Rangers prepare for rematch with Penguins

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Derek

To the surprise of no one, the Rangers will be taking on the Penguins in a first round rematch. Once the Islanders sat half their lineup and removed Thomas Greiss after the first, it was obvious that they preferred to finish a point behind the Rangers and stay in the first wildcard where they’ll draw the Panthers.

What it means is a third consecutive year the Rangers and Pens are meeting in the NHL playoffs. In 2014, it was the Rangers who rallied around Martin St. Louis following the death of his Mom France, coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Pens and advance to the Eastern Conference Final. They met again a round earlier with the Blueshirts prevailing in a tightly contested five games, winning the final two in overtime including Carl Hagelin’s series clincher at MSG. Now, he’s on the other side.

Hagelin has been a big part of the Pens’ revival. After they acquired him from Anaheim, the Pens played much better hockey down the stretch. At one point, they won 14 of 15 also reeling off eight straight to pass the Islanders and Rangers in the Metropolitan Division finishing second and gaining home ice for the first round. In 37 games with the Pens, Hagelin returned to form tallying 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points with a plus-18 rating. Most astonishing is that of his 10 goals, six were game-winners. A new career high. His previous best was five with the Rangers in ’13-14.

A year ago, Carl Hagelin was the overtime hero for the Rangers eliminating the Pens in five. In the series rematch, he's on the opposite side. AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images

A year ago, Carl Hagelin was the overtime hero for the Rangers eliminating the Pens in five. In the series rematch, he’s on the opposite side.
AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images

He is playing in a more offensive role on Pittsburgh’s second line. Hagelin has formed unreal chemistry with Phil Kessel, who finished strong with 26 goals. That included five over a five-game stretch along with a five point effort in a win. Remarkably, it’s Nick Bonino who they did it with. Bonino finished the season on fire with 13 points (4-9-13) in the final nine games.

Another player who’s played a key role is savvy vet Matt Cullen. Signed for depth, the 39-year old veteran pivot had a good season scoring 16 goals with 16 assists in a third line role. Similar to the Pens’ cohesive second unit, most of it’s come since coach Mike Sullivan took over.

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, right, and New York Rangers' Derek Stepan react after Crosby scored the game winning goal during the overtime period of the NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 27, 2016, in New York. The Penguins defeated the Rangers 3-2. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Pens’ superstar Sidney Crosby has been on fire finishing with 44 points in the last 33 games and again reclaim his spot as the game’s best player. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Coincidentally, Sidney Crosby took off after Sullivan replaced Mike Johnston. In February and March, the Penguin captain totaled 15 goals and 24 assists with a plus-22 rating. In four contests in April, he had four goals and a helper before sitting out the season finale against the Flyers. That means that Crosby had 44 points (19-25-44) over his final 33 games. If you go back even further, it’s 58 since the new calendar year. The huge finish propelled Crosby to third in scoring with 85 points (36-49-85) and into the Hart race.

Crosby has always had great chemistry with Chris Kunitz, who doesn’t score as much but had 40 points with a team best plus-29 rating. Kunitz likes to spend time in front of the net as does pesky line mate Patric Hornqvist (22-29-51). It should be quite a battle in front of Henrik Lundqvist’s net with defensemen Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein and Keith Yandle.

Kris Letang also is playing the best hockey of his career. The superb skating high scoring defenseman achieved personal bests in goals (16), assists (51) and points (67) in just 71 contests. That also included a new high of 27 power play points (5-22-27). How hot is he? Try an eight-game point streak in which he amassed two goals and 10 helpers before sitting out at Philly.

The only concern for Pittsburgh is goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury hasn’t played since Mar. 31 due to a concussion. He had a great season winning 35 games with a 2.29 goals-against-average and five shutouts. Rookie Matt Murray left Saturday’s loss after taking contact to the head. He was superb for the Pens going 9-2-1 with a 2.00 GAA, .930 save percentage and one shutout. If either he or Fleury can’t go at the start of the series on Wednesday, then it’ll fall to third stringer Jeff Zatkoff. That would be dicey.

Both teams are dealing with injuries to key personnel. Coach Alain Vigneault has already indicated that captain Ryan McDonagh is day to day and will “definitely not start.” The anchor of the blue line suffered a broken right hand after blocking a Brandon Dubinsky shot in a win at Columbus. His situation remains uncertain for the series.

Without him, it’ll fall on Staal, Girardi, Klein and Yandle to step up along with Dan Boyle. Girardi practiced. He missed the final two games after taking a shove from Brian Boyle that sent him crashing into the boards. Considering that he’s played through a crack in his right knee and now the “upper body” injury, there’s no way he’ll be at 100 percent. The bumps and bruises have effected his skating and decision making. Opponents know they can use their speed to get by him and force turnovers. The Pens are a very fast skating team with a strong fore-check. A match-up that could be problematic.

Vigneault is loyal to his vets. So, the chances of seeing rookie Dylan McIlrath are about the same as Oscar Lindberg. Even with the bigger, stronger defenseman proving capable, he’s likely to be the subject of frustration from fans on social media. With McIlrath, the Rangers boast a tough D who can clear the crease and plays with an edge. At some point, Vigneault might face a tough decision with Girardi. Does he have the guts to sit a warrior if it gives the team a better chance?

One young defenseman who will play is Brady Skjei. A superb skating and puck moving blue liner who has the game the coach prefers, the 22-year old former 2012 first round pick is a left-handed D who is needed with McDonagh out. He won’t be leaned on the way Staal and Yandle will be but is on the third pair. Vigneault hasn’t been afraid to use him. It’ll be interesting to see how he and assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson deploy Skjei in this series.

New York Rangers' Derek Stepan (21) encourages goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) as goalie Antti Raanta (32) replaces Lundqvist during the second period of the Rangers' NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, April 2, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

It’s been a challenging season for Henrik Lundqvist, who still won 35 games on a more flawed roster. He must be at his best against the Pens. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Henrik Lundqvist startled the press by going off and on and then finally back off again today. Even Swedish Kings can have the yips. As long as he’s ready Wednesday, nobody should care. In the even he isn’t, it will fall to steady backup Antti Raanta, who actually played better down the stretch than Lundqvist. That said, the team’s hopes rely on Lundqvist, who faced more shots (29.9 average) than at any other point in his career. His GAA slipped to 2.48 but was still a respectable .920 stopping the puck with 35 wins.

The question is did all the shots and minutes finally get to him. Lundqvist has looked worn down at times. He still got most of the starts getting 64 of 82. He was pulled seven times including an alarming three his final nine appearances. That was a reflection of how egregious the team has played in front of him. This isn’t as efficient a group. Blown assignments have led to more shots allowed and an increase in dangerous chances. The Rangers need Lundqvist to be at his absolute best. That also means more commitment from teammates, who haven’t been as consistent defensively.

Zucc's Back: A happy Mats Zuccarello gets congrats from Derick Brassard for one of his two goals in the Rangers' 5-4 win over the Leafs. The Canadian Press by Frank Gunn

Mats Zuccarello led the Rangers in scoring with 61 points while teammate Derick Brassard paced them with 27 goals. 
The Canadian Press by Frank Gunn

Unlike Crosby who is the Pens’ headliner, the Rangers do it with scoring balance. Steven McDonald Award winner Mats Zuccarello led the team in scoring with career bests in goals (26) and points (61). He only missed one game sitting out Saturday’s finale against Detroit. It was a year ago in Game 5 that he took a McDonagh shot to the head suffering a scary injury which was later revealed as a brain contusion and small fracture in his head which even caused him to lose his ability to speak. It’s amazing that he made a full recovery with help from a speech therapist.

Derick Brassard paced the club with 27 goals and totaled 58 points. He’s been a much better performer at home getting 20 of his 27 markers and 41 of his 58 points at MSG where match-ups are more favorable. That means he only totaled 17 points on the road. He’ll no doubt have to be better at Pittsburgh. Brassard will at least start with Zuccarello and the team’s most improved player J.T. Miller, who set new highs in goals (22), assists (21), points (43) while tying with Brassard and Derek Stepan for the team lead in game-winners (5).

New York Rangers' Derek Stepan, left, is congratulated on his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets by teammates Marc Staal, center, and Dan Girardi during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 4, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. The Rangers beat the Blue Jackets 4-2. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Derek Stepan is playing his best hockey with 14 points the final 10 games entering the tournament. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Stepan played his best hockey down the stretch totaling 14 points (6-8-14) in the final 10. Always counted upon this time of year, he and Chris Kreider enter the postseason hot. Stepan (22 goals) and Kreider (21) are two of five Blueshirts who recorded 20-or-more. Rick Nash did not. He only had 15 in 60 games and went without a point the final five. Interestingly, he finds himself with Stepan and Kreider, apart from Brassard. We’ll see how long that lasts. Nash really hasn’t been the same since the injury to his left leg that sidelined him six weeks. The Ranger offense is much better when Nash is dangerous and able to find the back of the net.

Eric Staal was out with Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast. So, he’s good to go which is encouraging after leaving Saturday’s match after Fast accidentally hit him in the head. Staal only tallied three goals and three assists in 20 games following the trade from Carolina. However, there’s clearly chemistry with Hayes and Fast with the trio very formidable on the cycle. Look for them to play a key role if the Rangers are to prevail.

Vigneault is sticking with the hard working fourth line of Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg. It’s no surprise. Especially considering their work ethic. They have been solid since being put together. As long as he sticks to playing more of a possession style and stays away from bad penalties like the rare hit from behind that got him tossed against Tampa Bay, Glass isn’t a liability. That line has played classic meat and potatoes hockey. They have generated scoring chances. Stick to the formula.

As for Lindberg, it’s a shame to see him wasted. But that’s what the coach prefers. There’s no question Lindberg can go in for Glass if necessary. He brings size and more skating with the ability to contribute more offense. It’s an argument for another day.

In the next post, we’ll delve more into the match-ups and make a series prediction.

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Islanders pull Greiss and lose intentionally

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Derek
Greiss.jpg

Thomas Greiss was pulled after the first period by coach Jack Capuano, making sure the Islanders lost their final game and faced the Panthers in the first round. The Rangers will take on the Penguins for a third straight year. AP Photo/Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The 82nd and final game of the regular season turned into a joke. The Islanders decided to pull Thomas Greiss after the first period in a tie game so they could intentionally lose to the Flyers. When coach Jack Capuano inserted fourth string backup Christopher Gibson, his intentions were made clear. Do whatever it takes to lose so they avoid the Penguins in the first round.

Indeed, the game was rendered meaningless due to an awful new playoff format which basically gave the Islanders the option. Win and finish third in the Metro Division and draw the red hot Pens or lose and start the first round at Atlantic Division winner Florida. They chose the latter. Who could blame them? They were handled by the Pens easily 5-0 on Apr. 2. They proved they could handle the Panthers, rallying for three goals in the final seven and a half minutes in a 3-2 home win on Mar. 14.

By splitting the playoffs into divisional format for the first two rounds, the NHL created this mess. If they didn’t reseed and went with a more traditional 1-8 format, the Islanders final home game against the Flyers would’ve mattered. They would’ve been locked into a 4/5 first round match-up against the Rangers. A win in any fashion would’ve vaulted them over the Rangers and given them home ice for the first Battle Of New York since ’94. Instead, it won’t happen. We’re left wondering why.

The new format includes two wildcards for the final pair of spots with the top three in each division locked in. The top seeded Caps will draw second wildcard Philadelphia, who at least from that sense is a common opponent from the old Patrick Division before they foolishly went to six divisions. Another silly idea created under the leadership of commissioner Gary Bettman. However, it’s not him who should be blamed but rather the faulty process by the competition committee.

It hasn’t been around that long and fans are already tired of it. Why reward a team who has fewer points? The Islanders chose their opponent. Once the Flyers scored twice to even the contest, the decision was made to insert Gibson for Greiss. While I get the notion of doing it for safety precaution, they basically tanked the final two periods to ensure a match-up against the Panthers.

In no surprise, the Isles’ top three scorers John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen all sat out as did Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Brian Strait and Casey Cizikas. Capuano did reinsert Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin with the latter one of the two goalscorers. Nikolay Kulemin also tallied in the all too predictable 5-2 loss to the Flyers.

Speaking of which, they had nothing to play for either. Coach Dave Hakstol scratched Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier and Mark Streit. With Steve Mason an iron man down the stretch getting them in, he rested him and played Michal Neuvirth, who returned from injury after missing the past three weeks. He turned aside 15 of 17 shots for his 18th win.

After the Isles played a good first period, they were outscored three-zip. After registering seven shots on Neuvirth, they totaled 10 the rest of the way. Eric Boulton, Ross Johnston, Bracken Kearns, Scott Mayfield, Adam Pelech and Alan Quine all played. They did their best. But with the Flyers also inserting Scott Laughton, R.J. Umberger and Jordan Weal, it had the feel of a preseason game.

If that’s what the league wants, then they’re even bigger fools than first thought. To many observers, the Islanders did the logical thing. Rested their stars and played for the potential better match-up. Even with injuries to goalies Marc-Andre Fleury (concussion) and Chad Murray, the Pens look more formidable. They played lights out down the stretch winning 15 of their final 17 led by captain Sidney Crosby, who finished third in scoring. Once Carl Hagelin was put with Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino, they gelled. With Kris Letang playing the best hockey of his career and the Pens playing better than anyone entering the tournament, it’s understandable why the Isles did what they did.

I’m not a big believer in playing or rooting for a certain opponent. The Panthers didn’t win the Atlantic by accident. Led by ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr, underrated Jussi Jokinen and Roberto Luongo, they have plenty of speed, skill and goaltending. Featuring Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck and Reilly Smith along with stud defenseman Aaron Ekblad, they’re not pushovers.

Florida lacks the experience that Pittsburgh has. However, they have enough guys in that locker room who have been through the playoff wars and know what it takes. As for the Islanders, they have been here before. Led by Tavares and Okposo, they have yet to advance past the first round since ’93. Eventually, it has to happen.

While the Isles concern themselves with the Panthers, the Rangers will once again meet a familiar opponent. The Pens, who even with questions in net and still no indication when Evgeni Malkin will return, are favorites this time. It isn’t the last two years when the Rangers were the better team and prevailed. They are without Ryan McDonagh and possibly Dan Girardi even though I’d prefer Dylan McIlrath over a less than 100 percent Girardi, who has struggled throughout.

The early indication is that Eric Staal should be ready for the start of his first postseason since ’09. He left Saturday’s game with a “upper body” injury. We’ll have to wait and see. If he can’t go, Oscar Lindberg plays on the third line with Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast. He better.

We’ll delve more into this match-up in another post. At least now, we know who plays who. All due to the Islanders determining who they wanted. What do they say again about karma?

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Going out with a bang

Posted on April 10, 2016 by hasan4978

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For a meaningless season finale, last night’s Devils 5-1 win over the Leafs sure was a lot of fun.  If you were writing a list for what you would want as a Devils fan last night you pretty much got everything on that list and more besides.  Adam Henrique and Kyle Palmeri both getting their thirtieth goal of the season?  Check.  Rookies Pavel Zacha, Miles Wood and Steven Santini playing well in their NHL debuts?  Check.  Cory Schneider having another strong performance and ending a six-game losing streak with a career high 27th win? Check.  A strong team performance throughout and finishing with a +NHL .500 record, finally beating the Leafs in the process?  Check.

Of course last but certainly not least in that equation was Patrik Elias giving us all at least one more taste of his talent and intelligence, playing what could have been his final NHL game.  Till last night this certainly hasn’t been the season Patty or the team envisioned with just one goal and four assists in fifteen games played but for one night we got to see the old Patty again, as he got a deserved first star with a three point, +4 effort including a dramatic goal on his last shift at least of the season with fifteen seconds left in the game, sending the crowd into one more frenzy.  Once again the Devils legend showed he had a flair for the moment, as he has so many times throughout his career.

Of course the big question is whether last night actually was Elias’s final game as a Devil and/or in the NHL.  Elias himself put the ball in management’s court saying it was up to GM Ray Shero and the coaching staff, but even that’s not entirely true.  Some of it is up to Elias’s own body, which clearly betrayed him this year as knee issues limited him to just three games since Christmas.  Weeks ago I accurately predicted he wouldn’t be back till this final homestand where he’d give it his best and try to give the home fans an extended chance to say goodbye if this truly was it for the career Devil.  However, if you watched the instant chemistry between him and fellow Czech Pavel Zacha – who might literally be able to pass for one of Patty’s kids (both in age and hockey intelligence) – you might have come away from it the way I did feeling that Zacha could extend Patty’s career a year or two. Elias himself remarked on the postgame interview with Deb Placey that he wished the Devils could have brought Zacha up earlier, that he ‘might have had more than two goals this season’.

After last night I’m not inclined to doubt him, or want to stand in the way of a possible return next season although I understand all the reasons not to bring him back – he hasn’t had a good season in two years, he couldn’t stay healthy at all this year and will be 40 years old next week.  However, the purely unsentimental aspect ignores all the reasons TO bring him back – the fact he would be a good mentor for Zacha and the other kids, the fact that when healthy and with the right linemates he can still contribute more than a lot of the guys that were playing this year, and you can’t underestimate the fact that from day one this summer Patty’s embraced wanting to be part of a turnaround.  It would be the easiest thing in the world for a 39-year old Elias to say ‘I’ve won my Cups, I’ve scored 1000+ points, had at least a borderline HOF career and done everything I could do in hockey, why bother with a rebuild?’, but that hasn’t been his atitude in the least.  Even after the worst season of his career he clearly wants to come back and help lead this team back into prominence, but it’s entirely possible with the Devils’ depth at LW there’ll be no place for him in the starting lineup by August when both parties seem to mutually agree a decision should be made on Patty’s future.

It was once former GM Lou Lamoriello’s famous meme that ‘when you have time, you use it’, and I suspect both Shero and Elias will take that approach this offseason.  Speaking of Lou, due to a scheduling quirk game #82 of the season was the Leafs’ only trip into Newark and thus Lou’s official return to the Prudential Center for the first time since leaving this offseason after nearly three decades in charge of the Devils (he had been here for the jersey retirement of Martin Brodeur so it was really his second trip back this season). After the first stoppage in play the Devils ran a minute or so long video tribute to Lou, and when the crowd stood up and cheered, a typically nonplussed Lou had no choice but to acknowledge the love with a wave.  As he and the crowd both know, his real day of honor will come one of these days, assuming Lou ever decides to retire.  Another of Lou’s famous quotes is that age is just a number, after all.

As much as I wish that were true with Patty, age catches up with every hockey player not named Jaromir Jagr eventually.  However we can all still dream of the crowd chant towards Patty at the end of the night being true…ONE MORE YEAR!

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Rangers and Islanders still undetermined, Playoff and Award races Update

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Derek
Eric Staal

During their 3-2 win over the Red Wings, Rangers’ forward Eric Staal left the game with an injury after taking a accidentally hit to the head by teammate Jesper Fast. He’ll be reevaluated. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Both the Rangers and Islanders are in the playoffs. The question remains who each will draw in the first round. By virtue of the Rangers defeating the Red Wings 3-2 and the Islanders losing to the Sabres 4-3 in overtime, we still don’t know who each will play.

However, we do know that with the Bruins completing a collapse for a second consecutive year and the Flyers beating the Pens, the playoff picture is set. Despite losing their final two games, the Red Wings are in the postseason for a 25th consecutive season- extending sports’ longest active streak. They will face the battered Lightning in Round One. Already without Steven Stamkos, Anton Stralman, Victor Hedman, Ryan Callahan and Ben Bishop, they lost Tyler Johnson to an “upper body” injury in the first period of a 5-2 loss to the Canadiens.

The other first round match-up in the Eastern Conference that’s set is the top seeded Capitals facing the second wild card Flyers. Considering how tough they played Washington recently, it should be an emotionally charged series between old Patrick Division rivals. Whether or not the underdog Flyers can push the heavily favored Caps is another story. Washington is the deepest team in the league and are relatively healthy. We’ll have more on that in a playoff preview.

As for the Rangers, they rebounded from a 4-1 home loss to the Islanders by edging the Red Wings 3-2 in a Saturday matinee at MSG. Playing without starters Mats Zuccarello, Viktor Stalberg, Dan Girardi and Henrik Lundqvist, they had enough to defeat a more desperate Detroit club who didn’t know if they were in until the final few minutes. The Bruins were busy getting eliminated in awful fashion 6-1 to the Senators on home ice.

Dan Boyle scored his 10th goal in the first period. The 39-year old elder statesman beat Detroit starter Jimmy Howard with a nice wrist shot off a rush on a feed from Chris Kreider for the only goal of the first. Astonishingly, Boyle led all Ranger defensemen with 10 markers. Not bad for a guy who might be in his final season. He still has some sweet hands.

Riley Sheahan.jpg

Red Wings’ goalscorer Riley Sheahan is congratulated by teammates at the bench. Even though they lost, the Wings qualified for the playoffs for a 25th consecutive season due to the Bruins losing to the Senators. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Antti Raanta was the story of the second. The Rangers’ backup played very well making some big stops en route to his 11th victory in his first season on Broadway. After a flat first, the Red Wings were much better in the second firing 16 shots on Raanta, who only let in one goal. It was a fortunate bounce for Detroit after Pavel Datsyuk fired a shot that caromed off Riley Sheahan and over Raanta for a game-tying power play goal.

As Boston imploded in the second falling behind 4-1, the Wings and Rangers were still battling in a tightly played third. A Dylan McIlrath point shot was redirected by Kevin Hayes for his 14th to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead with 5:38 left. Oscar Lindberg added an assist. Remember him? He and Hartford call up Marek Hrivik played.

With Detroit pulling Howard early with it not mattering, Lindberg scored into an open net with 2:34 remaining. Ironically, the Wings got one back from Justin Abdelkader at 18:26 for the game’s final margin. Old friend Brad Richards set it up.

There really wasn’t much to take out of this game. Other than stong performances from McIlrath and Brady Skjei, it was the 82nd and final game of the regular season. Raanta certainly played well and had a good season. He’s extremely likable and also a great interview. I hope they bring him back for next season.

The only concern is the injury to Eric Staal. He left the contest after teammate Jesper Fast accidentally collided with him making head contact. Of course, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said he was kept out of the third for precautionary reasons and “should be fine.” He better be.

With the Rangers sitting at 101 points along with the first tiebreaker of 43 ROW, they watched a funny game between the Islanders and Sabres. Buffalo prevailed on Brian Gionta’s overtime winner at Barclays Center. The old veteran scored twice as the Sabres finished the season strong with four wins in their last five to end with 81 points.

A rebuild highlighted by 2015 second overall pick Jack Eichel and 2014 first round pick Sam Reinhart concluded with promise. Eichel led the Sabres with 24 goals. He finished his rookie season with 56 points including his 32nd assist on a goal from former Islander Matt Moulson that tied the game in the second. Reinhart added his 19th assist to go with 23 goals. That duo will be heard from in the future.

The Isles sure didn’t dress a full roster. Scott Mayfield scored his first NHL goal when his point shot squeaked through Sabres’ rookie Linus Ullmark for the game’s opening tally. After Moulson evened it for his jaw dropping fifth against the Isles this season (he only totaled eight), the Sabres retook the lead on Evan Rodrigues’ first career NHL goal. A linemate of Eichel’s at Boston University, he took a feed from team scoring leader Ryan O’Reilly and whistled a wrist shot past Isles’ fourth stringer Christopher Gibson.

But with Mayfield in the box early in the third, another Islanders’ no-name Alan Quine recorded his first shorthanded from Bracken Kearns. Another player I’ve never heard of. This was a game that also had vet Eric Boulton dressed. Adam Pelech also played.

I don’t think the Isles were too concerned with winning. But the lineup of 18 skaters gave an honest effort. Following Gionta’s first from another first-year NHLer Hudson Fasching, who also should be heard from in Buffalo’s future, Isles’ captain John Tavares won a battle in front to steer in a Calvin de Haan rebound for his team-leading 33rd with 6:26 to go in regulation.

Tavares has been on a major roll scoring for a fourth consecutive game. He has six goals and five helpers over the last six. With 14 points (7-7-14) in the last 10, Tavares will enter the postseason on fire. Whoever the Isles draw, they need their captain to be at his absolute pinnacle to finally advance past the first round for the first time since ’93.

With another injury to a key forward, the Islanders won’t be at full strength next week. They lost Anders Lee to a fractured left fibula. The injury occurred in the first period of Thursday’s win over the Rangers. Shutdown defenseman Travis Hamonic (lower-body) hasn’t played since Mar. 31. If he misses the first round, it would be the second straight year the Isles didn’t have one of their top blue liners. Key grinders Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin remain out with injuries. Mikhail Grabovski hasn’t played since Mar. 15 due to a concussion.

The shorthanded Isles were still able to earn their 100th point. They lost when a coverage breakdown allowed Rodrigues and Mark Pysyk to set up Gionta for the winner at 2:46 of the OT.

In a game that has no real significance other than playoff seeding, the Islanders host the Flyers later today. With the Flyers locked into a first round meeting with the Caps, it’s quite simple. An Islanders win in any form would leapfrog them over the Rangers for third in the Metropolitan Division. Any loss including overtime or shootout would mean the second wildcard and a first round date with the Atlantic Division champion Panthers.

It’s all in the Isles’ hands. They will determine two first round match-ups. Who do they prefer? A red hot Pens that sat out Sidney Crosby for just their second loss in the last 15. Or the Panthers, who they stunned last month with three unanswered goals in a stirring third period comeback.

Claude Giroux, Shayne Gotisbeher, Wayne Simmonds

Two goals from Wayne Simmonds led the Flyers to a home win over the Pens and into the playoffs. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek/Getty Images

Even with another injury to the Pens with rookie goalie Matt Murray leaving Saturday’s contest, the choice seems clear. Avoid Pittsburgh at all costs. Reliever Jeff Zatkoff appeared in his first game since Feb. 20, allowing a goal on the first shot he saw. He was solid afterwards allowing two goals on 24 shots. Wayne Simmonds scored twice and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored into an empty net to seal the Flyers’ 3-1 victory before a sea of orange who celebrated their team’s playoff clincher.

Why not? They weren’t expected to make it. Full credit to first-year coach Dave Hakstol, who should be a Jack Adams candidate. Washington coach Barry Trotz, who led the President’s Trophy is the favorite. Caps’ netminder Braden Holtby tied Martin Brodeur for the most wins in a single season with his 48th in a Washington 5-1 victory over St. Louis. Will he really play in their final game with nothing on the line? I wouldn’t. He tied the legendary Martin Brodeur. I’ll leave this one for our Devils’ residents.

As far as the West, it’s been set for a while. All eight teams are in including the two wildcards Nashville and Minnesota. With a 3-2 win over the Predators combined with a Blues’ loss, the Stars wrapped up the Western Conference’s first seed with 109 points. They will draw the Wild in an intriguing first round that pits the former Minnesota North Stars against their rival Minnesota Wild.

Another first round match-up will have the Blues trying to exorcise their demons against the defending champion Blackhawks. Chicago hasn’t had as good a season finishing third in a loaded Central Division. But they have the star talent led by Hart favorite Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews. In all honesty, I think St. Louis is better this time and should prevail. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with starting Hawks’ netminder Corey Crawford along with Duncan Keith, who will serve the final game of his suspension in Game One for his irresponsible stick-swinging incident.

Similar to the East, there are two match-ups that haven’t been decided. With the Kings blowing a three-goal lead to the pesky Winnipeg Jets, who played their asses off for coach Paul Maurice, the winner of the Pacific Division hasn’t been determined. The Kings lost in a shootout to the Jets. They have 102 points and hold the first tiebreaker with 46 ROW to the Ducks’ 42. In their 82nd game which could be a Stanley Cup preview, Anaheim visits Washington. They must earn two points to beat out the Kings for the division.

The Sharks are locked into the third seed awaiting the result of Ducks/Caps. If the Ducks only get a point, San Jose would play Anaheim. But if Anaheim wins, the Sharks would have a chance at revenge against their biggest rival Los Angeles. I would sign up for Sharks/Kings and watch them beat the hell out of each other.

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Alexander Ovechkin recorded a hat trick to reach 50 goals during a Caps’ 5-1 win over the Blues. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson/Getty Images

Finally, Alexander Ovechkin again proved he can explode at any moment. Needing three goals to reach 50, the Great Eight did it in epic fashion recording a hat trick in the Caps’ 81st game. Not even league scoring leader Kane made 50 goals. He did score his 46th and recorded his 60th assist to set up expected Calder winner Artemi Panarin for one of his two goals allowing the electrifying Russian to hit 30. Kane will win the Art Ross with 106 points (46-60-106). The Stars’ Jamie Benn is second with 89 (41-48-89) and Crosby rounds it out with 85 (36-49-85).

Ageless wonder Joe Thornton will finish fourth with 82 including an astounding 62 assists. He and Ottawa wunderkind Erik Karlsson will share fourth with 82. Karlsson led the league with 66 assists. Just unreal.

As far as the Norris goes, there’s no way the two-time Norris winner won’t be included. Even on a Senators team that wasn’t that good, he put up 82 points (16-66-82) going a point-per-game in a full 82. The question is who joins him. Is it Brent Burns, who paced all D in goals (27) while adding 48 helpers for 75 points? Would you really put Drew Doughty (14-37-51 +24) over Kris Letang (16-51-67 in 71 GP)? I love Doughty as much as anyone and he’s going to be nominated. So, who gets left out? Burns or Letang. I would have Letang in. What he did with that Pittsburgh blue line is remarkable. Especially all the ice-time Adams darkhorse Mike Sullivan gave him.

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Would be Calder winner Artemi Panarin celebrates a goal with teammates for the Blackhawks. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

The Calder will be Panarin. How do you deny him? Sure. He’s not a classic rookie due to playing professionally in the KHL. But there’s nothing in the rules that makes him ineligible. Should he be punished for playing with Kane and Artem Anisimov on the best line? No. In 80 games, Panarin paced all rookies in goals (30), assists (47), points (77) and game-winners (7). Eichel finished second with 56 followed by Max Domi (52). Oilers’ 2015 number one overall pick Connor McDavid was over a point-per-game tallying 48 points (16-32-48) in 45 contests to finish fourth.

My rookie ballot would be in this order:

1.Artemi Panarin, Blackhawks 30-47-77

2.Shayne Gostisbehere, Flyers 16-29-45 in 63 GP 7 PPG 5 GW

3.John Gibson, Ducks 40 GP 38 GS 21 W 2.07 .920 4 SHO

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Devils get look at the future in finale

Posted on April 8, 2016 by hasan4978

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In what was already a somewhat interesting finale given the return of GM Lou Lamoriello to New Jersey and a possible final game for Patrik Elias in Devils red and white, now fans have more of a reason to watch tomorrow evening’s season finale against the Maple Leafs at the Rock with the announced callup of first-rounder Pavel Zacha and dual signing of fellow prospects Miles Wood – shown above scoring a goal for BC – and Steven Santini.  In a interesting confluence of events, Zacha’s OHL team being eliminated on Tuesday and Wood/Santini’s seasons ending Thursday with BC’s loss in the Frozen Four paved the way for potentially all three of them to make their NHL debut tomorrow night.  Perhaps there’ll never be a more striking example of past (Lou/Elias?) and future (Zacha/Santini/Wood) converging than this.

At least the news of Santini and Wood coming to terms on three-year ELC’s can shelve one of the main worries of this summer – and show how capable GM Ray Shero is of getting things done – as both were just over a year away from becoming UFA and both can begin their progression toward becoming professionals.  Ironically that road started at the Prudential Center, as both were drafted in the 2013 draft which was held at Newark.  Ironically that draft is better known for a trade (for Cory Schneider) and a more ceremonial pick (Anthony Brodeur), but Santini and Wood could become big parts of the team’s future as well.  For tomorrow’s game Zacha will wear #37, Santini #38 and Wood #44.

Thankfully the joint arrivals of Zacha, Santini and Wood provide a needed positive buzz to a home finale that looked like it was going to be a bit melancholy with Lou coming back in another team’s suite and Elias possibly going out, along with the team’s four game losing streak that’s left their record frozen at 82 points (which will be NHL .500 if the team suffers another regulation loss tomorrow night).  Currently the Devils should be slotted anywhere from 10-12 in the draft lottery depending on results tomorrow but either way they won’t have that many ping-pong balls to get into the top three though in some respects the future is now with potentially three key pieces all making their NHL debuts tomorrow.  Sometimes getting a player in one otherwise meaningless game turns out to be a good thing, such as 2011 when Adam Henrique made his NHL debut and after the game Jacques Lemaire said that Henrique didn’t look like a rookie.  Sure enough he won a job and played a key role in the Devils’ 2012 run.

UPDATE: I guess Shero wasn’t done yet after all, as the team also announced the signing of defenseman Josh Jacobs to an entry-level contract.  Jacobs was in his first year with Sarnia after one year at Michigan State.  No word yet on whether he’ll be the fourth Devil to make his NHL debut tomorrow.

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Islanders beat Rangers again to pull even

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Derek
John Tavares

Islanders’ captain John Tavares celebrates with teammates after scoring an empty net goal in a 4-1 win over the Rangers. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

The effort was better this time but it again had a familiar end result. For the fourth time this season, the Rangers fell to their most bitter rival. After getting dominated for long stretches, the Islanders erupted for three goals late in the second period to earn a 4-1 win at MSG.

It marked the first time in franchise history that the Islanders swept a season series against their Manhattan rival. They won all four meetings. They took three of four in regulation including both games at 33rd and 7th over Penn Station. The Rangers’ lone point came in a shootout loss on Dec. 2 in Brooklyn.

By winning the final match-up on Thursday, it allowed the Islanders to pull into a tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Each team has 99 points. The Rangers hold the first tiebreaker with 42 ROW to the Isles’ 40. However, the Isles have two games remaining while the Blueshirts have one. Simply put, they must outpoint the Rangers to finish third and draw the second place Penguins, who wrapped up home ice for the first round with an overtime win over the Capitals.

The Isles can also claim third with a Ranger loss to the desperate Red Wings Saturday afternoon and one point earned against either the Sabres or Flyers this weekend. In the event both teams win Saturday, then Sunday’s Islander home game against the equally desperate Flyers would determine who finishes third and who gets the first wildcard and draws the Atlantic Division champion Panthers. In the event that the Rangers got two points Saturday and the Islanders lost in regulation, it would be a first round rematch against the Pens.

At this point, it doesn’t matter. What does is that even when they had control of the game at five-on-five, the Rangers couldn’t beat Isles’ backup Thomas Greiss. They certainly had their chances with a large edge in puck possession. They out-shot the Islanders by a combined 28-16 the first two periods. Credit Greiss for being good. He finished with 36 saves and came within 2:48 of a shutout before Kevin Klein scored.

The issue was time and again, they were unable to do what was required. Sure. They won battles. But most of the shots were from the perimeter. Not many Blueshirts got to the rebounds or got their sticks on the puck for deflections. Overall, it was their best effort against the Islanders in the four games. But there was no finish. Not from Rick Nash, who continues to struggle. Not from Derick Brassard, who’s been a bit streaky. Eric Staal’s line with Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast was the most effective. Staal had a game high seven shots. Fast misfired on a good opportunity.

As usual, the power play came up empty against a quality opponent that kills penalties well. Sure. It’s been a bright spot since Keith Yandle joined the top unit. But against the Isles’ aggressive style, they were abysmal. The Rangers went 0-for-4. They were way too passive looking for the perfect play against a well schooled unit. The Isles had better chances shorthanded. It was tough on the eyes.

For over half the game, it was mostly Rangers. But a couple of hiccups in the defensive zone tilted it in the Islanders’ direction. They had enough support from their fans, who had more reason to cheer even if it’s probably unwise to play Pittsburgh.

Shane Prince tipped home a Marek Zidlicky shot past Henrik Lundqvist to break a scoreless tie with 6:32 left in the second. The goal followed Fast’s missed chance at the other end. If only the second-year Swede who was awarded Player’s Player had better hands. It was point blank and he missed by a wide margin. Eventually, the Isles worked the puck down low. Steve Bernier drew two Rangers leading to a wide open Zidlicky firing for a Prince redirect in front.

It was the kind of blown coverage that’s been a recurring theme for this team. The man-to-man defense that Vigneault plays hasn’t worked. There have been too many instances where the defensemen and forwards haven’t been on the same page. How many times do we have to see two Rangers go to one man leaving a shooter wide open with Lundqvist exposed? On Prince’s tally, it was the top line with rookie Brady Skjei and Dan Boyle who got victimized. What it comes down to is a failure to communicate.

Before they fell apart in the final minute and a half, the Rangers got back to controlling the tempo. That included some more shots fired on Greiss that he stopped. It was quite frustrating. Nobody could bury one. It was just not their night. Even when they created chances and did a good job, nothing went in.

The conclusion of the second was an unmitigated nightmare. It was embarrassing. First, Casey Cizikas scored on his own deflection from Prince and Brock Nelson, giving the Isles a 2-0 lead with 1:22 left. So, I figured that would be it. But as I started to head over to visit my friend on the Bridges, Keith Yandle took a ill advised tripping minor 17 seconds later. As if it wasn’t bad enough, Frans Nielsen finished off his 20th from John Tavares and Kyle Okposo for a 3-0 cushion with 15 seconds to go.

What made it so discouraging is that not one of the four Ranger penalty killers thought it was a good idea to pick up Nielsen in front. I was standing on an angle up top and watched him stand in the same spot until Tavares fed the puck for a easy one-timer past Lundqvist. It was awful.

That was it for Lundqvist, who was replaced by backup Antti Raanta at the start of the third. His night again ended too soon, allowing three goals on 16 shots. Over his last 10 starts, he has been pulled three times including two in the last four. According to my tally, Lundqvist has now been pulled nine times. I can’t remember that ever happening before. A disturbing trend. Since March 3 vs Pit, he has been pulled four times.

In all honesty, if Lundqvist doesn’t raise his level next week, it doesn’t matter if it’s Pittsburgh or Florida. Without him being at his absolute peak, this team can’t get out of the first round. It’s not sustainable. A word that’s been tossed around quite often by other resident Ranger bloggers on Twitter.

Simply put, the current state of the defense is in shambles. Daily News scribe Pat Leonard spoke to WFAN’s Steve Somers earlier tonight. With Ryan McDonagh unavailable for the third straight game tomorrow and for probably a good chunk of the first round, they’re without their anchor. The injury to Dan Girardi from Brian Boyle’s shove from behind doesn’t help. Say what you will about him but Girardi has always stepped it up in crunch time. They’re terming the injury “upper body” and listing him as day-to-day.

We know better. Girardi landed awkwardly losing his balance and hit his head into the boards. I don’t care if he’s related to Clark Kent. Even Superman is vulnerable. Subtract McDonagh and Girardi and it becomes a much more difficult challenge.

For a second game in a row, both Skjei and Dylan McIlrath played. Vigneault even gave McIlrath over 16 minutes in 24 shifts. Skjei played 15:36 in 24 shifts. Vets Dan Boyle, Kevin Klein and Marc Staal all received over 21 minutes while Yandle got 19:18. Nobody was overplayed. That’s a good thing especially with the playoffs guaranteed. The question is what if this team must do this with Skjei and McIlrath playing key roles.

Every team has injuries. Look at the Lightning. They have been decimated. No Stamkos and no Stralman. The Pens are doing this with rookie goalie Matt Murray. Fleury remains out with a concussion and Malkin remains out. The Isles were without Travis Hamonic, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. They also lost Anders Lee to a serious injury tonight.

In order for the Rangers to have any success this postseason, every player must step up. The injury excuse isn’t one at this time of year. Whatever happens, let the chips fall where it may.

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Stepan and Kreider rally Blueshirts past Lightning

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Derek
Derek Stepan

Stepan Up: Derek Stepan celebrates one of two goals in a come from behind 3-2 win over the Lightning. He’s been the Rangers’ hottest player with 14 points over the last eight games. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider remained hot. They rallied the Blueshirts from an early two-goal deficit to a more satisfying 3-2 home win over the Lightning at MSG. Stepan tallied twice and assisted on Kreider’s game-winner with 15:14 left in the third period. The comeback win allowed them to stay two points up on the Islanders, who clinched a playoff berth in a overtime triumph over the Capitals on a Thomas Hickey goal from John Tavares. When they visit the Garden Thursday, third place in the division will be in play.

With 99 points, the Rangers lead the Islanders by two. They also hold the first tiebreaker in regulation/overtime wins with 42 to the Isles’ 39. However, another victory for the Brooklyn rival would give them the upper hand due to having an extra game left. If they can outpoint the Rangers, they can beat them out for third and have to deal with the Penguins, who just don’t lose anymore. They rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Senators 5-3 with old friend Carl Hagelin tallying twice including the game-winner. By prevailing over Ottawa, Pittsburgh is up to 102 with two games remaining. If they earn two points, they will wrap up second place and home ice in the first round.

For now, the Blueshirts will play minus captain Ryan McDonagh, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a “upper-body” injury. It’s suspected to be a small fracture in his right hand after blocking a Brandon Dubinsky shot in Monday’s win over the Blue Jackets. If the top defenseman is out for the first round as New York Post columnist Larry Brooks speculates, it’ll be up to steady vet Marc Staal and Keith Yandle to carry the load on the left side. A night after logging over 25 minutes, Staal had 23:13 in 29 shifts including a monstrous 8:54 while shorthanded with four blocks, an assist and a plus-one rating. He and Kevin Klein (game high 27:24 with 8 hits in 32 shifts) did the heavy lifting that included a momentum shifting five-minute penalty kill on a Tanner Glass interference major that kept the game within reach.

Andrej Sustr and Brian Boyle opened the scoring for the much sharper Lightning, who dominated the first period outshooting the Blueshirts 21-6. Of course, Henrik Lundqvist played a big role in keeping his team only down two. The prideful franchise leader in wins and shutouts turned aside 19 of 21 and then the remaining 20 for a 39-save performance to pick up his 35th win of the season.

”He’s done that for his whole career,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after his shorthanded club minus Anton Stralman and Steven Stamkos were still able to wrap up a playoff spot despite falling short. ”He kept them close enough to get back in it and that’s what good goalies do. We had ample opportunity to score tonight and they just weren’t going in.”

With Lundqvist able to slam the door shut, it allowed his teammates to gain some traction in their second straight game in two nights. After killing many penalties, they were able to get on the board thanks to a Stepan power play goal from Mats Zuccarello and Yandle, who recorded his team best 41st assist. The sizzling Stepan let one go from the left circle that beat Lightning backup Andrei Vasilevskiy thru a Kreider screen, making it a one-goal game with 3:05 left in the second.

It was Stepan again who caught Vasilevskiy by surprise early in the third with a quick snap shot from the right circle for his 22nd tying the score at 2:33. With a primary helper, it gave Zuccarello two assists increasing his new career best to 61 points (26-35-61). Two better than the 59 he totaled in ’13-14. The pint sized Norwegian with the giant sized heart just went over 300 career games. In 302 games played, Zuke is up to 203 points (71-132-203). After totaling 34 in parts of three seasons under former coach John Tortorella, he’s produced 169 (60-109-169) flourishing under Vigneault.

Stepan wasn’t done. He started the winning play with a smart defensive read to Staal, who was able to hit Kreider with a perfect stretch pass in stride springing him for an electrifying breakaway goal at 4:46. Once he got the puck, the more confident Kreider took off like a jet and then went to his patented backhand deke tucking the puck past Vasilevskiy to loud cheers. His 21st matched last season’s career best. He probably won’t beat the 46 points but this is the best hockey he’s played. Kreider has five goals in the last six and eight points. He’s doing everything right.

Kreider’s USA Hockey buddy Stepan has been even hotter. Three more points gives him 14 (6-8-14) over the last eight. By reaching at least 50 points for the third consecutive season, he became the first Rangers’ center to achieve that since the legendary Wayne Gretzky, who of course did it in his three seasons starring on Broadway. In case you’re wondering, Derick Brassard has 58 points in ’15-16 and 60 in ’14-15. He didn’t hit 50 in ’13-14 with 45 in his first full season while centering the cohesive third line with Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot.

Lundqvist made the lead stand up. As usual, the Rangers had a couple of hiccups in the defensive zone. The Lightning finally picked up their offensive play. The reformed Triplets Line buzzed during multiple shifts. But the trio of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov was unable to beat Lundqvist, who denied a Johnson bid from in tight.

”He was our best player tonight without a doubt,” Stepan praised of Lundqvist. ”We came out of the first only down 2-0 because of him and he made some big-time saves the rest of the game.”

”As long as you keep it a two-goal game, you know you can turn it around,” a philosophical Lundqvist said. ”You just want that goal on the board and get some momentum.”

The conclusion of the game wasn’t without a scare. On a forecheck, Dan Girardi took a shove from behind by Brian Boyle and fell hard into the boards. Visibly shaken, he laid down on the ice for a few minutes before being helped off. Originally, Boyle wasn’t even going to be penalized. But the officials then assessed him a boarding major and game misconduct with 1:08 remaining.

Not surprisingly, the Garden erupted in chants of “Boyle sucks, Boyle sucks!” In looking at the replay, I didn’t think it was as bad as it could’ve been. He didn’t shove Girardi hard. But it was a push and Girardi lost his balance and went head first into the boards. His status won’t be known until tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s not a head injury. But it sure looked like it. This is Girardi we’re talking about. A warrior who always miraculously recovers. We’ll see.

Lundqvist was forced to make one more big stop on a shorthanded chance from distance kicking out a Johnson shot and then hearing the friendly sound of the goalpost on a Jason Garrison blast. That’s who this team is. They make it more difficult than it should be.

Notes: In a rarity, Vigneault gave Dan Boyle the night off along with Kevin Hayes. Hartford recall Brady Skjei received 24 shifts (16:22) including 5:16 shorthanded. Dylan McIlrath went plus-two in 18 shifts with 12:03 of his 12:31 coming at even strength. It is odd how little faith Vigneault has in McIlrath, whose physical presence could be needed next week. … Oscar Lindberg got out of jail but only played sparingly, taking nine shifts (6:09). What is the point? This coach is something else. After Glass’ ejection, the fourth line hardly played. … One thing Vigneault got right is limiting Girardi to 10:45 at even strength. He’s too slow against a faster opponent. He did log 6:59 shorthanded. … It would be nice if Rick Nash started lighting the lamp before the postseason. There’s only two games left.

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With Skjei recalled, Rangers could be without McDonagh

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Derek
New York Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates with teammates Derick Brassard (16) and Henrik Lundqvist (30) after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Monday, March 21, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Rangers’ Eric Staal (12) takes to the ice prior to an NHL hockey game against his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes. in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, March 31, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Ryan McDonagh celebrates his power play goal with Mats Zuccarello and Keith Yandle. It proved to be the game-winner in the Rangers’ 2-1 win over the Pens in Game 1. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

In a non-surprising move, the Rangers recalled Brady Skjei from Hartford. The 22-year old defenseman is expected to play tonight for injured captain Ryan McDonagh, who didn’t return after the first period due to blocking a shot with his right wrist. With his status still uncertain, Skjei could get into the final three games all at home before the playoffs.

A 2012 first round pick selected by the Rangers 28th overall, the former University of Minnesota standout has had a good first pro season with Hartford registering four goals and 24 assists with 36 penalty minutes and a minus-six rating in 68 games. Skjei’s also been recalled before playing four games with the Rangers while not looking out of place. A smooth skating, left-handed defenseman who fits into coach Alain Vigneault’s system, he’ll likely play over Dylan McIlrath, who can’t catch a break.

Even after proving he could play the aggressive transition speed game Vigneault prefers, McIlrath finds himself the odd man out. Despite the size (6-5, 220) and strength along with the edge the current blueline lacks, the right-handed rugged blueliner remains a healthy scratch even after recovering from a knee injury. He’s gotten into 31 games posting two goals and an assist with 60 penalty minutes and a plus-six rating. Already a fan favorite, The Undertaker has stood up for fallen teammates including the much ballyhooed fight with Wayne Simmonds, avenging McDonagh, who was concussed by a Simmonds punch.

If Skjei plays over McIlrath, it isn’t so much an indictment of the rookie. But more of a preference by Vigneault, who likes having three left-defensemen paired with three right D. Skjei fits the bill. He also has size listed at 6-3, 206. With Vigneault fully committed to blood and guts soldier Dan Girardi, McIlrath continues to sit. At times, Girardi looks okay playing the position the only way he knows how. At others, he gets beaten and makes mistakes that can be costly. It’s a dicey situation.

Vigneault also likes Dan Boyle, who scored his ninth in the Rangers’ playoff clinching 4-2 win at Columbus Monday night. Boyle has raised his game in the second half. A credit to the 39-year old vet who could hang it up following the season. He has given the Blueshirts hard minutes and remains a good option on the second power play unit.

Kevin Klein has struggled lately with turnovers and has been victimized for goals against. However, he’s trusted by Vigneault and currently was paired with McDonagh. Without him, that means a heavy dose of Marc Staal, who had a throwback game last night playing over 25 minutes. Staal can pair with either Girardi or Boyle depending upon the match-up. When he hasn’t worked with McDonagh, Klein has played with Keith Yandle. Figure them to see quite a few shifts together. Skjei could slide in on the third pair and team with either Boyle or Girardi, whose minutes have been better managed by the coaching staff.

If McDonagh is out for a period including the start of next week’s first round, it could really hurt the Rangers’ chances. Their most dependable defenseman who anchors the back end, he plays every situation and is the second most valuable player on the roster behind Henrik Lundqvist. Obviously, Staal and Yandle would be heavily leaned on to offset the potential loss of the captain.

Whatever happens between now and however long the postseason is, the organization can’t be blinded by the final result. They must create room for both Skjei and McIlrath to be part of the top six in ’16-17. Any failure to do so would be detrimental to the club’s future. That means GM Jeff Gorton, President Glen Sather and Vigneault must be on the same page. It also could spell the end for Girardi, who has been a warrior since he joined the team in ’06-07. He’s the longest tenured Ranger skater participating in 724 games and another 108 in the postseason. Does he have one more run in him?

Hard decisions will be made during the summer. For now, let’s enjoy the remaining three regular season games with the big Islander match coming Thursday. A game I might be attending. As far as the postseason, bring it on. Hopefully, McDonagh will not be out long-term. If he is, we’ll see if a still very experienced close knit group can rally around their captain the same way they did Martin St. Louis two years ago.

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Rangers clinch playoffs

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Derek
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Derek Stepan celebrates with happy teammates Marc Staal and Dan Girardi after his 20th goal helped wrap up a sixth straight postseason for the Rangers who won 4-2 over the Blue Jackets Monday in Columbus on April 4, 2016. AP Photo by Jay LaPrete/Getty Images

“If at first you don’t succeed, you can dust yourself off and try again.”-Aaliyah

It took long enough. Finally on the third try, the Rangers clinched the playoff in a 4-2 road win over the Blue Jackets and former coach John Tortorella. Their sixth straight postseason berth and 10th in the last 11 since the lockout is a good achievement. It demonstrates the consistency they’ve had since Henrik Lundqvist helped the franchise reach the playoff in his rookie year of ’05-06.

”It’s tough to get to the dance,” coach Alain Vigneault pointedly said afterwards. ”People don’t realize how hard it is to be able to get an opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup. We finally got our checkmark. We can still work for home ice and that’s what we’re going to try and do.”

Of course, he’s right. Even if I don’t always agree with his lineup decisions. However, whether it be Tom Renney, Tortorella or Vigneault, the Rangers usually do what it takes to reach the playoffs. Unlike last season when they had the league’s best record, it was a little harder this time. More inconsistent throughout, they battled through. In the win over the Jackets, they battled adversity overcoming the loss of top defenseman Ryan McDonagh. The team captain was injured late in the first period after blocking a shot.

”It was a big block but it was a hard shot as well,” Lundqvist said after making 27 saves to pick up his 34th victory. ”I don’t know much. I haven’t talked to him yet. Obviously he’s a big piece here so hopefully it’s not something too serious.”

For now, McDonagh will be re-evaluated by the team medical staff per Vigneault. It’s being termed a “upper body” injury. While it’s a legit concern with three games remaining including tonight’s match against the banged up Lightning, now is not the time to panic. We’ll just have to wait and see. Hope for the best. If he’s out for any amount of time with the playoffs beginning the following week, then it’ll be time to get worried.
The team deserves credit for getting the job done. In McDonagh’s absence, team leader Marc Staal stepped up with one of his strongest games of the season, logging a game high 25:33 over 31 shifts. That included 4:05 shorthanded with the Blueshirts down a man late with Mats Zuccarello off for high-sticking. Trailing by one, Columbus pulled Joonas Korpisalo for a six-on-four advantage. The game wasn’t sealed until a Derek Stepan steal and cool backhand into a vacated net for his 20th with 1:11 left.
Stepan continues to play well netting a goal and helper giving him 11 points (4-7-11) in the past seven games. His off and on again running mate Chris Kreider also stayed hot recording his second straight 20-goal season while setting up another. It’s been a whirlwind third full season for Kreider but he is back to playing a straight forward north-south power game. That’s resulted in four goals and three assists over the last five. They’re gonna need him for any kind of run.
Dan Boyle and Zuccarello were the other goalscorers. It’s never easy for this team. Twice, they led by a pair of goals only to see Nick Foligno tally twice to pull the Jackets within one. On his second with 9:15 remaining in the third, he was able to beat Kevin Klein to the outside and bank one in off Boyle for a odd goal that squeaked past Lundqvist. A fragile team who struggles when leading, the Rangers held on.

”I really liked the way we played in the first two periods,” Vigneault noted after his team put three past Korpisalo on 25 shots thru 40 minutes. ”I think it was evident in the third that we were a little nervous. There was a lot on the line but we got it done.”

There’s no doubt they’ll have to be better. Once the postseason starts, the Jekyll & Hyde act won’t work against tougher competition. At this point, they remain locked into third place in the division two points up on the Islanders, who got a much needed home win over the Lightning. With 97 points and 41 regulation/overtime wins (ROW), they trail the second place Penguins by three. Both have three left while the Isles have four including a big Thursday clash at MSG.
It’s important for the team to finish strong. They want to go in with more confidence. With three good tests against potential playoff foes including Tampa, the Isles and the Red Wings, it’s a preview of what’s to come. As for what to expect, it’s hard to predict. This isn’t as good a team as the past two years. They’re capable. But there remain unanswered questions.
Vigneault continues to go with his vets which means neither Dylan McIlrath nor Oscar Lindberg is likely to see the ice. Assuming McDonagh can’t go later, the organization is expected to recall someone from Hartford. My guess would be Brady Skjei, who is the left-handed skating defenseman Vigneault prefers. It’s unfair to McIlrath, who proved he could play in the up-tempo system while having the size and strength to clear the crease. Something no other blueliner does consistently.
As for Lindberg, it’s a numbers game. He’s not breaking into the lineup over Kevin Hayes, who has found chemistry on the third line with Eric Staal and Jesper Fast. For all the gripes about Tanner Glass, he continues to fit in on the grinding fourth line with Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg. Glass had another good night delivering a big hit that drew a penalty and also set up a couple of chances. While I don’t agree with him playing daily, it’s what Vigneault wants. As long as he stays responsible and provides energy, it won’t change.
With the postseason now assured, it’s all about how the roster performs when it counts. Everyone gets a clean slate after 82 games. That means anything can happen. Nobody can discount a experienced club who’s been through the playoff grind. The only difference is I’m going in expecting nothing. I’ll just root like hell for them and say a silent prayer.
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Devils prospects providing hope for the future

Posted on April 4, 2016 by hasan4978

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With the Devils formally eliminated from the playoff chase this weekend, the last three games (all at home) over the final week of the regular season are going to be about pride, about getting one last look at the younger players at the NHL level until September – and also in part perhaps about the final games of franchise stalwart Patrik Elias, who’s eyeing a return either tomorrow or Thursday for the last couple of games this season.  Elias isn’t under contract beyond this year and his future is uncertain, though the winger’s on record saying he’d like to try to play another season we could very well be seeing his final games as a Devil one way or another.  I won’t give a full retrospective on Patty at this point though, not with the possibility he returns next season.  Despite his off year two years ago and inability to get on the ice this year I don’t really want to believe this is it yet for my favorite player.  And a full season recap and look ahead at what’s next for the current roster can wait another few days.

If anything though, many of the most important parts of the Devil future are going to be playing meaningful games this Spring.  For guys like Damon Severson, Scott Wedgewood and Joseph Blandisi (maybe even Reid Boucher as well), the AHL playoffs will provide further opportunity to play and improve their games.  With the Devils’ AHL affiliate in Albany currently third in the Eastern Conference with 94 points (42-18-8-2), the long-suffering fans there may finally get an extended playoff run again for the first time since the salad days of the late ’90’s when the Devils were loaded with prospects and coach Robbie Ftorek won a Calder Cup in 1995, the same year the parent Devils won their first Stanley Cup.  Certainly coach Rick Kowalsky and his staff have done an outstanding job this season not only winning but also getting players like Boucher, Blandisi and goaltender Wedgewood ready to contribute at the NHL level this season.  Since all of the above players are still eligible to play in the AHL it’s likely GM Ray Shero will opt for them to do so once the Devils’ season ends on the 9th.  For the AHL Devils, their playoffs will begin in late April since the regular season ends on the 17th.  Ironically enough, this afternoon Albany’s fans got another dose of good news as the Devils re-upped their lease there through the 2018-19 season.

It’s not just at the AHL level where Devils prospects are getting a chance to shine though, for college prospects like Steven Santini and Miles Wood of Boston College, the Frozen Four this weekend may be their last chance to excel at the college level. Santini is a smart, hard-hitting defenseman who was a 2nd round pick in 2013 and has played big-time hockey both in BC and for the US national team.  Wood is also a 2013 draft pick, a fourth rounder that’s been a bit of a late bloomer but an all-around forward and productive member of one of college’s best teams, putting up 35 points in 36 games in his freshman year at BC and also getting time with the US national team.  Ideally, the Devils will sign them both after this season before their senior years come and fans like me start getting paranoid about either guy pulling a Jimmy Vecey.  Another BC player of interest is a little-used forward named Chris Shero…who happens to be the son of Devils GM Ray Shero.  Hopefully the kid will put in a good word for us with both players.  The Eagles (28-7-5) will play in the national semifinals against Quinnipiac on Thursday 5 PM at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, with the winner playing in Saturday night’s final against either Denver or North Dakota.  Interestingly enough the Frozen Four will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 with John Bucigross and Barry Melrose coming out of witness protection long enough to do all three games this weekend.  Both semifinals will be on ESPN2, while the title game will be on ESPN Saturday at 8 PM.

Also the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) playoffs are under way and feature 2016’s top four Devil picks – Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting, Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts, along with Blake Speers and Colton White of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.  Amazingly enough all four are playing in first round Game 7’s tomorrow night.  Speers is a third-rounder that’s a smart, shifty forward who led his team in scoring this year with 74 points in 68 games and is tied for the team lead during the playoffs with 7 points in their first six games, while White’s a mobile defenseman who’s shown some offensive chops putting up 35 points in 68 games.  While Blackwood led the OHL in save percentage during the regular season at age 19, he’s had an up and down playoffs to this point but certainly this season’s been a good start for the second-round goaltender in his first post-draft year.

Certainly the biggest OHL postseason star among Devils draftees has been the highest pick – Zacha (pictured above).  During the regular season Zacha was criticized for putting up ‘only’ 64 points in 51 games compared to Flyers first-rounder Travis Konecny who totaled a whopping 101 points including 56 in 31 games with Sarnia.  However, Konecny got hurt early in the Sting’s first-round series as they fell behind three games to one but Zacha has turned up his game another level in the postseason with five goals and seven assists – in just six games as the Sting have rallied back to force a Game 7 in Sarnia….against Speers and White’s Greyhounds.  Yet another Devils draftee on the Sting is 2014 2nd rounder Joshua Jacobs, who’s impressed as an all-around defenseman with 24 points and a +26 in 67 games – along with five points in his six playoff games during his first year at Sarnia after opting out of college.

I’d be remiss if I left out 2014 Devils first-rounder John Quenneville, a two-way player described in the mold of Adam Henrique, especially since like the Devils center Quenneville wasn’t touted as a high prospect but has steadily improved his game.  Still only 19 years old, he’s starred for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League this year putting up 31 goals, 73 points and a +28 in 57 regular season games and is following that up with a strong playoffs putting up three goals and seven points in the first five games of his team’s series with the Edmonton Oil Kings (which the Wheat Kings lead 3-2).

Moral of the story is for the first time in a long while things are looking up everywhere in terms of prospects who’ll hopefully be helping the NHL team in the next few years.  If you’d like to find out more about the Devils’ prospects and their upcoming games, here are a few sites to check out:

Albany: http://www.thealbanydevils.com/

BC: http://bceagles.com/index.aspx?path=mhockey

The OHL: http://new.ontariohockeyleague.com/

The WHL: http://new.whl.ca/players/26489 (Quenneville’s player page)

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