Game 35: Embarrassed by the champs

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Derek
c0kurmexeaermbl

The Penguins did a lot of celebrating at the expense of a broken down Rangers team burying them 7-2 and out-shooting them 47-28. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Penguins. All videos and gifs via Pittsburgh Penguins.

I’ll be honest and just say I didn’t see tonight’s game. I was busy with work and then running other errands. However, it wasn’t too much trouble for me to stay updated on Twitter via my secondary account. The same one Brandon Prust gave his epic response to. You can follow me either at New York Puck or Derek Flex Felix. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out what the main hockey account is. 🙂

As it turned out, I didn’t miss much. The Penguins laid down a beat down on the Rangers 7-2 in their home arena. No. I don’t care to reference the name of the silly building. Though if you were to pick a color paint for this one, it would be Pens’ black and yellow. Or is it gold these days? I can’t seem to keep up with their fancy jerseys.

I hate the Pens. That’s without hesitation. They are still easy to despise despite Carl Hagelin playing for them. Just seeing my timeline, there were an awful lot of angry Ranger fans over some of the penalties called. The Pens scored three times in five chances on the power play. I didn’t see any of the calls. But there was animosity between the rival fans. Let’s leave it at that.

How great is Crosby? Well, if you ignore the cheap play he normally gets with- a kneeing penalty tonight- the Pens captain is the best player in the game. There’s no one who is playing at a higher level. For example, the remarkable tip in for his league-leading 22nd that set the tone below:

Crosby really is that special when it comes to getting his stick on shots. The really sad part is the Pens played this game without two of their top four defensemen. Kris Letang is on the injured reserve and Trevor Daley was out. Ian Cole and Justin Schultz had no trouble setting the game’s first tally up.

Astonishingly, the Pens so dominated play that they got 22 shots on goal in the first period. When you have frustrated captain Ryan McDonagh noting how 10 came in the first five minutes and highlighting the team’s awful defensive play, it’s cringe worthy. Yet somehow Raanta kept Pittsburgh at one. Matt Puempel actually tied it up when he was able to sneak a wrist shot past Matt Murray from Marek Hrivik. It was his first NHL point.

Penalty trouble was an issue in this game. Along with terrible coverage, it made for a long night for poor Raanta. He had no chance on Evgeni Malkin’s 14th at 4:43 of the second. It wasn’t a power play but how could anyone tell from this video of Chris Kunitz finding a wide open Malkin for a one-time blast past Raanta. Look at the confusion and all the reaching.

With Kevin Hayes off for a high stick, it was Phil Kessel’s turn to get on the scoreboard. He basically skated around the Rangers’ entire penalty kill before firing through Raanta, who caught a bad break with it just going off him and squeaking over the goal line:

Chris Kreider also was nabbed for goalie interference. One which a majority of our fans felt was more a reputation call. He doesn’t run goalies. But has been called for goalie interference before. One prior, he was pushed in but got called. Who knows what the deal was with this one on Murray.

What I did learn is that Michael Grabner got two breakaways. One was shorthanded following a Dan Girardi block. He hit the far goalpost. If it goes in, it’s a one-goal game going to the third. Would it have made a difference? I don’t know. Considering that Murray had help from the post and stopped all 14 Ranger shots in the second and they fell apart in a lopsided third, probably not.

The irony is I tweeted how this was the Grabner we were supposed to get. One who missed chances and went into scoring slumps. Funny enough, right after I said that, I get back in the car with my brisket platter from Schaefer’s and he scores his 14th on a three-on-two 1:52 into the third from Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello to make it 3-2. Whenever I roast our players, they seem to respond. 😉

https://twitter.com/NewYorkPuck/status/811391292152446976

But just when it seemed the third might be interesting, it all went to crap quickly. First, Schultz scored his sixth from Malkin at 4:11 with his shot deflecting in. Only 2:01 later, Crosby set up Bryan Rust’s ninth to suddenly make it a 5-1 laugher.

That’s all it took to turn it into a joke. Afterwards, a very disappointed Zuccarello called it “an embarrassment” more than once. One thing about this core. They don’t mince words. The Pens added two more goals including third on the power play from front net pest Patric Hornqvist to make it 6-2. The three PPG’s tied a Pens’ season high set in a recent rout of the Lightning.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Nick Bonino added further insult to injury when he was left all alone to bury a backhand with 11 seconds to go from Rust. They didn’t even play till the final buzzer. Something every MSG analyst on the radio and TV criticized them for.

Shots in the third were 17-4 Pens. Think about that. So, even with Grabner’s shot going in to make it a one-goal contest, the Blueshirts were simply outclassed. I have no problem admitting that the Pens are that good. They are capable of doing that to anyone. Raanta actually made 40 saves but allowed seven goals. And not many could be called bad. This was a tape you burn.

Maybe they had it coming. They have really played a hectic schedule. After having played three in four days winning every single one despite not playing their best, Alain Vigneault had it right when he decided to rest Henrik Lundqvist. If only he could do the same with Girardi, who is starting to wear down. There’s no reason for him to be playing daily. Vigneault did the same thing last year running Girardi and our other veteran D into the ground.

I don’t care if he isn’t a big fan of Adam Clendening. Get him in some of these games. Rest your vets occasionally. At the very least, Clendening can skate and is more of a possession right defenseman who can play power play. So what if Kevin Klein is bumped up to the second pair. Nick Holden’s proven he can play big minutes with McDonagh.

The Rangers have already played 35 games. More than anyone else in the East. Their 23-11-1 record with 47 points is splendid. At some point, they were going to hit a wall. We’ve seen hints at it in imperfect shootout wins over the Predators and Devils. They’ve been relying on the goalies lately. The two had combined for a 0.84 goals-against-average over the last seven games.

Eventually, the defense was going to reach a breaking point. This team has played a ton of hockey. Now, at least they can get a day off before preparing on Thursday for another challenge with the Wild visiting MSG on Friday. Minnesota doesn’t lose much and boasts shutout leader Devan Dubnyk along with huge minutes logger Ryan Suter. Dubnyk pitched his fifth shutout for the Wild tonight. They’re very good and flying under the radar out West.

I am not even upset. In December a few days before Christmas and Channukah or whatever holiday you celebrate, it’s worth noting that not even half the schedule has been played. There are going to be stinkers. However, it was the Pens and they delivered a message. The same one they delivered in that awful MSG rematch when they beat the tar out of the Rangers 6-1.

They’re still the best team. They’re still the team to beat. That message has been delivered loud and clear. Without Raanta, this could’ve been downright ugly. The Pens out-attempted the Rangers 71-46. The Rangers had nearly double the amount of hits which is because they couldn’t get out of their end for long stretches.

I’m glad they finally have a couple of days off. I can use it too.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Antti Raanta, NYR (40 saves and for being a class act throughout-he didn’t blame anyone and was a total pro in the post game)

2nd Star-Evgeni Malkin, Pens (goal-14th, 2 assists, +2 in 17:47)

1st Star-Justin Schultz, Pens (goal-6th, assist, +3 in 21:39-27 shifts-remember he couldn’t fit in with Edmonton? Funny how playing on a real team cures that.)

Note: I’m only doing one cause I am tired. Matt Murray has never lost to the Rangers. He improved to 5-0 including winning all three playoff meetings in last year’s first round elimination. He’s only allowed three goals once. He’s very good. The Rangers don’t see the Pens again till March 31. Maybe by then, Lundqvist can get in and break his losing streak against them.

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nash out again, Raanta to start versus Penguins

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Derek
c0jp9s8xuaixuft

Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby are two of the Pens’ Big Three the Rangers will have to stop in the third meeting of the season tonight. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Penguins.

Tonight is a litmus test for the Rangers who visit the defending champion Penguins at 7 PM. They’ll again be without Rick Nash. The star forward suffered another groin injury at the end of a shift in overtime the other night. What that means is Brandon Pirri gets another chance. We’ll see if he can make the most of it after being scratched for Matt Puempel the last two games.

Antti Raanta gets the call in net with Alain Vigneault opting to rest Henrik Lundqvist. The reasoning was that they just came off playing three games over four days. Of course, Lundqvist was flawless allowing only three goals in three wins including the last two in shootouts. The mental break worked. He’ll get a couple of more days off before the Rangers host the Wild on Friday.

As for Raanta, he had success in the first meeting of a home-and-home series making 29 saves in a Rangers’ 5-2 win at PPG Paints Arena on Nov. 21. The Pens came back to blitz Lundqvist and the Blueshirts in the MSG rematch 6-1 on Nov. 23 chasing him from the net for Raanta. That night, it didn’t matter who played.

Sidney Crosby turned it into a highlight reel scoring twice and setting up another as the Pens reeled off six unanswered goals following a Nash first period tally. The Pens captain hasn’t slowed down leading the league with 21 goals. His 34 points are third overall in league scoring despite playing 26 games. He’s in a four-way tie with the red hot Artemi Panarin, teammate Evgeni Malkin and Jakub Voracek. Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 40 followed by Vladimir Tarasenko (38).

With Malkin and Phil Kessel (10-21-31) also going, that makes the Pens very formidable. They’re lethal. However, they have been held to only two goals in consecutive overtime defeats to the Kings and at the Maple Leafs. Crosby didn’t score in either contest, making it three straight he hasn’t tallied in. He’s due.

The Pens’ two losses have coincided with an injury to top defenseman Kris Letang. The most indispensable player on the team, he was placed on IR with a “lower body” injury. He’s expected to miss two weeks. Take him out of the lineup and Pittsburgh loses its top minutes logger who can play any situation and lead the transition. He can shift from defense to offense as quick as any defenseman. Injuries have prevented him from winning a Norris. It looks like that’ll be the case again while Erik Karlsson has upped his game in Ottawa even leading the league in blocked shots. He and Brent Burns are again running away from the pack.

Matt Murray will get the start for the Pens. The rookie netminder has assumed the number one goalie duties from vet Marc-Andre Fleury. The most overlooked first-year player (technically even though he played last year and led them to a Cup) is 12-2-1 in 16 games with a 1.84 goals-against-average, .938 save percentage and two shutouts. He’s also owned the Rangers winning all four career starts including 3-0 during last Spring’s first round series which the Pens took 4-1. He’s allowed one goal or fewer in three of those starts.

The two teams are separated by two points in the standings. The Rangers lead the Metropolitan Division with 47 points in 34 games. The Pens have 45 in 32. So, they have two games at hand. Keep an eye on the Blue Jackets, who won for a ninth straight time helping John Tortorella become the first American coach to win 500 games. They are third with 44 points in just 29 games. The Flyers have 42 in 34 and Caps boast 41 in 30.

After tonight, the Penguins and Rangers don’t see each other again until March 31, 2017 at MSG. They’ll then meet for the fifth and final time on the last day of the season on April 9 also at The Garden. Who knows. It could be for the division and home ice advantage.

The Pens were preparing for Lundqvist. Conor Sheary was expecting him to start.

Instead, it’ll be Raanta who was brilliant in four consecutive starts before a well rested Lundqvist returned to form. Ranger goalies have a 0.84 GAA over the last seven games. That will get severely tested later.

Posted in Game Preview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stepan’s tying goal and Hayes shootout winner highlights Rangers’ 3-2 win over Devils

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Derek
Derek Stepan dons the Broadway Hat following his clutch tying goal with 1:13 left in an exciting Rangers' 3-2 shootout win over the Devils. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Derek Stepan dons the Broadway Hat following his clutch tying goal with 1:13 left in an exciting Rangers’ 3-2 shootout win over the Devils. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Some games are uglier than others. That applies to wins in almost any sport. Winning ugly is better than losing. Let’s just chalk this one up to that. In the second installment of the Battle of Hudson in a MSG rematch a week later, you got a much more competitive game between blood rivals.

The Rangers dug deep rallying from a pair of one-goal deficits in the third period to pull out a 3-2 shootout win over the Devils. It was an entertaining game which had a bit of everything. There was top notch goalkeeping from both Cory Schneider and Henrik Lundqvist. Each took turns making key saves with both permitting two goals in 65 minutes of action.

There also were momentum swings. The kind you expect in a rivalry game. Both teams were also exhausted. Each were playing for the third time over four nights. Each for the second straight day. The Devils were attempting to end a five-game losing streak. The Rangers looking to make it three straight wins with Lundqvist back in net.

It wasn’t a surprise that New Jersey came to play. They wanted to finish a four-game road trip with a victory. They also wanted to erase last week’s nightmarish performance in the same building.

After a sluggish start with the Devils giving up multiple shorthanded chances on an early power play, they turned it around. It was the Rangers who came out ready getting seven of the first nine shots. That included Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller nearly hooking up for a shorthanded goal. But Schneider was sharp from the outset and prevented any early goals this time. Maybe a night off helped his psyche. Keith Kinkaid allowed only two in a 3-1 loss at Ottawa.

Following the early Ranger pressure, it was the Devils who took over. They finished the first period by registering nine of the final 10 shots to outshoot the Rangers 11-8. However, Lundqvist was strong in keeping the game scoreless. He made a couple of big denials in tight including on Taylor Hall.

The Devils were the better team five-on-five during the second half of the first and the entirety of the second. They also converted on special teams. After failing on two chances earlier, they were able to convert on a third opportunity. With Marc Staal off for his second minor for delay of game, Kyle Palmieri patiently held the puck before firing a tough low shot that Lundqvist couldn’t control. P.A. Parenteau got to the rebound and sent it on the goal line before Lundqvist accidentally knocked it into his own net for a Devil 1-0 lead at 4:37. Damon Severson added a helper.

It was a good response from Parenteau, who was a healthy scratch the previous two games. He was able to net his seventh of the season. Two of of his seven goals have come on the power play. Hardly the production you come to expect from a guy who usually is effective in that role. Maybe the goal is the start of something. He received 2:28 on the power play of his 10:35 of ice-time.

The Devils really did a good job in the middle part of the contest. They continued to challenge Lundqvist. He was the reason it remained a one-goal deficit. To tell you how much the Rangers struggled in their end, the shots went from 7-2 in favor of the home team to 18-12 Devils. They were the aggressor. That included a few pokes at Lundqvist after whistles where there was again no response from his teammates.

When the Blueshirts finally got a second power play, they hardly did anything. An all five lefty unit didn’t get much accomplished. They took way too long to get set up. The Devils penalty kill was also better. More aggressive, they attacked Ranger puck carriers forcing them into mistakes.

There weren’t many forwards going in the period. But Rick Nash was everywhere. He created several opportunities with his great strides. One such instance saw him fly up ice around Severson and have Schneider dead to rights. But he missed. Nash totaled five shots on goal and missed the net three times. His line with Hayes and Miller made things happen. Hayes and Miller have amazing chemistry. It’s just a matter of time before they break out.

On a good Ranger cycle, Oscar Lindberg got nabbed for a hooking minor which gave the Devils a fourth power play. It wasn’t a very good call. Sam Rosen thought the penalty was on Miller for knocking down a Devil. Unable to capitalize on a two-minute power play that carried over to the third, New Jersey was still clinging to a one-goal lead. It’s no secret they haven’t been in this position much. The last time they led after two periods was in a 3-2 home win over the Canucks on Dec. 6.

The Devils sat back a little bit. They kept waiting for that mistake. It nearly came on a horrible change by McDonagh. It wasn’t really his fault. As he was coming off for Staal, an outlet to rookie Miles Wood put McDonagh in a tough spot. Not wanting to be caught for another bench minor, he jumped on the bench. With Staal in an awkward spot not realizing Wood had the puck, that allowed the speedy Devil forward to break in on Lundqvist, who forced him wide denying a backhand.

That was a turning point. Finally able to get a sustained forecheck, Brady Skjei chipped a puck behind the net to Mats Zuccarello. Prior, Lindberg changed for Derek Stepan and kept the play alive. With Zuccarello behind the net, he duped Schneider by quickly centering for Chris Kreider in front for a tap in which tied the score with 11:50 remaining. Schneider fell asleep on the play and did a poor job losing sight. That allowed Kreider an easy finish for his ninth.

After a couple of shaky moments in their zone, the Devils responded thanks to Wood. One of their best players, the rookie was able to park himself in front of Lundqvist and take a Adam Henrique feed and score his third for a 2-1 New Jersey lead with 9:28 left. Palmieri started the play by gaining center ice and dumping the puck in behind the net. Henrique blocked Dan Girardi’s reverse and then retrieved the puck from Zuccarello, who missed a check. Henrique quickly centered for Wood, who beat McDonagh in front. It was terrible defense from the Rangers’ top pair and Zuccarello.

The only question that remained is whether the Devils could hold on. They didn’t give off the impression they were comfortable playing with a lead. Ranger coach Alain Vigneault shortened his bench. For some inexplicable reason, Nashville hero Jimmy Vesey didn’t see the ice. However, Marek Hrivik and Jesper Fast did. Hrivik continues to look like a player capable of contributing. He only played 5:51 but was noticeable during his 10 shifts.

With the Devils starting to back off, the Rangers gained momentum. Vigneault pulled Lundqvist with a minute and a half to go. Following a Devil icing, the Rangers set up a faceoff. With Vigneault having used a timeout during the second with his players exhausted after icing the puck, it was left up to the six skaters to make it happen.

Having struggled with his decision making lately, Stepan has come under criticism. Some have wondered if there’s something wrong. He just hasn’t looked like himself. However, he came through in crunch time by delivering the game-tying goal with 1:13 remaining. On it, Vigneault made a smart move replacing Girardi with Kevin Klein.

A better skating defenseman, he made a good play at the point off a Stepan faceoff win. Klein fed McDonagh, who improvised by slap passing for Stepan in the slot for a nifty deflection that beat Schneider for his sixth. For however predictable he can be passing the puck, Stepan’s always had the uncanny ability to deliver in the clutch. We saw it in both the 2014 and 2015 playoffs. Most notably victimizing the Caps in Games 5 and 7. The goal was his first in eight games.

For a second consecutive night, overtime was needed. Unlike the odd one on Saturday at Nashville, this three-on-three was wide open. Both teams went for it which made it fun. The Devils stuck on Hall with Travis Zajac and John Moore. The Rangers with Hayes, Nash and McDonagh.

A wild and unpredictable start included Schneider stopping Nash and then Hall having two glorious chances to end it on a turnover. Wood also got another chance but was denied by Lundqvist. Miller tried a dipsy do backhand that missed in the closing seconds. Hall got one last shot on Lundqvist which he stopped, forcing a shootout.

The skill competition isn’t as fun as three-on-three. But it does result in a winner. Vigneault opted for Zuccarello, who made Schneider look bad faking backhand before going to a forehand tuck for a 1-0 lead in Round 1. Lundqvist then didn’t go for any of Parenteau’s fakes and calmly gloved his shot.

Saturday’s hero Vesey tried to go to the backhand but Schneider thwarted him. Out came Hall for the bottom of the second. But his forehand triple deke was stopped by a sliding Lundqvist. Stepan nearly ended in the third round with a cool slap shot that Schneider got a piece of pushing it off the goalpost. Mike Cammalleri evened it in the bottom half with a nice backhand five-hole after a pump fake. A move I knew was coming.

In the fourth round, Hayes took only his second shot in the shootout. He cleanly beat Schneider five-hole with a quick snapshot. With the pressure on a second consecutive round, Devil coach John Hynes went with Severson. But an aggressive Lundqvist made a nice pokecheck to notch his second straight win in the shootout (third overall).

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Miles Wood, Devils (goal-3rd of season, game high 6 shots and 10 attempts, +1 in 25 shifts-16:28 including 3:06 PP)

2nd Star-Cory Schneider, Devils (25 saves)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (29 saves)

Notes: Since returning, Lundqvist is 3-0-0 allowing only three goals on 90 shots for a 0.98 goals-against-average, .967 save percentage with two shutouts. … Over the last seven games, Ranger goalies have allowed two goals or less. During that span, the combination of Antti Raanta and Lundqvist have posted a 0.84 GAA with a .966 save percentage (173 saves on 179 shots in 430 minutes) and three shutouts. … Despite registering five shots, Hall went without a point for fourth straight game. He’s minus-four and has one assist with no goals in the last five. … After permitting 14 goals on 110 shots in his last three outings, Schneider gave up two on 27. His best effort since a 12/6 win over Vancouver (22 saves on 24 shots). … Palmieri tallied two assists. He’s without a goal in six straight. … With a helper, that gives Henrique three points (1-2-3) the last three and six (2-4-6) in six. … Wood has goals in two of the last three games. He’s got three overall in 12 games since his recall.

… Healthy scratches for the Devils were Jacob Josefson, Devante Smith-Pelly and Luke Gadzic while the Rangers sat out Brandon Pirri a second straight and Adam Clendening. … Devils held the edge on draws going 31-and-26 paced by Vernon Fiddler (9-and-1). Hayes was the Rangers’ best finishing 12-and-7. … Teams combined for 33 blocked shots with the Devils holding a 17-16 edge led by Moore and Severson (3 apiece) while Girardi paced the Rangers with 4 followed by Klein (3). … Rangers (23-10-1) visit Penguins Tuesday while Devils (12-12-7) host the Predators the same night with the Flyers visiting Newark Dec. 22.

Video Gifs:

Game Photo: Lundqvist ties Dominik Hasek for 12th on the all-time NHL list in victories (389).

Henrik Lundqvist makes a glove save on P.A. Parenteau in the shootout. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Henrik Lundqvist makes a glove save on P.A. Parenteau in the shootout. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Quotable: Cory Schneider on Devils’ effort in a tough defeat.

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/810691373846396929

Video Gif: Miles Wood finishes off in front on a Adam Henrique feed from behind the net.

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/810679057235013632

 

Posted in Battle Of Hudson, Devils, NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Game 33: Lundqvist stones Predators and Vesey gets last laugh in 2-1 Ranger shootout win

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Derek
cz7f3sixcae8efd

Jimmy Vesey and Henrik Lundqvist were a killer combo in a Rangers’ 2-1 shootout win over Nashville. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

It wasn’t a masterpiece. But it’ll do. Henrik Lundqvist stoned the Predators in a Rangers’ 2-1 shootout win before 17,113 at Bridgestone Arena in Music City. His 31 saves and two stops in the skill competition were enough for the Rangers to win a second consecutive game on the road.

Jimmy Vesey got the last laugh against the fans who booed him and had the usual “Vesey sucks,” chants during his return to Nashville. The 23-year old American rookie makes things happen. As it turned out, he did it in the shootout on a picture perfect forehand deke beating hard luck loser Juuse Saros in Round 1. His clutch finish followed a strong denial from a patient Lundqvist on Nashville first shooter Ryan Johansen.

After Lundqvist out-waited Craig Smith to force his high shot wide, shootout ace Mats Zuccarello came out to finish off the win. The very smooth and high skilled Zuccarello went to his patented deke opening up Saros for a backhand tuck five-hole to clinch the Rangers’ 22nd victory. Combined with the Pens losing for a second straight time in overtime (2-1 to Leafs), they are now tied with Pittsburgh in points (45). But remain second due to one extra game played.

It was a rare day where the rest of the top five in the Metropolitan Division lost. The Pens picked up the only point while the Flyers had their 10-game win streak end in a 3-1 loss at Dallas. The Caps also had a six-game win streak stopped at home in a 2-1 loss to Montreal. In fact, the Canes were the only other Metro team to win also via the shootout 2-1 over Buffalo. The Devils were sent to a fifth consecutive loss in Ottawa 3-1. They should be in a foul mood for Sunday night’s MSG rematch. A week prior, the Rangers won handily 5-0.

Despite the Rangers and Predators giving a good show in Smashville, only two goals were scored in 65 minutes. In the first period, Rick Nash caught Nashville’s Saros leaning when he picked high corner short side at 7:47 for his second goal in two games since returning. His 13th which tied Michael Grabner for the team lead came from Kevin Hayes and Nick Holden.

That was all they would get on Saros, who was making just his fourth start. He was sharp finishing with 26 saves. That included stopping all dozen Ranger shots in a seesaw second that swung to the Preds. Not long after Saros denied a Kevin Klein bid, Ryan McDonagh’s pass through the middle tipped off J.T. Miller right to Mike Fisher, who didn’t waste any time. The husband of Carrie Underwood sent a seeing eye wrist shot by Lundqvist through traffic for an unassisted tally to tie the score at 9:22.

It was part of a tough night for McDonagh and partner Dan Girardi. They were stuck in their end for a majority of the contest against an aggressive Preds’ forecheck. Let’s just say they were a negative Corsi at both 5-on-5 and overall. It wasn’t pretty by any stretch. The second half of the game saw the Preds all over the Rangers swarming Lundqvist, who was a cool as a cucumber.

Since he returned, the franchise netminder has stopped 58 of 59 shots which included the first combined shutout in team history. Lundqvist has been at his best looking more like himself. He’s not moving as much and just letting the puck come to him. That’s allowed him to see the puck better and make big time saves like a nice glove stop on Johansen and a huge stick save to deny James Neal with over two minutes left in regulation after he beat a sliding Girardi.

The Preds dominated the third outshooting the Rangers 14-6. But they were unable to solve an unflappable Lundqvist, who also prevented the dangerous skating Viktor Arvidsson on a break in earlier. He was scary during shifts due to his relentless speed and skill attempting six shots with three reaching Lundqvist. Only three Nashville skaters didn’t register a shot.

Even on a night P.K. Subban (upper body) couldn’t go, the Predators played a scrappy game. But as so often happens, great goaltending wins out. They also got that out of Saros, who has been pretty good so far in his four starts allowing only six goals. That included thwarting Oscar Lindberg twice in the third.

The 3-on-3 overtime was odd. It was more tactical. The Preds held possession for the whole first half. However, they only were able to get two shots on Lundqvist with him denying Filip Forsberg from the perimeter.

Chris Kreider had the best chance to end it. Following a good Saros stop on Nash, Hayes made a great slap pass for an open Kreider down low. But he was on a tough angle despite being virtually next to the net and was checked enough to send the puck wide despite Saros being out of position.

Shootouts haven’t been kind to either team. Neither had won one this season. In this one, Lundqvist set the tone by not going for any of Johansen’s 9000 fakes. That’s what it felt like watching it. Then, Alain Vigneault showed he has a sense of humor by sending out Vesey. With the fans on him all night, Vesey coolly skated in and faked before going to a forehand deke and beating Saros upstairs to boos. It was a pretty awesome moment. He shut them up.

Lundqvist would then basically dare Smith to beat him high glove but the Nashville shooter was unable to do so missing wide. That set the stage for Zuccarello. Always dependable in such situations, he made a great move pumping before going to a backhand thru Saros’ five-hole to send excited teammates pouring off the bench to celebrate the win.

One which Lundqvist stole. Something this franchise and its fans are used to seeing from him. It’s safe to say he’s back on track. Who ever doubted him? Not the knowledgeable fans who knew he’d bounce back. So, who do you think gets the nod tonight? Do we even have to guess? 😉

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mike Fisher, Predators (game-tying goal-9th, 2 shots, 4 attempts, +1 in 24 shifts-17:07, 9-and-6 on draws)

2nd Star-Jimmy Vesey, NYR (shootout winner in Round 1, 5 attempts, +1 in 21 shifts-13:09)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (31 saves including 14/14 in busy 3rd-58 of 59 since returning and 2-0-0)

Notes: In his return to the lineup, Matt Puempel went without a shot and one attempt in 17 shifts-10:52 including 1:56 power play. … Marek Hrivik was again noticeable throughout with two shots and two hits while going 3-for-5 on draws in 14 even strength shifts-9:25. … Klein had a good game with three shots, six attempts, two hits and three blocked shots in 17:15 (24 shifts) including 1:32 shorthanded. … Even though he finished with four shots and went 12-and-12 on faceoffs, Derek Stepan struggled with two giveaways in 20:52 (27 shifts). … Grabner only received 12:37 including 2:18 on the penalty kill. He wasn’t as visible. It’s been six games since he registered a point. … Without Subban, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis each logged over 28 minutes for the Preds. They combined for three shots, 13 attempts and nine blocks including a game high six from Ellis. … Eight different Nashville skaters logged over 20 minutes compared to four Rangers. … Faceoffs went to the Preds 31-27 with Johansen 11-and-5. … Key Stat: Giveaways NYR 12 (3 with 2 including Stepan, Miller and Skjei) NSH 11 Saros 2.

Video Gif: What else but Vesey burning the team who drafted him in the shootout.

Team Photo:

The Rangers celebrate a 2-1 shootout win over the Predators in style. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

The Rangers celebrate a 2-1 shootout win over the Predators in style. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NYRangers.

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brandon Prust Gets It

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Derek
Former Blueshirt Brandon Prust knows what needed to be done the other night in response to Cody Eakin's illegal hit on Henrik Lundqvist. AP Photo via Getty Images

Former Blueshirt Brandon Prust knows what needed to be done the other night in response to Cody Eakin’s illegal hit on Henrik Lundqvist. AP Photo via Getty Images

This was from an exchange with former Ranger Brandon Prust on Twitter on the hot topic of Cody Eakin and Henrik Lundqvist. Prust posted a link to a video from YouTube in a tweet about one time when he was a Hab when he gently bumped into Lundqvist. It resulted in Kevin Klein responding and fighting Prust.

In that incident from a couple of years ago, Prust is right when he said his former teammate embellished it. I responded to his tweet and said he did but not the other night. That prompted this response from a gritty Broadway Blueshirt who didn’t back down in such situations:

https://twitter.com/BrandonPrust8/status/810266745617469440

I think it’s important to note that Prust agreed with my sentiment in a post that has gotten plenty of attention on Facebook. You can’t just sit back and let your goalie get run. Intentional or not, it was unbelievable that not one of the five Ranger skaters did anything following Eakin’s hit that sent Lundqvist flying and into concussion protocol before returning to shutout the Stars.

Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers play a certain way. They turn the other cheek too often. In the playoffs, it gets tougher. The battles are more intense. That includes better teams having players drive the net and make it harder on goalies. Maybe they could use Dylan McIlrath. Only he’s a Panther and plays sparingly.

If that situation happens again, the Blueshirts better respond appropriately. Otherwise, they become the laughingstock of the league despite their record. You can’t allow teams to push you around. A message must be sent. Tonight is Game 33 of 82 against a pesky Nashville team. You know they’ll come hard. We’ll see what happens.

Posted in Battle News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Game #33 Pirri benched, Puempel returns as Rangers visit Nashville

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Derek
proxy1

The Rangers visit James Neal and the Predators tonight in Music City. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy PredsNHL.

Following the chaos that came out of Thursday’s 2-0 win over Dallas with Cody Eakin justifiably suspended four games for hitting Henrik Lundqvist up high after he played the puck, the Rangers are back at it tonight when they visit Nashville.

The story for this game is Brandon Pirri is finally benched. Coach Alain Vigneault wants to get Matt Puempel back in the lineup and see what he can do. He missed the last five games with a concussion sustained in last Tuesday’s 4-2 loss at the Islanders on a Brock Nelson high stick.

It’s no secret that the 25-year old Pirri has slumped badly following a quick start. In the first seven games, he scored four times with two assists. Since that point, he has just two goals and four helpers over the last 25. That included a stretch where he went without a point in 12 straight before netting a power play goal and power play assist in the Rangers’ 5-0 win over the Devils last Sunday.

With Vigneault unsatisfied with Pirri’s play five-on-five, it was only a matter of time before he found himself a healthy scratch. He is basically a power play specialist with four of his six markers coming via the man-advantage. So have half his dozen points. In truth, he hasn’t been bad considering the Rangers signed him for one year. Pirri won a job with an impressive camp and centered the fourth line while being a factor on the power play. But his play has tailed off. The coach doesn’t fully trust him.

How far has Pirri sunk? Consider that Marek Hrivik took a couple of shifts in the third period against the Stars while Pirri sat. Hrivik is more defensively responsible and a better forechecker. He’s done well for himself since his recall from Hartford, carving out a fourth line role. It would be nice to see him get rewarded for his effort.

Puempel is two years younger than Pirri. The 23-year old former Ottawa first round pick scored in his Rangers debut. A 3-2 win over the Flyers. That was their last defeat. Dallas is closing in on beating them leading 2-1 late in the third period. Philadelphia has won 10 straight. Columbus just won their eight in a row last night. This is the division that doesn’t lose. So if the Flyers lose, it’ll be a rare double double with the Penguins going down to defeat last night to the Kings 1-0 in overtime. The Caps have been winning regularly and are right there as well.

There’s not much separating first from fifth in the Metro. You can go from a top three seed to a wildcard in the blink of an eye. Three total points separates the Pens and Rangers from the Caps and Flyers. Columbus has 42 points. Pittsburgh has 44 and is in first by a point over the Blueshirts. Updating that game, the Flyers finally lost 3-1 to the Stars.

As for Puempel, he gets another look. A good skater with a shoot first mentality who is a right shot, it’s probably why Vigneault wants to see him again. Besides the fact the Rangers claimed him off waivers. The concussion side tracked him. He wasn’t getting a ton of ice-time. We’ll see what the plan is.

The Rangers still have some players slumping. J.T. Miller has one goal over his last 12. Kevin Hayes has one goal in the last 10. Both do many things well. Vigneault has expanded their roles using them together on the penalty kill where they have been dangerous combining for three of the team’s five shorthanded goals. Derek Stepan and Rick Nash, who scored the other as the game-winner the other night, have the other two.

After a slow start, Stepan has come on. He’s quietly put up seven points (1-6-7) in the last eight. His point total of 21 (5-16-21) is right behind co-leaders Hayes and Miller- each with 22. It would be nice if the number one center finished more. He is without goal over six and only has five thus far. He never has become the goalscorer he could’ve been. In his first six years, he has gone over 20 goals twice. The first coming in his rookie season of ’10-11 when he had 21. The second in ’15-16 when he notched a career best 22 in 72 games.

Some would argue that it’s not his natural instinct to think shoot first. Stepan is a very unselfish player who Vigneault trusts in all situations including power play and penalty kill. If he was bit more selfish particularly on the power play, he could score more goals. But it’s not who he is. In some aspect, he’s similar to Mats Zuccarello. The heady Norwegian who is more playmaker than finisher. The difference being Zuccarello is a better skater with more creativity. He also did start well scoring five times in his first 10 contests.

In fact, Zuccarello’s first seven markers came in the team’s first 17 games. He then went 14 straight without one until he was able to send a backhand from outside the blue line into an empty net to seal the win over Dallas. His 20 points and 8-12-20 line are identical to Chris Kreider, who missed six games due to neck spasms. Kreider has always been a streaky scorer getting four goals in five contests between 12/3-11. He’s been more active this season on the cycle, also using his big 6-3, 228 pound frame to screen goalies on the power play. That net presence has been essential to the club’s improvement. They click at 21.9 percent entering tied for seventh with St. Louis.

The biggest story was Lundqvist, who after sitting out four in a row, was brilliant in making 27 saves for a combined shutout with Antti Raanta. Raanta came in for Lundqvist due to the league concussion protocol for five minutes and never faced a shot. Too bad the Rangers didn’t make the Stars pay on an extended man-advantage with Eakin kicked out for a charging major. He left his feet which is why the shoulder made contact with Lundqvist’s head. Try explaining that to other observers who still think it’s the 80’s and 90’s.

The best part for Lundqvist is he came back and looked great. He was more steady and didn’t overreact. When he is patient and letting the play come to him, he is more relaxed and able to make saves without taking himself out of position. A bad habit he fell into which led to the longest benching of his 12-year career. Unlike the New York Post trolls, I never panicked. Everyone with good knowledge knows Lundqvist is the man. He’s back in for a second consecutive start. What Vigneault decides for tomorrow’s home rematch against New Jersey remains to be seen. Both teams are playing the first of back-to-backs tonight with the Devils in Ottawa.

Ryan McDonagh also returned after missing Tuesday with the flu. The number one defenseman took 32 shifts logging a game high 24:50 with two minor penalties and six attempts. His 16 helpers are tied with Stepan for the team lead. McDonagh’s 17 points pace a blue line which has gotten good contributions out of Nick Holden (4-10-14) and Brady Skjei (1-13-14). Skjei will wear a full face shield against the Predators.

Marc Staal remains a consistent force. He’s played in every game so far and been much better in his end. It’s been nice to see. He was plus-two in 18:44 the other night. For the season, the 29-year old alternate captain has three goals and three assists with a plus-nine rating. Holden mostly works with him as they’ve formed a reliable second pair.

With Skjei remaining with Kevin Klein, who returns to the city where his NHL career began, that leaves Dan Girardi with McDonagh on the top pair. He was solid in Thursday’s win getting 31 shifts (23:29) including 4:52 shorthanded where he blocked four shots. With him, it’s more effort than skating. As we know, he’s not the best skater. So, he remains a frequent target for the Corsi contingent. But he hasn’t been the black hole he was in an injury riddled ’15-16.

If anything, I still would like to see Vigneault give Girardi the occasional game off and play Adam Clendening. The veteran doesn’t have play every night. Tomorrow is the perfect opportunity to rest Girardi. They’re facing a struggling Devil team that seems on the verge of falling out of the race completely. While Clendening has limitations, his skating and possession along with the ability to play the left point on the power play are pluses. Does Vigneault trust him? All indications are no.

I would like to see Clendening sub for Girardi or Klein some nights. Even spell Staal. That way the veteran defensemen are kept fresh. It still says in this space that the Rangers are a top four right D shy of being a serious contender. Whether it’s acquiring a Jacob Trouba or Dougie Hamilton, they definitely can use an upgrade. We’ll delve more into that another time.

The other storyline tonight is Jimmy Vesey, who returns to Nashville for the first time after refusing to sign with them. Taken by them in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft, the 23-year old from Harvard decided to forego signing by opting for free agency. The Predators at least moved him to Buffalo for a third round pick.

After careful consideration, Vesey chose the Rangers over other potential suitors that included Buffalo, New Jersey and Toronto. They were right about him. He’s a good player who has impressed with 10 goals and seven assists in 31 games. Even though he didn’t find the net in the last two, he has been pleased with his game. Against Chicago, Vigneault double shifted him in the third. Vesey had seven shots and was denied by Scott Darling several times.

Pointing out the obvious, he’ll be booed by the Nashville fans. But he also is used to it with Sabre fans letting him know they didn’t like him for not choosing their team. So far, so good for Vesey and the Rangers. It’s been a good fit. He has a nose for the net and a scorer’s mentality. I definitely believe he is capable of scoring 30 goals. It won’t happen this season. But the potential is there.

The Rangers enter 21-10-1 with 43 points one behind the Pens who picked up an overtime point on Friday. The Predators are a disappointing 13-12-4 with 30 points ranking sixth in the Central Division. They’ve dropped three of four including a 5-2 home loss to the Wild on Thursday. Only their third regulation defeat on home ice. They’re a much better team at home winning 10 of their 13 games at Bridgestone Arena. They bring a 10-3-2 record into tonight’s match.

Nashville has totaled 53 goals and allowed 33 for a plus-20 differential at home. The Rangers differential away from MSG is plus-16 with 47 goals and 31 allowed. With the win at Dallas, it brought their road mark to 10-5-0. They’re 11-5-1 at MSG. So, they are capable of winning on the road. The Predators do have one of the better home atmospheres with an enthusiastic crowd that brings plenty of energy. So, it should be entertaining.

The Preds are similar to the Rangers in terms of scoring balance. They don’t boast one big superstar who can carry them. P.K. Subban is probably that guy but he’s been up and down so far since coming over from Montreal in the summer blockbuster for Shea Weber. His seven goals pace a balanced D corps that features Roman Josi. Both are tied in points (17) and each log over 25 minutes a night. Ryan Ellis (4-6-10) and Mattias Ekholm (8 assists) round out the top four. Subban is paired with Ekholm while Ellis pairs with Josi giving Nashville a left-right balance on the top two. Matt Irwin and former Hab Yannick Weber are the third pair.

Unlike the Blueshirts who boast four players with double digit goals, the Preds only have one led by James Neal’s 12. The former Pen still plays with the same edge mixing it up while possessing a lethal shot. His 18 points in 25 games speak to his importance. A good finisher who hangs in the slot, the Rangers must key on him.

Former Blue Jacket Ryan Johansen leads the Predators in scoring with 21 points (6-15-21). He’s been better lately with four points (1-3-4) in his last three. The right-shooting center should have more than six goals. He’s only registered 67 shots. By comparison, second scorer Viktor Arvidson has nine goals on 95 shots with 20 points.

Nashville does it with balance. They have 11 players with 10 points or more. That includes Mike Ribeiro, who is tied with Johansen for the team lead in assists (15). Mike Fisher does a bit of everything for Peter Laviolette. The ex-Sen is just a really complete center who remains overlooked. Throughout his career, he’s delivered clutch goals. Whether at even strength, the power play or shorthanded, Fisher only knows one way to play. You better believe he’ll be parked in front of Lundqvist.

Filip Forsberg has had a confusing start. A very talented player, he only has three goals but 14 helpers for 17 points. He’s a much better scorer than that. In the second half of last year, he went on a tear and finished with 33 goals. Keep an eye on him. Craig Smith has also been fairly quiet with six goals and five assists. He’s always a threat with a good right shot. Colin Wilson is more playmaker than finisher with 10 helpers and 15 points.

In many ways, this is a dangerous game for the Rangers. They’re facing an underachieving team that should be higher in the standings. A lot more is expected of the Preds than being out of a wildcard right now in a mediocre West. If they can string a few games together, they’ll be back in play. They’re too good to be this bad.

It looks like it’ll be Juuse Saros in net over Pekka Rinne. In three starts, he’s 1-2-0 having allowed five goals on 84 shots (.940 save percentage, 1.70 GAA).

Here are Nashville’s projected lines:

Forsberg-Johansen-Neal

Kevin Fiala-Ribeiro-Arvidsson

Wilson-Fisher-Smith

Colton Sissons-Calle Jarnkrok-Austin Watson

Josi-Ellis

Ekholm-Subban

Irwin-Weber

Juuse Saros

Posted in Game Preview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cody Eakin’s cheap shot on Lundqvist embarrassing on many levels

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Derek
proxy

Cody Eakin’s cheap shot on Henrik Lundqvist behind the net was unacceptable. So was the Rangers’ lack of response. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NHL Player Safety.

In case you missed it, Henrik Lundqvist returned to the net for the Rangers after eight days off. His return was almost a disaster due to a blatant cheap shot by Stars forward Cody Eakin. With the Rangers on a power play, Eakin came in full speed behind the net and leveled a prone Lundqvist in the head knocking him temporarily out.

Due to the concussion protocol, he had to leave the game to get checked out in the Rangers locker room. Antti Raanta came in relief and played five minutes without facing a shot. The refs made the right call assessing Eakin a charging major and game misconduct kicking him out for his shenanigans. Here is the play in which not one Ranger retaliated. They just stood by and watched:

Consequently, Eakin was suspended four games. The full explanation of the suspension can be seen in this video link courtesy of the NHL Department of Player Safety. They cited that Eakin had no previous history of supplementary discipline. He had played 333 games without such instance. The four games he received is fair. Some will say it isn’t. But considering he’s a first time offender, he didn’t get off light.

There’s no question Eakin had no place to go by coming in at such a high speed. With Lundqvist in the designated area behind the net playing a puck to Brady Skjei, he had no idea Eakin was coming in like that. Eakin should’ve let up realizing this was a dangerous hit that has no place in the game. Instead, he tries to squeeze by and delivers a shoulder upward that contacts Lundqvist’s head.

Luckily, he was okay and returned to finish with 27 saves for a shared shutout with Raanta. Lundqvist was much sharper staying more relaxed and patient. He was square to the shooters and made some excellent stops in a Rangers’ 2-0 win highlighted by Rick Nash’s shorthanded goal. Mats Zuccarello added an empty netter to end a 14-game drought.

The issue is the Rangers’ lack of response to such a dirty hit. Power play or not, how does not one player go right to Eakin and let him have it. Granted. It was rookies Skjei and Jimmy Vesey in the vicinity. Only when play was whistled down did Nash at least attempt to go at Eakin. But let’s face it. Nash wasn’t gonna do anything.

This is how they are under coach Alain Vigneault. They have no team toughness. I don’t like using the term soft because I would never question any of our players. They’re all fully committed and have done well with 21 wins in the first 32 games. However, hockey at times can be a violent sport. Such hits remain a problem league wide. Sometimes, you have to stand up for fallen teammates.

Lundqvist is their best player. Forget his struggles which led to Raanta getting the prior four starts which gave him a mental break. How many times do we have to see opponents take liberties with our goalie. It’s embarrassing! A flat out joke that no one ever goes to bat for him. At least let them know you’re there.

It isn’t okay. More teams will continue to push the envelope by bumping Lundqvist and knowing they won’t pay any price. Under John Tortorella, you knew there would be an immediate response. They had players such as Brandon Prust, Stu Bickel, Brian Boyle and Sean Avery. Even in Vigneault’s last two years, there was Daniel Carcillo, Tanner Glass or Dylan McIlrath.

There is zero toughness on the ’16-17 Rangers. The going will get tougher. Already Jan. 17 next calendar year at MSG has been circled. But what will change? Will Eakin face any consequences? This isn’t last year when McIlrath went at it with Wayne Simmonds while Glass also fought.

On the current roster, Chris Kreider is the toughest player they have. He will drop the gloves if necessary. But he’s also a skill player who is valuable on the ice due to his speed and size. J.T. Miller and Kevin Klein are also willing. But it’s not in their main job description.

Unless they change their mind and decide to acquire someone for a role that doesn’t fit this roster, Ranger fans can expect nothing. Just the usual skate away and take the power play. How did they do on that five-minute major? Exactly. If you don’t make them pay on the scoreboard, it’s even worse.

I’ve seen beat writers who cover this team think eliminating fighting is the answer. I guess last night just flew over the cuckoo’s nest. I’m done.

Posted in Column | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Time for a coaching change?

Posted on December 16, 2016 by hasan4978

New Jersey Devils Introduce John Hynes

Since my last blog on the Devils sadly nothing has changed.  In fact, the last two games things have actually gotten worse.  I wasn’t even sure it was possible but right now it looks like there’s no end to the Devils’ ineptitude after the team suffered their fourth straight blowout loss in St. Louis 5-2 last night.  Mercifully I saw little of this game, but I watched enough on Sunday night for two weeks’ worth of aggravation.  While I’m relieved over only having to go to one more game before the holidays right now I’m dreading the fact this team has 30 home games left that look like largely meaningless affairs.  Our recent ineptitude combined with the monster Metro has combined to put us a whopping nine points out of a playoff spot already.  And after what now seems like an illusory 9-3-3 start to boot!

Clearly our rebuild, retooling, whatever you want to call it has taken two steps back this year after the one step forward last year.  One of the few people associated with the team I feel bad for right now is Taylor Hall, who must be thinking he brought the Edmonton cloud in with him.  To be fair this franchise is starting to get to that level of ineptitude all on its own, it’s now pathetically obvious both that this team’s not going to the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, but it’s also just as obvious they are a long, long way from even being a good team.  Anyone can be mediocre in this NHL, and yeah if the Devils were in the Atlantic division or the Western Conference they’d still be reasonably close in the playoff hunt but just like with my football Jets dealing with life in the division of the Evil Empire, you have to play the cards you’re dealt.

Honestly I don’t think any of these division teams are going away anytime soon.  Pittsburgh and Washington have stacked teams that should still be solid contenders, Columbus and the Flyers have a lot of good, talented, young players in the pipeline (some of whom are already maturing before our eyes, like the Jackets’ amazing rookie defensman Zach Werenski).  Even the Rangers who most of us thought their window might have been coming to an end with cap problems, draft pick problems and the age of all-world goalie Henrik Lundqvist might have just stumbled onto Lundqvist’s successor in Antti Raanta, and have somehow incorporated more quality youth and skill into their starting lineup without high draft picks.  Of course it helps when you can sign guys like Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey for free basically, because being an Original Six team in NY has its benefits after all.  Even the Islanders and Hurricanes can be a pain in the neck here and there.

So where does that leave us now and in the long-term?  I bristled over the suggestion that the last couple of seasons were about evaluation more than winning but if that was the case I don’t like what I’m seeing, from just about anyone.  What this team is telling me is a lot of these guys aren’t going to be here when we get good again.  Maybe the real scary part is the Devils have only had five division games.  I shudder over what’s going to happen when we start playing the division behemoths more and more.  It sure wasn’t pretty at the Garden on Sunday night, which brought back bad memories of the end of the Lou Lamoriello tenure when the Rangers clowned a noncompetitive Devil team in a home-and-home series toward the end of the season, and more or less signaled the end of a long era with their fans booing our players off the ice on our own Fan Appreciation Night.

Could the 5-0 blowout on Sunday be the signal more changes are neccesary?  It’s disconcerting to think that eighteen months into a new regime and one blowup later, we need another blowup so soon.  Granted I’m not advocating firing GM Ray Shero, but he clearly has his work cut out for him in year two – and somehow finding a way to build a good team with players that either can’t play hockey, won’t play hockey, or are feeling sorry for themselves.  Of course it’s harder to fire all the players than it is to fire the head coach.  As I said a few days ago, if this were Lou’s team, coach John Hynes would not only be on the hot seat but might have already gotten a pink slip for Christmas.  Last night was the point where I really started to think this was a possibility even post-Lou.  After three straight blowout losses, intense practices and a dressing down on Tuesday, the Devils’ early momentum surge in St. Louis yesterday only lasted fifteen minutes.  I was encouraged to see they jumped out to a 2-0 lead but after Vladimir Tarasenko scored late in the first the Devils did what they usually do lately – they turtled, choked and then quit.  Even down two in the third period felt like it was being down twenty with this team.

I don’t want to fire Hynes for losing with what’s clearly a substandard team, and I think he’s a good man doing his best but clearly he’s running out of answers to try to get something, anything at all out of this group.  Right now it looks like this team’s going to be realisitically eliminated from playoff contention by New Year’s which is just unacceptable, tough division or not.  Losing is one thing but being utterly noncompetitive game after game is another story, the Devils haven’t looked this hopeless since the John MacLean era.  Too bad there’s no Jacques Lemaire to come to the rescue this time.  In fact my list of potential replacements for Hynes more or less begins and ends with Rick Kowalsky in Albany.  From afar it seems the 44-year old has done a good job not only winning but getting the most out of his young talent.  Of course the last time we promoted an Albany coach that seemed to be doing a good job that was…MacLean.  Not that Shero should be thinking of that if he wants to make a coaching change, after all division rival Pittsburgh’s won two Cups in the last decade with in-season firings promoting its AHL coach, one of whom was a Shero coaching change from Michel Therrien to Dan Bylsma.

Would Shero really pull the plug on a handpicked coach for a developmental team so soon?  Like new beat guy Andrew Gross said last night, while clearly Shero believed in Hynes hiring him in two different locations, this kind of play just cannot continue before something gives.  If you were going to try to make changes in other avenues, it might be time to start incorporating even more youth into the lineup.  There are actually options in Albany – forwards Joseph Blandisi and John Quenneville could both be candidates for callups, as could defensemen Steven Santini, Yohann Auvitu (strangely scapegoated and sent down recently) and Vojtech Mozik.  If you are going to call these guys up though, give them – and fellow youngsters Nick Lappin and Miles Wood – a real chance to make an impact.  I don’t care if you have to waive, trade or demote someone else, the level of play on the current roster is just unacceptable up and down the line.  That includes goalie, but there are no real options for replacing Cory Schneider or Keith Kinkaid.  It is overdue to pull a Lundqvist on Cory and sit him 3-4 straight games, whatever’s going on with him whether it’s a slump or him suffering PTSD playing in front of this joke of defense, his own play has not been up to standard.  Clearly the Rangers’ extended break sitting Lundqvist had its desired effect over the last few games.

There’s also the option of a Lou-like chemistry trade where talented players like Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora got dealt cause they no longer fit in with the team concept.  As harsh as it would be to dump 2012 hero Adam Henrique right now he’s playing like a guy who doesn’t care.  Of course the rub is so many people are playing badly that you’d be selling at fifty cents on the dollar in a lot of cases, including with Henrique.  Maybe you consider something even more radical like stripping the C from Andy Greene, who clearly hasn’t ‘led’ the team anywhere, particularly this season.  Greene’s comments about the team showing improvement last night were laughable and completely detached from reality and Greene’s been culpable in some bad coach-killing periods for this franchise.  Whatever happens though, needs to happen soon.  With thirty home games left I’m not exactly looking forward to going to the majority and won’t be able to give away tickets to these games.  Still, this team does have to think about selling tickets – which clearly was the motivation for this ridiculous schedule in the first place – even if the playoffs look increasingly remote you can’t lose your fanbase for another long period of time.  Especially a fanbase getting increasingly jaded and aggravated with being a joke.

Posted in Devils | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Game 32 Lundqvist and Nash return as Rangers visit Stars

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Derek
czvb_smxaaef-lp

Henrik Lundqvist returns after getting four games off as the Rangers get Rick Nash back when they visit the Stars tonight. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy Amanda Borges NYR.

When the Rangers take to the ice tonight in Dallas, they’ll have two starting players back. One will be number one goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The other will be star forward Rick Nash.

Coincidentally, both players missed a week. Nash was due to a groin injury. Lundqvist was due to a slump with capable backup Antti Raanta doing a great job in winning three of four games with two shutouts while allowing only three goals on 89 shots.

With each back, the Rangers should get a boost. Well, I don’t know if Lundqvist can play any better than Raanta did in that four-game hiatus. But he can get back to being the franchise netminder who has carried this team. As for Nash, he was on a roll when he tweaked a groin and left the Islander game in the second period. Now, we’ll see how long it takes for him to get back in a groove.

Coach Alain Vigneault will decide who Nash plays with. I wouldn’t expect him to break up cohesive checking unit Marek Hrivik, Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast. Since they’ve been put together, that trio has been playing well enough for Vigneault to trust them offensively and defensively. He wasn’t afraid to use them late in a 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks.

With Nash back, Nicklas Jensen was returned to Hartford. The 23-year old acquired from Vancouver for Emerson Etem was okay in a fourth line role. He didn’t do anything to hurt himself even if he hardly was used in the third period the other night due to Vigneault shortening the bench.

The bigger question is what to do with Jimmy Vesey. The 23-year old rookie from Harvard University had a great third period getting double shifted by Vigneault. He led the team with seven shots and nearly beat Scott Darling to tie it. He received over half his 14:46 in the third. He certainly is a gifted scorer who uses his speed, shot and net presence to generate offense. He might be a better fit right now than Mats Zuccarello with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider. Zuccarello is a creative player on the forecheck but is without a goal in the last 14.

Maybe Vigneault tries Vesey with Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner, who is without a point over four. He still leads the team with 13 goals. Vigneault had J.T. Miller back with Hayes and Grabner. Maybe that changes with Nash back. Hayes and Nash are tied for second in goals with 11 followed by Vesey’s 10. Miller has nine but remains the leading scorer with 22 points including 13 assists. Stepan and Ryan McDonagh are tied for the team lead in assists with 16.

McDonagh missed Tuesday’s big rematch due to the flu. His status is uncertain for tonight. If he doesn’t go, Adam Clendening would be the sixth defenseman again. A right skating D who is more of a possession player that can play the left point on the power play. Clendening hasn’t gotten much time. Vigneault still doesn’t trust him enough to play him and spell Dan Girardi or Kevin Klein to keep both fresh. Klein’s play has picked up since he was benched for Clendening last week. Girardi hasn’t been awful as other Ranger bloggers would have you believe. But resting him occasionally is the smart thing to do.

Brady Skjei should play more than 12-plus minutes after recovering from a cut chin due to taking a Hayes skate that cost him nearly a period. He has been up and down lately which is expected from a first-year defenseman. There will be peaks and valleys. Even Patrik Laine is going through a lull with him accidentally shooting a puck into his own net in a loss for Winnipeg. A puck he was attempting to clear. Mistakes will happen.

The lineup becomes more interesting with Nash back. Matt Puempel returned to practice this morning and spoke to reporters. He’s getting closer to being cleared to return from a concussion. The question then becomes what to do with slumping center Brandon Pirri. He’s currently centering the fourth line. Vigneault doesn’t trust him enough at five-on-five. Pirri is a power play specialist. Half of his 12 points have come on the power play including four of his six goals.

Mika Zibanejad was on the ice practicing passes. He’s still a month away. Pavel Buchnevich continues to strengthen his core so he doesn’t suffer from back spasms. He could be due back before Christmas. They don’t have to rush the talented Russian back. Buchnevich certainly was figuring it out with four goals and four assists in 10 games. When he does return, it makes the lineup that much better. He’s especially good on the power play at creating space.

When Buchnevich and Zibanejad are finally healthy, the Rangers could get back to scoring more goals. Their balance will be even stronger now that Lindberg looks fully recovered from off-season knee surgery. He will likely replace Pirri and stay in the lineup. Hrivik looks like a keeper. It’ll be interesting to see what they decide.

The Rangers take on a Stars team that remains inconsistent. Despite boasting the talented combo of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, Dallas is out of the playoffs currently with 30 points. They’re in the wildcard picture tied with Los Angeles and Nashville in points. But have played three more games (31) which is why they’re on the outside looking in. With Pacific teams such as Calgary and Edmonton improving, they’re not a playoff lock.

Jason Spezza expressed concern following a recent loss. The team responded by beating the Ducks 6-2 highlighted by a goal and two helpers from Benn and two assists from Seguin. The Stars can score goals with Patrick Eaves surprisingly pacing them with 11 followed by 10 from Seguin and nine from Benn. Rookie Stephen Johns has contributed three goals from the blue line.

Dallas has gotten a good year out of meat and potatoes grinder Antoine Roussel. He’s fourth in scoring with 16 points (5-11-16), has two game-winners and is first in the NHL with 85 penalty minutes. He is the type of physical player that could give the Rangers trouble on the forecheck. Never mind that they’ll have to deal with the speed of Benn, Seguin and Spezza (5-10-15). They’ll also try to key on rover John Klingberg, who paces the defense with 14 points (2-12-14). He hasn’t been as effective as last year but is a dangerous player with a big shot who can also find the seam to spring teammates.

Part of the problem for Dallas (12-13-6) is injuries to key players. Patrick Sharp has only played 11 games and remains out with a concussion. Ales Hemsky is also on the injured reserve having gotten into only one game. Talented youngster Mattias Janmark has yet to play. Such games lost to talented forwards have hurt the Stars’ depth. It’s forced coach Lindy Ruff to rely on other players such as Eaves, Roussel, Devin Shore (5-8-13) and Radek Faksa (3-7-10). Old hat Lauri Korpikoski has played 30 games and contributed four goals and five assists in a supporting role.

The Stars do get back young defenseman Jamie Oleksiak after serving a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head. Ruff has used eight D rotating guys in and out. Veteran Dan Hamhuis is a big minutes logger as is Johnny Oduya. Both are counted on. Jamie’s younger brother Jordie Benn has tallied a goal and seven helpers in 28 contests.

Dallas can use more from Cody Eakin and Jiri Hudler. Both of who are finally healthy. Each is capable of contributing. Hopefully, that’s not tonight against Lundqvist.

Goaltending remains an issue. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen continue to split time. Each have won six games with Lehtonen a slightly better goals-against-average (2.92) compared to Niemi’s 3.12. However, Niemi boasts the higher save percentage (.906) while Lehtonen checks in at .894 with the team’s only shutout. It looks like it’ll be Niemi opposing Lundqvist.

Antti Niemi is expected to start in goal tonight against the NY Rangers.

czu5qvrucaeulp2

Dallas ranks 15th on the power play clicking at 17.4 percent including 16.4 at home (9-for-55). The Rangers power play is fourth overall going 22.6 percent including 26.5 on the road (9-for-34). The Stars have allowed five shorthanded goals while the Rangers have allowed one. The Stars rank 28th on the penalty kill going 76.6 percent but are much better at home killing off 87.2 percent (41-of-47). They’ve scored two shorthanded goals with Sharp and Gemel Smith tallying. The Rangers also rank fourth overall on the penalty kill killing off 86.1 percent including 84.4 on the road (27-of-32). They have four shorthanded goals led by Miller (2) with Hayes and Stepan each also tallying.

The Rangers have been shorthanded just 79 times ranking near the top. On the other hand, the Stars rank near the bottom having been shorthanded 111 times.

Face-off is 8:37 PM with the game on MSG. If they move it for the Knicks later like the other night, I’m gonna be annoyed. The Knicks play at the Warriors at 10:30 out West.

Posted in Game Preview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Metro Division Dilemma

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Derek
Jack Eichel

While a loaded Metro Division could make for five 100-plus point teams with two or three not rewarded, Jack Eichel has the Sabres on the rise in a mediocre Atlantic Division. Getty Images

With the Pens and Flyers both winning again tonight, one thing has become abundantly clear about the ’16-17 season. The Metro Division is the best division in hockey. Boasting four teams with 40 points or more and a top five within four total points of each other, it’s win or lose valuable ground in the division.

When you have Ranger players already thinking playoffs, it’s due to the division they play in. The Penguins won their seventh in a row taking the Wednesday Night Rivalry Game over the Bruins 3-2 in overtime on Bryan Rust’s goal from Evgeni Malkin. I actually called Rust too. The Flyers followed suit by holding off the Avalanche 4-3 in Colorado to win for the 10th time in a row. They scored three straight goals highlighted by Brayden Schenn’s shorthanded game-winner. Then held on for dear life following Matt Duchene’s second with Steve Mason flat out exhausted after making 26 saves.

You have a division so good that unless one of the Pens, Rangers, Flyers, Blue Jackets or Caps cool off, all five teams could wind up with over 100 points. What’s worse is that due to the division playoff format, at least three teams are guaranteed to start on the road with the potential for both wildcards to come from the Metro again.

Is it fair? Absolutely not. When you’ll probably have at least two good teams eliminated after the first round, you have to start questioning NHL logic. Shouldn’t it be just the top eight teams seeded 1-8 like it used to be? There’s also the possibility of a team getting screwed by the current system. Divisional match-ups guarantee rivalries. But do fans want to see the same first round series over and over again? Not if it means a first round exit.

While it’s true the two division winners are rewarded by drawing the two wildcards, they might want up playing a better opponent. Especially if the two come from the Metro. If you’re say the Canadiens and you finish first in the Atlantic, is the potential to face the Caps or Flyers easier than say the Senators, Bruins or Lightning? The Pens could wind up with the Blue Jackets, Caps, Flyers or even Rangers.

At this point, the way these teams are playing, they’re putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the Metro which includes the slumping Devils, rebuilding Canes both at 30 points while the Islanders are last with 27. Unless these teams turn it around soon, they’ll likely be out of contention by February.

As for the Atlantic, Montreal is clearly the best team with their 42 points seven better than Ottawa, who lost at home to San Jose 3-2 in a shootout on Staten Island native Kevin Labanc’s forehand deke. An ugly game marred by a major and game misconduct to Mike Hoffman for a vicious crosscheck to the back of Logan Couture, injuring the Sharks’ center who didn’t return. That’ll be up for review and should be a suspension.

The Bruins were competitive against the Pens thanks to goals from Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak (19th) and strong goaltending from Tuukka Rask (33 saves). They outshot the Pens 44-33 but rookie Matt Murray made 41 stops and Rust won it with a nice backhand top shelf on a great Malkin feed. Boston is tied for second in points (35) with Ottawa. Neither are great teams. But good ones who should be fighting till the final weekend for the playoffs with the Lightning, who I figure will turn it around even without Steven Stamkos. They finally won doubling up the Flames 6-3 to cool them off. Old friend Brian Boyle tallied twice along with Ranger killer Alex Killorn.

The Bolts have 32 points. So, they have to play better but are right there in a mediocre division. The Red Wings remain at 30 points with their playoff streak in jeopardy. Now that their offense isn’t scoring regularly and the defense isn’t good, that’s left it up to Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek. It’s unlikely that they’ll make it unless they make a trade for a defenseman.

As for the Panthers, they’re a mess. They’re 13-13-4 with 30 points. Since Tom Rowe took over for Gerard Gallant, they’re not exactly light it up. They’re 2-3-3 and were just blown out at Minnesota 5-1. Starter Roberto Luongo was chased and broke his goalie stick before heading for the locker room. They’re not playing like a contender. Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr each have six goals in 30 games. Barkov with 20 points tied for the team lead in scoring with Jonathan Marchessault. Jagr with 15 tied for third with Vincent Trocheck.

Putting it in perspective, Reilly Smith is 4-7-11 and Nick Bjugstad has no points and is minus-7 in 11 games since returning from injury. Although Keith Yandle leads the blue line with 13 points including 12 assists, he only has one goal which was scored fittingly on the power play in a shootout win over the Rangers in his MSG return. His numbers are eerily similar to what they were here. Jason Demers has been okay. But Aaron Ekblad has busted despite seven goals with a minus-13. There just isn’t much there. Michael Matheson could turn out to be good. The Erik Gudbranson for Jared McCann swap with the Canucks has been a bust. Dylan McIlrath has played three games and scored the lone goal in the 5-1 loss and fought twice.

Looking for rebuilding teams who could rise? I would bet more on the Sabres than the Maple Leafs. Now that Jack Eichel is back and already has five goals and three assists in seven games, Buffalo is back to being dangerous offensively. A strong puck possession team with a top two down the middle of Eichel and Ryan O’Reilly, they’re on the rise. Evander Kane has suddenly woken up with four goals all since Eichel returned. They play together with Sam Reinhart. Kyle Okposo continues to fit in leading with 21 points. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen leads Buffalo with 18 assists and has 19 points. He and Jake McCabe have formed a good tandem minus Zach Bogosian.

Even Brian Gionta and Matt Moulson have chipped in with seven goals apiece. Buffalo has gotten decent goaltending from Swedish tandem Robin Lehner and Anders Nilsson. Both must continue to be good for the Sabres to win. They are tied with the Leafs in points (28). Toronto isn’t quite ready yet. But the potential of first overall pick Auston Matthews along with rookies Mitch Marner and William Nylander will make them a strong contender for years. They can score with Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk mixed in and Morgan Rielly anchoring the back end with Jake Gardiner. But keeping goals out is an issue with Frederik Andersen facing an onslaught  (32 shots per game) while Toronto has an unproven backup.

So, what does it all mean? There’s still a lot of time left. We’re 10 days away from Christmas. But the Metro looks like a runaway division full of contenders. Some won’t even see the second round. A prospect that doesn’t seem fair.

Posted in Battle News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment