Another MSG debacle for Rangers

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Derek
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Columbus had Henrik Lundqvist and the listless Rangers seeing blue again in another disturbing home loss. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Blue Jackets.

This wasn’t the way to restart the season. Not after a five-day break. Once again, the Rangers stunk on home ice. In falling to the Blue Jackets 6-4, it was another ugly reminder that while this is a good team, it has some big question marks. The first being why can’t they play a 60-minute game and string together wins at MSG. What a debacle.

I could care less that they never gave up. It’s not in their DNA. So, credit them for at least showing some backbone in the third period scoring the last four goals to at least make Columbus sweat. I can’t understand why they can’t be consistent at home. The loss was the fifth in their last six at MSG. That is indescribable. It shouldn’t happen. Not after extending Alain Vigneault.

I will admit I missed the first two periods but caught the third when I got back. I know after Seth Jones’ goal in the first, the Rangers had the better of the play. They had good chances but couldn’t beat Columbus backup Joonas Korpisalo. It all fell apart in an awful second. The Blue Jackets scored four goals including twice during a pair of four-on-four’s to chase Henrik Lundqvist. If this sounds like a broken record, it isn’t. It’s a recording.

Antti Raanta was rudely greeted in his return by two more Columbus goals on four shots in the remainder of the period. To hear Steve Valiquette tell it on MSG, they took too many chances down 3-0. Why? This team is more than capable of coming back from that margin and did so at Columbus. The style Vigneault plays emphasizes more offense. Sometimes, this team takes too many risks and gets burned defensively. So, 3-0 became 5-0 and led to boos.

It’s funny how when you are going bad, it just gets worse. They went from down a goal after one when I picked up some stuff at CVS to down three. Then by the time I got home, it was Zach Werenski having a shot redirected in front by Matt Calvert at the start of the third to make it a touchdown deficit.

Then, Jimmy Vesey scored his first goal in 12 games to break a drought. Following Michael Grabner’s team-leading 22nd on a neat deflection from Brady Skjei, Chris Kreider tallied number 19 making it three goals in 3:21 to suddenly cut it to a field goal. You can’t make it up.

The Blueshirts spent the rest of the third chasing a deficit they couldn’t recover from. Columbus sat back and defended relying on Korpisalo to make the key saves. Even though he allowed four on 19 shots, he made some good stops to give John Tortorella’s club a win. You have to wonder what he was thinking on the bench when Kevin Klein notched his first with 67 seconds left to make it 6-4.

There’s really no explanation for it. The Rangers have to be better at MSG. They fell to 14-11-1. Simply not good enough. When you’re at home, you play in front of your fans. You’re supposed to have more energy and consistency. This team hasn’t been a lock down home team since those nightmarish shutout losses to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. Why is that? They have the last change. Is it complacency? Or is it wanting to put on a show? There’s no rational explanation.

Why does this team implode in second periods? Lundqvist only answered one question in the postgame. Frustration is creeping in. He did allow another bad one which sent him to the bench. Was it the break? He played well prior to it. Is he ever going to be the same goalie? This is a serious question folks. Because if the answer is no, then extending Vigneault is a waste. They can’t win without superior goaltending from Lundqvist.

Following the next game at dreaded Buffalo on Thursday (should we pencil that in as a loss), the next four are all at MSG against Western teams. Calgary, Anaheim, Nashville and Colorado visit. They have to figure it out soon. If not, then they won’t be locked into the first wildcard. But fighting for their playoff livelihood.

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Extending Vigneault now a calculated risk

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Derek

Alain Vigneault

The news came late last night. Somewhat surprisingly, the New York Rangers announced that they have extended coach Alain Vigneault through 2020. Larry Brooks broke the story in the New York Post. Vigneault originally signed a five-year, $10 million contract that would’ve expired after next season. Now, he gets a bump in salary up $2 million and won’t be a lame duck coach.

Is it a good move? I can’t say for sure. However, Vigneault has certainly done well behind the Rangers bench. His 175 wins make the Blueshirts the third winningest team since he took over for John Tortorella in ’13-14. A trip to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final and coming within a period of making it two straight appearances are the highlights. He did a terrific job with those teams. Don’t forget they made franchise history for the first time by rallying from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Penguins in the second round. In 2015, they repeated it against the Capitals in dramatic fashion.

The 55-year old Vigneault has coached over 1,100 NHL games with three franchises. After being an assistant with Ottawa, he got his start in Montreal before going back to coach juniors in the QMJHL. After a successful year with Manitoba in the AHL, he took over the Canucks and turned them into one of the league’s best teams. In ’10-11, they won the President’s Trophy and reached the Stanley Cup Final. But weren’t able to get it done blowing 2-0 and 3-2 series leads by getting shutout by the Bruins on home ice 4-0 in Game 7. They weren’t able to repeat that success getting ousted in the first round in ’11-12 and ’12-13. A sweep at the hands of the Sharks cost him his job.

Vigneault is an offensive minded coach who emphasizes team speed and transition. The Rangers have certainly been exciting under him scoring some of the most beautiful goals. Especially this season with improved depth giving them better balance. They are second in the NHL in scoring behind the Pens averaging 3.37 goals-per-game. They currently sit fourth in the league’s strongest division with 63 points in 49 games- trailing first place Washington by nine and tonight’s opponent Tortorella’s Blue Jackets by five. The Pens are third with 65.

The Rangers are in the first wildcard seven points clear of the Jekyll & Hyde Flyers and eight ahead of the Maple Leafs. They’re in good position. They need to start winning at MSG. After getting off to a great start, they’ve really struggled losing four of their last five. Three of the losses were uncompetitive. With five of the next six at home with only a road match at Buffalo Feb. 2 in between, now is the time to straighten out.

As for my thoughts on extending Vigneault now, it reminds me of the contract extension Glen Sather gave Dan Girardi. With Girardi rumored to be on the trade market with both Anaheim and Florida interested, he chose to keep the gritty veteran defenseman overpaying. In doing so, he decided to trade captain Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis. A trade that worked with St. Louis inspiring the team in its comeback against Pittsburgh following the tragic death of his Mom France. The biggest highlight being St. Louis’ goal on Mother’s Day with MSG a madhouse. I’ll never forget it. They gave up first round picks which was too much. But a trip to the Stanley Cup Final was worth it. Unfortunately, the Lightning shut them out 2-0 in Game 7 on home ice.

For as successful as Vigneault has been, his team losing by shutout in the final two home games of the Eastern Conference Final leaves a bitter taste. How can anyone explain it? During those games, he was too hesitant to change lines and adjust strategy. Tampa stood up at the blue line and took away the Rangers’ transition. He should’ve adjusted. Of course, it was still miraculous that they made it that far with most of the defense banged up. So, you certainly give him credit along with the players who gave it everything.

Vigneault is a quality coach who deals with the media well. He is well spoken. However, at times, he won’t always give them answers on some of his moves. He made a big mistake with a clearly not 100 percent Girardi last season playing him too much. By the first round, the writing was on the wall. The Pens exposed a declining defense with both Girardi and Marc Staal not close to past form. They chased Henrik Lundqvist twice including in a lopsided fifth game to prevail easily.

When it comes to how he uses players, it leaves something to be desired. At times, you’re left scratching your head. Especially when J.T. Miller or Kevin Hayes get no power play time in random games. They’ve been terrific. Hayes remains out with an injury. Miller has bounced around and is currently on the third line playing at center. The same applies to youngster Jimmy Vesey, who is a bad fit for the fourth line. How is he supposed to get out of his funk getting so little time?

As for the blue line, it remains a big question. While workhorse Ryan McDonagh has bounced back, he has had to deal with multiple partners. None of who are top right D. Girardi sometimes is still used but is better off on a second pair or third depending on the match-up. Kevin Klein has struggled most of the year. Injuries have finally caught up. He did look a little better before the All-Star break. Thankfully, Staal returns tonight after missing nearly a month with post-concussion symptoms. However, Adam Clendening comes out. He had good chemistry with rookie Brady Skjei on the third pair. While not the best defensively, Clendening is much better skater than either Girardi or Klein and adds offense including on the power play.

You can see the dilemma. Is the coach gonna stay loyal to his vets again by overusing them? Or will he trust Clendening enough to have him fill in occasionally for Girardi or Klein when the situation is called upon. His track record says he won’t. That isn’t a strong suit. If the Rangers are to somehow make a run in the postseason, they must keep their elder statesmen fresh.

Then there’s Lundqvist, who wasn’t allowed to get into a rhythm until capable backup Antti Raanta went down. Vigneault didn’t start him at Pittsburgh following a couple of strong outings which made no sense. It was almost as if he decided he’d rather go with Raanta because he beat the Pens earlier in the season. Naturally, they got smoked. Lundqvist is a workhorse who needs consistent reps. When Raanta made four consecutive starts in December, his confidence was shaken. But he seemed to bounce back only for Vigneault to interrupt the momentum.

Lundqvist then hit a huge slump this month and didn’t get out of it until Vigneault was forced to play him daily. It’s understandable that he wants to keep the soon to be 35-year old fresh for the playoffs. The coach wants to limit Hank to 55 starts. Lundqvist has gotten into 36 games so far with career worsts in goals-against-average (2.73) and save percentage (.907). Can he continue the upswing against a tough Columbus team tonight. I won’t be around to watch it.

My biggest complaint with re-upping Vigneault now is that it comes with uncertainty. What was the big rush? Why not wait to see how this team does in the playoffs? What if they go out in the first round again? Back to back first round exits would certainly raise some eyes.

This is how the Rangers operate. They do things in odd fashion. Even if you like keeping Vigneault around, you have to admit there was no need to rush it. I have faith in GM Jeff Gorton, whose terrific off-season is why the Rangers have improved. The question is can he add the missing pieces to make this team a true contender. They are still a top right defenseman and gritty physical forward in the Antoine Roussel mold away from being legit in my opinion.

Now, we’ll just have to be patient and see how things work out. We won’t know if the extension was the right move for a while.

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Devils crash-land into All-Star break

Posted on January 27, 2017 by hasan4978

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Remember the days when the Devils couldn’t lose at home and couldn’t win on the road?  These days it’s just the inverse, now that the Devils don’t win at home and haven’t lost in regulation on the road since December.  Problem with that is the Devils lost on the road when the majority of their games were on the road and now are losing at home when they’re finally playing more home games.  And not just losing at home, but turning in noncompetitive effort after noncompetitive effort.  Most of these games aren’t even close.  In the Devils’ six-game losing streak at home they’ve been outscored 20-7, culminating in last night’s 5-2 wipeout against the Caps.

Worse from my perspective is I haven’t seen a home win at the Rock since December 6 (I didn’t attend the only two home wins they’ve had since then).  It’ll be nearly two months after that when I go to my next home game, after the All-Star break.  In my last six games attending the Devils have only been outscored 24-8, with two of those goals coming in a too little, too late ‘effort’ against Toronto when they blew up the game in the first period falling in a 0-4 hole.  This is just one of many reasons why I’ve become apathetic about watching this team but after they did legitimately good work on the road going 5-0-1 getting back in the playoff race for a minute and a half, to go 0-5-1 at home to fall back out of it and crash into last in the East is just inexcusable.

Part of me’s just tired of ripping everyone and everything about this team but after this latest stretch they deserve another one.  Let’s start with coach John Hynes, who granted does some good things like the second-period benching of Taylor Hall after a bad turnover in Minnesota, showing that everyone – or almost everyone – can be held accountable.  Some of his decisions are just mind-boggling however, like playing Keith Kinkaid again last night.  Granted starting goalie Cory Schneider was ill, missing two games over the weekend and had a poor first period on Tuesday.  But he’s still your number one goalie and had still improved his play in January, he deserved another crack, especially with the fact the break was coming up and he would have only played that one bad period in two weeks.  Not to mention as well as Keith’s played this season, he’s still a backup for a reason.  The last time Hynes gave him a start over a healthy Cory in a non back-to-back, that didn’t go so well either…also against the Caps on New Year’s Eve.  Predictably Keith got racked last night, and even more annoyingly when Cory did come into the game at 4-1 he played well.  At least the silver lining is he gets to go into the break on that instead.  By all accounts the Devils didn’t play that badly last night so maybe it was a game you could have stolen if you weren’t trying to get blood out of a stone.

Hynes must have ticked off someone in the refs’ union too given all the calls that have gone against us lately, especially the Montreal game which was such an abomination you would have thought the teams were playing at the Bell Centre.  That game was so bad the NHL had to call us Roger Goodell-style to apologize for calling an early third-period boarding against Karl Stollery (admitting it should have been a minor) that led to a five-minute power play where the Habs scored two decisive goals in a 3-1 loss – which by the way I did attend after all, switching around dinner plans with a friend.  Of course that game was another letdown.  Not to mention an obvious missed goal call against the Kings on Tuesday, where LA’s Dwight King clearly pushed the net off its morrings and actually did get called for delay of game, problem is the net was pushed off just as the puck was going into the net.  NHL rules allow for crediting the team with a goal even after the net gets pushed off when it’s intentional, but obviously rules get forgotten or misapplied in games against us.

As far as the players go, the less said the better.  Only if we’re going to hold guys like Cory accountable and bench him because of one bad period or Hall a period for one bad turnover, where’s the benching for Mr. Invisible (Mike Cammalleri)?  One goal in 26 games for a supposed top six winger just isn’t cutting it, albeit he’s had a couple of assists lately but still.  His early season struggles could be excused because of family issues and rust from not having played in several months, but what exactly is the problem now?  Other than a binge week or two in December, he’s been flat awful.   What I fear is the problem is he’s just old and shot, Michael Ryder-style.  Which would be a problem considering Camm’s still under contract for two years after this one, with a NTC.  It would be nice to see a little more effort from one of the supposed leaders of the team though – perimeter players who score are fine, perimeter players who don’t are a problem.  Bad enough Camm’s stinking on my fantasy team too, but the Devils need his goals even more than my fantasy team.  To put it in perspective, recent waiver pickup Stefan Noesen scored last night in his Devils debut, which is as many goals as Camm has scored in nearly two months.

Of course Camm’s far from the only issue on the team but it’s indiciative of the larger issue right now.  When someone I’ve always looked as a leader and an example for younger players is floating around, small wonder just about everyone else is too.  Far too many of these games the team’s come out with a lazy first period that torpedoed the game.  Even last night they were down 0-2 with sloppy defense after the opening twenty minutes.  Against the Kings it was 0-3 before you could blink and nearly caused me to walk out after the first period in exacerbation.  That wasn’t even as bad as the Toronto abomination three weeks ago where they were 0-4 in the hole after fifteen minutes.  And I’m tired of seeing message board lectures that ‘this is what rebuilding is like’.  Rebuilding doesn’t give you license to make amateur hour decisions or excuse bad effort.  Put it this way, I’d gladly take the Brooklyn Nets’ season over our current one.  At least they compete every night, albeit they’re so bad they’re a near-lock to get the most lottery ping-pong balls while we’ll probably get slotted fourth at best in the lottery behind Arizona, Colorado and expansion Vegas.  Of course there’s also a faction of fans who want to tank Sixer-style, trade everyone and bemoan the fact we didn’t tank sooner.  That kind of talk’s beneath a fanbase who used to take the high ground when the Penguins management actively did things to lose games to get Mario Lemieux.

What’s amusing – at least to me – is the fact season ticket renewals are going out next week, right after the All-Star break.  Great timing eh?  Considering the team’s lost six in a row at home with attendance dwindling and eleven of thirteen at the Rock (many blowouts among them) after their illusory unbeaten streak in NJ earlier in the season.  It seems like the worse the team gets, the earlier the renewals come out to attempt to lock you in before the season becomes a total dumpster fire.  It’ll be more amusing to see them pump season ticket sales during February when the team has nine of eleven games at home.  Assuming the team isn’t brazen enough to raise ticket prices – rumor is they’re not – I’ll probably renew at some point given I still love my location and the price isn’t terribad yet, but it doesn’t sound like the benefits are going to improve from this year.  Put it this way, they’re going to have to offer something besides shooting for your season tickets – when I have about as much chance of making that shot as a #16 seed does of winning an NCAA tournament game – for me to go out of my way to renew early.  I would prefer to wait till the offseason and renew then, to see if this team’s going to do anything legitimate to improve or if they’re going to pinch pennies again and in the end it might just be more expedient to pay less for 90% of games on StubHub and ignore going to Ranger games that are becoming more blue by the year anyway, but at a certain point you lose tenure and the few perks left from renewing.

Until then, the less I think about this team the better.  I was personally glad I had other plans and wasn’t able to go last night though I missed getting the retro theme socks, I knew what was in store against a Caps team that’d been killing everyone lately.  At least my friend in 120 couldn’t blame last night’s loss on me being there.

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Rangers shutout by Mason and Flyers 2-0

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Derek
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Derek Stepan checks Wayne Simmonds during the Flyers’ 2-0 shutout of the Rangers at MSG. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Sometimes, you can outplay an opponent and not get the desired result. Such was the case during last night’s 2-0 Rangers loss to the Flyers on Rivalry Night. They just didn’t take advantage of the chances they created in a strong first half. Combined with poor special teams and a scintillating performance from Steve Mason, who made 34 saves for his first shutout of the season, it added up to a disappointing home defeat to enter the All-Star break.

I haven’t attended many games. I believe this was my third of the season and first in 2017. So, naturally I came away disappointed that they couldn’t score one goal on Mason, who entered with a save percentage below .900. That’s hockey. Most notably, it also typifies Mason’s career. At times, he can be really on and at others, he can’t stop a beach ball. He was the difference stopping 27 of the Rangers’ 36 shots in the first two periods.

Some were utterly brilliant with Mason committing highway robbery a couple of times. Michael Grabner was victimized twice point blank. It wasn’t his night. The Rangers’ leading goalscorer also had a breakaway but after struggling to retrieve the puck, he fired a laser off the crossbar. Not only did it go wrong for him offensively. But defensively as well with him messing up on Wayne Simmonds’ power play game-winner with 13:51 left in the third period. He also accidentally kicked in Jakub Voracek’s insurance marker by Henrik Lundqvist. Just from watching from up in 419, I could tell that was a weird one.

To be honest, it was an odd game. There were hardly any whistles in a very fast paced first that saw the Rangers double up the Flyers in shots 16-8. It was entertaining to watch. Plenty of skating and rushes. But it was the home team that controlled puck possession and had the better of the play. Despite Mason leaving some rebounds on long shots, they couldn’t solve him. He was really on.

The first half of the second was similar. Even though they didn’t register as many shots getting to 11 compared to the Flyers’ eight, there were some golden opportunities. They got the only two power plays in the period. The first was decent. But the second was god awful. They kept turning over pucks and losing battles. They made it too easy on the Flyers.

When they did test Mason, he was unreal. He made two terrific stops on deflections with Chris Kreider just missing. The puck hit Mason or missed the net. The Rangers couldn’t finish. It reminded me of the old Stone Hands Line that consisted of Ryan Hollweg and Jed Ortmeyer with Dominic Moore. With apologies to Moore who still plays in Boston, Hollweg and Ortmeyer could sometimes have great chances and fail to score. Ortmeyer still remains one of my favorite Blueshirts. I have his jersey. Maybe if I had worn it instead of the Jaromir Jagr, they might’ve won. Hockey superstitions.

Entering the third, the Flyers played better at the end of the second finally testing Lundqvist, who had another good effort making 24 stops with neither goal his fault. Looking at the game sheet, I figured the Flyers were due for a power play. Given that the Rangers had the only two over the first two periods, you knew it was coming. And the way it had been played, it figured that once they got it, they would score. Sure enough, Simmonds found himself in front of the net to finish off his 20th from Brayden Schenn and Voracek. He’s always killed us. So, it was expected.

The Flyers clogged the neutral zone and forced the Rangers into sloppy turnovers. They never really gave the impression they could beat Mason. With Philadelphia in lock down mode following Voracek’s goal, it was basically over.

If there was a disturbing sign, it was this. It was the Flyers who managed the puck better. They out-hustled, out-muscled and outplayed the Rangers in the third to earn a second consecutive win.

We didn’t leave until Ryan McDonagh took a penalty with 41 seconds left. Mats Zuccarello had taken a silly one for going at a Flyer and delivering a hit into the boards for interference. Zuccarello was ornery. He also got in the face of another Flyer during a scrum challenging him. It’s sad that the little guy is the one to step up.

One Ranger who had a good game was Matt Puempel. Though his penalty led to Simmonds goal which was a total butcher job by the penalty kill. Puempel created chances by using his speed to go to the net and get in position for a couple of redirects. He finished with three shots and five attempts in 19 shifts (13:09). I would’ve loved to see Alain Vigneault give Puempel more than one brief 24-second power play shift in the third. They had nothing going. Jimmy Vesey received 3:05 while J.T. Miller got only two seconds. Inexplicable.

Vesey is clearly struggling. His ice-time has been cut dramatically. Maybe the next few days off will help him refresh for next week’s home match against the Blue Jackets. Oscar Lindberg saw only 11 shifts for 7:11 all at even strength. This despite being one of the few forwards to come back defensively. Why even dress him coach?

It is what it is. It was sad to get shutout by the Flyers. The Rangers had a 34-26 edge in shots and out-attempted them 69-48. None of that mattered. Mason stoned them.

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Video Of Day: Jack Eichel wins it in overtime

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Derek
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Captain Jack: A pumped up Jack Eichel celebrates his highlight reel goal that gave the Sabres a third consecutive overtime. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Buffalo Sabres. 

The goal of the day came in Nashville. Oh. There were other candidates that made the highlight reel. But nobody topped Buffalo center Jack Eichel. The electrifying second-year player from Massachusetts scored the overtime winner in epic fashion. He already got one earlier on a power play.

What made the latest Sabres’ victory great was how they came back to beat the Predators 5-4- winning a third consecutive game in overtime. With under 10 minutes left in the third period, they trailed Nashville 4-2. But they never gave up. Brian Gionta scored his 11th with 5:50 remaining. With Robin Lehner off for an extra skater, Kyle Okposo tied it with 1:05 left.

That set the stage for Eichel during the always entertaining 3-on-3. He didn’t disappoint. Taking a pass from Taylor Fedun in his zone, Eichel flew up ice and found enough room to skate into traffic and blow one past Nashville rookie Juuse Saros for the stunning OT winner at 2:35. Here’s how it looked:

My favorite part is how Eichel didn’t hesitate to attack the Nashville defense by skating inside and making a great move before sniping. That’s star talent. His two goals give him 12 along with nine helpers for 21 points in 26 games.

It was also the Sabres’ third consecutive come from behind win when trailing in the third. They are suddenly up to 49 points. The crazy aspect is they’re tied with five other teams in points. That includes the resurgent Islanders, who won again defeating Columbus 4-2 in Brooklyn. They’re up to 3-0-1 under interim coach Doug Weight. Nikolay Kulemin and Jason Chimera scored big goals as the Isles suddenly are right back in it along with everyone else.

With Boston finally winning, they’re up to 54 points and third in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs are fourth with 53 which puts them in the second wildcard a point up on the Flyers, who visit MSG tonight. Florida follows with 50 and then it gets crowded with the Islanders, Sabres, Hurricanes, Red Wings, Devils and Lightning all tied with 49. The difference is regulation/overtime wins (ROW) and games played.

It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. With no one out of it, the trade deadline on Feb. 28 is gonna be very interesting. Just how many teams will sell. We’re still over a month away. By them, maybe the playoff picture will become clearer.

It is very exciting to follow. But more so to see Brian’s team moving up the standings and making it interesting. Along with Toronto, those two rebuilding teams are worth keeping a close eye on.

Rick Jeanneret’s call of Jack Eichel’s overtime winner

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Lundqvist leads Blueshirts revival

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Derek
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Henrik Lundqvist has led a Blueshirt revival by stopping 80 of 84 shots in three consecutive wins including a 36-save performance in a 3-2 win over the Kings. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

A week ago, there were lingering questions as to what was wrong with Henrik Lundqvist. After getting chased by the Stars for seven goals on 27 shots in two periods last Tuesday, the popular 34-year old Swede was down to a .902 save percentage. Just when all looked lost, Lundqvist responded with three consecutive strong games to lead a Blueshirts revival.

After stopping all 21 shots in an odd 1-0 overtime shutout at the Red Wings in a Sunday matinee, he was at his best in turning aside 36 of 38 shots in a 3-2 home win over the Kings last night at MSG. That makes it three straight wins all with Lundqvist in net playing more to his high standard. He’s faced 84 shots and stopped 80 during the stretch to post a 1.32 goals-against-average and .952 save percentage.

He didn’t have to be great in consecutive wins at Toronto and Detroit. He only faced 46 shots. However, he still had to make timely stops. Especially in a sleep inducting 1-0 shutout for his 61st career. J.T. Miller got the game-winner on Sunday scoring number 16 off a brilliant set up from leading scorer Mats Zuccarello. In that win, Kevin Hayes left with an injury that will sideline him between two to three weeks.

With Hayes out, a fully recovered Matt Puempel was back in Monday. Playing for the first time since New Year’s Eve at Colorado after sustaining a concussion, the birthday boy continued to show why GM Jeff Gorton picked up the former Senators 2011 first round pick off waivers. He scored in his return to give him six goals and an assist in 14 games with the Rangers. That also included his first career hat trick in a 12/29 win at Arizona.

Playing against a team that’s given them fits since the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers didn’t get much offense early. In fact, the Kings held them to two shots early on. They out-shot the Rangers 14-5 in the first period but trailed on the scoreboard thanks to a Brandon Pirri unassisted tally at 11:31. A bad exchange between Jeff Zatkoff and his defenseman allowed Pirri to steal the puck and beat the former Pen with a quick wrister for his eighth.

Even though they still led by a goal midway through, coach Alain Vigneault decided to make some adjustments to his lines. He benched Chris Kreider for a few shifts and replaced him with Puempel. The move worked with Puempel scoring off a beautiful Derek Stepan feed on a two-on-one started by Dan Girardi. Girardi stepped up at his own blue line and made a good outlet for an attacking Stepan which resulted in Puempel’s sweet finish.

Before the second concluded, the Kings were able to beat Lundqvist on a Jordan Nolan tally from Andy Andreoff and Drew Doughty with 1:59 left. But for a team that doesn’t score much, it didn’t matter that Los Angeles dictated play with their heavy forecheck. Despite more than doubling up the Rangers in shots 38-17, they were unable to get a point.

The dreaded two-goal lead is something Blueshirt fans are all too familiar with against the Kings. It brings back flashbacks to that painful five-game series loss in which LA used third period comebacks in all three games at Staples Center before prevailing in sudden death. This time, there wouldn’t be any comeback. Instead, Mats Zuccarello finally broke a 15-game drought when he took a Miller feed and scored his ninth goal- first since an empty netter in a 2-0 shutout at Dallas on 12/15. He hadn’t beaten a goalie since 11/15.

Even though he hasn’t been finishing, Zuccarello is playing superb hockey. He continues to rack up points. The goal extended his point streak to six (1-7-8). He leads the team in assists with 29 and points with 38. Ever since Vigneault put him with Stepan and Kreider, they’ve been unstoppable. Even on a night when Kreider saw some time with other players, there was Zuccarello and Stepan delivering.

Trailing by two, the Kings never gave up. It’s not in their DNA. They kept attacking and creating chances. None better than following a Girardi turnover when snake bit captain Anze Kopitar was stopped by Lundqvist. What ensued was total chaos. With about nine players in front of the net searching for a loose puck, it eventually was freed up and sent to a wide open Kopitar with a gaping net. But a certain goal was robbed by a back checking Rick Nash, who stole the puck and started a rush the opposite way. It was a startling play from start to finish with Nash making a heck of a save and then generating a scoring chance.

The Kings eventually did score but it came with 1.6 seconds remaining. Kyle Clifford was able to finish in front following a top heavy Jake Muzzin shot that hit the crossbar. The problem is there was no time left. So Clifford’s goal became bookkeeping.

The Rangers play one more game before the All-Star break. They’ll host the Flyers at MSG on Wednesday night. Another Rivalry Night between bitter rivals with an 8 PM start on NBCSN. Win that one and it would be four in a row. A great way to end what’s been a crazy period.

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Call of the Day: Rick Jeanneret on amazing Lehner robbery

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Derek
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A sprawling Robin Lehner dives to make an incredible glove save to rob Max Pacioretty of a sure goal which led to the Sabres’ second consecutive 3-2 overtime win. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Buffalo Sabres. 

Occasionally, legendary Buffalo Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret has a call that is so good, you can’t help but chuckle. The past two nights, Buffalo has given him plenty of reasons for excitement.

In a gritty 3-2 overtime win over the Red Wings on Friday, it was Buffalo’s penalty kill that killed off a Kyle Okposo minor before Okposo would be the beneficiary on a late Sabres power play with a great backhand finish in front to beat Detroit with 26 seconds remaining. Jeanneret’s call:

“Okposo is there to hammer it home and Buffalo wins it in OVERRRRTTIIIIIMMME!!!!”

Imagine an exciting comeback win like that where Ryan O’Reilly scored a beauty to force OT with Okposo winning it followed up by another thrilling come from behind 3-2 win in extras over close rival Montreal at Bell Centre. That’s exactly what happened. Buffalo twice came back to tie the score with Cody Franson scoring at 11:53 of the third period to send it to overtime.

As has been proven, Montreal is a tough place to win. Especially on a Saturday with Hockey Night In Canada and Habs ace Carey Price in net. That didn’t stop the Sabres from getting an emotional one-goal win over the Canadiens. They can thank starter Robin Lehner for that. Prior to defenseman Zach Bogosian beating Price at 1:48 of overtime, Lehner made an incredible save to deny Max Pacioretty of a certain goal. Here’s how it sounded from Jeanneret:

The call by Jeanneret is perfect. His level of enthusiasm and energy is still amazing. Even now in the latter stages of a Hall of Fame career, the affable 74-year old remains one of sports treasures. Someone who makes you feel like part of the moment. No matter where you are.

I had the pleasure of meeting him once while working the production truck for a Devils home game against the Sabres on a snowy night in February 2001. He was a class act. I told him about best friend Brian who has been a huge fan. He couldn’t have been nicer. He was making copies in the old press room at Continental Airlines Arena. That’s a game I still remember due to my scary trip home to Staten Island on 95. And of course, for Dominik Hasek, who got the shutout with Brian Rafalski’s apparent tying goal coming just a split second late.

It’s amazing to think that here’s a man who still is amazing at his job. Rick doesn’t travel much with the team. He does their home games. And for those nights when you get a chance to hear him whether it’s in Western New York or on Center Ice, do yourselves a favor and listen to the way he describes the action. But last night’s game wasn’t too far up in Montreal. Hockey fans got a treat.

With terms like, “Top shelf! Where Mama hides the cookies,” there’s no one more fun than Ricky J. A broadcaster I was introduced to on many a Hockey Night in South River, New Jersey by Brian and close buddies John and Tim.

Here is Franson’s winner and an excited bunch of Sabres pouring off the bench to celebrate the victory:

Coupled with a Toronto shootout loss to Ottawa, the Sabres pulled within four points of the final wildcard in a crazy race. If only it were that simple. With the Devils winning for a fourth time in five against the stumbling Flyers 4-1 on a pair of Miles Wood tallies, they’re now up to 49 points. Philadelphia remains stuck at 50 one behind the Leafs’ 51. Another Canes’ loss kept them at 49 along with the Panthers. Then come Buffalo at 47 along with Detroit, who host the Rangers on NBC today at 12:30 PM. The Islanders’ latest victory of 5-2 over the Kings puts them up to 46.

This is gonna be a truly unpredictable race for the final three months. No one is out of it. Everyone can make it. Don’t forget in the Atlantic, seven total points separate second place Ottawa from last place Tampa. With the fading Bruins looking in serious trouble clinging onto third with 52 just one up on Toronto and the pack right behind, anything is possible.

 

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Devils get shafted on boarding call

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Derek
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Steven Santini scored the lone goal for the Devils in a tough 3-1 loss to the Canadiens, who benefited from a questionable five-minute major for boarding on Karl Stollery in the third period. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NJDevils.

In the third period of a tie hockey game, the Devils got shafted on a boarding call. At 28 seconds, veteran Karl Stollery boarded Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu down to the ice into the boards.

Some boarding penalties can be called a major. This wasn’t one of them. But that didn’t stop refs (both Canadian) Frederick L’Ecuyer and Dean Morton from sending Stollery off for five minutes. Here it is:

That simply isn’t a five-minute boarding major. At worst, it should’ve been two. When Montreal forward Torrey Mitchell came in and got two for roughing, it probably should’ve resulted in a four-on-four for two minutes and then back to even strength. With coach John Hynes fuming on the Devils bench, instead Montreal got a three-minute power play out of it.

They proceeded to score two power play goals with Shea Weber blasting a one-timer past Keith Kinkaid followed by Max Pacioretty scoring 1:22 later. That was the difference in the game. One in which the Devils felt wronged. However, the penalty kill wasn’t good enough in that spot. Simply put, you can’t allow the Canadiens to take advantage scoring twice in such a short span.

Montreal scored all three of their goals on the man-advantage including a power play tally from Alex Galchenyuk back in the first following New Jersey rookie Steven Santini’s second NHL goal. He’s been a good player for the Devils since being recalled going plus-six so far.

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/822607523198996481

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak. The Devils had been playing their best hockey lately winning three consecutive one-goal games on a successful road swing that included a huge 4-3 win over the first place Wild on a late goal from unlikely source Beau Bennett.

With the Bruins getting shutout again on home ice in what probably spells the end for poor coach Claude Julien and the Hurricanes getting hammered by the Pens, the Devils remain three points out of the final wildcard spot held by the Leafs. New Jersey visits the Flyers on Saturday. Cory Schneider will be back in net.

While they are justified in being upset over the major on Stollery, the Devils can’t expect to win with only 17 shots. Especially against vet backup Al Montoya, who hardly broke a sweat making 16 saves for the win.

Having played 47 games, the Devils still have 35 left to chase that second wildcard. Every game matters. No one is out of it. Not even Buffalo following an emotional 3-2 overtime home win with Kyle Okposo playing the hero to give them 45 points. The Islanders have won two straight and three of four to reach 44 with still 39 to go.

It’s anyone’s race for that final spot. Even if the Habs benefited from a questionable call. Good teams find a way to kill it off and pick up their teammate. The Devils didn’t. It’s back to the drawing board with a big game tomorrow against those Flyers.

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Tavares stays hot as Islanders win in Doug Weight’s debut

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Derek
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John Tavares kept it going by scoring twice including his first shorthanded goal highlighting an Islanders’ 3-0 shutout of the Stars to win in Doug Weight’s coaching debut. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYIslanders.

Make it one for one for the Islanders under new interim coach Doug Weight. They shutout the Stars at Barclays Center 3-0 to win in Weight’s coaching debut. The stars were John Tavares and Thomas Greiss. Somewhat curiously, it was the second consecutive shutout for Greiss, who followed up a 32-save performance by stopping all 23 with the Islanders playing well in front of him.

It’s interesting that they sent off Jack Capuano with a 4-0 win at Boston. A game in which the supporting cast stepped up with Nikolay Kulemin tallying twice along with Jason Chimera scoring a goal and assist. Casey Cizikas also had two assists.

In the 3-0 home victory over a Dallas club that scored seven goals in a wild 7-6 win at the Rangers, it was the Isles’ best players who stepped up. Tavares continued to stay hot scoring twice to give him seven goals in the last four games. The superstar center opened the scoring with a highlight reel goal at 13:37 of the first period. After receiving a lead pass from Anders Lee, Tavares held onto the puck and skated around the Stars’ defense before burying one past Kari Lehtonen. A terrific goal by a terrific player.

As it turned out, that’s all they would need. On a night where the Stars lost their discipline taking nine penalties including a fight between Radek Faksa and Thomas Hickey early in the second, the Islanders power play was unable to make them pay. Lehtonen kept his team in it by making 33 saves. That included stopping all 16 Islander shots in a busy second.

The Isles did a very good job limiting the Stars’ shots keeping them to the outside. If there’s been an area they struggled at under Capuano, it’s been defensively. After the win, Weight talked about how he wants players who are going to compete and have intensity that way he sends them back out for the next shift. Last year, the team was better defensively and protected the house.

Most impressively, they did it without top defensemen Travis Hamonic (week-to-week) and Johnny Boychuk. Weight leaned heavily on steady vet Dennis Seidenberg, who was plus-two with three hits in over 26 minutes of action (27 shifts). Nick Leddy and Calvin de Haan also played over 20 minutes. Adam Pelech filled in admirably getting over 18 minutes while Scott Mayfield was used sparingly. Hickey got over 15 minutes going plus-one with the scrap.

The Islanders didn’t face too much adversity in winning for the third time over four. However, it was still a one goal game with Mayfield off for slashing. In what amounted to a wild sequence, Tavares led a two-on-one rush. But one too many passes sent the Stars in the other direction. But after missing, Kulemin caught the Stars by sending Tavares at the end of his penalty killing shift on a breakaway from center. Even with the fuel tank on low, he was able to come in with enough speed and beat Lehtonen with a forehand five-hole for his team-leading 18th that extended the lead to 2-0 with 3:06 remaining. It was his first career shorthanded goal.

“It was something special from the first goal on,” Weight said. “[Tavares] His work ethic, killing penalties, attention to detail. He’s a great leader.”

De Haan added an empty netter from Greiss with four seconds left for the final margin. The Islanders improved to 18-17-8 with 44 points. They remain last in the Metro Division. But are only six behind the second wildcard Maple Leafs. Weight believes this is a playoff team. But they have to climb over a lot of teams and make up ground.

With 39 games left, there’s plenty of time for the Islanders to do it. Especially with no team really seizing control of the final playoff spot. The Leafs have 50 points with 39 games remaining. The Flyers also have 50 but have played 46 games already. The Hurricanes and Panthers each have 49. The Lightning and Devils are at 47 and the Red Wings have 46 despite playing better hockey lately. Even the Sabres at 43 are only seven out. Whoever can string together some wins can gain in the standings quickly.

It’ll be an interesting race the final three months. The Islanders have a red hot star player finally going. Greiss has been playing extremely well. If they can keep it up, they will suddenly have a shot.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Kari Lehtonen, Stars (35 saves)

2nd Star-Thomas Greiss, NYIslanders (23 saves to become first German NHL goal to post consecutive shutouts)

1st Star-John Tavares, NYIslanders (2 goals-17, 18 including 1st career shorthanded goal, 6 shots, 10 attempts, 14-and-7 on face-offs, +2 in 27 shifts-23:45)

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Rangers finally get a re-Leaf in big 5-2 win

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Derek
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The victorious and happier Rangers celebrate with winning netminder Henrik Lundqvist after a badly needed 5-2 victory at Toronto in which Lundqvist made 23 saves to end a three-game losing streak during an awful stretch. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

The Rangers finally ended a miserable three-game losing streak by going into Toronto and coming away with a well earned 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. It was a big win that allowed them to smile again and enjoy playing the game. Especially for Henrik Lundqvist, who was relieved after making 23 saves while allowing just two goals while speaking to MSG’s John Giannone while wearing the Broadway Hat.

Their NHL best 16th road win came at a good time. It ended a nightmarish three-game run in which Lundqvist allowed 16 goals in his last three appearances. This was more like it. He made some big saves including his best to deny Auston Matthews after he blew past Dan Girardi for a backhand point blank. Neither Lundqvist or a more focused defense buckled. Instead, they played inspired after expressing frustration over Tuesday’s 7-6 home loss to the Stars.

One welcome change was Lundqvist not allowing an early goal. Instead, it was the Rangers who got the first goal on a well constructed play. It was started by Chris Kreider when he worked the puck from behind the net to Mats Zuccarello in the corner. Zuccarello won a battle and came out and centered for a pinching Brady Skjei, who scored his second NHL goal at 6:42.

Even though they played much better by dictating the play with puck possession and out-shooting the Leafs 19-9, it wasn’t perfect. The Leafs were able to tie it back up 3:34 later on a play started by James van Riemsdyk. Working the puck to Mitch Marner, the other big Leafs rookie came off the wall and fired a centering feed which deflected off Kevin Klein right to a wide open Tyler Bozak, who took advantage to finish his 11th past Lundqvist at 10:16. They caught the Rangers in a change with Brandon Pirri too late.

Rather than let down as they had recently, the Rangers stuck with it. Sizzling rookie Pavel Buchnevich remained hot when he was able to get a stick on a loose puck that he kicked to steer it in past Frederik Andersen for a 2-1 lead 4:28 later from Rick Nash and Skjei. Both Nash and Buchnevich were in front with the puck hopping off Nash to Buchnevich, whose kick of the puck merited a review. But it was concluded that he did manage to get his stick on it for his sixth. That gave him six points (2-4-6) in four games since returning. Dating back to Nov. 5, he has an eight-game point streak over which he has totaled 12 points (6-6-12). Where would he be in the rookie scoring race if he didn’t miss significant time?

Leading by one entering the second, the Blueshirts continued to apply the pressure. They kept getting good shots and quality chances on Andersen, who did a stellar job keeping his team in it. He finished with 36 saves. But he wasn’t able to prevent J.T. Miller from burying his 15th on a nifty cross-ice feed from buddy Kevin Hayes that made it 3-1 at 9:02 of the second. Prior to the goal, Adam Clendening got caught at the Toronto blue line leading to a dangerous Marner bid. But he hustled back to at least force Marner to miss wide preventing him from tying it up.

Instead, Clendening started the play the other way with Miller working a give-and-go with Hayes and then blistering his 15th from the right circle on a nice one-time blast upstairs. That was a pivotal play. It went from possibly 2-2 to 3-1.

The Leafs handed the Rangers opportunities to increase the margin. Consecutive minor penalties on Frank Corrado gave them power plays. Instead of cashing in, they allowed just their second shorthanded goal to Zach Hyman. With Corrado back in the box for his second penalty, Clendening lost his concentration when he allowed an attacking Hyman to steal the puck and score unassisted making it 3-2 with 3:58 remaining. It was a really bad play by Clendening. A mental lapse which made it a one-goal game after two.

Despite the Rangers basically doubling up the Leafs in shots by a wide 35-18 margin, they had to play a good third to come out with the victory. Playing a more defensive oriented patient style, they slowed down the Leafs to a crawl. They didn’t get much. At one point, the shots were still only 3-2 Toronto with nearly half the third gone.

Matt Martin sucked Oscar Lindberg into a bad tripping penalty in which the former Islander helped it along by taking a dive. Lundqvist protested but the refs weren’t listening. But on a night former Leaf Michael Grabner had been dangerous, he finally beat his former team on what else but a clean breakaway for a crushing shorthanded goal that made it 4-2 with 5:03 left. The play was made possible by Hayes, who took a Nick Holden feed and made a perfect lead pass for Grabner, who got behind the Toronto D. He turned on the jets and beat Andersen with his 20th of the season. His third career 20-goal year and first since netting 20 with the Islanders in ’11-12 following a career best 34 in ’10-11.

Grabner has been a huge difference maker for this team. After going two consecutive seasons without reaching double digits in goals, here he is back with 21 in only 45 games played with the Rangers. The 29-year old Austrian has always had great breakaway speed. But it’s really been a perfect fit under Alain Vigneault in a more offensive minded system where he can play with more skilled players. There is no reason for the coach to ever split up Grabner, Hayes and Miller, who as a third line have great chemistry and are lethal shorthanded. Grabner’s shorthanded goal was the first of this season and 13th of his career. The Rangers are tied now with Calgary for the most shorthanded goals (7) this season.

With Toronto pulling Andersen with under three minutes left, it was Grabner again who stole the puck at the red line and scored into an open net for his team-leading 21st for the final margin.

An important victory for the Rangers. One in which they defended better. Girardi was a standout making several key defensive plays. He blocked five shots and played a good game. They all played better. Lundqvist did the rest stopping 23 of 25 to get his 19th win of the year.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Brady Skjei, NYR (goal-2nd, assist, 6 attempts, +3 in 21 shifts-15:29)

2nd  Star-Kevin Hayes, NYR (2 assists, 6 shots, +2 in 25 shifts-14:13)

1st Star-Michael Grabner, NYR (2 goals including big shorthanded goal-20th, 21st, 5 shots, 8 attempts, 3 takeaways, +3 in 25 shifts-14:00)

Notes: Rangers finished with 34 hits led by Holden’s game-high eight. The Leafs had 21. … Martin tried to start something with Clendening. Both went off for slashes. You have to wonder what the heck Martin’s thinking. He really is a clown. … In a reverse, it was Hayes who barely saw any power play time with only 10 seconds while Miller received 3:16. … Jimmy Vesey remained mostly on the fourth line and received no power play shifts. He’s without a point in seven straight and is a minus-nine. … Interestingly, Matthews was held off the score sheet and went minus-three with Nazem Kadri. … Key Stat: Blocked shots NYR-18 (Girardi 5, Klein 4) TOR-9. … Face-offs went in favor of the Blueshirts 35-28 with Mika Zibanejad going 14-and-7. Frederik Gauthier went 9-and-5 for the Leafs.

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