And how was your week?

I don't want to be negative and paint the Rangers situtation as being completely bleak, but Bruce Springsteen just decided to do a new album based on their postseason. I could do a lengthy analysis of all the little things in the games that went wrong, but so little went right in the last month that it wouldn't matter. This team was a house of cards in a hurricane. They were crushed by injuries and fatigue, had no depth or experience either playing or coaching, and got horrid performances from their key players in this order: Jagr, Lundqvist, Ozolinsh. With their backs against the wall to begin with and needing star performances to carry the day, their franchise forward did something brutally stupid to take himself out of the series, the franchise goalie looks more like Johan Holmqvist than Henrik Lundqvist, and Ozo ... well, let's just say that I'm praying we don't find Ozo in a dumpster somewhere on Sunday morning.

And then, of course, there are the positives to remember. A team predicted to contend for the lottery managed to put up 100 points and make the postseason, coming only a week away from winning the division. Jaromir Jagr broke records and dazzled fans on a nightly basis. Rookies like Lundqvist, Petr Prucha, and (sometimes) Fedor Tyutin gave reason for hope. The best is yet to come. I remind people that feel miserable right now, that can't see the silver lining through their disappointment, to put themselves back into last October, when the Rangers took their first game at MSG, gathered into the center of the home ice, and extended their sticks in the air. Anyone that still wants to boo this team, or any of its players, with that image in their mind very likely doesn't deserve to consider themselves a fan. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday or the final outcome of this series, the 2005-06 gave us reason to celebrate. Take that away with you from the season.

But you're going to do better next year, right guys? Just checking.

J to the Dizzle at the Daily News speaks around the phrase that we've all come to know and hate: "playing for pride." At least it came one month later. Contrast this with the other popular phrase, "injuries killed us down the stretch," and it feels just like the last seven years again, only without Jan Hlavac.

Also at the News, a clean-shaven Bob Raissman talks about the potential John Davidson leaving MSG story. As JD himself would say when addressing a rumor, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." I commented about this at this time on our Message Boards, but if Davidson were to consider leaving, now would be the time. He'll be missed, and if anything this move gets the discussion going about when to retire his jersey in the rafters. And just to be an iconoclast, as much as I think he's the best in the business, his color work for this team has gotten a little stale. He's too nice a guy and too connected to all aspects of the biz to rip the things that needed ripping, particularly when they involved players, coaches, management and ownership of MSG. If he stays, I'm very happy. But if he goes, I worry more about his replacement -- please not Dave Maloney, please not Dave Maloney, please not Dave Maloney -- than missing his work.

The Daily News, like most of the major papers, also kills some nice beautiful trees to fellate the Devils. We won't be doing that here. This cocky team again has illustrated why their arena is usually half-filled, and I look forward to watching them get creamed in the next round by a better prepared opponent. Watching them get put on their heels with excuses is going to be a hoot. I hope they all get Hep C again. But I'm not bitter.

The Zipper over at Newsday talks about -- sigh -- playing for pride. What else can they say? Skate hard, get the first goal, play defense. What? No, I'm not crying. I have no idea what you're talking about.

The last media article I'll link today is Uncle Larry Brooks. It's essentially another "playing for pride" article, complete with some suggestions about bringing some Wolfpack kids up to get a taste of the NHL. Acceptable point, Uncle Larry, but loyalty should also extend to some of the guys that busted their butts just to ensure a postseason at all. Does Jed Ortmeyer sit in what could be his last home game as a Ranger in favor of Brandon Dubinsky? What about Steve Rucchin? What about the Victoria's Secret model that distracted me as I tried to read the article? Summer can't start quick enough right now.

There's also another "never surrender" article by Evan Grossman, notable because it mentions that Darius Kasparitis will likely play tomorrow. By the way, if I hear someone else ask, "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor" I'm putting everyone on double secret probation. And if someone advises me to "start drinking heavily," I'm already well ahead of you.

With this very likely to be my last Rangers-centric column for a while, let's give a shout out to some of the Friends of Hockeybird that made this season all the more enjoyable. Joe Mac at NY Sports Day. All the guys and gals over at Rangers Fan Central. The wise and all calculating Hockey Rodent. Zach, Jessie, Screetch and all the other kids at Bayside High. The lovely Anna Benson. And lastly, but never leastly, Dancing Milk. It's been a great season, guys. Let's go Rangers, 2007!

Around the league, Ottawa beat Tampa to take a 3-1 lead. Anyone get the impression that Ottawa could have gone 82-0 this season if Martin Havlat were healthy? Detroit tied their series against the Oilers with a win. It's getting old, but my favorite joke in this offseason is how the Oilers have been considered a "young and fast" team for almost a decade now. Their bandwagon is like dating Winona Ryder -- you do it for two or three days and then you move one. Every season the Oilers are the same exact team: 20-something grinders (mostly locals), one or two B-level stars, some guys pilfered from Boston, and Rem Murray. Hopefully Chris Pronger takes them to the next level. Out west, Anaheim tied their series against Calgary with an overtime win. Scott Neidermeyer needs a haircut. And Patrick Marleau with the hat-trick in San Jose's win over Nashville, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in that series.

NFL Draft is tomorrow. Jets are looking at Matt Leinart the way that Paris Hilton after three mohitos would look at, um, Matt Leinart. Either way, I imagine that someone is about to be screwed. The Giants might be looking at a legacy pick with Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter. But then again, they might not. NFL Draft Day is not my thing: too many players I've never heard about, too polished and corporate, and too much Mel Kiper's hair.

Fine, I'll link the picture of Pedro, likely pointing to his midget friend. And just to wash that image away, here's a rare story about Derek Jeter. Pedro is looking dominant while the Yankees captain is batting a cool .408 with some impressive supporting numbers to boot (#2 in OBP, behind Jason Giambi). Having two good baseball teams in New York dilutes the sting of this Rangers postseason ... at least until the Mets collapse in July like they always seem to do.

Yes Nootch, I'll link the Modern Drunkard story about the '86 Mets. Worthy read.

Unfun Lindsey Lohan link about her signing on to some movie that will likely require you to clip your testicles in order to go see. If Lindsey doesn't start stepping her game up soon, I might have to go visit the trailer park and start linking stuff by this chick. In fairness, if I were the breeding vessel for the Federline clan, I'd probably cry too.

TGI Friday. And remember Rangers fans, only losers boo their own team on home ice after a loss. This team gave you a lot to cheer about this season. Give something back. Let's go Rangers!

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