Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage at Hockeybird.com. I'll spare you the tomfoolery and avoid the temptation to pull a prank as I have in years past. Frankly, in what is close to a decade the Rangers have either already been eliminated by this time or the math was just yet to be completed so that we had little else to do around here but choose another team to follow in the playoffs and we had plenty of time for pranks.

This year is different. Yep, Hockey's Different Here. Pun intended.

The following will be more of a notes & quotes thing....just some thoughts I've had that I wanted to share......

- The last time the Rangers went to the playoffs I was lucky enough to attend games vs. the Panthers and the Canadians. Gretzky scored a natural hat trick in the second against the Panthers as I watched from Newsday's sky box. It was a hell of a performance. The Daily News invited me to watch a few second round games and I sat behind the Ranger bench. A Bruce Driver gaff lead to a Canadian goal, sealing a second straight loss at home. I launched into a verbal thrashing of Driver that would make even the nastiest of you cringe. A gentleman behind me tapped my shoulder to tell me while he agreed with all I said, Driver's wife and kids were sitting just a few seats away. Yes, they heard every word and the look on their faces made me feel small. I attempted a lame retraction and told the kids that we'd get 'em in Montreal.....which we did, but I still felt awful. Since then I have never even boo-ed at a game. Oh, Susan Sarandon was sitting one row in front of me and she had what I call "Grandmas Ass". Just thought I'd throw that in.

- I just remembered that I had quit smoking for about 4-5 months and when Eric Lindros tossed a no look backhander over the shoulder of Mike Richter, sealing the series for the hated Flyers I began to smoke again. Unfortunately I have smoked ever since and the Rangers have not been to the post season since.

- I spend a lot of time watching games around the NHL, I love watching some of the Western conference teams as the late starts make them available to me when I'm free to watch. While the Wings seem to be the class of the conference I also enjoy the Flames, the Oilers and the Canucks. The Flames kid defenseman is the real deal and would win rookie of the year if not for Cindy Crosby or the Wonder from Washington. I know....Henke is a rookie and Prucha has been just great but the ROTY will not be a Ranger this year. Maybe Staal can grab it for us next year.

- Kudos' to Tom Renny. While it's taken some time, Tom has increased the ice time for Colton Orr who, despite the pounding he took in Ottawa has played very well. Well enough to make the fourth line viable for rolling it out. I had mentioned in the last podcast that the Rangers needed to be a four line team to win. Because Orr was getting two minutes I figured Renny was making a mistake by dressing him. It didn't occur to me that Renny would increase his trust and ice time.....a nice little development in a season that continues to surprise us.

- What can be said about the year Jagr is having that hasn't already been said? Well, a NY Times article hinted at retirement. Let's get something clear here. Jagr is loving NYC and he'll continue to be a New York Ranger as long as he's having fun and plays well. One could argue that he's never played better or had more fun than this year. I think it's great that Jagr's concern is not personal records but team achievements. In addition, he also understands the tradition here and is honored that he's had one of the all time great regular seasons in Ranger history. Isn't it kinda neat that a prime candidate for Rangeritis has become the antidote for that horrible disease.

- It is yet to be decided as far as who the Rangers would face in the first round...the Sabres, the Lightning or the Devs seem most likely. I'd of course prefer home ice and I think most of the fans do too. While I don't expect a Cup it's fair to remind everyone that the Flames and Lightning weren't picked by many to be in the last final. Anything can happen. The current Ranger roster limits the style the Rangers can play. I think you'd need some more diversity to make a serious Cup run.....but the team continues to surprise us.

- In years past, Hockeybird covered more NHL topics than we have this year. While that won't change right away (let's face it, we've had plenty to cover on the Rangers) but I do want to get back to more NHL coverage next year.

- How about a rumor? I heard that it's possible we'll get a report card on the year from Mr. Rocha. He may even do a playoff report card. Sweet.

- The Message Boards:

This season has seen membership on the boards double. At the same time, I have not been able to spend the time I used to help keep things under control. Look, whenever you gather large groups of people and give them freedom you are going to get some heated debate and occasionally things can get out of hand. For the most part, the new people have been great additions to the family here. Only a few needed to be booted. But even long time posters/mod/admins have engaged in less than acceptable behavior. While I try and handle this behind the scenes I'd just ask that out of respect for the game and for me, that you avoid the flaming that I've seen ruin many a board. We have a nice little spot here and I'd like it to continue to be a home for any of you who want it to be.

So....no longer April's Fools, the NY Rangers are atop the Atlantic Division looking to close out the regular season with home ice for the first round. There are still a few very important games to play beginning with the Flyers this Tuesday. A Lot can happen between now and opening night of the NHL playoffs. Let's hope the surprising success of the BlueShirts continues. Ok, wait for it.....here it comes.....say it with me this time....

BEER ME

----}- Bird.

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