Tough Break As Rangers Lose Ryan Callahan

For the second time this season, Bruins behemoth Zdeno Chara has knocked an opposing player out for an extended amount of time.  New York Rangers star forward Ryan Callahan will be out indefinitely after blocking a Zdeno Chara slap shot that has left him with a broken ankle.

The recovery period for an injury of this nature is six to eight weeks, so the New York Rangers would have to go deep into the playoffs if he is going to take the ice again this season.  Of course, without Cally, making the playoffs at all will be difficult, and going far is highly unlikely.  For the Rangers, this is truly a terrible loss.

Ryan Callahan is the embodiment of this NY Rangers team.  Somewhat short on offensive talent, the Rangers win games by outworking teams.  They win games by grinding teams down, sacrificing the body, and never giving up.

Last night’s 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the third place Boston Bruins was a perfect example of what this team is all about.  They may get down, but they are never out.  That is Ryan Callahan.  He never stops.

Despite missing nineteen games with a broken hand earlier in the season, Callahan was enjoying a breakout year.  His 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points are career highs, and he is twelfth in the league with 224 hits.  Callahan has been called the “Heart and Soul” of this team, along with line mate fellow American Brandon Dubinsky.

Outside of Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal, there probably isn’t a more important player to the Rangers playoff hopes than Ryan Callahan.  The rest of the team will have to elevate their games and find ways to contribute like never before if they are to have any chance.  If ever a Rangers team could do that, this would be the bunch.

The Rangers will have the next two days off to rest and scoreboard watch, with Buffalo and Carolina both in action and trailing closely.  On Thursday, the Rangers will take on the 11^th place Atlanta Thrashers.  It could be trouble if the Rangers continue their recent trend of beating top teams while losing to non-playoff squads.

Marion Gaborik will likely take Callahan’s place alongside Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov.  If ever there was a time for Gabby to make up for his underwhelming 2011 season, this would be it.

Dante Vassallo
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