early in the third period after crashing into the boards. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour was optimistic postgame that the star forward will be OK.
The Montreal Canadiens rallied with three goals in the third period to force overtime, but lost 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche in a shootout. Still, that crucial point gained keeps them one point ahead of the Rangers in for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference standings, and they have two games in hand.
Coach Sheldon Keefe called out defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic after the struggling New Jersey Devils lost to the Ottawa Senators 3-2.
The Detroit Red Wings continued their freefall, losing 6-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights. That’s nine losses in 11 games for the Red Wings, who are becoming a non-factor in the East playoff race.
Watch Tomas Hertl record a hat trick for the Golden Knights against the Red Wings.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stepped up with a hat trick, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each out injured, to lead the Edmonton Oilets to a 5-4 win over the Seattle Kraken.
The Nashville Predators stunned the Toronto Maple Leafs by scoring five straight goals in a 5-2 victory.
The Washington Capitals continue to steamroll their way through the regular season, winning for the ninth time in 10 games by defeating the Florida Panthers 6-3.
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