HARD HITS: Coaching change working for Islanders

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Derek

 

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Under interim coach Doug Weight, the Islanders have turned their season around entering today’s match at Columbus 12-4-2 in their last 18 games. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYIslanders.

When the Islanders visit Columbus this afternoon, they’ll look to continue their superb play under interim coach Doug Weight. Since he took over for Jack Capuano, they’re 12-4-2. Dating back to a 4-0 shutout over Boston in Capuano’s final game on Jan. 16, they’ve won 13 of the last 19 to pull into the second wildcard just ahead of the Bruins. At 68 points with 28 ROW (regulation/overtime wins), they have 22 games left.

Boston has 21 which is why they’re on the outside looking in. The Bruins have one more ROW with 29 and an identical amount of points. They have an advantage because they can also get in by beating out Toronto for third in the Atlantic. They’re tied in points with the Leafs having one extra game.

The Panthers have 66 in 60 games, meaning they have games at hand. However, they only have 25 ROW which is the first tiebreaker. The Leafs have 27 ROW.

The race remains wild and unpredictable. However, it’s the teams that are most consistent who will make it. Clearly, the Islanders are playing playoff caliber hockey. They are no longer an easy opponent. Weight has gotten his team to buy in. He set the tone following a 3-0 shutout of Dallas in his first game by saying, “I think we’re a playoff team.”

Sending that message instilled confidence in the room. It was obvious that Capuano wasn’t getting through anymore. A good man whose time had come and gone. Every coach is hired to be fired. That’s sports in a nutshell.

Sometimes, a team needs a change. Weight has provided that spark. He has the Islanders playing better hockey. Consider that over the current stretch that’s seen them win 12 of 18 with only four losses in regulation, they have outscored opponents 60-47. In fact, when they score three goals or more, they’re 11-1-1. When they allow two or fewer, they’re a perfect 10-0-0.

Most impressive has been their play against quality opponents. Entering today’s game against the Blue Jackets, they’re 6-2-0 against playoff competition. That includes two victories over the Canadiens. One coming via a 3-0 shutout in Montreal. They also have beaten the Capitals, Blue Jackets and Rangers while splitting a pair with the Leafs. They’ve proven that they can play with anyone. A good sign assuming they make the playoffs a second straight year and third over the last four.

It isn’t just all about captain John Tavares, who’s picked up his play. He has 20 points (7-13-20) in 18 games since Weight took over. He enters today with three goals and an assist over the last three in wins over the Devils, Red Wings and Canadiens. Dating back to a hat trick at Florida on 1/11, Tavares has 12 goals with 13 helpers for 25 points over the previous 21 contests. That is nearly half his season total of 23 markers and 29 assists for a team-leading 52 points.

While the 26-year old franchise center has done his part, teammates have chipped in. Co-goal leader Anders Lee has continued to score while playing on the top line with Tavares and playmaker Josh Bailey. Lee enters with 23 goals and 37 points with a plus-11 rating. Bailey has complemented them well. He paces the team with 31 assists and ranks second in scoring behind Tavares with 43 points.

Brock Nelson is fourth in scoring with 34 (13-21-34). The biggest difference is the play of Jason Chimera and Andrew Ladd. Huge disappointments in the first half under Capuano, both have picked it up. Chimera has suddenly become a goalscorer. Ten of his 15 goals have come since Jan. 13. He’s never been a big finisher but the 37-year old vet has great wheels. His speed has resulted in some big goals for the Islanders. He’s hit the 20-goal mark twice with Washington including last year when he produced 20 goals and 20 assists in 82 games.

As for Ladd, he was given a big contract by general manager Garth Snow to replace Kyle Okposo. A bust in the first half, Ladd has scored half his 16 goals in the past 14 games since Jan. 26 versus Montreal. That includes a pair of two-goal games including a big 4-2 home win over the Rangers on Feb. 16. He has four markers over the previous six. The 16 goals is respectable considering how poorly he started. But the six assists and 22 points in 56 games is way below what he’s capable of. A proven performer who was the former captain of Winnipeg, figure him to continue to play up to par.

Another noticeable difference has been the play of Ryan Strome. While the former first round pick’s numbers of 11-14-25 are still disappointing, at least he’s contributing. Under Capuano, he was in the doghouse often getting benched or even scratched. Still not the best defensive forward, he does make mistakes like the costly icing that led to a game-winning goal in a gut wrenching loss to Detroit. Consistency is still an issue for the 23-year old who Snow selected fifth overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. However, he’s almost a point-per-game in February with 10 points in 12 games. A big improvement after being a non-factor in January.

They are still without key checking center Casey Cizikas, who is out for a month. Stephen Gionta has actually been serviceable. His best moment coming in the recent win over the Rangers when he stole the puck from Marc Staal and setup Ladd for a goal. Nikolay Kulemin has played a nice supporting role with 10 goals including a shorthanded goal in that same game. Rookie Anthony Beauvillier shows upside with his speed and maturity. Cal Clutterbuck just returned but has only played once. Weight has stuck with the current lineup.

Defensively, they have gotten the job done minus Travis Hamonic. He was having a rough season before he got hurt. It’s mostly been the top tandem of Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk. Leddy again leads the defense in points with nine goals, 23 assists and 32 points while anchoring the blue line by averaging 23:02. Boychuk has been stellar lately going plus-10 with two helpers in the past five games. Four of which are Isles’ wins.

Calvin de Haan continues to emerge as a reliable shutdown D who can block shots and move the puck effectively. Vet Dennis Seidenberg has been huge contributing 18 points and pacing the club with a plus-21 rating. Thomas Hickey remains dependable. Without Hamonic, the Isles have rotated Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech.

Thomas Greiss is really what holds it together. His steady goaltending since the organization decided to waive Jaroslav Halak has been instrumental. He’s won 20 games and posted a 2.43 goals-against-average, .920 save percentage with three shutouts. Without the steady 31-year old German vet, they would be nowhere. Jean-Francois Berube remains an unproven backup who has been sparingly used.

The Islanders deserve a ton of credit for turning their season around. Even if the competition for the final wildcard is mediocre, they never gave up. Their experience should give them the inside track.

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Smoke and Mirrors

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Derek

J.T. Miller; Derek Stepan;The Rangers have been winning with smoke and mirrors. I hate to say that. But they’re not getting enough contributions from key players.

Let’s start with the center tandem of Derek Stepan and Mika Zibanejad. Each are without a goal over their last 15 games. Both haven’t exactly produced enough. Stepan has six assists while Zibanejad has five helpers during that span. That’s their top two centers. At some point, they have to start finishing. Zibanejad has looked better the past few games. Maybe he’ll finally catch a break this weekend.

It’s more concerning that Stepan has not performed consistently. While he is a streaky player, he’s being counted on more than last year. Even with Kevin Hayes’ and J.T. Miller’s improvement along with top sniper Michael Grabner giving the team better offensive balance, they still need Stepan to produce. His 42 points are still tied for third in team scoring with Hayes, who missed five games.

While it’s true Stepan is more of a set up man as proven by his 30 assists which are second behind Mats Zuccarello’s 31, he still must remember to think shot. A very unselfish two-way player, he’s relied on by coach Alain Vigneault to match top lines, play power play and penalty kill. With that comes large responsibility. He’s definitely a team leader in the room.

Complicating matters, he gets a bulk of power play time mostly on the top unit. It’s really gone stale. There’s a reason they’ve slumped badly. At 3 for the last 35, it’s definitely not a positive. At least the second unit featuring Hayes, Brandon Pirri, Brady Skjei and Rick Nash were able to generate enough momentum for Miller’s tying goal in the third period after the power play expired. That along with Henrik Lundqvist allowed them to prevail in a shootout over Toronto.

Stepan only has one power play goal but his 10 power play assists are second on the club. Right behind captain Ryan McDonagh’s 11. They play together usually with Zuccarello and Chris Kreider. The fifth player depends on the coaching staff. Jimmy Vesey has been given time in that spot. He’s rewarded them with five of his 14 goals coming on the man-advantage. That puts the rookie in a four-way tie for the team lead with Kreider, Nash and Pirri.

Astonishingly, Zibanejad remains without a power play goal. Hard to believe given his deadly release from the off side. He has that howitzer which the team has lacked. A big right shot, he can one-time pucks from the left circle and make it tough on opponents. But it hasn’t translated. He does have five power play assists with some of those heavy shots resulting in rebound goals. With seven goals in 35 games and none since a two-goal game on 1/17 in a 7-6 loss to Dallas, he must be better. Stepan also last scored twice in that same game.

They aren’t the only forwards slumping. Kreider quietly has just one point (assist) in his last six. That means no goals from the emerging power forward since establishing a new career high 22 in a 4-3 win over Nashville on Feb. 9. He’s only totaled six shots over the last five. Not enough for a player of his caliber.

The always active Grabner is without a point in the last five. He gets chances daily but they haven’t gone in. He was robbed by Frederik Andersen on a shorthanded bid when he shot the puck back into the Toronto netminder. With how well he’s played, figure the streaky speed demon to find the back of the net soon.

Even the always noticeable Zuccarello is just 1-1-2 over the previous six. The difference with the pint sized Norwegian with the giant sized heart is he’s always involved. Nobody plays bigger than the creative 29-year old former Steven McDonald Award winner. He will mix it up with anyone and let them know he’s there. That’s what makes him a fan favorite.

It might be time for Vigneault to try some different combinations. We don’t advise him to do anything with the third and fourth lines. Though I do prefer Pavel Buchnevich over Pirri even though the latter had a good game helping set up Miller’s tying marker. It’s the top six that needs adjusting. Maybe it’s time to split up Kreider and Zuccarello to give Stepan and Zibanejad a different look. Stepan has always played well with Kreider. Why not reunite the USA duo?

Zibanejad can still use the crafty Zuccarello but maybe it should be with Nash. Vesey has good chemistry with Stepan. But he plays the left side like Kreider. They could try Zuccarello on the right side and have Kreider play with Zibanejad and Nash. Nash, Stepan and Kreider have played together before. It all depends on Vigneault.

I don’t see how he can keep the top two lines the same. They aren’t getting it done. While they’re creating chances, there isn’t enough finish. Vesey and Nash are very active during their shifts while Stepan’s been more on the perimeter. Zibanejad hasn’t clicked with Kreider and Zuccarello. They could always flip the lines and put the dynamic duo back with Stepan while having Nash and Vesey work with Zibanejad.

The problem as I see it is there’s no room for Buchnevich. A skilled young forward who can both score and set up equally. He had great chemistry with Zibanejad at the start of the season. But when he missed two months with the back issue, it screwed things up. Don’t forget Zibanejad missed approximately the same with the broken leg. Initially, Vigneault reunited them for the Dallas game and they both were factors. Soon after, they were broken up.

As the roster got healthier, the coach had to make a tough choice between Vesey and Buchnevich. Neither belong on the fourth line. He’s still been fair to each in rewarding them with power play time. But when one is buried, they aren’t getting ideal ice-time at even strength.

Factor in that Vigneault manages the shifts the new fourth line gets. A cohesive pair in Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast, who work well together. With Pirri in place of Buchnevich, they had another effective night. It becomes about finding consistency for that line to be rewarded in third periods.

Sometimes, the coach will shorten up. He trusts Fast enough to use him in a defensive role. He’s earned it. He still doesn’t fully trust Lindberg, who is the team’s second best face-off man behind Zibanejad. Lindberg has blown a few assignments. But so have Stepan, Zibanejad and Hayes. No one is perfect.

It’s great that the team is winning. They are getting contributions from more sources due to improved depth. That includes key addition Nick Holden to the blue line. He receives over 20 minutes a night, ranking just behind anchor McDonagh.

Rookie Brady Skjei has been splendid in the second half. His skating is superb and uncanny ability to jump into the rush makes him an offensive threat. While he still gets pushed off the puck occasionally, his speed is a weapon allowing the Rangers to get out of the zone in transition. He has really matured and looks like he could have a higher ceiling than the captain. A high compliment.

Vigneault has managed Dan Girardi better. He is now below 19 minutes on average. Last year, he received over 20. Too much when he was playing hurt. His ice-time has decreased by at least a minute since ’14-15. Marc Staal also is below 20 coming in at around 19. Skjei’s emergence along with Holden have helped Vigneault limit the ice-time of the two old warriors on the back end.

Kevin Klein’s minutes have decreased. He’s used more on the third pair with Skjei, who has seen a spike in his ice-time. It might be time to move Skjei up and see if he’s ready for prime time. But the coach prefers the traditional left/right combo for each pair. Though Holden has worked with Staal most of the year.

Adam Clendening has been serviceable when he’s gotten in. But they don’t trust him. If they did, he’d still get power play shifts. He is a bit of an adventure in his end. So, that explains why he’s not in the top six. But he’s been solid when given the chance.

The biggest difference right now is Lundqvist. He’s on fire going 10-2-1 in his last 14 games with a 1.91 goals-against-average, .939 save percentage and a shutout. In February, he’s 7-1-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .943 save percentage. Without our franchise goalie returning to form, the team wouldn’t be winning consistently.

At some point, the key cogs are going to have to step up. Sooner rather than later.

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Lundqvist carries Rangers to shootout win over Maple Leafs

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Derek
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The victorious Rangers congratulate Henrik Lundqvist on a job well done in a well earned 2-1 win in the shootout over the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Henrik Lundqvist is still the King of this town. The best current athlete was remarkable against the Maple Leafs in a well deserved 2-1 win by the Rangers via the shootout at Air Canada Centre. It was a goalie clinic by two goalies who know each other. Lundqvist and Toronto’s Frederik Andersen were fantastic. They took turns making big saves. Lundqvist finishing with 32 while Andersen countered with 37.

Lundqvist has continued to play sensational since his funk last month. In nine games this month, he is now 7-1-1 with a 2.35 goals-against-average and a .943 save percentage. The turnaround has allowed the Rangers to continue racking up points. They moved ahead of the idle Blue Jackets into third place in the Metro Division. In 60 games played, they are up to 80 points with 36 ROW. Columbus has two games at hand have 35 ROW. Following a visit to Newark on Saturday, the two teams square off at MSG for the fifth and final time. They have split the first four regular season meetings.

In denying Leo Komarov on a break in by staying with him on a backhand in tight during a wild final minute of three-on-three overtime and then robbing Auston Matthews, Lundqvist set the stage for Andersen to make one final huge save on Rick Nash. Nash was initially caught by Toronto rookie William Nylander but maneuvered around him for a one-on-one with Andersen, who denied him with a quick pad stop with four seconds to spare. Matthews then flew down to center and fired one last shot on Lundqvist which he calmly brushed away.

That’s the kind of exciting hockey it was. Two Original Six teams creating all kind of chances throughout. The Rangers had the better of play in the first period out-shooting the Leafs 14-9. But they couldn’t beat Andersen. He got a little lucky on Mika Zibanejad when he shot one back into him. Ditto for the ever dangerous Michael Grabner, who nearly finished shorthanded. But his one-timer went back into a sliding Andersen, who made the gigantic save.

The lone goal in the first two periods came from Connor Brown. The overlooked Leafs rookie was able to beat Lundqvist thanks to a great redirect pass off Tyler Bozak’s stick in front. Kevin Hayes was too busy skating and watching to pick him up. Jake Gardiner started the play with a shot in front on an extended shift. It went right to Bozak, who had the hockey sense to push the puck across to a wide open Brown for his 15th at 10:56 of the first.

Despite strong play from all four lines which included the returning Brandon Pirri after sitting out nine straight, the Blueshirts couldn’t shoot the puck straight. When they did get shots on goal, Andersen stopped them. There were countless other opportunities created off strong puck possession where they missed wide. It was frustrating to watch. But not as bad as the Knicks at the Cavs. Why I bothered flipping between periods and commercials I have no idea. They stink.

The fourth line of Pirri, Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast had a good night. They got a bit of a bump with Lindberg over nine minutes in 13 shifts with three shots and five attempts. In his return, Pirri saw 10:57 in 15 shifts including a key one at the conclusion of a power play which led to J.T. Miller tying the game after it expired in the third. He looked good firing three shots on goal and attempting five. Most importantly, Pirri helped set up Miller’s 19th with Hayes which tied the score at 10:50 of the third. Fast received 21 shifts (13:01) including 2:44 on the penalty kill.

If there is an issue, it’s the fact that neither Zibanejad nor Derek Stepan have scored since Jan. 17. That’s no goals for the Rangers’ top two centers in the last 15 games. That’s impossible. Yet they’re still winning hockey games due to the splendid play of Lundqvist, who won his 28th game of the season- needing two more for 30. Something he’s done in 10 of the first 11 years of a brilliant career.

It’s not that Alain Vigneault’s lines haven’t created chances. They have. But neither Stepan or Zibanejad have been able to finish. At some point, that must change. You can’t be successful without your top two centers contributing. They’re not doing enough. While Jimmy Vesey and Nash continue to get opportunities, Stepan has struggled. It hasn’t affected his overall game. He is still a good two-way player who can be counted on shorthanded. But he is getting too much power play time. Tonight, they actually had both him and Zibanejad on the same unit. It was a near catastrophe with the Leafs coming close shorthanded twice. The power play went 0-for-2 and is now 1 for its last 17. They’re 3 for the last 35.

In game like Thursday at Toronto where the majority is played at even strength, it doesn’t matter. But in bigger ones this Spring, it will. Special teams are essential come playoff time. They were exposed against the Penguins. At least the penalty kill is vastly improved. But the power play needs a total revamp. Putting Stepan and Zibanejad together is desperation. At least Hayes, Pirri and Miller were out for the tying goal with Brady Skjei and Nash. At this point, most of that unit needs to be the top one. They are more shoot oriented.

The question is will Pirri stay in for Pavel Buchnevich at New Jersey on Saturday. Buchnevich shouldn’t be the odd man out. He’s too gifted to sit. Pirri did play well. Does he get another game? I have to think yes. Uh oh.

After Miller tied it, it looked like the Rangers would find a way to win it in regulation. But Andersen wouldn’t allow it. He was that good. Then Lundqvist dodged a bullet when the Leafs had Morgan Rielly perfectly set up but his shot rang off the goalpost after a gorgeous pass across which beat Nick Holden with Stepan late on the coverage.

The Rangers had five of the seven shots in the five-minute three-on-three. They had plenty of chances. Then the Leafs had two with Komarov and Matthews denied by Lundqvist. Both goalies gave each other a tap on the shoulder as they switched sides for the shootout.

In it, the always dangerous Mats Zuccarello patiently out-waited Andersen sliding a backhand five-hole for a 1-0 lead in Round One. That followed a patient Lundqvist staying with countryman William Nylander’s backhand deke attempt. In the top of the second, Matthews absolutely ripped one past Lundqvist’s glove to tie it. He really makes the game look easy. But Zibanejad would finally score when he went to a deke and forehand going glove side on Andersen for a 2-1 lead.

That left it up to Nazem Kadri. He tried to go five-hole but Lundqvist wasn’t having it easily making the stop for the victory.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rick Nash, Rangers (finished with 6 shots, 11 attempts and plus-one in 28 shifts-17:06-he really needs to score more for what he makes)

2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers (32 saves including all 13 in 3rd with clutch stops on Komarov and Matthews)

1st Star-Frederik Andersen, Leafs (37 saves including 25 the first two periods)

Notes: Rangers absolutely owned the Leafs on face-offs going a ridiculous 43-and-21 paced by a dominant Zibanejad (13-and-3) and Lindberg (9-and-2). Bozak had a rare off night losing 12 of 21 while Matthews struggled going 7-and-14. … Speaking to how many shots didn’t hit the net, the Rangers had 27 shots blocked and another 21 miss completely giving them 86 total attempts. The Leafs finished with 56. Alexey Marchenko and Nikita Zaitsev each blocked four shots. Four other Leafs had three blocks. The Rangers only had a dozen blocks with Girardi and Ryan McDonagh combining for seven. … In place of an injured Kevin Klein, Adam Clendening received 18 shifts all at even strength logging 15:09 with seven attempts. That he wasn’t tried on the power play is mystifying. … Hits went in favor of the Rangers 31-21 led by Chris Kreider (5). Otherwise, he wasn’t a factor. It might be time to split up him and Zuccarello to help Stepan and Zibanejad snap out of it.

More Henrik:

Lundqvist denies Matthews:

A victorious Lundqvist on an exciting game:

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Klein out, Clendening in

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Derek

It looks like Kevin Klein will not play tonight in Toronto. The bottom pair defenseman who has gotten his game together is not out for warm ups. Taking his place is extra defenseman Adam Clendening, who looks to be playing with Brady Skjei on the third pair.

The goalie match-up is Henrik Lundqvist versus Frederik Andersen. Defenseman Alexey Marchenko makes his Leafs debut.

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Pirri back in to help power play, Buchnevich sits

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Derek

When the Rangers take on the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre, they’ll do so with Brandon Pirri back in the lineup. He fell out of favor losing the fourth line center job to Oscar Lindberg. Lindberg has been solid in limited action with Jesper Fast and Pavel Buchnevich.

However, Buchnevich will sit this one out. The second time he’s been a healthy scratch. Pirri will be looked to to help spark a struggling power play. They’re 1 for the last 15 over the last seven games and 3 for the last 33 and 4 for the last 35 over a longer stretch. Basically, they’ve gone from a top 10 power play to the middle of the pack clicking at 19.4 percent.

Indecision and turnovers have led to two shorthanded goals over the stretch including a baffling 2-on-5 shorthanded game-winner in a frustrating 4-2 loss against the Islanders. The power play has allowed three shorthanded goals. But if you think about it, they’ve scored four power play goals and allowed two shorthanded goals in the last 35 attempts. That’s pathetic. Here is Pirri talking to MSG reporter Amanda Gorges Borges on what he can bring:

As for Buchnevich, I hate the fact that he isn’t playing. Leave it to the coaching staff to not know what to do with the gifted 21-year old Russian rookie. Before he fell out of the top nine, he was basically a point-per-game player who had solid chemistry with Mika Zibanejad and was effective on the power play. He has cooled down. But it’s hard to produce in limited ice-time. He’s 6-9-15 in 26 games.

If they even think about including him in a trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, I’ll loose it. It would be a huge mistake. Shattenkirk is going to be moved. According to TSN insider Darren Dreger, the Blues don’t want to lose the right defenseman for nothing like they have David Backes and Troy Brouwer last summer. They want to maximize Shattenkirk’s value as a rental. He is attractive due to his skill set. A very good skating right D with terrific puck possession and offensive capabilities. But the idea you have to give up a high level prospect, a first round pick and possibly another asset is ludicrous.

The Rangers better not do it. I would rather them wait for the summer. If he wants to be here so badly, he can sign on the dotted line. Just what we need. Another long-term contract with probably a no-move clause. Sorry. I just had to.

Toronto will be without Mitch Marner. That’s too bad. I enjoy watching him. But Auston Matthews and the rest of a talented Leafs team in playoff position should make it a good game.

 

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The truth about the NHL playoff format

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Derek

Someone finally had the guts to say the truth about the current NHL playoff format. It came from Edmonton coach Todd McLellan. With the Oilers in position to finally make the postseason for the first time in over a decade, he ripped into the divisional format which doesn’t put an emphasis on total points. But rather rewards mediocrity.

Here is a tweet from old friend Rick Carpiniello quoting McLellan on a format that honestly has already become annoying:

McLellan’s point about reseeding after the first round makes too much sense. That’s why it won’t happen. Instead, the NHL is stuck with the silly divisional format which allows for match-ups that shouldn’t happen. Unless you think the Caps and Pens should face each other in the second round again which isn’t good for business, it makes better sense to have them as the top two seeds.

That would mean altering the format and just seeding 1-8 regardless of division winners. At the present, the top four teams in the Metropolitan Division all have more points than current Atlantic leader Montreal. The Canadiens are at 72 while the Sens are two off the pace with 70 followed by the Leafs (67), Panthers (tied with 66) and Bruins.

If the playoffs started today, the Rangers would remain in the first wildcard and draw the Habs while the Islanders would be locked into the second wildcard and draw Washington due to more ROW than the Panthers and one fewer game played than Boston. The Rangers enter tonight’s match in Toronto fourth in the Metro with 78 points in 59 games with 36 ROW. They trail the Blue Jackets by a point for third. With five points separating first place Washington from second place Pittsbugh, who is so battered on the blue line that they actually sacrificed a second round pick for veteran Ron Hainsey, who would you rather face? A 2/3 potential match-up with the defending champion Pens or a wildcard first round against the Canadiens.

For the Blueshirts, the answer remains sketchy. They’ve already lost twice to Montreal. Once at the House of Horrors getting trounced and then the other night in an evenly played game where the Habs prevailed in the shootout. They’ve split the first two with Ottawa.

As far as McLellan’s suggestion, it would be smarter to reseed and have the best teams draw the lower seeds. But that’s not how it currently works. No matter how many points the Caps rack up, they know that after the first round against the second wildcard, they’ll likely have to go through the Pens in a second round rematch. That would match up the two best teams in the conference.

Is it fair? On the level, it doesn’t seem so. Another suggestion could be to go the NBA route. Meaning if a division winner has fewer wins, they don’t get the home court for the first round. Of course, the NBA has six divisions which in itself is too many. But they do reseed.

What if the NHL still rewarded division winners? Then you would have the Caps 1 and the Habs 2 followed by the Pens, Jackets, Rangers, Sens, Leafs and Islanders. It would essentially be the old format with the Caps drawing the Isles while the Habs would face arch rival Toronto in an enticing first round. That would leave the Pens drawing the Sens and the Jackets and Rangers in another interesting storyline featuring John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault. Plus former Jacket Rick Nash and ex-Ranger Brandon Dubinsky.

Let’s be honest. A Blue Jackets vs Rangers first round match-up would be electrifying. Far more interesting than facing the Penguins again. At what point do the same predictable match-ups become boring? Like a broken record, we’re headed in that direction.

It’s time for the NHL to wake up. Bring the NHLPA back to the negotiating table. The players wanted this new format. Make a change or an adjustment that will satisfy both parties along with the fans. I have no interest in another Rangers/Pens rematch. I don’t know why they should cross over and face Montreal. But the wildcard has created this concept. Last year, the Islanders basically avoided the Caps by losing the final game and opting for Atlantic winner Florida. It worked out for them as they advanced to the second round for the first time since 1993.

Who’s to say the same thing doesn’t happen on the final weekend? By keeping the current format, you’re allowing teams to determine the opponent. The Rangers played it straight up and drew the Pens, who easily dispatched them in five.

For now, there’s a week until the March 1 trade deadline. A hot topic that is heating up. That should be more fun than the boring playoff format.

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Price’s big save on Miller gives Canadiens shootout win against Rangers

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Derek
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Winning netminder Carey Price is all smiles following his heroics to rob J.T. Miller at the end of overtime in Montreal’s 3-2 shootout win over the Rangers. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Montreal Canadiens.

Goaltending is so important when it comes to hockey. If you have it, you can be successful. If you don’t, then you’re in for a long year. Both Original Sixes Montreal and the Rangers have it in spades. Former Vezina winners Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist squared off in a showdown at The Garden.

The difference was a remarkable Price last second save on J.T. Miller before an electrifying three-on-three overtime concluded. Following Tomas Plekanec’s bullet off the far post, out came Kevin Hayes and Miller two-on-one with under 10 seconds left. Hayes patiently waited before passing across to a wide open Miller, who let go of a quick shot that was headed for the Montreal net. But at the last split second, a diving Price sprawled out to make the huge stop to gasps from the crowd as the buzzer sounded.

That forced a hard fought 2-2 tie into the shootout. A place where great hockey games come to die. The hockey portion was over after 65 minutes. A game which saw the Rangers battle back from one-goal deficits twice now was into a meaningless skill competition. This is how so many three-point games get decided during the 82-game schedule. It seems more and more, five minutes of three-on-three isn’t enough to decide these games. And so, another shootout which isn’t used thankfully to decide any postseason resulted in a Habs 3-2 win with Paul Byron getting the winner in the bottom of the fifth to give Claude Julien his first victory in his second stint with Montreal.

A game which I basically missed due to work and other fun stuff that included a nice drive to my favorite Mexican spot on the North Shore near the Ferry, was back and forth between classic rivals from yesteryear in a time when there only were six teams. Now, you have 30 with team number 31 entering via expansion in Las Vegas. Is there any place they won’t put hockey? God forbid Quebec gets another team.

As I listened to the game on ESPN radio entertained by the great tandem of Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney, I didn’t miss anything. Four goals were scored. Two by each side in the first pair of periods. In the first, Andrew Shaw was able to get to a loose puck and beat Lundqvist on a wrap around just 3:55 in. Less than seven minutes later, Oscar Lindberg drew the Rangers even when he was left unchecked for a sweet finish off a Jesper Fast pass in transition started by the ever improving Brady Skjei. Skjei ranks fourth among all NHL defenseman in even strength assists.

In the second, Shea Weber put the Canadiens back ahead with his 11th power play goal on a one-time blast. Eleven of his 14 goals have come on the man-advantage. Once again, the Blueshirts responded by scoring at even strength. Rick Nash tied it up when he was able to take a Ryan McDonagh feed and get behind the Montreal defense and beat Price for his 17th at 9:26. Jimmy Vesey continued his good run netting a secondary assist.

The game remained tied until overtime. In it, the Rangers missed the net early on. The Habs were more dangerous getting the first two shots on goal. Both of which Lundqvist stopped including a big stop on Max Pacioretty. The Rangers got the final four shots including Miller’s point blank chance which a desperate Price robbed with a second to spare. An unreal save by a great goalie.

Mats Zuccarello was first up in the shootout and went five-hole on Price for a 1-0 lead. Lundqvist then stayed patient and denied Brian Flynn’s forehand deke to keep them up. Mika Zibanejad tried a forehand deke against the grain which Price stuck with to deny him. Alex Radulov then made a great move going to the backhand top shelf on Lundqvist to even it after the second.

Derek Stepan came out and nearly put the Rangers back ahead in the top of the third. But his wrist shot grazed off the crossbar. With a chance to end it, Pacioretty tested Lundqvist high glove but he was waiting for it and made the big save. After Vesey was denied by Price, Alex Galchenyuk almost ended it but had his shot ring off the goalpost. In Round 5, Miller tried to go five-hole but Price easily denied him.

That set the stage for Byron. He went with a similar move as Zuccarello cutting to the middle before opening up Lundqvist and going five-hole to give the Habs a big win that kept them ahead of the Senators for first in the Atlantic. Ottawa won at New Jersey 2-1 to stay within two of Montreal. The Habs have 72 points with 22 games remaining while the Sens have 70 with 24 left.

As for the Rangers, they earned a point to reach 78 in their 59th game. They remained fourth in the crowded Metropolitan a point in back of idle Columbus. Four behind Pittsburgh, who won 3-1 in Carolina. Seven out of first behind idle Washington. They are 12 ahead of the Islanders, who prevailed 3-1 at Detroit in the first of a nine-game road trip. They remain out of the second wildcard due to Florida having one extra game left. Both are tied with 66 points.

Notes: Price finished with 28 saves to earn the game’s third star. The win was his 258th tying him with Ken Dryden for third on the all-time Canadiens list. … Lundqvist had 26 saves suffering a tough luck shootout defeat. … Montreal went 1-for-3 on the power play while the Rangers fired blanks in four attempts. That has become a sore spot again. It’s like the groundhog seeing its collective shadow. It always strikes around this time. … Shot attempts were air tight with the Rangers holding a 55-54 edge. … McDonagh had a game high 26:11 with an assist, four attempts and plus-one in 31 shifts. Weber led the Habs with 25:38 finishing with a PPG and assist with six attempts in 31 shifts. … Face-offs went in favor of Montreal 31-28 led by Phillip Danault (10-and-9). Stepan had a superb night going 13-and-6 for the Blueshirts. … The Rangers next game is Thursday in Toronto followed by a visit to Newark on Saturday. They return home for the final two games of February against Columbus on Sunday in a back-to-back and then Washington next Tuesday.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Shea Weber, Canadiens (power play goal-14th of season, assist in 31 shifts-25:38)

2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers (26 saves including 9/10 in 1st and big stop on Pacioretty in OT)

1st Star-Carey Price, Canadiens (28 saves including 12/13 in 2nd and the huge stop to rob Miller with a second left in OT)

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Devils give away season in Brooklyn

Posted on February 19, 2017 by hasan4978

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Before this weekend I thought if the Devils lost both games in this home-and-home to the Brooklyn Isles their season would effectively be over, but after last night’s OOT results (including road wins for the Sabres at St. Louis and the Panthers at LA, sweeping their California trip) I changed my mind – they really needed to sweep the home-and-home this weekend to stay alive for all intents and purposes.  Instead of treating the game like a must-win and putting Cory Schneider back into the lineup after an outstanding 42-save performance last night, he was rested for backup goalie Keith Kinkaid.  And instead of putting Mike Cammalleri back into the lineup after he’d already been shamed with a one-game benching , coach John Hynes kept the same lineup including non-entities like Beau Bennett.  As much as I detest Cammalleri turning into later-career Brian Rolston or Jamie Langenbrunner, you might as well have given him a shot tonight to see if his benching got a message through.

Clearly the coaching staff wasn’t treating tonight’s game at Brooklyn as a must-win.  These are things you do in December when you still have time left, not in mid-February with the trade deadline looming and the Devils behind four other teams for the last playoff spot, when you’re playing one of your main competitors and can deal them an emotional blow with three straight losses to in-state rivals.  Predictably the change in goalie and non-change in the lineup – particularly the former – both backfired in a 6-4 loss where Kinkaid had the worst game by any goalie this year and that’s saying something with some of the beauties Cory put up earlier this season.  After a decent first period, Keith gave a complete non-effort in the last forty minutes, starting with a horrid wraparound goal allowed five-hole early in the second period that started the roof caving in.  That bad goal was followed by another, and another in a spectactular goalie meltdown I haven’t seen since Marty wanted no part of the Stadium Series game a few years ago.

You would think at some point the staff would have shown some urgency and gave a clearly ineffective Keith the hook to try to salvage a crucial four-point game.  I would have pulled him at 3-1, not only was it obvious he didn’t have it at that point but going down 4-1 would have basically ended the game with our popgun offense.  At least I would have put it at a 2% chance we even scored the three goals we did to tie the game, but even with that coming back would have required actual good goaltending to hold it at 4-1, which Keith came up woefully short in tonight.  Honestly the only reason the Devils had a chance is because the Isles’ no-name backup goalie didn’t play all that great either, in particular his last goal allowed to Taylor Hall which looked like a Cory special circa last week against the Sabres.  You could have even argued once the Devils came back to make a 4-1 game 4-3 at the end of the second period Keith should have been pulled at that point.  It’s a logical argument but I won’t go there cause coaches don’t usually pull goalies once the game appears stabilized.

Too bad the game only remained stabilized until Baby Tavares scored another softy like fifteen seconds into the third period, and another quick Isle goal after that basically ended the game again.  And memo to the Isles’ GREAT player, if you’re going to be a d*ck and cheapshot guys and dive like Sidney Crosby has, at least win a Stanley Cup or two like Crosby first.  A guy who’s won exactly one round in the playoffs doesn’t deserve the star treatment he gets from refs in this league.  Of course last night and some of those brilliant calls Tavares sold couldn’t be helped since Chris Rooney – Mr. I can’t wait to screw the Devils anyway possible – was going to do his best to screw up that game from soup to nuts.  Not as if the Devils even played well in last night’s 3-2 win, certainly the last forty minutes was one-way traffic but at least they had good goaltending that game.

Maybe another day I’ll complain about the coaches’ obsession with the horrible John Moore and how he’s teflon but I’ve pretty much given up thinking the staff is going to come around on that one.  It’s amazing considering how much this team’s supposedly studying analytics now how they keep continuing to run out anti-analytic players like Moore, or Sergey Kalinin before Ray Shero finally took that toy away from Hynes this weekend, but whatever – the tankers have their wish and now this season’s all about what we can sell our junk for next week at the trade deadline.  Any fan that’s excited about March 1 is just being stupid though.  What are the Devils really going to sell at the deadline?  P.A.Parenteau and Kyle Quincey who signed cheap contracts just before the season (and Parenteau couldn’t even get traded last year at the deadline)?  At best you’ll get mid-rounders for them in a weak draft, whoopdie darn doo.  Shero’s going to be selling out of the Sanford and Son junkyard next week, you’re not getting anything that’s going to appreciably help the team.

Of course there is the Cammalleri situation which got a little more interesting with being scratched for the second straight game but I’m not holding my breath there…he’s signed for two more years after this one, with a no-trade clause.  Good luck finding a market for him in the midst of a career-worst drought.  Are we really in a rush to get a second-rounder for him in a weak draft when it’s not like people are beating down the door to take his spot in the lineup anyway?  I mean, Beau Bennett?  A spirited but flawed Miles Wood?  Or getting him to waive his no-trade unless he has some assurance he won’t be left unprotected in the expansion draft by whoever takes him.  If he gets moved at all in the near future it’ll be after the expansion draft this offseason when you can also quietly broach that subject.

Once again this team’s season ended just after Valentine’s Day although last year it didn’t so much end as it was just the start of the downfall.  This was pretty much the last stand for this season although it doesn’t seem that this staff either knew or cared that it was.  The former would worry me, the latter would annoy me to no end.  If you want to lose fine, at least start giving kids like John Quenneville, Nick Lappin, etc a legit look in the top nine.  If we’re going to lose I’d rather it not be with ineffective plugs like Bennett, Devante Smith-Pelly, whoever.  It seems the only playoff run we care about this year is the Albany playoff run.

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Zuccarello and Lundqvist lead Rangers past Capitals

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Derek
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Ryan McDonagh is pumped after scoring his third of the season in a bounce back game that saw the Rangers post a big 2-1 home win over the NHL best Capitals on Hockey Day In America. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

It didn’t matter what the circumstances were. Even with the NHL’s leading team having to play the second game of a back-to-back following a shootout loss to Detroit, the Rangers still played the way they needed to. They responded following a tough 4-2 loss to the Islanders by defeating the Capitals 2-1 in a good litmus test at MSG on Hockey Day In America.

Hockey Day In America is definitely a good thing for hockey fans. Ever since it was introduced, it’s been one of NBC’s best promotions. Hockey all day. Even if I hate the early start of 12:30 PM for today’s game, it doesn’t get much better. Following the Rangers’ seventh win in eight, the Red Wings are currently leading the Penguins 1-0 in the second game also on NBC. I used to joke that it stood for Nothing But Crosby. But at this point, considering how astonishing he is just going over 1,000 points in style with three points including an overtime winner from Evgeni Malkin, you can’t discredit him.

While the games go on including some other interesting match-ups including the sizzling Sabres hosting the Blackhawks and the Devils going for a sweep in Brooklyn which would further complicate the playoff picture, the Rangers had probably the best win of the season. Any time you beat the Caps, it’s positive. Even if they went with solid German backup Phillip Grubauer, who was under siege in a lopsided first in which the ice was tilted. The overlooked backup stopped 18 of 19 shots to give his team a chance.

Ryan McDonagh scored the only goal. His third of the season was a beauty. After taking a pass from Rick Nash, he dangled out of traffic and went forehand top shelf for a 1-0 lead at 7:49. It was the Ranger captain’s first goal since Dec. 23. More importantly, he bounced back in a big way from an awful game. It was his costly turnover along with the other four skaters who puck watched as John Tavares set up Nikolay Kulemin’s shorthanded winner on a two-on-five. A play which left coach Alain Vigneault at a loss for words.

McDonagh knew he had to be better with Alexander Ovechkin, who along with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie are one of the toughest lines to defend. He and partner Dan Girardi were up to the challenge. In 27 shifts, McDonagh logged a team high 23:33 with a goal, four shots, six attempts and five blocked shots. Girardi took 28 shifts blocking four shots in 20:48. Both defenseman finished plus-one on for McDonagh’s third goal. They also were out plenty in crunch time not giving the Ovechkin line much time or space.

Following a flat first in which they were out-shot 19-6, the Caps turned the tables with a better second. They had the better of the play with an 11-4 edge in shots and the period’s only goal. Of course, it came off the stick of Ovechkin, whose power play goal from his spot on the left side took a favorable hop off Nick Holden past Henrik Lundqvist tying the score with 2:36 left.

Earlier in the contest, Mika Zibanejad had a power play goal wiped out by a successful challenge from Washington coach Barry Trotz for offside. A quick review determined that the play was offside. But the replays NBC showed weren’t the issue which befuddled everyone. It turned out that McDonagh was offside initially about 15 seconds prior to Zibanejad scoring. So, they got it right. But it was too bad for Zibanejad because he thought he had his first goal in 13 games. He did play a key role later in the victory.

With a tight game still knotted at one, the third was the kind you’d expect from these close rivals. Lundqvist held off a strong Caps push by making key saves. His teammates let him see the shots which were mostly from the perimeter. Even on an extended shift where the Caps dangerous top line buzzed, they were unable to get inside, resulting in an easy glove save by Lundqvist to stop play. One of his best saves came on John Carlson when he easily gloved his shot.

The difference came when Mats Zuccarello was able to get free in the slot and score the game-winner with 11:23 remaining. The winning play was due to a clean face-off win by Zibanejad, who got the puck to Chris Kreider. Kreider drew defenders down low and made a good pass to an open Zuccarello, who managed to play it perfectly off his skate and in one motion fired his 12th past Grubauer to chants of, “Zuuuuuccccc!” from the crowd.

Washington pulled Grubauer with 1:21 left with the puck deep in the Rangers zone. For the most part, the defense did a good job. They didn’t allow Ovechkin to get any set ups from the point. However, it would come down to a Backstrom pass down low for an open Marcus Johansson. He got two tries but was turned away by a stellar Lundqvist, who made the second stop to get a whistle with less than a minute to play.

With the crowd cheering loudly, the Rangers killed off the final 55 seconds without a problem to earn the win. One that demonstrated how good this team can be when it wants to be.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (game-winner with 11:23 left for his 12th of season from Kreider and Zibanejad)

2nd Star-Phillip Grubauer, WSH (28 saves including 18/19 in 1st)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (31 saves including 11/11 in 3rd with the two clutch stops on Johansson to preserve the win)

Notes: Kevin Klein returned to the lineup along with Pavel Buchnevich. Klein was back in for Adam Clendening while Buchnevich replaced Matt Puempel. In 19 shifts, Klein went plus-one with two hits and a shot in 14:15 all at even strength. Buchnevich took 16 shifts receiving 10:46 including 1:33 on the power play finishing with three shots while rejoining Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast on the fourth line. … Jimmy Vesey had another strong game with three shots in five attempts over 13:59 (16 shifts). He’s been the most dangerous player on a line with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash. Both of who haven’t scored much over the past month. Stepan picked up an assist on McDonagh’s tally. Stepan has three assists in the last four games but is without a goal over the last 13 since potting two on 1/17 versus Dallas. Ironically, the same game Zibanejad last scored. … With a power play goal, Ovechkin is up to 27 for the season. He has 552 goals for his career in 897 games.

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Surging Sabres in the hunt in crazy playoff race

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Derek
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A Sabres’ resurgence has them right in the mix for the playoffs. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Buffalo Sabres.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, here come the Buffalo Sabres. Ahead of schedule, they’re only two points out of a playoff spot. In winning their fourth game over the last five- a 3-2 home win over the Blues– the Sabres find themselves in the hunt of a wild and crazy race.

With 62 points and 23 games left, the key for Buffalo is to keep winning. They got their latest victory thanks to goal number 20 from sizzling Evander Kane and a Ryan O’Reilly power play tally late in the second period that held up as the winner. Late recall Nick Baptiste also scored from Jack Eichel and Kane as the Sabres used 37 saves from Robin Lehner to close within two of third place in the Atlantic and the second wildcard.

Right now, anything’s possible. With the red hot Panthers continuing to win by posting a 3-2 road win at Los Angeles for their seventh win in eight and fourth straight overall, Florida has reminded us that they are going to be a factor. Combined with the Islanders losing the first of a home-and-home series at the Devils 3-2, it’s the Panthers who are now sitting third in the Atlantic with 64 points. They have gotten healthy with the return of Jonathan Huberdeau. Ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr scored a highlight reel goal the other night in a win at Anaheim. Aleksander Barkov got the winner against the Kings.

There are so many teams bunched up that eight total points separates second wildcard Boston- also with 64 points- from the Red Wings and Hurricanes. You have the Islanders still on the outside looking in with 62. They have yet to be in the wildcard yet. There’s also the Maple Leafs, who were doubled up by the Senators 6-3. Toronto has been inconsistent lately but remain at 63 points with 25 games left.

In what amounted to a huge win, the Devils are only four off the pace with 60 points and 24 games remaining. Thanks to 40 saves from Cory Schneider and goals from Devante Smith-Pelly, Travis Zajac (shorthanded) and improving rookie Pavel Zacha (8th), they held on for a one-goal home win over the Islanders. If they can sweep the series in Brooklyn later, they’re right there.

As for the Sabres, it was hard to take them seriously. At least for a while, it seemed that they wouldn’t make a push. But with the teams in front of them not playing consistent hockey, Buffalo suddenly finds itself very much alive. Dating back to a 4-0 shutout over Ottawa on Feb. 4, they have won six of nine and made up ground.

Kane deserves a lot of credit for turning his season around. Ever since Eichel returned, he’s been a different player. He didn’t score his first goal until Dec. 3. Since that point, he’s scored all 20 of his goals over the last 35 games. During that span, he has tallied 27 points (20-7-27). In nine games this month, Kane has six goals and a helper. He’s 13-8-21 in wins and just 5-3-8 in losses.

Eichel has also been on a serious roll. With an assist yesterday, he now has 17 points over the last 17 games. Most impressively, it hasn’t been about his goal scoring. But rather his playmaking. He’s scored just five times while assisting on 12 goals. In fact, his last six points are all helpers including three in a win at Toronto. He only has one goal in the last 12 games. What happens when the super sophomore with the wicked shot snaps out of it? He’s due.

The Sabres wrap up a tough three games over four days stretch by hosting the Blackhawks. That shouldn’t be easy. But they’ll probably draw Chicago backup Scott Darling due to Corey Crawford starting in their loss to Edmonton. With no games until Feb. 25, does coach Dan Bylsma ride the hot hand in net with Lehner? He’s won his last three starts allowing four goals on 103 shots. It has to be a strong consideration. He has started the last six games.

Anders Nilsson hasn’t played since making 36 saves in a 5-4 come from behind overtime win over the Sharks on Feb. 7. That comeback started the turnaround. Trailing 4-1 to a very good San Jose team that made the Stanley Cup Final last year, the Sabres scored four unanswered including three in succession over a 3:28 span in the third period to force overtime. In it, Kane got the winner 65 seconds in from Eichel with a rocket.

With Sam Reinhart starting to pick it up and Kyle Okposo continuing to be a good fit leading the team in scoring with 39 points (18-21-39), Buffalo is no longer one dimensional. They’ve gotten solid contributions from vets Brian Gionta and Matt Moulson, who each enter today’s game with 12 goals apiece.

Rasmus Ristolainen continues to be a workhorse anchoring the back end. He’s averaging over 27 minutes a night while ranking fourth in team scoring with 35 points including a team-leading 31 assists. He’s getting some help from Jake McCabe, Cody Franson and a now healthy Zach Bogosian.

While it’s true the playoffs are probably unrealistic due to their schedule and having to compete against so many teams who have games at hand, the Sabres are no longer a pushover. They finally must be taken seriously.

Whatever happens the remainder of the season, a young nucleus will get a good experience and learn from it moving forward.

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