Devils recap: Crisis averted (for now)

Posted on December 3, 2016 by hasan4978

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Several hours ago I was sharpening the knives for the rip job I knew I was going to post after the Devils were behind 4-1 in Nashville for what would have been their twelfth loss in fifteen road games this year, including another o-fer trip after OT losses at Pittsburgh and Chicago sandwiched a no-show in Winnipeg.  It didn’t help my mood I was already agitated with a headache I’ve had all day.  Actually I hadn’t even watched much of the first two periods mercifully trying to sleep off the headache and almost forgot the Devils had a real early matinee game.  When I finally did turn it on, I turned it on to Ken Daneyko of all people ripping the team and saying the compete level wasn’t there in the second period.  I knew if Kenny was ripping them it must have been bad.  Sure enough I saw it was 4-1 and already chalked up another loss, which would have been disasterous with the Devils already spiraling out of the playoff race.

Yes I said would have…because suddenly the Devils roared to life in the third period with two quick goals that got them back in the game, and got my interest back in watching the game.  Even though the Devils managed just four shots in the third period and were dominated territorially in the last 45 minutes of the game they still managed to tie the game with an Adam Henrique goal and send it to OT.  There again the Predators controlled play but could not put it away, in part thanks to another inspired performance by the Devils’ top goalie Keith Kinkaid.  Okay I’m actually being sarcastic but if you only started watching hockey this year you would think Kinkaid was the franchise goalie and struggling Cory Schneider the middling backup whose roster spot wasn’t assured going into the season.  More on that later though.

Just when this game looked doomed for another dreaded shootout, one piece of Taylor Hall magic gave the Devils a magic ending when he threaded the needle through P.K.Subban on a two-on-one to Mike Cammalleri for the game-winning goal in a wild 5-4 finish that snapped the Devils’ four-game losing streak and gave them just their fourth win on the road all season.  Part of my rant that I had to scrap once the Devils started scoring goals is that the Devils had only won three times away from the Prudential Center all season, and only once in regulation.  While today’s win wasn’t in regulation either, it was neccesary on a lot of levels – both from a timing aspect (breaking a losing streak) and an emotional aspect (with the great comeback culminating with their best player making a winning play).

While I don’t want to dwell on the beginning of the road trip much, the fact is there were and are a lot of concerning signs with this team that a couple of pond hockey wins and loser points can’t sweep under the rug just yet.  After their defense was its usual leaky self in Pittsburgh last weekend, the team went to Canada and laid a dud in Winnipeg on Tuesday.  To be fair the Jets’ home/road splits are about as stark as ours, but still the compete level hasn’t been there in an alarming number of games away from Prudential Center this season.  It seems from time to time as if this team’s effort level rises and falls based on the level of competition and it was that way again on Thursday as they put forth a better performance in Chicago, but a nightmare second period and an ill-timed OT breakdown led to a 4-3 defeat, though to an extent it was one they did well to salvage a point after a shockingly resurgent Travis Zajac posted a hat trick and single-handedly dragged the team into OT.  After years of being middling offensively, Zajac is starting to look like the 2009 version that actually could put up 55-60 point seasons in addition to his good defensive work.

So far this team’s needed Zajac to turn back the clock because a couple of its other leading guns in Henrique and Kyle Palmieri have shown up on the back of milk cartons after too many games this season.  It’s been Zajac and fellow vet Cammalleri who’ve carried the offense since Camm’s return after his daughter’s pneumonia was thankfully dealt with.  Before his hiatus Camm looked a step slow and perhaps over the hill but since, he’s looked even better than vintage version.  All of the points from #13 and #19 are masking the other ills on the team, including a horrendous defense that yes, does miss Adam Larsson tremendously.  While clearly this Devil team needed a gamebreaker like Hall, even Larsson backers like me couldn’t have seen just how much the defense would suffer without him this year.  With our shot totals against increasing seemingly by the game, the Devils’ style has changed overnight from the ‘boring trap’ team to a pond hockey circus – although it’ll take some time for the perception to follow.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this season so far has been a negative though.  If Henrique’s been the most dissapointing Devil from an effort standpoint, Cory’s been the most dissapointing one from a performance standpoint.  While it’s obvious the defense has been more leaky than in past seasons, that doesn’t excuse the kind of goals a normally unflappable Schneider’s been giving up lately.   Dribblers, weak rebounds, unscreened wristers…too often the red light’s gone on during the last two weeks and there are signs it’s starting to get to Cory.  Some of his puckhandling snafus recently have been scary even for him, to the point where you can tell he’s pressing.  Not to mention breaking his stick over the crossbar after the OT losing goal in Chicago on Thursday.  You can blame the defense for some of the woes but considering Kinkaid’s playing better in front of the same defense, the franchise goalie has to shoulder some blame too.  When your save percentage is in the low .910’s and your career norm is high .920’s that shows there are issues there.

Still there are things to be encouraged about too.  In years past the Devils wouldn’t have been able to survive a leaky defense, slumping goaltending or a couple of key forwards going cold but this team’s come up with seven out of twelve points since coming back from the West Coast.  Considering they have exactly zero regulation wins in that time, it’s taken a lot of extra work to get those seven points.  Fourteen OT games out of their first twenty-four contests to be exact.  At least the Devils usually give you your entertainment’s worth, but if they’re going to have any hope of getting back into and maintaining a playoff position they’re going to need to shore up their rough edges this week when they return to the Rock for a pair of games.

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Rangers implode in 4-3 loss to Eichel, Sabres

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Derek

On a night where they visited Buffalo, the Rangers got exposed. In truth, they were no match for the Sabres’ speed which was dominant at five-on-five. The score didn’t reflect it. But eventually, Jack Eichel changed the script by scoring the tying and winning goals in a well deserved Sabres’ 4-3 win over the Rangers.

If not for a couple of power play goals from Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash, it probably would’ve been a blowout. Rare is the game where the Blueshirts have looked over matched. It happened at home against the Penguins. Only Pittsburgh won much bigger.

The Sabres are still in the rebuilding process. They were without key defensemen Zach Bogosian and Dmitry Kulikov. They relied heavily on top blue liner Rasmus Ristolainen, who logged over 26 minutes. Jake McCabe and Cody Franson also played roles as did Josh Gorges.

How bad were the Rangers at even strength? They got outscored 3-1 and outshot 31-15. The Buffalo fore-check was relentless. They used their superior speed, size and strength to keep the defense off balance. Dan Girardi had his worst game of the season. On for two goals against and a noteworthy 38 shots against, he was too slow. Never was that more evident than on Eichel’s winner which came with 5:32 left in regulation.

Evander Kane blew by Girardi like he was a statue. Henrik Lundqvist, who had his own struggles, fell down and watched as Eichel centered a pass for Kane that banked off a standing still Mats Zuccarello and in. It really was indicative of how the game was played. The Rangers had no answer for the Buffalo top line of Eichel, Kane and Sam Reinhart. They got pinned in their zone for long stretches and survived only due to Lundqvist, who wasn’t good allowing four goals on 34 shots.

In a way, he kept them in it by making some very tough saves. But you can make a case that all four goals he gave up were questionable. It started badly when just 18 seconds in, McCabe sent what looked like a harmless dump in from the red line that went off Johan Larsson’s skate taking a funny hop over a startled Lundqvist.

The only period they played well in was the first period. Despite the bad bounce, they outshot Buffalo 11-8. An overly aggressive Marcus Foligno reached out and grabbed Girardi for a hooking minor with under five minutes left. That allowed McDonagh to take a Derek Stepan feed and fire home his first of the season through a good Chris Kreider screen.

A second Buffalo penalty on Franson for cross checking resulted in another Ranger power play goal in the second. On this one, Adam Clendening made a nice read at the left point. Playing for Kevin Klein, who was a healthy scratch due to recent struggles,  Clendening fired a shot from the left point that booing target Jimmy Vesey got a piece of to force Anders Nilsson to leave a rebound. Nash pounced on it for his 11th to stay hot and give the Rangers a 2-1 lead at 8:15.

But it was short lived. On the next shift, Buffalo came right back with a big shift from their checking line. Taking advantage of chaotic play behind the Ranger net, Foligno fed Brian Gionta, who buried one home with Lundqvist again out of position. On that one, Staal and partner Nick Holden got caught. Zuccarello was also on for it. He really had issues defensively. J.T. Miller and Matt Puempel also were on. Predictably, Puempel didn’t see much time afterwards. He only received nine shifts totaling 7:47 of ice-time.

Oscar Lindberg also got only nine shifts (7:57)  from Alain Vigneault, whose in game adjustments remain mystifying. With his D clearly having problems with Buffalo’s team speed, he never once changed his D pairings. That left McDonagh with Girardi. It was a long night for them. He also only played third pair Brady Skjei and Clendening 14-plus minutes. They were more effective as was Staal and Holden.

When the game was tied, the Sabres came very hard. Let’s just say the ice was tilted. The Rangers spent the rest of the second on their heels. With the lone exception of one good shift from Kreider and Jesper Fast, they were outgunned. Kreider delivered a big hit to free a puck loose to Fast, who in turn fed a pinching Staal for his second goal this season to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead headed to the third.

In it, it was all Buffalo who held a 12-5 edge in shots along with territorial control. A Clendening rough on Eichel which somehow was called a hold led to Eichel’s tying power play goal with 7:15 left. Taking a feed from Kyle Okposo, he cruised through the Ranger zone and took his wrist shot fooling Lundqvist thru the wickets. It was a hard accurate shot but stoppable.

Then came the Girardi hiccups with everyone out of position including the goalie and Zuccarello, who may as well have not been on the ice. Eichel got the nice bounce which was deserved for his third goal in two games since returning. He looks even better.

As for the Rangers, they might want to consider keeping Clendening in for tomorrow’s game against Carolina and sitting Girardi. But that’s up to the coach. We’ll see.

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Hall returns for Devils, Quenneville to debut in Chicago

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Derek
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John Quenneville makes his NHL debut for the Devils in Chicago. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NJDevils.

When the Devils face the Blackhawks at United Center at 8:30 PM, they will have two players in the lineup they didn’t recently have. One will be star forward Taylor Hall. The recently turned 25-year old missed the last eight games due to left knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

In 14 games, Hall had five goals and seven assists. He should provide a big boost offensively. With Mike Cammalleri hot since his return up to seven goals and seven assists, the Devils finally have their two most talented offensive players back in the lineup.

They’ll still need more from Adam Henrique, who remains a mystery with four goals and six assists in 22 games. Kyle Palmieri also must pick it up. Both were 30 goalscorers last year for the first time in their careers. Neither has come close to fulfilling expectations. Palmieri will play his 21st game. He’s 3-6-9.

While Henrique and Palmieri try to straighten out, the Devs can take solace knowing they’re getting contributions from youngsters Nick Lappin and Miles Wood. Lappin has four goals and two helpers while Wood scored his first NHL goal in a 3-2 defeat at Winnipeg on Tuesday. He also had a penalty shot but was unable to beat Connor Hellebuyck. Lappin notched his fourth in that one.

Tonight marks the NHL debut of John Quenneville. Selected 30th overall in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft, the 20-year old from Edmonton has adjusted well to pro hockey. He was leading the Albany Devils in scoring with 17 points (7-10-17) in 19 games. He gets the call with Beau Bennett placed on the injured reserve for a right leg laceration sustained on Nov. 28.

Making room for Hall’s return is Reid Boucher, who was placed on waivers. A 2011 fourth round pick, it looks like Boucher’s stay with the Devils could be over. After recording eight goals and 11 assists in 39 games last season, he had two assists in nine contests so far. Maybe the 23-year old needs a change of scenery. If he clears, he’ll be reassigned to Albany.

Yohann Auvitu is back in the lineup in place of Jon Merrill on defense. It’ll be interesting to see how Quenneville fares in his debut against the ultra talented Blackhawks.

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Game 25: Vesey faces Sabres, Clendening in for Klein

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Derek
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Jack Eichel makes his home debut for the Sabres tonight when the Rangers visit Buffalo. It’ll also be an interesting return for Jimmy Vesey who spurned the Sabres to sign with the Rangers last summer. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Buffalo Sabres.

Fresh off a nice come from behind 3-2 home win over the Hurricanes, the Rangers take their act on the road when they visit the Sabres in Buffalo tonight. It should be intriguing with Jimmy Vesey making his first appearance in Western New York since Sabres general manager Tim Murray gambled by trading away a third round pick (Rem Pitlick) on June 20 for his negotiating rights.

At the time, the move made sense for Buffalo with Murray having a slew of draft picks. He parted with one to try to get Vesey under contract as a Sabre. However, the Hobey Baker Award winner decided to go to unrestricted free agency and let teams bid on him. The Sabres were still in the mix but ultimately fell short with the Rangers winning out.

Ultimately, it was Vesey’s decision. The 23-year old forward has been a good player for the first place Rangers, who look to make it two straight in what’ll be their first meeting against the Sabres. Buffalo just got Jack Eichel back. He didn’t disappoint in his first game scoring and setting up goals in a 5-4 win over the Senators. In a fun story line, you’ll have the last two Hobey winners facing each other. Eichel won it for Boston University scoring 71 points as a freshman. Vesey won it with 46 points as a senior at Harvard University.

Thus far, Vesey has eight goals and six assists in 24 contests for the Rangers. It was his power play goal which was the game-winner the other night. A play set up by Rick Nash, who had his best game of the season scoring the tying goal on a beauty of a backhand top shelf by Cam Ward and assisting on Vesey’s winning tally with 5:12 left in regulation.

Alain Vigneault continues to shuffle the deck minus Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. Oscar Lindberg got back in the lineup with Josh Jooris out. He only received 12 shifts logging a team low 8:07 winning three of five face-offs. Even though he didn’t play a lot, Vigneault praised him for playing a strong physical game.

There will be one change of note. As has been noted in this blog, Kevin Klein has struggled this season. He was beaten on one Carolina goal following a turnover. Vigneault has finally decided to sit Klein and give Adam Clendening another look. It’ll be his first game since Oct. 22. Sure. He got into another as a extra defenseman. But didn’t take one shift.

This will be different with Clendening counted on as one of the top six. Does Vigneault try him with Brady Skjei? It would seem like a natural fit. A good skating right D with a superb skating left D who has flourished. Skjei has 12 assists and has fit in well on the power play. He was basically stuck with Klein the last couple of games. It didn’t go well.

With Nick Holden continuing to fit in with Marc Staal, I don’t see a reason for a change. Holden scored his third goal to start the comeback on Tuesday. After struggling to establish himself early on, the former Av has really figured it out. Gotta give Jeff Gorton credit for making a good trade. Holden ranks second in defense scoring on the team with 12 points (3-9-12) and is plus-11. Dan Girardi also has three goals and is plus-13.

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start. He made 26 saves on Tuesday for the win. Anders Nilsson will oppose him for the Sabres. He replaced starter Robin Lehner, who again is hurt. Nilsson finished with 26 saves in relief of Lehner to get the victory at Ottawa. He’s been pretty solid as the backup entering play with three wins, a 2.20 GAA and .939 save percentage.

If their win over Ottawa is any indication, the Sabres should get a continued jolt from Eichel. It allows Ryan O’Reilly to center the second line. In the win, Buffalo was lethal on the power play going 3-for-5 with goals coming from Eichel, O’Reilly and leading scorer Kyle Okposo. Sam Reinhart also scored his fifth. Rasmus Ristolainen tallied two assists giving him 11 for the season. He must be accounted for from the back end.

The Sabres’ speed should be a good test. The Rangers like to play fast. So, it could be a fast paced game with momentum swings. The team that’s more disciplined should come out on top.

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Are the Islanders back?

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Derek
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Wednesday’s hero Anders Lee is pumped after scoring the game-winner with 26.6 seconds left in an exciting 5-3 Islanders’ win over the Penguins. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYIslanders.

For most of the first two months, the Islanders couldn’t get out of their own way. Until their last two games- both home wins over Calgary and more impressively over Pittsburgh in dramatic fashion- they were heading nowhere with six wins in their first 20 games. Maybe returning home to Barclays Center was the elixir.

Improving to 8-10-4 thanks to consecutive victories this week, the Islanders are feeling better about themselves. After defeating the Flames 2-1 in overtime thanks to Thomas Hickey’s beautiful redirect of a John Tavares shot pass, they followed it up with a huge 5-3 win over the Penguins on Rivalry Night in Brooklyn.

For sure, this was an emotional win that didn’t come easy. For two periods, the Islanders had the better of the play and led by three on goals from Johnny Boychuk, Jason Chimera and Casey Cizikas, whose big finish on a misdirection started by Andrew Ladd gave them a three-goal lead headed to the third period.

But they were facing the defending champs. Pittsburgh is a great team capable to erasing big deficits fast. They woke up in time for the third with Connor Sheary scoring 32 seconds in from Patric Hornqvist and Sidney Crosby. When Justin Schultz beat Thomas Greiss with 9:20 left, panic set in.

I tweeted, “Are the Islanders about to blow it again?” To which one of my Isles’ buddies replied: “Come on. This is a serious question? Of course they are.”

It was an unreal play by Crosby who hustled back in the neutral zone to catch Tavares with a great backcheck. He stole the puck and got onside allowing Brian Dumoulin to easily set up Evgeni Malkin for a tap in which tied the contest with 6:52 remaining.

The only question that remained is whether they’d lose. My Isles’ pal tweeted, “Do they win it now or overtime?” I knew he was referring to the Pens. Considering how it’s gone for the Islanders, who could blame him? When your team consistently blows leads and finds ways to lose, it’s easy to be pessimistic.

What followed was comical. Continuing to play for easy target Jack Capuano, the Islanders found a way to win it in the final minute. After being pinned in by the Pens’ third line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel, a good defensive play by Tavares got them out of trouble. As fate would have it, some more hustle from Tavares led directly to Boychuk feeding Hickey for a point shot that Anders Lee redirected home past Matt Murray with 26.6 seconds left. Three seconds later, Nikolay Kulemin added an empty netter from Cizikas to seal it. The two goals three seconds apart are an Islanders’ franchise record.

It was Lee’s fourth goal in four games. He’s one of the young players the Isles need to get out of this. Entering tonight’s match at Washington which is a tough back-to-back, they still are last in the Metropolitan Division with 20 points. It’s important for them to follow up last night’s victory with another tonight.

It won’t be easy. Facing the Caps who haven’t played since a bad 4-2 loss at Toronto on Hockey Night In Canada should be a challenge. The Capitals are well rested and will want to erase the sting of that last defeat. They also bring a 13-6-2 mark into play ranking third in the Metro. They’ve played less games than the Rangers and Pens. Fresh off Casino Night, they’ll try to make up some ground.

You know Alexander Ovechkin will be in a great mood. Even in a year where they haven’t scored as much, Ovechkin leads the Caps with 12 goals. Nicklas Backstrom paces them with 20 points (6-14-20) and Marcus Johansson is 9-6-15. T.J. Oshie has eight goals but remains out with an injury. They’ve gotten little from Evgeny Kuznetsov, who continues to struggle since a bad postseason. He’s only 3-6-9 thus far. Vet Justin Williams has been a non-factor with only two goals. Andre Burakovsky has 10 points.

Washington recalled Jakub Vrana for tonight’s game. He’ll debut on the second line with Kuznetsov and Burakovsky. A 2014 first round pick, the 20-year old from Prague had nine goals and seven assists for 16 points with AHL Hershey. In parts of three AHL seasons, he’s totaled 55 points in 57 games.

What the Caps do well is keep the puck out. Thanks to rating Vezina winner Braden Holtby (10 W 2.18 .920) and a solid D featuring John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov, Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik, Karl Alzner and Nate Schmidt, they rank fourth in team defense allowing 2.24 goals per game which is tied with Columbus. Their differential is plus-nine.

The Islanders are minus-11 and rank 24th allowing 2.96 goals per game. They can take solace knowing they held the Pens down for two periods. But they also were sloppy in allowing Pittsburgh to tie it with some poor coverage with top defenseman Travis Hamonic caught out of position on Malkin’s goal. He’s struggled mightily with a team worst minus-11 rating. That’s not a coincidence. Too often, he’s gotten beaten. He must be better.

Greiss has started the last three games winning twice. He made 31 saves last night. Does Capuano stick with him or go back to Jaroslav Halak? Considering they have played better in front of Greiss, maybe they should keep him in. It is the second meeting versus Washington. Greiss got the second game of the season making 26 stops in a 2-1 loss on Oct. 15.

So, can they make it three in a row and beat two of the best teams in the East? We shall see.

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Game 23: Rangers blanked at home by stingy Senators 2-0

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Derek
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The Senators congratulate goalie Craig Anderson on a 33-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the suddenly slumping Rangers who fell to 0-3-1 in their last four at MSG. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Ottawa Senators. 

On paper, the Senators aren’t overly impressive. Especially given the new defensive style they play under new coach Guy Boucher. They entered last night’s contest with just 49 goals scored despite talented players Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Bobby Ryan and newcomer Derick Brassard. Only captain Erik Karlsson and top pivot Kyle Turris have scored consistently.

With Boucher emphasizing team defense, the run and gun days of the Sens are over. They no longer play an exciting style. But rather a similar one to the old Devils and the Tortorella Rangers. They sit back in the neutral zone and pounce on mistakes. Then use their superior speed to take advantage. That style was very effective in blanking the Rangers 2-0 at MSG on Sunday. The Rangers have suddenly gone 0-3-1 in their last four at home.

Scoring isn’t coming as easy. Especially without Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. The Sens handed them four power plays with some bad penalties. It didn’t matter. The once very good power play no longer is. Minus the big right-handed shot of Zibanejad on the off which must be accounted for, they’ve become sadly predictable. With the exception of one man-advantage, they fired blanks or didn’t shoot at all.

Part of the problem is they now have only one righty shot in set up man Derek Stepan. Let’s face it. For a guy who makes $6.5 million, he is very predictable. Refusing to shoot, the top center is too unselfish and forces passes. Against a well schooled defensive unit, that won’t work. Would it kill Stepan to at least look shot occasionally just to keep opposing penalty kill units honest?

With Alain Vigneault refusing to play Adam Clendening, there is no other viable righty shot on the power play. It feels like ages ago when Clendening got off to a good start contributing two assists in five games while moving the puck effectively out of the zone because he can skate. Something Kevin Klein can longer do. I don’t count the sixth game Clendening was inserted in because Vigneault didn’t give him a shift.

As for Klein, his issues are becoming a normality. For as much as people killed Dan Girardi and at times Marc Staal last year, that’s how badly Klein is struggling. Let’s first give credit to him for being a good Ranger. He’s been a stand up guy who over performed in Vigneault’s system- putting up identical 9-17-26 seasons in the last two with a combined plus-40. The 31-year old has been a good performer here since being acquired from Nashville for Michael Del Zotto. He is a solid penalty killer who is willing to get dirty blocking shots when called upon.

It’s just that this year, it’s gone badly for him. Against faster and more skilled opponents, Klein’s lack of foot speed has been an issue. He’s looked slower this year. That includes teeing up shots. Something he used to do better and get through. On one occasion yesterday, he took way too long and it was blocked. Where he’s really been hurt is defensively. He’s been victimized much more than I can remember.

Take Ottawa’s first goal scored by Jean-Gabriel Pageau 1:54 into the second period of a scoreless game. On the play which was started behind the net by Zach Smith, Brady Skjei was helping down low to take Smith. Instead of staying with Pageau in front, Klein went down allowing Tom Pyatt to center for a wide open Pageau for a lay-up past Antti Raanta. All Klein had to do was stay on his feet and take Pageau. He didn’t and it resulted in a goal against that was preventable.

The Rangers are the least penalized team in the league. They didn’t take a single penalty against the Flyers on Friday. Staal got nabbed for high-sticking with over five minutes remaining in the second. It wasn’t even his fault as Hoffman lifted his stick into teammate Chris Wideman. Funny how that gets called while more blatant stuff doesn’t. Ottawa took advantage when Stone finished off a Hoffman feed for a two-goal lead with 3:49 left.

The second one was an accident. Ref Frederick L’Ecuyer accidentally got in the way of a Nick Holden clear attempt. The unfortunate incident allowed the Sens to regain control of the puck in the zone. Hoffman picked it up and drew Klein, who forgot about the dangerous Stone who was left by his lonesome to use his quick hands to beat Raanta for his sixth. This one never should’ve happened. L’Ecuyer got hit by Holden’s clear which changed the play. But Klein still was in the wrong spot.

Basically, that’s how it’s gone for him. He just hasn’t been the same player since that injury last Spring. The thing is it was his hand. His skating hasn’t been as fluid. A once dependable top four defenseman who Vigneault sometimes moved up to the top pair to play with Ryan McDonagh has suddenly become the weakest link. At this point, it wouldn’t hurt for Vigneault to have Klein sit a game out and watch from the press box. Sometimes, that can help. But the coach’s stubborn approach and loyalty will probably mean he continues to give Klein as many chances as Girardi got last year.

Where does that leave Clendening? Wasting away just as Dylan McIlrath did after a effective rookie year. Remember. This is the player the organization chose over McIlrath. He’s the same age and he’s just sitting out game after game. Have you seen the power play lately? Their latest 0-for makes them 1 for their last 13. It’s not a coincidence with both Zibanejad and Buchnevich out.

When you have pass first guys like Stepan and Mats Zuccarello, who also has cooled considerably since his good start, it doesn’t leave many options. Chris Kreider also hasn’t been as consistent since his neck spasms which is worrisome. Vigneault had way too many lefty shots on the man-advantage. Ottawa did a good job taking away the shooting lanes. Something Stepan alluded to in the post game.

Aside from a good first in which they peppered Anderson with 13 shots forcing him to make several great saves including a mind boggling pad stop on Brandon Pirri point blank, they were outplayed and out-executed. You could also hint to being out-coached. Boucher’s patient defensive style took away the Rangers’ transition causing turnovers. They totaled 20 shots including an unlucky 13 in the third. But Anderson was able to see most. Credit his defense who were committed fully. Even the loathsome Dion Phaneuf, who mixed it up with Jimmy Vesey.

One thing I didn’t get were Vigneault’s lines. Jesper Fast is a nice two-way player who hustles every shift. But the notion that he’s a top six player with a couple of our guys out is ludicrous. What was he doing with Stepan and Kreider? And why was Vesey on the fourth line? Vigneault did try some different combos in the third when behind. But if he wanted to get back in it, he should’ve loaded up going Stepan, Kreider and Rick Nash. I also would’ve reunited J.T. Miller with Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner. Pirri could’ve centered Vesey and Zuccarello which would’ve left Josh Jooris with Fast and Matt Puempel.

Sometimes, Vigneault’s in game adjustments leave something to be desired. The Rangers continued to play into Ottawa’s hands by carrying the puck and forcing passes that weren’t there. The did try some dump and chase in the third. But Ottawa’s D was back quickly with the very fast and supremely skilled Karlsson leading the transition. He really is an amazing skater.Marc Methot, Cody Ceci and even Mark Borowiecki had solid nights as did Phaneuf.

In truth, there’s a reason the Senators are now up to 14-7-1 with 29 points putting them second behind the Canadiens. They are executing Boucher’s system which has hindered the scoring of Brassard, who still got a warm reception from MSG during a stoppage. Even though some of their key guys aren’t scoring as frequently, they are still adjusting. I’m in agreement with Joe Micheletti, who said eventually, the scoring will increase. If it does, then Ottawa could be one of the bigger surprises.

Considering that their win came on a historic night where the Ottawa Redblacks won their first Grey Cup in 50 years, things are looking up in Ottawa.

As for the Rangers, there definitely are some issues that need correcting. They’re going to find themselves in more of these tight checking games next Spring. They have yet to figure out a way to win them. They can’t become too predictable. If they do, it’s either Pittsburgh or Washington waiting for them. Hell. Even Columbus can’t be discounted.

A final thought. We learned that the Panthers suddenly fired coach Gerard Gallant. TSN’s Nick Kypreos broke the story on Twitter during the third period. It’s absolutely astonishing that the Panthers fired Gallant, who led them to a division title in ’15-16 and was up for the Jack Adams. They haven’t been totally healthy with top center Jonathan Huberdeau still out. Nick Bjugstad just returned.

Florida made some changes in the off-season bringing in Keith Yandle and Jason Demers. The idea that Gallant was doing a bad job with a team that hasn’t been totally healthy is absurd. Jaromir Jagr hasn’t scored much. Neither has talented Aleksander Barkov. Outside of Jonathan Marchessault (10-7-17), their top players haven’t scored as much. Reilly Smith’s scoring is down. It is true they blew a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 loss to Carolina. But they were still 11-10-1 with 22 points which is hardly bad considering the injuries.

If it really is true that they left Gallant to get a taxi back to the hotel, that is cruel. He and one of his assistant coaches were let go in excruciating fashion. Think what the Mets did to Willie Randolph in San Diego. Eerily similar. Most surprising is new GM Tom Rowe will take over behind the bench. He used to coach the AHL farm team and has experience coaching Lokomotiv of the KHL. He moved upstairs to be an associate GM before taking over for Dale Tallon.

The odd way this occurred hasn’t sat well with NHL insiders. Not has it with people close to the situation. Obviously, it’s disappointing. This story will be interesting to follow.

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Turkey week recap: Where’s the D?

Posted on November 27, 2016 by hasan4978

If you’ve watched the Devils the last number of years, you wouldn’t recognize the team that took the ice this week.  Historically tight defensively with problems offensively, and usually very crisp in playing their system – this week the Devils turned all those tenets on their ear.  Offensively, the Devils have scored eleven goals in their last three games which is a downright bushelful, especially considering the team’s still missing their best offensive player in Taylor Hall.  Defensively however, the Devils have given up four goals in each of their last four games and in a couple of them they could have easily given up more.  While their defensive struggles aren’t a complete surprise and they’ve given up an alarming total of 155 shots on net in those last four games, they’ve also been hurt by an ill-timed Cory Schneider slump.  At times early on you could tell Cory and backup Keith Kinkaid were papering up the defensive ills but with Cory giving up bad goals in each of his last few starts, the avalanche is starting to fall down on the team.

Even with Cory having his worst stretch as a Devil and the team losing five of six, the Devils have still managed to pick up four of a possible six points in the last three games.  This week is clearly a test of whether you’re a half full or half empty fan.  There are certainly valid reasons for both viewpoints.  So let’s start with the good news – as of this morning the Devils still sit in a playoff spot and nearly everyone has come back with even Hall ahead of schedule in his injury rehab starting to skate.  It’s at least a different team now than the one that acted like they felt sorry for themselves Tuesday in San Jose with a listless, non-competitive 4-0 loss that completed an embarassing o-fer in California.  Sure they still had Mike Cammalleri, Kyle Palmieri and Yohann Auvitu out and were talent-challenged against the defending Western Conference champs, but the effort level in both San Jose and Los Angeles last weekend was alarmingly low.

With Cammalleri and Auvitu back for the Thanksgiving eve tilt against the Leafs back at the Rock, there was hope that the reinforcements and home cooking would get the Devils out of their malaise but they started the first twenty minutes like they were still on the West Coast.  Mistake after mistake punctuated the first period and gave a hint of what was to come for the rest of this week.  Predictably, super rookie Auston Matthews ended his 13-game goal drought against us with not only one but two first-period goals as the Leafs put the hammer down to the tune of 3-0 and the fans serenaded the team with well-deserved boos off the ice.  However if there’s one team that’s actually worse than the Devils at holding a lead, it’s the Leafs.  Within the first five and a half minutes of the second, a previously dormant team thundered to life as the Devils pounded home three goals to tie the game just like that.

Cammalleri, who had just returned from his 5-year old daughter’s scary bout with pneumonia, was already on his way to player of the game honors and it was he that started the comeback with a perfect feed to Travis Zajac for the first goal after just thirty-two seconds.  It took a bit of luck for the Devils to get their second goal, and finally break an 0-29 power play skid with a Cammalleri shot bounced off Devante Smith-Pelly‘s rear end and right to a wide-open Beau Bennett.  Even Bennett couldn’t screw up that empty-net chance, and he put it home for his first goal as a Devil.  After taking a supporting role on the first two goals, Cammalleri himself scored goal number three on a rebound.  Unfortunately once the Devils tied the game they took the thrust off and again the Leafs surged.  Of all people it was ex-Isle grunt man Matt Martin who gave them back the lead just minutes later, putting a weak shot on net off a two-on-one that Schneider unfathomably gave up a rebound on, and then tapping home the second chance attempt.

Still down 4-3 despite the goal surge, this looked like it was going to be a frustrating near-miss and a fourth straight loss.  However, their play and level of urgency when behind in this game far surpassed their play when the game was tied and the pressure eventually led to another game-tying goal, this one from Auvitu – himself making a return from injury.  From there the Devils were fortunate not to fall behind again, and amazingly it seemed at times as if coach John Hynes was playing for the shootout in OT.  And by playing for the shootout I mean throwing out one forward and two defensemen (one of them being plodder Ben Lovejoy) out for an offensive-zone faceoff.  Whatever Hynes’ motivation for that particular gambit, in this case playing for the shootout did work as Cory followed up his shaky regulation play – including some comical near-miss mistakes with puckhandling – with a solid three for three in stops, and specialist Jacob Josefson got the only goal the team needed in this skills competition for an exciting home win.

Really each of the last three games could have deserved its own lengthy recap but it’s my blog and I’d rather talk about the win than the two OT/SO losses.  However, we do have to get to the glass half-empty portion of this week and the fact the Toronto game was our only win in the last six.  Arguably the Devils were outplayed both against the Red Wings on Friday and at Pittsburgh last night.  Certainly last night they were outshot by a wide margin.  Yet they had chances to win both games that were squandered.  Friday’s game was more annoying for a number of reasons, one being that while I’m expecting the Pens to make the playoffs anyway, Detroit may well be a team we have to fight to get a wild card spot.  Not to mention the game itself had a number of hair-pulling moments.  Despite getting an early lead from a John Moore blast off a well-timed feed from Zajac, the Devils were horribly outplayed in the first twenty-five minutes, even more than in the Toronto fiasco.  Another ex-Islander came back to bite us, with Frans Nielsen scoring twice in the first period (sidenote: you think the last-place Isles don’t miss guys like Nielsen and Martin?).  Nielsen’s first came at a pivotal moment where the Devils led 1-0 and had a four-minute power play to work with.  However a comically bad play by Damon Severson in front of his own net led to a Nielsen shorthanded goal that provided insult to the injury of not even getting quality chances with the four-minute man advantage.

Still down 2-1 and not even getting chances against Wings backup Petr Mrazek (pressed into service after Jimmy Howard departed with a groin injury), the Devils somehow tied the game, then took the lead against the run of play in the second period.  Cammalleri first tied the game with a dominant shift that led to some well-deserved luck with a deflection goal off a Wings defender.  Another fortunate deflection helped give the Devils the lead a couple minutes later when a Bennett feed deflected off a stick and bounced right to a wide-open Pavel Zacha in front, who took advantage scoring just his second goal of the season.  For a time the Devils looked crisp and in command again, and late in the second period they nearly had a fourth goal in an annoying sequence that proved decisive.  First Zajac had a wide open net and somehow, someway could not score when a desperation leg thrust kept the puck out, then at the other end a Gustav Nyquist feed deflected right to Dylan Larkin for a bang-bang wrister in front that beat Cory with just 1.2 seconds remaining to tie the game.

Perhaps still thinking about that goal early in the third, Cory gave up another horrendous one to Anthony Mantha just 43 seconds into the period on a wrister from the faceoff circle that beat Schneider longside.  Honestly their resilience in the third coming back from that devastating sequence that lasted a minute of icetime kind of impressed me and eventually it was Adam Henrique of all people who salvaged a terrible game by deflecting a puck past Mrazek with just over five minutes left.  Even salvaging that one point, the team needed to overcome some late drama with a Palmieri penaly that led to a late power play which extended to OT.  Although the Devils killed that penalty, they were not able to gain a stoppage in OT to turn the 4-on-4 back into a 3-on-3 and play went on for over three minutes with an old-fashioned 4-on-4 OT.  Just seconds after a clear goaltender interference on Schneider was missed, Mike Green fired his patented bomb past Cory and the Devils went down to defeat in OT.  Each of the last two games felt like it had enough action for four.

I wasn’t expecting any kind of a result out of last night and normally being outshot 49-30 against the mighty Penguins would spell disaster, especially with them having five power play chances and us just two.  Yet Kinkaid stood on his head and gave the team a chance to win up 3-2 late in the third, before an annoying sequence where Cammalleri of all people (he’d already scored twice, and had four goals and four assists in his three games back) just missed a turnaround attempt at an empty net inside the offensive zone, and at the other end the team collapsed in the crease trying to gain control of a loose puck and forgot about the best player in the world standing to the side of the net.  Predictably the puck did come to Sidney Crosby, who scored the tying goal with a mere fourteen seconds remaining.  For some reason again it seemed as if Hynes was content to play for a shootout, even more baffling given the fact he put out an odd eleven forward, seven defensemen lineup that didn’t include Wednesday’s shootout hero (Josefson).  You could smell the second-guessing all the way from Pittsburgh when last night did get to a shootout and the team fired blanks with Zajac – who’s usually bad in the skills competition – taking the failed final attempt.

After such a wild week, the Devils have more crucial games coming up with road tilts in Winnipeg, Chicago and Nashville from Tuesday-Saturday.  Eight of the next ten overall are on the road and given how the team’s played away from the Rock this season that’s probably not a good thing.  At home the Devils are 7-0-2, while on the road they’re just 3-6-3.  They’re not going to win consistently anywhere though if they don’t start to keep the shots against down to reasonable numbers, and if their best players don’t start playing like their best players (re: Cory, Palmieri, Henrique).

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Game 22: Lundqvist’s 40 saves allows Rangers to hold onto 3-2 win over Flyers

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Derek

Sometimes, all it takes to win in this league is a hot goalie. For the Rangers, they got exactly what they needed in a close to the vest 3-2 win over the Flyers in the NBC feature game on Black Friday.

Henrik Lundqvist made a season high 40 saves to lead the Blueshirts to an important bounce back win in the City of Brotherly Love. They built a three-goal lead after two periods before the Flyers started their comeback.

In a seesaw first period that saw Lundqvist stop all 11 Flyer shots, it was the opportunistic Rangers who soared ahead thanks to tallies from Derek Stepan (4th) and newcomer Matt Puempel.

Prior to the offense, there actually were some fireworks. Brandon Pirri picked up a boarding minor which resulted in Flyer rookie Travis Konecny challenging him to a fight. It was the first scrap for the Rangers in Game 22 of 82. Let’s just say the tough Flyer first-year player can handle himself. However, Konecny’s instigator negated a Flyer power play. A crucial part with Philly ranking second on the man-advantage.

A few minutes later, J.T. Miller fed Stepan from behind the net for a lay-up. It didn’t take long for Puempel to make an impact. Making his Rangers debut in place of Oscar Lindberg, he took a nice lead backhand pass from rookie Jimmy Vesey and beat Steve Mason 1:34 later for his first as a Blueshirt. That increased the lead to 2-0. I’ve dubbed him Puempernickel. He definitely is a shoot first forward with a scorer’s touch. Hopefully, it works out better than Ottawa.

Before the period concluded, Chris Kreider got into it with Flyer defenseman Brandon Manning. After he delivered a clean hit on Manning against the boards, Manning did the right thing and dropped the gloves. Kreider obliged and got the decision with a big left that knocked Manning down.

Kevin Hayes scored the lone goal in the second to put the Rangers ahead 3-zip. He finished off his 10th from Nick Holden at 12:33. The third-year center continues his big turnaround season. The goal gave him 100 career NHL points.

Interestingly, there were no penalties called after the first. The Rangers chose to sit back in the third. It almost proved costly. The Flyers mounted a comeback by peppering Lundqvist with 21 shots. He was tested early and often. His 19 saves were the biggest reason his team came out victorious.

Chris Vandevelde got the comeback started when he was able to deflect a Andrew MacDonald pass off his skate cutting the deficit to 3-1 at 1:34 of the third. The goal was reviewed but upheld due to no distinct kicking motion. Here’s how it looked:

Lundqvist made a lot of big stops to keep his team up two. With under three minutes remaining in regulation, the Flyers pulled Mason for an extra attacker. Shayne Gostisbehere was able to beat Lundqvist through traffic to make it a one-goal contest with 2:04 remaining.

Considering that I had gone from reaching an agreement on a new car with Honda to working a six-hour shift, I had that “Uh oh” reaction when I saw that Gostisbehere had scored. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that the Rangers were holding on for dear life.

According to those who watched, they crowded the net and allowed Gostisbehere and teammates to fire away from the point. It led to five shots and one goal. Fortunately, they were able to get the win despite being outshot 42-23. The difference being Lundqvist, who some cynics have written off. Amazing how ridiculous our fans are.

Teammates congratulate Henrik Lundqvist following a season high 40 saves that bailed the Rangers out in a 3-2 win over the Flyers on Black Friday. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Teammates congratulate Henrik Lundqvist following a season high 40 saves that bailed the Rangers out in a 3-2 win over the Flyers on Black Friday. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Here was some postgame reaction from Stepan on Lundqvist and being able to cash in on their chances:

Here’s my takeaway:

There are going to be games where this team isn’t at their best. Clearly, they were embarrassed by the Turkey Eve showing where the Pens outclassed them. Today, for two periods they buried their chances and were only six shots down (21-15) before the predictable Flyers onslaught.

The Rangers have played a lot of hockey. This was their 22nd game and the fourth over six days. They have been very busy lately. So, it wasn’t how you draw it up. What’s important is that Lundqvist got them the win. He is still capable of stealing games. The defense also blocked 27 shots. So, the team certainly sacrificed for the cause.

Obviously, they’re falling into a bad trend where they’re playing too much in their end. That needs to change. The defense isn’t great. Everyone knows it. Opponents will continue to try to exploit it with a ferocious forecheck and by finishing checks on our D. Particularly Marc Staal, Nick Holden and Dan Girardi, who aren’t the fleetest of foot. Neither is Kevin Klein. At some point, Alain Vigneault needs to get Adam Clendening back in and rest either Girardi or Klein. He’s a younger righty skating D who can help get the puck out and play power play.

Speaking of which, they were handed an early double minor when Dale Weise high sticked Holden 17 seconds in. The power play hasn’t been as effective minus Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. Losing Zibanejad’s powerful right-handed shot from the off wing hurts big time. He always had to be accounted for due to his one-timer and top heavy shot which opened up passing lanes and rebounds down low. Buchnevich brought plenty of skill on the opposite side. It’s hard to replace what each brought.

Looking at the stat sheet, the teams combined for 67 hits with the Rangers holding a 37-30 edge. You don’t expect pint sized Mats Zuccarello to be your leading hitter with half a dozen. But also, hits increase when you are pinned in your end. Zuccarello was on for two goals against. He’s not the best defensive player. He competes as hard as anyone. But you want him on the attack in the offensive zone. Not defending.

It seems that when Josh Jooris plays in a fourth line role, he does something to stay in the lineup. He started the play that led to Vesey setting up Puempel’s first as a Blueshirt. Similar to Lindberg, the former Flame is only getting even strength time receiving 9:21 in 19 shifts. However, he’s making the most out of it which is why he stays in the lineup and Lindberg doesn’t. It really is a shame about Oscar. But he looks like he’s on the outs.

Stepan played one of his better games netting his fourth from Miller while attempting six shots in 29 shifts (19:52). He also won 13-of-22 faceoffs. Without Zibanejad, they need him to be that guy.

Even though he had an assist, Wayne Simmonds was limited to one shot. A big win considering how he usually dominates the front of the net against us. Somewhat curiously, Michael Del Zotto was a healthy scratch for a third straight game. I don’t see how that’s possible given the Flyers blue line. You’re gonna tell me MDZ isn’t a top six defenseman over MacDonald? Odd.

The Flyers are still without Michael Neuvirth. Anthony Stolarz continues to back up Mason, who took the loss with 20 saves. In what’s been an unusual schedule, the Rangers don’t see the Flyers again until Jan. 4, 2017 at Wells Fargo. The Flyers visit MSG Jan. 25. The fourth and final meeting isn’t until Apr. 2 at 33rd and 7th.

What would you expect from the schedule makers where the Hurricanes visit the Rangers twice on within a four-day span on Nov. 29 and Dec. 3 to complete the season series?Carolina took the first one in Carolina 3-2 on Oct. 28. They’ll be done with them before finally seeing the train wreck that is the Islanders on Dec. 6 in Brooklyn. They’ll also finally play the Devils twice with the first one at MSG 12/11 and the second meeting also on Broadway exactly a week later on 12/18.

The Rangers next play the Senators on Sunday night at home. Craig Anderson is having an inspiring season with his wife battling cancer. They’ve played better winning the last two by scoring four times in a win over Montreal and three more in a home win over Boston. Old friend Derick Brassard makes his MSG return. He’s off to a slow start with three goals and six assists. He is centering talented wingers Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone. None have really lit it up except for two-time Norris winner and captain Erik Karlsson, who leads them in scoring with 16 points (4-12-16). Kyle Turris paces them with nine goals. In 15 starts, Anderson has 10 victories with a 2.23 goals-against-average, .929 save percentage and two shutouts.

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Video of Day: McDonagh hit on Sheary, Crosby response

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Derek
Sidney Crosby ragdolls Ryan McDonagh in response to the Ranger captain's hit from behind on Connor Sheary. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Yahoo

Sidney Crosby ragdolls Ryan McDonagh in response to the Ranger captain’s hit from behind on Connor Sheary. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Yahoo

During last night’s game, Ryan McDonagh shoved Connor Sheary from behind boarding him for a major penalty. Sheary’s teammate and captain Sidney Crosby had a strong response jumping McDonagh right away before his teammates and the refs came in.

In the video below, we get a clear view of McDonagh catching Sheary in a prone position a couple of feet from the boards. He gives him a shove sending Sheary down. Crosby does the right thing going after McDonagh. Even though I wish he would’ve challenged McDonagh, I understand why he did what he did.

Let me put it this way. If it were Mark Messier, what do you think he would’ve done? He got away with plenty of elbows and other stuff when he starred for the Rangers. One other thing. The Captain was Canadian. So is Crosby. Both are ornery. Crosby obviously supremely skilled. Messier was too but played more of a power forward game intimidating opponents while leading by example. Honestly, they’re not all that different.

Afterwards, here were both McDonagh and Crosby on what happened.

“It was a big hit. [Crosby] is standing up for his team. Anyone on our team would do the same,” McDonagh told Sean Hartnett.

Here was Crosby’s response:

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Game Review: Penguins gobble up Rangers 6-1 on Turkey Eve

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Derek
crosby

Sidney Crosby celebrates one of his two goals in a dominant Pens’ 6-1 win over Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on Turkey Eve. The teams split the home-and-home series. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Sportsnet.

There are nights you would like to forget. Wednesday was one of them for the Rangers and their fans. In all honesty, I didn’t expect too much from the rematch with the Penguins. I figured the home-and-home series would be a split. After they took care of business in Pittsburgh, it was the Pens’ turn. Sidney Crosby and the defending champs turned the tables by gobbling up the Rangers 6-1 on Turkey Eve.

I’ll also be honest about one other thing. I didn’t see the massacre. I was busy working and talking to customers. Some more annoying than others. Your usual shift at the office. Doing customer service is probably the most thankless job. So, if the Rangers couldn’t be bothered to play the second and third period against a team that humiliated them last Spring, why should I care? They’re the ones who at one point gave up 20 consecutive shots and went a ridiculous long stretch without one. For that, they were booed.

Personally, I don’t believe in booing. I believe silence is better. Or leaving early which my family did. They were gone by the 11-minute mark of the third. Could you blame them? After allowing five goals in a lopsided second, the Rangers didn’t bother to show. They continued to get dominated and go without a shot. At least show something.

The irony is I followed the game with Twitter updates. The first period sounded like they played well. Rick Nash scored his ninth from Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello on a power play and they killed off a Ryan McDonagh boarding major that turned into three minutes due to Crosby jumping him after he shoved Connor Sheary from behind. More on that later.

It’s odd the way a game can change. Especially in hockey. Momentum can shift quickly. The Pens woke up and took apart the Rangers with a dominant second outscoring them 5-0. At one point, they scored four goals on seven shots chasing Henrik Lundqvist again at MSG. He must’ve felt like  he was having flashbacks of that forgettable first round.

To hear my brother and Dad sum it up, everyone was terrible. It was a total team effort. Scott Wilson rebounded a Phil Kessel shot home to tie it at 2:02. Crosby put the Pens ahead for good 2:56 later when he got his stick on an Ian Cole shot redirecting it by Lundqvist. Kessel and Crosby would score 2:45 apart in the middle of the stanza to send Lundqvist to the exits for Antti Raanta.

I guess Crosby wasn’t about to have another off night. He went without a point and was minus-four in Monday’s 5-2 loss. He’s too great a player. Right now, no one even comes close to the Pittsburgh captain who’s won every significant trophy. With two goals and an assist on Sheary’s goal that greeted Raanta, Crosby is now up to 14 goals and 19 points in 14 games. Connor McDavid may lead the NHL in scoring with 27 points (9-18-27) but when it’s all set and done, Crosby will probably catch and pass him.

He’s back to playing we saw when he had 32 goals and and 34 assists for 66 points in half a season back in ’10-11 before a concussion ended it. There’s no telling what he  would’ve wound up with had he stayed healthy. It took a while for him to get all the way back. But at 29, you can safely say he’s back to being the game’s best player. A dominant force.

It doesn’t mean that I have to like him. There was plenty of fuss over McDonagh boarding Sheary with our side wondering why it was a major penalty. From the replays I saw online, I definitely didn’t agree either. My Dad felt it was a four-minute penalty. I thought it could’ve even been two. Regardless, it’s good that Sheary was okay and scored. Of course, he did.

As far as Crosby’s response in which he jumped McDonagh before he could even get up, it was gutless. I get the fact he was defending a teammate. That part is honorable. He is the Pens’ unquestioned leader. But how many times do we have to see an angry Crosby mug guys? It’s unacceptable. If he wanted to fight McDonagh, then let him get up and challenge him. Be a man. That he only got two minutes for that nonsense was typical. There’s nothing else to say.

Predictably, Matt Cullen got into the act adding further insult to injury for the final score after my family left. When it was over, the Pens had outshot the Rangers 38-17. The Rangers remained stuck on 13 shots for a long time. When they finally got a couple of shots on Murray, the got mock cheers from the crowd.

The difference between last Spring and yesterday is no Ranger wanted to write it off.

“Hopefully, everyone holds themselves accountable,” McDonagh told MSG’s John Giannone in the locker room. “If you’re happy or satisfied with whatever you did out there tonight, it’s not where we want to be.”

“We haven’t had many likes games like this for sure and I certainly have confidence in our group that it’s gonna help everybody get back on the same page and certainly it’s good that we get a quick turn around against a divisional opponent [Flyers] on a big stage.”

The Ranger captain brushed away what happened with Crosby. He called it, “part of the game,” while mentioning that maybe it fired up the Pens because of the way they responded. But was sure to note that it shouldn’t be a reason for why they played the way they did.

“We have a Friday afternoon game and right now our response as a team is very important,” coach Alain Vigneault told the media while expressing disappointment after a strong first period.

He had no explanation for why they fell apart and let the game get away. But one thing McDonagh mentioned is they turned pucks over more and that made it easier for the Pens to transition with their speed game.

How bad was it? Fifteen Pittsburgh skaters finished with a plus-rating totaling plus-30 due to all six of their goals coming at even strength. Sixteen Rangers were a minus with only Nash and Michael Grabner not victimized for a goal against.

There was one extended shift where the Derek Stepan line with Brady Skjei and Kevin Klein couldn’t get out of their end. The Pens played keep away which led to some of our skaters being stuck out for over two minutes before Pittsburgh scored.

Even in a game they got blown out in, Oscar Lindberg played only 9:31. During the Rangers team practice this morning, he was replaced by Matt Puempel, who skated with Josh Jooris and Jesper Fast on the fourth line. It looks like the former Ottawa 2012 first round pick will make his Rangers debut on Black Friday against the Flyers.

How lopsided was it? The Pens out-attempted the Rangers 71-43. The next meeting is Dec. 20 in Pittsburgh.

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