Mission: Next to impossible

I hope Rangers’ coach Tom Renney has a copy of the final four games of the 2004 ALCS. Remember when the Red Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit and beat the Yankees in 7? The Blueshirts need all the Dave Roberts, Big Papi, Curt Schilling’s bloody sock and (at that time) Johnny Damon to overcome the Penguins.

Speaking of miracles, thank the Lord that Sean Avery will be OK. Last night, Avery lacerated his spleen during the Rangers’ loss to Pittsburgh. Though obviously serious, the team was right on top of things and Avery went to the hospital after the game -never in as bad a shape as a local newspaper reported. Love him or hate him, it’s great that Avery will make a full recovery. Naturally, he’s out the rest of the playoffs.

Not that the Rangers will be there for too much longer. Even with Avery, Betts and Drury hurting, the Rangers played their best game of the season-and STILL lost. Last night was the worst time for Henrik Lundqvist to have a bad game. Five goals in the first 15 shots, no matter how good the Pens are, is bad. Henrik the Great came up small while the rest of the team busted their butts trying to get back into the series.

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Almost as bad, the power play goals allowed-and inability of the Blueshirts to score. Hollweg’s penalty that led to the 4-3 goal was brutal. Dare I say that Malkin may turn out to be a better player than poster boy Sid the Kid? Plus, HOW do you not score on TWO 5-on-3 chances. The Rangers peppered Marc Andre Fleury like a punching bag. While Lundqvist gets all the publicity playing in the Big Apple, Fleury (only 23) has shown that he may be good enough to help the Penguins to the Cup.

I know Ranger fans are hoping against hope, and YES, there are questions that will have to be answered probably sooner than later. Will Jagr be back? How ‘bout Shanahan? He’s not getting any younger. The good news: Glen Sather (when was the last time you actually saw him?) has brought in some youth that should keep the team competitive for a while.

The bad news: These Penguins are young AND good, with a litany of weapons. Matter of fact, I KNEW last night was going to be tough when Georges Laraque beat Lundqvist! Laraque doesn’t scare you on Pittsburgh’s 4th line.

I just hope the Rangers can close out their home season with a win. You would think that if there is a Game 5, the Penguins will wrap it up at home in Game 5. I sure hope I’m wrong. Thinking positively, let’s hope Renney has a DVD player and Curt Schilling’s cell number. Schilling’s not doing anything for a while. Maybe, bloody sock in hand, Schilling can inspire the troops. But he can’t goal tend, score on the power play, or keep away from dumb penalties at crucial times. Only the Rangers can do that if they want to pull of a miracle.

Click here to read more on everything Rangers on Steve Zipay’s Newsday blog.