There's A Lot At Stake For The Rangers In Florida

Who's afraid of the Big, Bad, Floridians?

Certainly not the Rangers who face the Lightning tonight in Tampa Bay and the Champ Panthers on Monday in Sunrise.

"The Rangers are too busy getting their broken down house in order to be afraid," says The Old Scout. "Repairmen are working away as we speak. But they may not be done in time to save the season."

Unless current plans jell, Peter Laviolette still will be coach tonight.(Yay or Boo?), Mika Zibanejad still will take a regular turn. (Boo!) And Igor Shesterkin will aim for a shutout. (Maybe, just don't bet on it!)

"A New York win will kill some ills," says The Old Scout, "but a lot depends on whether the team's head is on straight."

Unfortunately a dozen head screwdrivers have not been delivered to the Rangers dressing room; nor are any on the way.

Which means that the pre-holiday status quo is in order while about ten million Rangers fans keep rooting for changes.

One of the keen observers happens to be a fellow you know whose I.Q. (Insight Quotient) is stratospheric. That would be that handsome man about towns (NY&LA) Sean Avery.

Appearing on the world's most popular hockey podcast, Spittin' Chiclets, Marty Brodeur's least-best-friend not only didn't pull any punches, Avery swung away, starting with Laviolette.

"I'd fire him today," Avy said. "I'd also dump (defenseman) K'Andre Miller." That's good thinking on both counts but neither are easy moves.

GM Chris Drury would have to replace Lavvy, meaning that the Rangers head of state – Drury's also prez – would be oh-for-three in the coach-picking department. (Embarrassing, doncha think?)

As for Miller, his popularity quotient is about as high as the Hudson Yards subway station . In explanation, Avery compared Miller with ex-Ranger Dman, Ryan McDonagh. (Hint: Miller loses!)

"Miller is not like McDonagh," Avery noted. "Put Ryan in a war zone and he turns into a warrior." Miller, less so.

Inevitably, the subject of much-maligned Mika Zibanejad had to emerge. Now The Maven knows that if a plebiscite was held in Rangerville, the citizens would want Z on a slow boat to China.

That failing, perhaps a good spanking or benching would stimulate his scoring organs although Avery shakes his head, nay.

"Mika wouldn't come back from being scratched," Avery insisted. "He's too fragile." Then again, The Once Magic Z is not alone. The entire Rangers squad is emotionally fragile.

"But a win tonight," The Old Scout concludes, "could make them more emotional and less fragile!"