You really have to wonder what Ted Nolan was thinking starting Wade Dubielewicz after a mediocre performance on Tuesday, in which he blew a two goal lead. However, let us not neglect the fact that Henrik Lundqvist got his groove back tonight, after a similarly painstaking performance at MSG two nights ago. He could not have been more on top of his game as he stopped 26 of 27 shots faced. It didn’t hurt that he got a great deal of support right out of the gate from Brendan Shanahan, who scored through the five-hole on a beautiful breakout pass from Nigel Dawes.

The truth is Henrik Lundqvist showed everyone why he’s considered Rangers’ royalty tonight. His performance in the second period kept the Rangers in the game. In fact, anything less could have seen them walk away from this home and home with a single point. Despite this sluggish second period that saw the Rangers outshot 14-5, they were able to bounce back in the third thanks to goals by Scott Gomez and an empty …

Hot Stove Nation weighs in with our Super Bowl predictions.

Ed Valentine:

Can I tell you how they are going to do it? No. Can I tell you the Giants have clear advantages in any phase of Sunday’s matchup? No. Can I say the Giants should win Sunday? No.

But, I believe that they will.

Led by Coughlin, this is not a pretty team. But, it is a team that plays hard and believes that no matter what the circumstances it will find a way to get the job done. More often that not, it has.

I believe that, against the odds, that will again be the case on Sunday.

Prediction: Giants 31, Patriots 27

Jon Buzby:

Common sense would tell you that New England should win easily. Eli Manning is due for a bad game and Tom Brady has already had his. Plaxico Burress has played over his head and Randy Moss is anxious to have a big game. One coach is brilliant, the other, well, you decide.

Belichick has some ungodly winning …

Hey baseball fans! Previously we introduced our “Yankee Fan/Sox Hater” and “Sox Fan/Yankee Hater” T-shirt designs. Now the Mets join our fan trio.

Visit our online store and pick up one of our new “Mets Fan/ Yankee Hater” T-Shirts (”Yankee Fan/ Mets Hater” also available).

Hey Hot Stove Nation. We’re starting a new feature here on HSNY where a bunch of our regular columnists chime in on a hot topic or two. So without further adieu…

Will the Knicks ever fire Isiah Thomas?

Rob Abruzzese:

Do I think that Isiah should get fired? Yes absolutely. Do I want him to get fired? No absolutely not. The Knicks are going nowhere this season, but they are the most fun team to follow in NY these days and as long as their record goes down the drain I hope these funny headlines keep coming. Maybe next game Isiah will punch out a fan.

gozer:

For some reason fans continue to fill the building - even if it’s just to boo. Dolan didn’t pull the plug on the Scott Layden era until those fannies stopped filling the seats, and I’m sure the same is true of Isiah. I think, at the end of the year, another season without sniffing …

Hey baseball fans! Visit our online store and pick up one of our new “Yankee Fan/ Sox Hater” T-Shirts (”Sox Fan/ Yankee Hater” also available), and lots of other cool designs.

Moments ago, appearing briefly on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog show, Yankees broadcaster John Sterling reported that Alex Rodriguez’s return to New York is all but signed-and-sealed, citing sources in the know. Sterling has been with the Yankee organization for nearly two decades, and wouldn’t stick his neck out for a rumor, so I’d consider this close to official.

Just wow. Things sure move quickly in this town.

Introducing Hot Stuff From Hot Stove! The Online Shop of Hot Stove Nation.

The shop is in ultra-beta mode and will initially exclusively feature merchandise in conjunction with the 2007 World Series. However, we assure you that your local area teams will be well represented in the near future.

Look for our selection of unique designs to steadily increase in the coming weeks, and feel free to submit your own ideas and suggestions for gear you’d like to see on sale.

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