Gaborik Shines as Rangers Defeat Capitals 3-2 Thursday at Garden

My friend I attended the Ranger game last night and it was a lot more up-tempo then we’ve seen in preseason. What’s great about preseason is you can sit in Section 56 (red seats) off the blue line when your tickets read 300-something (green seats). Marian Gaborik was a monster and was the games first star. Gaborik had three points on 2 goals and 1 assist. To begin the second period in a scoreless game the Rangers were killing off a Michal Rozsival two minute minor that carried over from the first. I saw Gaborik hop over the boards to get on the second PK unit. He picked up the loose puck in front of Washington’s blue line, went in fast and put it right by Washington goalie Theodore. Theodore didn’t even move when the red light was already on. A Ranger short-handed goal! It was the first game for Brandon Dubinsky and he looked great. Vinny Prospal started as the first line center but Dubinsky took over later in the game. With the game tied 2-2 late in the third period Dubinsky came down the right side hard and got the puck in front to Christopher Higgins for the goal. I loved the effort and am so glad Gomez is gone. Higgins got in front of the net the whole night and we can expect that play all season. Unfortunately Marc Staal did not dress so we didn’t see the Staal/Ovie show. Henrik played the entire game and looked sharp especially in the second period. Matt Gilroy made a great play in front of us as Ovie came down the left and picked Ovie’s pocket. He poked the puck away and kept Ovie from shooting. I loved Ovie’s face as he spun around. Giroy is impressive and I hope he and and Artem Anisimov make the team. Donald Brashear was booed for his two dopey minor penalties but made amends by fighting twice, the second being a lot more effective. Redden played a great game as well.