The Difference Between Winning a Stanley Cup and Being the Worst Thing in the World

Henrik Lundqvist.


No, I'm just kidding.  While he is a big part of the reason the Rangers haven't sucked enough for a top draft pick in the past few years, he is not the total difference nor the middle ground.

I was at MSG last night...it was the 3rd loss for the Rangers in the last 15 games.  However, the people were beyond pissed.  If they were saying things like "wow, this game sucked," it would have been one thing, but they were complaining about the team sucking and saying "same old shit."  Fewest regulation losses in the league (though much of it through luck, not necessarily outplaying the opposition), but this team is awful.

Why are Ranger fans never satisfied?

Rangers sign the biggest free agent in the league last summer, the guy who many teams wanted.  His contract is  too long, he's already a disappointment.

Rangers let Matt Gilroy go.  People complain.  Tell me, other than score in the first game of the playoffs, where was his great contribution?

However, when the Rangers plays like shit for 2 periods, then light up a shaky Roberto Luongo, they're the greatest team ever.

When there's a missed call against the Rangers, no one seems to notice or many deny there should have been a call.  Rangers get a soft call, there's a riot.  Other team gets a soft call, a crime was committed.  Refs miss a call, they're playing for the other team.  Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby aren't the only ones who get refs in their favorite.  Sure, sometimes it's obvious and annoying, but it goes both ways.
Maybe part of this comes from being a Blackhawks fan as well...I've watched games where I notice the Hawks getting a lot of calls in their favor and calls being missed on them.  It annoys me when that happens too even though last year their power play was lethal.
I'm just tired of blaming the refs.  The refs are not responsible for a team being unable to capitalize on golden chances.  The refs are not responsible for a defenseman being completely out of position allowing someone to get a shot off that Hank doesn't have a chance of stopping. 

This team can be incredibly frustrating....but that happens when a team has an identity of hard work and not the most skill and finesse.  Enjoy the winning when it happens, but don't get cocky.  When the team loses, brush it off and support them.  Without fan support, what reason to the players have to come out at MSG and give it their all?  If they're under a long term contract, they get paid whether they play or not.