Sam Rosen’s first game for MSG Network was a basketball game in 1977 between the Knicks and the Nets. Jim Gordon, Rosen’s predecessor on calling the New York Rangers, was sick and recommended Rosen to fill in for him.
Rosen was later asked if he could call hockey. In 1984, he took over for Gordon as the voice of the Rangers. Forty years later, he’s on the brink of retirement. Rosen’s career includes a Stanley Cup Final Game 7, a Foster Hewitt Memorial Award and an induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
But most of all, his voice is what generations of Rangers fans have grown up listening to.
“I’m still here,” Rosen told reporters ahead of the Rangers’ 5–3 win on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks, during which he was honored in “A Salute to Sam.”
In his final season behind the microphone, the Rangers have been tumultuous at best — they started the season 12–4, then went 4–15 in the wake of general manager Chris Drury’s on-the-fly retool. The club has bounced around the Eastern Conference Wild Card since the J.T. Miller trade — as of Saturday evening, they sit just below the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens for the final two playoff spots.
A playoff run would be the ultimate send-off for Rosen. But like their Western Conference opponent on Saturday, everyone is trying to squeeze in. And the Rangers, coming off three straight home losses, hadn’t done themselves any favors.
“I’m trying to drag this team into the playoffs with me,” said Rosen. “I walk around the locker room at practice giving them encouragement, ‘Come on, guys, you can do it.’ They’re not listening to me. Hopefully, that’ll change in the next couple of weeks.”
If the Rangers were to make a final push for the playoffs with just 11 games remaining on their schedule, Saturday’s game was a good start. They weren’t perfect — as is the case with almost every one of the club’s games this season, there’s something to criticize — but at this point of the season, getting two points on a nightly basis is all that matters. Here are Saturday’s biggest takeaways.
Sam Rosen’s legacy
A broadcaster’s legacy is measured in many ways — his famous lines, his impact on a fan base — but the greatest broadcasters always receive the biggest send-offs.
And Rosen, over the course of this season, has collected his share of retirement presents. In Columbus, he was given a signed jersey by former Ranger Rick Nash. From Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, an autographed bottle of Merlot. He was cheered in Winnipeg.
But no salute was greater than the one he received from the team he’d spent more than half his life broadcasting. The Rangers dedicated a whole day to Rosen. Commemorative tickets were given to fans. A framed jersey was given to Rosen. A pre-game ceremony was held for him. The Rangers’ media department compiled video messages from former players.
Head coach Peter Laviolette did his pregame media availability before Rosen.
“Looks like you’re the warm-up act for Sam,” said a reporter.
“Where is Sam?” asked Laviolette, who spotted and pointed at Rosen in the front row of the media room. “Right here.”
“Sam, I’ve known you for almost 25 years now,” Laviolette continued. “Working with you, from the time I got into the league back in the early 2000s. It’s always been such a pleasure.
“Just an amazing career that you’ve had calling the game, the voice of the Rangers. You’ve done an unbelievable job. It’s been a pleasure for me to get to know you and spend time. Congratulations on 40 years of amazing work. I’m really happy to get to spend this last one with you as well.”
Making chances count
The Rangers had one shot on goal in the first period. They finished the game with 12. They scored five goals.
Granted, one of these was on an empty net. But the Rangers’ four goals in the final frame made the difference on Saturday. Jonny Brodzinski gave them an early lead, and when Vancouver scored two tying goals, New York had a quick answer.
K’Andre Miller gave the Rangers a 3–2 lead less than 90 seconds after Drew O’Connor tied the game at two. Later, 37 seconds after Brock Boeser’s 3–3 equalizer, Jonny Brodzinski’s second of the afternoon proved to be too much for the Canucks to handle.
“I liked the responses in the third period,” said Laviolette. “We scored, they scored, and we put it back in there again.”
Both of Brodzinski’s goals came off of high-danger chances — he was left uncovered in the slot and beat Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen.
“Third period, I thought [we] played way more direct,” said Brodzinski. “A lot more simple, just getting pucks towards the net, just played a little more physical.”
“He’s been a really valuable piece,” Laviolette said about Brodzinski. “He’s played all the positions, he’s moved up and down the lineup. Certainly has a capability offensively to deliver.”
Rangers still on the outside looking in
The Montreal Canadiens lost in a shootout on Saturday, and earned a valuable point that keeps them clear of the Rangers for the second Wild Card spot.
Montreal has 75 points in 69 games. The Rangers have 74 in 71. Right behind them are the New York Islanders, who have 73 in 69.
The Blueshirts have played the most games out of the playoff-hopeful teams in the east, and after dropping three straight games earlier in the week, they’re not in a fantastic spot. The players know that.
“We need points right now,” said Brodzinski. “We’re still in this run. I think everybody, after those first two periods, a little bit of yelling in the locker room. I think we figured it out as a team, just gotta stop turning pucks over and shooting ourselves in the foot.”
